The Sun.
London, England, 1864-09-28 00:00:00

HEALTHor LONDON.

the(Frommar .alGe es naeurad :036
females,
ales, were Report.)
In the week that ended on Saturday, the deaths of 1,229
persons, of
whom
623 Registrar-General's
mortality.
re-
gistered in London. If the deaths from epidemic cholera in
R were i
the 38th week of 1854 be excluded, it will be found that the
i
average number of deaths n the corresponding 10 years,
854.63, was 1,074, and if this result be corrected for increase
of population, it becomes 1,181. Consequently the deaths of
last week are slightly above the average
From zymotic diseases, in the aggregate, the deaths last
week were 389; in the previous week the number was 383.
Diarrban was fatal in 78 cases-60 of these were children
under two years of ago. Throo children died from cholera.
Ten deaths were caused by smallpox. Measles proved fatal
to 56 children. Five deaths from this disease occurred in the
sub-district of Bow, 4 in that of Kensington town, and 4 in
that of Amwell, Clerkenwell. Scarlatina caused 73 deaths;
of these 6 occurred in tho sub-dTtrict of St. John, West-
minster, and 6in that of Greenwich West, Twelve dee' lis
occurred from diphtheria—three of these in Piunistead.
Ono hundred and twenty-eight persons died from disease
of the brain and nervous system, 56 from diseases of the
heart, and 148 from diseases of the respiratory organs (ex-
clusive of phthisis, which caused 132 deaths).
Forty-one persons lost their lives by accidents of various
kinds. No less than 11 persons were killed by vehicles in
the streets. Three children and one adult lost their lives
by burning. Five persons were drowned and five children
were suffocated.
A woman committed suicide by drinking paraffin oil. The
widow of a chemist's assistant died at 31, North-street,
Pentonvillo, from aspybxia arising from debility, want of
support and sustenance.
The deaths of four nonagenarians and one centenarian are
recorded ; the latter was a lady residing in Church-street,
Stoke Newington—she died of fever and exhaustion at the
age (as stated) of 105 years.
Last week the births of 975 boys and 978 girls, in all
1953 children, were regist red in London. In the ten cor-
responding weeks of the years 1804-63 the average number
(corrected) was 1,881.

The report adopted at the annual meeting in
London of the General Shipowners' Society. on
August 2, states that " the bill mentioned in the
previous report, which was introduced into Par-
liament last session by the hon. member for Birkens
head, having for its object the regulating, the
proving, and sale of chain cable and anchors, was,
for several reasons, withdrawn. Early in the session
of the present a bill for similar objects was intro-
duced into the House of Commons, which bill has
now, after considerable opposition, passed the Legis-
lature and come into operation. Your committee
regret that the provisions of this bill, conferring
powers on the Board of Trade to grant licences, did
not confine the testing of the cables and anchors to
public machines, instead of extending it also to
',private persons.' It is still, however, in the power
of shipowners and others to have their cables and
anchors tested at public establishments should
they prefer it. And no ship can now be classed
with the figure 1, in Lloyd's register of shipping,
unless provided with anchors and chains proved at
a public machine. On the whole, your committee
regard the measure as a benefit conferred, not only
on shipowners but on the public interest in general,
affording as it does protection to life and propertyeng
gaged in maritime commerce ; and they would em-
brace this opportunity of expressing the deep sense
entertained by them of the obligations which they
and the shipping interest must feel to the hon.'
member, Mr Laird, who not only brought the bill
into Parliament, but by his personal exertions
greatly contributed to carrying this important mea-
sure to a successful issue."

There are other gentlemen too, besides Mr Laird,
to whom the eha:nmakers and the public owe many
thanks for their energy and devotion i❑ the agita-
tion for the establishment of a compulsory proof.
Foremost amongat these is Mr John Trotman, the
inventor of the patent anchor. The wreck of the
Royal Charter proved to Mr Trotman the great in-

terest the c'.:ultry had in abolishing the silo of in-
ferior cables. He wrote to new pipers, discussed
the question with practical men, and corresponded
with the operative chainmakers, who several
months previous to the wreck of the Royal Char-
ter had issued a circular (Tecribing the inferior cha-
racter of much of the chain that was manurac-
Lured, and otherwise aided in bringing about the
passing of the bill.

---
Naval and Military Intelligence.

MALTA, Sept. 22.

Her Majesty's despatch steamer Psyche left
Malta on the 15th September with despatches fw•
the Naval Cummander-in-Chief, and mails for the
ships of war accompanying him, which reached
C4stelle.mare, in the Bay of Naples, on the 10th.
Mr Nugent, the flag-lieutenant of Rear-Admiral
Austin, and Mrs Nugent and child, were passen-
gers by the Psyche, which returned to Malta with
despatches and mai's for England on the 21st of
September. Her Majesty's ecrew steam corvette
Racer, left on the 15th for Cape Ras-eleTien, in the
Pashalic of Bengizi, to assist the Fanny Lambert
in lifting, splicing, and repairing
the cable between
this last named port and Alexandria. Mr Gibson,
the Government Inspector of Telegraphs, went by
the Racer. Her Majesty's screw steam gunboat
Wanderer arrived on the 16th from Zante. Her
Majesty's screw steam gunboat Foxhound left on
the 19th for Gibraltar and Spithead, having been
upwards of four years in commission. Her Ma-
jesty's screw line of-battle ship Meeanee arrived on
the 21st from Gibraltar, with supernumeraries for
file squadron, brought out as far as Gibraltar by
the Warrior. The French steam frigate Cacique,
having on board their Highnesses the Prince and
Princess Lucien Murat and family, left Malta for
the Piraeus of Athens on the 13th of September. The
Ottoman steam frigate Feizi Balari left for Alex-
andria and Constantinople on the 14th of Sept. The
Russian screw steam frigate Deg arrived at Malta
from the Pit Mae on the 16th of Sept., and iname■
diately saluted the garrison. 'Bac salute was not re•
turned until 14 hours after, which gave great um•
brage, and is said to have been the subject of an
official complaint. She-put to sea again on the even-
ing of the 19th for Cadiz, Cherbourg, and Cron-
stadt. A Confederate war steamer, bark rigged,
is reported by Capt. Browne, of the bark Craw-
fords, which arrived yesterday from Newcastle, to
have been fallen in with by him between Pan tel-
leria and Gozo on the afternoon of the 20th of Sept
tember. A large Federal merchant ship, with
wheat, from Taganrog for Malta, for orders, and
several fruit ships homeward bound, from Smyrna,
are known to be on their voyage, and may possibly
be the game for which the Confederate war steamer
is seeking.
The iron frigate Achilles, 20, 6,121 tons, 1,250
horse power, Capt. E. W. Vansittart, will only re-
ceive a portion of her officers and crew at Chatham,
the remainder of the ship's company joining on the
frigate arriving at Spithead. It was originally in-
tended not to commission the Achilles until sbe
arrived at Portsmouth, bat as it was essential that
she should be completed and sent to sea before the
winter, it was considered that a portion of her offi-
cers and crew, as well as the whole of her Marines,
should join to hasten the work of fitting her. The
following officers who have been appointed to the
Achilles have already joined and taken up their
commissions :—Capt. E. W. Vansittart ; Comman-,
der W. H. Mist ; R. L. Cleveland, mailer ; G. F.
A. Drew, surgeon ; G. R. Pickthorn, M.D., assist.
surg. ; H. N. M. Sedgwick, acting assist-surg, ;
J. Leys, chief engineer ; W. H. Elliott, G. L. P.D.
Keelin, and 'l'. Richards, engineers; H. R. Lloyd,
assist. clerk; J. Barnett, E. J. Murphy, R. H,
Trubshaw, J. Phillips, J. Shore, and M. A. Pot her-
gill, In accordance with the decision of the Lords
of the Admiralty, the present rig of the Achilles
will be altered to one of a lighter description, the
whole of the ships composing the iron clad squadron
being intended to carry a fore and aft rig. The
work of completing the iron clad frigate being now
nearly completed, 100 of the mechanics and work-
men employed on the Achilles have been trans-
ferred to the Bellerophon, building at Chatham.
The workmen from Chatham dockyard who have
been employed for bone weeks past in the erection

SHANGHAI, Aug. 4.
The Taeping rebellion has at length been brought
to a close, and the question as to whether our policy
should be on© of intervention or non-intervention
effectually set at rest, at least for a time. Nankin
fell into the hands of the Imperialists, after several
days' fighting, on the 19th inst., together with the
principal rebel leaders. The Tien-wang, the rebel
Emperor, avoided the pain of witnessing this final
disaster by taking gold-leaf two days previously.
When the besiegers commenced their attack the
Chung.wang escaped, with the Tien‘wang's young
son and several others, but was taken, having given
up his pony to the young Prince; the Kan-wang,
who has frequently been mentioned by visitors toi
Nankin as the Shield King, is also a prisoner.
Whether it be that recent information by spies of
the miserable state of the garrison induced the Im-
perialist leaders to shake off the apathy in the hope
of an easy conquest, or whether Gordon's instruc-
tions during his recent visit showed them that their
task was easier than they anticipated, they shortly
after his visit began to show signs of unwonted
vigour. A breach of 120 feet in width was made
in the outer wall, by the explosion of a mine near the
east gate, containing above 60,0001 b of powder, and
by the 19th, the whole city was in their hands.
The news reached Pekin on the 24th, having been
forwarded by couriers, at the rate of more than 100
miles a day. Few details have yet been received
of the closing scenes of the siege, so I am only able
to give you a brief outline of the occurrences. Nan-
kin, as is well known, was defended by three walls—
an outer wall, a second surrounding the Tartar city,
and a third which had been constructed round the
Tien-wang's Palace. The Tartar city was not gar-
risQued by the rebels, so the assailants had only two

lines of defence to attack. An assault was made
on the outer wall at dawn on the 18th, and
before noon it had been carried at every part, and
the garrison had fallen back within the inner line
f fatifications. The steamer Confucius, which is
under charter to the Shangtung guild of merchants
at Shanghai, chanced to be lying off Nankin at the
time, and rendered efficient service by engaging
two strong batteries that the rebels had erected

facing the river, and which had hitherto defic'l the
distant off arts of the Imperialist gunboats. Toe
Confucius, which is commanded by an American,
had been sent up by the Chinese authorities to con-
vey treasure to the Imperialist troops, and Captain
It awse deemed he would be rendering them agree-
:able service by availing himsalf of the opportunity
frered to lend them the aid of other metal wt.ich he
carried as well. Her 18 pounders soon made the
batteries un►.enable for the rebels, who abandoned
them after half an hcur's sharp engagement during
which the Confucius lost two men killed and had a
third wounded, and the Imperialist gunboats came
up and took possession. The troops, on their
part, lest very little time in following up their
first success; the second line of &Lace was atb

ta2ked and carried before daylight on the fol-
owing morning, and by the evening of the

19th all Nankin was in their hands. The
fortifications which had been erected round the
Tien-wang's palace are said to have been defended
with desperation ; but the garrison was too weak
to resist the large forces that the Imperialists were
able to bring against them,and the latter soon effected
an entrance by battering down one of the gates.
The first sight which met the victors on entering
the palace was the corpse of the Tien-wang, lying
Lvidently in the position in which he had died, and
the bodies of a number of his wives hanging from
the trees in the garden. The Kan-wang was here
arrested, and with the Chung-wang, whose capture
1 have already alluded to, now lies a prisoner in the
house of the Imperialist commander, awaiting sen-
tence from Pekin. Chung-wang estimates the
strength of the rebel garrison at from 18,000 to
20,000, and does not attempt to disguise the straits
to which they wore reduced. He is said to be intent
on writing his life. There can be little doubt that he
will be condemned to death ; indeed, it would be
unwise on the part of the Government to set so fa-
mous a leader at liberty, as his name would attract
thousands of the disaffected from every part of the
empire if he chose again to raise the standard of
rebellion. Of the garrison, part escaped, and
part were made prisoners, It does not seem that
any excesses were committed by the Imperialist
soldiery, as has been the case on other occasions.
The city is miserably dilapidated, and the
streets were full of the bodies of persons who
had evidently died of starvation. No loot
of value was found, except the Tien-Wang's seal,
which was ofsolid gold, and weighing 301 b. Neither
Tsan-kwo-fan, the Viceroy of the two Kiangs, nor
the Futai, was present at the capture. The fortu-
nate commander is Tsan-kwo-tsun, brother of the
Viceroy, who is not unlikely to got the Futaiship
of this province as a reward. The present Futai
will probably be speedily promoted to a Viceroyalty,
and as he has established a reputation for talent in
crushing rebellion, a part of the empire which is
infested by other bands of brigands will no doubt
be selected as his new scene of action. There are
plenty such—Fokhein, Kianesi, Tze-chnen, Honan,
Shonse. Kansuh, are all more or less disturbed by
hordss of Nien-feis—as these bands of robbers are

termed—so numerous and formidable that they
almost deserve the name of rebels. Disturbance and
brigandage are the normal conditions of China, and
at the present moment Kiang-su and Che-keang,
lately the scene of so severe a struggle, are pro.
bably the most tranquil provinces in the empire.
BLP, whatever other disturbances may exist, the
Taeping rebellion may now be fully said to be sub-
dued, since the Emperor is dead, and all its noted
chiefs in the hands of the Imperialists.
Istlukin will now be opened to foreign trade. It
was not named in our treaty, but the sixth erticle
of the French treaty stipulated that French sub-
jects should be allowed to establish themselves
there directly it was recovered from the rebels;
and under the " most favoured nation"clause in the
treaties with England and America, subjects of
those countries will enjoy the same privilege. The
privilege, however, will certainly for a long time b
a barren one, and even in the end is not likely tolbe
worth much. The city is a heap of ruins, with the
exception of the small corner occupied by the
rebels; even the Palace of the Tien-wang has been
burnt, and years will elapse before it can approache
nearly to its former size. The country immediately
surrounding it is a desert,and what trade there is in
produce with the neighbouring districts flows to

ROCHDALE.—On Monday morning, between half-
past 12 and 1, the vibration of an esitbquako was
with startling distinctness felt in Rochdale and its
suburbs. Watches and clocks were stopped, four
posters were violently shaken, doors and windows
were rattled, bells were tinkled, dogs were set bark-
ing and howling, and policemen on their beats
frightened. In one case a lady living in a villa on
the Manchester-road was so frightened by the
tremor of the earth that she got up and rung the
bell, called up the servants, had the gases lit, and
for nearly a couple of hours the household were in a
great state of alarm, waiting probably for another
shock, but their expeetefons were agreeably die.
appointed. Superintendent Pickering, of the county
constabulary, was awoke while in bed by the shock,
and says he heard a noise as if a waggon with a
large boiler upon it was going down the street. In-
spector Cragg, of the borough police, while standing
in the police office with his hand holding a bannister,
felt it and the room violently shake, and heard a rum 4
bling noise like distant thunder. Police officer O'Brian
walking his beat felt the earth beneath his feet shake,
and heard an unearthly sound. The night porter at
the railway station, seated in his cabin, was much
alarmed by the room and signal wires which pass
through it vibrate and rattle, and he hoard a noise
similar to that of an engine passing over an arch.
way. A large number of other persons in the town
felt the shock, and most of them agree that it was
about a quarter to one when it took place.

(From the Manchfster Guardian )

We have received teveral communications from
which there can be no doubt that there was a slight
shock of an earthquake in this district, shortly after
midnight on Sunday. The time is variously stated
from 12 30 a.m. to 12.10 a.m. The shock is
dc-
scribed as having produced the sensation of the bed
having been lifted in some cases, while other ob-
servers state that houses were shale-en. The earth-
quake, which was accompanied by a lox rumbling
noise, lasted about two seconds, and seemed to pass
from narth•east to south-west. It was felt in
Higher and Lower Breuizliton, in Greenheys, in
Pendltbary, at Ilebden Bridge, and at CJithorec.
The night was very calm and rather w I'mn. It is
rather singular that the last earthqukc which was
felt over a large portion of this c:nantry occurred
about this time of the year, namely, on. the 6th of
October, 1863.

.(From the Manchester Courier.)

A rumbling noise, accompanied by a tremulous
motion of the earth, and other indications of the
shock from an earthquake, was heard in many parts
of this coanty and Yorkshire shortly after midnight
on Sunday. A Rochdale correspondent writes ;
" A very distinct shock of earthquake, preceded by
a rumbling noise, was felt at Rochdale about one
o'clock yesterday morning. Several of the inhabi•
tants were awoke from their sleep, and at a public.
house of the inmates, fearing there were burglars on
the premises, got up and searched the house. The
night porter at the railway station also experienced
the shock, and stated it to have lasted about twelve
seconds. In some instances there was a sensible
shaking of the whole building." Similar reports
have reached us from Bacup, Hebden Bridge, and
Broughton, but in Manchester and Salford the
shock does not appear to have bean very sensibly
felt, though some people, concurring in a point of
time, speak of having felt a vibration which lasted
a few seconds.

(From theXanelicster Examiner.)

Shortly after midnight on Sunday a shock of
earthquake was felt in this neighbourhood. At
Heben Bridge, the railway porter at the station
was alarmed by the large factories near trembling
from their foundations, as he expressed it, " like a
cradle." Several persons in the village were awoke
by tho general tremor that seems to have passed
through the village ; and various are the descrip-
tions of the :phenomena, some comparing it to
thunder felt, but not heard, others to shaking, rock•
ing, &c. The shock appears to have been felt by a
few persons in the neigbourhood of Manchester.
One gentleman, residing in Broughton, informs us
that he was awoke by it, at half-past twelve o'clock
Another gentleman, also residing at Brougton,says
that he observed it. At Pendlebury, too, we learn
that the shock was felt there at the same time as
in Broughton. In Regent-road, Salford, and also
in Bonsall-street, Hulme, a tremulous motion, last-
ing only a few seconds, was perceived. "An Ob 4
server," dating from Sedgley-park, Prestwick, says,
"Between twelve and four o'clock this morning I
was alarmed by a loud noise, as if a heavy weight
had fallen in the middle of the room. I was at the
time in a sound sleep, but I distinctly felt my bed
shake. lat once got up to ascertain the cause, but
none was visible. Others of my family felt the same
shock, and it extended to the stable yard where my
servant was sleeping." Our Bacup correspondent
says :—" On Saturday night, at half•past twelve
o'clock, many of the inhabitants were startled
out of bed by * the sharp shock of an
earthquake, which in. some houses set the pots
and pans violently rattling, and which was
felt through the town and suburbs. It appears
to have been more severely left on the Yorkshire
side of Bacup—Todmorden-road and Brickfield.
The motion felt was not so much of a vibration as
a sharp, sudden shock, as if some giant power had
qeiz.:(l the houses and given them a violent, 'momen-
tary shock, and all was over. At the same time the
shock passed over the night was warm and star..
light, though not very clear. An hour before it v; as
intensely dark." From Haelingden a correspondent
writes :—" A severe shock of an esrft q ial:o was felt
here this morning at 12,30, v; ;rich lasted four
seconds. the time there was a dunce fug, and the
writer experienced a sense of suffJe a' ion."

THE COST OF CAELOWI:N. By Mary Howitt.
3 vels.—" This tale deserves high praise. It will be found
extremely interesting, not merely from its local truth, but
from the able manner in which different phases of character
aro contrasted in it, as well as the insight shown respecting
the workings of the heart and conscience. The care and
thought bestowed upon it raise it far Leyoud iLe ordinary
level of fiction, and it will doubtless gain the popularity it
nitrite."—Dispatch.

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.
Tam DAY.—Morning,' 12h. 30m.—Afternoon, 12h. 50m.
ro-Koasow.-Morning, lh. 12m.—Afternoon, lh. 30m.

.tt
, ,4,1116,
34')
e er•NV

LONDON, WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 28, 1864.

Sir CHARLES HASTINGS' remarks on the public
health are most worthy of notice, and many may
derive benefit from their perusal. There is no
question that, more intimately concerns the safety
and well-being of the community than this; and,
strange to say, there is none more neglected—at
all events it is a source of satisfaction to find men
of eminence come forward to give plain statements
and impart valuable advice on such topics, and no
one can now put forward the excuse that they are
ignorant of the nature of the requirements of
health. Among other questions, Sir CHARLES
commented on the high rate of mortality among
infants, and stated that it was a matter which con-
cerned equally the directors in town and country,
'Val we must concede that an kinds of fatal influ-
ences exist in town which infallibly conduce to this
result. Surely if nothing else can induce persons
to pay ordinary attention to the evils put before
them, it should be the distressing circumstance
that so many infants perish prematurely the victims
to our faulty management of the drainage
and the other matters connected with
the sanitary regulations of all large towns.
It is a solemn protest against many of our social
observances, that so numerous a race of these little
ones either die or grow up sickly and deformed.
Such a state of things is prejudicial to the best
interests of society, and it behoves all who are cap-
able of lending their aid to come forward earnestly
and endeavour to put a stop to some of the worst
of the grievances now an,.;,„ •
g up
around u.
Truly might Sir C. hASTINGS declare that "per-
haps there is no view of society mere disheartening
than that which is afforded by the facts lately
brought to light respecting the murderous destruc-
Lion of infant life:l Many who have had the
opportunity may not have availed themselves of it

to ascertain the nature of such details, and hence
Sir C. HASTINGS may be the means of affording
instruction as to the fearful extent of infant disease
among our crowded population, Facts speak for
themselves, and it is needless to add that
s )mething might be done to improve the condi-
tion of affairs, when we learn that no less than
a third of the inquests that were held
last year were upon infants under seven years of
age. This shows also that infanticide is most
prevalent, and suggests other painful thoughts
upon the same topic. The suggestions made re-
lative to the effect upon health which the over.
crowding of all dwellings produces, touches
.a
subject to which all should be alive, and its
neglect will not fail to work deadly ills to the
idle, indifferent, and ignorant. How many who
slave night and day to procure additional means
of support for their families, neglect the very
means which would preserve the health, which is
of more value than money to their families; and
for the loss of which no wealth can compensate.
A sort of infatuation appears to prevail in some
minds upon the subject; but inasmuch as worldly
considerations can hold sway, it is almost the
one thing needful as regards comfort or conve-
nience; and as far as higher influences can pre-
vail, no one can rightly keep the laws of his
CREATOR who is living in a careless or indifferent
manner relative to the preservation of the laws
of health. Overcrowding is one of the most fruitful
sources of disease, and yet it is sad to reflect upon
that this difficulty is almost insuperable in many
instances, and the very means that are taken to
benefit the inhabitants of one locality seem but to
increase the troubles of another section of the popua
lation. Sir C. HASTINGS very properly drew at-
tention to the great sufferings that arise in cmse-
quence of the neglect of persons to ventilate their
habitations. This want of thought on the part of
the inmates is a fruitful source of the spread of
epidemics, and it would be well for the community
at large if they would take this advice to heart, and
thus secure themselves and those most dear to them
from the contagion of fearful and fatal afil:ctions.
Overcrowding is most unquestionably a great evil,
but if one thing more than another cell mitigate its
horrors it is the introduction of fresh air into a
house, and yet how seldom is the antidote witnessed
on entering small and densely packed places.
Persons seem to think that the winds of heaven
must not blow upon them, and wonder that they
are never well when they refuse to follow
the laws of nature and be guided by
the dictates of common sense. The more
this subject is dwelt upon by the lecturers and
writers of our day, the better they follow the
example of the poet, " Never despair until
success has crowned their efforts." It is fright-
ful to ponder upon the aggregate of evils which
arise from the want of the circulation of pure air
into houses, where whole families are crowded to-
gether in a very small space. We read here—
" Perhaps of all causes, this has most to do with
inculcating and diffusing those continued fevers
which are known as inflammatory or relapsing
fever, typhus, enteric, and gastric fever." If such
teachings cannot induce persons to be wise, they
must learn from the hard lessons of experience ;
but even of those so taught how few comparatively
improve their opportunities or benefit by the oeca.
sin°. Foremost among inimical prejudices is that
dislike which exists among many of the lower orders
relative to the practice of vaccination. This deplor-
able objection is the cause of much calamity, and it is
distressing to learn that the British Isles derive less
from the " genius of their immortal countryman"
than do the dwellers iu other lands. Surely this is
a disgrace to the intelligence of our country, and
means should be speedily taken to do away with
the injurious effects of what Sir C. HASTINGS most
truly depicts as " the striking proof of the obstinate
adherence to preconceived notions created by un-
informed prejudice." It is time that such a scan-
dal should be removed from among us, and one of
the greatest boons which was ever bestowed by
skill and science on the human race should be
enjoyed to the fullest extent, and not perverted by
ignorance and assumption from its proper uses.
Sir C. HASTINGS very truly said that Parliament
ought to interfere more in the matter, and not per.
mit the laxity which endangers the lives of others.
Perhaps next session something may be effected
in this desirable direction; but in the mean
time a great service to the cause of health
has been rendered by Sir C. HASTINGS,
in his skilful explanation of the subject. As he
observed, we may not live to see the time when the
laws of health will be universally recognised, but
we may hasten the advent of that day and thus
benefit the future generation. Surely such a work
is a high and holy one, and will find favour in
the sight of all who can appreciate the importance
of following the laws of their being with reverence
and homage, and looking through Nature up to
Nature's God.

The news from China confirms the rumour of the
occupation of Naskin by the imperialists, and
although the Chinese Commander, no doubt, takes
infinite credit to himself for the exploit, it seems
that the renown of the English leader had some-
thing to do with the capture. Colonel GORDON, as
we know, retired from active service before the
assault, but the long continued successes of the
irregular forces under his command had
inspired too much wholesome fear for the
feeling to be easily got over. The enemy
were evidently much disheartened, and in-
deed their want of spirit was so great that one of
their chiefs is said to have destroyed himself on
hearing that the dreaded Colonel GORDON was
actually before the walls. The English officer, it
will be seen, did not altogether keep to the promises
made on his behalf by Lord PALMERSTON to the
Taeping partisans. He is restricted, indeed, from
taking part in the active strife still going on around
him, but he is not forbidden to aid " with counsel,"
if not with hand, in the cause of the Imperialists.
He surveyed the walls of Nankin, and imparted the
result of his observations to the Chinese comman.
der, who probably acted upon them, since on the
19th ult. the stronghold was in his hands. Full
particulars are not as yet forthcoming, but the
attack was made simultaneously by land and water,
and an entry effected by the Taeping gate, B3fore
the close of the day on which the assault Was
attempted the city was in the hands of
the Imperialists. The Taepings were driven
to the centre of the city, where probably many were
slaughtered, for the EMPEROR'S troops have no
more humanity or magnanimity than their adver.
series when they get the advantage. It is a notice.
able fat that CHUNG WANG, one of the most con-
spicuous of the rebel leaders, who has already
effected his escape from Soochow, and from another
city of less note when they fell into the hands of
enemies, has again contrived to elude their vigi-
lance, and with singular good luck has proved that
he possesses " the better part of valour" in a high
degree by passing unhurt from Nankin. His escape
is a matter of some moment, inasmuch as he has
with him a considerable body of troop, and is from
his military add, ess styled the `' fighting king."
There is, therefore, too good reaso; to think that

he and his party will add to the number of bri-
gands and plunderers who have already played
such havoc with Chinese trade and come
merco in some districts, There are, however,
contraditory rumours afloat, from which it is pos-
sible that the escape of CHUNG WANG may after
alt be fabulous, and that he is at present safely
loiged in the care of the Imperialists. At any rate,
the capture is an important one, for Nankin is a
city of great extent and some consequence. How
far these various successes of Imperialist arms may
prove profitable to our interests remains to be seen.
It seems to be a pity, since the real labour and credit
of the campaign is mainly due to Colonel GORDON'S
force that some recognition should not be obtained
from the Chinese authorities—not of individual
merit, but of national goodwill and assistance. An
extension of our commercial dealings is possible if
the affair wore properly negotiated at a time when
the Imperial Government is forced to be sensible of
its obligations, The people, too, who are losing
their prejudice against the "outer barbarians"
who have intruded themselves into their sacred
country will begin to appreciate the advantages
conferred upon them by the presence of Europeans,
when they see the contrast afforded by the districts
within the 30 mile radius of the treaty ports, and
those whose ravaged fields and plundered homes
steads prove their need of a stronger or more in-
vincible arm to defend them. It is, of course, too
much to expect that we shall keep China in order
even for our own interests, but the more willingly
the people submit to our presence in the Treaty
towns the less risk there will be of a war. The
Chinese are naturally a highly commercial people,
and the more their attention is turned to the great
advantages now opening out to them, the better it
will be not only for English merchants and manu-
facturers, but for Chinamen of all ranks, degrees,
and professions.

We hear a great deal about the moderation and
suaviter in mod() which have distinguished the
dealings of the great German Powers with their
Northern victims. So great was the self-satisfac-
tion felt at Berlin, that M. 'VON BIsMARK could
not rest without calling the attention of the other
European Cabinets, more especially of that whose
foreign affairs are administered by his good friend
Earl RUSSELL, to the surprising mildness and
humanity of the German intruders in to the Duchies.
Unfortunately, the events which have reached us
seem to indicate most perversely the con-
trary, and while Prussia is marvelling at her
own moderation, England is standing aghast at
what she deem 3 the outrageous conduct of her
quondam ally. The war levies in Jutland
occasioned a complete outcry in this country ;
but, indeed, the passage of the Eider was scarcely
an outrage on the political sense of right. The
tyranny exercised towards the Danish cfficial, the
old pastors, &c., was only commensurate with the
expectations formed by those who remembered the
old stories of Prussian occupation. Still all has
been now for some time left unsettled, and the final
conclusion of the armistice is looked for anxiously
by those unhappy Schleswig-Holsteiners who have
effected the unprofitable exchange from Xing LOG
to King STORK. Lord RUSSELL'S remonstrances
do not appear as yet to have exercised a very bene-
ficial influence on Berlin, for we learn the following
moderate announcement from the Aarleuus Zeitung,
" As the revenue of Jutland has proved insufficient
to pay for the provisions served out to the army
of occupation, a duty is to be henceforth
levied on all goods coming from Der mark. Also
by way of encouraging that free political action
which was professedly one of the main ends of
Prussia in commencing the war, the entry of all
Danish papers into Jutland has, with three ex-
ceptions, been prohibited." A very fair specimen
this of Prussian moderation and magnanimity—a
very apt illustration of what the Duchies are to
expect from their new masters. It is hardly worth
while under these circumstances for Prussia to keep
on the mask ; she may as well
.through it off, and
instead of any more grandiloquent phrases, boldly
proclaim that she is reckoning on the supineness
or dynastic entanglements of England to carry out,
without remorse, the dictates of her selfish, ag-
gressive, and unscrupulous traditionary policy,

DEATH OF MRS. HARRISON, OF DRIFFIELD.—
On Wedndesday last, Mrs. Harrison, of Driffield Wold,
paid the debt of nature. Ever since the memorable
conviction cf her farm servant, Isaac Watson, before the
magistrates in petty sessions assembled at Driffield, for
refusing to attend the parish church, she had experienced
great depression of mind. Mrs, Harrison seemed to regret
the injustice to which she was a party to punishing this
rustic for declining to worship God in the established
church.—Leeds Mercury.
Tux DAHOMAN CUSTOMS.—Although the Daho-
man customs have been greatly exaggerated, and admit
some little palliation, the annual destruction of human
life is terribly great. However trivial an action is done
by the King, such as inventing a new drum, being visited
by a white man, or even removing from one place to another,
it must be dutifully reported by some male or female
messenger to the paternal ghost. I can hardly rate the
slaughter at less than 500, in average years of the annual
customs) and at less than 1,000 during the year of the grand
customs. At exceptional occasions, especially of the King's
illness, many are slain on the suspicion of witchcraft, which
here, is a capital offence. Daring
theearthquake
everywherewh i
which prostrated
Africa,
Accra, in 1862, Gelele was
as
informed that his father's ghost had been seen bathing in
the sea, and was returning to Agbome. According to Mr
Barnasko he slow two slaves—others say the unfortunate
captives from Ishagga—and was surprised to hear that the
earthquake had been felt where his father's name was un-
known. Tke history mentions part of the palace wall at
Agbomo being overthrown in the days of Sinmenkpen
(Adaboonzou 11. 1774-1789), when the Europeans, im-
proving the occasion, tried to reform the royal manners.
" It does not, however, appear that this representation
produced any alteraticn in the King's behavwur." It is
evident, that to abolish human sacrifice here is to abolish
Daheme. The practice originates from filial piety, it is
sanctioned by long use and custom, and it is strenuously
upheld by a powerful and interested priesthood. That, as
our efforts to abolish the slave export trade are successful,
these horrors will greatly increase, there is no room
to doubt. Finally, the present King is for the pre-
sent committed to them; he rose to power by the goodwill
of the reactionary party, and upon it he depends. There is
a report that his grandsire Agongoro (Wheenoohew) was
poisoned because he showed a propensity to Christianity,
and the greatest despots are in Yoruba easily told to "go
to sleep," or are presented with the parrot's eggs. Gelele,
I am persuaded, could not abolish human sacrifices if he
would ; and he would not if he could. The interference of
strangers will cause more secresy, and more decorum in the
practice; but the remedy must come from the people them-
selves. During the last reign, the victims, gagged and car-
rying rum and cowries for the people, were marched about,
led with cords, and the visitors were compelled to witness
the executions. In 1862-3, the wretches were put to death
within hearing, if not within sight, of the white visitors. In
1863-4, the King so far regarded the explicit instructions
which I had received, that no life was publicly taken during
daytime. This is, let us hope, the small end of the wedge.
—Barton's ]Mission to the King of Dahoiney.;
EXPLOSION AT A FIREWORKS MAN IJFACTORY.—
Early on Sunday morning an alarming explosion
occurred at the fireworks manufactory of Mr Copley top of
South-street, Sheffield Moor. Mr Copley occupies
as a sale
shop and manufactory one of three one story shops at the
junction of South-street and Button-lane. He got up
early in the morning to finish some fireworks, La which he
hat an urgent order. He prepared some paste for rockets,
and at three o'clock applied a light to the paste to try it.'
There were other combustibles on the table before him.
The paste gave a slight flash, which instantly ignited the
other combustibles, and in a moment an explosion occurred
which alarmed the whole neighbourhood and completely
destroyed the shop. The front and back walls were blown
out, the one into South-street, and the o, her across Button-
lane. The wall separating Mr Copley's shop from the adjoin-
ing oyster shop disappeared, and the latter was almost as
entirely wrecked es that of Mr Copley. The roof of the two
shops was for the most part blown off, and the contents of
both shol.s were destroyed. It is marvellous that Mr Copley
was not killed on the spot. He, however, is not injured
beyond some severe burns on the head, face, hands, and
arms. His injuries are believed not to be dangerous, There
was no one else on the premises at the time of the explesion.
—§hee ekf ,Independent..

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

THE FRANCO.ITALIAN CONVENTION.
PARIS, SEPT. 28.

The Constitutionnel of this morning publishes an
article, signed by M. Paulin Limayrac, upon the
Franco.ltalian Convention.
The writer states that the Convention assures to
the Pope the independence of his army and his
financial arrange mmts.

" The Pope," continues the writer, " could not
refuse to accede to a Convention without placing
his enemies in the right. There is no secret under-
standing in the Convention. Before the sth of
September a false state of things existed for all
parties. Now matters have a true aspect for all.
For Italy, who now has foreigners only at Venice ;
for the Pope, who re-Enters the normal condition of
his whole power; and for France, who, faithful to
herself, will not have quitted Rome before having
given to the Holy See guarantees egainst external
dangers and the means of ensuring its security
within."

ITALY.

VIENNA, SEPT. 28.

The Neue Freic Presse of to-day says :—"Earl
Clarendon has explained to Count Rechberg the
necessity for bringing the peace negotiations to a
speedy issue. He also advocated the early inaugu-
ration of the D ake of Augustenburg, who would be
recognised by England. Earl Clarendon further
explained that the Italian question urgently re-
quired a solution, and that should Austria form a
Northern Alliance to oppose the latest movement of
the Franco-Italian policy, England would not cos
operate with her, although the latter was ready to
support Austria should she lean towards the policy
of the:Western Powers."
To these overtures the Aus-rian Government
reserved its reply,

SPAIN.

MADRID, SEPT. 27.

Official despatches from A dmiral Pinzon announce
the satisfactory state of the Spanish fleet in the
Pacific.

It is expected that the Piogressist party will
abandon their policy of abstaining from voting.

THE BRAZIL MAIL.

LIMA, SEPT. 27,

The Royal Mail Steam Picket Company's ship
Patina, has arrived here from the Brazils, &c., and
will leave for Southampton at 4 p.m, with 80 pas-
sengers, 15 bales of cotton, 312 bales of wool, 807
of tobacco, 145 packages of sundries, and £9,390
in specie,

....,. .......• ••••••

WEST INDIA AND PACIFIC MAILS.
SOUTHAMPTON, SEPT. 28.

The Royal Mail Company's steamer Atrato, with
the above mails, has arrived here. She brings 102
passengers, 2,265,043 dollars in specie; precious
stones, diamonds, Szo., value £3,100; and 2,727
packages of cargo, consisting chiefly of cochineal,
cocoa, &gars, coffee, and bark,

The Atrato left St Thomas on the 14th inst., and
experienced floe weather during the voyage.
On the 23d she passed the brig Germania, and
on the 26th the brig Acacia, of Hartlepool.
Her Majesty's ships Virago and Rinaldo were at
Vera Cruz. The Shannon sailed from Havenr.ah o❑
the 7th inst. The Leander was at Callao. The
Shearwater left Valparaiso on the 9th.
The Pylades, Greyhound, and Styx had sailed
from Barbadoes for Jamaica with troops of the Ist
West India Regiment, which had been engaged in
the Ashantee war, They left Cape Castle on the
30th July in the troopship Wambojeeg, followed by
her Majesty's ship Gladiator to the south of the
equator, which thenee sailed to Barbadoes, arriving
there on the 2d Sept. The health of the troops cn
the passage was good, only two deaths having
taken place.
The weather at Barbadoes are favourable to the
crops, though provisions are scarce and dear.
Shipments of produce are finished.
Defalcations amounting to Ll,lOO have been dis-
covered in the Post•ofiiee accounts.
The Legislature is still in vacation.
At Grenada, exchange on London at 90 days is
487 k.

The rainy season has set in. Much activity is
displayed on the estates. The shipments of pro-
duce are closed. The island has been visited with
heavy gales. _ _

Martinique has also been visited with very bad
weather, and the plantations of cane,
coffee, and
cocoa have suffered greatly. Plantain walls have
been prostrated, and houses unroofed and thrown
down. The Botanical Gardens have also been
excessively damaged.
The yellow fever still continued at Demerara,
Nassau, and Bermuda; the two latter places espe.
oially.
No advices has been received from Mexico.