The Express.
London, England, 1847-01-05 00:00:00

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WINDSOR, MONDAY.—The unfavourable state of
the weather prevented her Majesty leaving the Castle thi
morning. The royal family.wcre also prevented from taking
their usual walking or pony exercise.
H.R.H. Prince Albert, attended by CoL the lion.
C. B. Phipps, Col. Seymour, and Gencrol Bowlts, left the
Castle for London at nine o'clock this forenoon.
His Excellency the Baron de Brunnow, and Sir It.
and Lade Peel, arc expected to arrive at the Castle to-day on
a visit to her iii,jesty.
11.H.H. Prince Albert arrived at Buckingham
Palace, at ten o'clock yesterday moraine, from the Padding-
ton terminus of the Great Western Hallway. His lineal
Highness was 4:ended by the lion. Cul. Phipps. Geneial
Bowles, and Col. Se; moor. The Prince left the Palace soon
after one o'clock, atteooed by his suite, on his return to
Windser Castle.

Mr. Ward had an interview with the Right lion.
T. Milner Gibson yesterday at the office of the Baud of
Trade.
Lord J. Russell will give a full-dress dinner to a
numerous party of the :nem hers of the House of Commons on
iamb!, toe Lit.i of the present month, at his odieial resi-
dence in Downing-street.
Sir Robert and Lady Peel left their residence in
Whitsbstl.g.udeas yesterday fur Windsor Castle, ou a visit
to the Queen.
Despatches were sent cff yesterday evening from
the Colonial-tace for the Governors of the Nor .h -towels:An
Provisoes.
His Excellency the Earl of Elgin, Governor-
General of Canada, andaaite, left Farranee's lintel, Upper
Belersse-street, yesterday, for Liverpool, us route fur
America.

The Vrerp.4 Arnon corroborates a report pat
forth by the .11 'swing thrt Mr. Maudeville will
shortly replace Mr. Oakley in the River Plate.

ABOLITION OF TUE PUNISHMENT OF DEATIT.—A
numerous meetine of the advocates for the alsolition of
the puul-hmnit of death took place last night at the Na-
tional-hall, Ile.bere, Mr. Charles Gilpin iu the chair. In
addressing the meeting, he skid that this was a question in
which all classes of the community were interested, and one
which had been gal:ling more and more upon the attention
of the public every (ley. lie had heard of one man
in America, and another in this country, who were advo-
cates for the contingence of the gibbet. but he must say the
great majerity were against it. He contended that
there was nu authority in scripture for man strangling his
fellow-man ; and ther;:fore before man took upon himself the
sacred character of omnipotence, he should have the wisdom
of omniscience. He then instanced cases in which innocent
men had often suffered death by hangiag ; in (me cane six men
suffered in Exeter; and is another, one man at Ipswich,
whore innocence africiel had undertaken to prove, but time
would not be allowed. Ile contended that whether a man
was guilty or innocent he should not be hanged ; for, if inno-
cent he was murdered ; and if guilty, and said he was innocent,
then he was rent out of the world with a lie in his mouth.—
The Rev. Chubs Rowten proposed the Mai resolution,
which was to the effect that the punishment of d, ath was
totally indeiensible upon the grounds of policy, morality, or
the Christian religion, and ought thereeire to be abolished.
The reverend gentleman spoke to the resolution at consid, r-
able length, and was loudly applauded. He dwelt upon the
manner in whit: the subject was treated in the House of
Commons, where not forty out of 658 members, he
said, could be got to listen, and the house was
generally counted out, but he hoped to see many
of those members counted out at the hustings.
lie denied that the punishment of death wail expedient, be-
muse, wherever the gibbet existed, there also was crime
most frequent; a fact which he could illustrate by abundance
of statistical evidence tram every country in the world. He
instanced the years 1615, 36, and 37, during which no exe-
cution took place in England, and there were no murders
committed in those 3 ears. He contended that it was
equally inconsistent with morality or religion to
have such an institution as the gallows; and that
to apple the word religion to such an institution
was nothing short of blasphemy. He tru•ted, however, with
the aid of public opinion and suck men as Cobden, Bright,
O'Connell, Fox, Dickens, and Jerrold, soon to see it ab i-
lished.—Mr. Alfred Stephens accorded the resolution, and '
stated that until within the last few yeers, there were no
fewer than 300 Jiff: rent offences punishable by death ; that
as many as 40 executions of innocent wen hat taken place '
in the same number of years in England ; and concluded a
very animated ail :meg by instil:icing a cue in which a mr r •
csntile house in the City declined to prosecute a clerk for
forgery, because it was men punishable by death, but
dis-
missed him, though they had the proof of his guilt in their I
hands.—The resolution was unanimously adopted.—After
which, a petition was read by Mr. 11. Vincent, and having 1
been adopted the meeting separated.
SECOND BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK EQUITABLE
BEILDINo ASSOCIATIOX.—A meeting was held last night,
at the Literary Institution, Southwark, Mr. Guillaume, in
the chair, for the formation of a second Southwark
Building Association.—Mr. E. Hunt sta:eil that the
principle of the lint Southwark Building Association
had been found to work so well that its friends were
desirous of establishing snot hr ron the same basis. The so-
ciety proposed to advance from the subscribed funds 2001. on
every share of 801., and 1001. on every half.shar: of 401., on
the payment of an entrance fee of 2s. fel. per skate and a •
subscription of Its. per month—she advances to be made on
the principle of the ballot, and without requiring any inte-
rest fur the money advanced. The only &fie:neer between
this and the first ainaciation was, that the present society
would advance the ,2001. to every member requiring an int-
mediate advance, at an interest of live per cent. Mr. Hunt
having explained the details of the plan, and the advantages
offered to the working does, aby building societies, the en-
rolment of subscriber% was proceeded with.
ST. JOTIN's-tVOOD AND POUTL.kND-TOWN PROVI-
DENT DISPENSAI:V. —The second annual meeting of the
general committee and governors was held last evening at
the institution, 93, St. John's-wood-terrace. The Dispensary
wu established a twelvemonth ago for the purpose of afford-
ing medical relief to its membe. s, the cog being defrayed by
their subscriptions, and deflations received from other quer-
ters. The Idev. Edward Thomas presided. The governors,
in their report, congratulated the members on the progress
made during the past tear in the affairs of the institution,
the objects of which they conceived to be fully carried out.
Their distinguishing feature was, that while the institution
placed within the reach of the necessitous inch medical
relief, drugs, and other nceeramies, as they might re-
quire, it also encouraged habits of providence, industry,
and frugality, by securing to mechanics, reduced trades-
men, and other individuals of limited earnings, good and
speedy medical attendance, &c., when required, at a
nominal expense, and without the difficulty of procuring
admission Helots. In addition to the advice and medicines
dispensed, meat, wine, &r., had been presided, and patients
attended at their ow a house, in many case!. The number of
persons who had been enrolled members since the formation
of the institution was 418, among whom 630 cues of incliner
had occurred. The total number of persoun who had re-
ceived relief was 560, the relief in some cases having been
gratuitous • of these 525 had been restored to health, 7 had
died, and 48 were still under the care of the surgeons. The
accounts of the society were as follows :—Receipts during
the past year, 2421. 101. ftel. ; expenses, 1001. 10s. 911. ;
balance in favour of the institution, 501. 51. 9d. The report
having been unanimously adopt al, it was agreed to present
20/. each to the two medical Officer!, as a slight return for
the valuable services rendered by them to the society ; after
which thanks were voted to the chairman and to several
other gentlemen present for general attention to its interest,
and the ;proceedings terminated.
A NEW CLOG-uouse.—We understand that the
members of the Army and Navy Club have purchased a
large space of ground adjoining their old house of meeting
in St. James's-square, with the view of erecting a building
which shall take rank among the architectural ornaments of
the metropolis. For this purpose it is their intention, as we
are informed, to offer two prizes, of 2001. and 1001. each, for
the first and second best plans of such a building--and to
Open the competition to the members of the architectural
profession atlarge.—Atheneum.
THE ELECTRIC TELEGRAPIL—Yesterday the ex-
tension of the electric telegraph from the Nine Elms termi-
nus of the South-Western Railway as far as the south side of
Waterloo-bridge was completed. The ends of the commu-
nicating wires are enclosed in a square wrought-iron safe,
fitted as a post close to the kerb on the west side of Waterloo-
bridge-road; in this they are secured to a brass plate having
short projecting pins, upon which they are fastened with
mite. The contrivance is extremely compact, but placed too
eur the road, as the wheel of any vehicle coming in contact
might probably derange the tubing and wires for some dis-
tance. The safe is fitted with a lock and hinges, the door
opening to the road. A person who was not aware of its
use would merely consider it one of the ordinary posts to
marls the footway. Should the present weather continue,
the whole of the contemplated extension will be completed
in a very short time.
THE BREWERS AND THE MALT-TAX.—Sir,—IE
appears that the high price of barley has compelled the
brewers to increase the price of beer. Beneath is a copy of
Messrs. Reid and Co.'s circular of the 31st December last.
Your obedient servant, J. H.
Brewery, Genorpond-street, Dee. SI, 1846.
sir,—We beg to inform you that we are sailer the necessity of
advancing the prier. of our putter and moan from this date, at the
rate of five skilltoga per barrel on each quality rearetively.—We
are, Sir, year obedient neriante,—(Sigurd) limn and Co.
BUCKINGHAM PALACE.—The Commissioners of
Woods and Forests have resolved on carrying into effect the
long projected improvements in the vicinity of Buckingham
Palace. In the course of the ensuing summer various build•
kits nearly opposite the equerries entrance are to he rased
with the ground. Shortly after Midsummer it is rumoured
that Charlotte-street chapel is also to be taken down.—Globe.
Tue use or ETHER IN SURGERY.—We quote
from the Bristol Mirmr a particular account of the opera-
tion alluded to in Mr. Herapath's letter, which appeared in
hue paper of yesterday :—On Thursday, a young man, a
Patient at the Bristol General Hapital, had his left leg re-
loved above the knee, rendered necessary by a whits
fluting, of three years standing, At the suggestion of
DT. Fairbrother, the senior physician to the hospital,
Lanodown, the operating surgeon, was induced to
Tfl the effect upon t.ie patient of the inhalation of the
Mbar of sulphuric ether. By this mode the patient
ir thrown into a Mate of utter insensibility, by means
°•/ the bladder used in imparting the laughing gas,
into which Mr. Herepath introduced the ether, and caused
11,! patient to inhale the vapour. After one minute and a
ma the patient was unconscious ; the surgeon then com-
Releed his incision. After the lapse of two or three
• *U2te.. Dr. Fairbrothcr again administered the vapour,
4ePiL3 Lis lingers upare the patient's pulse, and we tch-

ing hie breathing. Allanlate:y wine was allministere:
in small quantities with the vapour, which kept him iu
► state of unconsciousness fur the period of fifteen
minutes. Tho limb was then separated from the
body in one minute. During the operation the features of
the face did not expires* the least pain, and the petit nt
remained motionless. After the operation ho awoke per-
fectly quiet and calm, and said he had nut felt any pain,
either to cutting through the skin, flesh, bone, kniypinc the
bone, or tying the vessels, some of which required to be
disaccted from the nerves, which is exceedingly painful.
This is the second time, we believe, this process, in ampu-
tating ham been used in England. In America it has been
resorted to fi r the purpose of large and painful operations,
which are performed rapidly, and do not reqe.ire any very
nice dissectior, the effect pausing off in from two to three
minutes. 11v the satisfactory experiment new before us, us
administered by Dr. Fairbrother, it is manifest that this in-
halation of the vapour can be satisfactorily applied to ope-
rations of a long and painful character, and it may also be
employed for tile alleviation of pain is medical ro-cs. The
patient has slept better than he had for ten nights, and is
going on favourably.
DeArn IN A CUURCII.—During the early service in
the p Irish Church of Kensington on Sunday warning last,
an I d man of SO, named Charles Fisher, a regular at-
tendant in the fr., seats, dropped suddenly on the &qr of
the male, and expired. &vend of the congregation hastened
tbromril to aa.ist him into the vestry. Tiara he was exa-
mined by a surgeon, who declared that the death must have
been inatantanssaus.

Toe Flue:, ur 1816.—Yesterday forenoon, Mr.
Braidwood, the superintendent of the Coulon engine esta-
blishment, I sid b. fore the committee of the brigade his an-
nual report of the fires which have occurred in the metro-
p 'titan district during the year 1h46. The numbs r of
workshops, warehouses, and private (leeching., that were
entirely destroyed and considerably damaged by tire was
2.a. The number of similar buildings that were
slightly damaged by fire, water, &c., was 570, making a tots]
of &II ; a larger number than has cc, r taken place
since the formation of t establishment. Out of the above
there were tlf:een outbreaks which were attended wilt loss
of life, and the total number of live, lost was tweuty-three.
SUICIDE Icy PRUssIC AClD.—Yestertlny informa-
tion was forwarded to the coroner of the d,lath of Mrs.
Grace Kirby, a widow lady, residing at .11, Gough-street,
Gray's-inn-road, which took place under the following sin-
gular circumstances:—On Friday evening Mrs. Kirby went
out, and on returning home she sat down, as usual, in the
parlour, and entered into conversation with her landlady.
Whilst so sitting she pulled a bottle from her pocket, saying
she had purchased the stuff which was in it for her cough,
and at the time drank some. In a few minutes after she
fell from the chair quite insensible. Mr. Hodges,ofGuilfurd-
street, and sere other medical gentlemen a ere sent for, and
promptly attended, but all effort to restore animation was
useless. On examining the bottle it was found to contain
essential oil of almonds, enough to kill twelve nr fourteen
persons. The mystery is how the deceased became pos-
sesses! of such a bottle and its contents, it being evident that
no chemist would have sold her the quantity found, or have
furnished her with such a bottle. The proper officers, how-
ever, are using every exertion to trace Irvin whence the
poison and bottle pone.

INQUESTS, YEsTERDAT.—DE.VCII FROM IMPURE
Ant.—At the Bed Lion, Shoe-lane, Holborn, by Mr. Payne,
on the body of a man who died at No. 26, field-lane (a
common lodging-house). Dr. Lynch, surgeon of the West
Loudon Union, said that he was requested to attend the
deceased about seven o'clock on Saturday morning. On
entering the room, he found the window shut and the fire-
place blocked up. Deceased was probably in a fit. Had he
been removed into a pure atmosphere, life might hare been
preserved.—A juror observed that many persons died of old
age in courts and alleys, and in Saffron-hill he had seen
children full of Lea:Lb.—Dr. Lynch said that there were
exceptions to the rule, but that it had been proved by
the bills of mortality that, in these localities, out of one
hundred thousand children, about half died in their infancy.
Mr. Cavil], relieving-officer of the union, said, that these
houses always caused great an zloty to the authorities at the
workhouse and the board of guardians. He had made a re-
port upon the subject to the common council and the ward
officers, stating that these establishments engendered fever.
Many are brought to the workouse in that state; and it was
a fact, that in one week last year four were admitted at one
time who died twenty-four hours after their adnaissiou. He
had seen thirty-six beds in a room in which the fire-place
was closed. These were occupied by men, women, and chil-
dren. It was most desirable that some steps should be
adopted to get the evil abated. Coroner: If a fever broke
out it might go to an alarming extent. Dr. Lynch : That is
not the only evil, as a great amity travel from one house to
another, and the contagion is spread. He had known many
persons ester into bus.ness as lodging-house keepers, and
who, in a vary short time, accumulaad sufficient property to
keep their country house. The Coroner remarked, that such
establishments, which were a common nuisance, should be
put down by the arm of the law. The authorities of the
ward might interfere. Verdict, " That the deceased died
from natural causes, death being accelerated by the want of
air, and the jury at the seine time requested that the attention
of the authorities might be drawn to the subji et, so that
there might be a proper supervis:on over these nouses."—
SUICIDE. IN A 'TAVERN.—IIy Mr. Carter, at the Canal
Bridge Tavern, New Peckham, on the body of Mr. Charles
Young, aged 36 years, who committed suicide. On Thurs-
day evening the deceased, who had formerly belonged to the
Surrey Theatre, and latterly held the situation of collector of
one of the trust rates in the parish of Ne a ingtun, entered the
Bridge Tavern, and called fur a rump-steak and a pint of
sherry, which were served in the coffee-room. He partook
heartily of the steak, and drank part of the wine, but soon
after a strange noise was heard, produced by a gurgling of
the throat, and the deceased was observed to be deadly pale.
The landlord and one or two gentlemen in the coots,e-room
hastened to the deceased's assistance, and one of the party
found a small bottle with a Libel on it, which left no doubt
tint it had contained essential oil of almonds, and that its
contents had been emptied into the wine glass which had
been used by the deceased. Two medical men were quickly
in attendance, and employed the stomech.pump, hut their
efforts to preserve life sseic fruitless ; the unfortunate man
had drank sufficient of the poison to kill three or fear per-
sons. It further appeared that the bottle containing the
fatal drug had been taken away from the surgery of his
brother-in-law by the deceased with the intention, no doubt,
of destroying himself, his pecuniary affairs being in a state
of considerable embarrassment. The jury ultimately
returned a verdict of " Temporary insanity." The de-
ceased has left a widow and four children to deplore his 10‘,.
—VIOLENCE TO A SERVANT ItY HER Mtetnese.—By
Mr. Bedford, at the Lamb Tavern, Verestreet, Clare-
market, on the body of Mary Anne Campbell, aged 14, late
in the employ of Mr. Levy, fruiterer, of North-row
Covent-garden. The deceased's death was alleged to have
been caused by the violence of her mistress. Mrs. Anne
Campbell, 19, New-church-court (mother of deceased),
deposed that deceased had been in Mrs. Levy's employ for
eleven weeks. On Wednesday fortnight, between 8 and 9
in the evening, a Mrs. Hughes called, and told witness that
deceased was being beaten by her mistress, and if witness
did not go to her assistance the girl would be killed. Wit-
ness tarried a little, bit in about 20 minutes was again re-
quested to attend, and on proceeding to the house she found
deceased in the shop screaming, and said that her mistress had
been beating and kicking her—her back was covered with
bruises. Witness remonstrated with her, when Mai. Levy
replied that deceased ought to have been treated worse, and
obstinately, refused to allow the child to depart with wit-
ness until she had finished her work. Witness then came
away, and at a quarter to 12 same night, deceased came home,
and ins few minutes fainted from exhaustion. Witness ad-
ministered a little vinegar, upon which deceased vomited
a quantity of blood, and witness put her to bed,
and in a day or two afterwards brought her
to the King's College Hospital, where she died on Thursday
last. It further appeared that deceased had been frequently
ill-used in the same violent manner by her mistress, who,
upon one occasion, would have dealt her a severe blow with a
poker, bad it not been for the interference of her husband.—
Eleanor Hughes corroborated the evidence of the last wit-
ness, and said that when deceased was being ill-used by her
mistress, she said, " Pray don't kick me, I'll do my work."
Witness then heard Mrs. Levy use some horrible expressions
towards the deceased.—Mr. Gill, house-physician to King's
College Hospital, stated that he first saw deceased on Wed-
nesday last. She was then sinking fast. Upon an examina-
tion found yellowish marks on the lower part of the back, en
the centre, from bruises. Witness had not made any post-
mortem examination.—The Coroner here adjourned the
inquiry until this evening (Tuesday), for the purpose of
having spose-mortem examination.

THE EXPRESS, TUESDAY EVENING, JANUARY 5, 1847.