distinguished for high scholastic attainments and good
conduct as for intrepidity.

A frightful Accident occurred on the 20th inst. on the
Hull and Selby Railway. Mrs. Bulding, wife of
William Bolding, who resides in a cottage closely
adjoining the railway, and between Hamerton and the
Old Junction Station, had crossed the line to hang out
some clothes. A train happened to come up at the
time she was crossing the line for safety, when, owing
to the noise of the train, and the whistle of the engine,
she got confused, and did not observe a luggage train
close upon her on the other line of rails until it was too
late to escape. The engine of the goods train struck
her on the head, just above her nose and mouth, and
nearly took off one side of her head. Her brains were
dashed out, and besprinkled the shutter of her own
house. Of course death was instantaneous. No blame
appears to have attached to the driver of the luggage
train.

SOCIAL, SANITARY, AND MUNICIPAL
PROGRESS.

The Registrar-General's Quarterly Return of Births,
Deaths, and Marriages for the last quarter exhibits a
striking improvement in the general health on the
corresponding quarter of 1854. The rate of mortality is
lower than it was during the summer of 1853; and in
some districts the decrease on previous years has been
so striking that the district registrars have exercised
their wits to account for it. This general result is the
more satisfactory when we remember that "if all the
deaths of British soldiers in the Crimea were added to
the deaths in England, the number would be less by
some 20,000, than the deaths registered in England
during the three summer months of 1854." Indeed,
the Registrar-General only confirms opinions long ago
expressed, when he says that "more lives may be saved
by sanitary arrangements at home every year, than have
ever perished abroad in the years of our greatest losses
in war." The gross addition to the population of
England and Wales during the summer quarter, that
is, the number of births, was 154,834; but from this we
must deduct the number of deaths, 87,934, and the total
of English emigrants, 15,530, giving a net increase of
51,370 on the quarter. The number of births is slightly
above the average. Marriages have decreased,
especially in the manufacturing and mining districts, while
in some manufacturing districts they have increased;
yet, on the whole, there are 1,935 fewer than in the
corresponding quarter of 1854. This result is attributable
partly to the increased price of provisions, and in some
degree certainly to the war; for although soldiers are
not marrying men, yet militia recruits are of just that
class who furnish a contingent to the heavy total of
improvident matrimonial arrangements. But no doubt
the chief cause of the decrease is the comparatively high
price of provisions. Corn had advanced from 51s. in
1853, to 76s. 6d. a quarter in 1855; an increase of 48
per cent. Beef had increased from 5d. to 5½d. a pound
—15 per cent., and mutton in the same proportion.
On the other hand, potatoes had fallen in price from
117s. 6d. in 1853, to 74s. a ton in 1855—or 37 per cent.
As the Registrar-General remarks, this fall in the price
of an article so largely consumed by all classes, has no
doubt greatly contributed to bring the rate of mortality
below that of the summer of 1853. Another striking
fact is, the decrease in emigration from the United
Kingdom. In the summer quarter of 1852 no fewer
than 109,236 persons emigrated; in 1855 the number
has fallen to 44,698, or nearly the number who
emigrated in 1847. The great cause of this decrease of
mortality appears to be the improved sanitary condition
of the country. "The decrease of mortality in some
districts is striking," says Major Graham, "and the
registrars in their notes endeavour to account for this
evident fact. Some refer the improved health of the
people to the fine weather; others to active employment
in the harvest; others to the population, either
in search of employment, or by drafting into the militia,
and into the ranks of the army. In the mining
district of Redruth the registrar conceives that 'the
frugality and temperance' promoted by the high price
of provisions has been salutary; in other districts the
benefits of improved health are connected with 'good
wages and plentiful work;' in many places the utility
of sanitary measures is admitted. The registrar of
Pontesbury, who has registered no death for two
months, 'can assign no cause.' One registrar makes
the following statement:—'The deaths are below the
average. In the township of Workington, containing
a population of 6,122, the deaths during the last nine
years have averaged forty-two quarterly; this quarter
they are twenty-one. In the other nine townships,
containing a population of 3,412, there have been only four
deaths. Some ascribe the decreased mortality to
Providence: others to improved sanitary arrangements.'"
The Registrar-General observes before the last statement
that the "people of this Kingdom will suffer no
such embarrassment as the registrar of Workington has
recorded if this result be realised, as they know that all
effectual measures for the improvement of the human
race receive the blessing, because they are the inspirations,
of Divine Providence."

The Sales in the Incumbered Estates Court since the
commencement of the present term, show a considerable
advance in the Irish land market: 23 and 24 years'
purchase on the net rental have now become quite ordinary
rates; and lands in the counties of Kildare,
Waterford, and Galway, have been sold at rates of from
26 years' to 30 years' purchase. Hitherto 20 years'
purchase was considered an excellent price in Ireland;
and it was some time before the general run of buyers
could bring themselves to look on that as a secure
standard of the value of Irish fee simple estates, emerging,
as they were, from the gloomy period, when it was
considered quite high enough to bid 9, or 10, or at the
utmost, 12 years' purchase for the fee simple of lands
devastated by famine and rack rents. Nor are the high
prices confined to the Incumbered Estates Court.
Competition for land is carried on with as much
recklessness, as in the old times among the farmers; and it
is to be feared that many of the lettings now made on a
war scale of corn prices will be followed hereafter by
insolvency and ejectment.

A meeting has been held at Hardwicke-court, near
Gloucester, the object of which was the Formation of a
Reformatory Union for Criminals. Among those present
were—Sir J. Pakington, M.P., Sir Thomas Winnington,
M.P., Mr. C. H. Bracebridge, the Rev. Sidney Turner,
&c. The meeting took place at the residence of Mr. B.
Baker, who, in conjunction with Mr. G. H. Bengough,
established the first of the existing county institutions
for the reformation of juvenile offenders. The discussion
turned upon the best means of reforming criminals,
the proper mode of preliminary punishment, and the
plan to be adopted to secure those who had been
inmates of reformatory institutions against a relapse into
crime when they left them. The result of the meeting
was the formation of a provisional committee intrusted
with the task of organising a reformatory union, the
vocation of which would be to consider and promote
the best means of reforming criminals, to procure
employment for them, and to restore them to society;
also, to promote the practical training and preparation
of efficient teachers for reformatory institutions. It was
agreed that a general meeting of the society should be
held in London next May.

The anniversary dinner of the Warehousemen and
Clerks' Schools Association was held at the London
Tavern on the 12th instant, Lord John Russell in the
chair. In proposing the "Army and Navy," Lord
John uttered a warm eulogy on their bravery, and still
more, their fortitude. He expressed regret for Lord
Raglan's loss; but he found consolation in the fact,
that "although Lord Raglan is no more, the example
of men like him will not be lost, but will be preserved
to future generations, to show in what a school England
had brought up her soldiers, and what pupils Wellington
had left." In proposing prosperity to the institution
he gave some account of its origin. It was projected
in 1853, and within six weeks the young men interested
had subscribed £3000 towards its funds; and the
employers following this good example, subscribed £4000
more. In a short time the fund rose to £10,000; and