The Sun.
London, England, 1831-12-01 00:00:00

CHOLERA 1110R13US.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SlR,—The general belief in this town is that
the Mayor of Newcastle was premature in
writing as he did to the Privy Council on Sun-
day last, that a case of spasmodic cholera had
occurred in Newcastle. It is not for a moment
to be denied or concealed that a case had made

its appearance on Saturday,' the 26th of No-
vember, as stated in my letter of yesterday, of a
description. I may add, indeed, that
suspicious
the Mayor received a letter from Dr. i\l"\Vhirter,
a physician in this town, announcing it to be a
case of spasmodic cholera. Still there are many
other physicians in Newcastle, and several sur-
geons, quite as competent to give an opinion on
the subject as Dr. M' Whirter ; why were they not
consulted, before so important a step was taken ?
Some of the symptoms of the deceased Robert
Jordan during life, and the appearances pre-
sented in the examination after death, no doubt
resembled those of spasmodic cholera, but there
were other symptoms and appearances which
differed from it. I am quite aware that some
professional gentlemen say that it may still be a
case of spasmodic cholera, as all the symptoms
do not occur in every case, but some in one and
some in another. Suffer me to remark, Sir,
that to say of a case which presents any one or

two symptoms of this disease, while several
others are wanting, that it is a case of Asiatic
or malignant cholera, is calculated to lead to
error and deception. Cramps or spasms there no
doubt were in this case of Jordan, but cramps
or spasms he had often had before. This

is attested by all his family. His wife, or
rather widow, who it must be admitted is weak
in her intellect, declares that her husband was
so afflicted with cramps the first night they were
married, upwards of thirty years ago, that he
was obliged to get out of bed. By this time
the whole of the circumstances of the case are
before the Central Board of Health in London,
for their decision, as to the character of the

complaint. There is, I freely acknowledge,
ground for suspicion, so that the Collector of the
Customs of this port can no longer say, " there
is not the slightest suspicion of cholera," in the
certificates he has been for some time giving to
masters of coasting vessels on their clearing.
But in conclusion, allow me to observe, that if
this be a case of Asiatic or spasmodic cholera,
it comes with different accompaniments than it
is known -to appear with in other places. It
made its appearance at one o'clock, P.m. on
Saturday, Nov. 26 : it is now eight o'clock, P.M.
on Tuesday, the 29th November, and no other
similar, or in any degree suspicious, case has oc-
curred. The Government therefore should
pause before it deranges the trade of this great
commercial town toy subjecting its ships to
quarantine restrictions. They have given up
sending us the official reports from Sunderland.
This we owe to Dr. Barry,
I am, Sir, yours truly,
A MEMBER OF THE NEWCASTLE
BOARD OF HALTH.
Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Nov. 29.

EDINBURGH, Nov. 28.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUE.

SIR,-The meeting of Anti-Reformers which was held
Here this day will, no doubt, be trumpeted forth by the
party as the most complete proof that a re-action has taken
place in this city. This may have the effect of imposing
upon persons residing at a distance ; but to the inhabi-
tants of Edinburgh, who witnessed the whole proceedings,
such observations will only furnish matter for ridicule.
The meeting, although more numerously attended, was of
precisely the same exclusive character as that held in the
Hopetoun-rooms, upon the requisition of the same party,
about nine mouths ago. The meeting being called a public
one, to express inter alia attachment to the King and
Constitution, the inhabitants of all opinions were under-
stood to be invited to join in this expression of loyalty and
patriotism ; but the Antis becoming alarmed that they
might be outshone in these declarations, took precautionary
measures to secure to themselves the undivided honour
of such avowal. A great part of the requisitionists con-
sisted of bankers, and the attorneys of old Tory land-
owners, and having numerous detachments of clerks, de-
termined that there should be no risk of the orators
spouting to empty benches. A circular was sent round
to all the requisitionists, calling upon them to appear at
eleven or twelve o'clock, at the private door of the as-
sembly-room, and to bring their friends along with them.
So well was this call attended to, that a ei-devant
Bailie took the field with a tail of a round dozen of
friends. Besides this mode of keeping the assembly select,
the Antis published a placard in the morning, intimating
that it had reached their ears that some of the Reforming
party were to be so ill-mannered as to attempt to improve
upon the resolutions by moving amendments, but that
these amending gentlemen being known to them, they had
given orders that they should be refused admittance to the
sanctum of the Antis. _

-----
The greater part of the inhabitants were unaware of
this conservative measure, and a number presented them-
selves at the doors at the hour, and when the
doors were opened, it was announced by those in autho-
rity, that the room was already filled. It was after-
wards ascertained that the requisitionists and their friends,
to the number of eight hundred, had been admitted by the
back door, previous to the ceremony of opening the front
door. In order to allay the anger and disappointment of
the multitude assembled outside, Mr. Aytoun, Advocate,
addressed them, recommending order ; and he mentioned
that but for the paltry exclusive arrangements of the An-
ti-Reformers, he meant to have submitted a series of re-
solutions, which he then read, and which were carried
unanimously with great acclamation. Three cheers were
then given for the King, and three groans for the Anti-
Reformers ; and in five minutes afterwards not a dozen
of the whole five thousand people assembled in the street
were to be seen in the neighbourhood of the assembly-rooms.

The Duke and Duchess of NORTHUMBER-
LAND, with some visiters of rank, are participating in the
splendid hospitalities of Alnwick Castle, where his Grace
intends to remain until the new year. The Duchess, on
her return from the North, will resume her attendance on
her illustrious charge, the Princess VICTORIA. The
studies of the Heiress Presumptive are at present directed
by the Dean of Chester (Dr. D.tvvs), who has resumed
his avocations at Kensington and Claremont since ber
Royal Highness has returned from the Isle of Wight.

WILD SWANS.—Seveval of these majestic
birds were seen hovering about the neighbourhood of
Kelso-bridge during Tuesday and Wednesday. They were
seen three or four together, and from their great weight
and size, alternately floating about in the air and o❑ the
river, had a very imposing appearance. From the ♦isit
of these strangers we may probably anticipate accounts of
an early and severe winter in the North.—Kelso Mail.

DORSETSIIIRE ELECTION.—The petition
to set aside Lord ASHLEY'S return will be presented on the
first day of the ensuing session of Parliament. There is
every
prospect of Mr. PONSONBY'S success. The sub-
scription is proceeding with spirit. Liberal donations bare
been forwarded from various towns, and an anonymous
Reformer, of political eminence, but not in the adminis-
tration, has testified his zeal for the cause by a gift of 5001.
The Emperor NICHOLAS has ordered that a
granite column, in imitation of the celebrated Trajan
column, 84 feet high, and 12 in diameter, should be
erected in the square of the Winter Palace, in memory of
his brother ALEXANDER ; it has been cut from a granite
rock in Finland, and 600 workmen have been employed
in cutting it during two years; its weight is estimated at
about 9,676,000 lbs.—Paris in London.