The Express.
London, England, 1846-11-02 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, MONDAY

•
eaoowfs renudiates the bitterness of the French newspapers.
Subjoined ,s portion of Mr. Airy, letter:
"Royal Obseerstory Orainwidi, Oet. 26.—1 e the Netiessat French
newspaper of the fist instant, there Ls a most virulent seeds ea the
subjeet of the new planet ; eantaining a report of the of the
French Academy on the Illth ((ht whlch the priorit at of
the planet was dimmed), and loading Sir John
h and myself with the grossest abuse. It gives mg map resat
pleasure to be enabled to date that this article is most ei=idis-
claimed by the French Ambo Th y. e same which me
the article of the National breight also tin faßawleg Wet Item M.
Aram. which I sat easiblene will be nein& by year resew as
equally honourable le IL Arnim seeltothe body whisk he rspeeinels;"
M. Lamer° Ma. AMT.
" Paata, Ocr. 221.—The Modem was occupied last 11=4eiuthe
clams to priority which yes, Mr. ILmichel 11114 Mr.
thought it your duty to put forme,* In favour of Mr. Admen Ppd.; •
on that occasion. hut whilst eatMalllsg, se I think mend MIK
did not forget that they were sappiest by men of greet talon and
the most noble character. A Mareallat has reported cordlike' b i
terms which hare excited my warmest indignation. This sentiment
ha, been shared by all the entightesed friend,. of .cience. It wee say
desire to give you thlo asetiranee. which I hope you may retakes
kindly feeling,. Bemire, sir, the homage sr my highest. esteem.
"I received, at the 1111:1e tint,. continues Mr. Airy, "a inter
from M. Le Vcrrier, of which the following is an extract :

M. Li TRULIZIt TO M. 51ST.
"It is needless for me to assure you, sir, that my sentiments are the
same so those expressed by M. Arian. One point, howes cr, I beg to
press upon your attention, and that is, that our sittings are public
and that the facts of the debate were often singularly garbled in the
ne camera, so that we can only answer for what appears In our
earspta reledte."
"I am sure that the publication of these passage. will be aufilcient
to prove to the English public that the discreditable article to which I
base alluded meets with no sympathy in the French Academy; and
that there is 'more the leading members of that noble body every
disposition to discuss claims of historical priority with perfect fair-
nem. If, in :he opinion of some F.nirlish periodicals, a Little semi-
Uremia has been shown on the French side, I bi hem that it may be
attributed to the circumstance that (as I am inforinel) a most un-
worthy attempt to detract from H. Le Verrier's^laims was originated
within the Academy Itself—an attempt which lam glad to say was ,
speedily suppremen—G. B. Any,
PUBLIC HEALTH IN THE SUMMER QEARTER,
1848.—The usual return of deaths has been made by the
Regiurar-General for the summer quarter, ending Sept. 30.
That return includes 115 districts, subdivided into 676 rub-
districts. Thirty-four districts are in the metropolis, and the
remaining 81 comprise, with some agricultural districts, the
principal towns and cities of Ens-land. The population of the
whole was 6,579,693 in 18+1. .51,235 deaths were registered
within the quarter—a number exceeding by 1.5,227 these in .
the corresponding quarter of last year. In the mild winter
quarter ending March, 1846, the deaths were nearly 5,000
below the average; in the spring quarter ending in June, the
mortality was slightly above the average: the intestinal com-
plaints which then arose, and became epidemic, have been
the principal causes of the immense loss of life on record.
With the population increasing at the rate of 1•75 per cent.
annually, had the mortality corresponded wish that of pre•
vious years, the deaths would have amounted only to 41080.
The deaths in London were 12,409, while in the summer
quarter of 1815 they were only 10,842. Of the excess of 1,567
deaths, 1,303 were from diarrhea, cholera. and dysentery ;
which proved fatal respectively to 1,549, 197, and 75 persona.
The mortality by intemperance, delirium tremens, jaundice,
lirer diseases, and rheumatism, was also greater than usual.
The five weeks from July 11 to August 15, were the un-
healthiest. Young children were the greatest eufferers, the
form of the disease being what in America is designated
cholera infantum. Though the disease—which also proved
fatal to many old people and adul•e—could not, in some
adult cases, be distinguished in its symptoms from Asiatic
cholera, yet it wee evident from the first that it had not the
characters of the malady of 1832. In London, the deaths
rose fourteen per cent. ; in some other densely peopled towns
the mortality was doubled. No such mortality had been wit-
ness.d in Birmingham for many years. The number, which
in the corresponding quarter of 1811 amounted to 691, rose
to 1.627. In Liverpool, the increase was from 2,59,5 to 4,090 ;
in Manchester and the contiguous districts of Salford and
Chorlton, from 2,411 to 4,248. 1,039 personsdied in Sheffield,
though the mortality in any preceding year had never
exrceded 617. Huddersfield,• Leeds, Hull, and York, also
suffered severely. The mortality of the quarter was below
the average in Pontypool and Newtown, but slightly
above it in the other districts of Wanes. Generally,
the country and southern districts suffered comparatively
little. As regards the relative mortality of different dis-
tricts, it is stated that at the last census the population of
Anglesca was 3.5,105, and the deaths in the last quarter
were 160 the population of Gateshead was 38,717, and the
deaths in the same period amounted to 473. The population
of the seven Welsh districts was 273,000, and the deaths in
the last quarter were 1,465 ,• the population of Manchester
and Salford was 263,000, and the deaths amounted to 3,149.
The population of the six districts of the South-eastern divi-
sion was 218,000, sad the deaths were 1.4.53; while in
Liverpool, the population of which at the time of the last
census, was 223,000, the deaths in the quarter amounted to
2,916. The high mortality of the towns is attributed to crowd-
ed lodgings, dirty dwellings, personal uncleanliness, and
the concentration of unhealthy emanations from nar-
row streets, without fresh air, water, or sewer,.
The returns of the last quarter prove that nothing
effectual hat been done to put a stop to these causes of
disease. The wealthy pari-h of Marylebone affords au in-
stance of the little regard paid to sewerage. A considerable
part of that parish is still without sewers, or any direct open
communications with the sewers; and it is said that half the
houses have cesspools, many of which remain uuemptied
from year to year. No effectual arrangements are made for
the removal of decaying animal and vegetable matter. Com-
plaint is made of great neglect in certifying the causes of the
deaths of infants ; and the natural inference is drawn that
great numbers die without any proper medical assistance.
The registrar of Deansgate, Manchester, remarks, " Of 279
children, the deaths of only 126 were certified ;" to which
the registrar general olds, 'ln Manchester, 13,362 children
p:rished in seven years over and above the mortality natural
to mankind." The average mean temperature in the metro-
poll for the quarter was 63.1; while, in the corresponding
quarter of 1845, it was 67.1.

IRELAND.

DUBLIN, Ocr. 31.
THE CORK DEPUTATION. _ .

The deputation of the several local committees of the
ematy of Cork, named at the meeting at Fermoy on the
21th instant, had sterday an interview with the Lord
Lieutenant, at they iee-regal Lodge, in the Phmnix-park.
The deputation arrived at the lodge at ten o'clock, and was
immediately uuhsred into his Excellency's presence. The
following is an outline of the proceedings, to which much
importance is attached in this country.—Mr. O'Connell
having introduced the leading members of the deputation,
submitted a memorial, which stated
That believing thorough drainage to offer the beet means of em.
ployment, and to be Indispeneable for the proper cultivation of a
Ebreadth of land, they 1.2., with much pleasure, your Excel-
letter letter to the Chairman of the Board of Works, directing that
• ties should ne afforded to the owners of land for obtaining
advances for the purpose. That, having the utmost respect for your
Excellency's wisdom and statesmanlike views, anal but little con&
deuce in their own judgments, they mast reluctantly take the liberty
of requesting a reconsideration of the terms proposed to the owners
of land by the letter just referred to, which gave such unquali.
led eatietaction to the mat majority of the people of Ireland,
but they humbly submit, that proprietors who may become
borrowers under its conditkine, must do so on terms much lees
favourable than are offered by the money clause. of the million
drainage act, insomuch sa they would have to repay the advances
within ten yearn,and may be charged interest at the rate of flee per
cent., instead of being allowed twenty two years for repayment, at a
maximum interest of three onmhialf per cent. They fear this eared-
du ration will deter many persons from applying for presentments for
drainage who would otherwise gladly avail themselves of the Smithies
afforded by your Excelleacy. They venture to request that means
may be devised for similarly modifying the drainage laws—say, by
shortening the period allowed for the assent or dissent under the
summary proceedings. Permitting tenants, holding under short
leases to qualify as proprietors, by giving security for the inetal-
relnts payable during their occupancy, and making the residue a
lip n upon the land. Enabling landlords, 'labs, are tenants foe life, to
el• age the land, on certificate of the commissioners that its annual
value would he Improved to an amount equal to, or exceeding the
ye sly instalments, to become payable in respect of the advaneesmade
for the works. Defining the preliminary expenses, by limiting them
to a certain fixed sum far twenty acres; in all eases of mere field
drainage, requiring no main escapes, or other works extending into
sevoral properties, and where the necessary server, which may be
nose simplified, shall be furnished by the applicant. Or, that the go.
see unent would declare that the legislature shall be called on to le.
galioe the extension of the term for the repayment of advances
graded by presentment, to the pealed allowed by the drainage acts,
and the limitation of the interest to thremand-mhalf. In cam of the
ado dim of either suggestion, they pray you further to direct that
landlords or others who shall obtain orders for the drainage of their
lani.s may, on complying with all necessary preliminaries, be allowed
to select their own overseers. On emulition, however, that the works
should be completed, under a penalty. according to plans and specifi-
cations to be approved of by the Asartant-Coniminsioner of Drainage.
That the works shall be done by task. That all payments are to be
mad
utiZo.sthe officers of the board. Should your Excellency adopt the
herein coatained, your memorialists conceive that a
feyourabie opportunity would be afforded for dividing baronies ; and
they submit, that the inducements to landlords is avail themselves
of such facilities would be increased in the ratio of the minuteness of
the division, provided that a wholesome cheek be established by em-
powering boards of guardians, or some other public functionaries, to
present employment winks, amounting to one.frirth of the net annual
value, on any townland, where the proprietor fails to do so after due
notice. As thorough drainage is admitted be all who understand the
Industrial improvement of the country to beef paramount importance,
your memorialists request your Excellency's most senate considera-
tion of the subject. And they, as in duty bound, will pray."
Mr. O'Connell then proceeded to assure his Excellency
that the deputation approached him thoroughly convinced of
his paternal anxiety to do everything in his power to nave the
country from the perils with which it was threatened. The
deputation was composed of gentlemen representing thirteen
different relief committees, comprising a very considerable
district of the county of Cork ; and it was with deep regret
they were obliged to inform bin Excellency that great desti-
tution existed in that part of the country, especially in those
districts where there were not resident gentry. They wished
to impress upon his Excellency the fact that the supplies of
food brought to the market were lamentably insufficient for
the wants of the people, so much so that in many cases human
beings bad actually perished from starvation. They conceived
that the time had arrived for immediate action, and that ge-
neral employment should at once be provided for the people.
The labour rate act, which was the best measure that could
be passed under existing circumstances, and every day's
experience convinced him more and more of its wisdom,
should be promptly and • efficiently carried out ; and he was
happy to perceive, from LordJehn Russell's letter, that such
was the intention of the government. There were some
districts in which presentments had passed under that act,
three, four, and five weeks ago; and yet little or nothing had
been done to carry them into effect. The deputation felt
that the Board of Works were not chargeable with any
wilful neglect ; but they apprehend that the delay which
had arisen was attributable to irdEficient staff of officers.
There should not be any delay whatever in commencing
operations ; the people had an absolute right to employ-
ment as the entire property of the country was mortgaged
as security for the repayment of any advances which i
government might make for that purpose. It therefore
became incumbent on the executive to Issue imperative
directions to their engineers to proceed with RAM suffi-
cient to employ the people without giving those officers any
discretionary power to procrastinate or delay. The deputa-
tion would next take the liberty of suggesting that a com-
missary should be appointed for each—poor-law union, to