Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-09-07 00:00:00

as that gentleman argued from facts and figures
of an unquestionable character, we were disposed
to let his observations pass, well knowing that
the public at large would estimate his oratory at
its real worth. When, however, he makes state-
ments utterly devoid of truth,• and endeavours to
lead away the public mind upon a matter of such
vital importance, it becomes our duty to expose
his fallacies, and to let his constituents see the
real character of their representative'
After making sundry statements respecting the
excellent quality and crystal colour of the Pike
water, Mr. HODSON took occasion, on Wednes-
day, to assert that one proof of the goodness of
the washings from the hills of Rivington was to
be found in the excellent health of the town. He
said—" The town was never more healthy for
the last ten years than during the present sum-
mer.' Now, at first sight, one would expect
that a gentleman like Mr. HonsoN, a surgeon,
and a member of the Health Committee to boot,
would not risk an assertion which his profes-
sional knowledge and official position must have
told him was unfounded. How stands the fact ?
At the meeting of the Health Committee, held
on Thursday, the 27th ultimo, Mr. HonsoN
being present, the report of the medical officer,
Dr. DeNcAN, was read. It set forth that the
mortality of the borough continued high ; that
the deaths for the week ending August 22, were
277—three more than the previous week, and
twenty more than the corrected average of the
same week of the preceding nine years, exclud-
ing 1849. Again, the week prior to which that
report refers shows that the deaths were 274,
being twenty more than the corrected average
of the previous nine years, excluding 1849.
Now, what is the return, of the medical officer,
read at the last meeting of the Health Com-
mittee ? The deaths were 291, being an increase
of fourteen on the week ending August 22, and
eighteen more than the corrected average of
the preceding„nine years, 1849 excluded, One
thing remarkable in the medical returns just
quoted, is the fact that diarrhcea has been so
prevalent and fatal this year. The deaths from
this disease were, for the three weeks ending
August 29, 65, 63, and 73, respectively. Will
the learned Doctor explain why it is that, not
withstanding our increased sanitary regulations,
there has been an i ncrease in diarrhcea, also
satisfactorily demonstrate that the use of the
Pike water has not had anything to do with the
increase and fatal effects of the disease in
question ? What will the people of Liverpool
think of the veracity of a gentleman who can
have the audacity to make such assertions, well
knowing that Dr. DUNCAN'S returns emphati-
cally belies him in every iota of his state-
ment.

The Doctor also took occasion to laud the
quality of the Pike water, and rested his opinion
of its excellence on an extensive practical expe-
rience. Whether the Doctor merits the appella-
tion of being a teetotaller we do not know,
but it is too much self-sufficiency for him
to controvert the statements of Mr. DUNCAN,
the water engineer. The. report of that gentle-
man had beEn read a short time before the speech
delivered by Mr. HoDsoN, and it set forth that
so deleterious was the quality of the Pike water
that he could no longer recommend its continu-
ance. Yet, in the face of this official, and, we
should say, reluctant testimony, Dr. HODSoN
proclaims the Pike washings as the best of water,
and such as would secure health and happiness.
But we must have done with the miserable
twaddle of the Pike advocates. They have been
tested, and all their arguments, facts, and figures
have proved a heap of fallacious rubbish. We
have the consolation of knowing that, at the last
hour, the Water Committee have been compelled
to listen to the voice of the public. The first of
November approaches. On that day certain
town councillors will know that the burgesses of
Liverpool have disapproved of their past conduct,
and will dispense with their further services as
local senators.

INDIA.—Once more the clang of war echoes amid a
peace-loving and Commerce promoting nation. Reluctant
as wo are to unsheath the sword, and unstop the cannon's
mouth, the voles of retributive justice has already done
the deed, and " terrible as an army with banners" our sons
are hastening on the wings of mercy to avenge the blood
of our fallen countrymen. 'Tis true, the enemy to be en_
countered merit not the title " foemen worthy of our
steel ;" their ungenerous, barbarous, and unmanly acts
mantle them with the bearings of fiends in human forms--
yet it must be allowed that, much as we:scruple to confess
it, the position of our forces in India is most critical, and
the aspect of affairs in that conntry most alarming. Ad-
mitting the correctness of that assertion, we :can upon
those in whose hands the " management" of the suppres-
sion of the Indian revolt is entrusted,: to adopt measures
commensurate with the requirements- of the case, with
regard to promptnsss of action and supplies of men and
ammunition. To the Crimean campaign, so'', disastrous
and so profitless, save in dearly bought experience, the
warning finger of this country points, faithful and true as
the needle to the pole. There, on that:laureless battle
plain, stand monuments of ruin and disgrace, carved on'
of a host once magnificent and. mighty, by the hand of
" mismanagement" bearing as fit epitaph*,aslthe fatal word
routine ; yet, if the presiders of this Eastern calamity
turn a faithful'eye to the lessons Inscribed;upon these me.
morials—looming in all the sad/silence:;ef ,the past—they
will be to us monuments of mercy, and teach oar Senators
wisdom. There, upon the snowy wastes olEthat Musco-
vite territory, oar beardless youths were left at the mercy
of routine, unclothed, unsheltered, and unfed, to linger and
to die, falling fast and thick before the piercing blasts that
swept over the devoted canape, whilst the icy band of win-
ter drew forth from the shivering hosts the element of
Life. We ask, is the hand then so parsimonious to clothe,
preparing in proportionate quantity;:the:necessary light
habilments, for the troops we are sending out to fight our
battles under the searching rays of:an Eastern blazing
sun? If not, what will be the consequence? Nothing
less than regiments decimated by thejstroke of disease ere
they have an opportunity to cope with the mutineers in
the deadly strife of wars stern reality. We say not,
neither do we wish to doubt, that the necessary light
clothing awaits the arrival of our troops at Calcutta in
ample quantities, but the treachery of routine sadly
slakes our contideuee, and produces parozisms of. du-