The Express.
London, England, 1853-10-03 00:00:00

DEPARTURE OF THE FLEET FROM QUEENS-

TOWN.

At half-past 6 on Friday morning the first division of the
fleet got under weigh and steamed out, and continued de-
pining at intervals until haltput nine, when the St. Jean
D'Acre got under with last of ail. There was scarcely any
breeze, and the majonty of such vessels as could not steam
were towed out. liven when clear of the harbour the wind
was so light, and their progress so slow, that it wu near two
o'clock as the two rearmost vessels were seen rounding
Cork-bead.

ST. THOMAS'S HOSPITAL.—On Saturday night
the medical session for the year 18.53 4, in St. Thomas's Hoe-
pita', was opened with an inaugural address from Dr. 3.'
Riadon Bennett, Dean of the Medical and Surgical College,
and lecturer on the Theory and Practice of Medicine.
There was • large attendance of members of the medical
profession and students of the college. The lecture coin- '
menced at 8 o'clock in the capacious hall of the beepital,
and was principally intended to enforce on the stir- .
dents and on medical men generally • proper sense
of the duties and obligations of the profession
towards the public end towards each other. '
He dwelt with peculiar effect on the moral and social res-
ponsibilities of medical men, and rejected the common im-
putation that, as a body, they were inclined to scepticism
and doubt. From the peculiar nature of their studies, and
their constant contemplation of disease and death, they
might sometimes pay too much attention to secondary causes,
and forget the first great cause ; but it was not true, in
these days at least, that the medical profession was more
inclined to unbelief and irreligion than others. The dis-
course was listened to throughout with deep attention, and
ooncleded amidst the applause of all present.
TELE LAW OF PILOTAGE AND MERCHANT SHIP-
PING.-012 Saturday two important acts of parliament,
passed in the late session, came into operation. The first
relates to the law of pilotage, and the second to the mer-
chant service. By the first statute a union is effected
between the Trinity-house and the Cinque Port pilots.
The right of piloting ships outwards, from the port of Lon-
don, and inwards to the same port, is now vested in one
body of pilots, who are subject to uniform authority and
control. The Trinity-house has the control over all pilots,
and the board is empowered to make regulations. Pilots
are to make returns of their earnings, or their licenses will
be suspended. Under the Merchant Shipping Act, the
light dues, &c., are to form the Mercantile Marine Fund,
Which account is to be kept by her Majesty's Paymaster-
General. There are various provisions amending the law
relating to merchant shipping. The wages and effects of
deceased seamen, if not claimed within six years, are to be
paid into the Esehequer,and to form part of the coasolidated
fund. Any ship unduly assuming the British character
may be seised and brought in for adjudication, and if the
assumption is proved, it is to be confiscated to the Crown.
Her Majesty is empowered, by order in council, to fix the
tolls to be taken for new light-houses.
STRIKE OF TAPEMAKERB.—The whole of the hands
in the employ of Messrs. Tallow and Sons, and Mr. Wheat-
croft, tape manufacturers, NVirksworth, and at the tape
factory at Tansley, turned out in consequence of n con-
templated reduction or alteration in their wages, by the
masters, who had been revising and correcting their price
lis s. The reduction would not have been very great, but
the hands have resisted this attempt, to prevent a recur-
rence of the same thing in future. Many meetings of the
hands have taken place, but without any satisfactory
arrangement having at present taken place. It is to be
hoped, however, that an agreement may be entered into
between them and their masters, for the speedy settlement
of their differences.—Derby Reporter.
TIIE NEW PENNY RECEIPT STAMPS.—To-day
(Monday) the new penny receipt stamps will be issued from
otherf,theoin 1
and
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October".e. t ThemAsn mals must
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EXTENSION OF THE BROAD GAUGE TO YEOVIL.—
On Saturday the Banton and Yeovil branch of the Bristol
and Exeter Railway was opened for public
tbraffic, being the
• first line which has been completed to the smell manatee.
taring town of