The Sun.
London, England, 1864-09-05 00:00:00

Causes of Death in the Prime of Life,

(From the Builder.)
In submitting a list of candidates for election into the
Infant Orphan Asylum at W
anstead, an account is given of
the canoes of death and the pursuits in life of the fathers of
the children for whom admission is sought. From this we
gather some idea of the overwhelming. majority of fatal cases
of consumption in the prime of life. In the paper referred
to there are
given the names and other particulars of the
oflls children. Of these, 31 are reported to have
died of consumption, 15 of disease of the heart, and 10 of
fever —in all, from these causes, 59, or about half the num-
ber of deaths. And it is worth while to notice the pursuits
of those who have died from the first and most extensive
cause, and consider to what extent the fatal result has been
produced by sedentary occupations, the ill effect of which
has been increased by unwholesome shops, offices, &a.
The subject is well worth far more extended inquiry than
we can make at present ; but believing, as we do, with
some medical Lmen, that consumption is much more
affected by impure air and imperfect ventilation than has
been generally supposed, we but glance at the subject, in
the hope that it may lead to more extensive inquiry into
this matter than is within the moans of the present writer.
Of those 31 deaths, there were two of saddlers, two of
mercantile clerks, a Laker and confectioner, boot-tree
maker, surgeon, solicitor's clerk, draper, clerk to a proctor,
butcher, solicitor's managing clerk, Trinity pilot, two
builders, bank deer, an accountant, chief commissioner of
gold mines in the Brazils, innkeeper, statuary, secretary to
gasworks, inspector of insurance agents, Government engi-
neering clerk, mercantile clerk, warehouseman, another
clerk, a machinist, a plumber and glazier, silversmith's
assistant, commercial clerk, sergeant-major in the army,
another commercial clerk, a merchant's clerk, and a lay
vicar at a cathedral.

It is worth while to nctice that no less than 14 of the
above number come under the class of clerks, secretaries,
and such like.

Of those who died of disease of the heart there were two
clergymen, a surgeon, a house decorator, a cheesemonger, a
grocer, a banker's clerk, a law stationer and accountant, a
master law-writer, clerk at a railwoy tsrminus, an organist
and professor of music, a harness-maker, surveyor, bank
clerk, and farmer.
Of those who died of fever there were, a clerk at the
General Pest office, a warehouseman, an artist, a clerk of
the Bank of England, schoolmaster at a reformatory, ribbon
warehouseman, an officer of inland revenue, a chemist, and
a schoolmaster.

Next in order of fatality is bronchitis, to which four deaths
are attributed. Of the other causes of death there are—
cancer, paralysis, drowning, epilepsy, sudden death,accident
cold, and other fatal cause 3; but in no case ace there more
than one, two, or three deaths from any one special cause,
except in the instance already mentioned—a circumstance
which seems to show that, as regards the death of male
adults in the prime of life, consumption, heart disease, and
fever are the most dangerous energies we have to contend
with. We have looked at this very important matter from
a limited point of view ; but if it should be shown by more
extensive statistics that our remarks are right, they should
lead to inquiries which would have useful and practical
results.

THE PREMIER IN WALES,—On Tuesday, the 30th
ult., Lord Palmerston paid a visit to North Wales.
He came via Llanrwst, and travelled through the picturesque
vale of Dolwyddelw, and after inspecting the Welsh Slate
Company's quarry at Festiuiog, of which he is the princi •
pal proprietor, kis lordship proceeded down to Tanyhwlch
along the Festiniog Railway, accompanied by some of the
directors of the lire. This line runs from the slate quarries
of Festiniog to Portmadc,,, a distance of 13 *miles, on a
gradual incline, and commands some of the best views in
Wales. The gauge of this railway is only two feet ; it has
been greatly improved within the last twelvemonth, and is
shortly to be opened for passenger traffic. Steam power is
now introduced on this line, and works uncommonly well.
On Wednesday his lordship went up to inspect his new
alee quarry near the top of Moelwyn Mountain. Lord
Palmerston travelled down the line for the first time in one
of the company's new carriages. On Thursday, the Ist
inst., his lordship came down to Portmadoc. After visiting
the Welsh Slate Company's wharf his lordship lett the
town,