The Sun.
London, England, 1847-03-22 00:00:00

THE MIDDLESEX HOSPITAL.

A special general Court of the governors of this hos-
pital was held on Saturday at the hospital, Charles-
street, Berners-street, to receive a report of the com-
mittee appointed to inquire into the government and
management of the hospital. Sir Robert H. Inglis took
the chair. A dispute arose as to whether the apothe-
cary and house-surgeon were entitled to be present at
the Court.
The CHAIRMAN read one of the rules of the hospital,
(sec. 12, chap. 1), which prohibits their attendance. and
which he (the chairman) said was absolute.
The apothecary accordingly withdrew, and Mr.
Rogers, who temporarily filled the office of house-
surgeon, as a volunteer, tendered his resignation of that
office, and remained in the room.
Af.;. HAWES read the report, which stated that the
committee, having collected ample evidence, had come
to the decision, that the order, discipline, and cleanliness
of the hospital by no means equalled those of other
metropolitan hospitals ; that the nurses were not
engaged with sufficient care ; that these facts
proved the constitution of the weekly board to
be defective ; that the respective offices of matron, se-
cretary, and house steward (the last two offices being held
by one person), had not been properly filled; and that
there was a want of cordial co-operation among the
officers. The committee begged, with reference to these
objections in the management, to suggest the following
alterations:-1. As regards the weekly board, that in lieu
thereof there be a new general board elected, to consist
of a president, vice president, and eighteen governors:
that a book be kept, wherein to enter remarks and sug-
gestions of improvement; that a sub-committer be ap-
pointed for visiting; that six lav governors go out of
office annually, by rotation, but that they be eligible for
re-election. 2. That the offices of house steward and
secretary be no longer vested in one person, but that sin
active and competent house steward be immediately ap-
pointed. 3. That the secretary no longer reside in the
house. 4. The committee suggested that the duties of
the matron require revision. 5. That the number ot
nurses are at present too few, the night nurses being
allowed only six hours out of the twenty four for rest.
6. That in future there be a weekly report as to the
management of the hospital. And lastly, 7. After
mature consideration, the comm;ttee think it ess, ntia,
to the welfare the hospital in general that Mr. Tuson,
one of the surgeons, should resign his appointment.
On the CHAIRMAN putting the question of the adep-
tion of and printing the report to the meeting, great
objection was off-red, on the plea of it being very unde-
sirable to adopt so important a report without toe must
careful consideration. _ _ _

An amendment was also proposed, to the effect, that
if the report were printed, it should be with the omission
of the seventh suggestion respecting Mr. Tuson ; it being
contended that it would be highly unjust to that gentle-
man to cast any imputation upon him, to attach itoy
stigma to his character, when they did not even know of
what he was accused.

Sir WALTER STIRLING did not see that in requesting
Mr. Tuson to resign in consequence of there being a
disagreement between him and the other medical officers,
they cast any stigma on his character, either personal or
official.

With reference to printing the report without
that part relating to Mr. Tuson, Mr. MALTON
did not think it competent in any meeting to adopt a
report, and then to print it only in part.
After much discussion, an amendment was carried,
resolving that four copies of the report and two copies of
the evidence should lie on the table for the inspection of
Governors until that day five weeks, until which time
the meeting was adjourned.

DESTRUCTION OF A COTTON MILL BY FIRE, AT
BACulr.—On Thursday morning, about three o'clock, a mill
at Bacup was destroyed by fire, under very peculiar circum-
stances. It was known as Lee Mill, and stood a short dis-
tance from the town ; it was occupied with looms by Mr.
Samuel Lee, manufacturer, with the exception of a room
which was let off to a small spinner. The machinery was
driven by water, and neither gas nor fire of any kind had
been used within the walls on Wednesday; yet, notwith-
standing this, it was discovered to be on fire at the early
hour on Thursday morning mentioned above; and, though
two fire-engines were on the spot promptly, their assistance
was unavailing, and the fire was not extinguished until the
building was completely gutted and in ruins. The origin of
the conflagration is involved in mystery, but will be nar-
rowly investigated. The owner of the building is fully in-
sured, and so is the spinner, but Mr. Smith is not insured;
and as his portion of the building contained fifty looms, and
other machinery, it is calculated his loss will not be less than
I,oooL—Manchester Courier.

AURORA BOREALIS. We had last night a most
splendid exhibition of this beautiful phenomenon in the
western heavens. It was observed about half-past seven,
and at times was unusually radient, describing an arch across
the sky from west to north. The light was of a singular and
milky whiteness, and rivalled in intensity that of the young
moon, which bad risen on the opposite side. From this arch
conical streaks of brilliance shot upwards at considerable dis-
tances from each other, enlightening the whole of the space
occupied by them. This arch gradually appeared to become
exhausted, and faded out !lowly; and then a mass of light
rose a little more to the south, which gradually spread over
a considerable space, and presented the appearance of a full
moon rising behind a cloud of medium density. After the
lapse of a minute this light gradually commenced a dis-
tinctly perceptible movement from west to south, the west
end appearing to wrap up as if on a roller, or like a scroll,
until arrived at the other end it ina.eased in brilliancy, ex-
patided, and died out. It is scarcely possible to describe the
beauty, c:earoees, and power or this portion of the pheno-
menon. The sky was clear, scarce a cloud intervening be-
tween us and the illimitable abyss beyond, but after the last-
named spectacle had passed away, dark clouds obscured the
moon, and gradually spread over the whole heavens, moving
and taking possession of the ground of a few stray streaks of
light which still continued to shoot from the horizon.—
Manchester Courier.
REPRESENTATION OF BEDFORDSHIRE.—UntiI within
the last few days it was not decided who should be put in
nomination as the success,tr of the late air. Astell in the re-
presentation of this county. Common rumour nominated
several robletnen and gentlemen as candidates, but in most of
the nominations the " wish was father to the thought," and
no one knew more this's his neighbour. At length several
gentlemen of the Conservative party had a formal meeting,
and they agreed to invite Mr. Pym. The high character
and ability of that gentlemen, together with his popularity
among the agriculturists, would seem to guarantee his suc-
cess; but Mr. Pym had objections, and therefore deelined to
respond to the requisition. About the same time some lead-
ing gentlemen of the Whig party decided upon requesting
our former representative, Lord Charles James Fox Russell, j
to allow himself to be put in nomination. It was well known
that his Lordship had expressed a strong disinclination to
take this prominent part in the politics of the country again ;
but, nevertheless, hopes were entertained by his friends that
he would be induced to waive his objections. Toe applica-
tion has been successful ; he has consented to be nominated,
and tiore is no doubt will be elected without opposition, as
we have received an authentic intimation to the etTect that
several gentlemen of the counts, after having held meetings
upon the subject, had determined to take no steps to propose
a Conservative candidate. It had been arranged by the
Whig party, that in the event of their request to Lord Charles
Russell being unsuccessful, they would invite Mr. Hastings
Russell, whose character, talents, and business habits render
him eminently qualified to take a high position in the coun-
cils of the country. The day of election is fixed for Tues-
day, the 30th instant.—Bedford Times.
The will of the late Mr. George Robins was exe-
cuted by him in March, 1844, and to which, at various pe-
riods in the years 1845 told 1846, be has added eight codicils.
the whole contained in fifty sheets of paper. He has left
his
family, bequests in small amounts to various members of
family, in sums of 500/., also annuities, amoamounting alto-
gether to 350/. per annum. To his executors, J ohn Squire,
his cousin Mr. Edmund Robins leaves
E:Jci., banker, Pall-mall, James Park, Esq., Lheincolnslnlono-
fields, and qthueestbuosfinle,(s)osof/o.r;
guineas each,
ch ieafn delteorkt,hewlhaottehrasa
cfounddhueertebde
and 3 toNh,eiasrs,
1001., as a token of esteem, and of whom he
speaksmany
-itt flattering terms. Directs his executors to invest
0 000/. and pay the interest to his wife, as well as an im-
mediate bequest to her of 2,000/., and 2,000/. to each of his
daughters. His estates, freehold, copyhold, and leasehold,
are to be applied for the general purposes of the will, the
trustees only to dispose thereof at such time as in their
judgment shall appear for the benefit of his children, to
whom he leaves the residuary trust moneys, but under the
directions and appointment of his widow, to be vested in
sons at twenty-one, and for daughters at that. age or marriage.
His library and pictures, and all the marble, statuary, and
bronze, and the mirrors, with certain pla:e, he leaves to his
wife and as she may appoint. The family porti7.its and
paintings, and the silver cup presented to him by Sir Gilbert
Heathcote, Bart., to trustees for the life of his widow, and
afterwards to the eldest son then living. To his eldest soa,
he bad left boys-
Nh:nias will his
(itii
George, eo,fusoawleitai
nhdisbouti minority,caia catalogues, in anticipation that be
would have continued the business, and surpassed him in
energy end tact ; but having abandoned the intention of
tollowing his tether's prolesion. he leaves such ;nooks and
catalogues to his widow, to be preserved by her for such one
of his sons who may be so engaged in the callitip of an
auctioneer. He is dEsir.-.us that two of his son: erL.ll tie
educated for the Established Church, and has em e.wor 1
the trustees to purchase out of their share of hi: estates
advowsons for them, of not less annual ifnc:uet7:l.:l:o::
or more than 800/. The deceased's personal e t "liassoouti,.
haven ,aelersedgyrtetot ttieuedl
e,
awrans
tl.at tits probate
wich ha
to Psrie,
eorfi
dtiagee,alarm a
been called suddenly away
in-
vited the Lord Chief Baron and Mr. Justice Lordshipoeutn
log illness of the Dowager Countess.
had
party of the county magistiates,.to au entertainment a Ilin-
chinbrooks pn Weoclfiteasdera• evelung: but the later accounts
from Paris being
the character
his departure,d9ateida,eafont at au early to lead to apprehension f;a.
the Countess's safetyLhoorudr soynaso Wednesdayblige(l to hasten
iug.—Canibri