The Express.
London, England, 1848-05-11 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, THURSDAY EVENING, MAY 11, 1848.

ROYAL BOTANICAL BOClETY.—Yesterelay thissociety
gave the first of its flowerxhows at the gardens in the
Regent'* Park. In several marquees were arranged the
competing plants, and although there were few horticultural
novelties amongst them, yet the well-known species which
they chiefly comprised were remarkably well grown. Most
attention was attracted by the roses, of which some fine
specimens of the tea-scented were exhibited—the finest being
entitled Devoniensis Oorbault, the flowers of which were
extremely large, and of beautiful shape and colour. A spe-
cimen of Smith's yellow China attracted also many admirers,
as did a noble Tea Vicamtesse de Cases. The most beautiful
of the red TOMB was one named Engine Beauhernoie. The
asaliss and heaths formed, as might be expected at this early
part of the season, the most prominent feature of the show.
A white butterfly plant, phalanopais amebilis, a kind of
seceolobium, a very large Cettleys, and several kinds of
dendrAiutcs, appearAti to be very great favourites, from the
congregations of spantort which stopped the way opposite
to them. Of the few new plants the most striking were a
splendid specimen of Wrigelis roses from China, and
Oardenia Fertuni, For these the English botanical world
is indebted to Mr. Fortune's eventful travels in China. We
subjoin a list of some of the pric .s:
For a collection of 30 plant., the extra gold modal to Mr. Fraser,
nurseryman, lon Bridge-road. Fora ecllection of 13 plants, the
medium gold medal to Mr. Cole, gardener to IL Colycr, Esq., Dart-
ford. For a superb specimen of drodroblum nobili, a silver medal to
Mr. Green, gardener to Sir E. Antrobus, Bart. For • new orchid
(Lelia ma;alls), to Mr. Williams, gardener to C. N. Warner, Esq., Hods
deletion. For n speeimenof the Coes tree (untilaris 'oak:arts), a medal
to Messrs. Veitch and Son, nurserymen, Exeter. For 15 Cape heaths,
the medium gold medal to Mr. Shtt, gardener to Miss Train, Brom-
ley. For 12 Cape heaths, the gold mcual to Mews. Fairbalrn, nor.
serymen, Clapham. Fora large collection of orchids, the cilia gold
medal to Mr. Mylam, gardener to S. Rucker, Esti , Wandsworth. For
15 orchid*, the medium gold medal to Mr. Williams. Yoe 0 orchids,
the large silver gilt medal to Mr. Plant, gardener te J. 11. Schroeder,
ntrutford. For I, roses, the first prize to Mew.. Luse and
Son, nurserymen, Berlshampotead. Fors rases, the first prize to A.
Rowland, E. Lewisham. For 30 British ferns, first prises (equal)
to Mr. Smith, gardener to J. Anderson, Eery, 'Regent's-park,
and Mr. Taylor, gardener to J. Cotter, V.r.q., Streatham. For 12
pelargoniumO, amateurs, let prize to Mr. Co ,k; 2nd, Mr. Staines.
For 12 pelargoniums, noroerynico, Ist prize, Mr. Dolmen; Ind, Mr.
(Itillol. Fur 0 pelargonium., amateurs, lot prize, Mr. Staines; 2nd,
Mr. Parker, 3rd, Mr. Robinson. For Ii pelargonium., nurserymen,
IM price, Mr. Galore. Fur 0 fancy pelairgoniions, Let prize, Mr.
Gaines. Seedling pelargonium., let prize to Mr. Beck, Meese.
Witch mad Son, and Mr. Ambrose. Seedling greenhouse analian, let
prizes to Meters. leery and Son, and Mr. Fraser. tierdling heaths,
It prize to Mesers. Veitch and Son. Fawkes, Ist prize to Mews.
Bragg and ; 2nd, fir. Turner.
- - •

Thus much of the II iWere ; but there were ether attrac-
tions by no means botanical. The weather was unusually
propitious, extending its influence not only over the botani.
cal but to the fashionable world, a very large
collection of which was present, including the Queen,
Prince Albert, the l'rinco of Wale., the Princes
Ito) al, the Princess Alice, and the Duchcas of Kent. A
vied number of foreigners were also present, and among
them the Crown Prince of Prussia, the Count de Montemo-
lin, and the Prince end Princess Metternich. The bands of
the RoyalHorset cards,rndtheletand2nd Life Gliards were
in attendance, and played in their best style some of their
best music, both singly and at times with united strength.
We heard that upwards of 10,000 visitors passed the en
trance during the day.
- • • -

Flirt: AT RATCLlPF.—Yesterdny morning between
2 and 3 o'clock a fire of a very alarming character, and which.
for upwards of an hour completely illuminatci the eastern
portion of the metropolis, broke out upon the premis. s be
longing to Mr. Thompson, a carpenter, &c., at No. 1, Old
Gravel-lane, Ratcliff-highway. Tne Homes commenced in
a long range of workshops at the rear of the dwelling, and
were not extinguished till Mr. Thompson's workshops were
destroyed, the hack premises of Mr. Littlejohn burned down,
the workshop' of Mr. King consumed, the property of Mr.
Hayman, pork butcher, No. G 4, St. O. urge's-street, materially
injured, ns well as the buildings belonging to Mr. Palmer
and Mr. Harding in Lavender-place, Pennington-street. The
origin of the tire is unknown. A part of the premises was
insured.

FOUR PASSENGERS KILLED ON THE GREAT
WESTERN RAILWAY.

Yesterday, an accident occurred to the Express
121 p.m. train from Exeter, which resulted in the dtath of
four persons, and the serious injury of several others. The
train consisted of two first and four second-class carriages,
which were drawn by an engine (the Sultan) and tender.
Next to the engine was a luggage van, which was fol-
lowed by • second-class carriage unusually full of
passengers. The train started at about twenty-five minutes
to one o'clock, being five minutes after the usual time. It
BCC= to have been driven at the usual speed, which is be-
tween forty-five and fifty miles an hour—a speed greater
than that of express trains on any other line. Its progress
was uninterrupted till it approached the Shrivenham
Station, where it is stated that the signal was given that the
line was clear, in consequence of which the speed was con-
tinued—the Express not having to call at this station.
At this part of the line there is a branch rail for
turning i-lf the carriages. At the angle of divergence
of the all line was an empty horse-box with • truck
attached (on which was a gentleman's carriage), which it is
supposed just overlapped the main up line, an a collision
took place. The horse-box with the truck were swung
round, and in a mnment the second-class carriage,
which was connected with the luggage-van in the rear of thu
engine, was dashed to pieces. The unfortunate passengers
were flung out in every direction. The driver scan reversed
the engine, fortunately checked its speed sufficiently to pre-
vent any other carriage of the train being thrown over, the
remand carriage being the only one which went off tho line.
Tho line was strewed with the wreck of the car-
riage, while • number of the passengers, wounded
and dying, were lying about. Four of the suf-
ferers a xhibited no signs of life, and two others were so
seriously injured that they are stated to have died shortly
afterwards. All thosa.who were wounded were conveyed in
carriages to the Swindon station fur medical advice, which
was promptly received. There was only one passenger who
received no serious injury, and who was seated in one corner
of the carriage. It is unnecessary to say that the greatest
alarm prevailed among the passengers in the other carriages.
The Sultan reeeiv,d so much injury that another engine was
provided from Swindon fur the purpose of conveying the
train to Paddington, which arrived there a few minutes after
seven o'clock. bring about two hours and a half beyond the
usual time. There appears to be no doubt that the horse-box
hail been negligently•left at the point where the accident oc-
curred by some of the servants at the station.

in aid of borough fund,'which shall be answerable for the
anleunt, with interest. Power is itiven to town council to
invest moneys in government securities; and also to resell and
replace the same In borough fund. Provisions of this act, if
town council see Br, to apply to existing superannuation
funds. If fund shall be exhausted town council may advance
money on account; but if town council decline to advance,
superannuation payments to be reduced pro rata.

STATE OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH IN THE
FIRST QUARTER OF THE YEAR 1848.
Yesterday the registrar-general issued his quarterly
statement:
The quarterly returns are obtained from 117 districts,
subdivided into 582 pub districts. Thirty. six districts are in
the metropolis, and the remaining 81 comprise, with some
agricultural districts, the principal towns and cities of Eng-
land. The population was 6,612,958 in 1841. Tne mortality
has been high in the quarter ending March 31, 1848, hut ra-
ther lower than in the previous quarter ; and taking the in-
crease of population into account higher than in the cores
sponding quarter of the year 1817. The deaths returned
were 57,710 in the last, and 67,925 in the previous quarter.
The deaths in the corresponding quarter of 1847 were
56.10.5 , The smallest number of deaths returned in the ten
last winter quarters was 42,410 in 1839. The mortality was
below the average in the winters of 1839, 1842. 1843, and
1944; in the severe winter of 184.5 it was 49,996, which is
eonsiderably above the average. In the mild winter of 1846
it was much below the average. The rest of the year was
unfavourable to health ; some of the diseases of het climates
set in; the potato crop failed in England and Ireland with dis-
astrous aids. In 1847 scurvy, t y phu*, and other zymotic d
sues prevailed ; and at the end of the year influenza broke
out. Its ravages extended over the country, and
continued in some districts through the month of January,
1848. A tabular statement is given which shows that in
with, althy seasons the difference above the eakulated num-
ber was, in 1810, 2.024 ; in 1841, was 1,839 ; in 1845, was
1,625; in 1847, was 6,027; and in 1848, was 6,755; whilst
in healthy seasons the difference below the calculated num-
ber was, in 1839, 1,179; in 1812, was 1,014; in 1843,
was 2,973; in 1841, was 1,403; and in 1846, was 5,397.
In London 16,45.5 deaths were registered in the first 13
weeks of 1848, and 15,289 in the first 13 weeks of 1847. The
deaths in the winter of 1846 were only 12,618 ; 1111845, how-
ever, they bed been 14,680. The mortality was high duties(
the first 5 weeks of the present year. In tbe week ending
Feb. 5, 14.53 tetra returned, exclusive of deaths by violence,
and sudden deaths ; in the next week the deaths were 1,296 ;
the to superstars rove, and in the week ending Feb. 19, the
deaths were 1,102; in the five following weeks the deaths
only varied from 1,090 in the first to 1,054 in the last week
but one of the quarter endirg April 1. Typhus is still epi-
demic in London, and destroys the lives of from 60 to 80
persons weekly. Small-pox, measles, scarlatina, end beeping-
cough were fatal to many. The deaths ascribed to influenza
in the 13 weeks were 102, 102, b 9, 56. 59,47, 27, 33, 18, 11,
10, 16, n. Pulmonary diseases (exclusive of consumption)
were little more than half as fatal at the end as they were at
the beginning of the quarter. A great difference will be
observed in the causes of death in 1847 and 1848, although
the mortality was high in both winters. In the winter of
1847 the deaths from diseases of tho lungs were 4,0.58;
in 1848 they were 3,357; on the other hand, zymotic dis-
eases were more than twice as fatal in 1844 as they were
in 1817.. In the districts of the kingdom generally, exclu-
sive of London, the deaths in the winters of the five years
1844.8, were 32,494, 33,310, 31,332, 40,816, and 41,255. The
deaths in the districts of Lancashire and Cheshire in the five
winters were 11.368, 12,896, 11,928, 15,557, and 15,444,
and nearly equal in the last two years to the deaths in Lon-
don, although the population was only 1,530460 in 1841,
'when the population of Lyndon was 1,948,369. From the
registrar's remarks, it appears that typhus, scarlatina, hoop
ing cough, and small-pox were epidemic in many parts of
the country. The mortality of Birmingham, Manchester,
and Liverpool, still remains excessively high. The deaths in
Birmingham were 1,660; the population was 138,187 in 1841.
Birmingham has in its site many advantages in a sanitary
point of view, and the occupations of the people are not
insalubrious; but the beneficence of nature appears to be
defeated by the negligeuce of the authorities. Water, pure
air, and a perfect system of drainage are not provided, es
they might be, for the whole town; and the consequence is
that want, and the epidemics abroad, have destroyed thou •
sands of the lives of the inhabitants within the last two
years. The fatal effects of collecting large bodies of la-
bourers without adequate hoesa accommodation have been
illustrated in Lincoln. The registrar of the home sub-dis-
trict, after remarking th it the deaths in the quarter were
161, adds. "This return shows, that within a period of two
years and a half the mortality has been doubled. The fad
is accounted fur by the increase of a temporary population
connected with the formation of railways, without a suffi-
cient increase of accommodation, which hen induced typhus
and measles. There have been 19 deaths from fever, 14 from
influenza, and 27 from consumption." But Lincoln itself ap-
pears less salubrious than it might he made. In Nottingham
the mortality was high, but not so high as in the winter of 1840.
The mortality in Liverpool and Manchester is still excessively
high, but not so high as in the winter of 1817. There is a
manifest improvement in Huddersfield, Halifax, Bradford,
and Leeds. Iu Sheffield and York the mortality was higher
in 1818 than in 1847. The extent to which vaccination is
neglected in some parts of the country is deplorable and in-
conceivable. Such facts as the following are, it is to be
feared, not uncommon in other districts besides Emit Sunder-
land :-" Deaths 110; considerably above the avenge; 69
more than in the corresponding quarter of last year. The
increase is principally to be attributed to the prevaleeze off
small-pox in the district. 47 persens have dins! of grigal.po,
(only one after vaccination). Out of thte 140 deaths 84 are
under 5 years."
Here 47 persons, chk_ily children, died; and this implies
that seine hundreds .oesides were injured and disfigured, by
a disease that say be almost altogether prevented by vac-
cination ; which the legislature, under the administration of
the poor law, has placed within the reach of every posr
child in the kingdom.

THE REFORM MOVEMENT.

THE LIVERPOOL FINANCIAL REFORM
ASSOCIATION.

Yesterday, at two o'clock, a meeting of this body
was h. 11 at the Clarendon Booms, Liverpool, for the pur-
pose of receiving a repo:t from the committee on their pro-
ceedings, and determining the future plan of operations.
Mr. Ronearsoar GLADSTONE occupied the chair. He
said, the meeting might perhaps he considered premature,
inasmuch as the business left to the charge of the council
has not yet been fully carried out ; but it was thought ad-
visable that the progress of their operations should be made
known. With respect to one important feature to which
their attention had been directed by the general meeting,
that of the desirability of amalgamating with the National
Confederation already formed in the town, as the latter
body had for one of its main objects the revision of local taxa.
lion, on which a difference of opinion prevailed, after
full cousidsiation it had been decided to be best that the two
associations should remain separate.
Mr. C. HOBERT/lON, in the absence of the secretary, read
the report. It submitted that the following practical mea-
sures of reform might be at once pressed upon the govern-
ment as the most effectual mode of removing the burden.
from a hick all classes are suffering a reduction of expendi-
ture by curtailment of sums paid to pensioners, sine-
curists, and retired officials, to the amount of not less
than one-third; a diminution of the numbers employed
in the several departments of the public service,
and a reduction of the salaries of all recipients of
above 1,0001.; the payment of the gross receipts of all
the revenue departments into the exchequer, and all pay-
ments to come from parliament; an increase of revenue,
by an extension of the probate and legacy duty to real pro-
perty ; the sale or profitable employment of all crown lands,
and an inquiry into the tenure on which those lands are
held ; an equalisation of the stamp duties, and an extension
of the stamps to all kinds of property, both funded and
landed. The latter would necessarily give a great fund ; and
it is proposed that one or more of the following indirect
taxes, which press upon the means of existence, shall be
reduced or ;abolished :—The import duties on tea, sugar,
wine, tobacco, and the excise on soap, bricks, hops, paper,
and malt.—The report was received with applause.
The CHAIRMAN said it might be necessary to state that
the expenses for the collection of the revenue never came be-
fore parliament, but were deducted before any remittance
was made. He begged to say distinctly, that responsible
parties could be found in Liverpool who would undertake to
collect the revenue in a more efficient manner at one-half
the cost. (Laughter and loud applause.) He might add,
that since the association was formed the necessity of a
thorough and searching inquiry into the national expendi-
ture of the country had been more than ever impressed
upon the minds of the members of the council. Why,
a strong proof of it had been given within the
last few days, when the Master of the Buckhounda
had of all others been transferred to the presidency of the
Board of Trade. A man who was thoroughly tit as a master
of the buckhounds could hardly have much knowledge of
the duties of a presidency of the Board of Trade. It was
necessary for the commercial classes to be speaking out, for
government were endeavouriag to shuffle off till another
session every measure of value to the mercantile community.
Mr. FRANCIS BoeLT thought the objects enunciated in
the report were not wide enough, nor sulliciently explicit, to
meet popular support. Government knew that if they at-
tempted any measure to equalise taxation, even in a small
degree, they would have the House of Lords to contend
against. He would go at once for an equitable system of
direct taxation; for the entire shutting up of the custom
houses and excise offices, so that industry should be free as
the wind. He recommenhed that the association should
not embarrass itself with details, by pointing out this or
that tax, for the whole system was rotten.
The CHAIRMAN expressed his personal approval of the
principles laid down by Mr. Book ; but the council should
consider the strong prejudices with which, if they adopted
them, they would have to contend. In his view the ex-
tension of the suffrage was ultimately the cure for all of
which they had to complain. People might talk to him 3f
Queen, Lords, and Commons, but he looked upon the aris-
tocracy alone u Queen, Lords, and Commons. (Hear.)
Mr. WYLIE and Mr. CHAS. HOLLAND defended thy rests-
'lotion to which the council had come, and the report was
adopted.
Mr. HOLLAND moved :
That the principle upon which this association is based being the
substitution of direct for indirect taxation, a committee be appointed
to carry out • plan of financial reform based upon that principle, and
that measures be taken by the council of the association to bring it
prominently before the public.
Mr. JOHN SMITH seconded the motion, which was agreed
to nem. con.

Mr. R. V. YArra thought the generil principle of direct
taxation should be strongly pressed, but expressed disap-
proval of any reduction of the duties on spirits.—The meet-
ing shortly afterwards adjourned.