in the actual presence of the epidemic, some of the most
powerful predisposing causes of the disease cannot be
removed without the risk of increasing the evils intended
to be remedied. Cleansing operations, which at all
times require caution, are then hurriedly and precipitately
resorted to, and are sometimes performed in such
a manner as to produce positive aggravation of the
disease. In some instances, cesspool matter has been
discharged even into the kennels of the streets, and the
contents of foul ditches, in a state to give off poisonous
exhalations on the slightest agitation, have been spread
on the banks close to habitations. The board deem it
necessary again to caution local authorities against such
a culpable mode of proceeding, which even in ordinary
seasons would be attended with imminent danger, but
that danger is greatly increased at an epidemic period.
Though accumulations of filth may be removed with
perfect safety, with the proper use of disinfecting
substances, and under the superintendence of persons of
competent knowledge, yet in an epidemic season the
emanations from decomposing animal and vegetable matter
acquire so much potency, that at that time it is better
to leave large collections of foul refuse undisturbed, and
to cover them temporarily with layers of quicklime or of
fresh earth. Wherever it has not been already done,
an efficient scavenging staff should be immediately
organised and kept in unremitting action. The mortality
from the epidemic in towns well-scavenged has in some
instances been only one half of that in ill-scavenged
towns, both being in other respects in similarly imperfect
sanitary condition. The board would urge on local boards
of health, whose works under the Public Health Act
are the most advanced, the great importance of hastening
on the completion of such operations as are necessary
for the abolition of cesspools, and the substitution of
the water-closet apparatus; by laying down, wherever
possible, especially in epidemic districts and localities,
impermeable and self-cleansing house-drains, and by
providing ample supplies of water. Hitherto, almost
exclusive attention has been given to the construction
of main sewers, but experience has shown that these
alone, without systematised connection with self-cleansing
house-drains and ample supplies of water, are of little
avail in the prevention of disease; but that where foul
cesspools have been the principal sanitary evil, as from
house to house these have been filled up, and the water-
closet substituted, the outbreak and spread of fever and
other forms of zymotic disease have been at once arrested.
At the same time that these works are proceeded with,
the damp and miry surface in front and at the back of
houses should be removed by paving. There are instances
in which this single improvement has apparently
protected the inhabitants of courts and streets from the
recurrence of ordinary epidemics. A flagged surface
further affords the means of more effectual cleansing by
the hose and jet. Paving may be done in many instances
without waiting for the completion of drainage works,
and where the principle has been adopted of draining
from the backs of houses instead of through them into
sewers in the front streets, there will be comparatively
few instances in which it will be necessary, on the
completion of the works, to break up the pavements, in
order to put in house drains. No external works,
however perfect, can prevent the operation of the causes of
disease which arise from residence in dwellings unfit for
human habitation, such as underground kitchens and
cellars, in which no families can maintain health. Nor
can the most perfect external works stop the diseases
caused by internal filth and overcrowding.

A complaint by Mr. Westerton, churchwarden of
St. Paul's, Knightsbridge, against certain alleged
Puseyite Practices in the Performance of the Service,
has attracted much attention. The complaint was
first made to the incumbent himself, the Hon. and
Rev. Robert Liddell; but he having paid no further
attention to it than simply acknowledging its receipt,
the complainant presented a memorial to the Bishop of
London. The practices complained of were these—
that the choristers, with the clergy carrying vessels used
in the service of the church, march in a kind of theatrical
procession from the vestry to the "high altar," approaching
it with bows, genuflexions, and incurvations; that
they bow to a massive cross, and with much ceremonial
place the vessel near the altar; that the service is
"intoned" with much emphatic gesticulation and
bowing; that a cross has been placed on the altar;
that a credence-table has been set up; that vessels
and robes such as are used by the Roman Catholic
priests are borne and worn by the clergy; that
bouquets of flowers and "other foreign frippery"
are placed about the church; that the offertory
or alms-money is appropriated for the purchase of
this "meretricious trumpery;" and that candlesticks
are set upon the communion-table. The bishop has
answered the memorial, discussing the complaints
seriatim. He states that Mr. Liddell did not introduce
the several practices and innovations set forth in the
memorial, but that he "continued them as he found
them, with the exception of a few observances which,
were discontinued" at the bishop's request. The
bishop also states that Mr. Liddell has assented to his
request that he would discontinue the procession of the
clergy bearing the vessels and elements of the holy
communion; it is "a distinct imitation of the practice
of the Romish Church." With respect to the bowings,
genuflexions, and gesticulations, the bishop observes that
Mr. Liddell denies the correctness of Mr. Westerton's
statement; and the bishop himself, and "a confidential
person," sent on purpose to the church, did not observe
any such gesticulations. The bishop does not approve of
the practice of "intoning," but he would "rather hear
the prayers well intoned than badly read." What
Mr. Westerton designates as the "high altar" is not an
altar at all, except in a figurative sense of the word. It
is not of stone, but wood; not fixed, but moveable;
when the bishop consecrated the church, its height
did not attract his notice; it is now the property of the
parish, and the bishop does not think he has the power
of directing its removal. Candlesticks he would rather
not see in parish-churches, but he "is not prepared to
order their removal when they have been placed there
for several years." He considers the cross objectionable;
but when he wished it to be removed, he was told
that its removal would wound the feelings of the
congregation: yet he certainly wishes it were removed;
and he would be glad if the parishioners would agree to
its removal without his authoritative sanction. He sees
no objection to a credence-table and the use of flowers,
but is opposed to their being paid for out of the offertory
collections. At the close, the bishop dwells on the
fact that the parishioners have acquiesced in the
practices in question for a long time; and he infers from the
crowded congregations that they are not offensive to
them. At the usual meeting for the election of
churchwardens on the 18th inst., Mr. Westerton's re-election
was opposed, and Mr. Thomas Davidson was nominated
in opposition. Put to the poll at once, the numbers
were—Westerton, 203; Davidson, 200. The vestry
unanimously adopted a resolution authorising the
removal of the super-altar, the credence-table, the
cross, and the candlesticks; protested against paying
the washing and choristers out of the alms-chest; and
recorded its strong disapproval of the "procession,"
and the practice of intoning the service.

An important improvement is said to have been
discovered in the Making of Bread. Two Frenchmen,
named Martin and Moriam, obtained from the
Marylebone board of guardians the use of the bakery of the
workhouse in order to perform an experiment. They
assert that they can produce 150 four-pound loaves from
a sack of flour, now producing only from 90 to 100. The
bread so made has been tested by chemical authorities
in France, and they report that it contains all the
qualities of the best bread, and nothing prejudicial to
health. The plan is a secret known only to its
inventors. The experiment was made, and was
perfectly successful. Two sacks of flour, under seal, were
issued by the workhouse authorities. One was worked
up by English bakers, and produced 90 loaves, weighing
360 pounds. The other was worked up by the French
bakers, upon the new principle, and yielded 134 loaves,
weighing 520 pounds. It is admitted that the experiment
was fairly performed. Many scientific men were
present.

The Preston Strike still continues, the attempt at
mediation between the employers and workmen having