The Sun.
London, England, 1848-11-18 00:00:00

s-ATITRDAY EVE.KING-, NOVEMBER 10, 1848.

from it that science which, strictly speaking, is not iden
tical, but yet is seldom separated from it in study—l
main that in which Cuvier attained such mastery and
skill, the study of the remains of extinct races of ini
orals and the reconstruction of their scattered bones, so as
to afford by analogy no small probability as to theirs riginal
structure, their size, and even their habits of life. Surely
this, again, is a great triumph of the human mind.—
(Cheers.) Surely, then, even in its elements, even in its
first stages, this science is well worthy your hours of
leisure.—(Cheers.) I remember being especially struck
with one of the discoveries of Cuvier relating to one of
those animals which, as far as we know, human eye had
never seen; anal of which, in this instance, so far as we
know, no vestige of its substance, no fragments of its
bones, nor one shred of its skin, remains. Well, then, if
this animal had never been seen or recorded in the annals
of man, if no fragment of its substance remains, just
ask yourselves, for a moment, how was it possible to
acquire any knowledge respecting it ? Does not this at
first sight appear an almost impossible task ? Yet the
difficulty was overcome by Cuvier. And bow ? By the
footsteps which the animal in its lifetime had imprinted
on the sea shore. Those foot prints had become petrified
in the course of years, and from the examination of them
Cuvier has been able to deduce, from the interval be-
tween the footsteps, a calculation as to the size of the
animal, and, from their configuration, a calculation as to
the order to which it belonged by comparison with oth, r
animals, and thus, with no other vestige remaining than
these petrified footsteps on the shore, he has been able to
construct, not as a vague theory or guess unsupported by
experience, but as the result of analytical and analogical
reasonirg, a most probable system as to the size, struc-
ture, nay, even the habits of this animal.—(Loud cheers.)
Am I, then, wrong in saying that the science which pre-
sents such results, which even when imperfectly studied
seems so surprising, is one that may be well
recommended to you, and in which you cannot fail
to find abundant sources of delight ?—(Loud cheers.)
From the study of science turn, for a moment, to the
study of literature. I think I may say that literature
also will afford for your hours of leisure objects well
worthy of attentive pursuit. For instance, in the field
of historical literature how many subjects of interest
present themselves to you. Perhaps in the whole range
of historical literature there is none more fraught with
interest and full of instruction, in every way more
worthy your attention, than the study of that city whence
the name of your institution is derived—the study of the
history of Athens.—(Cheers.) It has been the lot of
few amongst us to be able to explore for themselves the
remains of that renowned city ; yet who is there that
has cared or thought for literature who has neglected to
explore its story ? Who is there that has not sought to
familiarize his mind with its scenes—to trace the remains
of that majestic temple which crowns the Acropolis, and
which even in its present state, despoiled as it has been
by man, scathed as it has been by time, is yet
perhaps superior to any other structure in the
zenith of its splendour and fresh from the
sculptor's hands ? Who is there that does not
love to trace in description, and to see as it were
with his mind's eye, the prospect which presents itself
from the citadel and temple of ancient Athens—those
marb'es columns still standing around the sunny heights
of Hymettus, that plain divided by a scanty stream, and
grey with its scattered groves of olives, and beyond in
the distance the azure expanse of the .egean Sea?—
(Cheers.) You will remember how the scene from that
spot has been described by a great poet of the present
day:—
" As thus within the walls of Pallas' fane
I marked the wonders of the land and main,
Alone and friendless on the magic shore,
Whose arts and arms but live in poet's lore,
Oft as the matchless dome I tried to scan,
Sacred to gods, but not secure from man,
The past return'd the present seem'd to cease,
And glory knew no clime beyond her Greece."
—(Cheers.) And then you will remember that in an-
other passage on the same subject Lord Byron adds:—
" Who that beheld that sun upon thee set,
Fair Athens, could thy evening face forget ;
Not he whose heart nor time nor distance frees,
Spell-bound within the clustering Cyclades."

(Cheers.) It is natural that this scene-should beco-riie 1
familiar to the minds of all of us, for it has been the
birthplace of some of the noblest writings, of the noblest
works of art, of the noblest speculations in philosophy
the world has yet seen.—(Cheers.) In branches of
science and many other departments of human know-
ledge we have outrun the early Athenians, hut in some
we have never yet been able to surpass or even rival
that great people, who, like its own emblem of Minerva,
sprang full-grown and full-armed into life—(Cheers)—
and at an early period of its history produced works
which even the ripest maturity of genius and civilization
has never yet been able to exceed.—(Cheers.) Great as
are the strides we have made in other points, the world
has yet to seek a sculptor greater than Phidias, an ora-
tor greater than Demosthenes. a philosopher greater
than Plato.—(Cheers.) And allow me te remind you
that in one respect the study of Athenian history, which
many modern popular works render delightful and easy
of attainment, comes, I think, peculiarly home to you.
In ancient Athens the study of the arts and the ac-
quirements of literature were united with and made to
flourish by the pursuits of commerce—(loud cheers)—
for, while those great speculations in philosophy were
being pursued in the groves of the academy—while
, Phidias was raising the master pieces of his art, at that
very time ships from every clime then known were
crowding the wealthy port of the Piraeus.—(Cheers.)
Thus it was that amongst that people the pursuits of
commerce were' not only joined with, but formed the
, foundation of a superstructure of art and literature,
which continues to excite our admiration still. Surely
this is no uninteresting study to pursue; surely this is
no unworthy model to follow.—(Cheers.) You will, I
sim sure, continne to remember what we are taught by
the history of Athens, that the wealth which has been
honourably gained in the := pursuits of industry
can, in few ways, be more gradefully and
liberally dispensed than by enriching our native city with
works of art, and our native tongue with contributions
of literature or science.— (Loud cheers.) In this
respect allow me' to repeat my opinion, that Athens is a
model which may be held out with advantage to all, and
which everyone may at least study with the greatest in-
terest and pleasure. There are few, I imagine, who
would doubt that studies of this kind, when tully pur-
sued, must be a great source of improvement and of
pleasure; but I should wish to convince you of a fact, not
less certain though less commonly acknowledged, that
an acquaintance with the scenes of history may advan-
tageously mingle with many details of our common life,
may lend fresh zest to every pleasure, and enable those
who posse ss it to have enjoyments which others cannot
know. Lot me take the trivial occurrence of a summer's
holyday; let me suppose the time when many among
you, released for a time from your active occupations,
are able to enjoy a few days' excursion, and let
us see whether this same knowledge of history may
not add greatly to the pleasures you may derive
from it. I will suppose that the traveller whom lam
representing might pass rapidly, with all the speed
which railways now supply, through the fens of Lanca-
shire, already familiar to him, and stopped short when
he strived at Penrith or Carlisle. I suppose that thence
he might be anxious during his leisure to explore the
talus of Cumberland on the one side, or to range be-
yond the Cheviots ou the other. If he turn to the left
and e end his way to the lakes of Cumberland, when he
ascends the last hill above the lake of Derwentwater,
and sees the fair prospect opened before him, he will r a
the summit of the hill find himself in the circle. A
Druidical stones. To one who has not attained a
knowledge of the detail respecting the Druids-
-
t tesar and Tacitua recorded them, and many writers
have rendered familiar in modern times—to one who
felt no curiosity in such details, what would the circle
of these stones be ? lie would see nothing but a num-
ber of moss-grown fragments of rock, to be
dismissed from
his
such misndc without a thought. But
what pleasure would a contemplation afford
to him who had imbued his mind, in some
measure, with the strange traditionasnefehlaotive
muchto the
rude faith of our forefathers ?
in-
terest would he feel among those very
atones by calling
to mind some traces of their bloody rites or fantastic
superstition I —(Cheers.) Can you doubt for a moment
which traveller of the two would enjoy the greater plea-
sure?—(Cheers.) Or if, on the other hand, instead of
turning to the left, he on the right travelled along the
foot of the Cheviots, he would at nearly every step en-
counter remains of the majestic Roman wall, which, to
one ignorant of, or indifferent to, the history of Rome,
would seem so many tufts of matted ivy or blocks of
cemented brick. But he who knew something already,
and who wished to know more, of the traces of that
wonderful people, who fortified an island as we would a
town, and constructed works so remarkable in character
and magnificence, would derive fresh delight from every
vestige of antiquity, enhancing the natural beauties
around, and lending
an enchantment to the distant view,
vic
heer s . ) I
which he that was destituteof the previous
oiis
re
informa-
tion would be compelled to forego.—(Loud
should be anxious if I wereabls to impress on you
that literature is not a mere holyday_ thing, to be as-
sumed on some special occasion, but that it may mix
and blend itself with the affairs of every-day life, with
our hours of pleasure, with our days of excursion, not
only without diminishing pleasure, but with a consider-
able increase and enhancement of it. Believe me, the
pleasures of reading deserve most careful cultivation.
See, as to other pursuits, pleasures, and objects of at-
tainment, how much depends on circumstances within
the power of those around us, on the flourishing or de-
pressed state of an interest or profession, on connexions,
on friends, on the prevalence of one party or nnother in
the State. In the pleasures of reading, on the
other
hand, how much is at all times within your own reach—
how little you depend on any one but yourselves.
While saying this, I do not mean, of course, to forget
for a moment our entire dependence on that Almighty
Being, Who may, if he so will, strike with blindness
the studious eye, or afflict with incapacity the inquiring
and discerning mind. But, subject to that Almighty
Power, to which under all circumstances and at all
times we are subject, see bow little the man whocan
rely on the pleasures of reading is dependent on the ca-
price or will of his fellow man ; see how much there is
within his own power and control—howrea
thed reading,
fortuitous if
hi
rb et t e r
circumstances have not been thwarted by
events to which I have referred, either
assistsoere t o
oblivion
his condition, or, failing in that, to procure
from it when communing with the great and
good of other days. Surely, then, all those who feel—
and who does not ?--the varieties and vicissitudes of
human life, ought, on that very account, if he be wise,
to cultivate in himself, and also to promote in others, an
enlightened taste for reading.—(Cheers.) Of the
plea-
sures of reading I will say this—there is no one so
high who is enabled to dispense with them, and there
is no one so humble who should be compelled to forego
them.—(Cheers.) Rely on it, that in the highest
fortune and in the highest station hours of lassitude
1 and weariness will intrude unless they be cheered
by intellectual occupation. Rely
on it, also, that there
• is no doom so toilsome, so devoted to the cares of
this world and to the necessity of providing daily bread,
i

.• • -

• but will afford intervals, if you will only seek them out,
in which pleasures may be cultivated end oblivion of
your other cares enjoyed.—(Cheers.) Depend upon it.
these are pleasurs s which ho who condemns will find
himself a miserable loser in the end. It is with views
like these that you have founded the present institution
to encourage and promote as far as possible a taste for
in.electual pleasures. On that ground it deserves and,
lam sure, will rsceive support. I am convinced that,
conducted as I trust it always will continue to be, with
skill and judgment, the principle of this institution is
so sound that it must prevail. You cannot, indeed, ex-
pect that ,an institution of this kind should be
equally flourishing at alt periods of the fluctuating
transactions of business from year to year; but, of an
institution on the principle I have described, and under
the management which I anticipate to continue,
I will venture to predict that it will , keep its
ground amidst your difficulties, whilst on the other
hand it will grow with your growth and prosper with
your prosperity.—(Cheers.) I believe that this insti-
tution contains within it a sure principle of vitality, be-
c•-use I believe it contains within it the principle of use-
tulness.—(Loud cheers.) Sow the good seed, and rely
on it that your harvest, whether retarded by a parsing
cloud, or quickened by a genial sun—whether late or
early—your harvest will be plentiful, and your reward
secure. (The Noble Viscount resumed his seat amidst
loud and prolonged cheering.)
Mr. T. M. Ganser; next addressed the meeting on the
social and moral advantages of education. The ten.
dency of the age was to give the people at large more
and more influence over public affairs, and it became
proportionately more important, by the general diffusion
of knowledge, by the development of intellect and moral
training, to fit them for the exercise of those powers
which undoubtedly they would sooner or later possess.
In order to raise the morals and improve the taste of the
community, every man who desired the permanent wel-
fare of his country should promote that and other kin-
dred institutions.—(Cheers.)
Mr. J. D. MonELL afterwards spoke at some length.
Mr. J. BELL (author of the "Life of Canning " and
other works) made an eloquent speech, which was much
applauded._

Mr. G. GODWIN, who followed, referred to the pro-
gress of art in this cuuntry,and the advantages derivable
from associations for its development, by placing works
in the hands of the many which were formerly confined
to the few and opulent.
Mr. BRIGHT delivered a long and earnest speech, de-
ploring the inadequate consciousness under which they
all laboured of the value of time, and dwelling on the ad -
vantages which such institutions as the Athenaeum
offered so widely to the people. They were more occu-
pied with amusement and frivolity than with the hard
study and laborious exertion necessary to enable them
to participaie -Tully in the advantages presented to
them. He did not undervalue what,._ was called
light reading or magazine literature, ranch less
would he discourage the reading of newspapers, which
gave us, in fact, the history of our own times—and no
man could know where he stood in the world unless he
looked frequently into the newspapers of the day—but
from the age of 15 to 25 young men :should chiefly de.
vote themselves to the careful study of good books in
history and biography. which they ought to select with
as much caution as they would their associates. He
did not think the middle class young men of Yorkshire
and Lancashire were educated as they should be, and he
urged, as on former occasions, the propriety of opening
a university for the benefit of the sons of commercial men.
Mr. M. PHILIPS, in a highly eulogistic speech, moved
a vote of thanks to Lord Mahon.

It was seconded by Mr. CROSSLEY, who adverted to
the historical renown of the name their noble chair-
man bore, and the personal distinction he had acquired
in the field of letters.

Mr. BROTILERTON, in supporting the motion, referred
to the invention of the Stanhope press by Lord Mahon'a
grandfather, and the ♦aluable assistance he had lent,
towards the close of last century, in overcoming the en-
gineering difficulties of the Bridgewater Canal.
The proposition, put to the meeting by the MAYOR,
who for that purpose assumed the chair, was carried
with acclamation; for which
Lord MAHON briefly returned thanks.
Three cheers were then given fur " Lady Mahon and
the Ladies."

Shortly after which dancing commenced, and was
continued till .a late hour.

Week
ending

NAME OF RAILWAY.

Aberdeen .... • ..

Amiens and Boulogne ..............
Belfast and I3allymena •• • • • • •• •• •• ••
Birkenhead, Lancashire, and Cheshire
Ca1ed0nian............. .. •••••• • • • •

Chester and Holyhead. • • .. ...... • • ..
Cockerrnouth and Workington.... • • • .
Dublin and Drogheda • • •• • • ••••• • • • •

Dublin and Kingstown • • ....
Dundee, Perth, and Aberdeen • • ......
East Anglian.— • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Edinburgh and Glasgow.... ........
Edinbnrgh and Northern • • ..........
Eastern Counties and North Eastern..
East Lancashire ..
Eastern Uni0n..................

Glasgow, Kilmarnock, and Ayr • • • • • .
Glasgow and Greeneck ......... ....

Great Southern and Western •• •• •• ••
Great Western,&e•• ••

Kendal and Windermere • • .... . • •
Lancashire and Yorkshire.. ..... • • • ..
Lancaster and Carlisle • • • • • • . • . . •
Liverpool, Crosby, and Sontbport• • ..
Londonderry and • nniskifien
London and North Western, &c.
London and Blackwali— ............
London and Brighton .•• • •• •• ••
London and South Western..•......
Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire
3f aryport and Carlisle ..............
Midland, Bristol, and Birmingham....
Midland Great Western (Irish)
Monklands - • .... •

Newcastle and Car1i51e...........

North British ..........

Paris and Rouen . •• •• ......

Rouen and Havre .......

Scottish Central ..........

Shrewsbury and Chester ............
South Eastern and Branches ........
South Devon ........ . ..............

Taff Vale ..........

Ulster . • • • • •• • •

Waterford and Limerick............
Whitehaven Junction ..............
Wishaw and C01tne55..............

York and Newcastle . ............
York and North Midland ......

Last
week.

382
1,608

669
4,670
1,339
102
729
701

739
3,466
1,802
13,895
1,586
1,360
2,448

964
3,232
18,168

163
10,254
2,110

128
37,450

693
8,242
8,837
2,711

20,822
1,235
876

2,562

1,02 7
1,265
8,052
1,213
2,069
820
301
185

4 q 5 ,4
',,`, 1 t-,-,
E °.!
Q a

992

3,757

725
12,470

938
1,092
2,611
1,024
1,767
16,986

127
8,937
1,d,3

112
3.5,395

7h2
7,770
7,19 A
2,114

19.233
1,004

2,289

552
8,470
713
1,833
772

188

13,709
7,094

11,056
7,178

OXFORD, WORCESTER, AND WOLVERHAMPTON
RAILWAY COMPANY. - Circumstances have recently
occurred which strongly confirm a previously existing
suspicion that it is the intention of the Great Western
directors (when circumstances favour the " move ") to
get rid, if they can, of their obligations in respect of the
Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton lease.—Bailway
Record.

DREADFUL ACCIDENT ON THE RICHMOND RAlL-
WAY.—Yesterday morning as 6.40 A.I. goods train from
Nine Elms was nearing the Barnes station, on the Rich-
mond line, the engine driver perceived what he at first
conceived to be a stuffed figure to represent a man lean.
ing against the wooden fencing of the line. Upon
going to the spot it was found to be a human being,
surrounded by a pool of blood, and not only dead but
partly frozen. The blood was easily traced in a direct
line to the up rail, where it was evident the accident
had happened ; but that the unfortunate victim should,
after its occurrence, have crawled to the spot upon which
he was found would have been considered impossible
were it not that the grass and weeds which he had con-
vulsively grasped and torn up in his progress proved the
fact. The deceased, who was a man of upwards of fifty
years of age, had had his left foot all but severed—
a tendon only united it to the leg. Extraordinary as
it may appear, it is supposed that the deceased, who had.
his open pocket knife firmly grasped in his right hand,
and had cut away his leather gaiter, intended the entire
severance of the limb, when he must have sunk from
exhaustion, and died from loss of blood. He was sub-
sequently ascertained to be John Sharp, a hawker of
crockeryware, and living in the Hammersmith-bridge-
road. He left Richmond by the seven o'clock up-train
on the previous evening, and should have got out at the
Barnes station. He had probably, however, fallen asleep,
and waking up after the train had got in motion, rashly
alighted. The carriage had probably no other passenger
save the deceased, as no person had made any statement
of a person leaving the train in such a manner. It being
the last train at night, the deceased was not discovered
till the passing of the goods train to Datchet on the fol-
lowing morning. The body was removed to the nearest
public-house to await an inquest.
THE NOTTINGHAMSHIRE MONUMENT TO LORD
GEORGE BENTINCK.—The subscriptions already received
for the purpose of erecting a monument to perpetuate
the memory of the Noble Lord amount to upwards of
1,0001.
ESCAPE OF GAS.—On Thursday an accident of a
singular character occurred at the corner of the York-
road, in the Waterloo-road. Two men were engaged
making some alterations in the gas-pipes in the road,
and during their operations fractured the main service
pipe: in an instant the gas rushed oat in such a body
that the men were thrown down, the noxious vapour
entering their stomachs and depriving them of their
senses. In this condition they lay until the smell of the
escaping gas drewthe attention of the passers-by to the
spot, when the men were pulled out, both of them ap-
pearing dead, and removed to the York Hotel, where
every attention was paid to them. Several medical
gentlemen promptly attended, and owing to their unre-
mitting exertions one of the men rallied sufficiently as
to be able to walk home, but the other was obliged to be
removed on a stretcher to the hospital.
CAUTION TO QUACKS.—Matthew Symes, baker and
beer-housekeeper, of Burstock, Dorset, has just been
committed to Dorchester gaol to await his trial at the
assizes for the offence of manslaughter. Symes had
inoculated two of the children of John lloare, a dairyman,
though repeatedly admonished that he was acting ille-
gally in inoculating children, which he appears to have
been in the habit of doing. Both the children died, and
it was proved on the inquest by a medical man that they
bad died from smallpox, received through inoculation
and not naturally. The coroner, Mr. Cory, called the
attention of the jury to the 3d and 4th Victoria, cap. 29,
which makes inoculation illegal, and a jury of eighteen
respectable persons returned a verdict of "Manslaughter"
against Symes.
RECKLESS Daivixo.—Yesterday an inquest was
held at St. Thomas's Hospital, on the body of Thomas
Dulling, aged 84, who died from the injuries he sus-
tained from being knocked down upon London-bridge,
and run over by a cab, the driver of which made his
escape. The inquiry was adjourned, in order to afford
time to the police to discover, if possible, the culprit,

CITY OF LONDON-SEWERS.

The report of Messrs. Walker, Cuhitt, and Brunel,
civil engineers, cn the state of the city sewers, has
just been published. The report has been drawn up
at the request of the City authorities and is addressed
to the City Remembrancer. Their instructions, it
appears, were to survey and report " upon the state
of the sewers of the City of London and the liberties
thereof; upon the improvements from time to time
made therein, to what extent the drainage is
effectual, and the parts in which sewers are now
required to be made." As their instructions stated
that the persons employed by them in their personal
survey and examination of the sewers were not to be
in the service or employment of the City Commis-
sioners, they applied to and engaged for this purpose
Messrs. Munday, the extensive contractors for sewers
in London and other cities, including Hamburgh ;
also Messrs. Smith and Scott, engineers and sur-
veyors, who are well acquainted with under-ground
surveying. Messrs. Munday and Scott personally
examined nearly the whole of the principal sewers
and the collateral lines, and their report is printed as
an appendix to the general report.
With reference to the general state of the drainage
of the City, Mr. Walker and his colleagues find that
it presents numerous exceptions from a perfect and
connected system, in 'which the size and inclination of
the various sewers bear a due proportion to the dis-
trict drained by them. At the same time, they do not
believe that we could ever have arrived at the present
state of perfection, or at our present state of know-
ledge of what is desirable, otherwise than by the pro-
gressive system, which is unavoidably attended with
some defects ; and it is, they believe, universally
agreed that, with all its imperfections, London is still
at this moment the best artificially drained city in
the world.

They state that the application of system to the
sewerage of the principal portion of London may be
dated from the great fire in 1666 ; that before that
period all drainage appears to have been superficial
and fortuitous; that the first common sewer was built
in Ludgate by the Dean and Chapter of St. Paul's
(Sir Christopher Wren being probably the adviser),
and the Fleet-street sewer in 1668, only two years
after the fire.

On the subject of the extent of the existing sewer-
age the report states--
"There are, if the whole length up to the houses
be taken, about 50 miles of streets, alleys, and courts,
within the city of London ; but, as the public sewers
need not go to the extremities of the courts or streets,
the total length for sewerage may be taken at 47i
miles ; and there are, in fact, 44 miles of sewers, so
that only 3f miles, and this chiefly of court and alley,
remain unprovided with sewerage. If we suppose the
44 miles of sewers now in existence to be applied in
parallel equidistant lines across the city, the distance
between the sewers would only be 40 yards, so that,
with the private drains and gravelly bottom, the city
of London may be almost said to be built upon a net-
work of arches and drains. The sewarage of the city
of London is discharged into the Thames by 11 outlets,
of which the principal are the London-bridge, the Val,
brook, the Paul's-wharf, the Fleet, and the Irongate.
The difficulty of collecting the contents of all these
sewers into a great sewer on each side of and parallel
to the river, and continued below London, would
be very great now, owing to dock entrances,
narrow streets, and buildings, including the Tower.
The enormous expense of the works, and the probable
opposition to them, appear to render the practicability
of such a measure very doubtful, to say the least.
At the same time we consider the subject as deserving
of serious consideration, and the object very desirable,
if it can be accomplished ; and the same observation
applies to the proposal for entirely diverting the
sewers' water from the Thames, for effecting which
we have as yet seen no practicable plan."
The variation in the fall of the sewers is chiefly
from 1 in 240 to 1 in 24 ; the former being 22 feet,
the latter 220 feet, per mile. There are cases in
which the inclination is as small as 1 in 960, and
others where it is as high as 1 in 14.
" The number of houses and buildings in the City
is about 16,000; of these, 9,238 had private drains
previous to 1848, leaving 6,762 without; so that
about two-fifths in number of the private premises in
the City had no other drainage but upon the surface
and by cesspools, requiring to be periodically emptied."
From the year 1707 to 1827 there were con-
structed 52,810 lineal feet of sewers, and from 1827
to 1847, 127,435. " The length, therefore, blade in
the last twenty years is more than double of all that
was made during the preceding years ; and the
length made during the last ten years is nearly
equal to all that was made in the previous 130 years.
The worst of the imperfections of which they have
to complain belong to those which are exclusively
" the City sewers," in some of which the quantity
and current of water are not sufficient to carry the
offensive matter down with it. As a partial remedy
for this, they recommended the erection of a number
of reservoirs, or tanks, similar to those in Newgate
and Leadenhall-markets, care being taken that the
operation of flushing be frequently repeated, and thut
men be employed in the sewer, with proper tools, to
aid in disturbing and carrying down the offensive
matter.

"The larger the supply of water from the water-
works for this special purpose, or for the use of the
houses that drain into any of the sewers, the better, for
we think that no water which is brought into a city can
be considered as wasted or useless. If the Thames,
the Colne, the Lea, or any other stream, could, with-
out prejudicing other interests, be brought through
the metropolis in a considerable quantity, like the
Alster, in Hamburgh; or, if reservoirs could be
formed to collect the surplus water from the country
brooks, and run it through the sewers, the effect
would be very beneficial. A plan of this kind was
recommended for the Surrey sewers by the surveying
officers (Mr. Horn and Mr. Walker), to whom the
Bill then before Parliament was referred."

They earnestly press upon the attention of the
commissioners the propriety of taking advantage of
the winter months, when there is more water in the
sewers and river than during any ;other season, to
to make a general and complete cleansing, after
which they cannot doubt that the means that they
have poir.ted out in the course of their report, if
systematically and energetically pursued, will prevent
a recurrence of complaint. "In advising this," they
add, "we must give the commissioners the credit of
having done much in the way of flushing gates,
flushing tanks, and side entrances during the last few
years ; but there is still room for improvement. Our
decided opinion, however, is, that any radical change
tending to render useless the much good that has been
done would be a great public evil:' With regard to
the reports of the Sanitary Commissioners on the sub-
ject of the sewers, they state that there is much valu-
able information in them, from which commissioners
and their officers may derive useful lessons ; but the
sweeping charges against the ex-commissioners for
wasteful expenditure in the system of drainage as
respects the size of the sewers are, they are convinced,
unmerited and erroneous.

The report concludes with the following abstract of
the general opinion of the reporters in reference to
the City sewers :

" \Ve think, that although there may be excep-
tions in particular cases, the present sizes of the
sewers are not too great, and that they ought not to
be lessened.

" That the sewers, were made, are generally effi-
cient.

" That, as from three to four miles only of the fifty
miles of streets, courts, and alleys within the City are
without sewers or drains, it is desirable that the
same be constructed, as soon as arrangements can
be made for the purpose, so that every street, court,
or alley within! the City may be efficiently drained.
" That the City sewers, which receive the sewer-
age of the portions of the adjoining county, are
sufficient for the discharge of the county and City
drainage.
"'That as, of the 16,000 houses and buildings in the
City, 6,762 have not private covered drains, it is de-
sirable that these be provided.

" That there is a considerable quantity of soft de-
posit in some of the sewers, but that the fall or incli-
nation in the private drains is generally such as to
keep them clear of offensive matter.
" That any general search for cesspools, for the
purpose of opening and emptying them, particularly
in private houses, would be impolitic as a general
measure, and likely to be more injurious than the
cesspools now are, if they are properly constructed,
which may be ascertained.
" That the form of sewers has practically very
little to do with the general question of their keeping
clear of deposit, this depending very much upon their
fall and the quantity of water ; but that no fall or
quantity of water is likely to be obtained, even in the
City sewers, sufficient to keep them clear of obstruc-
tions, without the occasional aid of men in the sewer
to remove hard deposit.
" That the most eminent men of their time have
been consulted in, or have directed the execution of
the City sewers, including Wren, Wyatt, Dance,
Smirke, and Rennie.
" That we have discovered nothing in the construc-
tion of the works which can justify our charging the
commissioners with waste in respect of the size or
construction of the sewers or otherbNise ; although the
outlay during the last 10 years must have been great,
as during this time more new sewers have been made
than during the previous 130 years. .
" That the system of flushing has been introduced
lately with great advantage, and is already consider-
ably extended.
" That the desiderata in order to perfect the sewer-
age of the City are, the formation of the three to four
miles of sewers, the extension of private drains, a
larger supply of water, the flushing system by gates
and tanks, as described in our report, the better ven-
tilation and discharge of the sewers, and the thorough
clearing out of the sewers during the next winter,
and keeping them clear in future.
Wo assume that the numerous and useful im-

provements of detail which will,- no .doubt, from tim e
to time, be invented, will be conside.red and tested,
and, where successful, will be adopted, as appears to
have been done heretofore.

" We are of opinion that neither of the new plans
suggested for Westminster by the surveyor to the •
Alutropolitan Sewers Commissioners, nor that of their _

consulting engineer, is applicable to the sewerage of
the city of London."

DEATH Or MRS. BATEMAN.—At Oak park, TM.
lee, on the 26th ult., in her 79th year, Arabella Jane,
daughter of the late Sir Barry Denny, of Trt dee Castle,.
Baronet, and relict of the late Rowland Bateman, Esq.,
of Oak Park (Killeen), Adravale and Brosna Manor, in
this county, who (in right of maternal descent), as head
of her own family, claimed to be representative of the
last Earl of Norwich and Baron Denny, of "Waltham
Abbey, ob. 1642, and co-heir to the last Viscount Bal. •
tinglass, of the Roper family, ob. 1725; also, to the last
Earl and Viscount Coningaby, ob. 1729. •
DESTRUCTION OF A VESSEL BY FIRE.--On Tues-
day a Scotch schooner, named the George, Mr. Mills,
master, libund to Arbroath, which had sailed from Sun-
derland on the preceding evening with a cargo of lime,
was driven on Herd Sand, near Shields, where she beat
heavily. The sea broke over her and got amongst the
lime, which quickly heated and set the vessel on lire. •
As soon as practicable a large number of bands boarded
the vessel and adopted every possible means to ex-
tinguish the fire, but ineffectually. The vessel burned
the entire night, and on Wednesday morning was a total
wreck, being burned to the water's edge. She was
insured to the amount of 7001.
THE Ex-ROYAL FAMILY or FRANCE. We are
happy to learn that the Countess de Neailly, who was
very seriously indisposed, and obliged to keep her bed
for several da)s after the arrival of the ex-Royal family
of France at the Star and Garter, at Richmond, is now
nearly convalescent. The Count de Neuilly, who is in..
the enjoyment of excellent health, was scarcely affected
by the deleterious nature of the water which was sup-
plied to the inmates at Claremont. The leaden and.
zinc, pipes through which the water was conveyed to
Claremont-house are being removed, and new ones sub-
stituted in their stead. The large reservoirs, also,
whence all water was obtained for the use of the house-house--
hold, are in course of being newly cased, so as to pre-
vent the possibility of any 'danger for the future arising
from the same causes which occasioned so much alarm a
fortnight ago. The family, suite, and domestics of the
ex-King and Queen number no less than 38 persona.,
occupying between 40 and 50 apartments at the Star
and Garter hotel, which were engaged for one month.
At the expiration of that period the family are expected
to return to Claremont.

CHESTER AND HOLYHEAD RAILWAY.--Traffic for
the week ending Nov. 11, 1848:—Coaching traffic, 9271.
9s. 9d.; parcels, 471 2s. 3d.; goods and cattle, 2471.
15.; steam-boats, 117/. lls. Total, 1,339/. 4s.
The Belgian advices allude to proposals laid before
the Chamber of Representatives by the Government
for further modification in the sugar duties, through
which it is anticipated the revenue derived from that
source may be augmented from 3,000,000 f. to 4,000,000 f,
The Amsterdam advices report a slight reaction in
most securities. Spanish, Dutch, and Mexican having
alike suffered from sales.
Speculative business in public securities has been
wholly abandoned at Frankfort since the events at Ber._
lin, and prices have been generally marked lower.
THE MURDER OF A FEMALE.—SEVRNOARS, FRI..
DAY NIGHT.—This forenoon, at eleven o'clock, Mr. C.
J. Carttar, the coroner for West Kent, resumed the inves-
tigation, for the fourth time, at the Cock Inn, Halstead,
respecting the brutal murder of a female, now ascer-
tained to be Margaret Thompson, aged 48. William
Deane, of Upper Whitecross-street, London, and other
witnesses, deposed that the body of the deceased was
that of Margaret Thompson. She was a native of Ken-
dal, and had been married to John Thompson, a private
in the Foot Guards, but who had been dead about seven-
teen years ; and on the Bth of September she left Lon-
don for the purpose of going hop.picking, to Peashearat,
in Sussex.—William Rhode, a labourer, now living at
37, Gardener's-lane, York-street, Westminster, said in
the course of September and last month, while
engaged hopping in the grounds of Mr. ;Beckett.
near Tonbridge, be lodged at the house of a
party of the name of Ambrose. On the Ist of
October a woman answering the description of the de-
, ceased, and which he believed to be her, came to live at
the same lodging-house. She stated that she was in
pursuit of work. On the following day she got employ-
ment on the same grounds where witness was engaged.
The witness here described another party visiting the
house, with whom the deceased occasionally quarrelled.
On or about the 10th or 11th of October the deceased
left the grounds, there being no more work for her.
Witness saw no more of her. She did not state where
she was going. Mrs. Parker, of Denton-green, Oxford,
deposed that on Sunday, the 15th of October, she saw
a woman, attired in similar clothing to that the de-
ceased wore, pass through Denton-green, accompanied
by two men. It was about half-past eleven o'clock is
the forenoon. One was about 27 years of age, and the
other appeared a somewhat older man.—Other wit•
nesses being examined, whose testimony was not very
important, at a late hour the proceedings were adjourned
till t he 6th of December.

THE M URD ER AT STROOD.—ROCHESTER, FRIDAY.
—Last night Mr. Lewis, the coroner for the borough of
Rochester, resumed and concluded the inquiry into the
circumstances of the death of Mary Abbott, the young
woman who was found dead in a ditch, at Fairfield, near
this town, on the Bth of October last, and whose death
was alleged to have been caused by some unfair means.
After several inquiries before the coroner, three per-
son a mar, his wife, and son, named M'Gill, were ap-
prehendi d on suspicion of havit g caused the death of
the deceased, who bad been seen in the company of
Mis. 1%.1‘1.ii1l on the previous evening. The inquest,
yesterday, took place in the Guildhall, which was densely
crowdtd by persons anxious to know the result of
the proceedings. The jury having been called,
evidence was adduced, showing that M'Gill had
been seen in deceased's company, shortly before
the time of the supposed murder. The coroner
proceeded to sum up the case. Ile said two of the
persons now in custody hare given evidence before
this court; that evitletiog in several points is ccntradic-
kry. Yet 'upon consulting the law nooks, and upon the
advice of the Recorder, I believe that their evidence may
he received, it having been given voluntarily; and I also
find that they both came without a summons. In re-
ferring to the evidence of Mrs. and Mr. M'Gill, I find
that she owned the piece of carpet, and she said she
knew nothing abouk t. (This was a piece of carpet
found with the body of deceased.) After going through
the whole of the evidence taken at the several adjourn-
ments, the Coroner continued—l consider the chain of
evidence complete, and I beg to remind you that any
person possessing a knowledge of the perpetration, must
be considered es principals in the first degree, and there-
fore your verdict must be shaped accordingly. The jury
then retired, and after an hour's absence, returned a ver-
dict of ‘' Wilful Murder against James M'Gill, Thomas
M'Gill, and Maria M'Gill." The Coroner then made
out his warrant for the committal of the prisoners to
Maidstone gaol, to take their trial at the next assizes.

SOUTH-EASTERN RAILWAY.—Among the notices
of applications to Parliament, is one by the South-
Eastern Railway Company, in reference to the restric-
tion against the opening of the railway from Toubridge-
wells to Rye, until the line from Hastings to Ashford
shall be completed. The same Bill will comprise,
amongst other matters, a similar power with respect to
the line from Bulverhithe to Ashford, which, by an ex•
isting Act, cannot be made by, or transferred to, the
South Eastern Company, nor any tolls taken in respect
thereof by the company, Limit the completion of the por-
tion of the railway near Hastings.—Railway Record.
THE " WEEKLY SHARE LIST."—A rumour has
been in circulation some days past, that a leading officer
of one of the principal railway companies had offered a
bribe to parties connected with the late Weekly Share
List to induce them to refrain from noticing the com-
pany's affairs. The rumour further goes that the bribe
was not accepted—which unquestionably was the case,
inasmuch as we can say on good authority that it was
never offered—at least not by the gentleman whose name
has been so unwarantably handled, nor, as we believe,
by any official of any company whatever.—Railway
Record.

The extreme length of the river-wall at Liverpool,
which 'roots the line of the docks, is within a few
yards of four miles. The total water area nOrr available
amounts to upwards of one hundred and ninety-five
acres, and the total quay space to more than fourteen
miles. There are in all twenty-one decks in operation,
exclusive of graving dock, half-tide docks, and basins.
Of these five, comprising about thirty-three acres of
water area and nearly two miles of quay space, have
been opened within the last few weeks. Two others.
and a halt-tide dock, which will yield together twenty-
one acres of water arca and one mile of quay space, are
also in a state of great forwardness,
ROMANISM.—The Rev. Robert K. Sconce, 8.A., of
Brasenose College, Oxford, has conformed to the Church
of Rome. The rev, pervert, in publishing his reasons
for secession, urges that he had, previously to leaving
the Church, been permitted by his diocesan so hold and
teach the identical doctrines which he now holds in com-
munion with Rome; and that the only doubt existing in
his mind for a considerable period previous was, whether
his own diocesan or the Bishop of Rome had the greater
claim on his obedience. Mr. Sconce was ordained in
1845.—Church and State Gazelle.
the report of the directors
but,
held yesterday,
At the meeting of the Alten dining Astsastocediatthioant
progress,produea
no dividendowin
to the low price o
the works were
could be declared.
making
bt ine dfa vfoour rtahbelrr
The Sheffield Times says that the burgess roll of
that borough exhibits the startling decrease of 1,225
burgesses during the current municipal year.
An Amei icon jouri al calculates that, upon an
average, steamers on the Mississippi last less than fire
years, and that half of them are destroyed by acci-
dent.

A Mr. Baldwin has discovered a method of splitting
into two parts a piece of paper, so as to preserve without
injury the surface of either side.
The letters from Havre continue to report an active
business in cotton, and prices were proportionately well
maintained. In other descriptions of produce there was
no essential alteration, and the general markets were
rater flat.

MELANCHOLY SUICIDE.— On Monday morning the
seruint of Samuel Stephens, Esq., of Axminster, went
to call him tor breakfast, and knocked several times at
his bed-room, but receiving no answer, went in and dis-
covered him sitting up in Led with a razor in his hand,
and his throat cut in a shocking manner. He appeared
to have been dead some hours, as he was quite cold, and
the bed-clothes were matted together with blood. De-
ceased, who was a bachelor, read prayers on the Sunday
evening to his servants, after he was in bed. He had
been in a despondiPg state of mind for some dale.
Wiltshire Herald
rF4