The Sun.
London, England, 1856-02-05 00:00:00

THE PRICES OF PROVISIONS AND THE WEATHER.

STATE OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH.

420,242 deaths were regiatetied in the year 1855, or
less in number by nearly 12,000 than the deaths in the
previous year. The rate of mortality was 2'269 per
oent., or nearly 22 two-thirds on every 1,600 inhabitants.
The mean of the previous 10 years was 2.284, so that
the mortality of the year was in the aggregate below the
average. The civil registers contain no record of the
deaths in the Crimea or elsewhere abroad.
The deaths of 97,119 persons were registered in the
last quarter of the year ; and the annual rate of mor-
tality was 2041 per cent, on the population, or 0.157
less than the average rate of the season (2.208).
The mortality of 117 districts, comprising tile chief
towns of England and Wales, was in the quarter at the
rate of nearly 24 is 1,000 ; the mortality in the other
511 districts, containing the small towns and the coun-
try parishes, was at the rate of 13 in 1,009 ; the avenge
rates of the 10 auto mu quarters preceding were nearly
26 in 1,000 in the large town district-4, and 20 in the
small town and the county districts.
The mortality was slightly below the averktee in each
of the South-Eastern counties ; Croydon and Dartford,
which formerly suffered from epidemics, were healthy.
Canterbury, Gravesend, and Farnham have suffered to
some extent from epidemics. Smallpox prevailed arnone
the soldiers at Canterbury, who it appears had not I:een
vaccinated. Scarlatina prevailed in Alverstoke, New-
port (Isle of Wight), Winchester, and Windsor. At
Winchester there have been " seven deaths from fever ;"
and, adds the registrar, " about the same number of
deaths from syphilitic gangrene or Moos grace, which
prevailed in the military hospital, and also in the county
hospital and union workhouse, especially among wo-
men."

The mortality is much lower than it was last year in
the South Midland counties. In a few districts opide
mice prevailed. Smallpox has been fatal in Ware, in the
"densely-populated ciurts and alleys," where vaccina-
tion was neglected. The registrar at Royston notes :
" Sanitary arrangements much neglected ; typhus very
prevalent. Scarlatina was fatal in Welwyn, Harpenden
(Hertford), Chesham (Rucks), Turvey, Bedford, and
Cardington, Ivineboe (Buds), in Cambridge, Ely, and
Wisbeach., Snaall.pox occasioned some deaths in these
counties. Many complaints are made of the working
of the Vaccination Act. Scarlatina and fever were pre-
valent is Cambridge both during summer and autumn.
The mortality was low in the districts of the Ea,tern
counties, with the exception of Risbridge, King'e Lynn,
Saffron Walden, and a few more. Scarlatina in a ma-
lignant form was prevalent in the parish of Downhain
and in the Ingatestono sub•district. Erysipelas, chiefly
of the face, was very prevalent in Coggeshall. The re-
gistrar of Manningtree says :--
"Several fatal cases of typhus and scarlatina }dye oc-
curred in the parish of Ramsey, which is situate a few
miles from Harwich. I consider Ramsey to be the most
unhealthy parish in this district. There is a large tract
of marsh land surroundinx the village, and, as far as I
can learn, a great want of drainage exists. Some sani-
tary measures ought to be at once put in motion, other-
wise the inhabitants must continue to suffer from a
• disease which is an prevalent in almost every cottager's
residence in the parish."
At Sudbury only 54 deaths occurred in six months
out of ahont 8,000 people. The population are fully
employed. The improvement in the health of Rattlesden
Stow district) is ascribed to " sanitary regulations."
In the South-Western counties the deaths (8,333) were
below the average. Scarlatina was, however, fatal in
several districts ; so was fever. In St. Keverne, in
Cornwall, the excess-of deaths (121 to 29 births) was the
consequence of the wreck of the bark John on the
Manacles, when the bodies of 93 emigrants were cast on
shore. The diminished mortality of Edington (West-
bury) is referred to the works of the sanitary inspector.
The poor of Heavitree, near Exeter, suffer much from
the high price of food, but soup kitchens afford some
alief.

Tho West Midland counties (Gloucester, Hereford,
Salop, Stafford. Worcester, and Warwick) experienced
a
rate of mortality much below the average. The deaths
were 12.504 in. 1853, 13,611 in. 185-1, and 11,172 in
1855. The decrease is most striking in the great towns ;
thus, in the last quarters of 1853 and 1855 the deaths in
Bristol and Clifton were 904 and 726; in Wolver.
hampton 858 and 704 ; in Dudley, 1,032 and 747 ; in
Birmingham and Aston, 1,888 and 1,440. In Coventry
the deaths showed little decrease. Of the 94 deaths in
the Holy Trinity sub-district " 54 are those of children
under three years old, the causes of death being gene.
rally either natural weakness,' diarrhea,' or con.
vulsionß.'"
The deaths (5,631), except in Intim), were below
the average in the West Mi.lland counties—namely, in
Leicester, Lincoln Nottingham, and Derby.
In Cheshire and Lancashire the improvement is less
extensive than it is in other counties. The deaths were
16
,928. The deaths in Liverpool and West. Derby,
where scarlatin,
t
a and epidemic were 3,487, or 273 more
than in the last
cheater and Salford,quarter of 1853. Thu deaths in Mari
on the ether hand, were 2,396, or
874 less than in 1853 Many deaths from scarlatina oc-
curred in Runcorn.
deaths occurred among In Knott-lane, Ashton, several
persons who were attended by
an unqualified practitioner
The decrease in the mort'ality of Yorkshire is consider-
able ; the deaths in the last three months of 1353 were
10,670 ; in the last three montlB° year 1855 they ,
were 9,421. Bradford, Leeds S
t the
heffield, York, and
Hull exhibit a great dim theinutionin number of deaths.
The deaths in the Northern. Counties—Durham,
Northumberland, Cumberland, and Westmorland—were

The paddlewheel steamer Ardent, Commander Hu-
bert Campion, arrived yesterday morning at Woolwich
from the Black Sea. Her term of commission having
expired, she will be paid off and docked for repairs. The
Ardent wal engaged from the 24th of May to the 21st
of November in the Sea of Azaff in the destruction of
Russian forage and grain and in sinking and destroying
vessels. She left kertea on the 20th of December, 1.(1-
zatch the 2d of January, and Constantinople on the 4tb.
The following appointments were made yesterday at
the Admiralty :—Commander G. F. Burgess, to the
Stromboli, vice Cole; promoted ; Lieutenant T. T.
Phillips, to the Centurion ; Lieut. H. G. Belson, to the
Esk ; 3. W. M'J. Hall, Master, to command the Re-
sistance, vice Hartley, invalided ; F. L. Barrington,
Midshipman, to the Coquate ; A. M'Clatchie, Surgeon,
to the Algiers ; John W. Reid, Surgeon, to the Bruns-
wick'; John. F. Pritchard, Surgeon, to the Colossus ; S.
S. D. Wells, Surffeon, to the Sanspareil ; John Cotton,
Surgeon, to the London ; and John Barclay, Surgeon,
to the Ficgard.

• -MILITIA.
The Royal London Militia, which has been quartered
on the publicans of Finsbury, St. Luke's, and Shoreditch
for the teat 12 months, mustered in the Artillery-ground
on Friday morning, marched to the Waterloo station,
and went thence by rail to the camp at Aldershott. As
they passed through the streets, with the band playing,
they attracted an immense concourse of people. The
regiment was met at Farnborough by the Royal Eltherne
and Hertford Militia, and played merrily into camp.
The Ist Somerset Militia Regiment under order to be
in readiness for taking its departure from Teuntost,
where it has been stationed since the 10th of April last.
The officers and non-commissioned officers were unani-
mously resolved to contribute one day's pay each to the
Nightingale Fend.
The Royal Elthorne or sth Middlesex Regiment of
Militia contributed 200 volunteers to the troops on ac-
tive service on the Ist inst., when the regiment, being
formed in square, was addressed in the following terms
by the commanding officer Major Miller :—" Soldiers
of the Royal Elthorne Middlesex Militia,—You have
again an opportunity of volunteering fer the line.
You offered to a man to serve your Sovereign in the
Crimea, which is recorded ta yourcreXt by the Miniet :r
for War, and I have no doubt pie will again come for-
ward under the superintendence of that gallant officer
Major Hardinge. Royal Elthorne,—You have given
700 men and officers. to the Guards, Rifles, and Line,
where you will see your comrades wearing the medals
of Alma and Inkerman, for in every instance you have
volunteered to regiments at the seat of war, and thus
proving your devotion to your Queen and country.
Soldiers,—Lieutenant-General Kuollys has been kindly
pleased to remark your smart appearance and improve-
ment since we have been in camp—show that we de•
serve his encomiums. Men of the Royal Elthorne, one
word more,--Enjoy the bounty money you receive, but.
don't spend it foolishly ; use, but do not abuee it ; above
all avoid drunkenness. You can help your mothers and
sweethearts with it ; and, whatever part of the world
you may be called upon to serve in, may success attend
you." These judicious and spirited words were received
by the men with the live:iest expre.ision of satisfaction.

M.ETli'

IPOLIPAN BOARD OF WORKS.

YostFrday a meeting of the board was held at the
Council Chamber, Guildhall, under the presidency of
Mr. Thwaites, mainly for the purpose of electing a su•
perintending architect of metropolitan buildings, the
other items in the agenda paper being to order sum-
monses to issue against defaulters in the Holborn divi-
sion and the Surrey and Kent district, and "general
business."

After the reaJing and confirmation of the miiutos,
The PRESIDENT remarked that the election might now
be commenced. lie had received 16 applications, but
one of the candidates had since withdrawn his name.
Mr. FEW said that ho himself and several other mem-
bers considered that the amount of salary advertised by
the board to be paid to the superintending architect was
too low. If the president considered him in order in so
doing, he would move that the court do now adjourn the
appointment of this officer for 10 days ; and it this mo-
tion wore carried, he intended to follow it up by pro-
posng that a committee of the whole beard should re-
consider the question of the remuneration of the super.
inter.ding architect.

The PRESIDENT ruled that the hon. member was
quite in order. _ _ _

Mr. BURSLEII seconded the motion, conceiving that
they had fixed the salaries cry. too cc momical a scale.
Mr. SAVAGE moved and Mr. DALTDN seconded an
amendment to the effect that the election be now pro-
ceeded with by reducing the list of candidates to four.
The PRESIDENT having put the amendment, it was
carried by a large majority.
The list of candidates was then reduced by show of
hands to the following four names. The numbers ap-
pended give the result of the voting :
F. Alarrable- 27
w. Tiosking 2l
Chas. Ilakewell
Julan Barnett
The letters of applicatiox and the names
of the re-
ferees of these gentlemen were then read by the secre-
tary, and they themselves were
permitted to address the
Court.

A number of questions were put to the candidates by
Mr. H. L. TAYLOR and other members of the board.
Eventually the voting stood thus :...
Mr. Marrable... 2l ... •19 ... 21
Mr. Hosking 14 16
...
Mr. Hake l3
••• --•
Mr. Barnett l7 —l7 17
The PRESIDENT observed that, as Mr. Marrable had
the highest number of votes, it was no w his (the Presi-
dent's) duty to put it to the board whether Mr. Mar-
rabic) should be superintending architect.
The question having been put, 30 votes were recorded
in favour of Mr. Marrable, who returned thanks in
brief terms.
The remaining business, which was of a formal cha-
racter, was then disposed of, and the board adjourned.

•
WORCESTER. ADMINISTRATIVE REFORM. A
crowded meeting way held in Worcester Guildhall, on
Friday evening, 0 petition Parliament in favour of mea-
sure of administrative reform, and to rnemoria!ise the
(2,,ein for an inquiry into the circumstances connected
w.th the fall of Kars.

" Exclusive of the Artillery, for whom sep;►rate warm
clothing was provided, the whole force in the Crimea, at
the eo'i of November, appears to have been about 23,000
or 24,000, and the supplies which had arrived from Eng-
land is the end of November and beginning of Decem-
ber, for the purpose of equipping them with clothing
suitable for the winter, were as under :-1" hocks, woollen
and flannel, 80,400 ; drawers, ditto, 35,500 ; stockings
and socks, 69,056; militia trousers, 6,000; militia coats,
5,934 ; great coats, line pattern, 8,300 ; watch cloaks
or coats, 5,075 ; blankets, 24,025 ; rugs, 10,975 ; pail-
lasses, 20,000 ; bolster cases, 4,000; ammunition boots,
29,840 ; and shoes, 5,820.
" Had all these supplies come safely to hand, they
would have furnished about three woollen frocks and
three pairs of socks or stockings, as well as half that
proportion of drawers, and a❑ extra blanket to each
man. There were also enough of rugs, paillasses, and
greatcoats, or watcheloaks, to have furnished, absut one
of each for every two men, which would have been suf-
ficient ; because, owing to the duty to be performed,
only a Froportion of the men could be in their tents at
the same tiros.
" Unfortunately, the Prince was lost on the 14th of
November with all lief supplies, but an officer was im-
mediately despatched by Lord Raglan to Constantinople
for the purpose of making purchases to replace them,
who succeeded in obtaining the quantities specified in a
list given in the appendix.
" WARM CLOTHING FROM CONSTANTINOPLE,

" Of these, a portion was sent over immediately by
the Brandon, the Valorous, and the Sidney. The Queen
of the South also arrived from Malta on the 18th of
November with further supplies, so that there was avail-
able for distribution in the end of November and be-
ginning of December (by which time the thermometer
had not fallen below the freezing point) the following
articles :—Frocks, woollen and flannel, 35,682 ; drawer.,
woollen and flannel, 20,481 ; stockings and socks,
72,602 ; greatcoats, 12,:75 ; watch-coats or cloaks,
6')o ; blankets, 14,367 ; rugs, 10,325 ; paillasses,
11,450 ; ammunition boors, 18,600 ; shoes, 4,020 ; ca-
pw es and gregoes, 995 ; comforters, 12,043 ; mits,
8,724 ; militia trourers, 6,630 ; ditto coats, 5,934.
" TLe quantity lost in the Prince, however, was so
great as to leave the supply very inadequate for the wants
of the force till the end of December, by which time
nurn't runs vessels arrived with large quantities of warm
clothing, bath from England and Constantinople. In
the meanwhile the supplies which bad come to band
might have been applied to the protection of the troops,
aim we shall, therefore, proceed to inquire whether steps
were taken for that purpose.
" DISTRIBUTIOZ OF WARM CLOTHING.

" With the exception ef some articles given out to two
or three regiments in the end of November, the issue of
the underclothing, consisting of woollen frocks, flannel
drawers, and stockings cr socks, as well as about one-
halt of the trouser,, commenced from the Quartermaster-
General's store in the first week of December, and at the
same time a distribution of blankets took place. These
supplies, which were assigned to the regiments in quan-
tities proportioned to their numbers, afforded about one
snit of underclothing, including a pair of socks to each
man, with a blanket to every two men. On the arrival
of fresh supplies in the beginning of January, each man
was completed with two suite of under clothing and
socks, as well as one extra blanket. During the month
of December the severity of the weather had increased,
and the medical officers describe the sufferings of the
troooe, for want of proper bedding, warm coves ing, and
clothing, as very serious. No circumstance was more
dilated upon by those gentlemen than the condition of
the men lying on the muddy floors of their tents, with
nothing under or over them except a blanket or great-
coat, often quite wet. From this condition even the
sick were not at that time exempt.

RUGS.
" It will be observed, that among the supplies re-
ceived as early as the 21st of November, there were
• .early 8,000 rugs,. and that the number in store or on
board of ships in the hal tour, on the 7th of December,
exceeded 10,000- -irrespective of 3,750 lost in the Prince.
rugs were nearly as well calculated as blankets to
give the protection from the cold, and were, perhaps,
better suited to resist wet ; yet, when the supply of
blankets fell short, it does not appear to have occurred
to any one that the rugs were available as a substitute.
They continued to arrive by different vessels during the
month of January till the number amounted to 25,000 ;
but, while the man are stated to have suffered severely
for want of sufficient covering, the return of clothing re.
ceirod and is,ued from the Quartermaster-General's
store shows that the troops were supplied with only 800
oat of 24,000.

" This circumstance is the more unaccountable, be-
cause on the 18th of Noveniber, Major Wetherall was
directed to purchase, at Constantinople, 22,000 blankets,
or rugs.'

" Tiio only explanation that has been offdred to ac-
count fur the non-issue of those rugs is the statement
of Atjor Wetherall, that he occasionally mentioned to
the Quartermasters of different corps that there were
such things in store, and that they declined taking them.
We could not learn, however, from any of the Quarter-
masters whom we questioned on the subject, or even
from their superior afters, that they were aware of the
existence of these rugs ; and certainly it is not usual to
leave it to the Quartermaster of L. corps to determine
what amount of covering the soldiers shall have. He

alts merely as the authorised raceive,r of the stores for
the corps •; and it is not easy to conceive on what
grfnin,ls any officer could decline to receive these sup-
plies, which were of the best description, at a time when
the men were suffering seriously from cold, and had no
means of keeping themselves warm except by using
additional coverings.

"BLANKETS.
" When the intelligence of the loss of the Prince and
of the increasing severity of the climate in the Crimea
was received in England, additional supplies of blankets

"It does not seem 0 have occurred to the officers
%Am were charged with the distribution of this clothing
that so large a quantity of greatcoats could hardly have
been sent at one time for the mere purpose of replacing
such as were worn out. Used only for that purpose, the
number, amountiog ultimately to 37,000, would have
been sufficient for nearly five years ; and the quantity
constantly arriving might have convinced them that it
was not inten led to assign any other limit to the distri-
bution than the wants of the troops. No carps was
likely to require the renewal of its greatcoats so unex-
pectedly as not to admit of their being sent from Eng-
land, if the stores in I3alaktava could not furnish them.
"It might, however, be expedient, when supplies the
issue of which is regulated by Royal warrant are sent
out to be otherwise distributed, that some intimation to
that effect should be given, in order that officers may
not be subjected to any risk of personal and pecuniary
responsibility by setting aside the authority of the war•
rant.