The Sun.
London, England, 1854-06-22 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, JUNE 22, 1854.

PARLIAMENTARY DIVISIONS.

ROYAL

>PITAL.

THE ROYAL NATAL SCHOOL.

HOUSE OF COMMONS-JuNE 20
CHURCH RATES ABOLITION BILL.

INVESTIGATION BY ORDER OF THE HOME
SECRETARY.
On Tuesday an investigation of the highest importance to
the public as regards the surgical treatment of patients in
our h proceeded with before Mr. W. Baker, the
hospitals
wheeaasstern division of Middlesex, at the Wheat-
sheafur
eoeTirs
Kenton-street, Brunswick-square.
had been instituted by order of Lord Palmer-
ston, in consequence of representations which had been
cT u
hn na al
made to him through the medium of Lord D. Stuart, and
qvuerinry,
a jury was empanelled on Saturday last on the body, of
a child named Alfred Richardson, aged 3 years and 8
months, which was then viewed at the burial-ground of
St. George's, Bloomsbury, from which it had been exhumed
for the purpose, also by order of the Home Secretary, after
which the proceedings were adjourned till yesterday.
Mr. Bodkin appeared on behalf of the Home-office, Mr.
Clarkson for Mr. Weeden Cooke and other medical gentle-
men .connected with the Royal Free Hospital ; and Mr.
Ballantine on the part of the relations of the deceased.
The proceedings excited an extraordinary degree of inte-
rest among the members of the medical profession, who
crowded the room. The investigation was held by Mr.
Baker in consequence or Mr. Walley and his son, one of
the surgeons of the Royal Free Hospital, being alleged to be
concerned in the affair.
Mr. Ballantine opened the proceedings. He should call
witness after witness, and insist on adjournment after ad-
journment, if necessary, to elucidate and sift this matter to
the very bottom. He then proceeded to state that the de-
ceased child was affected with some urinary disease, and
was, up to the month of April last, under the care of Dr.
Cooper, of Bloomsbury Dispensary, who, after repeated
examinations, was firmly convinced there was no stone in
the bladder. In April the mother went with the child to
the Royal Free Hospital, where the medical man who ex-
amined and sounded the child was of the same opinion as
Dr. Cooper. Another medical man at the hospital, Mr.
Cooke, was of a contrary opinion, and said there was stone,
and desired that the child should be left at the hospital to
undergo an operation. The mother at first refused, but
ultimately consented, on condition that no operation should
be performed upon the child but in the presence of a nurse,
who was a friend of the mother, and whom the child was
accustomed to. He should show that this had not only
been entirely disregarded, but that the proper regimen for the
child to be in before the operation had not been attended to
by the medical men. The child was carried along the cold
and miserable passages of the hospital only wrapped in a
sheet, a,ndAinstead of allowing the nurse to be present in the
operation-room, her appeals for that purpose were refused.
They could prove that this poor child was in the operation-
room of the hospital for nearly two hours, and he believed
also on the operation-table for one hour and 40 minutes.
Mr. Cooke operated on the child for about an hour, and
then Mr. Wakley, jun., pushed aside Mr. Cooke and took
up his instruments, and the child was then under his hands
for 40 minutes. This was on the 13th April, and the child
died on Sunday, 16th April. After the operation the mother
and father of the child asked to see the stone which was
alleged to have been extracted, but excuses were made, and
it was not produced, and the natural impression was,
that
the child had no stone in the bladder at all, for which it
had been mangled. After the child died its parents pro-
hibited the body being opened, but when the body was
brought home it was discovered that it had been opened and
sewed up again, in order, as it was believed, that the parts
might be removed where the blunder had taken place. These
circumstances induced the parents to put themselves in com-
munication with an attorney, in order to get an inquest held,
and he (Mr. Ballantine) would now show how that inquiry
had been defeated and evaded, and it was for that rea son
he regretted the presence of Mr. Wakley, the elder, the father
of one of the gentlemen who operated on the child. The
attorney applied to Mr. Wakley, the coroner, to hold an in-
quest, and he was bound there to state that every possible
impeuiment was thrown in the way of an inquest, and it
was believed that the only way to compel it was by a man-
damus. This step was about to be taken, when he regretted to
state—but he felt it to be his painful duty to bring before
the jury the fact—that by some means or other the torney
engaged for the relatives received the sum of 1001.,
and the father was induced to sign a document
foregoing the inquest, and a piece of paper, found
to contain 201., also found its way into the father's
hands, but he, finding he had been duped, was too high-
spirited and too honest to accept the money as a bribe to
conceal the death of his child, and handed the 201. over
to the care of his master. The solicitor had sent in to
the parents of the child a bill of costs amounting to the
moderate sum of 851. for thus protectingthe interests of the
parents. (Laughter, and cries of " Oh, oh !") He believed
that he should connect a gentleman from the office of
the attorney, by whom he understood Mr. Clarkson was
instructed with this transaction ; but he would say that,
finding himself defeated, an appeal had been made to Lord
Dudley Stuart, and through that noble lord to the Home-
office, and hence the inquiry of that day. If he succeeded
in proving his case, it would be a matter of consideration
for the jury whether a verdict of " Manslaughter" ought
not to be returned against Mr. Cooke and Mr. Wakley,
jun.

On Tuesday the annual public distribution of prizes to
the scholars educated in this school took place at the in-
stitution, New-cross, Deptford. Rear-Admiral Sir W. 0.
Pell, one of the vice-presidents, presided ; and amongst
those present on this interesting occasion we noticed Sir
G. Back, Captain H. Parker, Captain Congdon, R.N.,
Captain Stopford R.N., Captain Whisch, R.N., Lieute-
nant Cookney, R.N., Lieutenant Gardner, R.N., Cap-
tain Conden, R.M., Dr. Moorsom, the Rev. Thomas
Chambers, D.D., the head master of the school, Captain
Brewer, R.N., and a large and distinguished number of
ladies and other friends of the school. The room was
tastefully decorated with evergreens and flags, the en-
signs of England, France, and Turkey being placed toge-
ther • the whole designed and arranged by Coghlan
M'Hardy, one of the pupils. On the walls were sus-
pended some excellent specimens of drawing by the
pupils, under the tuition of Mr. T. L. Rowbotham, the
drawing-master.

Order for second reading read ; motion made, and question
proposed, " That the bill be now read a second time."
Debate arising, motion made, and question proposed " That
the debate be now adjourned." Motion, by leave, with-
drawn. Question again proposed, " That the bill be now
read a second time." Amendment proposed, to leave out
the word " now," and at the end of the question to add the
words "upon this day six months." Question put, " That
the word ' now' stand part of the question." The house
divided; ayes 182, noes 209.

AYES.. 82. •
Adair, H. Forster, C. O'Connell, 3.
Aglionby, H. Fox, W. Otway, A.
Alcock, T. Freestun, Col. W. Pechell, Sir G.
Anderson, Sir S. Gardner, R. Pellatt, A.
Bailey, C. Gibson, T. Perry, Sir T.
Ball, E. Glyn, G. Phillimore, J. G.
Baird, J. Gower, F. Phinn, T.
Barnes, T Green, Capt John Pigott, F.
Bass, T. Gregson, S. Pilkington, J.
Beamish, F. Grenfell, Chas. Pinney, W.
Bell, J. Grevilie, Col. F. Ponsonby, A.
Bellew, T. Grey, R. Potter, R.
Berkeley, 11. F. Grosvenor, Ld. R. Ramsden, Sir J.
Berkeley, Hon. C Hadfield, G. Ricardo, J.
Bicldulph, Col. R. M. Hall, Sir B. Ricardo, 0.
Biggs, W. Hankoy, T. Rice, E.
Blackett, J. F. B. Bostic, Alex. Rich, U.
Bland, L. IL Hastie, Archd. Robartes,'T.
Bonham-Carter, J. Headlam, T. Roebuck, J.
Bouverie, Hon. E. P. Ileywood, J. Russell, F. C.
Brady, J. Heyworth, L. Scholefleld, W.
Brand, H. B. W. Hindley, C. Scobeli, Capt. G.
Bright, J. Ilof•sman, E. Scrape, G.
Brocklehurst I. Howard, C. Scilly, F.
Brockman, E.D. Hutchins, E. Scully, V.
Brotherton, J. Hutt, W. Seymour, Lord
Brown, H. Ingham, R. Seymour, 11.
Butler, C. Jackson, W. Seymour, W.
Byng, G. Keating, li. Shelley, Sir J.
Caulfeild, Lt.-Col. J. Kennedy T. Sheridan, R.
Challis T. Kershaw, J. Smith, J. A.
Chambers, H. King, P. Smith, I. '3.
Chaplin, W. - Kinnaird, A. Smith, M.
Cheetham, John Labouchere,Rt.llon.ll Smith, R.
Clifford, LL-Col. H.ll Lang ton, H. G. Strickland, Sir G.
Cobbett, J. M. Laslett, W. Struts E.
Cobden, R. Layard, A. 11. Stuart, Lord D.
Coffin, W. Lee, W. Swift, R.
Jollier, R. P. Lindsay, W. Tancred. H.
Cowan, C. Locke, J. Thicknesse, R.
Craufurd, E. H. J. Lucas, F. Thompson, G.
Crook, J. Mackie, J. Thornely, T.
Crossley, F, M'Cann, J. Tomline, G.
Currie, Ralkes MacMahon, P. Trani, G.
Dashwood, Sir G. H. Macguire, J. Tynte, Col. C.
Davie, Sir H. R. F. Mangles, R. D. Vane, Lord IL
Denison, J. E. Martin, J. Vivian, J. 11.
Dent, J. Massey, W. Vivian, H. H.
Divett, E. Miall, E. Walmsley,Sir J.
Duff, G. Milligan, R. Walter, J.
Duke, Sir J. Milner, W. Warner, E.
Duncan, G. Mitchell, T. Wells, W,
Duncombe, T. Moffatt, G. Whitbread, S.
Dundas, F. Monck, Viscount Wickham, H. W.
Dunlop, A. Morris, D. Wilkinson, W.
Ellice, E. Mostyn, E. Willcox, B.
Ellice, E., jun. AI untz, G Williams, W.
Esmonde, J. Murrough, J. Winnington, Sir T
Ewart, W. Norreys, Lord
Feilden, M. Norreys, Sir D.
Fergus, J. O'Brien, Sir T.
Fitzgerald, W. O'Brien, C

The CHAIRMAN, in opening the proceedings, said that
he regretted that their president, Vice• Admiral Bowles,
C. 8., was unable to bo present and take part in the pro-
ceedings of the day, and he regretted it the more, as,
being the oldest then present, the duty of presiding bad
fallen upon him. He was pleased to be enabled to in-
form them that they bad at the present moment a larger
number of pupils than they had ever had since the school
was first founded. The council had enclosed and nearly
got ready for the use of the scholars a piece of land four
acres in extent for a play and cricket ground ; and he
had the greatest satisfaction in informing them that 70
gentlemen, formerly pupils in that school, had subscribed
together for the purchase and presentation to the new
church which had lately been opened of a communion
service. During the past year several of the pupils from
that school had greatly distinguished themselves both at
Cambridge and at Addiscombe, and had beaten boys
several years their seniors. He was glad to see present
amongst them Lieutenant Cookney, R.N., who had this
year, in lieu of the usual prizes of books for industry and
good conduct, given three silver medals, and had kindly
invested the sum of 1501., the interest of which was an-
nually to begiven to the three scholars who distinguished
themselves for industry and good conduct in the shape
of medals to be called " the Cookney medals." Having
called the attention of the boys to the evils arising from
smoking tobacco, which he characterised as a mean,
paltry, dirty, contemptible habit, he concluded by pass-
ing a high eulogium upon the matron, Mrs. M. A. Jones,
and by calling on the secretary to read the report of the
examiners.

Mr. A. EAMES, the secretary, then read the various
reports, all of which stated that the school, in its
various branches of study, was in the highest state of
efficiency.

The distribution of prizes was then proceeded with,
the chairman addressing a few words of commendation
and advice to each successful candidate. The following
is a list of the names of those to whom the principle prizes
were awarded, and of the departments of study in which
they excelled

TEXLEILS.
Peto, S.

Clay, sir W. Bt.

NOES-209.
Acland, Sir I. Gilpin, Col. H. Naas, Lord
Adderley, C. Gladstone, W. Napier, J.
Alexander, J. Gladstone, Capt. I. Neeld, John
Archdall, M. Goddard, A. Neeld, Joseph
Arkwright, G. Gooch, Sir E. Newark, Viscount
Bailey, Sir J. Gore, W. Newdegate, C.
Bankes, Rt Hon G. Graham, Sir J. Newport, Viscount.
Barrington, Viscount Granby, Marquis of Noel, G.
Beckett, W. Greenall, G. Worth, Lt,-Col. J.
Bentinck, G. Greene, Thomas Oakes, J.
Beresford, Rt. Hn. W. Grogan, Edward Ossul ston, Lord
Blair, Cu!. J. H. Gwyn, H. Packe, C
Blandford, Marquis of Hale, R, Pakington, Sir S.
Branston, T. W. Halford, Sir H. Palmer, Robert
Bruce, Lord E. Hamilton, G. A. Palmer, Roundell
Buck, L. W. Harcourt: Col. F. Parker, R.
Buckley, Gen. Hardinge, Hon. C. Patten, J.
Burghley, Lord. Hayter, W. Peel, Col. J.
Burrell, sir C. Heathcoat, Sir G. Pennant, Col. E.
Butt, G. Heathcote, G. Percy, J.
Ceibell, B. Heneage, Geo. H. Philippe, J.
Cairns, 11. Heathcote, Sir W. Phillimore, R. J.
Campbell, Sir A. Heneage, Geo. F. Portal M.
Cardwell, E. Henley, J. Powlett, Lord W,
Carnac, Sir J. Herbert, Sir T. Pritchard, J.
Cavendish, C. Hilyard, R. C. Robertson, P. .
Cavendish, G. Hogg, Sir J, W. Bolt, P.
Cayley, E. Horsfall. T. Russell, Lord J.
Cecil, Lord R. Hotham, Lord , Sawle, C.
Child, Smith Hudson, G. Scott, F.
Christopher, Robt. A. llughes, W. Shirley, E.
Clinton, Lord C. P. P. Jermyn, Earl Smijth, Sir W.
Clive, lion. R. H. Johnstone, Sir J. Smith, Abe!
Cobbold, J. C. Joiliffe, Sir W. Somerset, Capt. E.
Cocks, T. S. Jones, Capt. T. Sotheron, T.
Codrington, Sir C. W Kendall, N. Spooner, R
Coles, H. B. Knightley, R. Stafford, A.
Colville, C. R. Knox, W. S. Stanhope. J.
Compton, H. C. , Lacon, Sir E. Starlie, Le G.
Conolly, T. Langton, W. H. P. 9 Stuart, H.
Coote, Sir '1 H. Lascelles, E. Taylor, Lt.-Col. J.
Corry, H. T. L. Legh, G. C. Tnesiger, Sir F.
Cowper, W. F. Lemon, Sir C. Tollemache, J.
Cubitt, W. Lennox, Lord A. F. Trollope, Sir J.
Davies, D. A. S. Lennox, Loi &UT. Tudway, R.
Davison, R. Leslie, C. P. Tyler, Sir G.
Dering Sir E. C. Liddell, H. G. Vance, J.
Disraeli, B. LindsaY, Col. J. Vane, Lord A.'
Dod, J. W. Lisburne, Earl Vernon, G.
Duckworth, Sir J. T. Lockhart, W. Villiers, F.
Duncombe, Hon. A. Lovaine, Lord Vyvyan, Sir R.
Duncombe, Hon. 0. Loveden, P. Waddington, D.
Dunne, Col. Lowther, Col. H. C Waddington, H.
East, Sir J. Luce, T. Walcott, Admiral
Egerton, Sir T. Lytton, Sir G . Walpole, S.
Egerton, W. Macartney, G. Walsh, Sir J.
Egerton E. Macgregor, Jas. Waterpark, Lord
Elcho, Lord Malins, R. Welby, Sir G.
Elliot, J. Mend evllle, Vis. West, F.
Elmlay, Vis. March, Earl of Whitmore, H.
Evelyn, W. Masterman, J. Wigram, Loftus T.
Farnham, E. Maunsell, T. Willoughby, Sir H.
Farrer, J. Meux, Sir II Wrightson, W.
Feilowes, E. Miles, W. Wyndham, IL
Ferguson, Sir R. Milnes, It. Wynn, Major W.
Filmer, Sir B. Michell, Dr.W . Yorke, E.
Floyer, J. Montgomery, Sir G. Young, Sir J.
Follett, B. Morgan, 0.
Forbes, W. Mowbray, J. TELLERS.
Frewen, C. Mailings, J. Gsulburn, H.
George, J. Manly, W. Liddell, 11. T.

FIRST SCHOOL.
CLASS I.—Dawkins, first in. classics, classical silver
medal ; Welch, first in mathematics, mathematical silver
medal ; Hope, sen., general proficiency and exemplary
cunduct, vellum medallion certificate ; Herslop, first in
French.

CLASS 2.—Cornwall, classics ; Brewer, mathematics ;
Mann, sen., history and geography ; Seryante and
Wray, equal in French.

CLss3.—Hope, jun., classics and mathematics ; Le
Messurier, mathematics ; Brooks, French.
The Cookney silver medals, for industry and good
conduct, were obtained by Menzies, of the first school,
by Butt, of the second school, and by Teed, of the third
school.

The marine cadetship placed annually at the disposal
of the council by the First Lord of the Admiralty since
1846 was obtained by J. D. Hope, and the two naval
cadetships also presented annually by the Lords of the
Admiralty,, the successful competitor for the first of
which is entitled to receive for one year the dividends on
1,0001. stock, invested by the Earl of Yarborough as a
scholarship, in honour of the late earl, were awarded as
follows :—First cadetship and Yarborough scholarship,
M`Hardy, jun. ; and the second cadetship, Anderson.
A vote of thanks to the chairman, and three cheers
for the president, the head-master, Lieutenant Cookney,
and the ladies, concluded the proceedings, and the com-
pany, which was very numerous, separated.

HEALTH OF LONDON DURING THE WEEK.

The Coroner handed Mr. Ballantine a paper, which was
headed " Suggestions to Mr. W. Baker for conducting the
inquest on Alfred Richardson," and, after some strong
comments on the propriety of the proceeding, ho said, "Is
it in Mr. Wakley's handwriting ?"
Mr. Wakley (with warmth)—lt is not my handwriting.
Mr. Ballantine—l beg not to be interrupted. You have
no locus standi here.
Mr. Wakley—l beg to tell Mr. Ballantine that I am
coroner here in my own right, and will be heard. The jury
have a right to hear me, after the unwarrantable state-
ments made by Mr. Ballantine.
Mr. Ballantine—l call upon you, Mr. Coroner (addres-
sing Mr. Baker), to do your duty. Am Ito be interrupted
by a person who has no locus standi here ?
Mr. Baker said he thought the inquiry had better pro-
ceed. Ho knew nothing of the case without the paper re-
ferred to, which was a guide to him. He saw no objection
to the paper being read.
Richard Richardson, the father of the child, was first
examined as to the identity of the body, and also as to
his handwriting on a document withdrawing from the de-
mand for an inquest.
Sarah Richardson was next examined—The following
are the principal portions of her evidence :—I am mother
of the deceased, who was 3 years and 8 months old at its
(loath. Up to within five mouthy of Its death the child
was in good health. He then had a difficulty in passing
water, and I took him to Bloomsbury Dispensary, where
he was under the care of Dr. Cooper, and got much
better. By a neighbour's advice, I took the child on
the 7th of April to the Royal Free Hospital. I first saw
Mr. Scobell, and he sounded the child by passing an in-
strument, and said there was no stone. Mr. Cooke, an-
other surgeon, came in, and he also passed an instrument,
and said there was a stone. Dr. Cooper had previously
told me there was no stone. Mr. Cooke wished me to
leave the child for an operation, but I would not. I went
again on the 11th of April, and Mary Rossey, who had
nursed the child, was with me. I then consented to
leave it for an operation, on condition that Mary Ros-
sey should be present when the operation was per-
formed. On Thursday, the 13th of April, the child
was brought home by Rossey for half-an-hour, and
played, and was very cheerful, and then was taken back
to the hospital. About 4 o'clock the same afternoon Mrs.
Rossey came for me to go to the hospital, as the child had
been operated upon. I saw Mr. Scobell and asked him if
they Lad extracted the stone, and he said " Yes, they
were sure of that before they operated." The child
was in bed in a very bad state, and I sat up with him all
night. On the next day I asked Mr. Scobell if there was a
stone, and he said ' Yes., I asked him why he could not
show it me, as I had asked him before. He said he really
did not know what had become of it, but if I had asked
him the day before he might have been able to show it to
me. The child died on Sunday, Aprill6. I did not consent
to the body being opened, but when brought home I found its
stomach had been opened, and sewn up again. About a fort-
night after the child died, I went to the hospital and saw
Mr. Weedon Cooke, and asked him to satisfy me what my
child really did die of, and if there really was a stone. He
replied, " Yes, there was." I asked to see it, and ho replied,
"if I had asked at the time I could, but he had taken it
home in his waistcoat pocket, and it was at his house."
Mr. George Lewis Cooper—l reside at 7, Woburn-place,
and am surgeon to the Bloomsbury Dispensary. The child
came under my care about the 10th of March. It had
symptoms of stone in the bladder, but I sounded it three
times, and my conclusion was that there was no stone in
the bladder. The stone might be so secreted that we could
not reach it. No surgeon ought to perform the operation
of lithotomy without being satisfied that there was evidence
of a stone. On a child 3i years old the operation ought
not to last more than four or five minutes. A. child being
on the operating table 1 hour and 40 minutes would be
fatal. The longest period I have ever known an operation
for lithotomy to last has been from fife to six, or from
that to ten minutes. It would be necessary to put a child
under proper regimen before operating.
Mr. Edward Headland, surgeon, of Guildford-street, had
received an order from the Home-office to examine the
body, but found it too decomposed to render an examina-
tion useful. Had seen many operations in lithotomy, but
the longest on an adult never exceeded 35 minutes. Great
difficulty and loss of time frequently ensued in consequence
of the stone slipping from the forceps.
Richard Richardson, the father, was recalled, and, hav-
ing corroborated his wife's evidence as to the child dying
iu the hospital, said—l employed a lawyer to get a proper
inquiry, and after that 1 signed a letter.
Mr. Ballantine read the letter, at the request of the
coroner, who said it was that letter which induced him to
consider with Mr. Wakley that there was no necessity for
an inquest. The letter was addressed to Mr. Wakley, and
it was the one Richardson had been induced to sign by his
lawyer, foregoing the inquest.
Evidence continued.—The attorney came to me and said
he had come to know if I would stop the inquest. He said
he had seen the doctors; that they admitted their error in
keeping the child longer on the board than he ought to have
been, and, that if we had an inqu est, a j ury could say no more.
He thought I had better sue them for costs and damages.
which would be about 401. and 201., and by his advice I
signed the paper, he being my attorney. He did not say
he had got any money, but said ho would go to the coroner
and try and stop the inquest, and I was to go to his office
at five o'clock. I went. The clerk said he was not at
home, but had left to see me, giving me a packet, which,
when I got home, I found contained 20 sovereigns. I then
suspected what had been done, and put the 201. into the
hands of my employer. The bill for 851., which you now
hold from the attorney for costs, was sent me about a week
ago. I have never paid a farthing of that bill, and I
don't know who has. In the morning the inquest was
appointed to be held, Mr. Brent, the deputy-coroner, came
and asked me if I wished to have the inquest stopped ? and
I said, " Certainly not; as I have boon deceived." Mr.
Brent said, " But you have signed a paper to that effect ;"
and I replied, " Yes ; but I have been deceived, and I
will not have the inquest stopped." The inquest was not
held, and I subsequently applied to Lord D. Stuart, and
through him to Lord Palmerston.
At the conclusion of this witness's evidence the inquiry
was adjourned for a week.

( From the Report of the Registrar-General. )
In the week that ended last Saturday, the number of
deaths registered in London was 1,085. In the ten cor-
responding weeks of the years 1844-53 the average
number was 892, which, if raised in prOportion to in-
crease of population, becomes 981. The facts indicate
a rather high mortality ; they show that about a hundred
persons died last week above what is usual at this the
healthiest period of the year.
The present return, however, shows a small decrease
on that of the preceding week, when the number was
1,110. Zymotic diseases in the aggregate also exhibit
a decrease, the cases in which these were fatal having
been in the previous week 306, in the last 278. The
deaths from scarlatina declined from 68 to 47 ; those from
hooping-cough fell from 63 to 51. Small-pox was fatal
in the two weeks in 11 and 6 cases, measles in 31 and
39, typhus in 64 and 61 ; diarrhoea was fatal to the same
extent in both weeks ; the number referred to it is 31.
Five persons were carried off by influenza ; 3, of whom
2 were children, by purpura.
Last week the births of 824 boys, and 828 girls, in all
1,652 children, were registered in London. In nine cor-
responding weeks of th..yvars the average num-
ber was 1,311.

STATE OF TRADE..

At the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, the mean read-
ing of the barometer in the week was 29.558 in. The
reading was 29.81 in. at the beginning of the week, and
it was 29.64 in. by 9h. p.m. on the 15th. The mean
temperature of the week was 55.1 deg., which is 3.9 deg.
below the average of the same week in 38 years. The
mean temperature was below the average on every day
of the week ; and on Tuesday, when it lowest, the
depression was 6.3 deg. below the average. The highest
temperature of the week was 69.2 deg. on Wednesday ;
the lowest was 42.9 deg. on Sunday. The mean dew-
point'temperature was 50.5 deg., and between this and
the mean air temperature the difference was 4.6 deg.
The wind blew from the south-west, except on Thursday
and Friday, when it was in the east. The amount of rain-
fall was 0.38 in., most of which occurred on Tuesday
and Thursday.
_ _

(Front the Manchester Guardian of yesterday.)

HALIFAX, June 17.—The gloom which has for some

time hung over the worsted trade in this district has
been increased this week, by the announcement of a
failure to a considerable amount. The transactions
are very limited in wools, yarns, and pieces ; and prices
somewhat languid.
ROCHDALE, June 19.—We had a very still market to-
day, and rather less business transacted than on the
previous Monday. There is no change in the wool mar-
ket worth mentioning ; the manufacturers show no dis-
position to buy beyond their immediate wants, and prices
are much the same as they have been for some weeks
past. ,

HUDDERSFIELD, June 20.—A considerable improve-
ment has been experienced in the market to-day. Seve-
ral shipping houses have had their buyers in the cloth
hall, some of whom have purchased good parcels of
manufactured goods, chiefly in low qualities of fancy
woollens. The better descriptions of black cloths have
been little wanted. In the lower qualities of fancy
vestings a trifle more business has been transacted, but
generally this branch of the Huddersfield trade is much
depressed. In the wool warehouses there does not ap-
pear to have been much improvement.

MORTALITY IN THE METROPOLIS.
NUMBER OF DEATHS FROM AIL CAUSES REGISTERED
IN THE WEEK ENDING SATURDAY, JUNE 17
Zymotic Diseases
Diseases of Uncertain Seat
Tubercular Diseases
Diseases of the Brain, Nerves and Senses
Diseases of the Heart and Biood-vessels 37
Diseases of the Lungs and other Organs of
Respiration ...
Diseases of the Stomach, Liver, and other Organs
of Digestion
Diseases of the Kidneys, &c.
Childbirth, Diseases of the Uterus, &c.
Diseases of the Joints, Bones, and Muscles
Diseases of the Skin, &c.
Malformations
Premature Birth and Debility
Atrophy
Old Age
Sudden.
I i
Violence, Privation, Cold, and Intemperance 2l
Causes not specified

LEGALISING RUSSIAN DOCUMENTS.---According to
advices from St. Petersburg, received on Monday, the
Prussian Consul in London had been appointed to
legalise all official documents for Russia. It appears,
however, that it is the Danish Consul-General, and not
the Prussian Consul, by whom the service is to be under-
taken, arrangements to that effect having been made by
the Danish Minister at this Court.
MURDER AND HIGHWAY ROBBERY NEAR LEICESTER
—A murder of a most deliberate and shocking charac-
ter was committed on the Hinckley turnpike-road,
near Leicester, between twelve and one o'clock on
Saturday night. As two men, named Mason, were
proceeding to Coventry fair, they discovered the body
of a man lying by the roadside, near a lonely spot
called Braunstown Spinnies. Life was quite extinct,
and they hastened to a public-house, kept by Mr.
Hitchcock, about half a mile distant. They called
the landlord up, told him what they had seen, and then
left on their way to Coventry. Mr. Hichcock called up a
cottager who lives close by, and they went to the spot
pointed out by the Masons, where they found the lifeless
body of Mr. Samuel Adcock, farmer, of Ashby Shrubs,
Enderby-lane, a place about 5 miles from Leicester. They
found a gunshot wound at the base of the skull, at the
back of the head, a ball having lodged in the upper part.
It was evident that the murderer had fired at his victim
when close to him, and the deceased appears to have
fallen violently forward, after he received the fatal
wound, as his right elbow and knee are injured
from coming in . contact with the road ; the body
then seems to have been dragged to the road-side and
the pockets rifled. Whilst Mr. Hitchcock and the cottager
were making an examination the mail cart from Nuneaton
drove up, and intelligence was sent on to Leicester,
Mr. Chief-Constable Goodyer hastened to the scene, and
the body was removed to the school-room at Braunston.
The deceased's hat and neckerchief were missing, and
during the day the hat has been found by a policeman,
about 100 yards from the body, having been thrown over
a hedge into a spinny. Mr. Thomas Macaulay and Mr.
Moore succeeded in extracting a bullet, which is one of
those generally attached to fishing nets for the purpose
of sinking them. The deceased, who had been to market,
was last seen about seven o'clock. There is a cottage a
short distance from the spot where the murder was com-
mitted, and one of the inmates states that she heard a
report of fire-arms about half-past twelie o'clock. The
police are out in all directions making inquiries, but up
to the present time nothing has transpired to lead to the
detection of the murderer ; and it is supposed that more
than one person was concerned, as the deceased was a
powerful man, weighing 15 or 16 stone, and about 6
feet high, and one man would have great difficulty in
removing the body. The deceased was about 26 years
of age, and much respected.
INDUSTRIAL AND PROVIDENT SOCIETIES. —An act of
Parliament was printed on Tuesday to amend the Indus-
trial and Provident Societies Act of 1852. By this act
no suit or proceeding is to be commenced or prosecuted
by or against the trustees of a society registered under
the act of 1852, except in certain cases—that is to say,
except in the name of one of the two officers for the
time being appointed to sue and be sued on behalf of
such society, and registered in pursuance of the direction
for such appointment and registration ; and if there be
no such officer, then against the trustees of the society.
Officers are to be appointed to sue and be sued on behalf
of a society, and their names, &c., are to be returned
to the Registrar of Friendly Societies. In default of
such appointment the trustees may appoint such officers
and make returns. The returns are to be certified and
the certificate to be admissible as evidence. Judgments,
&c., obtained shall have the same effect as against the
trustees. The service of process is to be at the head
office. In case of the dissolution of a society, it shall
be considered as subsisting and its affairs may be wound
up. Suits at the present period pending against trustees
are to be carried on against the registered officer to be
appointed in the manner described. The act received
the Royal assent on Friday, 17th Victoria, chap. 25.

12
33

DEATHS FROM ALL CAUSES
Population Deaths in corre- Deaths
Enumerated. spending week in the
1851. of 1853. Week.
West Districts
North Districts 490,396
Central Districts 393,256
East Districts 485,522 „„ 212
South Districts

Totals
Males
Females

1,007

576 1,085
509

Males
Females..

Total ..

DRY ROT IN A RAILWAY BRIDGE.—The Doncaster
Gazette states that the Great Northern Railway bridge
over the Witham, at Barney, is now undergoing exten-
sive repairs, having been already much injured by dry
rot.

We observe that a new historical work is announced
for publication, from the pen of a female writer, who has
already distinguished herself in the literary world, and
which is likely to vie in interest with Miss Strickland's
admirable productions. We allude to the "Queen's
before the Conquest," which is to appear on the 30th
instant, in two volumes. It has been justly observed
that few attempts have been made to exhibit the social
and intellectual condition of women in past ages, yet
even then there were illustrious queens, and more illus-
trious female scholars, whose exertions demand the
gratitude of their descendants. A narrative of the
leading features of such a period cannot fail to prove a
useful study, and will, no doubt, meet with a cordial
reception.