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INQUEST ON THE BODY OF JOSEPH ^rm^ IS ^....
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Fatal Accident at Pen yd a rr ax.—On Sat...
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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Held Oil The Thursdaybut Tho Was Walking...
, cimATj S ^ PTEMSER U , 1849 . 6 THE ttOPTTTKRN STAR . ' ¦ — ^——« w—^—¦ ¦ . LgS ^^^— - ~ . - - ---- '¦ " ¦ - ¦ ¦ ¦ •• i ¦ ¦ ' "' ' ' mi i I
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Inquest On The Body Of Joseph ^Rm^ Is ^....
INQUEST ON THE BODY OF JOSEPH ^ rm ^ IS C , IARriST . W " ° DIED iN TIIE 7 th INSTANT . 0 « Saturday evening a long inquiry took place before Mr . Langham , the deputy coroner for Westminster , at the Westminster House of Correction , © mcermng the death of Joseph "Williams , aged thirty-five , who died from an attack of Asiatic cholera . Mr . Tindall Atkinson , barrister , and Mr . Fetch , solicitor , of Northampton-street , Holborn , attended on behalf of the friends ofthe deceased to "watch the proceedings . There were also numerous fr iends ofthe deceased present , who appeared to take a deep interest in the inquiry . From the evidence ofthe various warders attached to the pri-son , It appeared that the deceased had been lately several times under medical treatment . OnTuesdav
he complained of pains in his head , and the resident surgeon prescribed for him . On the Mowing morning , between three and four o ' clock , he was suddenly attacked with violent vomiting , purging , and cramps ia his stomach . He was speedily removed to the infirmary , and the usual remedies being applied , he appeared to be going on favourably until Friday morning , when he complained of pains in Lis back , and , at his request , his bed was re-made , but whilst in the act of being placed in it , he fainted . Mr . Lavies , who had * just left the prison , was instantly gent for , and on his arrival in about twenty minutes , he found the deceased quite dead-KmsHAM , one of the warders , stated that on the 1 st of July the deceased was reported for repeated acts of disobedience , for which he was ordered to & e locked up for three days with a diet of bread aud water .
Ia answer to questions by Mr . Atkissox , the witness said , that he discovered the deceased in the act of secreting some letters behind the bedstead belonging to another prisoner in a different cell . Tiie letters were addressed to another prisoner in tlie same prison , who was also suffering imprisonment for asimiUr offence . Mr . Cbeb , tbe deputy governor , said , one ofthe warders , who had to give evidence was not in the prison , and would uot return f some time . Mr . Atkixsox { addressing the coroner ) said , Sir , I have to request an adjournment of the inquiry ; for , if I am informed correctly by deceased ' s friends , the case may turn out to be something very different from cholera , as there is yet much important evidence to lay before you .
The Coeoser .. —I will most certainly adjourn the inquiry , for it is due to the friends ofthe deceased , and to the public generally , that the most searching investigation should take place . The inquest was then adjourned until Mocday . MONDAY . —The inquest was resumed this
afternoon . William Bams , having been sworn , deposed : 1 am a warder , and received the deceased into my charge on the 4 th of July . He continued under me fill the 1 st of September last . The deceased had Tery bad health during that time . Had never complained to him but once of being ill . On the 28 th of August last deceased complained to him of a pain in the bowels . He was properly attended tohaving received medicine about two hours after he complained of illness . The surgeon saw him , and seat ' iiim the medicine alluded to , soon after this de ceased said he was better , lie was at that time under solitary confinement , and bread and water diet . He had previously been under solitaiy
confinement and bread and water diet The doctor saw lira the day after that , which was Thursday , the 29 th of August , and ordered some gruel . He had nothing else by the doctor ' s orders . On the 30 th ult . "Williams said he felt himself quite well , and did l . ot -want to see ihe surgeon . Deceased so expressel himself . Had not heard deceased complain again ¦ while under his charge . The solitary confinement began on ihe 26 th of August , and was to have continued six days . Deceased recovered on the 29 th , and then he was again replaced in solitary confinement , aud the bread and water dietary was reimposed . The solitary confinement ceased on the 1 st of September , and he then appeared to be quite well . Williams was placed in solitary confinement
for breaking the rules of the prison . I do not know how . 'ibis was done by Mr . Cree ' s orders . Air . Cree received his orders in the usual way , from the governor of the prison . The magistrates sentenced Williams to solitary confinement . His diet was bread and water . Deceased did not have bread and ¦ water only during the whole of the six days . He was ill during the time he was in solitary confinement . He remained there whilst he was ill . The diet was changed on the 28 th of August , because he complained of a pain in the bowels , on which occasion he had some grnel for supper . After deceased said he was better the sruel was stopped , and he was
placed upon bread and water again , until the expiration of Ids solitary confinement , when he was released . He said he felt quite well then . I asked deceased on his liberation from my custody , " if tbe diet had affected him ? " when fie said "No ; " he felt quite well . That was on the 1 st of September De ensed had , whilst in solitary confinement , two hours alowed him for exercise each day—one in the xnomirig , at : d one in the afternoon . The magistrates regulate the length of time for which prisoners are placed in solitary confinement ; but the surgeon regulates the kind of diet they are to receive . I believe that the deceased was , generally speaking , a heaJthy and robust man .
By Mr . Atkixsos . —The surgeon ordered decease i an extra loaf daily . I am not aware that this was done because he was in a weak state of health . I never heard deceased complain of being ill before the 2 ? ih of August . He was allowed to take his usuid exercise whilst in solitary confinement . Was not allowed to see any of the other prisoners during that time . He was nnt made to work during any portion ef the six dais ; nor at any other time so Ions as the five shillings due weekly , to exempt him from picking oakum , was paid at the proper time . 1 do not Smow " , but I think deceased refused to pick oakum that was yveu him because the money had not arri v « L 1 cannot say exactly tint he was placed in solitary cau ! mement because of Ins refusal to pick
oakum . I believe deceased refuse ! to pick some oakum given to him . He was not strictly confined according to the rules cf the prison , b ? causc he was allvwed exercise . Was uot allowed to speak whilst en exercise . Was on the separate system . The surgeon saw him , and ordered his diet as follows : — Tftree weds per day—six ounces of bread for each meal , < i * d as much water as he could drink . This ¦ was tin-only time deceased had been under solitary confinement as far as I can recollect . I do not know what sort of looking man deceased was . I never noticed him from any other prisoner . As far as my recolkciion serves me he was stout and robust with a sal lo * complexion . 1 have not seen him since the 1 st of ? -.-pttijiber . Deceased only had gruel one day for dinner , whilst in solitary confinement .
Thomas Ceae . examined . —I am the deputy govern ©? ofthe prisoii . I remember the deceased , Jo .-c-ph Williams . On Saturday , tbe 25 lh of August , I gave .. til ( according to orders received from the govern . ") a pound of oakum to pick . The reason ¦ why i ' . h oakum was gmn t-i him was becau-e the 5 s . allwed by deceased ' s friends weekly , to ex-mpt him fro- ;! labour , had not been paid . The 5 s . had not be- ^ n ?; -: . 'l siace the llih of August . Dsccised ' s frk : >* s .-. d been in the hibit of paying 5 s . per week . I u'cei-. cd my directions from the governor of the pr i-o ::. A ! 1 convicted prisoners , tot sentenced to mud ' :: '> o « r , can be exempted - ' rom picking oakum by ib . € ; - n- Ki !' - 5 ~ . per week . I w . i- ; prc-. ent on the 3 ffih I .: ' August when tbe governor visited Joseph
"Will ;; : -=. The governor v » si ? eu deceased to see ¦ wLc « k <*! i' would like io go on with the oakum pic :- ; iu _ . it lbs same time idling him that if ho won'd nreic-r * • ing so , ho might be immediately releised from s < ¦ i-ivy confinement . D--ceased ; igain refused to pick- oakirm , but asked the permission of the governor to write a letter to his wife . His request \ ra- ! ' . ovpVscu with . On the four following days "Williams was asked each day if he would pick oakum , and ea .-ii lime declined doing so . The magistrates have the power to sentence any prisoner to solitary confine-uent for breaking the rules of the prison . Tiiens- ^ isivatessfntenced Williams to six days solidary c' -nsincment . Deceased refused to pick the oak ' uw cef re the magistrates . He told tbe magistrals ho could not pick oakum .
By > h \ Atkinson " . —I am sure he said to the magi-si ; "tcs that "he could not do it ; for he had tried itaf . " " " ' !^ after he first came in the prison , and found i : iyisclf unequal to the task . " Deceased had wained 5 n weight since he had been in the prison . I thi :: i- he had only been ill once before the 1 st of Scptsv . tv-r during the time he hsd been confined in the prion , when he wss in the Infirmary . I do not know what was the matter with him ; it might have been . ¦ :: ¦ attack of rheumatism . I considered deceased a healthy man generally . I cannot say wiicth--.- he had a strong constitution . He was pale and sri win the face . I cannot say whether decease '" as inclined to be consumptive . 1 do not tno-v" . at Ue had a ccugb . In all cases convicted prSsoix . > . r = ot s -ntenced to hard labour , are made to vfo- k a -s me kind of khour > r oilier .
3 i :. ' .. ivies , ( surgeon to tne prism , ) - 'was next exa : i .-a . — 1 saw deceased whvn he first came into tho pr- *> - ¦ . To the best of my recollection he was in go-.. « i dih . 1 find by reference to my books that hewa- :- a good stale of health at that time . I ha-v-t n him da ly since . Co ' . 'sidtred him to be a TsitlK ' . v " . v > rt , stout iron , lie was paV \ but that ' airri < : « - «• -. ' to his ocfimntbn a ^ a laksr . He had bi =: i i < : Kw-iiiiirtisai ' in the May of this year , but ailed ¦ thing btfore that time or ^ sincc until lately . Decea-iJ was in the infirmary one month through an attack uf rheumatism , namely , from the 21 st of J 5 sy «• = the 22 nd of June ; when he was discharged , quite • -Jl . I allowed hi ' . n a pint of beer every day for a v eek after his discharge from the iniirmany . Becspv . 'd ' s last illness commenced on the 4 th of September , after his release from solitary confinement . He then complained of disordered bowels . The resident medical officer attended him in the
Inquest On The Body Of Joseph ^Rm^ Is ^....
afternoon of the" 4 th : ult . " Sohie medTcihe-wai ^ ad - ministered to him , and the diet changed . At eight o ' clock in the evening of the same , day I was sent for to see the deceased , who at that period felt worse , and vmiited a ereat deal in my presence . I then ordered deceased to bo taken to the infirmary , which was done , and I immediately placed him again under active treatment . 1 saw him again at half-past nine , and again at nine the next morning , the Sth ult ., when he was a little better . 1 saw him again at noon , and at half-past nine in tbe evening . The collapse was then going on . I did not see him again alive . Deceased was always very restless during his illness , and continually wishing to get up . I told Him several times that it wai necessary he
should be kept in a horizontal position ; but he took no notice of my instructions , and receatedly changing his position . I considered it indispensable to his cure that he should lay in the position I ordered . " I attribute deceased ' s death entirely to the circumstance of his refusing to obey my orders . " He died in a state of syncope in consequence of an attack of Asiatic cholera . I had seen Joseph Williams previously to his being attacked with chole : a . I did not think it necessary to make & post mortem examination ofthe body ofthe deceased ; being quite satisfied that Asiatic ' cholera was the cause of death . I remember the deceas-ed having been in solitary confinement for three daysbeginning from the 1 st ot
, Julv 1849 ; and know that he was placed in solitary conh ' nementfor six davs , from the 2 Gth of August to ihe 1 st of September . ' On that occasion 1 thought the deceased was capable of bearing solitary confinement , and of being placed upon bread and water diet . Otherwise 1 should have interfered . I saw deceased every dav during the time he wai m solitary confinement . On the 28 th ult . he complained of a pain in his bowels and head , wheu I ordered some gruel for his dinner , and likewise some medicine . I attrndedhim every day during his ! ast illness accord in ?" to the custom of the prison . I do not think that hisVeing put on bread and water diet rendered him at all liable to be » Hacked by cho . 'era .
By Mr . Atkiksos .- This was not the first case of Asiatic cholera that had been in the prison . The first case happened in July . The number of cholera cases , extending from the 1 st of July to the 81 st of August , has hem limited to seventeen , principally among the m ile prisoners . Deceased was very wayward and self-willed . He had refused several times during the illness which had caused his death , to take the medicine I sent him , and had also disobeyed my instructions about lying in a certain position . I do think it wasneces-ary that he should have laid in tbe position I have described , to enable me to eradicate the disease . He had books allowed him under
the silent system . I do not think that placing deceased upon bread and water diet tended to produce the cholera . I ordered him an extra loaf in the afternoon , because he complained of flatulence previous to the arrival of the meal time , which was five o'clock . I never discontinued the practice of al ' owing him the extra loaf only when he was in solitary confinement . I know that bread and water produces constipation . 1 do not know of any case where constipation ofthe bowels produced cholera . The Coboxek . —Then , Mr . Lavies , I am lo understand that the deceased died through his own imprudence in not obeying your orders ?
Mr . Lavies : —Yes . And I be ? to state , explicitly , that it is my opinion that the deceased's own conduct brought on the cholera , wtiich caused death . The Coroner having intimated to Mr . Atkinson that this concluded lb . * - evidence he had to produce , the latter gentleman called upon William Williams . —I am the father of the deceased , Joseph Williams . I am a shoemaker , and live at No . 12 , Half-moon-street , Biahopsgate-street without . I saw the deceased oa Wednesday last . I
wont into his cell . He appeared in a very low sfate . When I asked him how he was he did not answer for about a minu'e , when he said he was very ill from starvation . He told me he had suffered solitary confinement for six days . Whilst I was there the attendant gave deceased about half a quartern of soda water , because he said he was sick . My son told me " that they . " meaning the doctor and attendants , " told him he was suffering with cholera , but it was no such thing , it was starvation and cold , and not cholera . ' " '
The Ohoneb then summed up , recapitulating the principal pirts of the evidence , and called upon tho ju > y to give a verdict iu accordance with the opinion ofthe surgeon . The court was cleared , and af : er about half an hoar ' s delibesation the jury returned the following verdict : — " That the deceased died in a state of faint , caused by Asiatic cholera ; aud the jury recommend that the change of diet to hread and water for so long a period should be discontinued . ' ' " The deceased's wife , and several of his friends were presant during the inquiry , and seemed to feel very deeply at the different portions of Mr . Lavies' evidence , referring to the cause of death . The inquiry lasted nearly three hours .
Smnss Death . —On Saturday btst , Mr . H . M . Wakley held an inquest at the Devonshire Arms , Howley-crescent , Kentish-town , on Mr . John Medley , a retired tradesman , aged 02 , who dropped suddenly dead . The body became so offensive within two liours after death that it had to be coffined and screwed down . —The coroner , addressing the medical witness , said : "Ihavehiuly observed the bodies , no matter what the disease might hare been of which deceased died , become putrid and offensive immediately after death . Can yon assign any cause for it ?"—The medical gentleman replied : " I havo observed a similar change in dead bodies , which I attribute to the state of the atmosphere , and the diseased condition ofthe blood before death . " The jury returned a verdict of " Natural death . " Fatal Accident . —On Sunday afternoon , between four and five o ' clock , a wherry , containing Mr . J .
Brydcn , of 91 , Bagniggc-wells-road , his wife ( daughter of Mr . Laidlaw , Lambeth-walk ) , and two young women who had acted us bridesmaids ( tho parties having only been married that morning ) , was proceeding up the river towards Putney— T . Laidlaw , brother to the bride , having the management ofthe boat—when about midway between Battersea and Wandsworth it came across the moorimr-chain of a barge which was then at anchor ; the females in alarm rose up from theiv seats , and instantly the boat overturned , and the whole party was immersed in the water . The people on board the barge succeeded in rescuing Mi * . Brydcn and one of the females ; young Laidlaw saved himself by clinging to the niooring-cbain ; unfortunately , the bride , and Mary Ashdown , one of the bridesmaids , sunk and " were drowned . Drags were used , but the bodies were not recovered for some hours .
Suffocation ix a Plour-Milu—On Saturday last , an inquest was held by Mr . Baker , at the White Swan , Uigh-street , Wapping , on view of the body of Waller Stevens , aged 10 years , who was suffocated in the flour-mills of Messrs . Pavitt and Co ., Execution-dock Wapping . On Friday forenoon deceased « was in the mill , which was put in motion by steam power , when he jumped off the stage into the hopper , which is a sort of well , into which the meal fell from the mill . He exclaimed " I can't get out . " The mill was stopped as quickly as possible , but deceased was soon covered with the meal , and was suffocated before he could be extricated . Mr . Henry , a surgeon , was called in , but he was unable to restore the vital functions—Verdict , " Accidental death . "
Sctid-en "Death op a Debtor in- Gaol . — On Saturday last , an inquest at Ilorsemonger-Iane Gael , before W . Carter , Esq ., coroner for Surrey , on Gcrrard Henri Kcrssclaers , aged 56 . It appeared from theevidence of Mr . Keeno , the govern or of the s-iol , that the deceased had been confined there for debt since the 22 nd of February , 1 S 4 S . —A fellow-prisoner ofthe deceased deposed that on the previous Tuesday morning they were in ' conversatiori together , when the deceased was in perfect health . ' They were speaking of Manning , as the van in which Manning and his wife were placed wag going out of the prison-yard at the time to the Southwark police-office . The deceased seemed rather anxious to sec them . About half an hour afterwards the witness returned to the room occupied by the deceased , when he discovered that he had
fallen down in a fit , and that his head was resting on the bed . lie was nearly insensible . An alarm was given , medical attendance was provided , and every attention was paid , but the deceased died in a few hours . When the witness first saw the deceased in the fit , the latter said , " Oh , don ' t be afraid , it ' s not cholera . " The witness , to use his own expression , considered the deceased to he of an iron constitution . —Mr . Harris , the surgeon to the gaol , gave his opinion that the death of the deceased arose from apoplexy , and proved that everything possible had been done for him . — Thejurygavea verdict of" Natural death . " —Mr . Watson , jun ., of Lincoln ' s-inn , who had acted professionally for the deceased , attended , and stated that he believed he had been a merchant , and that the father of the deceased had been a merchant of large property in Belgium .
Fatal Accident at ths Loxnox ano North Westers Raiiavay . — On Tuesday Mr . H . M . W ; kl : yheld an inquest at the University College ii ' osphal , on Robert Sheikeli . d . late a waggoner in ihe employ of Messrs . Pickford , aged 30 . Tho evidence was exceedingly enflicting and unsatisfactory . It appeared the deceased had been engaged on the railway , near the Camden-town Goods Depot , l ; osening , the tarpaulin that covered the uoods truck" , wl ,-nthc m ; . i , ti-hteen in miaibrr , v . ho were bsiiind ihe trucks to push them forward , hallooed , as a
signal for all m front of tho trucks to get out of the I way , before they drove the trucks forward . The trwks h . rl just received the first push forward , when deceased was seen to stagger and fell on his back . The men rushed to his assistance , but hewas speechless , and conld only point to his breast . In a few seconds blood gushed from his mouth and nose , and he expiredjustas they placed him on a stretcher . It was supposed that when he heard the man halloo he attempted to cross in front of the trunks , when one of the buffers blocked him down . Had he remained
Inquest On The Body Of Joseph ^Rm^ Is ^....
befiveen-th " etrucl & Bfe' wbuld-liaTe-beeftafer- ^ The Coroner inquired what time elapsed between the signal given by the men hallooing , and the pushing of the trucks ?—Mr . Barker , the superintendent , replied that they were simultaneous . The coroner and jury expressed a wish that he should inform those in authority that it was their opinion that a certain time should elapse between the men hallooing and theirpushing the trucks , to afford an opportunity to those in danger to get out of the way . A non-compliance with their desire would , observed the coroner place the company in an awkward position if another death from the same cause occurred . Mr . Barker promised to Jay before tbe company tlie desire exnressed by the court . A verdict in accordance with
the above evidence was returned . A K eeper Murdered bt a Maniac—On Monday evening Mr . H . M . Wakley held an adjourned inquest in the Kensington Workhouse on Murice Pickett , a keeper over the lunatics in the workhouse , aged 62 . On the 27 th ultimo William Wheeler , a dangerous lunatic , was admitted to the workhouse . He was so desperate that the strait-jacket and leg bolts had to be put on . The following Friday morning John Holden , an assistant , was awoke by a noise in the lunatic ward , when he saw Wheeler armed with a blackthorn stick , and struggling with another lunatic . Heinstantty hurried to deceased ' s bed , whom he found insensible , and covered with blood . lie then called the watchman . The moment the latter entered Wheeler rushed at him with the stick , but ¦
the watchman overpowered and secured him . Wheeler had by some means got rid of his strait-jacket and holts . As soon as he was secured , the deceased was removed to the infirmary , and attended by Mr . Runney , the house surgeon , but , although everything was done to save him , he died on Monday the 3 rd instant . Wheeler was conveyed to the Peckham Asylum , where he still remains in a most violent state , threatening destruction to all around him . Mr . Runney opened the head of the deceased , and found an extensive fracture of the skull , from which eight splinters had been extracted . There were other wounds on the body , but the fracture of his skull caused death . Although there was no moral doubt that . the maniac had killed deceased , still , in the absence of positive evidence , thejnry returned the following verdict : — " Deceased died of a fracture of the skull , but by whom caused there was no evidence to prove . "
Sdicide . —Mr . W . Carter , the coroner , held an inquest at the King ' s Arms Tavern , St . George ' sroad , Camberwell , on the body of Mary Caruthers , aged 63 years , who committed suicide under the following circumstances : - It appeared that the deceased was the widow of a compositor , residing at Camberwell . She was a very timid person , and Lad an idea that she would die from the cholera , or be reduced to the workhouse . On Saturday , about noon , the deceased left her daughter ' s house to take a walk , while the latter prepared dinner . She passed the halfpenny hatch-gate at the Peckham Canal-house , asking her way to the Walworth-road . She walked on until she reached the King ' s Arms bridge , where it is supposed she leaped in , for one of
the officers who was going past had his attention drawn to a female ' s head moving in the water : he raised an alarm , when the drags were brought to the spot , and in a few minutes the body was dragged on shore and removed to the receiving house at the above named tavern , where the usual remedies were administered to restore animation , but life was quite extinct . Three-shillings and sixpence and a small comb were found in her pocket , but no paper or writing was to ho discovered that would decidedly account for the act . The coroner remarked on the case , and the jury agreed to a verdict of " Temporary insanity . ' .., Wilful Murder of an Infant . —By Mr . ' H . M . Wakley , at the Three Jolly Gardeners ,
Hammersmith , on view of the bod y of a fine full grown male child , which was found immersed in a water closet in the Mall , Hammersmith . Jane Robin , a married woman , residing next door to the Shi p Tavern , on the Mall , deposed that about eight o clock on Monday evening last , she discovered the body of the deceased in the pan in the water closet , at the hack of her house . She called in a police constable who had some difficulty in extricating the body , ia consequence of the head being jammed tightly in the pipe , which clearly proved ' that considerable force must have been used to place the deceased in that position . The deceased appeared to have been dead several days . Tho witness added that the water closet in question was accessible to any person by a passage at tho side of the house leading from the Chiswick steam-boat pier . On the previous Thursday evening , a tall female of a dark com .
plcxion , dressed m half-mourning , waited in witness ' s shop for upwards of two hours , and she stated that she expected to meet her sister who was going to town by the steam-boat . She had a bundle in her possession which she endeavoured to keep concealed , and after she returned in the water closet ( the one in which the deceased was found ) , witness noticed the bundle to be considerably smaller than when she first saw it . She appeared very ill , and said she had come from Turnhamgrcen . In answer to a question from the coroner , the witness said it was possible for tho body to have been in the water closet since Thursday . —Mr . Hoyal , surgeon , said he had made a post mortem examination of the body , and found congestion of the brain and heart , which was produced £ by suffocation . Prom the appearance of the body , ' he had no doubt but that the deceased was forced doffntho
water closetalivc . —The coroner , after hearing some further evidence , summed up , and the jury returned a verdict of " Wilful murder against some person or persons unknown . " HEAtrn of Lo . vdo . v nvmxa the Week . — The hills of mortality wore commenced in the reign of Queen Elizabeth ; and ever since the year 1003 have been published hy authority in London . In this respect the English metropolis stands alone ; no weekly tables of the causes of tho death of every inhabitant arc published in the capital of any other European state . Various motives for tlie measures have been assigned ; but the fact of continuous publication from a period anterior to the appearance of newspapers and gazettes , is remarkable and
characteristic . It may be fairly referred to the natural inclination of tlie English people , when they are in trouble , to know tho truth , and to see in figures the precise extent of their losses ; although at times the sight might well make the courage of the bravest quail . On the continent " precautions have been used , " in publishing the moitality of cholera in 1849 ; and the deaths from all causes , have not yet been made known . The parish clerks of London , in the seventeenth century , when the plague was at its height , counted tho deaths , and recorded their supposed causes , and the citizen , when the death-cart traversed the streets , anxiously studied the bill , surrounded by its gloomy symbolical border , announcing S . 297 deaths in a week , -
out of a population of 000 , 000 . In the hands of Price , Hebei-den , Willis , Uatcman , and other statists , these records have disclosed the laws of mortality , and the causes of the insalubrity of tlie present citic * . One of their immediate advantages , however , is the evidence which they furnish that the most fatal and threatening plagues go through , with some pertubations , certain prescribed orbits ; and after raging for a given number of weeks , disappear . Plague , influenza , and cholera have been vanquished before , aud to despair now would bo as unreasonable as it was in the beginning ofthe year to deny that the cholera epidemic was impending . Those officers who arc struggling with the triumphant enemy under every disadvantage will vet be victors ,
for if they have art they have also nature on their side . The mortality in the week ending Saturday , September Sth , declined in the west and oast districts of London , and increased slightly in the north and central districts , so that the deaths registered ( 1 , 741 ) on the north side of the Thames were nineteen less than in the previous week . It was otherwise on the south side ofthe river , were the deaths in the week were 1 , 442 ! The total deaths registered in Loudon were 3 , 183 ; of males , 1 , 400 ; females , 1 , 723 . The deaths of females exceeded the death of males by 203 ; tho reverse of tho usual proportions . The deaths from cholera wore 2 , 020 ; numbers decreased in tho districts of Shoreditch , Bethnal-grecn , "Whitcchapel , Stepney , Westminster ; increased m Bevmondscy , St . George Soutuwnrk
Acwington , Lambeth , Wandsworth , Camberwell , aud Rotttcrhithc . The epidemic , which had been partially subdued , broke out again with terrible violence m Lambeth , where 270 persons died of cholera m the week . Mr . Dawes , one tho registrars of Lambeth , who has made careful inquiries on the subject , says : "At least half the cases I have registered were allowed to proceed unchecked until the most alarming and dangerous symptoms had manifested themselves ; but lately moro circumspection seems to have been used . Nevertheless tho cases are still numerous in which persons seem ( from the painless nature of the attack ) to bo unconscious how highly necessary it is that immediate attention should be paid to it . '' People arc so much accustomed to associate danger exclusively with pain , that tho most fatal symptom unaccompanied by pain is neglected . They must , however , be taught to look upon painless diarrh oea with the that the
anxiety people m plague looked upon tho swellings , called token—which were also painlessbut with less fear ; for the premonitory symptom now seems to he sent not so much to announce death as to give timely warning , and to call attention to that stage ofthe malady in which mciicins can heal . As nieiV . cn ! < d ; 5 U is u' most avail at the beginning and end of a lever , ns the effect ofthe engines is most conspicuous at tlie outbreak and end of a conflagration , and as most energy is demanded when the wreck nears the shore , so it is in an epidemic ; which , if it has not been checked at firstmay yet be cut short , and comhatted with cftecY ' as it declines . None of the measures of relief in anv district should therefore be discontinued , but b ' o prosecuted with redoubled vigour , until it baa been completely subdued ; and the districts which have not yet suffered greatly should immediately complete their preparations p or the tuna Uslwit ; tho evils of uclay irreparable , '
Inquest On The Body Of Joseph ^Rm^ Is ^....
- .- •• - ^ Tj ^; " np-A—& REWORK MANUFACTORY . — --ExKosnw of a * , , k MomJ afternoon Be Sit wi - thrown into a > te ofin-S ^ LKlarm by a tremendous exp osion , which d u eSC ff £ hoSn High-street to their foundation . S ^ SSSSLdt o have occurred at the house It was so on . » afijeworkmanufiMturer residtTZ ^ S ^ tonyard at the bottom of B ff I fSnrt High-street , directly oppositeKensmg-^ nifr ilcE Hundredsofpersoiis iBStaatlyrushed tonpidUiurctt '"" ^ tnBt the housemqvus-J ? " f r ; -n blowJ SiSy into the air , very little tionbad ^ " ° 7 * Wat partdf No . 2 , in the oceupaofit remaining , and thatpartor ^ ^ ^ ^ t ! on ° LSrf See , ofthe T division , was in prompt atteiiuaiice , »« . r njomsnt believed that [ holtS onhfStelvere amongst . them Mr JonesTw , however , soon found to be uninjured ! but ..
beinc completely blackened from new wnou » . » uu dSuuy burnt over the head and body . She was immediately conveyed on a stretcher to the Kensmg-Si workhouse , wrapped up in a blanket by he police , but it was almost impossible that she could survive theni"ht . No . 3 , in the occupation of Mr . Sparks , is also ° injured ; and so powerful was the explosion that the roof of No . 1 , was carried off , and fell on the workshops of Mr . Walter , at the back ofthe houses in Young-street , leading to Kensington-square , and completely destroyed them . The parish engine and the brigade engines from town were in prompt attendance , but their services were not required . Mrs . Martha Jones , the wife of Mr . William Jones , died in Kensington workhouse at two o'cloik on Tuesday
morning . The unfortunate woman had both eyes blown out , and was otherwise most frightfully injured . Mr . Jones is also very severely burned on the face and one of his -arms . He had not a minute before returned home , and had got no further than the passage , when the first explosiontook place upstairs , and was followed b y others in the house , and he was buried in the ruins , from which he , with great difficulty , extricated himself , although he was close to the door . The second house is nearly destroyed , and No . 3 . is in a very dangerous state , the walla being cracked . The premises are insured , but Mr . Jones and the other residents of the houses are uninsured . Mr . Jones still remains at the Kensington workhouse in a very doubtful state .
Destructive Fire . —On Sunday morning , about three o ' clock , a fire broke out upon the premises belonging to Mr . Tvott , a builder , carrying on business in Primrose-street , Uishopsgatc . The flames commenced' from some cause , which could not be ascertained , in the ironmongery stores , a building of some magnitude , and separated from tho Citv of London Theatre by only a few feet . Policeconstable 245 G , who first discovered the fire , raised an immediate alarm ; and in the _ course of a few minutes the engines of the parish , London Brigade , and West of England attended , as well as one of tho Royal Society ' s escapes . The flames , however , had during the brief interval obtained the entire possession of that portion of the premises in h fiercel
which they commenced , and were rusing so y through the roof as to threaten the theatre with destruction . Fortunately there was an abundant supply of water obtained from the firemains in the district , from which the engines were worked with full vigour for some considerable time before the least impression could be made upon the fire , but owing to the strenuous exertions , of the firemen the flames were prevented from extending to the theatre and other surrounding property , but they could not be extinguished until the shores were burned out , and the promises under , in the occupation of Mr . Johnson , grocer and coffee-roaster , were seriously damaged by water . The origin of the fire is unknown . Mr . Trott was fortunately insured iu tho Phoenix Fire-office .
Alarming Fire and Probable Loss op Life . — On Monday morning about three o ' clock a fire , nearly attended with loss of life , occurred on the premises in the occupation of Mrs . Storey , No . 26 , Bromleyplace , in the Commercial-road , East . The flames commenced on the first floor front , but from what agency is at present unknown . The police who first discovered the five succeeded in arousing the inmates , all of whom with the exception of Mrs . Storey succeeded in effecting a safe retreat from the burning building . She unfortunately was not so successful , and before she could leave her room she was most terribly burned .
City op London Registration . —The objections taken , and claims made , in the City of London this year , for the revising barrister to dispose of , are as follows : — ^ Objections . —Persons objected to as not entitled to have tlieir names retained on the list of persons entitled to vote as freemen of the city and liverymen ofthe several companies , 235 ; objected to as inhabitant householders , 1 , 971 . Total objections , 2 , 206 . —Claims . —Persons claiming to have their names inserted on the list of persons entitled to vote as freemen and liverymen , 4 j claims as inhabitant householders , 276 . Total claims , 280 . On Monday , on the report of Dr . Gavin Milroy , the General Board of Health ordered the Spafields burial-grounds , and also the burial-grounds at St . Botolph , Bishopsgate , and the St . Thomas ' s burialground , Golden-lane , St . Luke ' s , to be closed .
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Destructive Fiiie. — Chatham. — During T...
Destructive Fiiie . — Chatham . — During the whole of Saturday night and Sunday morning the inhabitants of this district were very much alarmed , owing to an extensive conflagration that occurred at Sharsted Farm , in the occupation of Mr . James Bdivards , of Rochester . Its situation is near the village of Luton , about two miles from Chatham , and the large number of fires that have been wilfully caused in the nei ghbourhood during the last few weeks raised the suspicion that the fire was the work of an incendiary . The fire first broke out in one of the stables , and owing to the combustible materials the flames spread rapidly from one
building to another , then connecting themselves with a row of twelve stacks , tho growth of this year , consisting of wheat , barley , oats , peas , Ac , and , owing to tho wind blowing westwards , caused the whole very soon to bo one body of fire . Information of the disaster was communicated by express to the firemen , when the engines proceeded to tho scone of destruction , but they wero of no use , as there was no water . Such an extensive fire as this lias not been witnessed before for some years . Tho property destroyed , it is stated , amounts to about £ 7 , 000 , and that Mr . Edwards is only insured for in the Kent for £ 4 , 000 . Four farm ' horses were burnt to death ; three stables , ono barn , and a long line of other buildings , with twelve stacks , were
also burnt . Fike . —At two o ' clock on Monday morning an extensive firo broke out in the High-street of Chatham , at the residence of Mr . Tucker , tailor and clothier ; so rapid was the fire that it caught the next house , recently occupied by Mr . Stigant , linen draper ; both these houses are destroyed , and the next house , that of Mr . P . Lynch , ' fruiterer , is partly burnt . Tho dock-yard engine , under the direction of Lieut . Wise , ll-. N ., with a detachment ofthe dock-yard police , exerted themselves to the utmost in saving the property . The firo was subdued by six o ' clock . Tho damage in this instance is considerable . There was another largo fire seen in tho direction of the Isle of Shoppy , which was burning when dayliaht appeared .
Siiockixo Brutality . —On tho 7 th inst ., a man named Thomas lfichardson was killed in a most brutal manner by a smith named John Lee , at Manchester . Richardson was in a state of intoxication , and during the day had several times gone to Lee ' s shop and greatly annoyed him . About two o ' clock he went again , at which time Lee was in tho act of heating two pieces of iron , about half an inch in diameter , for the purpose of welding them together . Seeing Richardson , he flew into an awful rage , and after'threatening him , seized tho two pieces of redhot iron , and rushing upon him , made a desperate thrust with each at the lower part of his bodv
Both pieces penetrated quite through . The poor man fell shrieking with agony , and the brutal assailant cooly went to tho anvil and actually welded tho iron . Two men wero in the shop at the time , and had they the least idea of Lee ' s horrid intention could easily have prevented the murder . Medical aid was immediately obtained , but tho man died almost immediately . Leo , who seemed little concerned , was at on co taken into custody , and on Saturday morning last was examined before the magistrates and committed for trial . —An inquest has been held on the body , and a verdict of "Wilful Murder" returned .
Prize Fioiit ano Death oe ose of tub Combatants . —On tho Sth inst . tho neighbourhood of Manchester was the scone of a most de < n-adin « - and disgusting prize fight . Richard Lilly , a man about thirty years of age , and long reputed as one of the most export thieves m Manchester , was one of the combatants , and the other was a pugilist named John Mmdlcton It appears that they wore backed to fight for . 42 a side , and for this trifling and wretched stake they went out , on Wednesday , to Ihrostle fcest , on one of the banks of the river Irwell . They were attended by a crowd of more than one hundred persons , and fought for nearly two hours , both combatants being repeatedly "floored- " but , at length , after a knock-down blow which Lillv
nan received ironi Jus antagonist , he was not able lo return to tlw eneouuli'i- till "time" had been called . Middleton was then declared the victor though in a miserable condition to enjoy his laurels ' for it is said ho was go beaten and bruised that for moro than a day following tho fight his life was despaired of . Lilly was at first supposed to bo not m so bad a state , and the usual means of restoring bun by rubbing wero resorted to when ho was nicked up ; bat on somo brandy being poured into ins mouth it only gurgled in his throat , and ho was incapable of swallowing it . . A cab was procured , in which he was convoyed to tho NortUmberland Arms , Stretford-road , only a few hundred yards distance , but on their arrival there their wretched charge bad become a corpse . The county coroner
Destructive Fiiie. — Chatham. — During T...
held an inquest oil the body on Thursday , but tho proceedings were adjourned ^ Shocking Occukrescb . —On tho 6 th inst . an idiot boy came by his death in a horrible mauuer at tho Stroud Union Workhouse . The atfcendants'had put him in a warm bath by order ofthe medical officer , and at the same time their attention was engaged in restraining a refractory lunatic , and assisting a cholera patient , who had just been brought in . The boy screamed violently , but no notice was taken of him , as it was his practice to do so , and it never occurred to the attendants that the water was too hot , as a woman had just previously used the bath . It turned out , however , that tho steam by which the bath was warmed had been turned on from tho mo-. •;;• . ;"' : . ; .: ; . . ; -- "V-.--.- •„ , „« ., » . i « if tho
ment tho woman quitted , and tho poor boy was literally boiled to death ! Tho affair was brought before tho Stroud Board of Guardians on tho following day , and the following resolution , in relation to the caso passed . — " The Board of Guardians having received the report of tho death of Charles Ireland , a pauper idiot , and an inmate of the workhouse , who lost his life by having been unintentionally put into an over-heated bath—Resolved , that an application be made to the Poor Law Commissioners requesting them to investigate the case . " Sudden Death atBkistoi ,. —On Sunday morning , as an omnibus was standing at the booking office of the White-Lion Hotel , the driver suddenly fell from his box and instantly expired . He has left a widow and four children .
Attempted Murder of Threm Children . —A female named Isabella Stevenson was taken before the magistrates of Fenton , Staffordshire , on the 7 th inst ., on a charge of attempting to murder her three children , of the respective ages of seventeen months , three years , and five years . The prisoner seemed exceeding ly dejected . From the evidence adduced , it appears that the prisoner , who is the wife of a cratemaker living in the town , on the previous day took the three children out for a walk , and after leading them about for some time , she made for a place termed Smith ' s Pool ( a large pond ) , a short distance from her own house . She then threw the youngest chi'd head foremost into the pool , and afterwards laid
hold of another one for the purpose of throwing it m , when its screams attracted the attention of Mr . Superintendent Perry , of tho inland navigation , who hastened to the spot , and at the risk of his own life , jumped into the pool , and succeeded in recovering the drowning child , who was in a very exhausted state , and prevented the destruction of the other two children . The woman was taken into custoly , and the child taken out of the water was attended by a medical gentleman , who succeeded in restoring suspended animation . The mother , when placed before Mr . Rose , the magistrate exhibited unmistakable evidence of her mind being in a disordered state . She was sent to a lunatic asylum .
Pitmen Killed at Percy Main . —Mr . Reed held an inquest on the Cth inst ., at Percy Main , on the bodies of Thomas Pattison , aged 29 , and James Daglaish , aged 23 . The deceased were pitmen at Percy Main ColhVry , and it appeared that after they had got into tbe corf to descend the pit in the morning , the chain broke ; and they were precipitated to the bottom of the shaft and killed . The jury returned the following verdict : — " That the deceased were accidentally killed by falling down the shaft at Percy Main Colliery in going to their work , by reason of the chain breaking on their getting into the corf ; and that the jury are of opinion that the chain was not of good quality , and recommended that in future the chains be properly tested , to ascertain their
strength before being uut into use . ' Serious Accident at Plymouth Hoe . —We regret to record another of those unfortunate accidents which have so often happened to parties walking on the Hoe since the military commenced making use of it as a drilling ground . The sufferer on this occasion was a little boy , between three or four years of " % e , who was playing on the Hoe on the 7 th inst ., in charge of his nurse . The soldiers appear to have been " skirmishing . " At the word of command they were flying in all directions , and before the child could get out ofthe way he was struck hy a soldier , either with the bayonet or the end ofthe ' gun , in his eye and the poor fellow has thus had the sight entirely destroyed . —Plymouth Journal .
Fatal Mine Accident . —A melancholy accident occurred at the pits of Mr . Whitehouse , near the Cosely Tunnel , near Tipton , on the Cth inst ., which resulted in the death of two men and two boys , under the following circumstances : —It appears that about six o ' clock on the morning in question four lads , named John Millard , Ishma Granger , Timothy Flavell , and Samuel Weston , were let down the shaft of a pit under Mr . Whitehouse , at Coseley , in a skip , with a lighted candle , in order to work out before reaching the bottom of the pit , which it was stated had not been worked for some few days , owing to the strike amon ^ the colliers . Damp was indicated by the candle being extinguished , on which the lads shouted to be drawn up again . Unfortunately
however , their cries were not heard in time by the " banksman " ( Simon Peters ) , he having left the bank by direction of one of the " butties " of the pit , ( William Jeavons ) , whose life it will be seen was sacrificed ; and on Ihe skip being drawn up again only one of the boys ( Millard ) was in it , the other three having doubtless falling out of the skip from suffocation . On ascertaining the sad occurrence William Jeavons , the butty , and another man , named George Grainger , descended the shaft to the assistance ofthe other three lads , and on the skip being again drawn up , another of the boys ( Ishma Grainger ) , was found to Le in it alone , " both Jeavons and Grainger , the " butties , " having , it would appear
fallen out of the skip from suffocation in its ascent , as on other men descending the shaft in search of them they were found to be quite dead , and theiv bodies mutilated . Grainger ' s head was also sadly cut . The other two boys , Timothy Flavell anct Samuel Weston , were likewise found to be dead . On the following day an inquest was held over the bodies , before T . M . Phillips , Esq . and a jury at the house of Mr . Joseph Stanford , Horse and Jockey Inn , FuHar ' s-end , Coseley , which was adjourned till Friday , when the above facts having been detailed in evidence , the jury returned a verdict of * ' Accidental Dea ; h . " The other two boys , Ishma Grainger and John Millard are likely to recover .
Elopement Extraordinary . —The inhabitants of Nottingham have , during the last few days , been greatly astounded iu consequence of the sudden disappearance from amongst them of Mr . Robert Parker , cotton agent . It seems that about a fortnight since Mr . Parker went with his wife to Oleethorpes , where he . left her , promising to fetch her home within a brief specific time ; but not keeping his engagement , inquiries were made for liiva by his Montis , who , to their great consternation , found that he had not only left the town , but that he had embarked per steamer for the United Slates , taking with him some
merchandise , a large amount of cash , and a girl in her teens . Mr . Parker is sixty-two years of age , and has been married upwards of forty years . The girl with whom he has eloped was recently his kitchen maid , and is by no means either ladylike or good looking . It would appear that he had been fascinated with this girls charms for some time 2 > revious , for about twelve months ago he placed her with a Mrs . Farmer , to learn the millinary buisiucss , and was often seen escorting her to her lodgings . A cheque for .-1 : 300 was left behind enclosed in an envelope directed to Mrs . Parker , and which was found within the leaves ol the family Bible . —Evening Paper .
Destkuction of Farm PnorKmy by Fire . — About one o ' clock , on Sundav , a fire broke out on Worthea Farm , the property of Mr . John Pank within two miles of Peterborough , whereby eleven com stacks ( wheat and oats , ) with the labourer ' s cottage and two hay stacks , were entirely consumed , i ' rom the part where the fire commenced there appears no doubt but it was set on fire by' someone . Mr . lank is a man greatly respected , and , besides forming largely of his own propertv , has been , for many years an extensive occupier in Peterborourfi , under C ., B . Addei-lcy , Esq ., M . P . for North Staf ! toidshive . Mr . Pank is insured in the County Fire Uincc .
, l"f Railway Robbeuies at IIuddersfield — In addition to the four persons , Wood , Whitelev lates , and Mellor , at present in custod y on a charg ol being ' connected with the robberies at the Hull , dersfiold station pf the London and JTorth Western and the Yorkshire and Lancashire railwavs nine more servants of both companies have been taken on suspicion of being implicated in tho affair , and also a person who resides in Golcar , named James Bailey , and the police are still on the alert after others . The quantity of goods missing is very large , and even since the first four captured wisoncrs have been in custody , two trusses delivered to the London and North Western CompiS on May week have disappeared in tho JnmoSysS nous manner . The loss to the two comSn ' & through , this system ot plunder , is proving to be very serious , and the extent to which it 1 ms beeS earned may be inferred from tho fact that So Yorkshire and Laneash rn flnmnnm- w \ l L " _
claims against them for compensation for lost "oods dumg the past two years , and amounting in one half year alone to more than £ 500 , paul bv t c Huddcrsheld agent alone . l * Highway Robbeky . -Two men , r ivjn « , their D w- ° ? , ^ Kin S nnd George S „ if ) , and stating that they came from Liverpool , SJo ^ accommodated as vagrants n the Stoi 4 rosS lock l " n tho night of tho 4 th instant . On the WedK mnrninp after receiving some refreshment , fi tt : and ? ?" « n , S ht . al *« t eleven o ' clock , £ William Baker , the servant of Mr . Collin-s surgeon , of Kenton , was returning homo from St " - cross , he was stopped in the road by two men To their demand for his money he said he had none They then knocked him down , search ^ v , c IZT
and tmding nothing , ill-treated him and left him in tho road . Ho immediately gave infownatSm to Goorgo Ttmewell , tho constable , by v om the s ^ fcrsrdrf ^ S
Destructive Fiiie. — Chatham. — During T...
walking along the top of Bradford-road , sho observed a man putting a plank on the top of soma rails , which are fixed round a coal-pit in Bradfordroad , aud immediately afterwards sho saw the man get upon the plank , and jump down into tho pit . Sho at once gave information to a woman in tho neighbourhood , who told Mr . T . Arundale , the manager of some coal-pits near , belonging to Mr . Porter . Mr ; Arundale , having ascertained that there was no foul air in the pit , quickly descended by means of ropes , and on reaching the bottom ho found tho man lying on his back quite dead , though , warm . He brought him up , and had him conveyed , to the Farm Yard Tavern , where Mr . Itutter , who was acting as deputy to Mr . Herford , held an in . was walking along the ton of Bradford-road , stm
quest on Wednesday . It was then stated that tho J it was twenty-eight yards deep . —A woman named largaret Richards , stated that the deceased was her husband . His name was Jacob Richards ; ho was a joiner , twenty-eight years of age , and lived at 108 , ' Edivard-strcct , O ' ldham-road . He had been ill of rheumatic fever since Christmas last , and had been for three weeks an inpatient of the Royal Infirmary , from which he was only discharged oa Monday . When he arrived home that day , he ap . pearcd to be quite uneasy . On the morning of his death , he went out about half-past nine o ' clock , saying that he would not be away long . He appeared to be rambling in his mind , and did not corao back . —The jury returned a verdict of " Temporary Insanity . "— -Manchester Guardian .
ROBBEHY rnOM THE EAST LANCASHIRE RAILWAY Comast . —On Tuesday a man named John Voardman , a watchman , jointly employed at the station in Great Howard-street by the Lancashire and Yorkshire and the East Lancashire Railway Companics , was brought before Mr . Rushton , ' at the police court , Liverpool , charged with having robbed the till of tlie East Lancashire Railway Company of 4 Jd . It appeared , from the statement made on behalf of the prosecution , that the prisoner was tho night watchman at tho station , and that in consequence of several sums of money having been missed from the East Lancashire till during the last four or five days , and the prisoner ( whose duty it was to open the booking-office door in the morning
when tiie booking clerk was not there ) being suspected , Mr . Wolstenham , superintendent , ordered one of the parties to keep a watch upon the prisoner on Monday evening , and the money alleged to havo been stolen was marked , and the drawer left unlocked . About five o'clock on Tuesday morning the prisoner was seen to unlock the office door and enter the office , and in a few minutes came out again , at that moment apparently putting something into his pocket . When the clerk came to tho office he found that marked money had been taken from the drawer , and tho prisoner was then taken into custody , when tho missing money was found upon him . Several of the company ' s servants having given evidence on tho charge , the prisoner was committed for trial .
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Fatal Accident At Pen Yd A Rr Ax.—On Sat...
Fatal Accident at Pen yd a rr ax . —On Saturday the Sth instant , a most fatal and melancholy accident occurred at the Lodge Pit , near l ' enydarran Iron Works . The pit is on the property of Mr . Aldermau Thompson . On Saturday as the men were at work a fall of rubbish took place in one of the headings by which two men were killed ; the mass that fell was two or three tons in weight , and it was only after a vast deal of labour , that the bodies were extricated , they presented a most fearful spectacle , literally smashed to pieces , so much so that recognition was rendered almost impossible . The bodies were carried down through the High-street , Merthyr , followed by about 200 cr 300 men most of whom had been working in the same pit , and nearly all of them carried their lamps in their hands .
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The Harvest.—The Past Week Was Most Favo...
The Harvest . —The past week was most favourable for harvest operations , and the farmers have taken all the advantage of it that they could from their restricted means . Labour is dear , just because there is a great demand for it , and it has been remarked th . it for many years , labour has not been so difficult to be procured as this harvest . The extensive emigration of the past season should account for this , supposing that wo desire to conceal from ourselves the fact of the great mortality which prevailed amon « the agricultural labourers . From the reports of the agricultural instructors , it would appear that the potatoes are more or less affected with disease—but they are not beyond hope .
The certain prospect of a harvest of moro than ordinary abundance is already working wonders in t ) m diminution of the overwhelming amount of pauperism which crashed down tho ratepayers in some of the southern unions . At the last meeting of the Fermoy board of guardians , it appeared that the number of inmates , which was over 5 , 000 in the beginning of June . last , was now reduced to 1 , 580 , while no outdoor relief whatever was given . The general health efthe paupers were good , the number of deaths during the week being only seven . All the auxiliary workhouses , with the exception of the one at Rothcormac , were closed , and , with a view to concentration and a further reduction of
expenditure , that house was to be immediately shut up , so that within a period of six weeks the guardians were enabled to close seven auxiliary houses . The state of the Cork Union also presents some agreeable features , the number of inmates showing a material diminution during the past two months . " The number on tho 28 th of June was 7 , 033 , on the 28 th of July 6 , 137 , and on the 2 Sth of August 4 , 102 . The decrease for . the month ending the 28 th of Julywas 890 , and for tho month endins : the 26 * th of August 1 , 945 , and for the two months 2 , 841 . The lowest number in the house during the year 1843 was , on the 27 th of August , 3 , 119 , being 1 , 073 less than on the 28 th of last month . "
The guardians of the Fermoy Union are about to send out sixty more young females to Australia ; and other unions are also taking advantage of the lacilities for female pauper emigration afforded by the government . So great is the change already effected in the relief system , that a considerable number of the temporary poor-law inspectors are to be removed at the close of the present month . _ In Dublin , too , there arc some healthy indica . tionsof ' a revival of confidence , and the commercial transactions for the past week show a slow but steady increase in the amount of business .
Landlords , Middlemen , and Tbxasts . — The LimcnckReporter says ; " Founding our views on the present state of Clare , it would be impossible to suppose that property could continue in the hands of its present proprietors . The fact of 18 s . in the P . " , „ , mg fixed as a rate f ° i" one parish , and il 4 s . 2 d . for another , is a proof ofthe confiscation ot property , which is calculated to appal the national mind ; but our views are not founded on the worst features ofthe public condition , but rather on the state ot things likely to arise from the crisis to winch we allude . That the present harvest is fruitful and plentiful cannot be denied , unless by mere croakers and prophets of woe , and hence it is that , bad as the present state of things isit must be
con-, ceded that the worst has arrived , and that events are last hastening such as to inspire hope rather than to inspire terror . It is now pretty generally acknowledged that a mutual forbearance and toleration of interests would be most likely to work well both for the good ofthe lord of the soil and the occupvin " tenant , and unless in the ense of house-wreckers and levellers , it is about being acted upon , for who can deny that many a landlord has made abatements to Jus tenantry to the amount of fifteen , twentv , and twenty-live per cent ? However this conduct on the part of the aristocrats might be construed , whether into humanity of feeling or compulsion of altered circumstances , still it is a very favourable omen tor the prospects before us . But the Pi ™ t . misfnr .
tune of this island is the existence of that nefarious body called middlemen . Where these exist poverty must be prevalent , and the case of ihe tenant must be had indeed . In the present state of things , the landlord looks to the middleman for his rent , of course , not being over thrifty , and , therefore , having none to spare , must , of a consequence , goad those to whom he sublets , and in the end , from resistance on the part of the poor tiller of the soil , and necessity on the part of tho squire , both become the victims of the vicious state of the law , which permits this state of things . Had the land been left between the proprietors and their tenants , we surely would not be now witnessing the almost complete wreck of agricultural pauperism . The middle land interest , from the evident iniquity of the system , must ultimately pass away , aud an improved state of things
Liun ENTEnr-RrsE . -The Cork Constitutio n menions some indications of local enterprise , including the following m Queen-town , the name given bv hec Majesty to Cove :- » In addition to the late cltenrnl P rovements . and buildings erected in this town , not the least is an immense rope-walk latelv kid down . The object the proprietor ^ ££ i „ S is to . manufac t ure a description of coraVo for shipping hidierto imported fromEocland . SoimropewSJ iaVe b \ br 0 US ,, t from Scotland ale Couk School of Di : siGx .-The contractors employed in competing this useful undertaE 1 actively forwarding the work , under the ^ superintendence ol S , r Thomas Deaue , who expects to w ^ cpeu for the reception of nunik lw tho i ? t I month . Goverint SffiiXfiL ] !
? a « nwrMo «; LW , H - als 0 be Wished with ancient tKSS' * P \ niensof drawings and patterns , ! Kw Jf fore , 8 nartiats , and with other suitable ? w « iV \ ? ' government will supply every-WS ^ Sf ^ ^ PWe the taste and add to tho skill of the Cork artisan , who will be able to enter tne school and receive the best instruction at a very moderate monthly or yearly subscription . A Siqn or Psa . ch . p- A most gratifying proof of
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Sept. 15, 1849, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_15091849/page/6/
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