The Sun.
London, England, 1848-09-05 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, TIT.ESDAY EVENING, S_EPTEMB_ER e.;s, 1848.

DEER-STALKING.—The general ;news from the
forests is that the red deer are numerous, with
large, well-formed antlers ; but, except a few, all the
horns we have seen are still covered with the velvet.
From Inveresnie a splendid head of 13 branched antlers
has been sent for preser►ation. At Glenmoriston J.
M. Grant, Esq., Captain Grant, and J. Grant, Esq.,
shot each a stag in one day, one of them a beautiful
royal head. At Stratbgarve Captain Downes shot
a good stag with eleven branches on his horns; another,
with eleven points and cup, was shot at Monar, by H,
W. White, Esq : this was the first head of the sea-
son clear of velvet. Several others, also clear, have
come to town ; one from W. Baillie, Esq., which
he shot at Dochfour ; two from R. S. Holford.
Esq., shot in Strury forest; and one from Redcastle,
shot by E. Baillie, Esq. The same day and place,
Robert Reid, Esq., got a red deer. A stag, with curi-
ously-formed horns, was shot at Achintoul by E. Wartle,
Esq. In the forest of Freeoatee Captain Boyd shot, on
his first trial,4 stag, a yeld hind, and a roe. At Brae-
more John La Touch, Esq., had two good days' stalking,
killing a stag each time.—lnverness Courier.

AMERICAN ‘, PUNGENT SENTI.

- - -
ME N TS."
At the celebration of the glorious "Fourth," at Fitch-
burg, Massachusets (says the Rochester, U. S., North
Star, of the 11th Aug.), several sentiments were given
at the dinner-table which had a stronger flavour of truth
and honesty than of the "patriotic" cant with which
people usually befool themselves and others on that day.
We subjoin a few specimens:—
Liberty—The leaping waters of the Niagara outdone
The sublimest sight in our day is the leap of the stave to
the Canada shore.

Says Mirabeau—Men live by one of three ways: by
work, by begging, or by stealing. By which does the
slaveholder live?
The Gallows and Presidential Chair.—The highest
gifts of the people. The one for the slayer of one man,
the other for the slayer of thousands.
Our Country. —Of doubtful virtue • as liberty and
slavery are her twin offspring. May she go and sin no
more.

The Hero of Salem—Dia Crowningshield—Prevented
by a premature death from being a worthy competitor for
the presidential chair of this nation in 1848. Peace to
his ashes!

THE POPULATION OP CANADA.—We understand
that the result of the census just completed, of Upper
Canada, will give that section of the province a popula-
tion of from 689,000 to 700,000 souls; while, by the
census of 1842,3, it was only 401,061, giving an increase,
in five years, of nearly 300,000. The last census for
Lower Canada was taken in 1844, when the population
was 699,806 souls, the increase upon which, during the
last four years, is calculated, by reference to preceding
terms at which censuses have been taken, to be about
70,000, giving this section of the province a
present population of about 770,000. The po-
pulation of Upper Canada would thus appear to
increase at the rate of about 40,000 per annum,
and Lower Canada at that of about 17,000 per annum.
Supposing these relative rates of increase to be main-
tained, the year 1852 will see Upper Canada with a po-
pulation of 859,000, and Lower Canada with only 846,000
1862 will give the former a population of 1,259,000, and
the latter only 1,015,000 souls. The experience of the
past, and the present condition of Great Britain and
Ireland, will, we think, justify the belief that the in-
crease of our population by emigration will be greater
during the next twelve years than it has ever hitherto
been, and that the relative proportions of such increase
will be largely in favour of Upper Canada, The pro-
bability, then, is that by the year 1862. the Western
section of the province will contain 1,500,000 inha-
bitants, or one-third more than that of the eastern sec-
tion. We give these calculations for the benefit of M.
,l'apineau and his friends, who seek to upset the existing
proportionate representation from each section of the
province, settled by the Union Act, and based upon
various elements, and to adopt, in its stead, that o
numbers alone, irrespective of property, intelligence
education, and enterprise.—Mentreal Herald, Aug. 8.
ACTS or PARLIAMENT.—No Act of Parliament
(except in special emergency) should take effect imme•
diately on its passing, inasmuch as it is in operation and
persons may innocently offend against the provisions of
it. For example: the new Act applying to alehouses
(which received the Royal assent en the 14th instant)
publicans may, and no doubt have, infringed upon it
both as regards the time of opening on Sunday last
and as regards constables' powers to demand entrance
any, time into the house. Unless in special emergency,
no public Act should take effect Sooner than three
months from the time of passing into law; by that time
the public (through the medium of the press) may be-
come acquainted with its provisions.—From a Corres-
pondent.
REDUCTION OF SPIRITS IN BOND.-43y an order
issued by the revenue authorities some time since, it
was directed that spirits may be reduced in strength in
bond, by the admixture of water, after being turned from
the original casks in which they were imported into a
vat in the docks, or other bonding premises appro-
priated to the,. purpose; but that such spirits were not
subsequently to be cleared for home use on payment of
duty, but must be taken for exportation. It has re-
cently been ruled, on the question being put, whether it
is intended -also to prevent spirits which have been so
reduced in bond from being taken for ships' stores, duty
free, alien required by the owners to be applied to that
purpose, that the order alluded to is only to prevent
their disposal for home consumption, subsequently to the
vatting and reducing process, being made available in
bonding premises, and that no objection will be made to
their appropriation as ships' stores when required. This
decision with respect to the appropriation of reduced
ura, &c., for ships' stores is of some importance.
LONDON STREET BEGGARS.—The streets of Lon-
don swarm with mendicants, to the annoyance of pas-
- It is almost impossible for any well-
dressed person to escape their importunities. The
tax thus levied upon the public must annually
amount to a very important sum. In fact, these street
beggars drive a very profitable trade, and in 99 cases out
of every hundred they may be safely pronounced im-
postors. There is a well-known philanthropist who
never gives one farthing in the streets. If he sees a
seemingly distressed object, he inquires for the residence
of the party; he has stated that in ninety-nine cases out
of one hundred the addresses given are false. This is an
setxraemkspleoarll persons should fellow; the way to clear the
while to vvobrkgttars is to make it better worth their
an to beg.—C'ity of London Trade Pro-
Wawa Circular.

I met a gentleman, of whom I asked what he thought
would be most suitable for the purpose. He thought
some description of muslin would answer best. I
did not, however, consider that the poet was a muslin
poet, and I therefore procured the shawl which is
now placed at the back of our chairman, and this,
gentlemen, is "the Wilson Shawl." Without detain-
ing you with any further remarks, allow me to
propose " Prosperity to the Town and Trade of
Paisley."— (Applause.)
The CROUPIER, in a few complimentary observa-
tions, proposed " the health of the Chairman," which
was received with loud applause.
The CHAIRMAN replied, and proposed" The Provost
and Magistrates of Paisley."
Provost MURRAY replied, and proposed " The
Health of their Venerable Friend Mr. Bissland," who
had acted as treasurer to the subscribers.
Mr. BISSLAND replied.
Mr. BARR, of Drums, proposed the thanks of the
subscribers to the Proprietors of the Coffee-room, for
having given the bust a niche in the building.
The CHAIRMAN gave "The Provost and Magis-
trates of the Royal Burgh of Renfrew."
Provost CRAWFORD replied.
Mr. GinsoN gave "The Health of Mr. Dunn," who
had acted as secretary.
Mr. BARR gave " The Health of the Croupiers."
The CROUPIER returned thanks, after which the
meeting broke up.—Renfrew Advertiser.

THE MOORS.
Last week boisterous weather prevailed to such an
extent as to render the birds very wild, and, in con-
sequence, there has been less sport. On the Dun-
driggan moors, D. C. Marjoribanks, bagged one
day 31 brace, on another day 27 brace. At Killin, A.
K. George, Esq., and friends, had shot, up to the
24th inst., 232 brace, mostly half-days, the sport
being interrupted by heavy rains. From the Moy-
beg hills, J. R. N. Shaw, Esq., Mr. Corbete, Mr. Hughes,
and Mr. Thompson, have bagged 272 brace of grouse, and
36i brace of other game, in all 617 head. At Inverlair the
Rev. C. R. Hope, E. Wilmot, Esq., and party, shot on the
12th 92 brace, and on the 12th and 14th Sir Evan Mac-
kenzie, Bart., and Mr. Groggan shot, at Ledgowan, the first
day 33 brace, the next day, in company with A. Mac-
kenzie, Esq., they bagged 44 brace. At Knockie, Mr. De
Rodes, shot in one day last week 301 brace after twelve
o'clock:, The Newtonmore party-4 guns—have killed
in six days' desultory shooting 597 head of grouse, 22
hares, 5 ptarmigan, 7 snipe, and 2 wild-ducks--total,
633 head of game. Very few young birds have been
seen, and the old birds are remarkably wild. On the
Langwell moors, Mr. Wilson and party, at Ausdale,
have had fair sport, and have fallen in with comparatively
few diseased birds.
The following should have been inserted in our last:
—At Glenavon Forest, on the 11 th instant, Lord H.
Bentinck shot three fine stags, and on the 12th bagged
106 brace of grouse on the Tomintoul moors. On the
same ground Mr. King also bagged on the 12th, 80 brace
of grouse.
A woodcock was killed on the 25th in one of. the beats
for black game at Skibo Castle. It was strong on wing
and in good condition, although the usual want of feathers
which follows hatching evidently showed that it was one
of those birds which now breed in this country. We
understand the black game at Skibo Castle have bred but
little, if any, better than the grouse—that tape-worm
prevails extensively in that game also—and that Mr.
Wallace sees daily more and more plainly the wisdom of
having tiraeously given a jubilee. Another woodcock
was seen on the day following in another beat for black-
game at Skibo, at least four miles from where the one
which was killed was found.
Regarding the Perthshire moors the Perth Courier of
Thursday says—" The returns have fallen off greatly
this week, in consequence partly of the weather, which
has been broken and occasionally stormy, but
chiefly from the :great deficiency of birds. This is
even worse than first anticipated, particularly on
the Inverness-shire moors, and several have already
left the grouse shooting who have deer-stalking in
reserve. Lord Elcho left Falar with this view, on Fri-
day, for Ross-shire ; and others are about to follow his
example. In many cases the parent birds are found
hatching a second time ; and nests with some six or ten
eggs are frequently met with. This holds out a good
promise for next year, and with the view of preserving
the young brood, the moors ought not to be long shot
over this season."

HOUSE OF LORDS. September 4.
(Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.)
Their Lordships resumed at Five o'clock.
COPPER AND LEAD DUTIES BILL.
After a few words from the Earl of Falmouth, and a
short explanation from the Earl of Desert and the Mar-
quis of Lansdowne,
The Earl of MOUNTCASHEL denied that he was
bound by any agreement which other Noble Lords
might make, and he should, therefore, obstruct the Bill
by every means in his power, as a measure injurious to
the national industry of England and of Ireland.
The Earl of FALMOUTH would move as an amend-
ment that the Bill be read a third time that day six
months.
Strangers were ordered to withdraw, and their Lord-
ships divided, when there appeared—
Contents
Not-contents ll
Majority in favour of the Bill —l4
The Bill was then read a third time and passed.
EXCHEQUER-BILLS BILL.
On the motion that this Bill be read a third time,
Lord MONTEAGLE entered into a statement re-
specting the income and expenditure of the country,
which was very indistinctly heard in the gallery. We
understood the Noble Lord to defend the expenditure of
the Government, on the ground that it had been forced
on them by their predecessors. The measure before
their Lordships conferred a great power on the Govern-
ment, and one which ought to be watched with much
jealousy. It enabled them to go into the market at their
own will and pleasure, without any notice, without the
competition of capitalists, and throw either Exchequer-
bills or stock on the market as they pleased ; and, more-
over, a clause in the present Bill virtually repealed the
restrictive power of the Act of 1844. Adverting to the
state of Ireland, the Noble Lord expressed a hope that
the most careful attention would be paid to the state of
that country, and it would not be forgotten that the
amount of local taxation now raised in Ireland in conse-
quence of the distress existing there was unprecedented.
He was happy, however, to be able to state that in the
time of calamity the revenue from Ireland had not
materially fallen off, and that the repayments which
were being made of the sums advanced by the British
Government had not only not fallen off in amount, but
had gone on increasing.—(Hear, hear.)
The Marquis of LANSDOWNE said that the mea-
sure before their Lordships had been forced on the Go-
vernment in consequence of the opposition which had
been shown to an increase of direct taxation. With
every desire to lessen the expenditure of the country as
much as possible, the task of bringing down the ex-
penses this year was impracticable; for in the present
circumstances of. Europe it was impossible to have les-
sened the naval and military force of the country; and
his colleagues and himself would have resigned office
rather than have been obliged to diminish their expen-
diture in this respect. They had, however, endeavoured
to diminish the burdens of the country as much as they
could with safety; -but they had been obliged to
resist every attempt to reduce the expenditure below
the sum required for the public exigency. It was true
the Bill before their Lordships gave a great power to
the Chancellor of the Exchequer, but it was only a
necessary power, and it had been very well received in
the City. There had not been a more marked rise in the
funds—indicating public confidence—than on the day
following that on which it was announced that the
Chancellor of the Exchequer meant to borrow in the
particular mode provided for by the Bill before their
Lordships.--(Hear, hear.) It was gratifying to know
that there never was a period when they had had greater
reason to assume that their financial and manufacturing
prosperity was in a sounder state than at present; and
it was on that soundness and on his belief that the
energy and enterprise of the people of this country
would, at no distant period, place the resources of the
kingdom on a basis as great and powerful as they
had ever heretofore been, that he had rested his hopes of
the future. Although there had been great incidental
calamity, there was much permanently to inspire confi-
dence and hope, and to encourage them in the course of
legislation which had lately been. pursued. With re-
ference to Ireland, no pains had been spared by
the Lord-Lieutenant to make himself acquainted with
all the facts relative to the disorder and distress in Ire-
land. It was impossible to say, even hypothetically,
that in any one month or season the distress would be
augmented; but if any dreadful emergency should arise,
he hoped they should be prepared to meet it. The po-
tato did not appear to be so universally affected as had
been supposed, and it was only that very day that he had
received various accounts of instances in which the stalks of
affected potatoes had assumed a new appearance, and
given every indication of recent growth. More than
this he could not say at present; and he would only add
that the circumstances of Ireland, until the next meet-
ing of Parliament, would continue to excite the most
anxious attention of the Government.—(Hear.)
The petition was then ordered to lie on the table.
Their Lordships adjourned at a Quarter past Seven
until Twelve o'clock to-morrow (this day), the Loma
CHANCELLOR intimating that the prorogation would
take place at one o'clock, instead of two, as is usually
the case.

HOUSE OF COMMONS, September 4.
1/4Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.)
STEAM-SHIPS.
Lord GEORGE BENTINCK postponed the following
question, in consequence of the absence of the President
of the Board of Trade:—To ask the President of the
Board of Trade a question with regard to the accuracy
of the return last presented, as regards the comparative
measurement of steam-ships under the old and new
mode of measurement.
WEST INDIA SUGAR
Lord G. BENTINCK then moved for the following
returns :—Return, giving a monthly detailed, as well as
abstract account, of the entries of British West India
sugar, with the names of the importing ships, as re-
ported in the Customs Bill A, of entry in hogsheads,
tierces, &c., &c., for each of the months of the year ending
the sth day of January, 1848, with an abstract, showing
the total amount previously imported at the end of each
month: corresponding return, showing the entries of
such hogsheads, tierces, &c., &c., by weight, as subse-
quently entered in the books of the Custom-house;
likewise returns, showing the average weight of each
hogshead, tierce, &c., according to the entries in the
books of the Custom-house, distinguishing the
different colonies, and showing likewise the
differenne, if any, between the quantity or
weight as entered upon the ship's manifest, and
that weighed out under the Queen's beam ; showing the
average interval of time which has elapsed in each
month between the declaration and exhibition of each
ship's manifest to the officers of her Majesty's Customs,
and the discbiii.ge- and weighing out of the cargoes of
such ships at the Queen's beam; showing the quantities
represented to have been imported in the corresponding
periods, according to the published reports of the Board
of Trade and Navigation; showing the date in each
month of the first publication of the Board of Trade
and Navigation Returns of the Imports of British West
India Sugar of the preceding, and the number of days
elapsing in each month, between the closing of the ac-
count by the Customs, and its publication by the Board
of Trade: likewise, Copy of the heading and title of, and
of the arms, if any, emblasoned on the Customs Bill A of
Entry. The Noblo Lord said that he made the motion
in order to ascertain whether or not ho had discovered
a mare's nest, or whether the statements he had made

were true.
Mr. PARKER said he believed the statements made
by the Noble Lord were true.
The motion was then withdrawn.
ADVERTISEMENT DUTY.

Mr. EWART gave notice of his intention, early in
the next session, to move the repeal of the duty on ad-
vertisements.

THE AMERICAN STEAM-SHIP
HERMANN.
(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
COWES, SEPT. 4.—This ship left New York on the
20th ult., and at three o'clock this morning, in a thick
fog, run on a sand-bank in Gurnet Bay. This was
about an hour after high water. Her bows are close in
on the rocks, and there was only six feet water forward
at low water, but more than ten feet aft. She sits quite
upright, and a number of barges are gone down to
lighten her. She is expected to get off this afternoon
without damage. The weather is very fine and the
water smooth. She is to the westward of and rather
inside the buoy, between the berths of the Pottinger
and Cyclops.
IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

The conduct of prisoners has been on the whole fa-
vourable, notwithstanding the greater temptation and in-
creased facility to bad conduct occasioned by the over-
full state of the prison. It will be seen by the returns
in the Appendix that the number of punishments has
been less than in the preceding year.
The buildings have undergone many and great re-
pairs during the last year, and much yet remains to be
done, partly from the natural wear and tear, and partly
also from the necessity of providing increased room for
prisoners, stores, offices, &c. An additional pump is in
course of construction, to be worked, like the others, by
prisoners, the existing pumps having been found insuffi•
cient for the supply of the present necessities of the
establishment.
The staff of schoolmasters has consisted of seven, but
the amount of time employed in clerkship on various
occasions by two of them may be reckoned as the full
time of one; thus virtually leaving the services of six
schoolmasters only for the educational department. The
inconvenience arising from the want of school-rooms is
obvious and great, the passages in which the prisoners of
the respective wards receive instruction being ill-adapted
for such a purpose; thus the schoolmasters are working
at a continual disadvantage.
To measure the advancement of the prisoners would
be difficult, if not impracticable, owing to the continual
changes through the reception or removal of some por-
tion of the vast numbers which the prison ordinarily
contains. Speaking generally, they have evinced full as
great a desire for instruction as might be expected from
men under their circumstances. Instances of misbeha-
viour at school have sometimes occurred, but not so fre-
quently as to detract from the foregoing remark. It is
to be regretted that the amount of instruction afforded
should have been so scanty.
During the first quarter of the year the number of
schoolings averaged only 11, second quarter 13, third
quarter 19, fourth quarter 19.
This comparative increase is attributed to the Mill-
bank Juvenile Class having been, in the beginning of
August, absorbed in the general mass, and not as before,
receiving instruction apart from the other prisoners.
In addition to a full service on the Sunday, alternately
morning and afternoon, the prisoners; male and female,
have attended a daily morning service of the same cha-
racter as named in the last report. The prisoners
located in the General Ward have had the benefit of two
full services every Sunday. The Sacrament of the
Lord's Supper has been administered eight times in the
course of the year, namely, four times respectively to
such of the male and female prisoners as having ex-
pressed a desire to communicate, either already pos-
sessed, or who, under the means employed with them
individually by the assistant-chaplain, attained to a
competent knowledge of the nature and design of that
holy ordinance.
Table 1 in the Appendix (C.) refers to those indi-
viduals of the Millbank juvenile class who, in the
course of the year, were sent abroad with conditional
pardon.

Table 2 refers to those who, ,having been expelled the
class, forfeited their privileges.
Table 3 refers to those who have been removed to
other prisons.
Table 4 refers to those who, though subject to the ge-
neral discipline of the prison, are still considered as be-
longing to the Millbank juvenile class.
The schoolmistresses' report of the female prisoners
is as follows : -
The general subjects taught are-reading., writing, the
Church Catechism, and the faith and duty of a Christian.
The classification of prisoners and the books* used by
the several classes remain the same as in the previous
year.

The improvement of the prisoners, considering their
difficulties, arising from habit and :ignorance, continues
to be encouraging.
The conduct of the prisoners while under instruction
is generally marked by obedience, attention, and thank-
fulness. Occasionally the hardness and headstrong im-
petuosity of the character of some among them will ap-
pear, but generally a little forbearance and manage-
ment suffice to check and lead them to acknowledge
their fault.
The health of the prison during the early part of the
gusuthael
amount of sickness, and an:.almost.unprecedented mor-
tality.
It is not difficult to account for this great increase of
fatal disease. For, besides the increase in the number
of prisoners, there wore several causes in operation from
which no other result could follow.
One cause was the abandonment of the system which
had been in practice for several years, of removing from
Millbank Prison to an invalid hulk at Woolwich all those
male convicts who, from infirmity, disease, or other cause,
were not fit either to undergo transportation, to work in
the dockyards of this country, or to be submitted to re•
formatory discipline at Pentonville or Parkhurst. This
practice was discontinued at the commencement of the
year
1847.
For several months later, convicts advanced
in years, or labouring under various chronic diseases,
were sent from the local gaols of England, Wales, and
Scotland, to Millbank Prison; while of other convicts,
apparently healthy when received at Millbank, a larger
number than before, owing to causes which will presently
be adverted to, became affected with serious chronic
disease during their sojourn there. The consequence
was, an accumulation of unhealthy and infirm prisoners,
who for the most part required medical care and the com-
forts of the infirmary, and who, even if their original in-
firmities did not tend to a fatal result, yet were liable to
suffer severely from accidental causes of illness which
would have affected healthy persons but slightly.
Another circumstance which has had considerable
share iu the production of an increased amount of serious
since
of
thef th thmiddleose
e convicts
consequent
detentionof
w hoyeara t
being 1
Millbank7 , e si s s
the almost total discontinuance of the transportatio
refmaleespecially llesboictanaonlgani kynevrdiPientrsi
convicts,
enn
disease, and more particularly of consumptive disease, in
casesd
their
pheerailotdhsy,than before. This cause operated
n of
were less well fitted for dockyard
labour; but, in rs measure, it .affected all the convicts;
and it nearly doubled the length of the average term of
imprisonment of the whole body of convicts. Owing to
this circumstance, disease had time to develop itself in
many prisoners who in former years would have loft
Millbank in good or apparently good health; and this
development of disease was the more frequent and rapid
from the mental depression produced by the sentence of

• The books referred to °are the Holy Scriptures, Cross-
man's Instruction, Faith and Duty, and the Broken Cate-
chism, with Ludlow's Class Reading Book for the better
informed.

Much benefit has been 'found to arise from the prisoners
being required to exercise their memories in the repetition
of the collects from the Liturgy, or some pf the hymns;com-
=ply sung in the chapel. , .

MILLBANK PRISON.
The following is the Fifth Report of the Inspectors of
Millbank Prison, which has been presented to both
Houses of Pat!lament by command of her Majesty :
Prison, Au. , 1848.
Since the date of theMillbank last report, Captag 19
in Williams,
one of the Inspectors of Prisons, has been associated with
Mr. Perry in the management, the number of inspectors
of Millbank Prison being thus limited to two.
In consequence of the alteration, alluded to in the last
Report, in the disposal of-prisoners, it will be seen in the
Appendix that the only individuals sent to the colonies
in a penal condition, in the last year have been women,
334 of whom have been transferred to the Penitentiary
at Hobart Town. The male prisoners, 2,446 in
number, have either been sent to the bulks in this
country or at Gibraltar, whence they will be removed,
after probationary terms of varying:duration, with tickets
of leave or conditional pardons to the Australian
colonies, or to the prisons of Pentonville and
Parkhurst, there to undergo their probationary disci-
pline, or to certain other prisons in which conveniences
exist for carrying into effect strict separate confinement.
The other prisons alluded to are those enumerated be-
low, in which the magistrates have contracted with the
Government for the probationary residence of the num-
ber of convicts placed opposite to their names re-
spectively :—Wakefield 400, Leicester 120, Northamp-
ton 50, Reading 40, Leeds 40, Bath 24.
Notwithstanding the relief afforded by these several
means, the number of prisoners has gone on increasing
to an unprecedented extent, the average number having
exceeded that of the previous year by 151. During the
past months of the current year, the excess has still
further increased, the average number during the first
seven months having reached 1,354, of whom 1,210
were males, and the number in the prison at one time
during that period having sometimes amounted to
1,473 males and 98 females. To provide accommo-
dation for this increase of numbers with as little risk
as possible to the health and security of the prison,
the inspectors have converted, by the permission of
the Secretary of State, the whole of the upper floor
of one of the pentagons into large rooms, four in
number, in which 320 males are lodged under the con-
stant supervision of efficers, whilst the cells which were
removed ,for the construction of these rooms accommo-
dated only 84. All the appliances of the most perfect
ventilation and cleanliness have been adopted to guard
against the injurious consequences of an over-dense po-
pulation; but, it cannot be concealed that the excessive
accumulation-of human beings in a locality which is not
of the most salubrious character is a measure by no
means desirable. Nothing but the extreme necessity of
the case arising out of the difficulty of providing tem-
porary accommodation for convicts, would have justified
its adoption; and the inspectors hope that the opening
of the barracks for convicts at Portland and other outlets
in contemplation will soon relieve them from the necessity
of its continuance.
The observations which were made in the last report,
on the greatly increased amount of duty required of the
whole staff of officers, in consequence of the increased
number of prisoners, may be now repeated, and with
far more force. The inspectors have seen with much
pain the oppressiveness of the duty of some of the su-
perior officers, and they have been compelled most re-
luctantly to increase the staff of supernumerary inferior
officers, from time to time, to meet the necessities of the
occasion, in order that the sacrifice of discipline might
not be added to the other evils of an over-full prison.
The onerous duties of the Governor, chaplains, medical
officers, and secretary, have been most cheerfully per-
formed, and the inspectors feel that they cannot speak
too highly of the manner in which they have been
executed.
The number of officers temporarily employed, owing
to casualties and the great influx of prisoners at parti-
cular periods, has been so considerable, that the item for
salaries has much exceeded the estimated sum. The
extra diet also of prisoners, and the other expenses of
the infirmary, are very much larger items than they
were in the previous year from the like cause, as also
the expense of heating the prison.
The victualling of prisoners has greatly exceeded the
estimate, each male prisoner having cost 11. 19s. 4id.
and each female 14 10s. 9d. on the annual average, more
than estimated for. This excess has been mainly caused
by the high price of flour during the greater portion of
the year.

- It would be easy to show that this great mortality
from consumption is not peculiar to the Millbank Prison;
that the same disease is everywhere produced by impri-
sonment sufficiently prolonged, more especially when the
imprisonment is attended with circumstances calculated
to produce much mental depression; and that the pro-
portional mortality from all diseases must bo excessive
in a prison serving, like Millbank Prison, as a depot
from which only the healthy convicts are taken for dis-
tribution to other places of confinement. It is not,
therefore, from the desire of diminishing the apparent
mortality at blillbank that the evil results of detaining
convicts long in this establishment in a state of suspense,
and the desirableness of an invalid criminal establish-
ment, have been insisted on, but simply from a convic-
tion that the present state of things is productive of a
sacrifice of life which might to a considerable extent be
prevented.
The statement that the removal of diseased and infirm
convicts to the invalid hulk was discontinued at the be-
ginning of the year 1847, may appear at variance with
the fact that, in Table 1, 44 convicts are set down as
having been transferred to the hulks on medical grounds
in the course of the year. It is necessary, therefore, to
explain that only 20 of that number were removed in
January, 1847, to the invalid hulk at Woolwich, and
that no more than 6 of these laboured under disease of
fatal tendency. The remaining 24 were men removed
to a hulk at Portsmouth in the month of June for the
benefit of change of air, who were affected merely with
external diseases, and were, for the greater part at
the time of their removal, capable of active convict
labour.
Two insane prisoners were removed to the criminal
lunatic asylum in the course of the year. Ono of these,
a male convict (J. L.), was manifestly insane, when he
was received. The other, a female convict (E. C.), had
been four months in the prison when the first symptoms
of disordered intellect were observed (see Table 4).
Three other male convicts laboured under delusions at
the time of their reception; two of these (G. S. and H.
R.) received pardons on account of the state of their
minds; the third (P. II.) recovered under treatment in
this prison.
Another male convict (E. S.), after being more than
seven months in the prison, had a slight attack of in-
sanity, from which he soon recovered. But he subse-
quently relapsed, and since the commencement of the
present year he has been removed to Bethlehem Hospital.
The prisoner who committed suicide in the year 1847,
had only been four days in Millbank Prison. And in
this instance, as in several previous ones, the act appears
to have been the result of the disturbed state of the feel-
ings caused by the prisoner's recent conviction and the
sentence of transportation passed on him.
It has already been stated than an unusual amount
of sickness occurred in the later months of the year
1847. The average proportion of sick for the
whole year was thereby rendered greater than it
had been in the several preceding years. The
average number of sick in the infirmary, which in
1846 was 49'9 per 1,000 prisoners, was in 1847 67.3 per
1,000 prisoners ; and the average daily number of the
cases of casual sickness, which in. 1846 was 17.0 per
1,000 prisoners, was 20.6 per 1,000 prisoners, in 1847.
The causes of this increase of sickness have been ex-
plained. It remains only to remark that, even if these
causes be removed, the 'greatly-increased number of
pri-
soners confined in the establishment, supposing this in
crease be permanent, will of necessity cause the number
of sick requiring treatment in the infirmary to be much
larger than it was at former periods ; and that, under
these circumstances, a new infirmary will he indispens-
able, the part of the prison at present used for that pur.
pose being inadequate in extent, as well as exceedingly
inconvenient in construction.

The net profits of the manufactory, although exceed-
ing by nearly 4001. those of the preceding year, fall very
far short of the amount which they might be made to
attain if an additional number of trades' instructors were
engaged. Even under the disadvantage, however, of an
insufficient staff, they amounted, as will be seen detailed
in Appendix E., to 4,2981. 2s. 34d.
JOHN G. PERRY,
WILLIAM JOHN WILLIAMS,
Inspectors of Milibank Prison.

CHELTENHAM ELECTION.
CiELTENIIAM, MONDAY EVENING.--The poll was
opened this morning at eight o'clock, and closed at four.
Mr. Berkeley took the lead at once, and in sporting
phraseology, maintained it to the winning post." The
following was the state of the poll at the close :•-•••
The Hon. Granville Lennox Berkeley 990
Mr.' Vscott 842
Gross majority for Mr. Berkeley --1,18
Mr. Escott's committee, however, make a very diffe-
rent result. They have published during the day state-
ments of the poll showing a difference of 100 between
their list and those published by Mr. Berkeley's com-
mittee, and make the gross majority of Mr. Berkeley
about fifty only.
The returning officer had not made his declaration
when the last train left. There can be no doubt, how-
ever, about the return of Mr. Berkeley.

USEFUL HINT ABOUT CHOLERA. (From a Cor-
respondent).—A writer in a weekly medical journal,
who saw much•of the cholera in 1832 and 1834, sug-
gests a very simple, and, as he asserts, a very valu-
able prevention against the susceptibility of the di-
ease. The weakened state of the stomach, he
says, which predisposes to cholera, is so decidedly ob-
viated by eating freely of common salt with our meals
that it is believed that three-fourths of the cases
which would otherwise occur may be prevented by this
simple addition to our food. The writer recommends
for an adult a ninth of an ounce (about a small tea-
spoonful) three times a day, at breakfast, dinner, tea,
or supper. It may be eaten with fish, animal food,
poultry, game, bread, toast, or bread and butter.
The same beneficial result is not obtained with
salted meats, broths, soups, &c., in which salt is dis-
solved; because by the action of heat, or long admix-
ture of the salt with other matter, a change is pro-
duced in its properties, and the preventive power, with
reference to this particular use of it, destroyed. When
cholera prevailed in London the writer was constantly
exposed to its influence, and only used the above pre-
ventive measure. The beneficial effect of this plan pro-
bably depends, first, upon the salt stimulating the diges-
tive organs to produce sy perfect digestion and assimila-
tion of the food; and, secondly, upon maintaining a more
than usually saline condition of the blood; for it is well
known that one of the earliest effects of cholera is to
deprive the blood of its saline materials.
TEE RISE AND FALL.—At a select party in
Edinburgh of " Bien Bodies," there was an ancient
couple present who had made a competency in a small
shop in town, and retired from business, leaving their
only son a successor to the shop, free from every incurs-
brance. But John, after a few years had failed in the
world, and his misfortunes became the theme of
discourse. Mrs. A.—Dear me, Mrs. IL, I wonder
your Johnnee did sae ill in the same shop you
did so well in. Mrs. 11.--Hoot, woman, it's
nae wonder at a'. Mrs. A.—Weel, how did it happen ?
Mrs. tell ye how it happened. Ye mun ken,
when Tom and me began to merchandize, we took par-
ritch night and morning, and kail to our dinner. When
things grew better we took tea to our breakfast. And
weel woman, the age mended, and we sometimes coft a
lambkin for a Sunday dinner, and before we gae up, we
sometimes coft a chuckie, we were doing sae weel. Naw
ye maun ken, when Jonhnee began to merchandize, he
began at the chuckie first.
POTATO DISEASE IN IRELAND A CENTURY AGO.—
Lord Chancellor Jocelyn, writing from Ireland in 1741,
to his brother Chancellor (llardwicke) in England,
"mentions the distressed state of the country at that
period, owing to the entire failure of the potato crop
which had occurred, and which was followed by famine
and disease to a frightful went.'

expatriation being now aggravated by the anxiety and
doubt which the convicts felt with respect to their ulti-
mate destination.
The sickness and mortality were further increased by
the fever and influenza which during the autumn and
winter were epidemic in the metropolis and in other parts
of the country. Prisoners generally, owing to the de •
pressed state of their minds and bodily powers, are espe-
cially liable to. suffer severely from fever ; and the
convicts in Milbank Prison were in the late epidemic
attacked by it in large numbers, in several instances with
a fatal result. The influenza, did not affect a dispropor-
tionate number of the prisoners. Only thirty-six, out
of a population of 1,243, required infirmary treatment
on account of it; and in no instance did it alone cause
death, although it hastened the fatal termination of two
cases of consumption.
The total mortality in. the year was thirty-three
deaths, or 28.648 per 1,000 prisoners (see Appendix I),
Table 1); in the previous year, the mortality was only
13'026 per 1,000 prisoners. On referring to the causes
of death (Table 2), the excess in the rate of mortality
during the year 1847 is seen to be due to the great num-
ber of deaths caused by consumption and fever. Of the
thirty-three deaths, eighteen were caused by the former,
and seven by the latter disease. The remaining eight
deaths were severally due to the following causes:—
epilepsy, chronic bronchitis with gangrene of the lung,
diseased heart, dysentery, cholera, diseased cervical ver-
tebrae, childbed, and suicide by hanging.
Fifteen prisoners were pardoned on medical grounds
in the year 1847 (see Table 2). Four of these laboured
under consumption, and eight under other chronic bodily
diseases or infirmities, rendering them unfit for trans-
portation. Two were the subjects of mental delusions ;
and one had recently been afflicted with insanity, and
his pardon was recommended from the fear that con-
tinued imprisonment might induce a return of his mental
disorder.
Amongst the deaths and pardons there were twenty-
one instances in which the prisoners at the time of their
reception were evidently affected with the diseases which
caused their deaths, or formed the grounds of their par-
dons. These twenty-one prisoners, together with an in-
firm old man who sank under a slight attack of fever,
would in former years have been immediately trans-
ferred to the invalid hulk. Of these, too, who died of
consumptive disease developed in Milbank prison, several
would likewise have been sent to the hulk ; and the
result of this would have been, not merely to
transfer mortality from one place of imprisonment
to another, but really to prolong and even save lives; fOr
undoubtedly many
.instances have occurred where dis-
ease, tending progressively to the destruction of life, has
been wholly arrested, and health been restored, on the
patients being transferred to the hulks, where they have
had the advantage of a purer and freer atmosphere, and
where their minds have been in some measure relieved
from the depression and anxiety which had before
exerted so injurious an influence on their bodily health.
The urgent necessity that exists for a healthily-situ-
ated and well-ordered criminal invalid establishment is
shown by the fact that, since the commencement of the
present year, 18 deaths have already been caused by
pulmonary consumption, or other forms of internal
scrofulous diseases, and that pardons have been granted
to eight other prisoners who, in all probability, would
have died of the same disease had they remained in
prison.