The Sun.
London, England, 1846-12-23 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN:

.• .
Stn,—We have had our attention called to a paragraph
which appeared in the third editifli of your last Mon-
day's number, containing a report cf the trial of the
action " Mitchell v. Moore," in which it was sought
(unsuccessfully) to fix the defendant as an alleged Pro-
visional Committee-man of the Great Western Extension
Atmospheric Railway Company, with a heavy liability.
It is there stated that " Mr. Henry Owen, the company's
solicitor; Mr. Few, Mr. Alpine, and Mr. parties con-
nected with the origin of the company, were severally ex-
amined, &c." Now, inasmuch as a portion of this state-
ment is erroneous, Mr. Few never having been in any
way connected with the company or its origin, we h.ave
to beg the favour of your correcting the above mistake
(which was no doubt purely inadvertent) by the insertion
of this letter in your next number.
We are, Sir, your obedient servants,
FEW and CO.
Attornies for the defendant, Major Moore.
Covent-garden, Dec. 23, 1846.

DEATH. FROM STARVATION IN LIVERPOOL.— An
inquest was yesterday held on the body of yartinFin-
eaige-to rolnthrdilerTeliar about a fortnight ago. They
appeared to be in a very destitute state, and got their
living by begging. The wife and children left the home
on Friday morning, about nine o'clock. He went out
along with them and did not return until nine at night,
when he was brought home by four men. He then ap-
peared very ill. lie was put to bed and died about two
o'clock the next morning. No surgeon saw him until
after his death. During the time he was living in the
cellar he had not sufficient food, and had nothing but
what he procured by begging. His wife had applied at
the parish-office, and had been relieved twice with bread,
but the deceased had had no relief. John Connor, al
police-officer, found deceased, on Friday night, in
Standish-street, about ten o'clock, standing against a
wall. Witness thought that he was drunk and went to
him, but found him sober, and hardly able to stand or
to speak. On the way to Bridewell witness ascertained
where he livod, and two men took him to convey him
home. Witness saw him dead on Saturday night.
Witness asked him some questions, but could not under-
stand what he said. He appeared to be in a state of
destitution and starving. Mr. Kifner, surgeon, when he
was called, found deceased dead. On a post modem ex-
amination he found that death had been caused by
disease of the lungs, and the want of sufficient food
combined. The want of food was the principal cause of
death. The jury returned a verdict to the effect stated
—disease of the lungs, and want of sufficient food. The
cellar is a most miserable place, and the body was
stretched on a litter of straw. The mother (who is very
ill) and the childr,en have been taken to the workhouse.
In the same house in which the poor creature died there
are no fewer,than eight sick persons.—Liverpool Standard
of yesterday.
STATISTIC 1L SOCIETY.—The last meetirg for the
year was held on Menday evening, at its rooms, in St.
James's-square, when the chair was taken by Colonel
Sykes, F.R.S. A paper was read by Dr. Guy, on the
longevity of sovereigns and rulers in different parts of
the world, which contained some very interesting par-
ticulars. Amongst the most long-lived monarchs were
the Emperors of China, of whom the average of the
deaths of 64 was at 601 years, and next in succession to
them were the Emperors of Rome, the caliphs of Aleppo,
the Dukes of Brunswick, and the electors of Wurtem-
burgh, a great predominance for longevity being seen in
the ducal houses of Germany, whilst the shortest lived
sovereigns were the Kings of Scotland and Denmark,
the Sultans of Turkey, &c. The Kings of England
stood comparatively well in the general average. In an
incidental discussion which followed, some curious state-
ments were made, from which it appeared that whilst at
30 years of age a general estimate was made from the
members of benefit societies at Liverpool, that their lives
were of 30 years' value ; the highest average of the lives
of such persons who were not so provident was but 27,
whilst at Glasgow an indolent population would only re-
present 24 years as the average of life.
REMOVAL OF WESTMINSTER-BRIDGE.—A prelimi-
nary meeting of several of the principal inhabitants of ,
Westminster, interested in preserving the present site
for a new bridge, was held on Monday, at the King's
Arms, Palace-yard ; Mr. W. Page Wood, Queen's
Counsel, in the chair. Great surprise was expressed by
the meeting that the Commissioners of her Majesty's
Woods, &c., should have authorised the erection of a
new bridge on a distant site, in direct opposition to the
recommendation of the Committee of the House of Com-
mons of last session. It was urged by several of the
gentlemen present that a measure involving such ruin-
ous loss of trade and and property to so large a body of
individuals on both sides of the river could only be justi-
fied by overwhelming public necessity ; that no such
necessity exists ; and that, therefore, it becomes the
duty of all those who are interested to oppose, by every
means in their power, a measure fraught with loss to
hundreds and almost ruin to many. A committee was
immediately formed, for calling a public meeting, di-
rectly after Christmas, on the subject, and a requisition
was forwarded to Sir De Lacy Evans to take the chair.
Instructions were given to the committee to cause the
meeting, when fixed, to be extensively advertised, and to
solicit the aid of all influential parties to join in opposing
the Bill for the removal (by counsel if necessary), in the
Committees of the Houses of Parliament.
DISTRESSED NEEDLEWOAIEN'S SOCIETY. Last
night a full and fancy dress ball took place at the Han-
over-square Rooms, in behalf of the Society for the
Protection and Relief of Distressed Needlewomen. This
very appropriate method of benefiting the meritorious
class, for the relief of the necessitous and deserving
members of which the society was established, was sug-
gested by some members of the Middle and Inner
Temple, who acted as stewards of the evening. The
ayrangements were those of a private party, and were of
the most efficient and delightful character. Among the
ezre
t:were the Right Hon. the Lord Mayor, the Lady
ss, Mr. Alderman Farebrother, president of the
society ; L. J. Mansard, and about 300 visitors, includ-
ing several familie high distinction. Dancing was
commenced about
great animation ghaolf• Past ten,,
d and was continued with
until tlock we] suer wa
announced. A rnunitlwceonot
flounced from L. Hansard, ?innaattlhn eno ofth
1001. Peas ans -
of the funds of the
society, and we are glad to hear that th s
id
eer
af
ha illaedastecoefs
stihoins
meritorious charity will receive a con
from the proceeds of the h5ll, After an ele n
dancing was resumed with new spirit to thegexhil.retit)ttinstg,
strains of Adams's band, and the company did not break
up until a late hour.