The Sun.
London, England, 1854-02-23 00:00:00

DEATHS FROM ALL CAUSES .
Population Deaths in corre-

1,154
Deaths

Enumerated. spending week in the
18,51. of 1853. Week.
West Districts
North Districts 490,396
CSoei:trah IDDisitartirictests 393,256
205
East Districts 485,522 ...._ 249 ...... 281
616,635

_.
......._
Totals
......... 2,362,236 1,235 1,154
BIRIIIS* IN THE WEEK.
Males ................... 775
Females ......................
......... ................ 764

Total .

.. 1,539

THE NEW REFORM BILL.

- -

Last evening a numerous meeting of the council of the
National Reform Association was held at their offices, 2,
Duke-street, Adelphi. Among the gentlemen present
were the president, Sir Joshua Walmsley, M.P. (in the
chair), Mr. J. Hume, M.P., Mr. W. J. Fex, M.P.,
Mr. J. Bell, M.P., Mr. J. Crook, M.P., Mr. W. Biggs,
M.P., and many other gentlemen of local influence.
Numerous letters were read from the local vice-presi-
dents of the association from various parts of the country
expressing a hope that, although the bill was in some
respects defective, there was so much in it that would be
useful to the cause of reform that they hoped it would
receive the earnest support of the council.
The PRxSIDENT explained in detail the various provi-
sions of the proposed measure, and earnestly urged the
necessity of giving immediate attention with the view of
a united course of action.

He was followed by Mr. MIKE, who entered into some
explanations upon the conduct of the Liberal party at the
time of the first Reform Bill as offering an example which
should now be followed. He recommended that the pre-
sent measure should receive an earnest support, as it
offered a large instalment of what was due to the indus-
trious classes.

Mr. Fox, M.P., expressed similar opinions, advising
that the necessary steps should be taken to rectify the
errors of the bill, which, as a whole, he thought should
be strongly recommended to the country.
In reply to a question as to the probable intentions of
the Government,
Sir J. WALMSLEY said, he verily believed they were
anxiously desirous of carrying the bill, and looked to
the people for support.
Mr. T. J. SERLE, after commenting at length upon
the bill, and urging its adoption, moved the following
resolution :—" That the council, having carefully consi-
dered the Reform Bill introduced by Lord John Russell,
are of opinion that, while it falls short of that which is
due to the unenfranchised, and contains some provisions
which the friends of progress cannot approve, and should
exert themselves to amend in its progress through the
House of Commons, it nevertheless deserves the strenu-
ous support of all Reformers, as a large and invaluable
instalment of the objects they seek—inasmuch as it pro-
poses to apply a bold measure of disfranchisement to the
smaller boroughs, to add largely to the electoral body,
and by repealing the ratepaying clauses to remove one
of the greatest grievances of the existing system."—Mr.
Serle impressed upon the council the impolicy of treating
the Government with distrust.

The motion was seconded by Mr. A. S. AYRTON and
carried unanimously.

A sub-committee was then appointed to draw up an
address expressing the opinion of the council as embo-
died in their resolution, the sub-committee to consist of
Sir J. Walmsley, M.P., Mr. W. J. Fox, M.P., Mr. T.
J. Serle, Mr. 3. Redant, and Mr. H. Slack.
Several members expressed their opinions of the bene-
ficial operation of the enfranchising clauses ; among them
Mr. Le Bland, who stated that they would confer the
franchise upon 78 persons connected with his establish-
ment, and who are at present without it.
The meeting was addressed by several other speakers
to the effect that, while no efforts should be spared to-
wards getting rid of the objectionable residents clause
attached to the proposed 6/. householders' franchise, and
to promote other amendments, the safety of the mea-
sure ought on no account to be endangered by the want
of union or activity among the great body of reformers.

- - -
THE PRICE OF COAL.

TO THE EDITOR OE THE SUN.

SIR,—I have read your article on the price of coals in
London, and cannot wonder that you should complain
at the immense advance which has taken place, and at-
tempt to find out the cause. I will endeavour to point
out, as far as relates to the northern coal trade, some of
the causes of this rise in prices. In the first place,
there is no doubt but that the price of coals has been
materially influenced by the extension of steam naviga-
tion, by the rapid increase of railways both here and on
the continent, and also by the generally prosperous state
of every branch of manufacture, but more especially that
of iron, in which immense quantities of coal are con-
sumed. There is no doubt but that these events first
gave the impetus to the price of coal ; but, instead of the
increased demand being met by an increased supply, it
was met by just the reverse—by combinations of the
coalowners, and by strikes of the miners ; the former to
raise prices, and the latter to obtain higher wages --both
to restrict the quantity produced. It was entirely owing
to the example set them by the combination of coal-
owners that the pitmen were first led to form their
union, of which nearly every miner in this district is a
member. The object of this union is to regulate wages,
and, by limiting the quantity of coal raised by each
man, to find employment for the whole body, with-
out bringing one man into competition with his fellow.
The consequence of this regulation is, that a strong,
able, and experienced coal-hewer is allowed to earn no
more money than another who may be the very reverse.
This encourages laziness, and the result may be seen.
Although the wages are now 50 and 60 per cent. higher
than they were twelve months ago, yet the amount of
money actually received by the coal miner does not ex-
ceed 10 per cent. more than he received,last January.
Instead of earning 60 per cent. more money, they work
40 per cent. less coal. Some of the large collieries which
last year were raising 1,000 tons, are now, from this
cause, only producing 700 tons per day, although double
the quantity would meet with a ready sale at high
prices. At the present time the coal miners' union is
all-powerful here. If a man is discharged by the col-
liery owner, the remainder strike until he is again em-
ployed. Recently the union has been adopting a com-
plete system respecting strikes : it is arranged that a
strike shall take place at one particular colliery where
there is a large demand for coals ; work is discontinued ;
the men are supported by the union during the strike ;
and the colliery owner, having a large demand for his
coals, and seeing his neighbours at full work, is obliged
to yield ; work is resumed, and another colliery is se-
lected for another strike. If the working classes of
London and other districts are subjected to privations
from the dearness and scarcity of coal at this inclement
season, they must blame in a great degree their brethren
in the north.

These are the principal causes of the rise of coals here :
to London consumers the very high freights and the
exorbitant City dues will form a very considerable item
in the price. As regards the former, we cannot find
fault, as it is entirely owing to the great demand that at
present exists for shipping ; and this is more particu-
larly felt in the coal trade, owing to the great losses that
have happened among the class of vessels usually em-
ployed, and which have not yet been replaced. As re-
gards the City dues, it is a matter chiefly affecting the
London consumer, the policy of which you are better
able to appreciate than we in the North, our opinion
being that such a tax on a necessary of life is perfectly
unjustifiable.—l am, sir, your obedient servant,
Newcastle-upon-Tyne, 1854.

vuicAN.

THE NEW HOUSES OF PARLIAMANT.—The decoration
of the New Palace at Westminster with works of art
is a matter of so much interest to the whole country,
that a return which has just been issued showing
the progress which has been made will be very ac-
ceptable. It presents a short account of what has
been done, and gives a list of the several statues and
paintings completed or in progress, with a statement of
their destination and expense. The estimate of their
cost is as follows :—House of Lords, fresco paintings,
4,8001. ; metal statues, 4,680/, ; upper waiting-hall,
fresco paintings, 3,5001. ; St. Stephen's-hall, statues,
8,6001. ; the Prince's chamber, statues, 3,835/. ; bas-
reliefs, 750/. ; portrait of Henry VII., 501. ; the Queen's
robing-room, 4,800/. ; the Peers' robing-room. 9,000/. ;
the Peers' corridor, 3,6501. ; the Commons' corridor,
3,650/. ; sundry works, 2201. ; and adding 5,8001. ex-
pended in premiums in the exhibitions of 1843 and 1847,
and for the purchase of two cartoons exhibited in 1845,
the total cost of what has been undertaken will amount
to 53,3351., of which the sum of 29,6601. has been
already paid. The remainder will only be required by
degrees, for a large proportion of the works are not com-
pleted. The Peers' robing-room, for instance, is not yet
built ; but a sum of not less than 9,0001. is devoted to
the nine fresco paintings which are to be placed in this
apartment, and which the artist, Mr. J. R. Herbert,
was to have nine years April, 1851, to complete.
They are to have Scripture subjects, the illustrations to
" have reference to the idea of justice on earth, and its
development in law and judgment." The subjects se-
lected are—Moses bringing down the tables of the law
to the Israelites, the fall of man, his condemnation to
labour, the judgment of Solomon, the visit of the Queen
of Sheba, the building of the Temple, the judgment of
Daniel, Daniel in the lions' den, the vision of Daniel.
None of the eight paintings for the Peers' corridor have
been begun ; they are to indicate the heroic virtues dis-
played on both sides during the civil war, and the Com-
mons' corridor is to continue and complete the subject.
The commission have determined that in the corridors
or halls connected with the central hall, the chronolo-
gical order of subjects or of personages shall begin from
that hall.

THE LATE FIRE IN SOMERS TOWN.—We are requested
to state that the two men referred to as being put in
possession for rent in the show-room, 18, Goldington.
street, Somers Town, destroyed by fire on Thursday
morning, were not in possession of the house occupied
by Mr. Hampton.
[AnvEßTisEmENT.j—Fifty thousand Cures have been
effected by Du Barry'sdelicious Revalenta Arabic& Food,
without medicine, inconvenience, or expense (as it saves
fifty times its cost in other remedies).- " Twenty-fiveyears
nervousness, constipation, indigestion, and debility, from
which I had suffered great misery, and which no medi-
cine could remove or relieve, have been effectually cured
by Du Barry's Food in a very short time. W. R.
Reeves, Pool Anthony, Tiverton." " Eight years' dys-
pepsia, nervousness, debility, with cramps, spasms, and
nausea, for which my servant had consulted the advice
of many, have been effectually removed by Du Barry's
delicious food in a very short time. I shall be happy
to answer any inquiries. Rev. John W. Flavel, Rid-
lington Rectory, Norfolk." " Three years' excessive
nervousness, with pains in my neck and left arm, and
general debility, which rendered my life very miserable,
has been radically removed by Du Barry's excellent
food. Alexs. Stuart, Archdeacon of Ross, Skibbereen."
—" Fifty years' indescribable agony from dyspepsia,
nervousness, asthma, cough, constipation, flatulency,
spasms, sickness at the stomach, and vomitings, has
been removed by Du Barry's excellent food. Maria Jolly,
Wortham Ling, near Dies, Norfolk." Copies of testi-
monials of 50,000 cures (including those of Lord Stuart
de Denies, Major-General Thomas King, Drs. Erre,
Shorland, and Harvey (gratis). In canisters, with full
instructions, IW., 2s. 9d. ; 21b., 4s. 6d. ; 51b., lls. ;
121 b., 225. ; super-refined, 51b., 225. ; 101 b., 335. The
101 b. and 121 b. carriage free. Barry Du Barry and Co.,
77, Regent-street, Lontion ; also, Fortnum, Mason, and
Co., purveyors to her Majesty, Piccadilly.

ROYAL INSTITUTION.

On Friday evening Dr. Conolly delivered a lecture on
characters of insanity, which was rendered peculiarly
interesting by illustrative notices of cases that had oc-
curred during his superintendence of the Hanwell Asy-
lum. The immediate cause of insanity is in nearly all
instances attributable to either an exalted or a depressed
state of nervous excitement. When these conditions of
the brain are extreme, the patients are manincal or me-
lancholic ; but in ordinary cases of insanity they are
tranquil, cheerful, and to a passing observer exhibit no
symptoms of mental disorder. Their perceptive facul-
ties are generally very acute, and they are remarkably
quick in discerning the characters and dispositions of
visitors, detecting in a moment feigned kindness of man-
ner, and having especial dislike to expressions of com-
miseration, as most of the patients conceive themselves
to be persons of importance, and endowed with superior
gifts. Among those mentioned was a man who, before
the Queen was married, was accustomed to write a let-
ter to-her Majesty about every three months, offering
himself as her husband, and to place his fortune at her
disposal. After the Queen's marriage he continued to
write, but in a diferent strain, giving advice. Another
patient, who was strongly excited during political move-
ments, had a propensity to kill the Emperor of Russia ;
and when the Emperor visited England, the patient re-
monstrated with Dr. Conolly on the injury done to the
country by confining him at Hanwell, instead of allowing
him to execute his mission. Several affecting cases of me-
lancholy insanity were mentioned, which had come under
Dr. Conolly's observation, and drawings that had been
taken of the patients in their fixed attitudes of despon-
dency were exhibited. A drawing was also exhibited
of a lady who became insane in consequence of the exe-
cution of the Due d'Enghein. Leaning her head upon
her hand, she sat at the window, constantly looking for
his approach, and from day to day she continued in the
same attitude till death. Two drawings represented a
female patient is the opposite states of maniacal and
melancholical insanity, to show more particularly the
influence of violant mental excitement in making the
hair stand on end. This curious effect, Dr. Conolly
said, is by no means uncommon, and the subsidence of
the hair after having been erected is one of the first
symptoms of retarning tranquility. He took occasion
to mention that the instruments of coercion formerly
applied to maniacs have long since been discontinued ;
and that the keepers at Hanwell Asylum would not
know how to put a strait-waistcoat upon a patient if
ordered to do so. The distinction between delusions
accompanied by insanity and delusions arising from phy-
sical derangement were pointed out, and illustrated by
various instances. Dr. Conolly mentioned a barrister
of great professional eminence, who, at one period con-
stantly
heard voices forbidding him to do what he
liked, and persons who saw the forms of dead and of living
beings enter their rooms ; but, those individuals having
sufficient control over their reasoning faculties to be aware
that the sounds and apparitions were not real, they could
not be considered insane. Others, again, by whom such
delusions are considered realities, are among the most
dangerous of insane patients, as the voices they hear fre-
quently incite them to commit crimes. Paralysis of the
brain is one of the diseases which Dr. Connolly considers
to be incurable. Its first symptoms apparent by the ne-
glect of ordinary occupations, by attempts to do things
that are altogether unsuited to previous habits, by reck-
less extravagance, by ridiculous, overweening conceit,
and a desire to be conspicuous. Dr. Connolly concluded
by enforcing the importance of cultivating and disciplining
the mind and of keeping the passions under the control
of reason, as the surest means of preventing that irregu-
lar state of nervous excitement which induces insanity.
Among the objects displayed in the library were some
interesting photographic representation of insane patients.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

NOTTINGHAM RACES.- WEDNESDAY.

HURDLE STAKES of 5 sous. each. Optional selling
weights.—Two miles and a quarter over seven flights
of hurdles.

Mr. Lambert's Leda (h. b.), 6 yrs. (201.), 10st. 41b.
(W. Johnson) 1
Mr. Lister's Fazely, aged (201.) 10st. 41b. (W. Marson) 0
Fazely refused the first flight, and Leda had it her
own way to the end. _
__

HANDICAP HURDLE RACE Of 7 BOYS. each, 5 ft., and 2
only if declared, &c.,.with 40 added. The second to
save his stake.—Certain winners extra. Two miles and
a half over seven flights of hurdles,
Mr. Edwards's Beech Nut, 4yrs, Bst. (carried Bst. 21b)

_
(Walter White) 1
Mr. J. Brown's Tom Gurney (h. b.), 6 yrs. 9st. 41b.

(T. Price.) 2
Mr. C. F. Boyce's Victress, aged, lOst
The following also ran :—Star of England, Mayday,
Squire of Malton, Teddesley, President (h. b.(, Blue
Bonnet, and Salopian.
Betting-5 to 2 agst Teddesley-3 to 1 agst Star of
England-5 to 1 agst Tom Gurney-8 to 1 agst Vic-
tress-10 to 1 agstlßeech Nut, President, and Squire of
Malton.

Won by a length ; bad third. Blue Bonnet fell at
the hurdles below the distance, threw her jockey, and
followed the leading horses in.
The FOREST HANDIOA.P of 3 soya. each, with 25 added ;
for all ages. T.Y.C.
Mr. Etches Red Rose, 3 yrs. sst. 91b (Bates) 1
Mr. J. J. Henderson's Annabel, 3 yre. sst 91b (Cliff) 2
Mr. Megson's Songster, 5 yrs. 7st. 91b (Wells) 3
The following also ran :—Lioness, Tonic, Surveyor,
Game Chicken, and Lina.

Betting-2 to 1 agst Songster-7 to 2 agst Annabel,
sto 1 agst Tonie-6 to 1 agst Surveyor-7 to 1 agst
Red Rose.

Won by half a length ; a neck only between second
and third, and between third and fourth.
HUNTERS' STAKES of 2 guineas each, with 10 added.
Weight for age, certain winners extra. Gentlemen

riders. Professionals 71b. extra. Two miles and a
_ ...

half ; over seven flights of hurdles.
Mr. Maltby's Wild Hero, 13st (Owner) 1
Mr. Houghton's Little Boy Blue, 12st. 71b. (Pearson) 2
Mr. Lambert's Daisy, 13st. 71b. (including 71b. extra)
(C. Boyce) 3

Betting►-5 to 4on Wild Hero.

Won cleverly by two lengths. A length between the
second and third.

The CASTLE STAKES of 5 sove. each, with 20 added.
The second to save his stake. For two years old and
upwards. Optional selling weights. About half a
mile.

Mr. Bloss's Jullien, 5 yrs. (201.), Bst. 41b. (Charlton) 1
Mr. Webb's Indiana, 3 yrs. (201.) Est. 31b (Prior) 2
Mr. Smith's Proserpine, 2 yrs. (301.) 4st. 81b. (carried
4st. 91b.) (Priam 3
The following also - ran :—Lina, Lioness, and Jessa-
mine.

Betting-7 to 4 agst Jullien —.4 to 1 apt Jessamine.
Won by a head. Proserpina and Lina well up, and
so close together that the Judge did not place a third.
The winner was afterwards sold by auction for 35
guineas.

- The Selling Hurdle Race was won by Mr. Poole's
President, beating Leda and Fazely.
NOTTINGHAM SPRING HANDICAP.—In the hurry of
transcribing the betting, Alonzo was omitted. At the
close it was 3to 1 each agst Annabel and Alonzo-4 to
1 taken freely about the latter, 6 to 1 agst Wellsbourne,
8 to 1 agst Vixen, 10 to 1 agst any other.

RACING FIXTURES FOR 1854.
MARCH.
Liverpool Spring 1 Warwick Spring 21
Doncaster Spring 7 'Catterick 27
Salisbury ... ... ........... . 9 Northampton . 29
Coventry Spring l4 Abergavenny 30

AP
Croxton Park 4
Epsom Spring 6
Cheltenham Spring 12
Newmarket Craven 17

Catterick Bridge 19
Abergavenny 2O
York Spring 25
Malton 27
AY.

M.
Newmarket F S
Chester Spring 9
Lothians & Edinburgh 11
Newmarket S S 16
Shrewsbury lB

Lothians and EdinburghlB
Lewes l9
Bath 23
Liverpool Hunt Spring 24
Epsom 30
UNE.

Manchester
Ascot Heath 13
Newcastle•on-Tyne 20
Hampton 2l
Carlisle 26

Bibury 2B
Stockbridge 29
Ludlow 30
Winchester 3O

Newmarket
4
Worcester 4
Lancaster 6
Mansfield 11
Liverpool 12
Ipswich 13

Stourbridge l7
Stamford 18
Nottingham 2O
Goodwood 25
Ripon 81

AU(
Brighton
Brighton Club 4
Wolverhampton
Yarmouth 8
Reading
Odiham 9
North Staffordshire 9
Wolverhampton l4

SEPT 3
Warwick
Lichfield
Western Meeting 7
Rochester and Chatham 7
Doncaster 12
Pontefract

_ -
Chester Autumn _3
Yorkshire Union Hunt 5
Wrexham 5
Newmarket S 0 9