The Express.
London, England, 1848-07-05 00:00:00

CONSECRATION OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC

CHAPEL OF ST. GEORGE.

This event, which was looked forward to with in-
tense interest by the Roman catholic population of the dis-
trict and of London generally, took place yesterday. The
church being one of the largest and most magnificent erected
in England since the Reformation, for catholic worship,
every effort was made t give idol to its opening. Great
numbers of the Roman catholic dignitaries on the continent
were invited to the ceremonial ; but the troubled state of the
times in their own countries prevented most of them from
attending. There were present, however, the Archbishop of
Treace, the Bishops of Liege, Tourney, Chs:ons and Cher-
sonesees, with their canons and chaplains. Of the British
Roman catholic prelates there were present, besides Dr.
Wiseman, who officiated, Drs. Brown (Liverpool), Brown
(Wales), Brown (Elphin), Sharpies (Liverpool), Gel.is
(Edinburgh), Davis (Maitland, Australia), Waring (eastern
district), Beigga (York), Morris (Troy). There were 260
crests, together with members of the orders of Passionists,
Dominicans, Cistercians, Benedictines, Franciscans, Ora-
torians, and Brothers of Charity.
The entire body of the church was filled with Roman
catholic laity, amongst whom were the Earl of Shrewsbury,
the Earl of Arundel and Surrey, M.P., Lord Camoys, Lord
Stafford, &c., &c. Several distinguished members of the
protestant church were also present. At eleven o'clock,
the bishops were received at the western door, and the pro-
cession formed, consisting of the Thurifer (the Hon. E.
Petrel; the Incense bearer (Sir T. Acton); Acolytes (Hon.
E. Stonor and Mr. Burke). The secular clergy in &outen
and surplice, two and two; the regulars in the dresses pecu-
liar to the different orders • and lastly, the bishops in their
mitres and robes. Youth; bearing lights and lilies preceded
and followed the procession. The whole presented a moat
imposing coup.d'ail, not the least interesting part of which
to the stranger must have been the quaint costume of the
regular orders.
Dr. Wiseman celebrated high mass, assisted by the Rev.
Dr. Doyle, the pastor of the chapel. It was partly Hummers
and partly Drebisch's mass that was chanted The offertory
was sung by Tamburiei. The sermon was preached by Dr.
i Wiseman, n the course of which he read a letter from
the late Archbishop of Paris, regretting that he
could net be present at the ceremony_ of consecra-
tion in consequence of the state of Paris, "where
grave circumstances required his presence." " Whilst," said
Dr. Wiseman "every other prelate to whom I sent an in-
vitation said that, though be could not come he would offer
prayers for our welfare, the Archbishop of Paris alone
omitted to do se, as if he felt some presentiment of his mar-
tyrdom. But sure I am that he is looking down upon us
from heaven, the last glorious martyr whom the church has
given to her people, and that he is offering prayers for us at
this moment
Of the church' itself it is almost superfluous to say that it
is the work or Mr. Pngin, and in the middle op style of

architecture. It is 240 feet in length, 70 in width, and 67 in
height. It is divided lengthwise into three computer cuts—
the nave and two aisles. At the head of the nave stands the
chancel, which is decorated in the richest manner. At its
furthest end the principal alter is Placed, which is profusely
gilt and ornamented ; and over the altar is placed a beauti-
ful window of stained glass. Opposite the altar is the large
cross, also richly gilt, bearing the image of the Saviour.
This is a work of Belgian art, and one of the most noticeable
objects on entering the church. The floor of the chancel is
richly carpetted, and the covering of the bishop's throne is of
purple velvet. The effect during the celebration of the mass
with numerous wax candles burning in gilded lustres and
I candelabra, was exceedingly beautiful. At the end of each
aisle stand two smaller altars, of scarcely inferior richness.;
one called the " Altar of the Blessed Sacrament," and the
other the "Altar of the Virgin."
One of the main points insisted on by Dr. Wiseman in his
sermon was, that all the profusion of decoration and display
was in harmony with that principle in the nature of man
which prompts him to dedicate whatever is most costly and
splendid to the object of his affection and veneration. In
the evening there was also a procession, benediction, and
vespers, and a sermon preached by Dr. Gillis, who re-
turned thanks in the French language to the foreign pre-
lates for their presence at the ceremony.

DEATH FROM CHLOROFORM.-IMPORTANT

IN VESTIOATION.
An inquest which occupied several hours took
place before Mr. T. Wokley, M.P., and a jury on Saturday
last, at the Apollo Tavern, Francis-street, Tottenham-court-
road, concerning the death of Walter S. Badger, Esq., aged
23, who died whilst under the influence of chloroform ad-
ministered to him by Mr. Robinson, surgeon-dentist, (lower-
street. The inquiry excited intense interest among the
medical profession, a large number of whom were presest
during the proceedings. The body having been viewed by
the jury,
Mr. Badger, the father of the deceased, identified the body
an that of his son. He said he was the coroner for the West
Riding of Yorkshire, and resided at Nasborough Hall, near
Rotherham. He last saw deceased alive on Tuesday the 27th
ult., when he left him at the Rotherham railway station, on
his way to Landon, where he was coming for the purpose of
having six of his teeth taken out. He then appeared in his
u-ual health, which was apparently very good, although he
frequently complained of violent beating of his heart He
had frequently expressed his desire to inhale chloroform
whilst undergoing the operation of having his teeth taken
out, but he was dissuaded from it by a medical friend, and
also by members of his family.
Harriet Wilson said she was servant to Mr. Robinson, sur-
geon dentist, of No. 7, Gower-strert, Bedford-square. The
deceased gentleman called at Mr. Robinson's on Tours-lay,
but as Mr. Robinson was engaged he left, and said that he
would call on the following day (Friday), at two o'clock.
Deceased came on the Friday at his appointed time, and she
was call.d into the roost, as she understood deceased was to
have chloroform administered whilst his teeth were extracted.
It was customary for witness to be called in on such occa-
sions Mr. Robinson having prepared his apparatus, admi-
nistered the chloroform, an, when deceased had inhaled it
about a minute he said " be slid not think it was strong
enonth." Mr. Robinson turied away for the purpose of
obtaining some more chloroform from the bottle to
place in the apparatus, in which, perhaps,
three quarters of a minute was expended. Dur-
ing this interval the deceased's hand dropped, letting
. fall the apparatus which be himself held, and his h, ad
dropped on his sheet, and he appeared quite dead. Mr. Robin-
son telt his pulse, and sent instantly to Mr. Drew, a surgeon
over the way, ant for Dr. NS uteri, and prepared the
deceased's arm ready fur bleeding. The doctor came directly,
and on deceased's being bled, only about h if a table spoon-
full of very dark blood was obtained, and he was pronounced
dead. In answer to questions, the witness stated that she
had seen her master administer chloroform in 100 cases, as
she was in the habit of being called in caw of her assistance
being required, the larger majority of patients !wing ladies
When Mr. Robinson first looked at deceased's teeth, she
heard him say to deceased, " You had better let me take
them out without chloroform;" deceased replied, "No, I
will haste it ; I am not afraid."
Mr. Robinson repeated in his evidence the statement made
by Harriet Williams
The apparatus, as also the bottle containing the chloroform,
was here pr..duced, and minutely examined by the coroner,
jury, and medical gentlemen present.

Dr. John Waters was next examined.—He said he resided
at No. 2, South-crescent, Bedford-square, and was a physi-
cian and member of the Royal College of Surgeons, of Edin-
burgh. He was called to see deceased shortly after two
o'clock on the afternoon of Friday, the 30th June. He was
apparently dead, but he attempted to bleed him, and resorted
to artificial inspiration, friction, and other remedies fur half
an hour, but to no purpose. He made a post mortem exami-
nation of the body seventeen hours after death, in the pre-
sence of Mr Erasmus Wilson and Dr. Emery. On opening
the head, he found sli,sht congestion of the membranes.
On opening the chest found the lungs pushed
upwards by the liver, between the 3rd and 4th ribs. On
opening the pericardum the heart was found to be of an
unusually pale c.dour. The tissue ef the heart was thinner
than natural and interspersed with fat, particularly at the
apex of the left ventricle, where the muscular tissue was
replaced by fat. 'there was only about one line of muscu-
lar tissue, when in a state of health there would have been
five or six lines. The valves of the heart were nut in a
healthy condition. The surface of the edges were unequal, and
there was the commencement of the formation of card-
lage. The liver was found to be enormously large. It was
double the usual sir..., and instead of four pounds, the
natural weight, it was found to weigh eight pounds. The
pressure of the liver upwards had evidently impeded the
action of the lungs and heart, and therefore any excitement
of any character was exceedingly dangerous to
the deceased. With a liver and heart in such
a state, the mere extraction of a tooth even
withdit the administration of chloroform might have pro-
duced death.—By the Coroner: My opinion is that the de-
criased's heart had not sufficient room to play on account of
the pressure of the liver and other organs. I am also of
opinion that the d.ceased died from arrest of the heart's
action, owing to the administration of chloroform.
Mr. Erasmus Wilson, at considerable length, corroborated
the evidence of Dr. Waters, and expressed his opinion that
the administration of chloroform to patients having any in.
termed disease wail exceedingly dangerous:
The coroner and jury completely exonerated Mr. Robin-
son from blame, and returned a verdict, " That the deceased
died under the influence of chloroform, acting on a diseased
heart and enlarged liver.'

LICENSED VICTUALLERS' AST LUNL—Last after
noon the half yearly meeting of the supporters of this insti.
tuti. n was held in the Bridge-house Hotel, Mr. Rowan in
the chair, to receive the report of the committee of manage.
meet on the society's affairs. The secretary read the report, I
from which it appeared that 1,8001. had been collected at
the last dinner • that the funded property figured 6,6001.,
exclusive of 2,0001. lodged with two brewers at five per cent.
It further appeared that there were three vacancies in the
asylum which would be immediately filled up, and theta
fancy fair would be soon held in aid of the asylum. The
report was adopted, thanks were voted to the officers of the
past year, and the vacancies in the committee for the en-
ening year were filled up. After which, and a vote of thanks
to the chairman, the meeting broke up.
LAUNCH OF TILE TRAFALGAR, INDIAMAN.—Thin
ship, which for the last few weeks has been the object of much
curiosity, has been in course of construction for ten months,
and has cost the eminent proprietors, Mesas. Green, a sum of
30,0001. The dimensions are as follows;--length from fora
part of main stem to after part of taffrail, 198 feet 2 inches;
breadth, 37 feet 6 inches; height, between deck, six feet;
burthen, 1,238 tons; length of poop, 76 feet; of foresail, 38
feet. In general respects the vessel presents the characteristics
of a frigate of war, to which purposes she could be suited at a
very short notice. Indeed this remark may be applied gene-
rally at the present time to the construction of mercantile
marine vessels of large dimensions, so that should a war arise
there will be an enormous special fleet placed at the disposal
of the government. The poop has been constructed se as to
admit of the occupation of Fa swivel of 451b5., which in the
event of any attack would be found a most awkard opponent.
Lang before the hour appointed for the launch,
the ship, the yard, and indeed every available point was
crowded to excess. A large booth adjoining the ship was
appropriated to a distinguished circle of ladies and gentle-
men, and the friends of Mr. Green, while on the pavitlion,
from which the ceremony of christening was performed, were
stationed the Duke of Beaufort, K.G., Field-Marshal the
Marquis of Anatomy, K.G., Viscount and Viscountess Maid
stone, Lord and Lady Alfred Paget, Lady Adelaide Paget,
Lord Clarence Paget, M.P., Lady Cowley, Mr. and Lady
Eleanor Graham, the Earl of I:xbridge, the Hon. Colonel
Cadogan, Captain Dickenson, RN., Colonel Clark, Generals
Macleod and Cartwright, Ace. Within a abort distance of
the company was the band of the Royal Marines, who played
several appropriate airs daring the afternoon. Indeed, nothing
could have been more pleasing than the scene around,
there being from the boat,on the river, and indeed from
every available position, a profuse display of union jacks,
national emblems, &c. The ceremony of christening was
performed, at about ten minutes to four o'clock, by Lady
I Jackson, widow of the late Sir Alexander Keith Jackson,
Bart., and, on a signal, that lady dashed a bottle of wine
against the bow, and named the vessel the " Trafalgar."
The next moment she glided most gracefully into the I
Thames, amidst the hearty cheers of the spectators. The
band played " Rule Britannia," and one of the yachts on
the river fired a salute. It was stated that the Trafalgar
would sail for Madras and Calcutta oa the 15th proximo.
The elite of the company were afterwards regaled at a
sumptuous deiewser by Mr. Green ; upwards of 1,000 per-
sons sat down. The usual loyal toasts having been proposed,
that of success to the Trafalgar was heartily responded to, as
was also that of long life to Mr. Green. Dancing soon
afterwards commenced, and continued up to a late hour.

INQUEST, YERIERDAY.—SEICIDE OF A PRISONER. ,
—By Mr. U. J. Mills, in the board-room of the House of
Detention, Clerkenwell, on David Thomas Gibson, alias
David Collett, aged 55, one of the parties arrested last Satur-
day for the robbery of a bag of silver at the bank of Messrs.
Cocks and Biddulpb, Charing-cross, who hanged himself in
his cell under circumstances detailed in this paper yesterday.
Edward Ginger, a fashionably dressed young man, and de.
ceased's accomplice, sworn : He knew nothing of the de-
ceased. He never saw him before yesterday.—Coroner :
You need say nothing to criminate yourself. Wit-
ness: He would speak the truth. While he and de-
ceased were in the cell in Bow street, deceased said : " I
am nlout being sent from all that is dear to me. I would
sooner destroy myself than bear that privation. If I had
at.ything I would destroy myself. I have been-ones trans-
ported, and loom Una eadara main the harms of Ml*

portstio,; I would destroy myself. Take my advice, do not
do wrong; for if you do, be assured it will some to
this." He then Complained of his 1 inn, and exclaimed:
" I have a child as 021. se you ; don't commit crime. I'll
plead guilty on Weduesslay. 0 God, what pains I endure!
This morning I met a fellow transport in Pic.odilly, whom
I was about knocking down; had I done so I would have
escaped this. lam out on bail for 501."—Witness then ob-
served to deceased that it was useless fur him to steal St. ; to
which he replied, " When I went into the Book I thought
that the bag contained sovere gm, otherwise I aboull not
have stolen it. I would rather antler death than again
endure the honors of transportation." Ile told hie address,
but witness forgot it.—Coroner: " It would he well if the
horrors of transportation were better known, for then
Inman, would not se wily espom themailves to them"—
Dsweased's widow sod daughter, who were most re.pectably
irtired, and were overwhelmed with grief, and bore most
exedlent characters, presented theinselva in the inquiet-
room, but the jury unanimously agreed to spare them the
pain of an examination.—lnspector .9niekl.• and Sergeant
Watcher, of the detective force, priced that the deceased and
Ginger were well known members of the swell mob.—
Ye, diet, " Deceased destroyed himself whiis labouring under
temporary insanity."