The Sun.
London, England, 1831-11-16 00:00:00

CHOLERA AT SUNDERLAND.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SlR,—The term " malignant" of course might
be applied either to the English or Asiatic
cholera, but it is generally, if not universally,
understood here to mean Asiatic. The motive,

if this be the correct interpretation, for using the
word, will be of course to allay alarm. But,
whatever may be the proper character of the
complaint, whether it be aggravated English
cholera, or Asiatic cholera modified by the cli-
mate, and the food and habits of the people, it
certainly appears to be on the decrease, and I
hope shortly to have the satisfaction of stating
that it has entirely disappeared. The alarm that
has prevailed so generally on the subject has
induced many to imagine the existence of cholera
w;iere, at any other period, it would not have
been suspected. We had a remarkable instance
afforded of this in Newcastle to-day. A stout,
robust man, who was employed by Messrs. Arm-
strong and Co., corn-merchants, of this town,
in the capacity of a porter, died yesterday in
great agony, after less than twenty-four hours'
illness. To-day it was generally rumoured that
he had died of cholera morbus. In order to
dispel the apprehensions of the inhabitants, the
Mayor, very properly, requested that the man's
body might be opened. The dissection took
place this afternoon, and I am happy to be ablt,
to inform you that the investigation was in it-
result most satisfactory. Dr. Headlam, the
principal physician of Newcastle, was present.
and declared most positively and decidedly that
the deceased had not died of cholera. He at-

tributed his death to the gangrenous state of the
coat of the stomach, which he thought might
very probably be produced mainly by his having
imprudently swallowed a quantity of cold water
when much heated. I may add, that on the
day of his attack he had eaten 'very heartily of
pig's face and feet, that he had previously been
ill, and, indeed, had only recently recovered

from typhus fever. This is a plain statement of
the case. The post-mortem examination has
entirely dispelled all alarm. I have mentioned
it particularly because I think it possible it may
be misrepresented, and because groundless ap-
prehensions, from similar causes, may occur in
other towns, which cannot be too soon removed.
In addition to filth, want of wholesome food,
and drunkenness, there is no doubt that fear
very much predisposes to an attack of the cholera
as of many other diseases.
I am, Sir, your obedient servant,

A MEMBER OF THE NEWCASTLE
BOARD OF HEALTH.
Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Monday Night, Nov. 11, IS3I.

DOVER, Nov. 15.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SIR,-Only one day has passed since the incendiary fire
at the Elms Farm, and this neighbourhood has again wit-
nessed the midnight torch of devastation. About fou,
o'clock this morning a fire was seen from these hills to he
at some distance, towards the north, and continued
till some time after daylight. We are informed that the
Parsonage-house, at Eastry, near Sandwich, was the scene
of the davastation, and that several stacks of corn were
consumed. It is also reported that the neighbourhood of '
Eastry is in a very unquiet state. We hope the higher
orders will consider, before it is too late, that the lower
clas-es are indeed their brethren ; and that haughtiness
and contempt, which have too long been falsely considered,
as marks of superior importance, will give place to the
nobler feelings of kindness and compassion. Let the poor
be treated, at least, with that civility which is due from
one man to another; and let them be convinced, by every
mark of dutiful attention, that their distresses are not
disregarded by their wealthier neighbours, but that they
are really desirous to see them happy and comfortable.
aTrhs would induceeiuottheslavesthoeflowrveiokr orders, I m
wickedness
iand
vice,
thos
e who
ok up,
with proper respect, to the higher orders as their natural
friends and protectors ; and would raise a bulwark 01
strength against the disorders and divisions which now
threaten our distracted country with ruin and confusion.

PAST SIX O'CLOCK.

An express has just arrived fr"m Eastry for the military
who have left the garrison on coaches and other vehicles in
the utmost haste. Another fire, they say, is now raging,
and a mob is collecting near it. Other reports suy a num-
ber have been taken into custoly, and a rescue is appre-
hended, or further mischief.