The Sun.
London, England, 1847-04-29 00:00:00

MIDDLESEX HOSPITAL.

Yesterday a special meeting (adjourned from the Wed-
nesday previous) of the governors of this hospital as-
sembled in their board-room, at twelve o'clock, to take
into consideration the remaining resolutions in the report
of the committee.

Sir R. INous was voted to the chair, and having read
the minutes of the last meeting,
The Hon. Captain MAUDE brought forward the reso-
lutions referring to the division of the duties of house-
steward and secretary.
At this stage of the proceedings his Royal Highness
the Duke of CAMBRIDGE (who is a governer of this
hospital) entered the room, and seated himself on the
chairman's right, amidst loud cheers. His Royal High-
ness stated that in consequence of a letter received by
him, complaining of the conduct of one of the hospital
surgeons, he had gone over the hospital, every part of
which he had inspected. He had also read the evidence
taken before the committee, and thought the governors
were indebted to those gentlemen for their exertions.
He had attended many hospitals, and presided over
some, and considered the internal arrangements of this
hospital were inferior to most of them. Such was the
inevitable result of the open board, which he rejoiced to
hear was to be changed for a close one. His Royal
Highness repeated his firm conviction that the committee
deserved the highest credit for what they had done, and
he should most strongly support all the resolutions in
their report. Be had come down there to state his views
thus frankly. lie had no feeling of partiality or bias, and
was solely influenced by a regard fur the interests of the
hospital. His Royal Highness shortly afterwards retired
amidst continued cheering.
A brief discussion ensued on the following resolutions,
all the speakors assenting in their propriety. It was
mentioned that in 1826 the number of patients was
5,972, and in 1846, 12,495 ; the secretary, therefore,
though enabled in 1826 to combine the office fif house
steward with that of secretary, would clearly, under so
large an increase of patients, find it impossible to do so
efficiently.
.

The resolutions, which are as follow, were put and
carried without opposition :
" That it is indispensable that the office of house
steward and secretary should be divided, and that for the
vigilant and punctual administration of the business of
the hospital, for the maintenance of order throughout
the establishment, for the perfect superintendence of all
the persons employed, and of the effects of the hospital,
and to ensure the greatest economy of labour and ex-
penditure, an active and intelligent house steward should
be immediately appointed; to reside in the house, and
who will devote himself early and late to the general
good government of the hospital.
" That the secretary to the hospital should no longer
reside in the house ; and that his duties for the future
be confined to the business originating with the board,
to the proper keeping of the accounts, and to the anni-
versary and other duties incidental to the office of
secretary.

" That the duties of the matron require revision,
with such modifications as the appointment of an effi-
cient house steward may render necessary, and espe-
cially with reference to the engagement and dismissal
of nurses, and to the existing regulations for their
hours of attendance, so that they may be able to dis-
charge their arduous duties with greater comfort to
themselves, and to devote more care and attention to the
patients.
" That the regulations affecting the nurses require
careful reconsideration. The number at present em-
ployed appear to your committee too few, only six hours
out of the 24 hours being allowed to the night nurses
for rest and recreation. The remuneration and the mode
in which it is given are also susceptible of much improve-
went; and it is deserving consideration, whether the sys-
tem of nursing sisters successfully adopted in many of
•the largest hospitals, should not be introduced into this
establishment.

" Tbat the medical committee shall for the future meet
weekly, and report in writing to the board their opinion
as to the general efficiency of the management of the
hospital, with any suggestions for improvements or alte-
rations calculated to increase the efficiency of the treat-
ment of the patients."

The Hon. Captain MAUDE said that he now came to
the most painful part of their task, but the committee
had been driven to this course by the evidence brought
before them, though they had hoped to have been spared
this duty :by Mr. Tuson's voluntary resignation. Mr.
Tuson had declined adopting any such course, and thus
the committee had no alternative after the evidence ad-
duced, and which the governors had doubtless read, but
to propose the following resolution :—" And lastly, your
committee have the painful duty to report that, after
mature and anxious consideration of the subject, it is in
their opinion essential to the welfare of the patients in
the hospital, to that harmonious action amongst the
medical officers, by which alone their duties can be most
efficiently discharged, and, to the restoration of the
school of medicine and surgery attached to the hospital,
that Mr. Tuson, one of the surgeons, should resign his
appointment."
The meeting were for nearly five hours engaged in
discussing this resolution, which was ultimately put by
the chair, and carried by a majority of 18, there being
for it 51, against it 33.
Thanks having been voted to the chairman, the meet-
ing adjourned.

SHAKSPERE'S HOUSE.
STRATFORD-UPON-AVON, APRIL 24.
The annual festivities in celebration of the birthday of
the
Bard of Avon took place in this his native town to-
day. Although many parties came from a distance
there were, perhaps, fewer present than on some former
occasions. There was also little public demonstration. I
Save a peal of bells from the tower above the poet's last
resting place, and a banner floating above the Shakspere.
hall, everything was quiet, peaceful, and unpretending.
The meeting of the members of the Shaksperian Club
was held in the morning, at which the question of pur-
chasing the old house in which Shakspere was born was
brought under discussion. The venerable and tottering
edifice, by the terms of the will of the late possessor, was
to be sold at the death of his wife. That lady expired
in October or November last, and consequently the pos-
sibility is, that unless some party interested in the pre-
servation of this relic—a relic, by the bye, of some little
pecuniary interest to some of the trading inhabitants of
Stratford—it will fall into the hands of those who .
unscrupulously appropriate its site to more profitable
building speculations.
In the circumstances in which they were Placed, thet
committee of the shakeperieu Club deemed is willow°