The Sun.
London, England, 1853-05-12 00:00:00

BELTS OF LONDON DURING THE WEEK.

The official report says :—The continuous improve-
ment in the public health that has been lately remarked
seems to have been arrested, for the deaths in London,
that had fallen in the previous week to 1,089 rose again
in the week that ended last Saturday to 1,159. In the
ten corresponding weeks of the years 1843-52 the ave-
rage number was 918, which, if raised in proportion to
increase of population, becomes 1,010. Hence it ap-
pears that the actual mortality exceeds the estimated
amount by 149.
In comparing the returns of the last two weeks it is
seen that the deaths of children under fifteen years rose
from 507 to 561, those of persons of 60 years and up-
wards from 223 to 239, while those in the middle period
of life did not vary in amount. Of children who died of
bronchitis the numbers in the two weeks were 29 and
41, while pneumonia carried 60 and 66. The deaths at
all ages from bronchitis were 100 and 115 ; those from
pneumonia, 75 and 83. Diseases of the respiratory
organs were fatal in 224 cases last week ; the unusual
severity of complaints of this kind will be apparent from
the number in corresponding weeks, which was 143,
and this with a correction for increased population is
157. Sixty-eight children died of hooping cough. There
was only one fatal case of small-pox last week ; there
were 21 of measles, 40 of scarlatina, 41 of typhus, 2 of
intermittent fever, 2of remittent, of rheumatic fever,
ono of purpura.
Last week the births of 816 boys and 755 girls, in all
1,571 children, were registered in London. In the eight
corresponding weeks of 1845-52 the average number
was 1,410.

At' the Royal Observatory, Greenwich the mean
height of the barometer in the week was 29.773 in.
The reading of the barometer decreased from 29.79 in.
at the beginning of the week to 29.64 in. by 9h. a.m.
on the 3d ; increased to 30.01 in. by 9h. p.m. on the
4th ; and decreased to 29.46 in. by the end of the week.
The mean temperature of the week was 47.9 deg., which
is 3.3 deg. below the average of the same week in 38
years. On the first two days the mean daily tempera-
ture was above the average ; on all the following days it
was below it ; and this depression amounted to 8.8 deg.
on Friday, and 14.2 deg. on Saturday. The highest
temperature was C 5.5 deg. on Sunday ; the lowest was
36.3 deg. on Saturday. The greatest difference be-
tween the dew point temperature and air temperature
occurred on Sunday, and was 18.7 deg. ; the mean of
the week was 4.5 deg. The wind, which in the early
part of the week blew from the south-east, changed to
north-east i a the last four days.

ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL AT ST. BARTHOLOMEW'S
HOSPITAL. —Yesterday being the 306th anniversary of
the opening of St. Bartholomew's Hospital for the re-
ception and treatment of patients, the Right Hon. the
Lord Mayor, accompanied by the president, the alder-
men and commonalty of London, and other governors,
the sheriffs of London and Middlesex, the medical and
surgical staff, Mr. Bentley (treasurer), and Mr. Wix
(secretary), and attended by the steward, matron, and
other subordinate officials, proceeded on their annual
visit of inspection, and to present gratuities to the de-
serving servants of the institution. The hospital was
first founded by where, the principal of the adjoining
priory, in 111 but on the dissolution of the monasteries
and religious houses in the reign of Henry VIII., was
suppressed. It was, however, re-established in 1547.
The monastic edifice having been found much decayed
and dilapidated, the present structure was commenced
in 1750, and completed in 1770. Since that time many
additions have been made, and at present there are 24
wards, containing 550 beds, besides children's cots,
which are generally occupied. The attendance of out-
patients is seldom less than 2,000 weekly. His lord-
ship, the governors, &c., visited the museum, library,
the medical and surgical schools, surgery, laboratory,
and the various wards, which were tastefully decorated
with festoons of evergreens, flowers, pink bows, &c.
His lordship and the governors expressed much gratifica-
tion at the cleanly and orderly appearance of the insti-
tution. On leaving the respective wards the sisters and
nurses who had not been reported to the committee of
governors during the past year were complimented on
their meritorious conduct and were presented with prizes
varying from 1/. 10s. to Si. After the Lord Mayor and
governors had taken their departure, the wards were
thrown open for the inspection of the public until seven
o'clock in the evening.
Mr. Robert Owen, the eminent East India ware-
houseman, of New Bond-street, died on Monday last,
after an illness of some weeks' duration. A word of
tribute is justly due to the memory of this gentleman,
than whom few persons in his class of life have been
more highly respected. Mr. Owen was distinguished
for his fine taste in matters relating to the arts, and,
among his patrons, has had the honour to include
several members of the Royal family. The last
great work with which he was entrusted was the dis-
posal of the effects of the late Queen Dowager—a duty
which he performed with great credit to himself, and
perfect :-.a,tisfaction to his patrons. The conviction,
some short time since, of one of the deceased employees
a young man, named King—for horrible cruelty to a
cat, is said to have so worked upon Mr. Owen's natu-
rally sensitive disposition as to have induced the illness
which has, unhappily, terminated death, leaving a widow
and young family.