The Sun.
London, England, 1839-08-12 00:00:00

nature.
Millbourne, one of the water-bailiffs now, who had
been in the service of the Conservancy for 30 years,
said that he never before had heard of such an attempt
to prevent the fishermen from fishing for salmon.
Robert Brown stated that he fished in the place in
which the barge stood and its neighbourhood, upwards
of 60 years. If that part of the river was called
" stream," within the meaning of the bye-law, there was
no part of the river that was not " stream," and conse-
quently no part of the river in which the fisherman could
ever legally fish for salmon.
The solicitor for the appellants made a very long
and powerful address in favour of his clients, declaring
that if this conviction was confirmed there would be
an end of the poor fishermen's livelihood, and they and
their families would all be consigned to the " tender
mercies" of the-,Commissioners of the New Poor-law.
It was contended, on the part of the respondents,
that the conviction was most just, and thatthe practices
of the fishermen had had the effect of doing infinite
prejudice to the salmon fishing, which, if they were
allowed to pursue so destructively, must soon be alto-
gether at an end.
The Lord Mayor, after consulting for a few minutes
with his brother Magistrates, quashed the conviction in
the first case.
The second case was then called on, and the evidence
being precisely similar his Lordship also quashed the
conviction in that instance.
It is needless to say that the decision caused a great
deal of satisfaction amongst the crowd of persons who
surrounded the state barge with their boats, and had
been anxiously waiting the issue. The moment the
judgment was known those spectators of the scene
rowed off to shore and communicated the result to their
friends, and the Chief Magistrate's health was drunk in
many a bumper with which the stream of which his
Lordship is Conservator had, notwithstanding the re-
spect which the fishermen entertain for it, very little
to do.
The Lord Mayor then returned to Pope's Villa, where
the Lady Mayoress, and a large party of ladies, had
been waiting for nearly two hours. The company imme-
diately seated themselves round a most bountiful table,
loaded with the " ventris deliciae" in accordance with
the hospitable and courteous spirit in which the Mayor-
alty commenced, and has been kept up. Champagne,
hock, port, sherry, and other drinks abounded. Several
were obliged to dine on the deck, the Lord Mayor
having invited the Magistrates of the neighbourhood, as
well as the legal gentlemen employed upon both sides,
to partake of the entertainment, and having also taken
the opportunity of bringing with him from London, for
a day's excursion, several barristers, solicitors, and other
friends of both sexes.
If any variety was required to alternate with the
animated conversation and toasts which went briskly
round, it was supplied by the very delightful singing of
Mr. and Miss Hawes, and the flute playing of Mr.
Nicholson. The shades of evening gave notice to the
party to separate, and with great reluctance they parted
after a pleasant trip of eleven hours, in which business
was combined with pleasure, and with which all were
highly gratified.

DISPUTE BETWEEN THE CORONER AND
MAGISTRATES.—The Uxbridge Magistrates at their meet-
ing on Thursday expressed their displeasure at the course
pursued by Mr. Wakley in ordering the commitment of
the lad Coker to Newgate, without sending him before
them for further examination. They called upon the con-
stable to produce his prisoner, but that he could not do,
tot. the lad having by that time been delivered to the custody
474 of Mr. Cope. The Magistrates took time to consider what
:35/ they should do under the circumstances. Mr. Wakley
441.
511. determined to commit the accused at once, in order that
snl. there might not be a repetition of the anomaly which oc
il. curred in the case of Medhurst, who was committed for
hot. Wilful Murder under the Coroner's warrant, and for
H:ln. Manslaughter under that of these same Magistrates.
,

THE QUARANTINE LAWS, their ABUSES
and INCONSISTENCIES. A LETTER AD-
DRESSED to the RIGHT HON. SIR J. C.
HOBHO USE, BART., M.P., ?cc.
Br ARTHUR T. HozitorD, Esia•
[Want of space has prevented us from noticing this
publication sooner.)
The subject of this letter is one of great importance
to the commercial world, and luckily is taken up by an
individual who is not deterred from his purpose by any
scruples about troubling Boards of Health, or governors
or doctors, and who has spared himself no trouble
in attempting to modify or abrogate a practice which
neutralizes to a geat extent the advantages of steam
navigation, not only in the Mediterranean but along
the whole line of communication between Great Britain
and her vast possessions in India. Mr. Holroyd, who
has travelled for two years in the East for information
and amusement, set out with the firm belief that qua-
rantine was a necessary evil, and has returned with the
firm conviction that his first opinion was altogether in-
correct, and that, from their partial and oppressive ope-
ration, quarantine laws, instead of diminishing have
propagated the ravages of the plague. He ad-
mits his conversion, and, unlike many converts,
states substantial reasons for the change. Be-
fore, however, giving his reasons, we may as well in-
form all those who wish to amuse themselves by a
voyage to Alexandria—or, indeed, to any port in the
Mediterranean what sort of amusement they may expect
on landing. " We were," says he, on the 9th of June,
1838, "fifteen in number, doomed to imprisonment,
amongst whom Mr. Andrews and I were the only Eu-
ropeans. Our quarters consisted of four small rooms
on a first floor, and one was allotted to my friend and
myself. Our place of exercise was a terrace, but
from its situation, was exposed so much to the heat
of the sun that we were only able to use it before
sunrise and after sunset. As it might be
supposed, from being placed in such a con-
fined abode, several of us suffered in health, and I
as well as one of the Arabs, was attacked with inter-
mittent fever, malaria being generated partly from a
nuisance which existed on the premises, and partly from
animal and vegetable decomposition on the sea shore.
I was informed that the Board of Health had shown a
great indulgence in permitting us to pass our quaran-
tine here instead of in the Lazaret, where the accom-
modation is said to be more limited and the inconveni-
ences greater than in the house where we were de-
tained. During our quarantine the plague was raging in
the arsenal of Alexandria and in three Egyptian ships
of war ; and persons ill with the plague were daily
brought from the latter to a jetty which projected into
the sea from the Office of Health. Here they re-
mained sometimes for two or three hours, awaiting the
arrival of the physician ; and when he had decided that
they were labouring under the malady they were re-
moved to the Parlatorio, and allowed to remain there
until the evening, when they were borne off to the La-
zaret. Almost every case proved fatal in consequence
of the extreme neglect and gross inattention shown by
the attendants to the sufferers.'
During this imprisonment, which lasted for nearly three
weeks, he began to inquire into the utility of quarantine
laws, and during the inquiry resolved to obtain informa-
tion on his release from Consuls and medical men, who
had had opportunities of seeing the plague in Egypt for
a number of years, and especially that plague which, in
1835-36, had carried off not less than 200,000 persons
in a few months. His great object was to ascertain
whether plague was contagious, and the answers he re-
ceived from a variety of persons leads to the convic-
tion that it is not contagious, that it originates
from miasmatic influence, is propagated by filth,
confined streets, like those of London before the great
fire, want of drainage, and foul air, and that quarantine
laws laws only increase its ravages. Dr. Grregson
' during
surgeon in chief to the Hospital at Alexandriaa
half after that
the plague of 1835, and for two years.
one case contagious ;
en andlsnever entirely free
period, gives in evidence that Egypt
of plague ; that he had neverse
many so reported to be
contact will not pro-
but, on investigation had found
qualified to judge,
duce the disease. Other persons, be r
facts of a
false ; and that he was confident
similar testimony, and two . vast 11-la-
ment are certified by
portance in the argument
Cap-
tain Bonavia, for seven years attached to
the Lazaretto at Malta, and now superintendent
there— namely, that he " had never known a guardian
employed in handling the baggage of passengers or
merchandize in the Lazaretto to be attacked by plague,"
and that for twenty-nine years " laundresses have been
engaged in washing the linen of persons in quarantine,
without a single case of -plague occurring amongst
them, although they handle the dirty linen without any
precaution previously to its immersion its water."
Dr. Pruner, a German, differs to a certain extent,
from these authorities, but does not appear to have
given any other reason than his mere opinion to the
contrary. " His evidence," says Mr. Holroyd, "is re-
markable ;"
" He believes that the plague is propagated by con-

EDITORIAL QUARRELS.—The editor of an
Irish paper, alluding to a rival journalist by name, adds,
" Does he think we cannot hold anything but a pen ?"
THE HON. C. A. MURRAY'S TRAVELS IN
NORTH AMERICA.—." The most singular, and in some
respects, therefore, the most entertaining part of this stir-
ring book of travels (observes the Caledonian Mercury)
is the description of Mr. Murray's sojourn among the
Pawnee Indians in the remote prairies of the Missouri.
The red man here stands depicted before us to the life,
and all the spirit-stirring varieties of Indian warfare and
chase are pourtrayed with a force and fidelity of descrip-
tion, which arrests and enchains the attention. The mid-
night camp—the feasts, the dance, and the song of the
Pawnees—the buffalo hunt—the surprise of a hostile tribe
—the stampedo,' or charge of maddened horses—the
prairie conflagrations—the storms of the wilderness—the
development under all these varied circumstances of the
peculiarities of Indian character and habits, are vividly
described by Mr. Murray, who entered into the pursuits
and occupations of his savage friends, and whose nerve,
promptitude, and presence of mind seem to have pro-
tected him from the perils of his singular and daring ex-
cursion. We give no extracts, for all is equally interest-
ing, and we know not which part to select ; but we heartily
recommend the work to our readers, who cannot fail to be
delighted by the originality of its content."
From T. J. Pettigrew, F.R.S., to Messrs. S. and
B. Solomone, 96, Cheapside, and 39, Albemarle-street, Pic-
cadilly :—" Gentleman, I have no hesitation in replying to
your inquiry as to the results obtained by the use of your
improved Spectacles; being in the constant habit of read-
ing and writing for many hours together by lamp-light, it
is but justice to say that your newly-invented Spectacle
lenses have afforded me the greatest comfort. When I
employed the ordinary pebbles I never failed to experience
in the morning a gr'eat irritation in the eyes. Since I
have used your admirable glasses I suffer from no inconve-
nience of the kind, and my vision is much improved. I
shall ever feel grateful to my good friend, Dr. Blundell,
for having drawn my attention to the subject. Believe
me to be yours, very respectfully, T. J. PETTIGREW,
Saville-row, the 4th Jan., 1839." The Messrs. Solomons
state that their operative Voice Conductor, by which
thousands of deaf persons have been greatly benefitted, is
the size of a seven shilling piece, and when fixed into the
cavity of the ear is soft, easy, and not more uncomfortable
nor perceptible than having a piece of wool in its place,
and the faintest whisper at a public assembly is beard with
distinctness —39, Albemarle-street, and 96, Cheapside.
No agents nor travelleis are employed
BENTLEY'S MISCELLANY lOR AUGUST.—
Of all living authors Harrison Ainsworth is the genius
for a highwayman. Had ho lived in the good old flourish-
ing days of Bagshot Heath, he would have taken to the
road instead of the press, and been no less distinguished
then for his pistol than he is now for his pen. How comes
it that he is so intimate with all the ways of villainy ?—so
familiar with the crimes and follies, the passions and
humours, the intrigues and resources, the vices and the
virtues—yes, virtues, such as they are—of a class of men,
and women too, with whom be could not possibly have
had any acquaintance, and whose ways have never come
within his personal experience ? It is the nature of the
man—it is the gift with which he is endowed, the talent
entrusted to management for the benefit of society.
Let it not be imagined, however, that we accuse this
genius of the highway with larceny, either grand or petit,
in the world of letters. Literature is the general corn-
monage of humanity : much has indeed been enclosed, re-
claimed. and appropriated ; still more remains open and
untilled, awaiting the labour of the competent adventurer
to sever to his own share a portion adequate to his capabi-
lity of tilling it. Ainsworth trespasses on no man's manor,
squats not on any man's territory, nor harries his neigh-
bour's goods or cattle. His is the genius of the bold back-
woodsman, who with his own hatchet cleaves out a posses-
sion for himself ; and, wild and romantic though the scene
be, it possesses all the charms of originality, and all the
graceful dignity of independence. " Rookwood" is a fine
specimen of the author's taste for the wild, the wonderful,
and the adventurous. " Jack Sheppard," the hero of Bent-
ley's Miscellany now, as in former times of the Mint,
is still finer. It is bolder, more versatile, more profound
in its knowledge of the human hi art, woe lofty in its
excellencieso in
oft of
a
terrors, more touching in its pathos—in short, more life-
like and truthful. The tale has now arrived
rt t a p
the most thrilling interest. How many
different kind, in other papers of the Miscellany have we
been obliged to sacrifice to ais praise I but, n'iniporte' •
we shall do their authors justice at another time.—Dublin
Evening Mail.
THE LATE STORM.—The late storm which
deluged and destroyed the produce of many districts
in Shropshire and Wales, ceased on Friday, aftert com-
mittingm great havoc in all the lowland districts.—From
Llanidloes to Buttington, and from Llan .rn echs.Fro
to Mel-
verley, the Severn and Virniew swept the valuesei in their
course with irresistible fury, carrying along nearly all the
severed produce of the soil; but vrlvn the united torrents
poured into the fertile plain of 'lllelverley, the soil itself
gave way before the inundation, and 'corn, hay, grass, and
everything moveable was limited down the stream,
and deposited in many cases - several hundred
yards from the bed of the river, while the
produce of the rich vallies adjoining the Severn in its
lower course, was swept off, and carried out to sea. Many
tons of the hay were picked up by barges on the river; and
the inhabitants were busied along its shores in dragging
out the hay and grass. One case of loss was particularly
vexatious. A field of bay of ten or twelve acres, near
Westbury, was swept away by the floods of its produce,
which accumulating undera bridge near the farm, threatened
to destroy it, and lay all the lands adjoining under water ;
to prevent which, the proprietor of the hay was obliged
to get his men to force his own hay onwards through
the bridge, and compel it into the stream to save
the remainder of his property. Some lives have been de•
stroyed in the storm. A boy at Clunbury was dragged
into the swollen stream, and drowned, Another youth,
the son of Mr. Wood, painter, of this town fell into the
river near Dr. Darwin's, and was drowned. His com-
panion, a lad of 13 or 14, saw him fall in, and rise and
struggle towards the shore with two or thice convulsive
but vain efforts, for there was none to save him, and he
perished.—Shrewsbury Chronick.

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