The Express.
London, England, 1868-08-26 00:00:00

A LESSON FROM BIRMINGHAM.

BIRMINGHAM, which a few years since was
accounted one of the healthiest towns in the
kingdom, appears to be in a fair way of losing its
reputation. For some time put, indeed, its bill
of health has been most unfavourable. Aocording
to the Rgourrasn-Ozazau.'s returns, the death-
rate rose to 39 per 1,000 in the week ending
August 1, which showed a higher mortality than
that of any other large town; and in the week
ending August 16, while the death-rate in London
was 24.4 per 1,000, it was 331 in Birmingham.
Moreover, the difference between the sanitary
condition of London and the capital of the black
country is still more strikingly marked when we
read that in the same week diarrhoea was the
cause of death in London to 4.1 per 1,000, and in
Birmingham to 16.9. Of course the town coun-
cillors who held their quarterly meeting last week
laid this severe mortality upon the drought ;
and the hot weather, according to the safe re-
mark of one of them, was no fault of theirs.
Yet it was acknowledged at the same time that
the water supplied by the Water Works Com-
pany is foul, and contains double the quantity
of organic matter it did three months ago, that
the water in the wells is equally bad, and that the
river Rea has become a filthy and pestilential
cesspool. These statements, oddly enough, were
made by gentlemen who seemed inclined to let the
evil cure itself, since they condemned, as wholly
impracticable, the sensible proposal that a medi-
cal officer of health should be appointed. The
undue mortality of the town was admitted, the
sanitary deficiencies of the town were admitted
also, and yet, strange to say, the policy of in-
action met with general approval.

VISIT OF TUE PRLYCE OF WALES TO THE PlLLN-
creALrrr.—The Prince of Wales is expected to be the
guest of Sir Watkin W. Wynne, at Wynnetay, to redeem
a promise made while his royal highness was in Ireland.
He was expected to arrive at Wynnstay on Saturday last
to be present at the review of the Denbighshire volun-
teers, but Sir Watkin apologised fox the absence of his
royal highnees, and stated that he would pay a visit to
Wyanstay and the principality in the course of a month.
Yesterday the marriage of Mr. Herbert Hay
Lanham, eldest son of NJ. Herbert Laughs" and heir
presumptive to Sir James Ray 'Anglian, of Cottasbrooka
Park, Northamptonshire, with the Hon. Anne Maria:
Prances Sandys, second daughter of the late Lord Sandy%
was solemnised at St. George'. Church, Hanover-square..
Owing to the recent death of the Marquis of Downabire,.

a near °omission of the bride, the wedding was shier*
private, and attended only by the relativse of the bride
and bridegroom and a few intimate friends. The brides
presents were very numerous and wetly, particularly
some lace given by Lady Flbur, the sister of the
bride.

His Excellency Mr. Reverdy Johnson, the Mi-
nister of the United States, Me, it is stated, left Fenton's
Hotel on a Tint to the Prune Minister in Buckingham.

The Bishop of Winchester is, the Post states,
raPidli recovering from his late severe MOM, and will
shortly be able to resume hia episcopal duties. The Bishop'
of Mauritius is acting for him at present. _ _

The Emperor iramie Joseph arrived at WU-
burg in the evening of the 20th, from Garatahausen. At
the station hie Majesty was received by the Archduke
Louie Victor, with whom he proceeded to the Winter Pa.
Wm In that residence had also arrived from Ink] the
Archduke Modolph and the Archduchess Oisella, children
of their Majesties.

. The Ring and Queen of Saxony have left the
chateau of PiUnits for Lira Ring John will return to
Dresden on the 3rd September, in order to be present at
the grand military manoeuvres axed for that period, but
the Queen will prolong her stay at the watering place. .
THE NEw JtnEnte.—The Lord Chancellor has
appointed Saturday next to swear the three new judges
into office. • Two of them, Sir W. B. Brett and M.r.
Clesaby, Q.C., will be forthwith made Serjeants-at-law,
and as Mr. Serjeant Hayes hoe a patent of precedence
he will rank before Mr. Clesaby, and Sir W. B. Brett will
be the senior of the three, and will take the more active
part in the trial • steaks petltione.• Mr. Serjeant
Hayes obtained his patent in 1860, and in 1801 both Sir
W. B. Brett and Mr. Clesaby were made Queen's counsel.
The new judicial oath is very conchae, sire stating
that each would well and tridy serve "our
Lady Queen. Victoria in the °See (of judge), ZilMi
do right to all manner of people after the laws and usages
of this realm without' fear'or favour, alestion or
I At the Judges' Chambers Yesterday the newly -appointed
Baron et. tie Exchequer, Mr. Cleaabl, attended tlie hear-
ing of ruilisioasse by Mr: Junkie Wilier. Either the new
bares et Ihr; Justice Manses' WM be The long vacation
judge is • • =. o - • '
OH PEOTEETANT CHURCH OF THE SAVOY;
The M Of Westminster, the Earl of Radnor, Vis-
count Folkestone, Sir J. P. Belleau, Sir George Rose, the
Bishop of London, and other gentlemen have entered into
a subscription for the purpose of restoring the French
proteetant episcopal church, Bloomsbury-street, formerly
of the Savoy Palace in the Strand.
THE RECORDER/LIMP OF MAIDSTONE.—The mayor
of Maidstone has been officially informed that the Home
Secretary has appointed Mr. Robert Henry Bullock
Marabous to be recorder of that borough, in the room of
Fir Walter B. Riddell, resigned.