The Express.
London, England, 1853-09-26 00:00:00

LONGEVITY.

It is no longer possible to doubt that duration of
life is often an hereditary attribute. In certain families,
early death is so universal, that very few only of their
members, by dint or precautions, escape the doom. The
individuals of Turgot's family rarely survived the age of
fifty, and he who has made the name famous, un approach-
ing the fatal epoch, although enjoying excellent health, and
endowed apparently with a strung constitution, remarked
that it was time for him to arrahge his uffairs, and to finish
an undertaking which he had commenced, because the term
of years allotted to those of his race was drawing to its con-
clusion. He died, in fact, at fifty. three.
Ordinary duration of life is not leas an hereditary attri-
bute ; the most reasonable expectations of prolonged life are
founded upon such being a family inheritance. Rush says he
never knew an octogenarian in whose family there had not
been frequent instances of longevity. Upon this assertion,
M. Lucas proceeds to (examine the duration of human life.
He distinguishes average duration of life from individgal
longevity. Average duration depends evidently upbn
situation, hygiene civilisation ; individual longevity, on the
' other hand, is independent of these conditions. Instances
of it are found in all ages, in all countries, under all condi-
tions, among all races. The census made under Vespasian
shows t-at in one part of Italy there were 0.5 persons up-
wards of a century old In France about 170 are reckoned
annually; in England, one in every 3,100 individuals
reaches the age of one hundred. Everything tends to
prove that longevity arises from an inherent vital ten-
dency. This vitality is so peculiar, and so strongly im-
planted in their nature, that it characterises their whole
organisation. They possess generally a kind of immunity
from disease. All the functions and faculties of life—
sensorial, emotional, locomotive, mental, and sexual—are
accomplished, in these individuals, with peculiar energy, re-
gularity, and persistency."—Berand • Physiology.

RECEIPT STAMPS.—The new law on receipt
stamps will in a few days take effect. By reducing the
duty to one penny and making it to commence on the pay-
ment of 21. it is expected that an immense number will be
used. From an official document it appears that in the
year ended the sth January last, the number of stamps is-
sued was 5.290,661, and the amount of revenue was
194,0881. 9s. 9d. Out of which the expenre of distributing
stamps, estimated at 21. per cent., was 3,8811. 15s. 4d.; and
the discount allowed to purchasers was 13,586/. 115. 3d. The
lowest receipt stamp at present is 3d., and the highest 10s.
In the year mentioned, 2,041,667 receipt stamps at 3d. were
issued to the public; 1,568,136 at 6d.; 1,061,828 at Is.;
360,628 at Is: 6d.; 165,947 at 2s. 6d. ; 44,109 •at 45. ;
28,112 at ss. ; 15,878 at 7s. 6d. , and 14,356 at 10s. By
the new law persons are bound to give receipts on the pay-
ment or discharge of 21. and upwards, and the only duty
is one penny. The receipt may be written either on paper
stamped for the purpose or an adhesive stamp may be
affixed, which is to be cancelled by the name or Mitials of
the party giving the same. The penalty for net defacing
the stamp is 101., and for using a stamp twice 201. From
and after the 10th October the new stamps must be used.
CHOLERA AND THE MODEL LODGING-HOUSES.—
The model lodging-house in Charles-street, Drury-lane, is
a striking example of the advantages and effects of proper
means in one of theeworst neighbourhoods. This house
has now been open about eight:years, and occupit d by from
seventy to eighty lodgers daily ; and yet during that peiiod,
although cholera and fever have killed numbers on all sides,
there has not been here a single case of either in it. A good
supply of water, proper drainage, and ventilation have
stopped disease ; and it is not a little gratifying to find that
the example of this building, in such a place, has not been
without its effect on tee landlords of the adjoining houses.
If, then, human life can thus be saved, it becomes a matter
demanding the care of all persons in authority, and they
should at once put a stop to the species of wholesale murder
now going on.—Tile Builder.
TILE LONDON POLICEMEN IN MELBounrrE.—The
fifty London policemen who arrived here for the purpose of
doingc•b. dutybefore
in Melbourne, werrisubjected to their first drill,
the Melbourne chief, Captain McMahon. Oa
the occasion the rules and regulations of the force as it ex-
ists here were re .d to them, as those with which they would
have to comply in future. But, alas for the certainty of all
things human ! the entire body of fifty, headed by their in-
spector, who spoke out boldly and fearlessly on the subject,
one and all refused to submit to the Melbourne regulations,
so far as the hours of doing duty were concerned. They
avowed their willingness to do duty according to London
i time and hours, under which they had been engaged, but
gave the chief to understand very plainly that they never
would submit to Melbourne time, and to such hours for
duty as were imposed here. Of course Captain McMahon
could do nothing singly with fifty expert London pelicemea.
He would have to consult the powers that be on the sub-
ject ; and BO for the present the matter rests.—Australian
and New Zeoland Gantt,.