The Express.
London, England, 1853-12-28 00:00:00

more espeeially incumbent upon them at a time like the
present, when the war of classes was becoming more and
more tremendous, as exemplified in the strikes in the
north of England. But while it was the duty of the clergy
to endeavour to allay the unfortunate did'er.nces that
existed, and to bring about a reconciliation, they
must remember that such a reconciliation could
never be effected by merely preaching to the work-
men about the la• of supply and demand. (near,
bear.) Let them endeavour to prove that the strife in
which the workmen rued masters were engaged was hope-
less and ruinous to both, and to show how the money which
was raised with so much of sacrifice by the farmer to
support the strike might be employed for their permanent
benefit instead of their certain injury. (Cheers.) After a
brief reference to the war between Turkey and Russia, in
which he denounced the conduct of Russia as anti•C:ristisn
he concluded by warmly expressing his acknowledgments
for the compliment the association had paid to him.
The remainder of the evening was occupied in the deli-
very of addresses by friends of Mr. Maurice, and the per-
formance of a variety of musical pieces.

HEALTH OF LONDON DURING THE WEEK.

-

The Registrar-General's report informs us that : In
the week that ended on Saturday, 1,399 deaths were re-
gistered in the metropolitan districts. The increase arises
from two causes: the rate of mortality has been raised by
the coldness of the weather ; and more than a due propor-
tion of inquests are included in the return, such cases halt-
ing accumulated during the quarter without the coroner's
sigusture, which is necessary to complete the registration.

In the ten corresponding weeks of the years ISI3-52, the
avenge number of deaths was 1,121, which if raised in pro-
portion to increase of population, becomes 1,23 G. The
return of last week, therefore, exhibits an excess on the
estimated amount.

Last week the births of 800 boys and 745 :girls, in all
1,545 children, were registered in London. In the eight
corresponding weeks of the years 1845,52 the average num-
ber was 1,267.

At the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, the mean height
of the barometer in the week was 29.748 in. The mean
temperature of the week was 33.1 deg., which is 5.6 deg.
below the ge of the same week in 38 years. The mean
daily temperature was below the average on every day of
the week, and on Sunday and Monday the decrease wee
9 deg. The highest temperature was 41.0 deg. on Friday ;
the lowest was 27 deg. on Monday. The highest and low-
est on Saturday were 3G.3 deg. and 27.7 deg. The mean
dew-point temperature was 30. G (leg. Toe wind blew
generally from the north-east.

THE WEATHER AND THE PARKS.

The sharp frost of Monday night having covered
the ornamental waters of the metropolis with ice, the lovers
of skating and eliding have lost no time in availing them-
selves of the opportunity to pursue their favourite pastime.
Yesterday, thirty or forty individuals, whose enthusiasm
exceeded their prudence, paid the penalty of an immersion •

in freezing water, happily, however, without any loss of life.
ST. JAMBS'S PARK.—Some hundreds of persons, the
greater portion of whom were boys, ventured on the ice
opposite the yorse-Guards, and enjoyed themselves for

some hours. Between twelve and one, however, a sudden
crash announced that the ice had given way, and some ten
or a dozen persons were found struggling in the water.
The Itoyal Humane Society's men, who were on duty
under the direction of Parsons, the deputy-superintendent,
instantly put forward their sliding ladders and ropes, and
succeeded in rescuing the whole of the number ; but some
of the parties were in such an exhausted state from the
time they had been in the water, and from the intense cold,
that it was found necessary to convey them to the society's
tent, where the usual stimulants were administered. The
skaters and sliders, nothing daunted by the accident, then
betook themselves to the western end of the waters, and
continued their amusement up to the hour of closing the
gates at half-past four o'clock, with only some trilling
casualties. Should the present severe weather continue
s-,mi• 24 hours longer, the ice will be in good and safe con-
dition. Much of the difficulty, however, arises from the
necessity of keeping the margin constantly broken, in order
to enable the collection of water-fowl to seek their natural
element. It is to be regretted that some persons succeeded

on Monday, notwithstanding the vigilance of the officers,
in abstracting from the collection one black and three
white swans of a valuable breed.

THE SERPENTINII.—The ice generally here was very
dangerous; but on the enclosed waters, and in Kensington
Gardens, the skaters were very numerous. It was not as-
certained that any serious accident took place ; but too
much credit cannot be given for the extreme care which has
been shown by the officers of the Humane Society in
marking out the dangerous parts, and in having every ap-
pliance in readiness.

REGENT'S Paaw.—The ice was here more firm, and the
skaters more numerous. There hate been no accidents of
a serious character.

CLAPHAM CONEXON.—On the open ponds and water near
Clapham Church the skating was general, and the ice com-
paratively firm and good.