The Sun.
London, England, 1845-10-16 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON :THURSDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 16, 1845

A TALE OF HORROR.
A recent traveller gives the following as one of his
experiences of foreign enjoyments. He had gone to
sleep in his Indian tent, and continues—" I might have
slept for some four or five hours, and a dreamless and
satisfying sleep it was; but certainly it is—let sciolists
say what they will, and sceptics throw doubts by hand-
fuls on the assertions of metaphysicians—that before I
awoke, and in my dreamless slumber, I had a visible .
perception of danger—a helpless cognizance of being
bed-fellowed by peril—a consciousness of the hovering
presence of death.
" How to describe 'my feelings I know not; but as
we have all read and heard that if the eyes of a
watcher are steadily fixed on the countenance of a
sleeper for a certain length of time, the slumberer
will be sure to start up, wakened. by the mysterious
magnetism of a recondite principle of vision ; so was
it, that with shut eyes and drowsed-up senses, an in-
ward ability was conferred upon me to detect the
living presence of danger near me—to see, though
blind, the formless shape of a mysterious horror
crouching beside me ; and, as if the peril that was
my night-mate was of a nature to be quickened into
activity by any motion on my part, I felt in my very
stupor the critical necessity or lying quite still ; so
that, when I at last awoke, and felt that as I lay with
my face towards the roof there was a thick, heavy, cold,
creeping thing upon my chest, I stirred not, nor uttered
a word of panic. Danger and fear may occasionally dull
the senses and paralyse the faculties, but they generally
sharpen both ; and ere I could twice wink my eyes, I
was broad awake, and aware that, coiling and coiling
itself up into a circle of twists, a huge serpent was on
my chest. When I tell you that the whole of my breast,
and even the pit of my stomach, were covered with the
cold scaly proportions of the reptile, you will own that it
must have been one of a considerable size.
" What my thoughts were—so made up of abhorrence,
dread, and the expectation, nay, assurance of speedy
death that must follow any movement on my part—
I never can tell in language sufficiently vivid to
convey their full force. It was evident the loath-
some creature had at length settled itself to sleep,
and I felt that, attracted by my breath, it had not
approached the upper part of my throat. It became
quite still, and its weighty pressure—its clammy
chillness at first becoming gradually (so it seemed to
me) of a burning heat—and the odious indescribable
odour which was exhaled from its body and pervaded
the whole air, so overwhelmed me, that it was only by a
fierce struggle that I prevented myself from shrieking.
As it was a cold sweat burst from every pore—l could
hear the beating of my heart—and I felt, to my dismay,
that the palsy of terror had begun to agitate my limbs.
It will wake,' thought I, and then all is over.'
"At that juncture, something—it might be a wall
lizard, or a large beetle—fell from the ceiling right
upon my left arm, which lay stretched beside me. The
snake, uncoiling its head, raised it with a low hiss, and
then, for the first time, I saw the hood, the fearful crest
glittering in the faint sunshine—it was a cobra di
capello.
" Shutting my eyes to exclude the dreadful spectacle, I
lay almost fainting, until again all was quiet. Had its fiery
glances met mine, all would have been over ; but appa-
rently it was once more asleep, and presently I heard the
Lascar moving about, undoing the fastenings of the tent
and striking a light. A sudden thought struck me, and
with an impulse I could then ascribe to nothing short of
desperation, though its effects were so providential, I
uttered in a loud sepulchral tone, 'Kulassi !' (Lascar.)
"' Sahib !' was the instantaneous response, and my
heart beat quicker at the success of my attempt. I lay
still again, for the reptile evidently roused, made a
movement, and its head, I suppose, fell on my naked
arm. "Oh, God ! the agony of that moment, when sup-
pressed tremor almost gave waito madness !
" I debated with myself whether I should again en-
deavour to attract the attention of the kulassi, or remain
perfectly quiet ; whether it would not be better than
either to start up at once and shake the hideous burden
from me. But the latter suggestion was at once aban-
doned by the assurance I felt that it would prove fatal;
impeded by the heavy coils of the creature, weak and
nerveless from excitement,l could not escape- its fangs.
Again, therefore, I spoke, in the hollow but distinct ac-
cents which arise from the throat when the speaker is
afraid to move a muscle—' Kulassi chiragh I'—(Lascar,
a lan thorn.)
" Again the cobra moved, and again, thank God, the
ready Lascar replied—
" Late houn Sahib' (I am bringing it. sir.)
" There was then a sound of clanking metal ; light
advancing flashed across the roof of the veranda, and
at the noise of quick coming feet, 10, one after one its
horrible coils unwinding, the grisly monster glided away
from my body ; arid the last sound that struck my sense
of hearing was the Ye, hillihi samp,' (0 God, a snake !)
of the Lascar, for I fainted away, for the first time in
my life."—Chambers.

FLOOD IN THE RIVER CLYDE.
Since Sunday, the 28th ult., the Clyde has been in
fl ,od, rising gradually from four to eight feet above its
ordinary level, until the night between Friday and Sa-
turday last, when the waters reached their height. For
36 hours previous to Saturday morning, rain fell in tee-
rents almost without intermission, and the aspect of the
river on Friday night gave the greatest uneasiness to
all who reside on its banks, or inhabit the low-lying dis-
tricts of the city. The flood reached its height plait
foer o'clock on Saturday morning, when the descending
volume of waters was interrupted, though not stemmed,
by the advancing tide ; and at this time, according to
the information furnished by Mr. Geddes, of the Humane
Society's house, the Clyde had risen at that spot fully
12 feet above its ordinary level—containing a heavier
volume of water than has been known for ten years. The
Flesher's Haugh—the pretty green expanse where the
healthful recreate, and invalids woo the breeze—was
submerged to the extent of several feet, and by the
morning light boats were seen rowing over it, and picking
up the wreck which had been drifted from the main
channel. For several hours large masses of crop were
observed floating down, and though boats put off often
and again to seize a multure from the flood, the crews
found it impossible to live, from the impetuosity of the
torrent, and were glad to reach the land in the safety in
which they left it. Trees, cut timbers, wooden gates,
sheep, barn- yard poultry, and even game, floated con-
tinually down, and furnished topics of observation and
wonderment to the thousands congregated on the
bridges and on the banks of the stream. Although
every part of the city is now protected from the river
itself, the greatest inconvenience and discomfort were,
nevertheless, experienced by the inhabitants at the foot
of Salt-market, Bridgegate, Stockwell, and other low-
lying parts, from the waters choking up the common
sewers, and finding access to the cellars and shops of the
citizens. During a considerable part of Saturday the
novelty was seen of a pump inserted by a front window
into one of the cellars in Jamaica-street, and discharging
its contents over the pavement. From the aspect of
affairs on Friday afternoon, men and horses were em-
ployed at any price, and till late at night engaged in
transporting valuable goods from the sheds at the
Broomielaw. It was, indeed, fortunate that this precau-
tion was used, otherwise the loss of property must have
been immense, for during the night the river rose over
the sheds, and swept away many articles which it bad
been impossible to remove to a place of safety. Large
quantities of crop and debris were observed to lodge
against the sharp piers of the wooden bridge, and as it
nes observed that the flood mounted up almost to its
pathway, much alarm began to be experienced regarding
the fate of this insecure structure. The police, at an
early hour, stopped up the passage, and the building,
ricketty as it is, stood out the storm. As an index of
the height of the river, we may state that the piers of all
the bridges were submerged, and the torrent was seen
foaming below on a level with the arch. A large raft
of wood which lay moored below the wocden bridge was
the means of interrupting a great quantity of crop
• and timber in tfieir downward passage, and those in
charge must have reaped a good harvest which they
bad never sown, for on Saturday forenoon various
piles of wheat, barley, and oats, were observed heaped
on the raft, which only required drying to be for-
warded• to the mill. We may state that every, pre-
caution was taken by the city police in landing pas-
sengers from the river steamers, by means of a long and
substantial line of planking placed between them
and the quay ; and it is matter of satisfaction to state
the, so tar as we have learned, no human life has been
lost. In the course of the morning a painfully interest-
ing sight was observed in the shape of a dog-house, with
the dead body of the usual occupant attached to it by the
chain—the poor animal having literally perished at its
p;.st. In the course of yesterday the waters had greatly
subsided. The fury of the torrent may be guessed from
the ponderous roots which have been swept down from
the higher districts and thrown upon the banks.
In reference to the damage sustained from the flood,
the Post of Saturday evening says :—" The flood in its
progress swept many of the fields in the upper districts
of the country. A correspondent at Netherfoot, on the
banks of Clyde, in a note received this afternoon, says
that Joseph Gelding, baron officer to Lord Douglas, has
lost his whole crop of oats, amounting to about 200
stooks, and that all the potatoes are covered with water
near Clyde. Mr. James Wilkie, Craignethan, had a
rick of wheat carried off during last night, and about
eighty stooks floating. This morning a large quantity
of grain in sheaf found its way down to the wooden
bridge, which it somewhat endangered by damming up
part of the stream. We likewise learn that a consider-
able quantity of grain was carried off from the farms on
the bank of the Black Cart."

The Stirling Observer says :—" There has not been
such a heavy spate in the Forth for some years as that
we have experienced this week. On Tuesday morning.
at low water, the Highland flood increased the depth of
the river by eight feet, and before night it was still
deeper, though not measured. The Teith, at Ochtertyre
and Blackdub, has overflowed its banks, and spread it-
self over some fields of turnips and other crops, but we
have heard of little other damage having been done."
—Glasgow Herald of Monday.

Ala UNCOMFORTABLE POSITION.—A young man
named Porter, who resides within a mile of Reeth, in Swale-
dale, was out the other day with his dog for the purpose of
hunting rabbits. The dog having run two rabbits into a hole
amongst some stones, Porter made an effort to widen the
place, and had thrust his hand and arm into the hole, and
just got hold of a rabbit, when the stones gave way and
closed him in so fast that he could not stir his head or arms
or body—only his legs were uncovered. In this extraordi-
nary position he was discovered, after being buried for ninety
hours. He was taken home in a wretched condition, but still
retaining his consciousness, and is now gradually recovering.
His discovery was quite accidental, although the whole neigh-
bourhood turned out to find him.—Lancaster guardian.
In a report of a case at the Marlborough-skoet
police-court which appeared in some of the morning
ISlbyiers
of yesterday, the name of Mr. Menzies was given as that of
the robber, instead of the robbed. We are very sure that
our contemporaries will not lose any time in correcting this
mistake. Fortunately Mr. M. is too well known, and his
character stands too high, for this unlucky contre-temps to
have done him any mischief. All who read the report must
have, been aware that some rievous laioitalie had been coin-
witted.

RELATIVE CLOSING PRICES OF
RA ILWAY SHARES

IN THIS
PRINCIPAL CITIES AND TOWNS IN ENGLAND
SCOTLAND, AND IRELAND.

NAMES or RAILWAYS.

Aberdeen .•• • •• •••• • ••
Airdrie and Coatbridge • •
Arbroath and Forfar ....
Ditto Half Shares ....
Armagh, Colr., & Portrush
Bandon and Bantry
Belfast and Ballymena ..
Belfast and County Down
Birknlid,Lan.&Ches.Jne.
Birmingham and Glo'ster
Do. New (iss. at 7% dis.)
Ditto Half Shares ....

Birminghm&Oxfrd.June.
Blckburn, and Preston
Blckburn, Darivn,& Bohn
Bolton, Wigan, & Liverpl.
Boston, Stamfrd and Birm
Brighton, Lewes, & Hast.
Bristol and Exeter.. • • • •
Ditto New .. • • • • • • • • • •
Bristol and Gloucester • •
Bristol and S. Wales June.
British and Irish Union
Caledon. and Ayrsh. June
Caledon. & Dumbar. June
Caledonian
Ditto Extension
Cambridge and Lincoln
Chester and Birkenhead
Ditto New Shares
Ditto Half Shares
Chester and Holyhead
Cheltenham and Oxford
Chichester and Brighton
Churnet Valley
Clitheroe Junction
Clydesdale Junction
Cork, Blaekrek & Passage
Cork and Bandon
Cork and Killarney
Cork and Waterford • .
Cork and Youghal .. • .
Canterbury and Dover
Coventry and Leicester
Cornwall
Derby and Crewe . • ... •
Direct Lon. and Manchstr
Digs, Beecles, & Yarmoth
DirectMan.(Remington's)
Direct Northern • • .. . •
Direct Norwich .• - • •. • .
Dublin and Belfast June.
Dublin, Belfast, & Colrne
Dublin and Drogheda•
Dublin and Galway . • • ..
Dundalk and Enniskillen
Dundee and Arbroath . • .
Dundee and Perth • •• .•

Durham and Sunderland
East Lancashire (No. 1)
Ditto (No. 2) ..
Eastern Counties .
Do. New ...
Do. Perp. 5 pr Ct., No. 1
Do. do. No. 2
East Dereham & Norwich
East Union .......

Ditto Extension
Glas., and Dum.
Edinburgh and Glasgow..
Do. Quarter Shares • • •
Do. New Quarter Shares
Edi n b. Leith, and Granton
Do. Pref. 5 per Cent..
Edinburgh and Northern
Edinburgh and Peebles . .
Edinburgh and Perth....
Ely and lluntingdon • • ••
Enniskillen and Sligo • • • .
Exeter, Yeovil, & Drchstr
Fitwood, Prstn, & W. Rid.
tianikirk and Glasgow • •
Glasgow and Ayr. • • • • • •
Do. Quarter Shares • • ••
Glasgow and Greenock..
Ditto New. • .• . •• •• • -

l)itto Preference • • . • • •
fi lasgw, Dmfries, and Car.
I Ilsgw, liilmarnck, & Ard.
Glasgow and Belfast Un.
Goole and Doncaster • • • •
Grand Junction . • • • • • • • •
Ditto Half Shares • • • •
Ditto Quarter Shares
Ditto New Quarters • •
Ditto Eighths • • • • • • . •
Grand Union .
Great Eastern & Western
t Grimsby & bit Extens.
fit Grimsby and Sheffield
(it Sthrn & Wstrn (hind)
Ditto Extension •• • •
Great Munster.. • •
Grt Northern of Scotland
Grt Northern of England
Do. New 401. Shares
Do. New 301. Shares
Great Western • • •• • . • • . •

Ditto Half Shares .. •

I)itto Fifths .. • • • • •• ••
(ittill'rd, Farehm, & Forts,

HarwlCh . • • • . • • .. • • • • • •
llu rs tid & Man. B. & Can]
fludtlersfield and Sheffield
null and GainSborough • .
!Tull and Selby •. • . • • • • ..
Inn° Quarter Shares..

Ditto Half Shares • • • •
Inverness and Elgin .• • •
isle of Jersey • • • • • • .. • .
Kendal and Windermere
Kingstown and Bray • .
Killarney Junctions
Lancaster and Carlisle ..
Lancaster and Preston ..
Leeds and Bradford •• • •

Ditto Extension .. • •
Leeds and Dewsbury.. • •
Leeds and Thirsk .. •• • .
Leeds & W. Riding June.
Leicester & Birmingham
Leicester and Bedford
Limerick and Waterford
t.imrek,Ewals,&l4.ll. Jnc.
Lincoln, York, and Leeds
I,lv. Man. & Gt N. of Eng.
Liverpool and Manchester
Ditto Half Shares • • • •
Ditto Quarter Shares
Liverri3Ormskrk,& Prstn
London and Birmingham
Ditto Thirds • . • • ..
Ditto Quarters . • • • • • •
London and Blackwall
141(111. Oxfd. & Chltnham.
L tuition and Brignton • • • •
Ditto Consolid. Eighths
London and Croydon • • .• I

Ditto New . .......

Do. Cluarant. 5 per Cnt.
London and Greenwich ••
Do. Pref. or Privilege • .
London and South Wes trn
Do. New Cons. Eighths
Do. New, 501. Shares..
Do. New, 401. Shares..
London and York ... • • • •
Ditto ( itawtry) . • . .. • •
London and Windsor....
Londe, Salsbury, & Yeovl
Londonderry & Coleraine
Lothlontterry & Enniskilln
Lynn and Ely . • .. • • • • • •
Lynn an 1 Dereham . • • • •
Manchnoter and Leeds • •
])itto ilalf Shares • • • •

Ditto Quarter Shares. •
Ditto Sixteenths • • • • • •
Manebs • r and Birkenhead
Manelle.:ter & Birminghm
Ditto 4uarter Shares..
I)ittu New Quarters . • •
1)o. Con. & Welsh June.
Sfanehestr, Boltn, & Bury
Nlnelistr, Buxtn, & Matlk
Shef. and Mid. June.
anchestr & Southamptn
Midland . • • • • • • • • •
Ditto Firths • • • • • • . • . •

Di I' o New .• . 1. ..... .

iTol(!Cn.Birm.& Derby
Midlnd (tWestrn (Irish)
1)o. Extension to Sligo
Newest 1 & Daringtn June.
l)e. New (Brandling)..
Newcastle and Berwick . •
Newcastle and Carlisle..
Nwestle: Durham, & Lan.
Newport & Abergavenny
Newry acid Enniskillen..
Neww-lt and Sheffield .
North rr'tish ...
Ditto New Shares .• •
Northern and Eastern
Do. Scrip (his. at 5 Ws.)
Do. Quarter Shares • •
Not th Devon . ..
North Kent • • •
North Staffordshire
North Eastern ...... .. .
North Union (A) • • • •
Ditto (E)........
North Wales Mineral • ...
Ditto New Shares • • • •
Not th Western
North Wales
Norwich and Brandon ..
Ditto New.. • .........
Not., Bel‘roir, & Cranthm
Nottingham and Boston..

Nutt, ET wsh. Val. & Man

Nottingham & Mansfield
Oxford and Birming. June
Oxford and Worcester • •
Oxford and Cambridge • •
Perth and Inverness • • • •
Portsmouth Direct.. • • • •
rreston and Wyre • • • • • •
Ditto Half Shares . • • •
Do. Pref. 5 per Ct. Guar
Do. Pref. 5 per Ct. & div.
Preston & Wyre Extena.
Richmond E-.. W. End June
Rugby and lluntingdon...
Scottish Central • • • • • • • •
Scottish Midland • • • • • • • •
S'hefficld and Manchester
Ditto Quarter Shares . •
Ditto ditto (No. 2). •
Ditto ditto (No. 3). •
Sheffield and Lincoln....
Sheffield and Rotherham
Shrewsbry& Grand June.
Shrewsh„ Wor., & Crewe
Shrws ,Wolv., Dudl, & Bir
dlirwshry & Trnt Val. Us.
SI irw s, I terefd,& N. Wales
Slamannan
South Devon . ..........
South Midland ••
South Eastern and Dover
Do. New (iss. 321.) No. I
Do. (i35.33/.68.8d.) „ 2
Do. (iss. 301.) „3
Staines and Richmond ...
Staffordshire & Shropshire
Stirling and Dunfermline
South Wales • • . • • • • • • • • •
Tean and Dove Valley • •
Trent Valley .• • . • • • • • • • •
Do. and HolyheadJunc.
Vale of Neath • • • •• • • . •
West London, Old Shares
West End & Sothrn Court.
Wexford and Carlow • • • •
Warwick and Cheltenham
Waterford and Kilkenny
Watrfd,Wxfd,Wick& Dub
Wakefield and Bradford . •
Wakfld, Penterrct, & Gool
Wakefield and Harrogate
Warwick and London
West Lancashire.... • • . •
Worcester and Triug.. •
Whitelu.ven and Furness
Do. New Half Shares..
Welsh M idi and • • • • • • • • • •
West Cornwall. • • • • • • • • •
%Vest Yorkshire • • .. •• • •
Wilsontvrn, M.& Coltness
Wilts, Somrst, & Weymth
Wills, Somrst, & Southam
Yarmouth and Norwich..
Ditto New. • • • • • • • • • •
York and Carlisle . • • • • • •
York and North Midland
Ditto Dalt- Shares
Ditto Searbro' Branch
Ditto ScAby -
Ditto Extension
yorkshite&Gisgow Dun.

1234
128%

24%
9/i P
-P
- p

- PI

18141
4

7UP
41%

334
7'A
237

118.4

8%
6866 d
8
6136 d
24

16653 d
I

3%
9653 d

12859

I -
12183

12-53 pl

4%P

I
,6359(1

,151; p
208 p

12141
37 p 1
57s pi

6%
5U
,78 6 p

16-7s6p

39sp

3701

4%p

Oct.
14.

17656 d,

13356 d 1i

18-7s6d

EXETER, Ocr. 15.
STOCK EiClielliGE.—The sales al.ll—Exeter, Yeovil, and
DOlCllebtert 1 p.w.Fattcr, Topshazo, ead zamotth waves

line), 34 p.—Ditto (Head's), I p.—Cenral Corn ,vall and
Devon, % p.—Taw Vale Extension, % p.—Dartmoutb, Tor-
bay, and Exeter Junction, 1/2 p.—Eastern Counties, 25
Ditto, New, 9.l4—Bristol and Exeter, 102—Ditto, New, 16.

SHEFFIELD, Ocr. 15.
STock ExcrrANGE.—The sales are—York and North Mid-
land Extension, 28—Caledonian Extension, 5%—Derby and
Gainsborough, 3—Grimsby Railway and Dock Extension,
123—Nottingham, Erewash, and Ambergate, 63/4—Sheffield
and Lincolnshire, 63/—Wakefield and Harrogate, 5%

HUDDERSFIELD, Oar. 15.
STOCK EXCHANGE.—The sales are—Nottingham, Ere-
wash, and Ambergate, 63, —Oxford, Whitney, and Chelten-
ham, 2%—Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton, 14.

HULL, Ocr. 15.
STOCK EXCHANGE. —The sales are—Eastern Counties,
25—North British, Carlisle, 41/2—Oxford, Worcester, and
Wolverhampton, 15%—Shrewsbury, Oswestry, and Chester,
734 --Axil°line, 755. p.—Boston, Newark, and Sheffield, 6
Chelmsford and Bury, 2'4—Coventry, Nuneaton, &c.,
—Derby and Gainsborough, 31. 16s.—Direct Northern,
—Dudley, Madeley, and Iron Bridge, 50s. p.—East Lincoln-
shire, SIA —Fleetwood, Preston, and West Riding, 434—Great
Eastern and Western, 31. 3s.—Great North and South Wales
and Worcester, 13s. 6d. p.— Hull and Barnsley Junction, 5
—Liverpool and Leeds, 614—London and York (Bawtry
Scrip), 53/4—London and Manchester (Rein.), 4%—Notting-
ham and Boston, 4%—South Midland, 71. 17s.—Wakefield
and Bradford, 51.165. 3d.—Worcester, Tenbury, and Ludlow,
534—Yorkshire and Glasgow Union, 4/. 19s.

YORK, Oar. 15.

STOCK EXCTIANGE.—The sales are—Eastern Union Ex-
tension (Norwich), 514—Midland, New, 3134—North Bri-
tish, Carlista, 44—Cambridge and Lincoln, 6/. 6s. 6d.—
Ditto, New, 51. 16s. 6d.—Coventry, Nuneaton, Birmingham,
and Leicester, 41/9—Grand Union, 4—lnverness and Elgin,
1 1/—Lei,;ester and Bedford, 41. 3s. 6d.—London and York,
63%—Newcastle and Berwick, 194—North Kent and Direct
Dover, 4%—Warwick and Cheltenham, 314—Welsh Mid-
lands, 414—Yorkshire and Carlisle, 4%.
EDINBURGH, Ocr. 13.
-

STOCK EXCHANGE.-The sales are-Aberdeen, 71. 12s. 6d.
-Arbroath and Forfar, 251.-Ditto, Half Shares, 151-Bri-
tish and Irish Union, 5/. 7s. 6d.-Caledonian, 15/. lOs -
Caledonian Extension, 51. 155.-Clydesdale Junction, 20L-
Direct Northern, 31. 55.-Dundee and Arbroath, 371.-Ditto,
New, 181.-Dundee and Perth, 111. 10s.-Edinburgh and
Bathgate, 41. 145.-Edinburgh and Glasgow, 76/.-Ditto,
Quarters,:l9/. 10s.-Ditto, New, 141. 17s. 6d.-Edinburgh,
Glasgow, and Dumbarton, 1/. 145.-Edinburgh, Leith, and
Granton, 261.-Ditto, Preference, 191.-Edinburgh and North-
ern, 51.-Edinburgh and Perth, 4/. 18s. 6d.-Glasgow and
Ayrshire, 73/.-Ditto, Quurter Shares, 21/. 12s. 6d.-Glasgow
and Garnkirk, 451.-Glasgow and Greenock, 22/. 10s.-Ditto,
New Stock, 10/. 155.-Ditto, Preference, 21. 55.-Glasgow,
Dumfries, and Carlisle, 41.-Great North of Scotland, 41. 15s.
-Inverness and Elgin, 1/. 155.-London and York, 71.-
Monkland and Kirkintilloch, 331.-North British, 26/.-
Ditto, Halves, 71. 55.-Perth and Inverness, 3/. 14s. 6d.-
Scottish Central, 14/. 10s.-Scottish Midland, 5/. 103.-
-Scottish Western, 2/.165.-Stirling and Dunfermline, 41. 7s.

LAW INTELLIGENCE.
JUDGES' CHAMBERS, Oct. 15.
(Before Mr. Baron PLArr.)

QUESTION OF PRIVILEGE.-3IARTIN V. COLVILL.-GEORGE
LORD COLVILL, SUED AS COLVILL GEORGE DORE.
-

This was an application to discharge the defendant from
prison, on the ground that he was privileged as a peer of
Scotland. His affidavit set forth that he claimed the title in
1841, as a descendant of his great-grand-uncle, who died in
1782; and that the peerage was in existence at the time the
Act of Settlement was passed. In 1841 it was alleged that
an inquisition held at Edinburgh had found him to be the
heir to the former Lord Colvill.

The point was discussed at some length on the part of the
defendant, who, it 'was stated, had not voted for the repre-
sentative Peers of Scotland, simply for the reason that no
general election had occlrred since he claimed his title.
Mr. HEATON, as Counsel for the plaintiff, resisted the ap-
plication for a discharge. He took a preliminary objection
to the title of the affidavit made by the defendant, on the
grognd that, upon the face of the document, the defendant
was a commoner.

Mr. Baron PLATT overruled the objection.
➢lr. HEATON then contended that the application came
too late. The defendant bad pleaded to the action as a
commoner.

His LORDSHIP overruled the second objection.
It was then argued that the title to the peerage was in
dispute; and that his Lordship would not, on the authority
of a case which was cited, discharge the defendant from
prison.
Mr. Baron PLATT eventually refused the application. The
defendant had done no act as a peer; and, as the courts
would sit in a short time, he had better apply to the Court
of Queen's Bench.

Costs were applied for on the part of the plaintiff, bu
refused.

SURREY SESSIONS.

(Before E. PE...NM-ITN, Esq., and a Bench of Magistrates.)
LAMB STEALlNG.—Wednesday Win. Scrirens, 23, was
indicted for stealing two lambs, the property of William
Fuller,. and in a second count he was charged with killing
the lambs with intent to steal their carcases.

Mr. Wallinger prosecuted, and Mr. Charnock defended the
prisoner..
The prosecutor is a farmer at Tolwortb, and on the night
of the 6th of October his shepherd left a flock of seventy-
two lambs safe in the fold. The next morning two were
missing, and on a search being made, the skins and head
were found in a ditch in an adjoining field. Suspicion at-
tached to the prisoner immediately, and upon some consta-
bles of the V division going to his house they observed in a
pot a quantity of lamb that had evidently been recently
killed, and also four sheeps' kidneys. Upon comparing this
meat with the remains of the joints left in the skins, it was
found to fit it exactly. In addition to these facts, it was
proved that the prisoner had a very peculiar gait, and turned
his toes out a great deal in walking, and this corresponded
exactly with the footmarks that were observed near the
sheepfold.
The jury returned a verdict of Guilty, and the Chairman
sentenced the prisoner to be transported for ten years.
Music Licuicsus.—The Court then proceeded to hear ap-
plications for the renewal of licenses for music and dancing,
and those of the Southampton Railway Arms, at the Kings-
ton station, Vauxhall-gardens, the St. Helena-gardens, at
Rotherhithe, the Castle Tavern, Richmond, and the Rose-
mary Branch, Peckham, were granted without any obser-
vation.

Mr. Chamock applied, under the recent Act of Parliament,
for a license for an establishment to be used as a lunatic
asylum, at Epsom.
In answer to a question from the Bench, the deputy clerk
of the peace said that the necessary notice required by the
Act had been given, and the plans of the building had been
deposited in his office; and the Court then granted the li-
cense.

Mr. Richard Pierce. of the Grapes, Great Suffolk-street,
renewed his application for a license to have music and
dancing.
Mr. Knapp and Mr. Corner supported this application,
which was opposed by Mr. Scriven.
It will be recollected that a similar application was made
last year, but the license was refused on account of it ap-
pearing that after a previous refusal by the Court Mr. Pierce
had continued his performances without any license; and the
Court, principally, as it appeared upon that ground, refused
him a license, hut at the same time gave an intimation that,
if the house was properly conducted for the ensuing year,
they would give him one.
Mr. Knight, in support of the present application, put in
a petition, signed by the churchwardens, the parish officers,
several of the board of guardians, and four hundred and
seventy of the principal inhabitants of the parish, which
testified to the respectability of the applicant, and the good
order that prevailed in his establishment, and prayed the
Court to grant the license.
Mr. Scriven said, he had a petition, signed by the gover-
nor and deputy- governor of the Queen's Prison, and a num-
ber of the inhabitants, praying that the license might not be
granted.
The Court, after some discussion, granted the license.
A similar application was made on behalf of Mr. Harris, of
the Salmon public-house, Union-street, which the Court also
granted.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.
MANSION-HOUSE.
Yesterday, a gentleman applied to the Lord Mayor for in-
formation in what manner to proceed against a person of the
same name, to whom the postman, by mistake, handed letters
connected with railway speculations meant for the applicant,
and who opened and read them. He admitted, in answer to
questions from the Lord Mayor, that the offending person,
who was no other than his own brother, had, in all proba-
bility, no felonious intention in opening the letters of allot-
ment ; but lie declared that the practice was extremely dis-
agreeable, and might be prejudicial to him if continued.
The LORD MAyon said that no offence had been com-
mitted of which he could take cognisance. His Lordship
added that he knew out very little indeed of railroads
beyond the fact that every body was talking of them, and
that when a man looked into a newspaper for a litlle
relief, his agony was sure to be increased by what he had
met with in every page. He hat reason to believe, how-
ever, that although he had no shares in any railway com-
pany, some portion of the press would have it that he either
was, or was to be, a participator in the advantages arising
from some of the speculations ; for, in an article which
appeared in a morning paper a day or two ago, it was
asked why the Lord Mayor had stepped forward in the
case of the Direct London and Manchester (Ashurst's) line ?
The writer of the article in question had paid him a com-
pliment to which every member of the Corporation knew
him to be not at all entitled ; and he believed the very re-
port of the proceedings in the Common Council, on the pre-
sentation of the petitions on Thursday last, would testify on
hneo thy intended
complaint
what very indifferent authority the writer of the paragraph
relied. His Lordship said it might be useful to those whose
letters happened to fall into the hands of persons for whom
they w etroe
t o
tok know that
Postmaster.th owle
Gye reedyn eirnalof ap-
pearedthenegligence of the servants of the establishment.
MARLBOROUGH-STREET
William Humphries, a solicitor, living at No. 10, Water-
te Coachpugi
100-row, King's-road, was charged with having stolen a
number of sovereigns from the person of George Flowers,
rnedhl Caunt,
the the
parlour well-knownof
hat-dyer, Great Guildford-street.
Benojcacm occurred pugilist, said rob-
beryusaoidraeathpenhlio:
house, St. Martin's-lane, of which house he is the landlord.
The prisoner and the prosecutor were in his parlour last
evening sparring and joking with each other. The prose-
cutor was the worse for liquor. He saw the prisoner put his
hand into the prosecutor's waistcoat pocket, and take out a
number of sovereigns. He told the prisoner he would allow
nothing of that sort in his house, and desired him to return
the money he had taken. The prisoner handed the money to
a person sitting in the parlour, who contrived to get out of
the
house. He then sent for a constable, and gave the
ipri-
soner
n
to custody, having first taken possession of the money
on the prosecutors person, 'which amounted to about 28/.
the prosecutor, who was evidently in a
George Flowers, .
from giving a very sob account of
state which unfitted him
I,had been out collecting moneys the
the transaction, said he .
ed between 474 and 481. in gold and
previous day, and received
silver. He went into his friend _ Caunt's house to lunch,
knowing that, although there were likely to be some "queer"
characters in the parlour, he was in safe hands if the landlord
was there. lie was told afterwards that he h adbeen
robbed.
Mr. HAIDWICK 'asked the prosecutor to make out the
money he had
when in the house, and the amount of the de-
ficiency.
The prosecutor attempted to do so, but gave such a con-
fused and contradictory account of the affair, that Mr.
Hardwick said it was quite impossible to make anything at
present out of the prosecutor's story.
Caunt said he saw the sovereigns taken from the prose-
cutor in the prisoner's hand. There were apparently about
eight or ten sovereigns.
On compaaing the money found on the prosecutor after
the alleged robbery with his statement of the amount re-
ceived during the day, there was a deficiency of eight sove-
reigns.
The prisoner denied all knowledge of the robbery. His
own money—two pounds odd—had been taken from Wm,
and was in the prosecutor's possession.
The prionvi; was ermanded for a few days. •

MARYLEBONE.

Maria Farrell, cook to a lady named Wilde, residing in
Upper Bryanston-street, Portman-square, was charged be-
fore Mr. Long with being drunk and creating a disturbance
at the house of her mistress, and also on suspicion of steal-
ing three bottles of wine.
Mrs. Ann Wilde stated that the prisoner was her servant.
On the previous day the daughter of a lady named Cun-
ningham, residing in the same house, was married, and the
prisoner got very drank in honour of the occasion. She tw-
came very abusive, and threatened to stab all in the house,
and to knock her (witness) down. All attempts to quiet her
being fruitless, the complainant was compelled to call in a
policeman and give her into custody.
William Ching, D 23, said he was called by the last wit-
ness about 'half-past eight o'clock last evening. The cook
came to the door, and told him if lie waited a minute she
would give him;a drop of wine. She shortly after came out,
and, taking the bottle of wine ont of her pocket, gave it to
him. He returned the bottle of wine, and the prisoner was
given into custody. Hearing something jingle in her pocket,
he found another bottle, and whilst conveying her to the sta-
tion a third bottle of wine fell from some part of her person
and was broken. She said the wine was her own, and that it
had been given to her by the footman.
Mrs. Wilde, in answer to Mr. Long, said six bottles of very
old sherry were presented to Mrs. Cunningham by the
brother of the bridegroom, but only threewere to be found. 1
Mr. LONG said that the woman's conduct was very bad
indeed, but, unfortunately, there was not sufficient for him to
send the case for trial ; therefore, she must be discharged.
SOUTHWARK.

ALLEGED CONFINEMENT OF A SANE MAN AS A LUNATIC.
—Just at the close of the business in the afternoon, a young
man, of gentlemanlike appearance, entered the Court, and,
addressing Mr. Trani, requested his advice under the follow-
ing circumstances :
The applicant said that in 1843, while a graduate in Tri-
nity College, Cambridge, intending to take clerical orders,
he had a dispute with a clergyman, which was ultimately
referred to the Bishop of Norwich for his decision. He had
an interview with his Lordship on the subject. Shortly af-
terwards, however, to his (applicant's) surprise, a consulta-
tion of medical men was held, and a certificate obtained, cer-
tifying that he was of unsound mind. He was accordingly
brought away from college by two keepers, and placed in a
private lunatic asylum, although he assured the Magistrate
that he was as sane and as capable of conducting his affairs
at the time as he was at that moment. After remaining in
the asylum—during which period he had nothing to com-
plain of but the circumstance of his being deprived of his
liberty, and taken away from the pursuit of his studies at
college—he was transferred to Bethlehem Hospital, where
he was also confined for some months, and from which insti-
tution he had been recently discharged. Since the latter
occurrence he had been residing with a gentleman named
Buckley, at Peckham, who maintained him up to the present
period, although he received no emolument, his (applicant's)
affairs being in such a deranged state, owing to the conduct
pursued towards him, that he was totally incapacitated from
supporting himself by his own exertions. The object, there-
fore, of his application was, to ascertain if he could have re-
dress against the authorities of Bethlehem Hospital for de-
taining him there, which he considered was a gross infringe-
ment of the liberty of the subject, particularly as he was not
of unsound mind, and then discharging him from the place,
although he made no remonstrance at the time for that
purr ose.
Mr. TRAIL', told the applicant that it was a question with
which he could have nothing to do. From the applicant's
own admission, it appeared that the proceeding of which he
complained had not been adopted until the certificate of two
medical officers had been obtained as to the condition of his
mind ; that he could not at all perceive that a charge of such
a nature as that alluded to by applicant could be alleged
against the directors of the admirable institution where
had been confined, and that previously to his admission the
necessary forms had been complied with, and as soon as he
was considered convalescent he was permitted to leave the
place. The latter circumstance must convince the applicant
that the authorities had no inclination to keep him there
longer than they considered necessary.
'1 he applicant said that he was most unwilling to be living
on the bounty of the gentleman who had acted so con-
siderate a part on his being discharged from Bethlehem--that
the fact of his being taken away from college under the cir-
cumstances already described bad the effect of blighting his
prospects, and that it was with the view of convincing the
world how unjustly he had been treated that made him
anxious to adopt proceedings against those who bad thrown
such serious obstacles in the way of his advancement in life.
Mr. TIIAILL having repeated that he could not see any
just grounds the applicant had for complaining against the
authorities of Bethlehem Hospital, the applicant retired from
the Court.
LAMBETH.
STEALU'iG RAILWAY PARCELS.—John Wilkinson, alias Wil-
liam Chambers, a waggoner, in the service of Messrs. Pick-
ford and Co., the extensive carriers, who has been in custody
for some days past on two charges, the one for stealing a box
containing a quantity of plate and jewellery, and the other
for a parcel containing a dozen of shirts, was placed at the
bar before Mr. Henry for final examination.
Mr. Swah, a solicitor, attended on the part of Messrs. Pick-
ford and Company, to prosecute.
In addition to the evidence given upon the former exami-
nation, and which appeared in the Morning Chronicle, the
following was adduced :
Mr. William Taylor, a professor of music, residing at No.
12, Arlington-street, Sadler's Wells, deposed that in the
month of June last Mr. Arrowsmith, a friend of his,
residing at Belmont-row, St. Heliers, Jersey, on leaving
town, had placed in his care six silver handled knives, six
silver forks, six silver teaspoons, and four silver salt
spoons. They were all of the King's pattern, and bore Mr.
Arrowsmiths's crest. Besides these articles there were two
gold chains, two gold rings, and a pair of gold ear-rings,
On Monday, the 6th instant, he packed all the property he
had mentioned in a wooden box, on the outside of which he
nailed the card now produced by the constable, and delivered
it at the office of Messrs. Pickford, in the City-road, to be
conveyed as directed, to Jersey, to Mr. Arrowsmith. The
whole of the articles which he had packed in the box were
now produced, with the exception of one ring.
Charles Franklin, shopman to Mr. Fletcher, a pawnbroker,
of York-road, Kennington, stated that on Monday evening,
the 6th instant, at about seven o'clock, the prisoner entered
his master's shop, and put down on the counter six silver-
handled knives, six dessert silver forks, six teaspoons, and
four salt spoons, and asked him, witness, to lend him 25 shil-
lings on them. Witness asked him if they were his own,
and he replied no, but that he had been sent by a Mr. Hop-
kins, 16 or 17, Kent-road, to pledge them for money to pay
his rent. The witness suspecting all was not right, sent for
a constable and gave him into custody.
Mr. HENRY, at the conclusion of the witness's evidence,
told him he had acted exceedingly well in the matter.
Police-constable James Bevan, said that on the evening
before mentioned the prisoner was given into his custody by
the last witness. He asked him where he got the property;
the prisoner said a man gave them to him in the Kent-road,
and asked him to pledge them for him. Witness asked him
if he knew the man, and he replied that he merely knew him
by sight but not by name, but that he lived at No. 16, Kent-
road. He then offered to go there to see the man, but the
prisoner said it was no use, as he was not to be found there.
When about to search the prisoner at the station-house, he
said, " I have got some more here that the same man gave
me," and took from his trousers pocket the two gold chains,
gold ring, and a pair of gold ear-rings, he then produced.
While conveying the prisoner to this Court on the
following morning, he said, "I shall tell the truth
about this when I get before the magistrate. I
stepped my foot upon the box and broke the lid in. I
did not know what to do with the property, so I
thought I would make away with it in the best manner
I could." On searching the prisoner he (witness)
found some letters which he did not particularly examine at
the time, but on looking them over subsequently he found
in one of them the card produced, which was addressed,
" John Arrowsmith, Esq., Belmont-row, St. Heliers, Jersey,"
and which the witness, Mr. Taylor, identified as the card-he
had placed on the box.
George Seymour, clerk to Messrs. Pickford and Co., said
he remembered receiving a box addressed to Mr. Arrow-
smith, at the City-road Basin, on the Gth of October instant,
from Mr. Taylor. Ile sent it immediately to the Castle in
Wood-street, to be forwarded by the van to the Southampton
Railway.
Mr. Simmonds, clerk at the warehouse of Messrs. Pick-
ford, in Wood-street, Cheapside, said he remembered re-
ceiving the box in question and entering it in the way-bill
for the Southampton Railway. He also saw it put into the
van, of which the prisoner was the driver, and Trindall the.
guard.
Thomas Trindall deposed that he lodged in the same
house with the prisoner, in Bond-street, Vauxhall, and was
which the eheprieisfotnthere
Cdarosvtlee.
t rn he
accompanied the prisoner to the
eveningas
tl Wood-
street, gt,ua inredf
the
mtoe
ntvhdaz the van
Southampton terminus, Nine Elms. Finding he could not
unload the waggon at once, he left it for a short time to get
a cup of tea, leaving the prisoner and Mr. Atkins, the check-
ing
fegculenrd the
clerk, with
prisoner
wase retguernnee,dainnd eabr
utniteeandimngintuhte ves,
awnhheen
he
discovered that the box addressed to Mr. Arrowsmith was
missing. The witness did not see the box at all, nor did
he see the prisoner again until he found him in custody at
this Court.
John Atkins, a clerk in the employment of the Messrs.
Pickford, produced the way-bill of the prisoner's van on the
evening of the 6th inst., in which was a box for Jersey, and
found that the latter was missing.
This concluded the evidence in the first case. In the
second it was distinctly proved that on the 27th of last
month, a brown paper parcel containing 12 shirts, and ad-
dressed to "Captain G. T. M. Purvis, R.A., Rev. Mr. Har-
rion's, Fereham, Hants," had been delivered at the booking-
office of Pickford, in Regent-circus, by the servant of Mr.
Lodge, of Bond-street, to be forwarded to Captain Purvis.
The parcel was taken to the Nine Elms station, from where
it had been stolen, and when apprehended, a duplicate for
seven of the shirts was found on the prisoner. He was also
wearing one at thetime of his apprehension and three others
were found at his lodging, as well as the brown paper which
formed the wrapper.
The prisoner, who declined saying anything in defence,
was fully committed for trial on both charges.
ATTEMPTED IMPOSITION ON THE SOUTH-EASTERN RAIL.
WAY COMPANY.—Eizabeth Chapman„ a middle-aged female,
was brought up in custody of Mr. Henningham, the superin-
tendant of police on the South-Eastern Counties Railway,
on a charge of attempting to defraud the directors and com-
pany of that railroad of half-a-crown.
Joseph Lane, ticket-collector at the Bricklayers' Arms
terminus, deposed that the prieoner came by the 11 o'clock
refprehmed?shAie hldadshneon
.
e
train on the night before, and on collecting the tickets as
iuiseuatil,tehneasakskededhher herwfoerrhe e
she re-
plied from Staplehurst, and he then requested 3s. 4d. as her
fare. She replied that she had paid once, and had lost the hanadd she
come
ticket, but said the amount she paid was 2s. 4d. Witness
told her that there was no such fare on the line at 2s. 3d.,
and asked her what she had done with the ticket. She re-
plied that some person asked her for it, and she had given
it up. She refused to give her name or address, upon which
witness felt it to be his duty to hand her over to Mr. Hen-
ningham.
Henry Edzergton, guard of the train by which the pri-
soner had travelled, recollected the prisoner getting into the
train at Staplehurst.
The prisoner, in reply to the charge, said she had paid ten-
pence to come from Staplehurst to Tunbridge, and intended
at the time to get out at the latter place, and stop there that
night, but a gentleman in the train had told her he should
pay the difference for her to Deptford, where she resided,
but this he had neglected to do.
Mr. Henningham said that the company had been very
much imposed upon by persons of the prisoner's description,
who, after being employed at hopping
in different parts of
the country, took a ticket, as in the present instance, for a
short distance, and with it travelled to town.
Mr. HENRY asked what was the wish of the company in
the present instance?
Mr. Henningham replied that it bad been imposed on so
often, that the officers had made up their minds to punish,
for the future, all persons attempting the fraud.
The prisoner was convicted in the penalty of 205., or, in
default of payment, to ten days' imprisonment.

QUEEN-SQUARE.
CONSPIRACY.—THE ROYAL BELGRAVE LYING-IN INSITTIJ-
TION.— Maria Locke, the wife of the manager, surgeon,ae-
cca4Chear, &c., of the Royal Belgrave klstitUtiOn)

25, James-street, Buckingham-gate, and Edw4i and James
Locke, her sons, were placed at the bar for final examination,
charged with defrauding Mr. Gawthorp, of 79, Tothill-street,
of several pairs of boots.
The particulars of the case have been already fully detailed.
Mr. BoND said, that although the case had been adjourned,
quite sufficient had been made out to call upon him to send
the accused before another tribunal for that purpose.
The witnesses were then bound over to indict the prisoners
at the Central Criminal Court for conspiracy.
After some discussion about bail, the prisoners were ulti-
mately required to find two sureties in 401. each, and give
notice to Mr. Woolfe.
The accused were sent to prison.

Comber, immediately opposite the police barrack, there is a
large field scarcely worth digging; and in the vicin:ty of
Ballynahinch, Killinchy, and Killyleagh, the crop is much
injured. At Antrim, a few days ago, Lord Massereene sold
some potatoes, in the ground, at the high price of 311. per
acre. They looked very well, but so extensive have been
the ravages of the rot, that the purchasers are greatly d s-
appointed, and would gladly withdraw from their agreement.
LIMERICK, Ocr. 11.—We are much concerned to state that
the prevalent distemper in the potato crop has been this
week found to extend its f.-mrful ravages to the county
Limerick, and the fields on several farms show unequivocal
symptoms of the rot or canker in the potato. At Cahirelly
the disease was first observed, and subsequently at Feda-
more, where twelve acres were opened, and the spade la-
bourers left off work on finding the plant was not worth
raising; the evil was also apparent at Coolyheran and other
parts of the country, where no suspicion of the kind was
entertained. At Kilworth, Michelstown, and a wide range
of land in the counties of Cork, Limerick, and Tipperary,
serious apprehensions are felt for the same result. The po-
tatos most exposed to this deadly plague-spot are the
" white eye," for they are most prone to decay, and when
the disease has fixed on these it may be deemed incurable;
not so the cup and crow potatoes, and if on high ground the
fanner has a better chance for his crops. There is little doubt
but the .distemper now attackinc, the potatos in both coun-
tries is the effect of prolonged low atmosphere and excessive
moisture acting upon the plant since the ea'ly part of August
last,' when the rain set in very heavily. The recent moist
atmosphere and frequent rains aggravate the tendency to
infection. This. terrible epidemic not only threatens loss Of
food in the present season, but loss of food for the next year.

THE AFRICAN FEVER.

(From the Medical Gazette.),

In our last number we referred to the arrival of a vessel
from the coast of Africa, having on board a disease repre-
sented to be the African fever, which had caused great mor-
tality among the crew. No less than 66 persons had dial,
including the two medical officers. We expressed no doubt
that immediate relief would be afforded by Government to
the survivors, who were thus left in a most helpless condi-
tion; but it appears that the excessive fear of contagion
caused the strictest quarantine to be observed, and in the
first instance the plan adopted by the Lord Mayor and Alder-
men in the great plague of London in 1665 was enforced—
i. e., the healthy were compelled to remain shut up with the
diseased. We confess we were hardly prepared for this mode
of dealing with a fever-stricken ship in the 19th century;
for, even admitting the contagious nature of the malady,
methods would have easily suggested themselves for imme-
diately separating the diseased from the healthy, and remov •
ing the whole of the survivors from the pestilential atmos
phere in which they were confined.
The delay in adopting measures of isolation was, we under-
stand, occasioned by the absence from town of the chief
quarantine officer at the time the intelligence was received.
It is to be regretted that there is.not a medical officer at all
our great naval stations empowered to act immediately in
such emergencies. _ _ . . .

We have probably never before had the African fever
brought so near to our coasts as in this instance; and it
may be worth while, therefore, to inquire into a few cir-
cumstances connected with it. The most accurate observa-
tions which have been made on this formidable malady are
those of Dr. M'William and Dr. Pritchett, who accompanied
the late Niger expedition. From the account given by Dr.
M‘William, we learn that all who composed the expedition
were exposed to the same influences, and nearly all were at-
trcked with the fever. Two only of the four medical
officers who died had been in attendance on fever patients!
Dr. Pritchett, Mr. Thomson, Mr. Stirling, and Dr. Stanger
were among the few who escaped being seized with fever,
although they were in constant intercourse with the sick, and
Dr. M'William himself was the last person in the Albert who
was attacked. The nurses on board this vessel were among
the latest taken ill, and one escaped altogether. In short,
there was no fact which cdme under the observation of this
experienced medical officer which afforded the slightest
evi-
that the disease was communicated from one person to
another.

These facts appear to show clearly that the malady must
have owed its diffusion to endemic influence, and not to con-
tagion. It is well known that in the equipment of these
vessels special provisions were made not only for insuring a
free circulation °fair below decks, but also as far as possible for
purifying it, or of depriving it of noxious matters. There is,
however, good reason to believe, from the fatal progress of
the disease, that these had no influence in counteracting the
effects of the endemic poison. We learn from Dr. M'William's
account, that some circumstances were actually favour-able to
the propagation of fever by contagion : the upper deck was
much lumbered, in a degree to prevent the free circulation of
the air; and the same cause prevented it from being tho-
roughly cleaned. In the decks below many men were neces-
sarily crowded together in sleeping under a very high tem-
perature ; for the thermometer was seldom below 84 degrees.
The steam apparatus created an unavoidable source of heat,
which was constantly being diffused throughout the vessel
by the active conducting powers of the metal (iron) of which
she was composed. It might be supposed that this would
rather lead to the cooling of the vessel by its immersion in
water; but the water of .the river was seldom below 83 de-
grees. Under these circumstances, we think it pretty evident
that had the fever been contagious some proofs of its possess-
ing this character would have been most probably obtained.
There can, however, be no doubt that the great mortality
which attended the disease, was in great part to be ascribed
to the vital energies of the men becoming reduced by these
depressing influences.
In the absence of any medical history of the progress of
the malady on board the recently arrived vessel, it is out of
our power to form a conjecture whether the deaths on the
homeward voyage, and those which have taken place off
Portsmouth, were due to the African fever or its sequelte. If
to the former, the disease may, like the worst form of typhus
fever, have acquired a contagious character from confine-
ment, want of ventilation, or proper medical or hygienic
treatment, an evil which was only likely to be increased by
the plan pursued under the quarantine laws, at the first ar-
rival of the ship. The remedy would have been to have iso-
lated the effected, and placed them at once under medical
treatment, whereby all danger of the diffusion of the disease
would have been prevented. It does not appear probable,
however, that the genuine African fever would have lain so
long latent; the facts observed in the Niger expedition show
that the period of latency is about from 16 to 21 days; and
it may turn out, therefore, that instead of fresh cases of fever
occuring on board this ill-fated ship during the latter part of
the voyage, they may have been merely sequences of the
malady, aggravated in their effects by the unhealthy state of
the vessel.
It has been long known that those who recover from this
disease are liable to suffer from lesions of the mucous mem-
branes of the bowels, which are caused by the fever. Hit-
morrhage, hxmatemesis, and dysentery have supervened
long after the fever has passed away, and have destroyed
life. Within a short period all these matters will have been
cleared up to the satisfaction of the public and profession ;
since Sir William Pym, Superintendent-General of Quaran-
tine, and Mr. Arnott, of the Middlesex Hospital, have been
appointed to investigate the matter; and their report is, we
understand, more favourable than the intelligence already
received would have led us to anticipate.
This does, not, however, remove the objections to our
quarantine regulations, which loudly call for some modifica-
tion. We are not prepared to say, after the sad experience
of the pestilential cholera, that fearful maladies derived from
endemic causes in one quarter of the globe, may not diffuse
themselves by a property strongly analogous to, if not iden-
tical with, contagion ; but we believe it to be not only a sel-
fish but a dangerous policy to shut up the diseased under
such circumstances. The► poison is only likely to acquire
thereby a more virulent action ; and, like the gaol-fever at
the Black Assizes, cut off all who come within its sphere.
Moral causes, it is well known, have an important influence
in bringing on an attack, so that the locking up the healthy
with the affected for the period required by the quarantine
laws, is virtually consiging the former to destruction.
We have made these remarks, as the subject is of present
interest. The history of the African fever, as given by Dr.
M'William, shows it to be a disease most insidious in its
attacks, most fatal in its progress, and at present apparently
beyond the reach of medic it treatment.f The bare possibi-
lity of so fearful a malady becoming imported into his coun-
try, and spreading itself by contagion, is thereforet a subject
which deserves the close attention of the medical profession.

The above remarks were made before we had seen the re-
port to the Amiralty by Sir W. Pym and Mr. Arnott. We
are glad to find that energetic measures have been taken,
and that, on the arrival of the Eclair at Standgate- creek,
such precautions were adopted as prudence would suggest.
Those who had escaped from the attack of the fever (41)
were removed to a clean vessel, and convalescents to another,
At present there are only two men confined to bed with the
fever, but no fresh case has occurred since the 29th ultimo.
The report, we think, leaves it clear that the fever has, in
this instance certainly, spread by contagion. In the report
we have no detailed account of the symptoms; but it is ex-
pressly stated that the disease was marked by the occurrence
of "black vomit," the first fatal case being that of a man
who was brought on board after having been three days on
shore. Soon afterwards eighteen persons were attacked with
fever and black vomit, and thirteen died! The disease may,
therefore, be some severe modification of the coast fever ; for
Dr. M‘William expressly states that, " in no case of the river
fever was there the slightest appearance of black vomit.'
Bilious vomiting was common in the early stage of the
disease." We shall take care to report any facts that may
further transpire with respect to the disease. In the mean-
time, there is every reason to believe, as the report states,
that its progress is arrested.

• This plan, it appears, was immediately adopted by the Portu-
guese Governor of the Island of Buena Vista.
t The results of the late Niger expedition were, that out of 145
whites, 130 were attacked with fever, and 40 died ; or 1 in 3-25 of
the attacked. Only 15 persons escaped the fever; but some of them
afterwards suffered from disorders which were probably brought on
by the voyage. In a second attempt to ascend the river by one
steamer, out of 8 white persons 7 were attacked, and 2 died. It is
remarkable as an indication of an acclamatising influence, that out
of 158 blacks, only 11 were attacked with fever, and not one died.
It seems also that the blacks, or Kroomen, in the case of the Eclair,
have entirely escaped the fever.

AMERICAN NEWS.
(FURTHER EXTRACTS.)
The Orpheus, Captain Hill, which arrived at New York
from Valparaiso, brought advices from thence to the 7th of
July.

711;e demands of the British Government on that of Peru,
consequent upon the affair of the Consul at Arica, had been
submitted to after some show of resistance. General Iguin
had been cashiered, and an apology had been made to the
British naval commander.

The advices from Hayti are to the 16th September. The
blockade of Port-au-Platt had been proclaimed at Cape Hay-
tien, but not officially notified to the Consuls. President
Pierrot had arived at the Cape, to urge on the war with the
Dominicans, which the Haytiens were prosecuting with
vigour and success. A large supply of muskets also have ar-
rived. Two considerable bodies of troops had marched, one
upon Port-au-Platt, and the other against the city of St.
Domingo. Trade very dull; the long drought had made
fruit and vegetables scarce.
The native American party assembled in great force at
Philadelphia on the 30th of September. The correspondent
of the New York Commercial Advertiser says—" There is no
disguising the fact, but the new party presents a strong front,
and many who had heretofore doubted, no longer hesitated to
express an opinion."