The Sun.
London, England, 1853-07-13 00:00:00

turned to this subject. (Hear, hear.) Since 1844 it had
been the anxious care of the board to effect improvements
on every point on which the system was capable of im-
provement, and a very few figures would show the house
to what extent this had been carried. In 1838 the cost of
medical relief to the poor was 136,000/. ; in 1844, 166,2571. ;
and, last year, 212,0501. There had therefore been a very
great increase in the expenditure for medical relief. He
did not say this was too large ; in his opinion the expen-
diture might go further; but he was showing that a great
increase had taken place. (Hear, hear.) This last sum of
212,0501. was exclusive of 25,8941. which was paid for.
vaccination; and, as one result of the committee of 1844,
there were extra fees for surgeons amounting in 1840 to
5,4991., and in 1852 to 30,7271. Then the number of medical
officers had been increased. In 1838 the number was 2,091;
in 1852 they amounted to 3,233. The districts had also
been materially abridged. With regard to the qualifica-
tions of the medical men, some fault had been found with
their qualifications as too high ; but he thought the medical
man appointed to attend the poor should have the highest
qualifications—such as would be required in the case of any
one else. (Hear.) In all cases a double qualification
iwas
required—that was to say, both a medical and surgical
qualification; and he was happy to say that the system had
worked exceedingly well. (Hear.) One important matter,
sponsibility of medical officers. Before t
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Board for the proper discharge of his duty, and
he would venture to say that no case of neglect or mal-
treatment had ever been brought before the board without
an instant inquiry being made. (Hear.) The complaints
against the medical officers were, on the whole, few, con-
sidering their great number, and also the number of the
poor attended to • and whenever there was a well-founded
cause of complaint, it was pretty sure, either by the vigi-
lance of rivals, or in consequence of that vigilance which
was exercised by benevolent persons with regard to the
suffering poor in their neighbourhood, to be brought to
light, and to find its way to the Poor Law Board, where it
would I e immediately scrutinised, and the result would be
that the medical man would be dismissed. At the same
time, the board was anxious to protect the medical officer
in the, fair, proper, and independent exercise of his duty,
whenever a cabal, as sometimes happened, was formed
against him. Upon one point, as the hon. gentleman
knew, very efficient support had been given by the Poor
Law Board within the last few years to the medical officers.
It was very true, as tke hon. gentleman had said, that
their salaries were not high ; on the contrary, he (Mr.
Baines) thought they were low ; but, from a very great
number of agricultural unions, within the last three years,
requests had been made desiring that the salaries of the
medical officers might be cut down, had in every one in-
stance those requests had been refused. He must, how-
ever, do the boards of guardians the justice to say that in
a great many cases they had afterwards taken a more liberal
view, and had admitted the justice of the decision of the
Poor Law Board. The hon. gentleman had made some
suggestions with respect to the appointment of medical
inspectors, and had justly observed that that was a subject
which had occupied the attention of one of his (Mr.
Baines's) predecessors, Mr. C. Buller. That gentleman,
however, the longer he thought on the subject found that
the greater would be the difficulties in the way of estab-
lishing a staff of medical inspectors. At present the Poor
Law Board had the means of availing themselves of the
best assistance whenever any question arose with respect
to which professional knowledge in medicine or surgery
was necessary. Within the last week a question was
brought before the Poor Law Board as to the sufficiency
of two workhouses for the proper reception of the poor in
a sanitary point of view ; and the board, thinking it their
duty to obtain the best opinion on the subject, applied to
the President of the College of Physicians to name one or
two gentlemen of the highest character, whose opinions on
the point would be sure to carry weight. They were im-
mediately named and sent down to inspect the buildings.
They made a most satisfactory report, and on that report
the Poor Law Board proposed to act. Again, it some-
times happened that a charge was made against a medical
officer for neglect or malpractice in the case of a sick per-
son. An inquiry took place, and one of the Poor Law
Inspectors—a class of gentlemen highly educated, and ac-
customed to weigh evidence—went down to carry on that
inquiry, and called before him the best medical evidence
he could obtain. The Poor Law Inspectors also had
now associated with them a medical man accustomed
to hear evidence, and whose duty it was to give ad-
vice upon sanitary points. This system was found
perfectly satisfactory, and the house would see that
under it the Poor Law Board had the means of availing
themselves of the best medical and surgical advice, and at a
less cost than keeping up a large medical staff would entail.
With regard to the suggestion made by the hon. gentleman
on the subject of drugs, he observed that opinions varied
much, and in reference to another point, he remarked that
the principle of the law of England was, that before a per-
son could receive medical relief from the funds of a union,
he must become chargeable to the parish. The hon. gen-
tleman thought that not a sound system, and wished to in-
troduce a new one, according to which medical relief shuld
be provided at the expense of the state for other persons
besides paupers, receiving less than a certain amount of
income. Whenever that subject should be fairly gone
into, it would be for the Legislature to say how far the in-
troduction of such a principle would have a tendency to
impair habits of frugality on the part of the poorer classes
and to diminish that feeling of independence which had
such a salutary influence on their conduct. In conclusion
he expressed his readiness earnestly to consider any sug-
gestion for the improvement of the medical relief system
for the poor, and he trusted that the hon. gentleman,
having called attention to the subject, would not think it
necessary to press his motion to a division. (Hear, hear.)
Sir J. TROLLOPE could confirm the statement of the
right hon:gentleman that a great improvement had taken
place not only in the system of medical relief for the
poor, but also in the class that dispensed that relief.
He could also confirm the statement that whenever a
case of neglect or maltreatment on the part of any medi-
cal officer was brought before the Poor Law Board, it re-
ceived the most earnest attention, and, if proved to be well-
founded, was followed by the dismissal or enforced resigna-
tion of the culpable party. During the past year, for the
greater part of which he held the office of President of the
Poor Law Board, he thought the whole number of cases of
neglect or maltreatment brought before the board did not
exceed four or five, and, when the total number of medical
officers was nearly 4,000, that must certainly be considered
comparatively a very small number. He thought that
there would be some danger in carrying into effect the sug-
gestion of the hon. member for Somersetshire for affording
medical relief at the expense of the State to persons whom
he called the secondary poor, holding a position above that
of the ordinary recipients of Poor Law relief. At present
a great number of that class belonged to benefit societies
or to sick clubs, partly supported by benevolent persons in
the neighbourhood, and partly by a small weekly subscrip-
tion, such as a penny from each member, and he feared
that the establishment of the system suggested by the hon.
member for Somersetshire would operate as a great dis-
couragement to these societies, and prove extremely bur-
densome to the finances of the country. It was true that
vaccination was paid for in respect to persons not paupers,
but that was done on the score of public health, and to
prevent the spread of a contagious disease. With respect
to the question of medical inspection, that had, on more
than one occasion, been brought before the Poor Law
Board, but it was found that the establishment of that
system would entail great expense, while means already
existed for carrying on any necessary medical inquiry.
As to the pay of medical officers under the Poor
Law Board, he thought that in many cases it was greatly
inadequate; but the rate of salary rested more with
the boards of guardians than the Poor Law Board
—the latter having only the power to affirm or
not the arrangement made by the former. However, he
believed that the salaries of those officers were gradually,
on the increase. The complaints against them were ex-
ceedingly few, and, though during the past year some ap-
plications had been made to reduce their salaries .on the
plea of the low price of provisions, that plea had never been
listened to, for obviously it would not be right that the sa-
laries of medical officers should be regulated by a sort of
sliding scale continually rising and falling. Ho might state
that extra fees settled by the Poor Law Board were paid to
medical officers for certain services, and, generally speak-
ing, a more liberal view with regard to their remuneration
was now taken by Poor Law guardians.
Mr. WODEFIOUSE said that, although throughout the
country there was the most, complete confidence in the ad-
ministration of the Poor Law by the right hon. gentleman
opposite, he still thought the subject of medical relief one
which required revision in many respects.
After a few words from Mr. BARROW,
Mr. MILES consented to withdraw the motion. He
fully admitted that very great improvement had taken
place in the system of medical relief under the Poor Law,
and he was content, after what had been said, to leave the
matter in the very competent and reliable hands of the
right hon. gentleman opposite.—Motion withdrawn.
WOODS AND FORESTS.
Mr. AGLIONBY moved an address for a return of the
number of all the officers holding any permanent situation
or employment under the two Commissioners of Woods,
Forests, and Land Revenues of the Crown in Great Britain
and Ireland, under the names of receivers, deputy-survey-
ors, and superintendents, or such other names as the offi-
cers might bear (exclusive of the establishment in London),
together with the date of the appointment of each ; the age
of each when appointed; the previous occupations of each ;
the qualifications each was supposed to possess ; the names
Of the persons by whom each was recommended ; the name
of the person by whom each was appointed ; the duties
with which each is intrusted ; the number of acres of land
of every description over which the management of each
deputy surveyor extends, distinguishing in each case the
extent of forest land, land otherwise occupied, and waste
land ; the salary, allowances, and emoluments of each. The
hon. gentleman said it had been shown by Mr. Caird
that there was a loss to the revenue by the mismanage-
ment of these properties to noless an amount than 200,000/
a-year.

ground that it was only so far as raising stock was con-
cerned that the duty was to be taken off. The question
then arose whether malt could be extensively used for
raising cattle with greater profit to the farmer than he
could obtain by the employment of other food. Even
about the year 1845 an hon. member introduced a bill for
the purpose of permitting farmers to use malt for the
purposa of feeding stock. In consequence of this inquiries
were instituted at Glasgow, under the superintendence of
Dr. Playfair and two other scientific men of eminence.
Two cows and two bullocks were operated upon under cir-
cumstances precisely similar, except that one pair were fed
with barley and the other with malt exclusively. The result
was that the two which were fed upon the latter did not by
any means thrive like the former pair. So much, then, for
the experiment of these gentlemen. But research showed to
him what experiment proved. They stated in their evi-
dence before the committee of the House of Lords, which
sat in 1846, that upon an examination of the constituent
elements of barley and malt respectively, it appeared that
a very considerable quantity of substances of a nutritious
character, which entered into the constitution of barley,
disappeared from it on its conversion into malt. The only
thing in which malt had the advantage was, that it was
easy of digestion. Now, if hon. members opposite were
about to make an entire revolution in the feeding of cattle
by substituting malt for barley, then that would ° be some
argument in the case for taking off these duties. But
when the fact was that malt entered into the food of cattle
only in a very small quantity, then the argument fell to
the ground. The house could not repeal taxes upon mere
trifling. objections. If that were done, then it would be
impossible to raise a revenue. Indeed, the house had
always refused to interfere with large branches of taxation
except upon conclusive grounds. Was this, then, a small
and trifling objection ? If it were admitted that malt only
entered in a small degree into the food of cattle, then this
question must be upon its face answered affirmatively ' • if,
however, this fact were denied, he (the Chancellor of the
Exchequer) had only to refer hon. members to the report
of the committee of the Lords—a committee in every way
favourable to the farmer---to show that this denial was
without foundation. The right hon. gentleman then re-
ferred to the report of the Scientific Commission of 1846,
at the head of which was Dr. Lyon Playfair, which inves-
tigated the question of the value of malt as a fattening
stock for cattle, and the result of their elaborate experiments
and analysis was, that barley was superior to malt as a stock
for feeding cattle. The benefit which the proposal of
the hon. gentleman would therefore confer on the farmers
was therefore minute and contracted. Now what would
be the mischief on the other hand if it were agreed
to? The house had repeatedly declared that it
would not interfere with the great and leading branches
of public revenue, or permit them to be under-
mined. He did not believe that the object of the honour-
able gentleman was to interfere with the public
revenue, but his proposition, if carried, would have the
effect of undermining a vital and important branch of re-
venue. (Hear.) The hon. gentleman would probably as-
sent to a provision for preventing barleyfrom being steeped
where the excise officers suspected it might be converted
into malt for fraudulent purposes. But even this would
• require great vigilance on the part of the revenue officers,
for it would be necessary to have a general supervision on
the part of the excise. But far greater supervision would
be required if permission were given not only to steep
barley, but to make malt for the purpose of converting it
into stock. In fact, unless they entirely abandoned the-
revenue to fraudulent persons, they must carry the excise
regulations into every farmstead in the country, and even
then they could not prevent malt from being made for
fraudulent purposes. This might not be the object of the
hon. gentleman, but it would be the infallible result of his
motion' and on the part of the revenue he could not con-
sent to the probable, nay, almost the certain, abandon-
ment of between 400,000/. and 5,000,0001. He must,
therefore, resist a motion which at best would only give a
partial and minute relief to the farmer. (Hear, hear.) It
might be said, " Well, then, will you keep the tax on malt
for ever e Ho would only say that he did not think there
was much chance that. any person who then heard him
would see the duty removed. If, indeed, they could levy
the duty on beet instead of malt, he admitted that much
of the difficulty would be removed, and that a great bene-
fit would be conferred on the agricultural interest. (Hear.)
But he did not understand that the hon. gentleman had
any plan of that kind. How could they levy the tax on
breweries for the manufacture of beer to be sold to the
public, without also taxing the beer which was made in
private houses. He believed it was the feeling of this
difficulty which led the Government of 1830 to abandon
the duty on beer and retain the duty on malt. He was
ready to admit that there were objections to the continu-
ance of the malt tax, and he should be extremely glad
if the honourable gentleman would show him the
way of getting rid of the tax, or even modifying it,
without entailing a large and serious loss upon the revenue.
He believed that the proposition of the hon. gentleman
would lead to fraud and demoralisation, and would entail
enormous loss on the revenue, without conferring any pro-
portionate good ; and on these grounds he must ask the
house to unite with him in resisting the motion.
The house divided—
For the motion 69
Against it 73
Majority —4
The announcement of the numbers was received with
cheers by the Ministerialists, the tactics of the Opposition
evidently being to press to a division, in anticipation of a
successful result, which the apparent strength of their
benches would seem to justify.
POOR LAW MEDICAL RELIEF.
Mr. MILES proceeded to call the attention of the house
to thtsystem of poor law medical relief at present exist-
ing inngland and Wales, with a view to its revision, and
also to the large number of persons who annually became
chargeable to the poor rates from no medical relief being
afforded to them in their sickness unless they became
paupers. The imperfect manner in which medical relief
was administered was one of the few blots defacing an
otherwise admirable system. The number of medical offi-
cers was nearer 4,000 than 3,000, and the average number
of patients was 835,000. The only check upon the improper
treatment of patients was the production of the case-
books at the boards of guardians, but it was evident that
the guardians must be incompetent to decide upon ques-
tions of disease or the proper means to be employed for
its alleviation. The expenditure which took place under
the head of " Extra diet" was the clover for abuse,
and so also was the practice of allowing medical officers
to eke out a scanty provision by the supply of medicine.
To remedy these evils, he suggested the appointment
of a medical inspector, who should have power to send a
sub-inspector, also a professional man, to inquire into any
case of alleged improper treatment of paupers. It was de-
sirable also that in future the boards of guardians should
supply drugs, and then, in cases where it was necessary to
administer expensive medicine, the medical officer would
not be exposed to the temptation of sparing his pocket
at the cost of his duty. Another object he wished to
accomplish was the extension of the system of medical re-
lief to the sick poor. A vast extent of pauperism was
caaused by neglected sickness, the average wages of working
men leaving them without the means of obtaining medical
assistance. The house, perhaps, was not aware what was
the average amount of the wages of labouring men in this
country. Some able papers on the subject of the labour-
ing population wero published by Mr. H. Mayhew, about a
year and a-half ago, and in them the writer estimated the
labouring population at 4,000,000, and the average wages
of a labourer at 10s. per week. Mr. Mayhew further esti-
mated that the whole of this sum was exhausted in pro-
curing clothes, food, firing, and rent. How was it possible
for a man thus circumstanced to provide malical relief for
himself or for his wife and children ? The Registrar-Gene-
ral called publiC attention last year to the great mortality
among children, particularly in large towns, which he attri-
buted in some degree to the neglect of their parents. This
was an erroneous conclusion. The poor man had as strong
an affection for his offspring as the rich man had for his ;
but his wages would not allow of his sending for a medical
man, and the consequence was that his children frequently
perished when the administration of two or three doses
of medicine would perhaps have checked the disease
which ultimately proved fatal. He might be told
that if his views were carried out they would annihilate
friendly societies and sick clubs ; but it was very well
known that when the children of a man who was a
member of a club fell sick he frequently found him-
self unable to pay his arrears, and was consequently ex-
pelled. A surgeon of eminence, who was examined before
the committee of 1844, calculated that at that time a
million and a-half of persons would, one way or other, re-
quire medical relief, taking each case at 2s. 6d. That, he
believed, was exaggerated, and he would therefore take
each case at is. Gd., which would cause an expenditure of
261,0001., or only 53,0001. more than the moderate sum
now paid. In 851 a Medical Relief Act was passed for
Ireland ; and all he now asked was that they should ex-
tend to the poor in England the same general system of
dispensing medical relief which prevailed in Ireland.
(Hear, hear.) He would now sit down, with the convic-
tion that during the coming recess his hon. friend would
turn his attention to the subject, and that they would have
the prospect next session of an amelioration of a law which
acted injuriously to the health of the poor, and which like-
wise prevented the due extension of the Poor Law in
England. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. BAINES apologised for his absence during the
earlier part of his hon. friend's speech, and begged to as-
sure him that it only arose from a miscalculation as to the
time at which the discussion would come on. (Hear,
hear.) He agreed with his hon. friend that no subject
more important than the preset could be brought under
the attention of the house.
An hon. MEMBER here'moved that the house be counted,
and the gallery was cleared, when, there being more than
40 members present,
Mr. BAINES resumed. He would make a few observa-
tions to show in what manner the medical relief of the
poor had been cared for by the board over which he had
the honour to preside, and he hoped to show that many of
the imputations which were thrown out against them
were altogether groundless,— that there never was a time
when the duty of providing medical relief for the poor was
so carefully attended to. The hon. gentleman had, first
of all, entered into an examination of the manner in which
the present Poor Law system worked, so far as medical
relief was concerned ; and, in the next place, he had in-
quired whether certain new principles, hitherto unknown
to the law of this country, should not be introduced.
These subjects were totally distinct, and to the former of
the two only he would reply. He could assure the house
that any improvements in the system of medical relief that
could be shown to be really such would be adopted by the
board, and if he found that he had not the power of adopt-
ing any valuable suggestions that might be made, he would
not hesitate to make application to the Legislature. (Hear,
hear.) Eefore the Poor Law Act of 1834 there seemed to
be no regular system of medical relief in this country. In
places there were parishes doctors, but they were usually
appointed under a system of jobbingand..,,favouritism,
however,
and
no general plan was in existence. 1834,
In
different mode was introduced, and since that time the
amount of medical relief given to the poor was, to use the
words of an unexceptionable witness before the committee
of 1844, "infinitely greater than before that time."
In 1838 a committee was appointed by that house to consi-
der the subject of relief to the poor, and that committee
finished their labours by making two specific suggestions,
both of which had been acted upon by his predecessors at
the Poor Law Board. These suggestions were—first, that
the system of tender, which up to that time had been com-
monly adopted for the towns in which medical relief would
be contracted for, should be abolished ; and, secondly,
that the medical districts should be abridged. (Hear,hear.)
The result of these recommendations of the committee
was, that a general order was issued by the then Poor
Law Commissioners abolishing the tender
hear.) Another committer
miabtteriedogi
ing the districts. (Hear,
that house, presided over by Lord Ashley, sat in 1844. A
great deal of evidence was taken of a viithovicting cha-
ra6terz. and the committee broke up
any • rosoltition or making any recommendatiertiPg to
the
house, 'frOrtt which he inferred that, whaterv,ertncinions
might be entertained as to still existing defects
„io speeialirievance on which the committee could rfaeZa:
reeevendation. (Hear, hear.) But, no doubt, the legi-
tiara, ;vial of that inquiry was to impress on the then
kobr Commissioners, and on those who succeeded
thenosinecoosity of keeping their attention constantly

WEST.

'IDGE.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES.

Sir,-As your journal published the substance of
nearly the whole of Mr. Page's evidence before the West-
minster-bridge Committee, and not one of Mr. Walker's
reasons against lowering the headway of the centre
arch, the navigation interests have some claim upon
you for giving equal publicity to the corrections, by
other witnesses, of Mr. Page's omissions, which ap-
pear to go very far towards neutralising his own ar-
guments in reference to the proposal for lowering the
headway for navigation from 25 feet 6 inches to 20 feet.
Mr. Walker is engineer to the present Bridge Com-
missioners, and has been employed as consulting engineer
to the Navigation Committee of the Port of London for
the last quarter of a century. Mr. Page is engineer to
the Board of Works, to whom the bridge and the bridge
estates are proposed to be transferred by the bill now
before Parliament.

Mr. Page stated in evidence (and this corresponds
with Sir W. Molesworth's letter to the Lord Mayor)
that by lowering the bridge to 20 feet headway, the in-
clination of the roadway would be reduced from 1 in 22,
the present inclination, to 1 in 54, and that the effect of
this would be that the same power which would be re-
quired to draw 1,000 tons up the present incline would
draw nearly 2,500 tons up the proposed incline ; and be
further stated, that during five days of 12 hours each,
48,000 tons were drawn up Westminster-bridge, but
that with the proposed lowering, the same power would
draw 120,000 tons over.
It appeared that in both the above statements he had
left out the important element of friction, and that if
friction be added, and taken at 801 b. per ton, which Mr.
Page gave as his opinion of the amount of friction, the
120,000 tons would be reduced to 72,200, and the
2,500 tons to 1,500.
It was also proved that the headway of 25 feet 6 in.
might be preserved with an inclination of 1 in 42 upon a
new bridge, which would reduce the difference between
the 20 feet and the 25 feet 6 inches height in the pro-
portion of 1,500 to 1,370 tons.
As an illustration, it was shown that the rise of 1 in
42 would be the same as for half the length of the road-
way between the Canning monument in Palace-yard and
Bridge-street, and upon other equally unobjectionable
thoroughfares.

Under these circumstances, and making every allow-
ance for the greater importance and quantity of land
traffic, ought the height which navigation has always
bad, and the opportunity for improving and increasing
the navigation which it affords, to be taken from it in
the way now proposed, particularly as all the bridges
below Westminster, and also Vauxhall-bridge, above
Westminster, have a greater height.
The resolution of a Royal commission, in 1851, was,
that the new bridge should have 25 feet 6 inches clear
headway, which corresponds with the plan deposited in
the autumn of 1852 by the Board of Works, prepara-
tory to an intended application to Parliament for a new
bridge, and of the attempt to lower this the navigation
interest were not informed until very lately.
Again, as the resistance by gravitation upon a rise
of 1 in 54, and also upon a rise of 1 in 42, are both
less than the resistance by friction on the road, the
power required to draw any given weight from one end
of the bridge to the other is the same in both, the
greater exertion required in getting up to the middle of
the bridge being all returned in going down on the oppo-
site side, so that in truth there is not any, the smallest,
loss of power in going over the bridge by the difference
inthisbetween
casethe
bothgradi are easyentsofli ; id
in 54,n anned, w
d 1 ina ne4g2g,nwhrs neres, as
d
coachmen prefer easy inclines to a perfectly level road,
upon which they say "the load is always upon the
collar." Strange that this important fact was not
stated in the evidence of any of the engineers that were
examined. _

I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
London, July, 1853. NAUTICUS.

(From the Times.)
Westminster-bridge is to come down at last. We have
arrived so far in the direction of improvement. It is at
least a satisfaction to find that the question is no longer
as to the destruction of the old nuisance, and the substi-
tution in its place of a more efficient structure ; but as
to the form the new bridge shall receive. There are
two opinions upon this subject. Many persons whose in-
terests are more directly concerned in river traffic are for
working up to the model of the Menai-bridge, and adapt-
ing the new structure to the exigencies of the river
traffic as they are at present understood. Others again
maintain—and we very cordially agree with them—that
the mere river traffic is a point of very secondary
importance as compared with the convenience of
passage for foot passengers and vehicles from
bank to bank of the river Thames. Just in the same
way as we had, some time back, upon our iron roads the
question of broad gauge and narrow gauge, so we are
now to enter upon a discussion of high arch or low
arch. The evidence of Mr. Page, the engineer to the
Board of Works, delivered before the Westminster-
bridge Committee, appeared some time back in these
columns. This gentleman stoutlymaintains the propriety
of depressing the headway of the arch in order to suit it
to the public convenience. Mr. Walker, on the other
hand, the consulting engineer to the Navigation Com-
mittee of the Port of London, adopts the opposite
, view, and furnishes us with reasons for maintaining
the height of the bridge as it stands—thus, in
point of fact, sacrificing the public for the sake of a
minor interest. In our impression of Saturday there
appeared a letter under the signature of " Nauticus," in
which the case in favour of the high arch was maintained
with great earnestness. The writer wishes to make out,
that a bridge upon the good old " uphill" and "down-
hill" plan is preferable to one which offers a perfectly
level surface, or, at least, that within certain limits
the inclination is a matter of very secondary considera-
tion. The absolute figures are set at 1 in 42 against
1 in 54; and those who are curious in such matters may
consult the letter of "Nauticus" for the engineering rea-
sons by which he disposes of Mr. Page's calculations, and
proves that a higher or a lesser inclination is a matter
of perfect indifference. We are not engineers,
and will leave it to the gentlemen of the craft
to fight each other with their own weapons ; but
we can perfectly well appreciate the difference in
comfort between passing over London and Waterloo
bridge on the one hand, and Blv.ckfriars and the
existing Westminster bridge on the other. It is all very
well for "Nauticus" to tell us, "that waggoners and
coachmen prefer easy inclines to a perfectly level
road, upon which, they say, ' the load is always on the
collar.' We cannot but think that a hill is a hill, and that
a stiffer hill is more uneasy for man and beast than one
which is less so. Not all the engineering reasons in
the world could drive it out of our heads that there is
an essential difference between the two cases in favour
of the less degree of inclination. If the bridge is to be
built according to the opinion of nineteen-twentieths of
the inhabitants of London, it will be built so as to offer
a level surface for the convenience of the passers-by, or
at least one as nearly so as the inevitable difficulties of
the case will permit.
It is a not uncommon characteristic of letters such
as the one upon which we are now commenting,
that the reader is left with the impression that
two opposite and irreconcileable conditions can be
satisfied if the views of the writer are adopted.
If "Nauticus'' proves anything, he proves that
' the bargemen and mariners can have high arches,
and the land passengers at the same time ac-
commodated with a low bridge. We much doubt this
conclusion—if, in truth, it be really intended—and are
perfectly prepared to maintain the ' cause of the land
1 traffic against that of the traffic by water. However
!great the inconvenience may be to particular persons, it
results not from any harsh views suddenly adopted by
(the public authorities to the detriment of their
interests, but from the topographical position and
!growth of this immense town. London is built on either
bank of a great river, and the necessities of communica-
ltion between bank and bank become as great as those
ibetween street and street on the same side of the
Istream. To this necessity must yield the lesser con-
venience, namely, that large ships laden with mer-
chandise should pass freely along the whole length
tof the city, and be free to discharge their goods at
the most convenient point along the banks. This
lesser convenience, comparatively speaking, we are
ompelled to give up as the town spreads out upon
ether bank, and to fix a point beyond which the
nterests of water traffic are sacrificed to those of
sand communication. This point in the present case
f
Is London-bridge. Beyond this point those persons
ho would use the great stream for the purposes of
iercantile conveyance must adapt their' operations
o the altered conditions of things. If they find
hemselves crippled on one side their market is
tending on the other, and that reflection should
.t least prove some consolation. For ourselves, we
rx
I'
ould fain see the time when the banks of this
oble river above London-bridge shall no longer
o deformed by a series of unsightly sheds and
'arehouses ; and we can perceive no reason why
he present arrangements should not in course of
me give way to others more consonant with the dignity
4f that great town which lays claim to be considered as
v
the capital of the world. Such things as the purification
irid embankment of the river Thames within the limits
f London are not to be accomplished in a day, but at
east let us work in this direction. Do not let us con-
sent to sacrifice our present convenience and the future
architectural hopes of the.toialie demands of a very
tmallclass of our fellow-citizens, who have certainly no
ight to put forward any such pretension. We should
add, that in all' probability their fears are exaggerated.
Science and mechanical ingenuity are not standing
Still in other respects, and, if the bridge . is not
taised to suit the ship, the-Aliip will be lowered to suit
the bridge. We have little doubt that before many
tears have elapsed an entirely different character of
qraft will be seen navigating the river Thames.
ven as matters stand, the great bulk of the corn

-An HON. MEMBER here moved that the house be counted
anal only 31 members being present, the house stood ad
journed at 20 minutes to 9.

GENERAL COMMITTEE OF ELECTIONS.

Yesterday this committee—Sir John Trollope (chair-
man), Mr. Palmer, Mr. Sotherton, and another hon.
onthe
A.
electionHamuto committee
(chairman), ommember—met and appointed the following members to
serve
mitteefo
SirCl T.ithe roe:—
Mr.
G.Herbert, Sir
J. Duke, Mr. Butt, and Mr. S. Laing.
The member
petitioned against is Mr. Aspinall.
The CHAIRMAN inquired what other election petitions
there were this session, and what probability there was
of their being prosecuted.
Mr. CorPocx said, there was a petition against the
return of Mr. Bagshawe for Harwich, but he did not
think it would go on. There was a petition against the
return of Mr. Whalley for Peterborough, and another
agains • t Captain Vernon for Chatham, and these cer-
tainly would go on. He had received instructions for
other petitions (Sligo, Liverpool, Durham, &c.), but
they had not yet been presented. The formalities of
the House of Commons required such long notice in
these matters that he was afraid the petitions not yet
presented could not be tried this session.
The CHAIRMAN observed, that in these days of tele-
graphs and railways this ought not to be,
and h
ab
be
re-
gretted to say that this delay must unavoidably
extended, in their y
extended, as he and Sir F. Baring had to send
resignations as members of that committee, and no new
members could serve in their place till Monday next,
and it would be difficult to get members to serve on
election committees in August.
It is stated that in the case of Clitheroe the inquiry
will involve a scrutiny hkely to last many days.

nunication is carried on in lighters, to which the
height of the bridge can be a matter of no

importance, The navigation between London and Vaux-
hall bridges requires a broad arch and a clear stream.
The one is anatural consequence of the other, and is of
far more moment—as any lighterman would tell us—
than the height of the bridges under which these craft
must pass.

TENANT-FARMERS UNDER THE INCOME TAX ACT.—
Yesterday a parliamentary paper showed that there had
been 1,200 appeals by tenant-farmers, under the Income
:let. The number allowed was 756, and the amount of
relief granted 3,419/. ss. 74d.
NAVAL COAST VOLUNTEERS.—The bill just brought
in by Sir Jas. Graham proposes to empower the Ad-
miralty to raise 10,000 men, to be called the "Royal
Naval Coast Volunteers." They are to be entered for
five years, and trained and exercised on shore and ship,
and in case of invasion or imminent danger called into
service ; and in that event seafaring men in public de-
partments are to be liable to serve in the navy.

THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, JULY 13, 1853,

FROM THE LONDON GAZETTE of YESTERDAY.

The following are the fares for hackney carriages and
distances, measured by authority of the Commissioners
of Police :

THE NEW REDUCED CAB FARES.

LORD CHAMBERLAIN'S OFFICE, JULY 12.
Orders for the Court's going into mourning on Thurs-
day next, the 14tk instant, for his late Royal Highness the
Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach, viz. :
The ladies to wear black silk, fringed or plain linen,
white gloves, necklaces, and ear-rings, black or white shoes,
fans, and tippets.
The gentlemen to wear black, full trimmed, fringed, or 2
plain linen, black swords and buckles. 3
The Court to change the mourning on Sunday next, the 2
17th instant, viz.:— 2

The ladies to wear black silk or velvet, coloured ribbons, 2
fans, and tippets, or plain white, or white and gold, or 2
white and silver stuffs, with black ribbons. 3
The gentlemen to wear black coats, and black or plain
• 1
white, or white and gold, or white and silver stuff waist- 1
coats, full trimmed, coloured swords and buckles. 1
And on Thursday the 21st instant, the court to go out 4
of mourning. 2

FOREIGN-OFFICE, JULY 5. 1
The Queen has been graciously pleased to appoint George
Benvenuto Mathew, Esq., now her Majesty's Consul
1
Charleston, to be her Majesty's Consul at Philadelphia.
The Queen has also been graciously pleased to appoint
Robert Bunch, Esq., now her Majesty's Consul at Phila-
delphia, to be her ajesty's Consul at Charleston.
FOREIGN-OFFICE, JULY 8.
The Queen has been graciously pleased to appoint Fred-
erick Hamilton, Esq., now First Paid Attaché to her Ma-
jesty's Legation at Vienna, to be Secretary to her Majesty's
Legation at Stnttgardt.

FOREIGN-OFFICE, Jury 11. 2
The Queen has been pleased to approve of Mr. John W. 2
Howden, as Consul at Bermuda, and of Mr. James Keenan 2
as Consul at Hong Kong, for the United States of America. 1
The Queen hits also been pleased to approve of Mr. 1
Oliver John Williams, as Vice-Consul at Harwich, for 0
his Royal Highness the Grand Duke of Mecklenburg- 1
Schwerin.

CROWN OFFICE, JULY 11.
MEMBERS RETURNED TO SERVE IN THE PRESENT
PARLIAMENT.

Borough of Tralee—Daniel O'Connell, Esq., of No. 20,
King-street, Saint James's, in the room of Maurice O'Con-
nell, Esq., deceased.
Borough of Liverpool—Thomas BeTty Horsfall, Esq.,
and the Hon. Henry Thomas Liddell, in the room of
Charles Turner and William Forbes Mackenzie, Eaqrs.
whose election for the said borough has been declared void:
OFFICE OF ORDNANCE—JULY 12.
Royal Regiment of Artillery—Second Lieutenant Chas.
James Tyler, to be first Lieutenant, vice Blair, retired on
half-pay, July 12.
Corps of Royal Engineers—Brevet. Colonel Harry David
Jones, to be Colonel, vice Brown, deceased, July 7.
ADMIRALTY, JULY 1.
- -

Corps of Royal Marines—First Lieutenant George Au-
gustus Schomberg, to be Captain, vice George Watson, to
half-pay, and to be Paymaster of the Woolwich Division ;
Second Lieutenant Francis Philip Toms, to be First Lieu-
tenant, vice Schomberg.
COMMISSIONS SIGNED BY THE LORD-LIEUTENANTS.
The Essex Rifles—Thomas Sutton Western, Esq., to be
Captain, July 7.
North York Rifle Regiment of Militia—First Lieutenant
John Lawson to be Captain, July 1.
BANKRUPTS.
Henry Bates and Charles Hitchuaan, straw plait dealers,
Addle-street, City, to surrender, July 27, at two, and
August 30, at twelve, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Ed-
wards, official assignbe, Basinghall-street ; Robinsons,
Queen-street-place, Upper Thames-street.
Fabian Street, coal merchant, Parkstone, Poole, July 26,
at half-past two, and August 30, at eleven, at the Court of
Bankruptcy. Groom, official assignee, Abchurch-lane ;
'
Skilbeck, Chancery-lane • Aldridge, Poole.
Charles Hall, builder, Orchard-street, Portman-square,
July 17, at half-past two, and August 30, at one, at the
Court of Bankruptcy. Edwards, official assignee, Sam-
brook-court, Basinglaall-street ; J. and J. H. Linklater,
Sise-lane, Bucklersbury.
William Gambling, builder, Southampton, July 28, at
one, and August 18, at twelve, at the Court of Bankruptcy.
Bell, official assignee, Coleman-street-buildings, Moorgate ;
Linklater, Sise-lane, Bucklersbury; Hodgson, Birming-
ham.

Frederick Francis Fox, tailor, Cornhill, July 22, at
half-past twelve, and August 26 at two, at the Court of
Bankruptcy. Cannan, official assignee, Aldermanbury ;
Reed, Langford, and Marsden, Friday-street, Cheapside.
William Winter, builder, Hawkhurst, Kent, July 22 and
August 26 at one at the Court of Bankruptcy. Whit-
more, official assignee' Basinghall-street ; J. and J. H.
Linklater, Size-lane, Bucklesbury.
Joseph Peres, tailor, Scarbro-street, Goodman's-fields,
July 22 and August 27, at one, at the Court of Bankruptcy.
Whitmore, official assignee, Basinghall-street ; Ashurst
and Son, Old Jewry.
Thomas Kemp and Edmund Kemp, painters, Stratford-
upon-Avon, July 25 and August 15, at ten, at the Birming-
ham District Court. Bittleston, official assignee, Birming-
ham; Lane, jun., Stratford-upon-Avon, and Hodgson,
Birmingham.
David Farrar Bower, flax scutcher, Rawcliffe, July 22,
and August 26, at eleven, at the Court of Bankruptcy.
Young, official assignee, Leeds ; Richardson and Gaunt,
Leeds.
Joseph Abbott, grocer, Reddish, Manchester, July 23,
and August 12, at eleven, at the Court of Bankruptcy.
Lee, official assignee, Manchester; Sale, Worthington, and
Shipman, Manchester.
Thomas Tapley, builder, Liverpool, July 26, and August
16, at eleven, at the Liverpool District Court. Morgan,
official assignee, Liverpool ; Grocott, Liverpool.
DIVIDENDS.
At the Court, Basinghall-street. _

N. Mence, Worcester, brewer, Aug. 2, at one—G. Clap•
ham, Whittlesea, Cambridgeshire, watchmaker and jewel
ler, Aug. 2, at twelve. _ _ •

In the Country.
F. Rufford, Stourbridge, banker, Aug. 13, at ten, at the
Court, Birmingham—W. Maroon, Wolverhampton, draper,
Aug. 6, at ten, at the Court, Birmingham—R. Goldsmith,
Nottingham, tailor, Aug. 12, at the Court, Nottingham—
W. Butterworth, Mansfield,' Nottinghamshire, grocer, Aug.
12, at ten, at the Court, Nottingham—J. Patterson, Ather-
stone, Warwickshire, market-gendener, Aug. 6, at ten, at the
Court, Birmingham—H. H. Ross, Liverpool, draper, Aug. 4,
at eleven at the Court, Liverpool—J. Power, Liverpool, mer-
chant, Zug. 4, at eleven, at the Court, Liverpool—D. Dale,
Bidsgrove, near Tunstall, Staffordshire, builder, Aug. 24, at
twelve, at the Court, Birmingham—W. Coleman, Coventry,
chemist, Aug. 24, at twelve, at the Court, Birmingham—
W. Latham, Shelton, Stoke-upon-Trent, boot and shoe-
maker, Aug. 24, at twelve, at the Court, Birmingham—
W. Wood, jun., Birmingham, builder, Aug. 24, at twelve,
at the Court, Birmingham—J. Muckleston, jun., Shrews-
bury, grocer, Aug. 2, at twelve, at the Court, Birmingham
—T. Brock, Kingston-upon-Hull, coal and potatoe mer-
chant, Aug. 3, at half-past twelve, at the Court, Leeds—
G. Hirst Kirkburton, Yorkshire, manufacturer, Aug. 2, at
half-past eleven, at the Court, Leeds.
PAYMENTS OF DIVIDENDS.
Polden and Lafargue, Gould-square, shipowners, 4d., on
Tuesday, July 11, or any subsequent Tuesday, between
eleven and two, at the office of Mr. Pennell, Guildhall
Chambers, Basinghall-street.
E. and 11. Martyn,Aldgate, High-street, woollen-drapers,
24d., on Tuesday, July 11, or any subsequent Tuesday,
between eleven and two, at the office of Mr. Pennell,
Guildhall Chamber; Basinghall-street.
G. W. Craddock, Nuneaton, Warwickshire, scrivener,
3s. any Thursday, between eleven eleven and three,
at the office of Mr. Christie, Birmingham.
J. Scott, Nottingham, grocer, 4s. 6d., on Saturday, July
16, and three subsequent Saturdays, between eleven and
three, at the office of Mr. Harris, Nottingham.
Hindes and Derham, Leeds and Dolphinholme, worsted-
spinners, third dividend of 5d., on any Monday or Tuesday
on and after July 4, between eleven and two, at the office
of Mr. Hope, Leeds.
C. Hare, Huddersfield, chemist, ls. 6d., on any Monday
or Tuesday on or after July 4, between eleven and two, at
the office of Mr. Hope, Leeds.
T. Carter, Preston, corn-merchant, 4s 30., on Tuesday,
July 12, and every following Tuesday, between ten and
one, at the office of Mr. Lee, Manchester.
J. Gouldesbrough, Manchester, manufactUrer, third
dividend of is. 4d., on-Tuesday, July 12, and every fol-
lowing Tuesday, between ten and one,' at the office of Mr.
Lee, Manchester.

G. Fielder, Saddleworth, Yorkshire, woolstapler, 2i.,
on Tuesday, July 12, and every following Tuesday, be-
tween ten and one, at the office of Mr. Lee, Manchester.
G. Smith, Manchester, hatter, 2s. 3d., on Tuesday, July
12, and every following Tuesday, between ten and one, at
the office of Mr. Lee, Manchester.
J. Ness, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, grocer, lad., on Satur-
day, July 16, or any following Saturday, between ten and
three, at the office of Mr. Wakley, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
A. Harrison, Friar's Goose Alkali Works, near Gates-
head, alkali-manufacturer, 2s. 30., on Saturday, July 16,
or any following Saturday, between ten and three, at the
office of Mr. Wakley, Neweastle-upon"-Tyne.

NOTICES OF CERTIFICATES.
At the Court, Basinghall-street.
T. D. Stearn, Ipswich, plumber and painter, Aug. 2, ai
half-past twelve.

- In the Country. 2
W. Pulford, Long Sutton, Lincolnshire, cordwainer, 3
Aug. 12, at ten, at the Court, Nottingham—J. Roberts, 2
Stratford-upon-Avon, builder, Aug. 17, at twelve, at the 4
Court, Birmingham—T. Brock, Kingston-upon-Hull, coal
merchant, Aug. 3, at half-past twelve, at the Town-hall, 1
Kingston-upon-Hull.

CERTIFICATES GRANTED.
W. H. Gough, Barton, Gloucestershire, builder, certi- 2
ficate of the second class—W. Minchener, Cheapside, City,
warehouseman, certificate of the second class—R. Smith, ,0
Preston, corn merchant, certificate of the second class„
-t
after twolve calendar months from Aug. 9—J. Browne, 1
Birmingham, licensed victualler, certificate of the second
class. 1