The Sun.
London, England, 1848-12-06 00:00:00

OF DEAFNESS.

The annual meeting of subscribers to this institution
was held on Tuesday, at the Public Office, the Mayor in
the chair.

Mr. Wm. CuaNcE, jun., the Honorary Secretary, read
the following report:—
" Your ;committee beg to report that the society con-
tinues satisfactorily its course of usefulness. Fourteen
hundred and thirty-two cases have attended at the
rooms during the past year, of whom a large portion
have been materially relieved, and a considerable number
have entirely recovered their sense of hearing. Deafness
to a greater or smaller degree is very common among
the labourers of Birmingham, from the nature of their
employment, and is to the sufferers a source of severe
inconvenience and trouble. Until the establishment of
this institution, no means of gratuitous relief was afforded,
and the hard earnings of the poor were not unfrequently
lost by their resorting to quacks, who left them in the
same condition as before. By the experience of past
years, it is found that a great majority of the cases in
which the ear is affected are susceptible of relief ; and
abundant testimony of the good effects of skilful and
careful treatment may be bad from the patients who
have attended at this institution. The devotion of your
surgeon to the duties of his office deserves the high
commendation of your committee, and they have again
the pleasure of expressing the confidence they feel in
his talents and attention.'

On the motion of Mr. Alderman BEALE, seconded by
Mr. SARG&NT, the report was unanimously adopted.
On the motion of Mr. CHANCE, seconded by Mr. DUT-
TON, thanks were voted to Lord Ward, for his kindness
in filling the office of president.
Mr. Siociewr proposed a vote of thanks to the sur-
geon, Mr. Dutton, for his careful attention to the patients
attending the institution, and for his valuable services
during the past year. Mr. Sargant observed that on
several occasions he had expressed his sense of Mr. Duf-
ton's merits, in language which he knew was painful to
that gentleman's feelings, and were he to give utterance
to his sentiments, he should again produce the same re-
sults. He might observe, however, that no man could
exceed Mr. Dufton's zeal and assiduity in the perform-
ance of his duties. In fact, the whole institution was
managed by him without exertion on the part of the
officers, and no man could perform his duties better.
Mr. CHANCE, wt., in seconding the resolution, observed
that he had several times had the pleasure of
being present, when Mr. Dufton was attending upon
the patients of the institution, and had always seen
them treated with the greatest kindness. He bad talked
to them, and had heard from them the benefit they had
received from his attention ; and altthough they were
not a numerous meeting on that occasion, the good
which had been done by the institution was not to be
measured by the number of
.persons who had attended
there. If any of the members would like to judge for
themselves of what was doing by the society, they would
be received with every courtesy by Mr. Dufton, if
they would attend at the rooms on the day when the
patients attended, and they would receive entire satis-
faction as to the good which was being done through
the agency of the subscriptions which they gave to the
tociety.
The MAYOR expressed the pleasure which he felt
in putting the resolution, and his conviction that the
institution was doing a great amount of good.
The officers and committee having been appointed,
thanks were voted to the Mayor, and the proceedings
terminated.—Midland Counties Herald.

DEATH OF PROFESSOR SAMUEL COOPER, F.R.S.—
This eminent surgeon expired on the 3d instant, at his
country residence, She.pperton. Ile was the author of
two of the best professional works of the day—the" Sur-
gical Dictionary," and " First Lines of Surgery." De.
ceased was admitted a member of the
,College of Sur-
geons, of London, so long ago as 1803, and soon after
entered the army, and became staff-surgeon. In 1807
he obtained the Jacksonian prize for an elaborate trea-
tise on the joints; on the 26th of:May, 1827, was elected
a member of the council of the college; and in 1845 en-
joyed the 'lightest professional honour he could obtain
—President of the College of Surgeons. Mr. Cooper
was for seventeen years connected with the University
College and Hospital, and was a most popular teacher.

• The Examiners reported that Mr. Beverley passed a
distinguished examination.

OFFICIAL PURCHASES Or SPIRITS.—A request
having been made by a party at one of the outports, the
purchaser of some spirits, which had been sold by the
Custom authorities at the place on the part of the
Crown, to be allowed to remove the spirits from London
for the purpose of being placed in the bonded warehouse
here, under the warehousing regulations, until it should
be convenient to him to clear the same for exportation,
he has received intimation that as the spirits were sold
by the Crown and purchased by him on the condition
that they should be cleared within a given time from the
bonding premises, the request to be allowed to re-ware-
house in the port of London could not be complied with,
but that the spirits might be removed here for the pur-
pose of exportation, and deposited in her Majesty's ware-
house at his expense until such disposal of the goods
should be effected.

--
NARROW ESCAPE.—We scarcely recollect a better
instance of presence of mind, when that quality is de-
cidedly required, than the following:—On Monday week,
Mr. Beddard, a person residing at Brimfield, near Lud-
low, and doing a considerable business as a higgler, was
returning home in his cart from Kidderminster. On the
road, between Bewdley and Newnham-bridge, he met a
woman carrying a basket, who asked him for a ride. He
consented, and on the woman's getting into the cart he
came in contact with her band, which immediately struck
him as being too large and bard for a woman's. His
suspicions being thus aroused, and recollecting the oc-
currence of a robbery under similar circumstances else-
where, he bit upon the following ingenious mode. of
getting quit of his companion. Pushing off his hat, as
if by accident, into the :road, he asked the supposed
woman to get down and pick it up, as his mare was rather
skittish, and he was afraid to quit the reins. The ee
ieg woman complied, but as soon as she was out esftnih;
cart Mr. Beddard flogged his horse into a gallop,
and
gave her or him the go-by. About half a mile onwards
ho had again occasion to exercise all hisself- possession
and ingenuity. Two men came up, demanded if he
had seen a woman carrying a basket eand
ton the road? He
replied, " Yes; a quarter of a mile from this; and as I
passed she was getting into a gentleman's gig." On this
the fellows set off at a smart
pace; and Mr. Beddard con-
tinuing his journey arrived safely at home. On examin-
ing the basket left in thecart it was found to contain a
brace of pistols and a large clasp-knife. Mr. Beddard
had about his person on that occasion upwards of 100/
in money.— Worcester herald.
THE GREAT SEA SERPENT.—Captain MacQuhee,
in his first dispatch to the Admiralty, mentioned that
the Sea Serpent, which passed the Daedalus, kept on its
course " at a pace of from twelve to fifteen miles an
hour, apparently on some determined purpose." What
that purpose was, the captain's second and more detailed
dispatch indicates. It appears from this communica-
tion that the following conversation took rlece:—Sea
Serpent—" Daedalus, a-hoy!" Captain (politely)—" Ay,
ay, Sir! How d') e do?" Sea Serpent—" Put your
helm up, and get out of the way; I'm in a (we de-
cline to quote the monster's immoral expression) of a
hurry." Captain—" Where to, Sir?" Sea Serpent—
"To America, to vote for the President." Captain—
" Have you a vote, Sir?" Sea Serpent—" I should
think so. Serpents and Yankees are much the same
thing—a precious scaly lot altogether. Ha Iha!ha !"
All the crow of the Daedalus—" Ha! bar' [Exit the
Sea Serpent. The crew faint, except Captain Mac-
)
Quhae, who rushes down the hatchway to bring up grog
for them, but in his agitation drinks it all himself.]
Man in the Moon.

CREATURES OF T.
WATERS.
These shoals were alive witi
brated animals, and crowds of
feeding upon the larger forms. '
roue other animals belonging .
groups which I have attempted to describe in some
detail. Imagine, then, one of the monstrous ani-
mals, a Plesiosaurus some sixteen or twenty feet
long, with a small wedge-shaped crocodilian head, a
1 long arched serpent-like neck, a short compact body, pro-
vided with four large and powerful paddles, almost deve-
loped into hands, an animal not covered with brilliant
scales, but with a black slimy skin. Imagine for a moment
this creature slowly emerging from the muddy banks, and
half walking half creeping along, making its way towards
the nearest water. Arrived at the water, we can under-
stand from its structure that it was likely to exhibit
greater energy. Unlike the crocodile tribe, however, in
all its proportions, it must have been equally dissi-
milar in habit. Perhaps, instead of concealing itself
in mud or among rushes, it would swim at once boldly
and directly to the attack. Its enormous neck stretched out
to its full length, and its tail acting as a rudder, the power-
ful and frequent strokes of its four large paddles would at
once give it an impulse, sending it through the water at
a very rapid rate. When within reach of its prey we
may almost fancy that we see it drawing back its long
neck as it depressed its body in the water until the
strength of the muscular apparatus with which this neck
was provided, and the great additional impetus given by
the rapid advance of the animal, would combine to pro-
duce a stroke from the pointed head which few living
animals could resist. The fishes, including perhaps
even the sharks, the larger cuttlefish, and innumerable
inhabitants of the sea, would form an easy prey to
this monster. But now let us see what goes on
deeper abysses of the ccean, where a free space is given
for the operations of that fiercely carnivorous marine
reptile, the Ichthyosaurus. Prowling about at a great
depth, where the reptilian structure of its lungs and
the bony apparatus of the ribs would allow it to
breathe, we may fancy we see this strange animal,
with its enormous eyes directed upwards, and glar-
ing like globes of fire. Its length is some
.thirty or
forty feet, and it has paddles and a tail like a
shark. Its whole energies are fixed on what is going
on above, where the Plesiosaurus or some giant shark is
devouring its prey. Suddenly striking with its short
but compact paddles, and obtaining a
powerful impetus
by flapping its large tail, the monster darts through the
water at a .rate which the eye can scarcely follow
towards the surface. The vast jaws, lined with
formidable rows of teeth, soon open wide to
their full extent ; the object of attack is ap-
proaehed, is overtaken. With a motion quicker than
thought the jaws are snapped together, and the work
is done. The monster, becoming gorged, floats lan-
guidly near the surface, with a portion of the top of its
head and its nostrils visible, like an island covered with
black mud, above the water. Such scenes as these must
have been every day enacted during the many ages when
the waters of the ocean were spread over what is now
land in the eastern hemisphere, and when the land then
adjacent provided the calcareous mud now forming the
lias.—Ansted's Picturesque Sketches of Creation.

THE GAME-LAWS AGAIN.-IVhittering parish, near
Stamford, this week falls in for a burthen consequent
upon the laws which protect wild animals for the sport
of the privileged few. A woman named Barrett, wife
of a labouring man, hitherto said to be of irreproachable
character, and who was a teacher at Whittering Sunday-
Ichool, has applied at the Union board for relief for
herself and children during the confinement of her
husband in Peterborough gaol, whither he has been
sent by the magistrates acting in St. Martin's, Stamford,
charged with having taken up three traps which had
been set by one of the Marquis of Exeter's keepers to
catch rabbits. The woman, when questioned, declared
that no game was found upon him, and that in conse-
quence he has been committed for trial at the sessions
charged with stealing the traps: she added that bail
was offered for him, but refused. It is sug-
gested by a correspondent that a rather curious
document might be obtained, if some independent
Member of Parliament would move in the House of
Commons for a return of the convictions by the magis-
trates acting in St. Martin's, Stamford, of persons
charged before them with poaching on the Marquis of
Exeter's estates. Of course a material item of the re-
turn should be the cost to the county of each conviction,
and it might add to the singularity of the document if it
was shown how many per score of those accused are
discharged as not guilty, and what was the form and
weight of evidence against the rest.—Stamford Mercury.
MELANCHOLY AND FATAL ACCIDENT.—On Sun-
day evening a young woman, named Margaret Malcolm,
residing in Castlehill, met her death in South Gray's
Close, High-street, in a very sudden and distressing
manner. About twenty minutes past eight o'clock she,
with two companions, left the United Industrial School,
about the middle of that close, and bearing an umbrella.,
was proceeding up the close and passing an old and high
building, when a large stone, loosened by the stormy wind
or rain, fell on her head, and so fractured her skull that
it caused immediate death. Fortunately both her com-
panions escaped, although a quantity of rubbish fell at
the same time, and shortly after several other stones
gave way, arid some passers-by had a narrow escape.
The body of the unfortunate deceased was carried to the
school-room ; she was a monitress, and very much liked
by her pupils and acquaintances. On the circumstances
being reported at the Police- office, several constables
were sent to prevent people passing up and down, until
the state of the building can be ascertained.—Caledonian
Mercury.
OPIUM IN AUSTRALIA.—Recent accounts from the
antipodes announce the fact that the cultivation of opium
has been commenced in the district of Western Australia
with success of no mean amount, and a prospect of an
important feature arising thereby. at no distant period
in the growing trade of our colonial empire in that part
of the world. The quality is reported to be very high.
ECCLESIASTICAL COMMISSION. BISHOPRIC Or
GLOUCESTER AND BRISTOL.—The evidence in the case
of the Rev. Mr. Richards, the incumbent of Horfield, has
been published at large. It has been seen that there is
evidence that Lord Melbourne entered into an under-
standing with Bishop Allen, that the valuable leases should
be allowed to run out and go to augment the revenues of the
Church; that the estimated value of the Horfield tithes
and estates are 3,0001. a year; but that the incumbent
has only 80/. a year, besides 60/. allowed by Govern-
ment for doing duty at the barracks, near Bristol;
that consequently, the incumbent and his curate have,
on the average 1401. a year; and that the Bishop has
neither continued his predecessor's customary annual
payment of 5/.; nor done anything for the schools of the
parish; that his Lordship has an income which averaged
6,4001. on the last septennial calculation, and will on
an average amount to at least 5,700/. a- year in future,
besides his palace, and several valuable commendams, the
amount of which is not stated, but which would pro-
bably be underrated at 2,0001. a-year besides. It is
under these circumstances that the Bishop proposes
to renew the lives, instead of allowing the lease to de-
pend on one, which is expected to drop from month to
month. To prevent this catastrophe, the commissioners
have agreed to pay the Bishop 11,5001., which might
otherwise have been employed for the general good of
the Church.—Cheltenham Journal.

CAUTION.—The public, particularly officers inlthe
navy, should be on their guard against a system of fraud
which is now attempted to be carried on by, we under-
stand, a regularly organised gang of swindlers, who have
an office where the materials for cheating are ready cut
and dried. Information is obtained from old Navy
Lists and other sources, and letters are written to offi-
cers, soliciting loans of money or contributions, pur-
porting to be from some old officer, now in distress, who
served with them or under them at such and such a
period, in such and such a ship, as the case may be—
the letter detailing, in all cases, an affecting case of
distress, and containing a printed copy, filled up, of a
broker's warrant to distrain, if the rent should not
be paid on or before such a day; with a schedule of
the furniture in the house. We have one of these
precious epistles before us, with the broker's in-
closure, received by a Captain in the Navy, re-
siding at Stonehouse, with the name (of course
forged) of the surgeon, with whom he served in the West
Indies, and whom be well knew and respected, soliciting
54—and it was a narrow chance that he had not for-
lcoewhe
add,
received when
h e
for-
warded the money. The gallant officer, however, told
tinthe serfovli
found
ncdi circumstance sta
anotherne toa
gentlemanfriend—inquiry
a similar epistle, word for word, with
the exception of
the name of the ship, &c., pur • porting to come from his
late purser, and which, on inquiry, turned
out to be an
attempt at fraud—of course he drew the same conclu-
sions, and the money was not forwarded. After this
exposure, we should think the game will
nest of scoundrels must take be up, and the
living. The letter to some other means of
Kin was dated from Anchor House,
gston, Surrey, 2O , 1848, and " John Rogers, of
Kingston," was th Nov.
e sworn appraiser."—Plymouth Herald.
BISHOPWIIaItIiOUTH REOTORT.—From a letter re-
ceived from the Lord Bishop of the diocese, by Mr. J.
J. Wright, in reply to the memorial from Sunderland
parish, we learn that his Lordship had promoted the
Rev. J. Patrick Eden, Bishop Auckland (son-in-law
to Lord Brougham). to the vacant rectory of Bishop-
wearmouth. The Reverend Gentleman is chaplain to
his Lordship, who pays him the conipliment of saying
the loss to him will be a serious one. From tho same
source we further learn that no portion of the immense
revenues of Bishopwearmouth will be appropriated to
the benefit of its poorer neighbour, Sunderland. The
reason assigned is, that Bishopwearmouth itself requires
them all, the different chapels dependant on the rectory
being about to have their emoluments increased. It is
also stated, that after a careful investigation, in which
his Lordship had the assistance of the late rector's
steward and several gentlemen, in Sunderland, the re-
ports as to the revenues in question have been found to
have been greatly exaggerated. The Rev. Mr. Eden,
Ave understand, visited the rectory on Wednesday. The
redistribution is to be as follows :-2,0001. is to consti-
tute the income of the rector. St. Thomas' Church,
Bishopwearmouth, is to have 2001. ; St. Andrew's Dept-
ford, 1501. ; St. Mary's, Hylton, 100/. ; Trinity Church,
Ryhope, 160/. The surplus (1,4500 is to be funded, and
disposed of hereafter, according as the experience of
the working of the above arrangement during the next
three years may point out to be most necessary.—Sun-
derland Herald.
THE CAT AND TUE ITAWIC.—One day lately, as a
hawk was soaring in the neighbourhood of Balgrummo
Cotton in quest of prey, it darted through the window
of a cottage there, to seize a bird that sat perched within
a cage. In the absence of the occupiers of the cottage,
a cat, which had been left sole guardian of the pre-
mises, nobly acted the part of a police-constable, rescued
the poor songster from the clutches of the feathered
burglar, executed summary punishment on the intruder
by killing him on the spot, and left his body lying on a
table, as a warning to all other delinquents.—North Bri.
tish Maio

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