The Sun.
London, England, 1842-04-11 00:00:00

STANDARD.—Mr.Thomas Duncombe last night
attempted, in defiance of his defeat on the night pre-
ceding, to present another petition against the income
tax. The attempt was resisted, and a debate arose
upon the question, which debate is adjourned to Mon-
day. There can be no mistake as to the purpose of
Mr. Duncombe and those who support him ; that pur-
pose is, by fixing attention upon the practice or rule of
Parliament, to create an impression that, but for this
rule or practice, petitions would be universal, an impres-
sion that would be altogether fallacious. If the feel-
ing against an income tax is so strong and general as
Mr. Duncombe represents, why has not the country
expressed this feeling ? Petitions to Parliament, in-
deed, furnish one organ of public feeling, but only
one; and there are fifty others ; for example, " the
great ward meeting of Farringdon Without" set an
example which might be followed, and which doubt-'
less would have been followed generally, but for the
circumstance which caused that great ward meeting to
be so very thinly attended—the circumstance, namely,
that the people are not indisposed to the financial plan
of the Minister. Again, we see that the parish of
Christ Church, Surrey, has followed in the track of
the " great ward," with an attendance as meagre
and with as little effect ; and this parish of Christ
Church meeting happens to be the only, expres-
sion of opinion in the matter which the Morn-
ing Chronicle, with all its zeal and vigilance,
is able this day to record. The expected ex-
plosion in the recess has, in fact, miserably failed,
and Mr. Duncombe's movement is neither more
nor less than an expedient to conceal the real
cause of failure. We have shown that the rule
of the House of Commons is founded upon sound
considerations of both principle and convenience; but
as regards mere party interests we have cause to re-
gret its existence ; for confident we are that were the
nation polled by parliamentary petitions, or in any
Other .way, upon the choice of an income tax, or an
equivalent in any other taxes that have been named,'
the immense majority would decide in favour of Sir
R. Peel's measure. Mr. Duncombe has, however, no
doubt, to some extent succeeded in effecting his pur-
pose—to explain away the failure of the threatened
explosion.

ELECTION COMMITTEES.

WIGAN.

The Committee met at eleven o'clock on Saturday.
The vote of Joseph Walsh, which was objected to on the
part of the petitioner, and adjourned from Friday, was pro-
ceeded with. The vote was retained.

The Committee thin adjourned till eleven o'clock this day.

GREAT BIARLOW.

Mr. TALBOT replied on Friday at great length upon the
evidence against the vote of Jason Povey, which was objected
to on Wednesday by the petitioners Counsel on the ground of
bribery, and has occupied the Committee ever since.
The room was then cleared. In about a quarter of an hour
the parties and Counsel were re-admitted, when
The CHAIRMAN stated that the vote was a bad vote and
must be struck off.

Mr. Sergeant WRANGHAM then addressed the Com-
mittee on the part of the petitioner, and expressed a hope
that, as the vote of Charles Gibbons was retained upon
the sitting Members poll solely on account of the credit
given to the testimony of Richard Gibbons, in opposi-
tion to the evidence of the voter himself, and as this
Richard Gibbons had been convicted before the Committee of
giving false evidence in another case (for which he was now
paying the penalty by incarceration in Newgate), the Commit-
tee would re-consider their decision. The Learned Sergeant
cited several eases to show that the Committee had the power
so to do.

The CHAIAMAN then said, that Mr. Austen should be heard
in reply on Monday, at eleven o'clock.
The Committee then adjourned.
SUDBURY.

The Committee met on Saturday morning at eleven o'clock.
The Counsel for the petitioners proceeded to examine wit-
nesses in support of their case.
Joseph Cook examined by Mr. HILDYARD, deposed to
having seen a large body of electors go pn the morning of the
polling to the Black Boy Inn, which was an inn used by the
Committee of the sitting Members, where they went up stairs,
aril remained there about five minutes.

William Dighy, a constable of Sudbury, examined by Mr.
Sergeant WRANOHAM, deposed that he saw a large body of
voters go to the Black Boy Inn, whence, after remaining a
short time, they proceeded to the polling-booth. From
the latter place they proceeded to the Swan Inn,
which was at the side of the Market Hall, and opposite to
the Black. Boy. He saw several persons c.the out of
the Black Boy to poll in the course of the day, some
of them being accompanied by the four Messrs. Goody, - who
were agents of the sitting Members. All these persons polled
for Mr. Villiers and Mr. Dyce Sombre.
James White, examined by Mr. HILDYARD, deposed that he
was employed by Mr. Thomas Goody to keep order at the
Black Boy, and that he received Bs.-tor his trouble.- He was,
also engaged on Monday to go to the Swan. There was- a.
room at the Swan, at the top of the stairs, in which he saw_
Mr. S. Goody, the solicitor. The rails of the stairs gave way
in consequence of the preAure of a number of persons who went
up stairs.

Benjamin Harris, examined by Mr.. I-Ittuvaau' depos•4
that on the morning of the polling he saw a number of per-
sons proceed from the Black Boy Inn to the polling-booth,
and vote for Mr. Dyce Sombre and Mr. Villiers. 'there were
some scores of persons who did so. The Goody a were very
busy with them.
This witness was cross-examined by Mr. LEAkY, but With •
out anything of importance being elicited. •
Sarah Baram, examined by Mr. H/LDTARD--,Sho was at
present a servant, living in London. At the time of the elec-
tion she was servant .at the Black Boy Inn; Sudbury.: The
" Yellows" frequented the Black Boy. On the Monday
even-
log preceding the day of polling two strangers arrived
at the inn. On the . 'Tuesday morning, • she saw
one of them in the bed-room up stairs; he was there
shout two hours and a half. A great many of the voters went
into the room to him. 1 hey only went in one at a time, and
renuined about a minute. '1 he others were crushing up stairs.
When they left the room they went towards the hustings.
Witness saw the door of the room open, and something given
away by the strange gentleman. She knew Mr. Dsce Sombre,
because he was a black man. .Saw him on Tuesday going up
the stairs which led to the bed-room. The stranger was there
at the time he went up. She said to the voters when they
were crushing up stairs, " For goodness sake don't crush so,
or you will break the place down."
The Learned Counsel was then proceeding to ask the wit-
ness what was said to her in reply, when

Mr. AUSTEN objected to the question.
The room was cleared, and on our return the Committee an-
nounced that they Lad resolved that, previous to deciding whe-
ther the question could be put, Counsel must show whether the
parties whose conversation with the witness he sought to elicit
were or were not voters for the borough.
The witness having alleged that Joseph Wheeler, jun., had
attdressed him on the landing of the stairs, evidence was gone
into for the purpose of identifying him with a person similarly
described on the poll-book.
The room was again cleared, and on our retires the Commit-
tee announced that they had decided that the question should
be put, inasmuch as they would have to report to the House
upon facts of bribery, although not committed with the know-
ledge or consent of the sitting Members, or their agents.
Sarah Baram was again called, and on the Learned Counsel
asking her what Joseph Wheeler said to her when she spoke of
the crushing, the witness said his reply was, " We are going
to take our money." The witness then gave rime further
evidence, in the course of which she stated that she was pre-
sent in the room three or four times when the stranger was oc-
cupied with one of the persons who had come up stairs, but slit.
could not state the name of either of the parties whom she saw
there.
The Committee adjourned at half-past four.

IMPORTANT INVENTION for IRON
CRAFT and STEAM VESSELS.

We understand that Mr. Payne, optician,
South Castle-street, after a series of experiments
which, altogether, have• occupied eighteen
months, has succeeded in producing a binnacle
so loaded with magnetism as to counteract the
local attraction of the compass in iron vessels. It
'is pretty generally known that hitherto the ma-
riner's compass has been useless in iron-built
vessels, unless they have undergone a.process,
invented by Professor Airey, to " compensate"
their magnetism. This compensation, for which
the vessel under process is to he continually
turned and moored, unmoored and turned again,
is very tedious, and, consequently, expensive. It
consists in placing large magnets at such a dis-
tance from the binnacle or other compass that
their attraction is equal to the deviation occa-
sioned by the magnetic influence of the vessel.
Mr. Payne's plan allows the whole arrangement
to be executed in the workshop, and the inven-
tion comprises an entirely new method for the
circulation of the magnetic fluid. The exact
process is to be kept a secret until a patent be se-
cured; but, from the explanation the inventor
volunteers, it appears that he collects and fixes
a vast quantity of magnetism in his binnacle,
and causes its influence to ascend in a conical di-
rection towards the centre of the compass needle.
The magnetism of the iron vessel is attracted to
this magnetic arrangement, which cuts off a di-
rect communication between the needle and the
vessel, and leaves the needle as free to act cor-
rectly on board the vessel as on shore. The mag-
netic binnacle swings on substantial gimbals
within an outer binnacle, covered with the usual
brass top, lamp, &c. The saving of expense by
the new plan will be considerable, and it will not
be liable to an objection, which is advanced
against Professor Airey's plan, that the com-
pensation is not lasting. It has been found that
a variation in compasses, compensated on the
Professor's plan, arises by the iron of the vessel
losing some of its magnetic strength by gradual
oxidation, paint, &c.; while the large compen-
sating magnets remain in preservation, and, after
having been exactly powerful enough, become
too powerful. .The compensating power of the
"magnetic binnacle," on the contrary, cannot be
too powerful ; but may be not sufficiently so, a
defect which is soon seen, and can, of course, be
easily remedied. The first binnacle constructed
on this plan is now on board the Mersey, iron
steamer, plying between Birkenhead and George's
Pier, and occasionally employed as a tug-boatat
the entrance of the riven—Liverpool Albion.

BRISTOL SUGAR-MARKET, APRIL B.—There are
no sugars in the port to make a market from, and the offices
are necessarily empty and deserted ; we have, therefore, nothing
to report upon. In other markets which are supplied, and
where business is still conducted, prices are in favour of the
buver.—BristoLlifercury.
MAIL AND COACH DiYTIES.—Mr. *Greene, M.P.,
Mr-Marton, M.P., and a deputation, ebnsisting of Mr. Danis,
Mr. B. W. Horne, Mr. Trigg, Mr. Wickham (Chairman of
the Board of Stamps), and Nlr. Pressley, had an interview
on Saturday with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, at the
official residence of the Right Hon. CJutleman in Downing.
street, on the subject of the mail and coach duties.

Years.

THU stiN, LONDON, MONDAY IZVENING APRIL 11, 1842.

BIRTHS. DEATHS, AND
MARRIAGES.

(ABSTRACT.)--THIRD ANNUAL REPORT 01 THE REGIS'
TRAR-GENIRAL 01 BIRTHS, DEATHS, AND MAR-
RIAGES, IN ENGLAND : PRISENTED TO BOTH HOUSES
Or PARLIAMENT BY COMMAND Or HER MAJESTY.

General Register-office, June, 1841.
My Lord,—I have the honour to submit to
your Lordship a general abstract of the number
of births, deaths, and marriages registered during
the year ending June 30, 1840, in order that the
same may be laid before Parliament.
The following statement will show the num-
bers registered in the year ending June 30, 1840,
compared with those of the preceding years :-
1839-40. 1838-39. 1837-38.

Births
Deaths
Marriages 124,329 121,083 111,481
There is thus an increase in the number of
births registered in the year ending June 13,
1840, over those in 1838-9, of 21,049; over those
1837-8, of 101,877. s
In the number of deaths registered in the year
ending June 30, 1840, over those in 1838-9, of
19,094 ; over those in 1837-8, of 14,146.
In the number of marriages registered in the
year ending June 30, 1840, over those in 1838-9,
of 3,246; over those in 1637-8, of 12,848.
The increase in the 'number of registered
births results from a continuance of that suc-
cessful operation of the new law to which I have
already adverted in my first and second Reports,
and which began to appear after the former half
of the first year of registration ; and I can truly
state, as before, that I attribute this success
mainly to the diffusion of a true knowledge of
the beneficial tendencies of the measure and to
the dilligence and intelligence of the local offi-
cers by whom it is carried into execution.
In each of the last three years the proportion of
male and female births has been very nearly the
same.

1839

Metropolis lB
South Eastern Counties
South Midland Counties 4B
Eastern Counties .
South Western Counties 39
Western Counties 47
North Midland Counties 4l
North Western Counties....
Yorkshire
Northern Counties
Monmouthshire and Wales

The increase of deaths compared with those of
the two imeceding years is less than it appeared
to be. It must be remembered that the first
year's registration could not comprise the deaths
of the whole year, which, including those regis-.
tered subseqeently, amounted to 331,660. The
real increase, therefore, over the registered
deaths which occurred in the year 1837-8 is
11,441. It must also be borne in mind that the
population of England and Wales was shown by
the censuses of 1821 and 1831 to have increased
from 1821 to 1831 at the rate of 16 per cent. ; and if
it be assumed (as is probable) that this rate of in-
crease has continued to the present time, the popu-
lation in the years 1838-9 and 1839-40 will proba-
bably have increased to the amount 'of from
220,000 to • W 0,900 yearly. If the lowest of
these numbers be taken, and the mortality be
estimated at the lowest rate consistent with pro-
bability—namely, 1 h 50, there will in each of
these years, at the same rate of mortality, have
been at least 4,400 more deaths than in the year
preceding. This number, therefore (being the
probable increase, at the same rate of mortality),
must be deducted; and the remaining num-
bers, • which indicate increased mortality,
will, for the year 1839-40, as compared with
1837-8, be about 7,000; compared with 1838-
9, about 14,700. Yet this increase is great;
and inasmuch as there is rapson to believe
that there is not merely an apparent increase,
arising, like that of births, from the improved ef-
ficiency of a registration, which, at the commence-
ment, was very defective (for the very efficient
registration of deaths, even in the first year, left
no such room for improvement), but that ere
has really beeu an increased mortality to that
amount, a circumstance so serious demands atten-
tion and inquiry, with a view to ascertain the
nature of the increase, and especially whether it
has been sudden or progressive, general or local,
and whether affecting equally or unequally all
ages and both sexes.
The proportion of male to female deaths in
each of the three years has been nearly the same,
as appears from-the following numbers:—
Males. Females.
Year ending June, 30, 1538 ... 170,965 ... 164,991
„ , 1839 ... 169,112 161,595
~ „ 1840 ... 177,929..... 172,172

... 59

England and Wales _ .

. 4P59

On examination of the ages at which deaths
have-occurred in the foregoing years, it appears
that the increase has been principally in the
deaths of chil4en, as is shown by the following
table :

Age.

All ages,
Under 5 60 and including
Years. sto GO. upwards. those
specified.
131,034 128,921 75,127 335,956
130,695 126,594 72860 331,01,7
141,747 131,730 • 73,973 350,101
10,713 2,809 `'B46 14,145
11,052 5,136 3,113 , 9,094

England and Wales, by showing the proportion
per cent. in the Metropolis, in each English
county, and in North and. South Wales, of per-
sons married in the year ending June 80, 1840,
who, instead of writing their names in the mar-
riage register, have signed with marks. . . .
It appears from a table given, that in 13 Eng-
lish counties, in the West Riding of Yorkshire,
and in Wales, more than 40 percent. of the men
married did not write their names; and that in
19 English counties, in the West Riding of York-
shire, and in Wales, the same fact existed with
spect to more than half the women ; and it ap-
pears from an abstract of marriages, that in the
whole of England and Wales, out of 124,329
couples, there were 41,812 men and 62,523 wo-
men, who, it is to be presumed, either could not
write or wrote very imperfectly.
If the table for ffie year ending June 30, 1840,
had shown results differing widely from those 61
the preceding year, it might reasonably have
been suspected that such returns were not likely
to become valuable and safe criterions of the
comparative state of education ; that they are
dawn from too small a portion of the whole
population, and are too much influenced by acci-
dent. Such, however, is not the case. A com-
parison of such table with the similar table in
my second Report (it is stated), will show a re-
markably close correspondence in the results,
not only for the whole kingdom, but in the me-
tropolis, and every considerable group of coun-
ties. This will be evident from the following
comparison of the mean proportion for the re-
spective years— _ _ _

Mean Proportion.

1840.

4P92

ft appears, that tried by the returns of these
two years, every county occupies nearly the
same relative position, and many of them pre-
cisely the same. This coincidence sufficiently
proves that the test is one which must not be
disregarded, but may be found a valuable and
safe criterion of the comparative state of educa-
tion. But I muat add, that it is only from a
comparison much more extensive than that of the
returns of two years that the superiority or in-
feriority of particular portions of the kingdom
can with fairness be inferred; and that I do not
yet attempt to found any opinion of that kind
upon such evidence only as is comprised in the
foregoing statements.
Places of public religious worship not belong-
ing to the Church of England have been re-
gistered for the solemnization of marriages to
the number of 188 during the year 1840. The
number registered in the preceding year was
246

Again, as in the two preceding years, I have
directed abstracts of The causes of death to be
compiled, under the direction of Mr. Farr, and
to be appended to the Report; and to them, and
to Mr. Farr's accompanying letter, I particularly
invite attention.

[The Appendices to the report are stated to be
in progress of printing. These documents con-
sequently do not accompany this Report.]
At the commencement of the year 1840 I be-
gan to obtain from the registrars of the metro-
politan districts, comprising a population which
amounted in 1831, to 1,594,890, weekly returns
of the registered causes of death, and directed
abstract 9 of the same to be compiled and pub-
lished weekly, and have continued to' publish
them, uninterruptedly, to the present time. The
result of such returns for the first 20'weeks of the
year 1840 was exhibited in the appendix to my
second Report. lam now enabled to give, in the
appendix to this Report,, the further result of the
returns for 52 weeks, ending May 22, 1840.
• I have the honour to be, my Lord,
" Your Lordship's obedient servant,
June, • 1841.

MASSACRE IN MANILLA.
(From the Spanish a9rresponsal.)
We received, by Suez, letters from Manilla, of the
Bth of December, 1841. Two things occupied
people's minds -there, althOugh tranquillity. was re-
established. Ist, the effervescency of the population ;
and, secondly, the violence adopted by the superior
authorities in the repression of popular 'neve-
ment. There are some particulars taken from the
" documents we received, which are interesting enough.
An advice given to the public by General Oraa, and
dated the 9th of November, says, the rebel Apolinario
de la Cruz, chief of the revolt, was shOt.
At the village de.Tabayas, two days after, the other
cabecillas underwent the same- fate, Dionisio de los
Reyes, Gregorio Miguel de Jesus, and Francisco
Espinosa de la, Cruz. An order given at the Palace
of Manilla, and signed Oraa, promises an amnesty to.
all those who took part in this revolt, having been
fanatised by Apolinario de la Cruz, and one called
Purgatorio. Twenty days have been allowed them
to come before the authorities, and all their fire-arms
are to be given up in the space of fif‘een days.
The desperate collision which had taken place be-
tween the troops of the Governor of Tabayas; who
was killed on the spot, and the band of Apolinario
de la Cruz, had been occasioned by the curate of
the town burning the image of St. Joseph, which
belonged to the fraternity—an image which they
thought miraculous ; and some friars of St. Joseph
had been badly treated : these had been flogged, and
flogging is the greatest affront possible among the
natives.
Apolinario had chosen to hide himself from the
pursuit of the curate and the governor of the pro-
vince in an hermitage, two hours' walk from the ca-
pital.
There were two streams at the foot of the hermit-
age. Apolinario and his companions had elevated a
rampart of earth, half a yard high, the side of which
looks upon the capital of Tabayas. Behind that they
had dug a ditch, not very deep, in which they waited
for the troop. They resisted for half an hour after
the firing began. The women of the fraternity,
grouped together at a certain distance, were con-
templating the engagement between the troop and
Apolinario's band as calmly as if it was a tour-
nament. As soon as the fire of the troop had
dispersed the groups, the men and women of
the fraternity ran away confusedly, taking refuge
near the altar and in the chapel of St. Joseph.
A great many of them were seen at that moment
embracing a wooden cross or their brevet of the
fraternity. Fanatised by their chief, they thought
they held in their hands a talisman against
death : that was the tenor o their brevet. The num-
ber of dead is said. to amour_;; to 4C03 without count-
' ing the wounded. It is said that a great many of
them who surrendered were shot. But what we
scarcely believe is, that the executions continued for
five days after the engagement, by the order of Ge-
neral Oraa. The curate of Tabayas, it is said, wrote
immediately to the Archbishop of Manilla, begging
of him to mediate with the Captain-General, in order
to obtain the cessation of this butchery.
It is not known what were the projects of Apoli-
nario. It is certain that if he had wished, after
the death of the Governor, Ortega, to march
upon Tabayas he could have taken possession of
it. Instead of taking possession of the province,
these unfortunate fanatics remained in the cha-
pel, expecting the prodigies which Apolinario
had promised them in the name of St. Joseph. The
apostle did not show himself to his children • four
young virgins served him—they were his aides-de-
camps. They communicated his orders to the faith-
ful. No one was admitted into the fraternity, ex-
cept on condition of not asking to see the apostle
(Apolinario.) Amongst the victims there are several
who do not even know the face of their chief. In the
hermitage they sung a canticle, which an old woman
shouted out, and went in procession to kiss his
hand. This is the way these unfortunate people,
whose plans we do not kno*, passed their time.
It is a curious thing, that on account of this
event, there were three lawyers put into prison,
Florentino, Pontajo, and Marefosqui. General Oraa
wanted to have them judged by a council of war, and
the tribunal would not, which makes it be supposed
that no conspiracy is yet proved. There is a mystery
in this affair which the next letter from Manilla will,
perhaps, unfold. At all events, it is important that ,
the Government should find means to restore con-
fidence between the natives of Philipino and the
Spanish authorities.

FIRST PLAY-BILL ISSUED :FROM DRURY-LANE
THEATRE.—ApriI 8, 160, is the date of the first play-bill
that issued from Drury-lane Theatre :—(Copy)—" By his Ma-
jesty his Company of Comedians, at the New Theatre, in
Drury-lane, This day, being Thursday, April 8, 1663, will be
acted a Comedy, called The Hvmovrovs Lievtenant The
King, Mr: Winteredll ; Demetrius, Mr. Hart ; Selerivs, Mr.
Burt ; Leontvs, Major Mahon ; Lievtenant, Mr. Glyn ; Celia,
Mrs. Marshall. The play will begin at 3 o'clock exactly.
Boxes, 4s. ; Pit, 2s. 6d. ; Middle Gallery, Is. 6d.; Upper Gal-
lery, Is."
On Thursday forenoon last, a young man of the
name of Clark, about 16 years of age, living with his father,
John Clark, at Northowram, was shot through the body with,
it is conjectured, a pistol. He died almost instantaneously,
and before any medical aid could be procured. A person near
beard cries of murder proceeding from the house, and imme-
diately after the report of a pistol ; and, as no. weapon of that
1
descripti2n can be found in the house, it , supposed the
rather of the unfortunate young man is the perpetra.tor of the
deed ; no one but he and his wife (the young man's mother),
being in the house at the time. He was apprehended on the
charge on Thursday aftsrnoon...Leeds Intelligencer.