The Sun.
London, England, 1863-12-30 00:00:00

IBER.

HEALTH OF THE METROPOLIS.

(From the Registrar's-General's Weekly Return.)
The total number of deaths in London in the week that
ended on Saturday was 1,312. It differed little from that
of the previous week ; but the deaths at 60 years of age
and upwards rose from 244 to 285. The average number
of deaths for the 52d week, derived ft om the returns of
that week, in ten years, 1853-62, is, with a correction for
increase of population, 1,558. The actual number is less
by 246 than that obtained by calculation.
There were 14 deaths from smallpox and 44 from measles
Six of those caused by the latter disease were returned in
Somers-town, and five in the sub-district, Lambeth
Church, second part. Scarlatina was fatal in 78 cases, six
of which were in Kentish-town, eight in Islington.
Bronchitis was the most fatal in the week of all the dis-
eases on the list ; it was recorded in 154 cases, while the
corrected average in ten corresponding weeks is 185. The
deaths from bronchitis rose, as compared with the numbers
of two previous weeks—but those from pneumonia, which
were 81, showed a decrease. Whooping-cough increased
decidedly; it was fatal to 49 children. There were 138
deaths from phthisis.
Three cases of murder or manslaughter, 2 of which were
deaths of infants, were recorded in the week.
Only 2 nonagenarians died; they were widows, aged 92
and 95 years.
Last week the births of 805 boys and 727 girls, in all

1,532 children, were registered in London. In the ten cor-
responding weeks of the years 1853-62 the average number
(corrected) was 1,828.
At the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, the mean height
of the barometer in the week was 29.970 in. The mean
daily reading was above 30in. on three days of the week.
The reading was 30.30 in, on the morning of Sunday—
and fell to 29.70 in. on Tuesday. The mean temperature
of the air in the week was 42.5 deg., which is 5 deg.,
above the average of the same week in 43 years (nn
determined by Mr. Glaisher). The mean temperature was
above the average on every day, except nail Tues
and on the last three days the excess was from 8ndeg,
deg. The thermometer fell below the freezing poit of water
on two nights ; the lowest reading was 26.5 deg. on Wedrs:
day ; the highest day temperature was 51.9 deg. on s:9',u_f_
day. The range of temperature in the week was
rangetho win
on
25.4. The mean daily range was 12.2 deg.
three days was only 7 and 8 deg. The differencolhbee
ature was 4.6
mean dew point; temperature and air temPaerir S 4,
complete
deg. The mean degree of humidity of
iilihee
wind blew from
preen the
saturation being represented by 100.
the northwest, and
a westerly point—on Tuesday front. There was no rain
afterwards from south-west and
West'
temperature of the
measured. The mean of the high
dam.; that of the lowest was
water of the Thames was 44.2
42 deg.

victims
MINCE-PIES AND TEIEIR ORIGIN IN WHAT LEIGH
HUNT CALLED '6 MINCEPIETY !"
misrui
Mumming and 'Wessel are no more, having fallen 6 and
to the seythe of Time. Mince-pie, and Carol, and New
Year's Gift have been more fortunate, blessed
ifisasdetsht
ienyeda
or e
with a healthy constitution, and
fish with his snowy
'havinginliesde
life in their younger days. Christmas h• a less riotous
survive all his children, and to non •
beard long after the last mistletoe
grave of the last mincepie.
But all 18 planted above the
-11
true patriots will join
in Wishing Mince-pie a long and
bably about the eldest child of merry term. Re is pro-
spices indeed presented by the hangs of the Bast, at Beth-
selves. Nor has his hi remain and to perpetuate them-
He hastee rough ti e been always peaceable and placid.
Virulent theological limes and had his portion of abuse.
reverend person. iai contests have been fought over his
evil report, and --o
has gone through good report and
known what it Li to sutler the tortures of
religious reproa
to be tr anvil • ell. His future days are probably destined
'and when he passes away, he will pass away
in a green. old age, when the chequered history of his ear-
lier career is either unremembered or unknown.
Exp.,
~AORDIN ART VOYAGE OF A SAILOR'S CHEST.
—A sailor's chest was recently lost in Ramsey Bay,
and has actually been east up nut far from its owner's door
in Whitehaven. It seems that a sailor, named Thomas
O'Nsii, of Whitehaven, sailed in the schooner Sisters, of
Fleetwood. On the 3d inst. the Sisters lay windbound in
Ramsey Bay, Isle of Mby an, when she was run into
large Glasgow schooner, tound to Liverpool, and a
immedi-
ately. afterwards sank. The crew got on board the Glasgow
vessel, saving their lives, but nothing
veyed to Liverpool. O'Neil afterwards made way home to
Whitehaven, where he arrived on the 11th inst., and,
strange to say, his chest, which had gone down with the
It is
Sisters, arrived the day after. I
North Wall at the time, and caw said he was on the
v
by a '
head. It was picked upit floating past the pier
taken man at Redness roint, and
its ow to the Custom Honer. 11. e) mad subsequentiy restored to
!