The Sun.
London, England, 1844-03-21 00:00:00

DEATH OF M. J.. F. BLAI B.
Never had we a more painful duty to discharge than this
which now devolves upon us in announcing the death—the
sudden and unexpected death of a gentleman, long con-
nected with this establishment, and respected and esteemed
by its governing authorities, its numerous proprietors, and
the public generally, in the direct ratio in which the pro-
gress of time and extending associations afforded means of
appreciating his character and intrinsic merit—a man whose
worth could be truly estimated only as circumstances
afforded scope for its development, and of whom, in a word,
it may be said that he faithfully, efficiently, and zealously
discharged all the duties of the several stations in which
Providence placed him. When we announce the death of
Mr. James Frederick Blake, the Secretary of the Incorpo-
rated Society of Licensed Victuallers, in whose service he
had been engaged for the long period of thirty-five years,
and whose members have on more than one occasion pre-
sented to him distinct and enduring testimonials of their appro-
bation, we feel that we announce a calamity that will be de-
plored, not only by every member of the Society, but by
every one favoured with Mr. Blake's acquaintance, or with
his private or public association. The painful event took
place on Monday night, and the following are its particu-
lars, as elicited at the inquest held last night in this office
Last night an inquest was held before Mr. Payne, in the
Committee-room of the Morning Advertiser office. There
unusuallywasaanndresideilt
s of thefullatteudanceof
neighbourhood,mo to servestrespec as
i
trades-
menleurymen
The room was thronged; and among the gentlemen present
were the Governor (Mr. Keasley), several members of the
Committee, &c.
Mr. Blake's servant stated that her master not coming
down to breakfast about the usual hour, and that having
subsequently knocked at his door, without receiving any
answer, she informed Mr. Blake's sister, Mrs. Berry, who
resided with him, of the circumstance. Mrs. Berry went.
and entered the room, and then ascertained that her brother
was dead. Medical aid was immediately sent for. The
servant was particularly examined as to Mr. Blake's
habits, and what she had observed of his health. She said
that she had only observed him to have a slight cough.
She saw him shortly before eleven o'clock the previous
night. He generally sat up till twelve o'clock, or there-
abouts, to read. She had not the remotest reason to be-
lieve otherwise than that the death was occasioned by na-
tural causes. The attendance of Mr. Blake's sister before
the jury was dispensed with under the melancholy circum-
stances, as it was clear that to require her presence could
only lead to her agitation, without adding to the testimony
already given. Mr. M'Laughlin, the publisher of the ,
Morning Advertiser, deposed to having seen Mr. Blake
in his counting-house on the previous evening ; at
which time Mr. B. was pursuing his usual avocations with
the account-books of the office. Dr. Sheridan, the editor of
the Morning Advertiser, being present, was requested to state
what he knew of Mr. Blake's health, as well as the habits of
that gentleman. In answer to the coroner's inquiry, Dr. S.
stated he was a Doctor of Medicine, and, as a professional
man (having mentioned that he had seen Mr. Blake on the
previous evening, at or about ten o'clock, on, the business or
the office) that it . would be difficult to decide whether the
immediate cause of death was a disease of the heart, ossifica-
tion, or, as it is termed, angina pectoris; or effusion of blood
on the brain. Mr. Blake had, on some previous occasions,
complained of pain in the shoulder, which was indicative of
the heart being affected ; but, from other circumstances, ho
was rather inclined to believe that the death was caused by
effusion of blood on the brain. The deceased had not made
any serious complaints regarding the state of his health, but
he had no doubt whatever that the death ensued from na-
tural causes. Mr. Ray, also a medical gentleman. and who
was called in immediately after the discovery of Mr. Blake'a
position, supported Dr. Sheridan's testimony as to the cause
of Mr. Blake's death. During the investigation a question
arose as to the age of Mr. Blake, Mr. Best, of Queen Anne-
street, Marylebone (a member of the Conimittee), stated that
about a month ago Mr. Blake mentioned to him that he was
then 58 years of age. The coroner having submitted the
case to the jury, they immediately returned the verdict of
" Natural death."

In early life Mr. Blake was associated with the Mechanics'
Institute, and, supported by the late Dr. Birkbeck, edited
a periodical publication connected with that Society. When
the Mechanics' Institute, Southampton-buildings, was opened,
Mr. Blake was not only an efficient member at its Committee,
but an active attendant on the lectures delivered in the the-
atre; nor did his zeal end there; for, amid the laborious oc-
cupations that he had to fulfil in this office, he found time to
prepare full, and remarkably neat and clear reports of such
lectures, of which reports were afterwards published in the
columns of the Morning Advertiser. The fact deserves to be
mentioned now, not only as proof of, Mr. Blake's tasteful
and cultivated intellect, but as highly complimentary to his
judgment, for he then saw how valuable were the tendencies.
of those institutions, which, instead of being reported„
were, with the single exception of the Morning?
Advertiser, everywhere frowned upon. The literary
taste and artistical science which he then cultivated had,
in his subsequent course of life, many opportunities of display,,
but he contented himself with their unostentatious exercise,
The words and music of the Hymn sung at the recent Jubilee
Festival were of his composition ; and little did those who
heard that Hymn, or witnessed the hale and joyous manner
in which Mr. Blake participated in the festivity, anticipate
that lie should be so soon and suddenly called from the,eareer
of usefulness to which his life had been devoted.
Our purpose is not to write an elaborate poneuric, but
simply to record the more prominent facts of a valued and
and valuable life. The untiring assiduity of Mr. Blake in,
his official eapacity—his anxious vigilance over the interests-
of the Society—his readiness at all times to afford information
to its members on all matters upon which information might
be sought, and his unswerving integrity, elicited the uni-
versal reaped of the Corporation ; while his social qualities,
his .general urbanity, and mild and genial flow of generous
sympathy, endeared him to all favoured with his intimacy.—
Advertiser.

MR. SPENCER T. HALL AND Tll
HALIFAX MESMERIC COMMISSION.
• (FROM A CORRESPONDENT.)
We noticed last week that the startling expetiments of
Mr. Hall, the .*esmcrist, had led to the formation by the
liberal-minded medical gentlemen at Halifax, of a Commis-
sion' of Inquiry into the phenomena of Mesmerism. This
Commission sat four times, and Mr. Hall exhibited before
them the experiments he had performed in public, as well as
some others of a more subtle and important character. What
occurred at the first two meetings was not published ; but it.
was then deemed advisable that each medical gentleman
should have the liberty of admitting three non-professioxer
gentlemen of his acquaintance. The sittings have been held
in the lecture-room of the Literary and Philosophical
ciety ; and as Mr. Hall was about leaving Halifax, the fol-
lowing resolutions, after many severe and critical tests, were
come to on Thursday last, W. Briggs, Esq., occupying the
chair :-
1. " That the manner in which Mr. Spencer T. Hall has
brought his experiments before the meeting is such as to cu-
ticle bim to its confidence in his integrity.
2. " That the phenomena witnessed are indicative of an
influence (whether acting directly, or through some mental
procesg)_which leads to actions independent of, or contrary
to, the volitionof the persons actedupon. _

3. "-That this Committee consider's it desirable that tha
subject be still further investigated by medical men and others
interested, in order, if possible, to extend a knowledge of the..
laws which regulate vital phenomena. •
4. " That the thanks ot the Committee be tendered to Mr.
Hall, and to the parties who submitted to be operated upon,
for the patient and satisfactory manner in which their ser-
vices have been rendered during this investigation."
It is hoped, says the Halifax Guardian, that this inquiry
will continue to be carried on, though Mr. Hall has left the
town ; and that medical men will attempt at their own houses
those experiments which he produces in public, and which,
if mesmerism be true, at least some of them can also effect.
in private. _

At the conclusion of the proceedings, Mr. Hall expresses:
his determination not to relax in his own search after the im-
portant principles indicated by the phenomena brought, hit.-
fore them ; and said he should be glad to aid in any fittatre
rational inquiry at Halifax or elsewhere. He was under in—
vitation to several of the most important provincial cities ands
towns, and should certainly visit them with this view, if hist
engagements in London, which are of great importances
would permit hi m.