The Sun.
London, England, 1868-12-30 00:00:00

THE PUBLIC H UM.

The following is the weekly return by the Registrar,
General of Births and Deaths :—ln the week that ended on
Saturday, Dec. 26, 3,680 birthland 2,970 deaths were regis-
tered in London and in 13 other large towns of the United
Kingdom. The annual rate of mortality was 24 per 1,000 per-
sons living. The annual rate of mortalitylast week was 21 per
1,000 in London, and 29 in Edinburgh ; 19 in Bristol, 18
inßirmingham, 26 in Liverpool, 30 in Manchester, 32 in
Salford, 24 in Sheffield, 21 in Bradford, 33 in Leeds, 26 in
Bull, 33 in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and 34 in Glasgow. The
rate in Vienna was 27 per 1,000 during the week ending the
19th inst. In London the births of 808 boys and 856 girls,
in all 1,664 children, were registered in the week. In the
corresponding weeks of ten years, 1858-67, the average
number, corrected for increase of population, is 1,893.
The deaths registered in London during the week were
1,262. It was the fifty-second week of the year,
and the average number of deaths for that week is, with
a correction for increase of population, 1,595. The deaths
from zymotic diseases were 261, the corrected ave-
rage number being 359. Six deaths from smallpox, 17
from measles, 67 from scarlatina, 8 from diphtheria, 33
from whooping-cough, 54 from typhus, and 10 from
diarrhcea were registered. 136 deaths occurred from
phthisis, 147 from bronchitis, and 82 from pneumonia. The
corrected average number of deaths from phthisis is 168,
from bronchitis 217, and from pneumonia 108. Diseases of
the brain and nervous system proved fatal to 135 persons,
and 66 persons died from diseases of the organs of circula-
tion. The deaths of six children from syphilis, of five
children and two adults from burns or scalds, of six per-
sons from drowning, of seven children from suffocation, of
three persons who committed suicide, and of four persons
who were killed by horses or carriages in the streets, were
registered. Two deaths were caused by delirium tremens,
and one by intemperance.

MR. SEELEY ON THE HOUSE OF

COMMONS.

Mr. Seely and Mr. J. Mule Palmer, the Liberal
M.P 's for Lincoln, have addressed a working men's
meeting in that city. Mr. Seely said the last elec-
tion, which was a. very peculiar one, had settled two
things which bad been much debated in Parlia-
ment," viz. : first, that a new class of voters had
been introduced into the constituencies, who would
have great power ; and, secondly—and this was of more
importance—that they knew how to use this power. The
working classes were much maligned during the long
debates upon the Reform Bill of 1866. Some, and more
particularly one of the acutest intellects of the age,
denounced working men, and said that if they obtained
any considerable portion of power the throne would be in
danger, the peerage would shortly be extinct, and even
property itself would not be safe. Well, the Reform Bill
of 1866 would have admitted about 200,000 working men,
while the Reform Bill of 1867 actually admitted 600,000,
or three times the number; and what had the working
classes, with the immense power which they now pos-
sessed, done? So far as Lincoln was concerned, they had
returned his honourable colleague. Mr. Palmer; and they
could not have selected a more accomplished gentleman or
one who would more respect the rights of property and
maintain order and law. The example set by Lincoln had
been followed by the country, and we did not find those
awful demagogues in Parliament who were pointed out as
likely to be returned by the popular constituencies. If
anything, the new House cf Commons was somewhat too
respect Ale ; it was intensely respectable, even more
respectable than the last. There were 210 gentlemen
in the present House of Commons who were
closely connected with the aristocracy, and he did
not suppose that they would do much to destroy the
throne or to injure the peerage. There were 100 mili-
tary men in the House, and they generally ran pretty
closely with the aristocracy. There were also 100 of the
profession to which his honourable friend Mr. Palmer
belonged ; and he did not think they would do much to
destroy the law. There were 130 of the class of
which he (Mr. Seely) was a humble member—manufac-
turers, merchants, and tradesmen ; and there were eighty-
four editors, doctors, and such like gentlemen. We
had not a single working man, if the phrase were rightly
used, in Parliament ; and he for one regretted it. He
wished that there were in Parliament a few genuine
working men—men who knew by practical daily expe-
rience the thoughts, wishes, interests, and feelings of the
working classes. He regretted that Mr. Odger (whom he
had the pleasure of knowing) and a few more like him
had not been sent to Parliament as representatives of the
working classes. The fact was, however, that working
men were jealous of their fellow working men, and he
thought it would be as well if they corrected this fault.
The present Parliament would have to deal with eccle-
siastical questions, and how did it stand upon that head ?
Why, there were only 84 members who were not mem-
bers of the Church of England ; and could it be supposed
that the other 570 members would do very much to
damage the Established Church ? He believed that
the present House of Commons was not at all likely
to be a revolutionary assembly, but that under its
guidance property would be sacred, order would be main-
tained, and law would be enforced. At the same time he
did not think that the present House of Commons would
in its tone resemble the last, which was elected under the
presiding genius of the late Lord Palmerston, and
which partook somewhat of his character, and was not
fond of much change. It was true that the late
House of Commons passed a bill which would produce
great change, but it did it with great reluctance ; and
his (Mr. Seely's) firm impression was that, although it
passed the Reform Bill, it did not like it, and that of the
658 members of the House, not 100 perhaps heartily
approved of household suffrage. But the present House
of Commons, intensely respectable as it undoubtedly was,
would partake somewhat of the character and spirit of its
great leader, Mr. Gladstone ; and it would be found that
things which were considered impossible before would it,
the future become tolerably easy.

The day of nomination for South Derby election
has been fixed for Tuesday next, sth of January, and the
polling for Thursday, the 7th. The contest is expected to
be exceedingly severe.

THE MURDER OF A POLICEMAN AT NORTIIAMF-
TON.—The police-officer, Kemp, who was shot at North-
ampton on Saturday night by a man named Bridge-
water, has died from the injuries he received.

HEAVY SNOWSTORM—The first general fall of
snow of the season commenced at noon on Tuesday in the
North and East Ridings. Not only the wolds and moors,
but the low country is covered. Frost occrred during the
night, and the flood waters have run in considerably.

Me New York Herald, a good authority on matters
relative to the Chinese mission, says :—Lord Clarendon, the
new British Minister for Foreign Affairs, according to a late
telegram, favourably regard's Mr. Burlingame's mission.
Negotiations with the Chinese Embassy aro to be opened
immetliately with a view to concluding a treaty of Con-
fierce. A treaty concluded with Gnat Britain will be an
example which Europe will be certain to follow. Mr. Burlin-
game's real difficulty is in London.

A COMEDTAIS'S TELEGRAM.—TIIC following tele-
gram was recently sent by Mr. J. L. Toole, while starring
at Bath, to his London manager :—" Regret.—Time
pressing, Bath Telegram beats Bath Post—Now find can
not possibly journey to London rehearsal new burlesque
to-day, but will be at ' the Queen's' service eleven to-mor-
row. Pray console author even to assure him I am
dead letter perfect—in character, and have discovered
brilliant joke— a Bristol diamond. Bath going swimmingly !
Am threatened thus--Nice Bath chaps, otherwise glorious
Bath bricks, say—" Remain here, eat Bath buns, and
drink Bath waters, or, in Bath chair have your head
shaved.' Didn't come Bath for latter purpose, so really
must hold on to my hair. Again—trying London and back
would be undoubtely a close shave—perhaps too/elate for
enthusiastic audience, and I don't prefer Bath railway
carriages to Bath cheers 1"