22 SEPTEMBER 1849, Page 12

The Medical Times has argued ably for a methodical and

exact ac- count of the several kinds of treatment pursued in cholera; insisting that there ought to be some central collection of returns so that the results may be compared. For such purpose, a blank form has been prepared, to be filled up by medical men; who are invited to procure copies from the office 147 Strand, and to return them for publication. The editor will afterwards compare and generalize the results. The table contains twenty- one columns, setting forth the circumstances of the patient, the symptoms, treatment in various stages, results, and observations: the table is clear, the paper is of good size. "The chief object we had in view, while framing this table, was the practical one, of determining the effects of the remedies proposed for the treatment of the disease. In order to obtain unequivocal results on that head, it is absolutely ne- cessary that some of the symptoms present in the cases treated should be stated: so that the mild cases may be separated from the severe, cavilling be avoided, and the all-important object, the real value of the drugs employed as curative agents, be duly estimated."—Medical Times, Sept. 8. "We have again to call the attention of our readers to the extreme importance of collecting observations on cholera, while this fatal disease is still rife among us. It will be really disgraceful to the science of the day if no light can be thrown on the nature of this complaint, if no rules can be deduced for treatment from the experience of the last six weeks."—Medical Times, Sept. 22.

The Morning Chronicle foretels the speedy removal of Smithfield Market-

" The Registrar-General at Somerset House, and the Commissioners of Sewers in the City, have almost simultaneously declared that no more slaughtering shall take place in London. These decisions are clearly indicative of the intentions of the Government: they must cause the danger to the public to be greatly increased, by the cattle being driven away to be slaughtered in distant places; unless, what may now be fairly expected, the market be at once removed. This, we believe, is de- cided upon ; and by the middle of next week we expect to be in possession of au- thentic information upon the subject." In the Central Criminal Court, yesterday, Thomas Smith, seventy years old, and Harriet Smith; twenty-seven years old, were tried for sending a threatening letter to Sir Walter Roekliffe Farquhar and others, "demanding money of them with menaces, and without any reasonable and probable cause." The general facts were lately reported in our columns. Mr. Ballantine now appeared as coun- sel for the prosecution; Mr. Bodkin and Mr. Huddlestone, for the defence. After consultation, it was agreed that a verdict of "Not guilty" should be taken sgainst the woman. A demurrer to the indictment was then put in, on the groun d that the letter sent was not a threatening letter within the statute 7th and 8th George 1V. cap. 9. The letter was as follows-

. Gentlemen—You say that B. 0. N. will accede to the terms proposed, and send part of the means to any place which may be named. You would have had an answer yesterday, but I was prevented. If you act honestly by me, and not by any means deceive me. or allow any spy to watch me, I will save you or perish in the attempt. though I hazard my life in so doing, and must have means sufficient at my disposal without delay, or all will be lost. I am fully assured that twenty thousand pounds will not cover this horrid catastrophe, which would not only stop your bank furs time, but perhaps for ever, as the books would all be destroyed. The match, the must dreadful and last resource, has been contemplated by the cracksman or captain of this most horrid gang ; which I fervently pray to be relieved from. I have never yet, so help me God, done a deed I am afraid or ashamed of, and the only way I can privately obtain means will be the following. At the London end of Kensington Gardens, on the Knightsbridge side, there is a dyke sloped which divides the garden from the Park, and a carriage-road where the roads meet as you turn to ride or drive across the bridge ; it is a short distance from the ftrst bridge, where the keeper remains in the Garden. By looking op that dyke, you will see large iron pipes whirls convey water to the pond. A large elm tree stands between the Park and the Garden, and there is sufficient room under the first pipe to place a small bag. If, therefore, you will send a man you can confide in, and lodge beneath that pipe 250 sovereigns, unseen by mortal eye, I swear by Almighty God, most solemnly, that the evil to which I have alluded shall be averted, lf, when I have completed my task, and informed you when all is safe, and denounced the villains, you will let me have 2501. more; which, if God prosper me. I will repay with gratitude, as I could not get into business for less than 5001. to obtain a respectable living. Let the money be lodged tomorrow (Saturday) morning, by half-past eleven, hut not one moment sooner, and all shall be well with you. But if I am at all deceived in any possible way, all must fall is yourselves." It was contended that there was no menace or demand ; only a suggestion that if money were paid, it might be a means of averting some great calamity. The Judges were unwilling to decide on the law, and advised the withdrawal of the de- murrer, in order that the facts might be tried: they would at the last reserve the point of law. This was done. A verdict of" Guilty" was found; and judgment was respited till the Judges in full court should have considered the act of Par- liament.