The Sun.
London, England, 1858-10-01 00:00:00

THE MEDITERRANEAN.

SOUTHAMPTON, THURSDAY NIGHT.
The Peninsular and Oriental steamer Sultan,
Captain Cook, has arrived. She has only a small
Mediterranean mail, the Bombay mails having
come home by the Pera. She brings 32 passen-
gers, £1,511 in specie, 205 bales of flax, 103 cases
of indigo, 10 cases of senna, 21 packages of ele-
phants' teeth, 328 sacks of wheat, and 39 packages
of sundries. The Sultan left Alexandria on the
13th, Malta on the 18th, and Gibraltar on the
24th. Her Majesty's ships Princess Royal, Vul-
ture, Urgent, and Perseverance were at Alexandria,
the two latter having taken troops.
The Valetta steamer, with the mails of the 17th,
from Southampton, arrived at Gibraltar on the 23d.
On the of September the Sultan spoke the
steamer Cambria, bound to Alexandria, with the
Australian mails ; and on the 27th the Malta, for
Alexandria, with the Bombay mails.

2tITROPOLITAY IOAIIi OP JVciii.kg.

(MEETING THIS DAY)

The ordinary weekly ntteting of the Metropolitan.
Board of Works was held to-day in the Ceiilieil
Chamber, Guildhall.

MAIN DRAINAGE OF THE METROPOLIS.
Mr. BAZALGETTE read the following report to the
Board upon the arrangements proposed for con
structing the Main Drainage and Intercepting
Sewers :

Gentlemen,—Since the date of your resolution I have
been actively engaged in re-surveying and levelling the
routes of the several lines of the intercepting. sewers recom-
mended in the report of Messrs. Bidder, Hawksley, and
myself. Corrected surveys and detailed plans of the private
property to be crossed are now being constructed, and an
inquiry has been instituted as to the ownership and occu-
piers of such portions thereof as will have to be purchased.
Additional borings are now being made, and the contract
drawings and specifications for several portions of the work
have already been commenced, and are beingproceeded with
as rapidly as possible, in the order hereinafter enumerated.
With regard to the arrangements by which the several
parts of the works can be most advantageously and conve-
niently carried out, I submit that the natural and most
convenient order for executing works of this character
would be to commence at the outfalls on both sides of the
river ; and by first constructing the high level and gravi-
tating sewers, to cut off the flood waters of the high from
the low level districts, and thus to prepare for the subse-
quent execution of the low level sewers.

- But for some years past, whilst the best system of main
drainage to be executed has been under discussion, the evils
arising from defective drainage and the want of proper
outfalls have been rapidly increasing, and have, in many
parts of the metropolis, become so intolerable as to demand
some modification of this most convenient mode of conduct-
ing the works, in order to produce beneficial results with the
least possible delay.
Pressing demands upon this Board for improved drainage
outfalls continue to- be received from all parts of the metro-
polis, and the memorialists have' grown impatient, at the
answer that " no permanent relief can be afforded them
until the main drainage is carried out." Thus it is ren-
dered necessary to push forward the works at numerous
points simultaneously ; and whilst now making a selection
of the works to commence with, it is not intended to, post-
pone the others, but one contract after another will be fol-
lowed up as rapidly as they can be prepared, and entered
into ; and it is anticipated that in the course of the next
year the whole will be in active operation.
On the north side of the Thames the northern high level
sewer, from Hempstead to the River Lea, is urgently
needed. It will form a substitute for the open Hackney-
brook sewer, and embraceA a length of 74 miles of main
sewer and 1i mile of branches; and, in an engineering
point of view, it is a convenient portion of the work to com-
mence upon. I have, therefore, first prepared the contract
drawings and specifications for this portion—to be let in one
contract—which is now submitted for your approval ; and
I recommend that advertisements be forthwith issued for
tenders for this contract.

The more detailed surveys which are now being made
have enabled me to improve the original line in several
places, and I hope, by similar- careful revisions, to be
enabled from time to time to make improvements in all
other lines.

The whole cost of this work, including land, compensa-
tions, and a variety of contingent items, will be, in round
numbers, about £150,000.
A considerable portion of the surplus earth may be re-
moved from the excavations through the new sewer when
constructed : and inasmuch as the best of this earth, and
that from the middle level sewer, will be required to form
the embankment of the main outfall sewer from the river
Lea across the marshes to Barking Creek, the formation of
so much of this outfall sewer forms a part of the present
contract, and must be at once commenced ; and immediate
steps must be taken to effect the purchase of the land neces-
sary for this purpose.
I beg to call the early attention of the Board to this
point, as delay here will give rise to great inconvenience ;
and I recommend that the necessary machinery to accom-
plish this object be at once set in motion.
The south side of the Thames next demands your atten-
tion. Large and densely-inhabited districts of Camberwell,
Deptford, Bermondsey, Rotherhithe, and Lambeth are
suffering from flooding, and other evils arising from the
pent up sewage of their tide-locked sewers; and last year
this Board, fearing that further delays might arise before
they were enabled to carry out the main drainage, had
determined upon and taken steps for the execution of tem-
porary works, at a very. large pecuniary sacrifice, in order
to afford those districts immediate relief. This relief may,
however, now be obtained by constructing a portion
of the permanent works. I therefore recommend that the
order of the board for the erection of a temporary station at
the mouth of the Earl sewer be rescinded ; and that in lieu
thereof the first permanent pumping station at Deptford
Creek, intended to raise the sewage of the low level sewer
into the main outfall channel, be at once constructed.
To build and erect the required machinery will take
time, and it will now be necessary to provide competent
assistance to superintend the designmg and erection
thereof, as well as that of the other pumping establish-
ments.
When these arrangements are sufficiently advanced it is
proposed to construct the north branch of the low level
sewer from St. James's Church, Bermondsey, to Deptford
Creek, including a portion of the main low level sewer, in
one contract. These works will, when executed, produce
an early and most beneficial influence upon the populous
districts already referred to.
The sewers of the western division may be commenced
and completed independently of the other portions of the
work, but before these are contracted for it is desirable to
enter upon definite arrangements for the deodorisation of
the sewage to be carried off by them. I have already re-
ceived from -Mr. 'W. Y. Cooke, the chairman of the com-
pany conducting the Leicester Sewage Works, the heads
of a proposition upon this subject in a letter which I here-
with submit for the consideration of the Board.
The deodorixibg works proposed to be erected in this dis-
trict will afford useful experience for future arrangements
to be made at the main outfalls, and it is possible they may
be more advantageously worked by private individuals who
entertain a favourable opinion of the value of the manure,
than could be done by a public Board. I, therefore, recom-
mend that advertisements be forthwith issued in the public
papers, setting forth the quantities of sewage to be dealt
with, and stating that this Board will be prepared, at a
time named, to receive and consider tenders from respon-
sible parties, for the deodorisation of the sewage of the
western division, and the removal of the deposit, for a term
of years, under certain restrictions, to be stated, which
shall secure the effective deodorisation, purification, and
removal of the sewage, in such a manner that no nuisance
shall be created thereby.
Under such arrangements the marketable value of the
metropolitan sewage as a manure would soon be fairly
developed.
The high level sewer on the south side of the Thames
should then be let in one contract. Then the middle level
sewer on the north side, in another contract ; to be followed
by a contract for the northern main outfall sewer, from the
river Lea to Barking Creek. Then the low level sewer on
the south side of the Thames, afterwards the southern
main outfall sewer. Then the reservoirs at both outfalls ;
and lastly the low level sewer on the north side -of the
Thames. _ _ _

In compliance with the latter portion of my instructions,
plans for outfall sewers to Greenwich Marshes have been
prepared ; and I now beg to report that the following
appear to be some of the comparative advantages and dis-
advantages of placing the southern outfall in Greenwich
Marshes, instead of at Crossness Point in Erith Marshes.
An outfall at Greenwich Marshes would admit of the
discharge of the sewage from the high level sewer, at high
water, by gravitation, and would reduce the lift of the low
level sewage. But, on the other hand, the point of dis-
charge would be nearly six miles higher up the river; and
since, with this proposition, it is rendered necessary to
deodorise and reniove the deposit during the whole year,
the annual expenditure would be largely increased.
Indeed, so far as I have been enabled to compare
the first cost and annual expenditure of the two
propositions, it appears that in a pecuniary point
of view, they are nearly balanced. Looking, therefore, at
the whole bearing of the subject, I am of opinion that it is
desirable to adhere to the former decision of the Board, and
to place the Southern outfall at Crossness Point in the
Erith Marshes.
In conclusion, I submit the following table, showing the
manner in which it is proposed to divide the work
into separate contracts ; and the periods at which the draw-
ings and specifications may, so far as it is possible to esti-
mate, be expected• to be ready to advertise for tenders,, ac-
companied by estimates of cost, intended merely to give a
general view of the nature and extent of the works, and in-
cluding land, compensation, and a variety of contingent
items. The table has reference to the construction of
sewers and works, exclusive of machinery, engine-houses,
deodorising works, and other items.
"1. High Level Sewer, north side of Thames—now
ready—£lso,ooo.:
"2. Northern „Branch of Low Level Sewer, south side of
Thames—depending on the purchase of land and probable
completion of machinery at Deptford Creek—£6o,ooo.
"3. Sewers of Western Division—depending upon ar-
rangements to be made for deodorization—£ss,ooo.
"4. High Level Sewer, south side of Thames—February,
1&59--£2003.000.r- -
"5. Middle Level. Sewer, north side of Thames—March,
1859—£214,000.
"6. Main Outfall Sewer, north side of Thames—April,
1859—X464,000.
"7. Low Level Sewer, south side of Thames—May,
1859—£152,000.
"8. Main Outfall Sewer, to Crossness Point, south side
of Thames—June, 1859—X372,000.
"9. Reservoir, north side—July, 1859-1150,000.
"10. Reservoir, south side—July, 1859—£90,000.

" 11. Low Level Sewer, north side'of Thames.Ldepending
on the Thames embankment-1221,000.
• Total approximate cost, £2,131,000. •
Copy of a letter from Mr. W. F. Cooke, Chairman of the
Company conducting the Leicester Sewage Manure
Works, to Mr. Bazalgeire.
" Oaklands, Stockbridge, Sept. 25, 1858.
" Dear Sir.—With reference to the communications I
have already had with you upon the subject, I beg to state
that I am prepared, if called upon, to contract for the de-
oderisation of the entire sewage of London, and the removal
of the mud deposit, upon the following basis :

" 1. To erect works near Kensington-canal, and carry
out the Leibester process in the most perfect form, for a
fixed sum per million gallons of sewage per annum, deodor-
izing throughout the year with one ton of lime (or its equi-
valent in some other chemical) per million gallons.
" 2. To erect works at the outfalls mentioned in plan 134,
and to deoderise, &c., for a fixed sum with three-quarters
of a ton of lime per million gallons of sewage during half
the year only ; or,
" At any other stations that may be fixed upon here-
after for the whole or any portion of the present estimated
quantity of sewage, the minimum being 70,000,000 gallons
per diem.
" 3. Also to contrret for employing an increased quantity
of lime, &c., for a period during hot weather, on a sliding
scale ; and also,
" For deodorising an increased quantity of sewage
beyond the present estimated flow—so that it will be in the
power of the metropolitan authorities to fix the locality of
fresh deodorising stations, to increase the quantity of
sewage to be deodorised with the increasing population,
and to increase the quantity of deodorising chemicals to .be
used on an emergency in accordance with a fixed scale of
charges--I am, dear sir, yours truly,
(Signed) " Wm. F. COOKE.
" Joseph Bazalgette, Esq."
The adoption of the report was under discussion
when we went to press.

The Tuscan Moniteur of the 25th announces that
the Archduchess Isabella, Countess of Trapani,•
daughter of the Grand Duke of Tuscany, has been
safely deliyered of a princess.

LORD COLCHESTER AND THE LETTER-
CARRIERS.

The following missive to the London letter-
barriers has just been issued :
" I am directed by the Postmaster-General to ex-
press his lordship's disapprobation of the proceed-
ings, as reported in some of the newspapers, of a
recent meeting held by
.a portion of your body in
the south-western district.

" You are well aware that should any case of
grievance exist, the rules of the department point
out a proper mode of representing it ; that any one
not satisfied with the result of his application may,
through his immediate official superior, send a
written statement of his case to the Postmaster-.
General ; and that no obstacle of any kind is ever
offered to your meeting, in a proper manner, on any
matter connected with your interests as a body.;
" You know also that complaints thus made,
stated respectfully and without wilful or gross
misrepresentation, whether emanating from a
meeting or from individuals, never bring upon any '
one either loss of position, delay in promotion, or
any other disadvantage.
"Nevertheless, instead of the regular course
being adopted, and the proceedings conducted in an
open, manly, and respectful manner, the meeting
referred to was held away from the ordinary
place of employment, and speeches were made con-
taining statements which the men who uttered
them must have known to be false, but from• the
consequences of which they endeavoured to screen
themselves by concealing their names.
" The Postmaster-General holds every man who
was present at that meeting, especially those who
took an active part, responsible for its proceedings;
and he warns all others not to follow an example
tending to subvert discipline, to impede the public
service, and to bring disgrace and dismissal on those
concerned.
" Lord Colchester has the 'satisfaction of believ-
ing that the great majority of letter-carriers are
well-disposed, incluAtrious, and res.pectable men,
who would take no iokart in such unjustifiable pro-
ceedings, and he believes that the actors iii them
are in many eases among the least meritorious
officers, and who, therefore, are moved,by a natural
antipathy to the new arrangement, which makes
merit the ground of promotion.
" His lordship also warns the letter-carriers
against the machinations of discarded officers, who,
reckless of the ruin they may bring upon others,
strive to spread disaffection in the department from
which they themselves have been removed.
" That the situation of letter-carrier is far from
being ineligible is shown by the large number of
respectable men constantly applying for appoint-
ment—a fact at which the Postmaster-General can-
not be surprised when he compares the amount of
work and rate of wages with those ~to be found in
ordinary employments. Excepting auxiliaries, who
are employed during part of their time only, the
lowest wages of any London letter-carrier (these
being obtainable by a youth of 17—often the son of
an elder letter-carrier) are 19s. a week, advancing
with every year's good service to 235. ; while those
who are willing, and able to become sorters may rise
into classes receiving from 255. to 30s. a week, from
325. to 385., and from 40s. to 50s. ; though some of
you appear unwilling to become regular sorter's,
since that office entails the loss of the Christmas-
boxes (averaging, it is believed, more than £8 a
year, and in some walks exceeding even £2O),
which are given to letter-carriers.
" His lordship reminds you that these wages are
exclusive of your uniform, of a pension in old age,
and of assistance in insuring your lives. A large
number of you also are gratuitously supplied with
medical attendance and medicine. Lastly, you have
each a fortnight's holiday in the year, which most
other working men must either forego or purchase
by the loss of a fortnight's wages. Neither should
it be forgotten that several of the foregoing advan-
tages have been granted recently, and that without
solicitation, having proceeded from a spontaneous
desire for your welfare.
" As regards work, you know that more than two
years ago you were all informed that if, after allow-
ing for temporary circumstances, caused by changes
in the walks, any letter carrier thought his duties
were more than a man of ordinary despatch might
be expected to get through in an average of eight
hours per day, he was at liberty to report his case
for consideration. But few applications, neverthe-
less, have been received ; and even in nearly all
these few cases, including, with one exception,
those recently submitted to the Postmaster-General
by a deputation of some of your body, it was found,
on careful examination, that ,the daily working
time, instead of exceeding eight hours, was actually
less.

" On a late occasion I was authorised by the Post-
master-General to state, that provided the body of
letter carriers conducted themselves in all respects
-with propriety, his lordship would be prepared to
take a fitting opportunity to look at the question
with the view of ascertaining whether it might not
be possible to submit to the Treasury some scheme
by which the position and prospects of the letter
carriers could be improved without their being re-
quired to qualify themselves for the duties of regu-
lar sorters.

" Progress has been made towards performing
this conditional promise ; and even for ascertaining
whether, with due regard to the public service, the
situation of letter carrier might be improved in
any other way ; but I am now directed to state,
that if any repetition shall take place of the im-
proper acts mentioned above, the Postmaster-Gene-
ral, looking to the necessity for maintaining perfect
discipline in so large a body of men, will be re-
luctantly obliged to suspend all progress of the
kind ; and that but for the conviction that the
misconduct has been confined to comparatively
few men, his lordship would have felt it his duty
at once to take much more stringent measures.
WILLIAM BOKENHAM, Controller
of the Circulation Department.
" General Post-office, Sept. 29."

I [KENT RAILWAYS.—The surveyors of the South-
Eastern Company have been employed during the past
month in the neighbourhood of Ightham, correcting former
surveys of the line proposed for cutting off the Reigate
angle, now about to be actively prosecuted by the company,
to meet the competition of the East Kent for the direct
Dover traffic. The object is one of such obvious necessity
that no doubt is entertained of the disposition of South-
Eastern shareholders to sanction an application to Parlia-
ment for the object, and .an issue of new shares for the
capital required.

THE MILFORD RAILWAY.—The line from John-
son, on the South Wales Railway, to the town of Milford,
is now in course of rapid formation, under the superinten-
dence of the Messrs. Lucas, the contractors, and the direc-
tors expect that the railway will be completed early in the
ensuing spring, and opened for traffic not later than May
next. In connexion with this undertaking, which will give
'direct access to the town of Milford, an extensive dock,
comprising forty acres, is about to be constructed at Hakin
Point, the facilities for the construction of which will
enable the enterprising projectors to complete it at a very
small outlay. A. fine shipping port is, therefore, likely soon
to be formed in connexion with the new railway, and the
shipping trade will soon possess another great and safe out-
let for America, the Mediterranean, Ireland, &c. The
Government are evidently fully alive to the advantages
which Milford affords.

A BABY SHOT.—A singular and distressing acci-
dent has thrown the parish of Mudford into a state of ex-
citement. The particulars of this sad case are best given in
the evidence taken at an inquest held by Mr. D. H. Ash-
ford, coroner, on Monday last, at Up-Mudford. The inquest
was held on the body of Charles Field, aged 18 months,
son of Mr. Thomas Field, yeoman. Mrs. Ann Field
deposed :—" On Friday evening, about half-past 7 o'clock,
I was in the parlour with one of my servantoi named Jane
Lodge, and my child, the deceased, was held by another
servant, Georgiana Weldon, who was sitting with it in the
window. I told the girl, Jane Lodge, to take a gun out of
the room and dust it. Immediately after I heard the other
girl say, ' Oh, Jane, don't point the gun at the baby.' I
rose to speak to her, but before I could do so the gun went
off. I ran to catch the baby, and found the whole of the
charge had entered its face. I took it and carried it into
the kitchen, but it died instantly. I did not know that the
gun was loaded. I believe it had not been moved since
bird-keeping time. I think trie accident happened through
ignorance." Mr. Tompkyns was sent for, and he said that
the charge had divided the jugular vein and caused instant
death. Georgiana Weldon-1 I was holding the child
when Jane took up the gun. Baby was laughing to see
her with it, and she then said, Now, baby, I'll shoot you.'
I said, ' The gun isn't loaded, is it ? She lifted it up to
the candle to see if there was a cap on it, and said, I know
it is not loaded for it has not a cap on.' She then took it
up, and the gun went off, and the charge entered the face
of the child." The inquest was adjourned.
'TIE NEW PEAL OF BELLS AT DONCASTER
cuußcH.—Doncaster has once more its church bells. Their
presence in the new tower has been indicated for some days
past by the occasional tinkling or bolder ringing of the
workmen employed in suspending them; but on Wednes-
day their existence was proclaimed in a still more unmistake-
able manner, first by a gentle and tentative chime, and
afterwards by a full sweep of the peal—
" Ringing uproarious ;
Sounding out glorious."
Great expectations had been formed of the quality of the
new peal, which has been cast at the foundry, of Messrs.
Warner and Sons, Cripplegate,.under the superintendence of
Mr. Denison, Q.C., who, as most of our readers are aware,
has devoted much attention to the subject of bell
casting in general, and to tho manufacture of this
peal for his native town in particular. The large bells
of the new peal are heavier in proportion to the
small ones than in either of the two former peals.
The method of hanging the bell is quite new, and the prin-
ciple is undoubtedly a great improvement on the old system,
for, instead of the clapper always falling on the same place,
the bell is so fastened to the stock that it can be turned
round after it has been worn sufficiently in one place to
'fairer such a proceeding necessary. On Wednesday night
they rung three " touches"—a "touch" being only a por-
tion of a peal—from the " g-randsire triple," the " touches"
ocCupying from six to fifteen minutes, and the number of
'cffanges varying from 168 to 250, the total being 854. On
the following morning the Doncaster ringers gave another
" touch" of 350 changes from the " grandsire triple," which
they repeated during .the early part of the afternoon. With
regard to the quality of the new peal, there can be little
hesitation in pronouncing it one of the most musical in. the •
country. All the bells have a clear, fine, sonorous tone,
and whether ringing or chiming, abundantly satisfy the
musical ear.

NORTHAMPTON AGRICULTURAL
ASSOCIATION.

TOWCESTER, THURSDAY.

The :annual meeting of the Northamptonshire
Agricultural Association was held to-day in this
town, when there was an unusually numerous show
of stock and implements. The floral and horticul-
tural exhibition of the Towcester local society took
place upon the same occasion, and was an additional
source of attraction. In the afternoon a dinner was
held in the Pomfret Arms, under the presidency of
Mr. Yorke, Thrapston. The Earl of Pomfret, Col.
Cartwright, M.P., Mr. Knightley, M.P.., General
Cartwright, and about 200 of the leading gentry
and agriculturists of the county were also present.
The usual loyal toasts having been given, the
CIIAIRMAN pi oposed " The Army and Navy."

General CARTWRIGHT, in responding, alluded to
the services which the army had rendered in India,
and said shat though it was somewhat invidious to
mention names where all had so nobly done their
duty, he could not refrain from reminding the meet-
ing that one of the most distinguished officers now
in India was one of themselves, and was only the
other day riding across the country side by side
with many of them—he meant Sir Hugh Rose.
(Loud cheers. He hoped that, please God,
his gallant friend might soon return to
this country, and he was satisfied that he would
be received with a cheeer equal to that which he
(General Cartwright) was old enough to remember
greeted the return of Lord Lynedoch. (Cheers.)
With regard to the future efficiency of the army
and navy, he trusted that no parsimonious Govern-
ment would ever allow the wooden walls of old
England to fall into decay, for if they did, woe be
to the power of England as a nation. (Hear.)
The. CHAIRMAN next gave " Success to the North-
amptonshire Agricultural Association." He briefly
alluded to the importance of such societies, and con-
gratulated the meeting on the successful show
which had that day been witnessed.'
The toast was drunk amid loud cheers.

Mr. KNIGIITLEY, M.P., in "proposing the next
toast, said he hardly loiew what observations he
could offer. He believed that politics were strictly
prohibited, and he confessed that he for one was
very sorry that such was the case. He thought
the time had passed when party feeling ran so
high that gentlemen could not meet together and.
discuss matters of public interest without endanger-
ing the harmony of the meeting. (Hear.) He
should have been most happy, seeing so many of
his constituents around him, to avail himself of the
present opportunity in order that he might discuss
public questions of the deepest importance to all of
them. So far as he was personally concerned he
felt there was no reason why he should shrink from
the discussion of any subject which had occupied
the attention of Parliament last session:or was likely
to be brought before it next session. The rules of
the society were so very strict that he would refrain
from infringing them, however agreeable it might
be to himself to explain his views on political mat-
ters. One subject, however, had been touched upon
by his hon. and gallant friend, General Cartwright,
to which he felt anxious to allude, even though it
might be thought to come strictly under the head
of politics. His gallant friend expressed a hope
that the Government of the day would carefully
provide for the defence of the country. (Hear,
hear.) He cordially concurred in that wish. A
noble lord (the Earl of Shrewsbury), at an agricul-
tural meeting recently held in the county of Staf-
ford, accused the House of Commons of having but-
toned up their breeches pockets in a niggardly spirit
when the defence of the country was concerned.
He (Mr. Knightley) did not think that that was
a fair charge to bring against them. Ever since
he had had the honour of a seat in Parliament he
had never seen a vote proposed by the Govern-
ment which had been improperly controlled or
granted in a niggardly spirit by the house—(hear)
—and he felt satisfied that if Lord Derby would.
bring forward in the ensuing session sufficiently
large and liberal estimates they would be agreed to
with the utmost cordiality. (Cheers.) Perhaps it
into
the be thought that he was entering too far
the domain of politics ; but, if he was not to talk
politics, what on earth was he to talk about ? He
could not read them a lecture upon agriculture. He
did not mean to say that he was entirely ignorant
upon the subject, for he lived in the country and
was upon terms of cordiality and friendship with
a large number of farmers, but he had not the ad.
vantage of being enabled to speak from practical
experience, not being an occupier of the soil, and
he felt that one ounce of experience was worth a
whole ton of advice. (Laughter.) The hon. gen-
tleman concluded by proposing the health of the
chairman.

The CHAIRMAN briefly responded, and several
other toasts of a local nature having been given the
proceedings terminated.

THE SHERIFFS' DINNER.—Last night the new
Sheriffs for London and Middlesex—Mr. Alderman Hale
and Mr. Deputy Conder—gave their inaugural dinner in the
Tallow Chandlers'-hall, Dowgate-hill. The guests num-
bered upwards of 150, and among those present we observed
the Lord Mayor elect, Aldermen Humphrey, Sir J. Duke,
Sir J. Musgrove, Sidney, Salomons, Finnis, Carter,
Cubitt, Rose, Lawrence, Phillips Gabriel, Mechi, and
Allen ; Mr. Looke, M.P., Mr. Tite, M.P., Mr. Norris,
M.P., Under-Sheriffs Jones and Surr, Professors Taylor
and Brande, Dr. Graham, Dr. Walker, Dr. Mortimer, the
Rev. E. H. Bickersteth, the Mayor of Melbourne, Sir R.
Mayne, the Recorder of London, the City Chamberlain, the
Common Sergeant, and the rest of the civic officers. The
dinner was of the usual sumptuous description.
GOVERNMENT EMIGRATION.—Her Majesty's Emi-
gration Commissioners chartered yesterday afternoon, the
30th ult., the Dirigo, 1,182 tons, to sail from Liverpool for
Melbourne, Victoria., at £l3 7s. 3d. per statute adult, to be
ready for the reception of passengers on such a day as the
commissioners may fix upon between the 17th and 24% of
November. They have also given notice of their intention
to receive tenders next Thursday, the 7th inst., for a ship
to proceed to Sydney, New South Wales, to be ready to sail
any day the commissioners may fix upon between the 18th
and 25th of November.

GOVERNMENT ARTISANS AND INCOME TAY.--
Some time since a number of workmen employed at the
Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, were charged with large mins
alleged to be due for arrears of income-tax, which was cal-
culated upon the overtime made during the busy period of
the Russian war. A deputation of the men waited upon
Lieutenant-General Sir W. F. Codrington, one of the mem-
bers of the borough, who used every exertion to procure a
rescindment of the order made by the War-office, and an
order suspending the payment of the tax was subsequently
received. The authorities A the War Department, having
fully considered the subject, have forwarded instructions to
the heads of the various departments at the Royal Arsenal,
directing that the sums already deducted from the men's
wages shall be refunded, and that no further demand shall
be made for the payment of the tax. This decision has
given the utmost satisfaction to the men.
MELANCHOLY DEATH OF A FATHER AND HIS
CHILD BY DROWNlNG.—Yesterday Mr. Baker received in-
formation of the death of a man named James Thomas,
and of his daughter, Elizabeth Thomas, who were drowned
in the export dock of the West India Docks, under the fob;
lowing distressing circumstances. It appeared that on
Tuesday night last the child, who was with her father and
mother on board the merchant ship Perseverance, fell
overboard. Her father sprang from the deck into the water
hoping to preserve his daughter, but in doing this he was
not successful. In his endeavours to effect that object he dis-
appeared. Neither of the bodies was found till life was
extinct. It is impossible to describe the agonising feelings
of Mrs. Thomas upon so sudden a bereavement of a husband
and child. The latter was nine years of age, and her
father, who was mate on board the ship, was aged 37 years.

CORONER'S INQUEST. -- DETERMINED SUICIDE
OF A TRADESMAN.—Yesterday Mr. Baker held an inquest at
the Lord Nelson, Nelson-street, Hackney-road, on view of
the:body of Mr. oha Thomas Carr, aged 4E0,, a tradesman, in
business as an upholsterer, in Providence-place, adjoining.
It appeared from the evidence that the deceased, who
was married, was inclined to drinking ardent spirits to
excess, and this eventually had an effect upon his
mind. Latterly he became melancholy, and talked rather
incoherently. On Monday last he was in the company of
a:few friends, when he suddenly left. He went home ,
where he was followed by his wife, who, upon entering the
bedroom, discovered that he was suspended by a cord to
the bedpost. She gave an alarm, upon which some per-
sons-hurried to her assistance, when the cord was cut. He
seemed without any signs of life, but a surgeon was sent for,
who stated that life was extinct. Verdict, temporary
insanity.
ALLEGED MEDICAL NEGLECT AT LIMEHOUSE.
—SPECIAL VERDlCT.—Yesterday Mr. W. Baker, the co-
roner, resumed and concluded a protracted inquiry at the
Victoria Tavern, Three Colt-street, Limehouse, respecting
the death of Maria Newman, aged 5. After hearing
the evidence, the jury returned the following verdict :
" That the deceased died a natural death, but the jurors can-
not separate without expressing their opinion that there was
great neglect on the part of Mr. Win. Lyndon Francis, the
medical officer of the Stepney Union, in the preparation and
dispensing of the medicine prescribed for the deceased, the
same having been imperfectly dispensed by the omission of
two items prescribed, and no label having been attached to
the bottles in which the medicine was sent, directing the
quantity to be taken, and the coroner is requested to make
this communication to the board of guardians of the union,
with a request that they will issue positive orders to the
dispenser of medicine to the poor to give the necessary
directions thereon in writing as to the mode in which it is
to be taken."

PEERESSES' SECOND MARRIAGES.—The law as
laid down by Lord Coke correctly has not changed to this
day. The usage observed in regard to the continued as-
sumption of the title after the second marriage with a com-
moner, is but one of courtesy, and not recognised in any
other way. At the several coronations of late years, the
widows of peers who had remarried were not acknowledged
as peers' widows, nor were they summoned. Like many
other assumptions, which the mere courtesy of society re-
cognises, and are of daily occurrence, even in the case of
widows of baronets and knights they are not legal, though
tolerated for being a harmless gratification. Some years ago
a very eminent conveyancer and equity counsel, since called
to a distinguished and high position, refused on settling the
draft of a lady's will, the widow of a baronet, to allow her
to style herself by the title of her late husband, she being
then the wife of a person of inferior degree, the real pro-
perty passing by the will being considerable ; and the will
was made in her proper name with the addition of " calling
herself Lady --." The general rule of law is, that the
status a woman acquires by marriage she loses by remar-
riage, following the position and state of her husband, un-
less she has by birth any positive rack of her own,--Notes
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