The Express. — London, England, 1851-11-07 00:00:00

ghe erprefso. 10 vas.. • • 11•8•01 sow of .110 iserao," oosaistai be woe w!d►fs • pobbakoll ociol T001d.7 ..0 rcuk7 *4lt. le tlt•. kr pot. elloonlmosoolobiloodod "TM Foprous." London roma, pow, ionot Wog **Ude% 116 lborecroosuvol. by Too o'clock es the MON WATkR AT LONDON BRIDGE. tb D aT —ikesi.s. Ih. $. Aftersesa. ye.wissow—llmases, IA 3%n. Aborams. 33.. LONDON, FRIDAY. NOVEMBER 7. THE Exhibition etimittee are just now suffering most acutely the seimerhs eleasioned by the most un common of all disarders, the essierra• des richesses. If the Exhibition led dews as were then exactly pay its expenses, the commissioners, after emptying the Crystal l'alace, might have locked the doors quietly, and taken a long sleep at the end of . their . laboum, certain of awaking to us much popularity as is attain able in this life, by men who have no opportunity of devastating a pmvince, or slaughtering a few hundred thousand of their fellow creatures. Had they even managed to get handsomely into debt, their case would have been far from pitiable. They would have been deluged with sympathy, and relieved from responsibility by a parliamentary grant or a public subset iption. Bankruptcy even in such a cause would have been pronounced intensely patriotic, and rewarded with first-class certificates and orders of knighthood. But, alas, the commissioners have a surplus, and this promises to be a source of infinitely more trouble to them than the management of the Exhibition itself. There is no doubt they have worked harder than any other set of men in the United Kingdom for some months, but their great labour is yet to come. For this surplus is the focus in which converge the looks of a countless number of projectors. It is a sober truth that thousands of greedy eyes are cast upon the treasure of which the commissioners are the perplexed and anxious guardians. if our readers remember the authentic portraiture of the " Minister as lie presented to the public by the truthful artist of Mr. Punch at the commencement of the recess, representing Lord Joitx up to his neck in ripen, with servants in the background bringing in fresh supplies, they will be Law to form sonic faint idea of the awful position of the poor com missioners, whom the world supposes to be taking their ease, rejoicing in fame and titles and pecuniary rewards. They are overwhelmed with rojects for the due application of their golden hoard. We know from good authority that the number of these plans is such, that they would fill a good-sized room. Their contents have not yet been fully made out, and official discretion guards, with doe rigour, the secrets intrusted to its care. Never theless, in spite of all the precautions of the com missioners, the nature of many of these projects has laen made public, either through accident or the vanity of the projectors themselves. It is pretty well known that nearly every hospital, infirmary, and dispensary in the United Kingdom, has put in its claim for relief and aneistance. The statistics contained in the various papers in which these re quests art- made would, if tabulated, form a more exermt account than we have yet prase: wed of our charitable. institutions. Claims of this and a similar nature, of which there are plenty, have perhaps some hold upon our sympathy. There come next, however, a large class of plans which, although we might be very willing to hock upon them with favour on amount of the value of the object proposed, deprive tia-mselees of all title to consideration from the simple fact of their being impossible in ex ecution. Others, and of these the-re is a large number, sire simply absurd, and seem to have bee-n sent merely to afford a little relaxation to the hard-worked conamissieniers by giving them an irresistible opportunity of exercising their risible mum-les. Of others it would be- difficult to find in English a suitable predicate, the only word which appears. to es thoroughly applicable, Ps the French adjective bizarre. In this duos may be reckoned the project fur a gigantic statue of Prince ALUERT, ano ther for a national soup kitchen, one fur a permanent teetotal eongresoe, and crrelde lacsteri! one for gilding the dame of It would lie absurd, however, to suppose that amongst the thousand and one schemes for disposing of the surplus, there were none that did credit to the practical good sense of our countrymen. There arc, we base reason to believe, a large number of sug gestions that, if curried out, would produce results of the gnatest importance. The most worthy of notice are those which relate to education. As far as see have been able to learn, the Exhibition has produced us its nicest exeellent fruit a conacious nem that, if we wish to maintain our place in the great industrial struggle which the continuance of European peace- a ill impose upon the European nations, we must spare no pains in preparing our 'selves thoroughly fur the strife. The Exhibition, flattering as it has been to our national prick, has still told us that we might and ought to have known much more than we really do. (In examining the causes of our delieiency, it appears that, as fur us our institutions an- concerned, there is no reason why we should have known any thing at all! if we have an industrial giant amongst us, he is one by the grace of (hip; he owes noticing of his growth to we In plain English, we have no institutions in which a man may become acquainted with the prin ciples of thaw arts which have- made England what it is. The genius of mechanism among us is heaven horn and self-taught. The authors of many of the mast sensible projects which have been sent in to the commissioners, ap pear to have recognised this fact ; and the result Amiss itself in the expression of a desire for the foundation of what, for waist of a better name, mar Ise called industrial colleges. It is quite certain that is large number of the projectors are quite alive to the remarkable anomaly that, in the country which par excellenre is called industrial, there is no scien tific education fur industry. The anomaly is the more striking. as in many of the countries which may be denominated non-manufacturing, there are admirable establialimenta of this iodine; and the influence of these is distinctly visible in the produc tions of those countries which have found a place in the Exhibition. Why, then, should not the surplus fund of an Ex hibition which owes its origin and its success to the pre-eminence of the nation in manufactures, be ap plied to the instruction of the youth of the country in the scientific principles of the arts which have proved the foundation of its prosperity ? Why should England be the only country in Europe where there is no public institution for the education of its industrial heroes ? We ore overstocked with mili tary colleges : why not vary the monotony by the foundation of an industrial college? It seems to us that this is the only legitimate use which can be made of the surplus. The commissioners arc pledged to apply any such surplus to the promotion it arts and manufactures. Here is a most unobjectionable method of fulfilling their pledge. let them abide rigidly by the condition they them selves have laid down, and they will add another to the many claims that they have established to the gratitude of the country. In the mean time we can sae no better way of fulfilling this condition than the appropriation of the surplus in the way which we have suggested. I r is the deliberate opinion of the Secretary• to the Enquiry that the inevitable tendency of the existing law of rating and settlement is to over throw all the ameliorations effected by the Poor Law Amendment Art, and to bring back even• preceding abuse in all its pristine vigour. The maradministm lion of relief which was corrected for the time by the Poor Law Amendment Act was not, according to Mr. lI,;v sus, the disease itself, but only a glaring effect and symptom. The disease lay in the laws of settle ment and removal, and it was the direct effect of the parochial method of rating to stimulate and aggravate the disorder. To the mere prestige of the change, therefore, and not so much the practical bearing of it, he attributes the immediate and long-continued sneers of the Poor Law Amendment Act. The im provement was effected more by the declaration of the legislature against the continuance of the evils, than by the power of the new statute to redress them; and much also is to be attributed to the perplexity which the novelty of the procedure must have en gendered amongst the classes most practised in the old abuse. But now, much of the novelty baring worn off, the ancient evils have again shown them selves, and the voice of successful imposture is once more hosed in audacious self-gratulation over the THE EXPRESS, FRIDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 7, 1851. impotence of the law. Mr. REVANS'S elaborate re port on these heads is amply confirmed by those of all the officials employed in the same inquiry, and more particularly by the reports of Mr. Huweht and Mr. ATECKETT. (Reports to the Poor Law Board, 'there are those who have fancied that a national rate is the sole alternative if the parochial rate is abandoned and the laws of settlement and removal are repealed. If it were so,weconfess that the dangers involved in such a change are of magnitude sufficient to deter any sane man from attempting it without much longer experience of the existing evils, and a conviction, to which we at least ore not likely to arrive, that the enormity of the latter bears any pr portion whatever to that of the former. But it is nut true that we are reduced to any such hard alter native. It is not true that we are compelled to hold the reverse of the wrong course to be in this in stance the right course. Those who think otherwise must surely forget that between the parish and the nation there is the union—and between the present parochial rate and the proposed " pull at the Ex chequer" there is the experiment of an union rate— an experiment worth trying. Let us add—and we do so with great satisfaction—that not one official of the l'oor-Law Board, and not above two or three of the local boards have consented to entertain for one moment this dangerous and alarming suggestion; and yet all arc unanimous in condemning the present system, and demanding the enlargement of the area of taxation and the abolition of the law of parish settlement. To enlarge the area of taxation, by converting the parochial system of rating into a system of rating by unions, will, in nearly every instance, be amply sufficient for the purposes which the advocates of a national rate propose to themselves to accomplish. Instances, no doubt, there are, and must be, where it will be necessary to go somewhat further ; but those instances will he rare, far too rare at least, to justify general and permanent legislation. It may be safety left to the unions themselves, if they can agree, or to the Poor-Law Board, or even with the consent at the Secretary of State, to the county boards, when once the county boards shall have been re formed by parliament, to provide for such cases. Just as the present law enables parishes, if they please, to combine for certain special purpose not included in the general obligations of the = law Amendment Act, even so may it be granted to two or more unions to combine in like manner for the purpose of enlarging to their respective ratepayers the areas of rating and assessment. Large towns constituting in theinselvesentire unions, and inequit- ' ably and ruinously overrated for the benefit of rural districts under the present defective state of the law, will certainly derive no relief from the mere conversion of the parochial rate into a union rate ; and are, therefore, entitled to demand such an extension as will be found adequate to their own peculiar grievance. Norwich is suchen instance. ith a population of only 00,000 souls, that union is reported as being charged with the re lief of the enormous number of 10,000 paupers at the yearly rust of 50,0001.—a burden Oddly due, says Mr. Alteexerr, to " the influx of poor from the agricultural parishes in the immediate neighbour- I hood," occasioned by the circumstance "that the clearing system has been adopted by the large landowners in those parishes;" - a cause quite ade quate to the effect. But the total repeal of the law of settlement and removal will deter such clearances in future, by taking away the power of the landowner to exclude from relief the unsettled poor of his parish ; and the permanent or even tem porary consolidation of Norwich union with one ae more of the adjoining agricultural unions in the manner we have described will be found amply suf ficient to the redress of the present injustice. Sock in substance, was the plan proposed in P 417, to the Pour-law Board bt Sir JOHN WALSIRM, as "the I result of 20 rears experience as a magistrate and assistant poor-)aw commissioner." Themischiefs which' that plan was intended to remedy exist still, and in deed appear to have become only inure numerous and more intense than they were when :sir Jolts Wm.!, NAM wrote. But the increased experience of the op posite system, and the general adhesion of the other officials of authority at Somerset House, have been not without their effect, and the proposal of Sir Jolts WALSIIAX has gained by the &lay. It is now generally understood that it is to be laid before par liament next session in the name of the Poor-law Board, a n d as their measure. Whether the rumour he well founded or not, it is certain that the measure, by whomsoever proposed, must come under parlia mentary consideration in the course of the approach ing discussion of the general question; and when it titers we venture to foretell fur it a most favourable reception. The adoption in principle of that measure will not only secure, eo far ns it is possible fur legislative foresight to secure, the individual union against in vasion, but it will also suffice to the common exi gency. When once it is determined to protect from unfair assessment and undue chargeability the union 'at large, the same principle is conceded as to the parish. In what way the present scheme of taxation operates to create between parish and parish an mei:a- tuil division of interest, and to constitute them in a state of internecine war, we shall hereafter have too frequent occasion to demonstrate. For the present we are contented to assume that which is undeniable--the fact of the hostility. how is this state of circumstances to be encountered, but by a law which shall deprive either belligerent of the power to oppress? On this subject the evidence is moat voluminous, and sorry should we be to subject our readers to the drudgery, which we have under gone, of leading through it ; but the result, at least, usatisfactory. It is proved that, so lung as the pre sent system subsists, the nominal advantage of a local rating is more than compensated for by the real dis advantage of a fraudulent expenditure. Every parish of the union being charged according to the average amount expended upon its poor, it is clear that the ratepayers of every other parish are directly interested in swelling that expenditure to the largest possible amount. Abolish the localisa tion of the charge—that is to say, convert the parochial into an union charge—and you abolish with it this temptation—at least—to abuse. Again, the recommendation of the union rate instead of the parish rate involves the total abo lition of the prevalent distinction of parishes into "close" and " open parishes." The close parish is that of which one landlord is the sole owner, or which is shared amongst a few. The open parish is that in which the number of proprietors is more noticeable than their individual wealth. In the I hitter parish the labouring classes have the means of residence ; in the former class they arc denied those I means. We shall have occasion before long to ex plain, as Sir JAMES GRAIIAM would say, " the reason why." For the present we are contented to assume the fact and to explain it in the only way in which it is explicable —viz., that so long as the right to re lief is made to depend upon birth or residence, so long will it remain the landlord's interest to eject. Abolish the inducement, and you also abolish the crime. Now it is precisely in this respect that the differ ence between a parochial and a union rating consists. If the landlord of a " model" parish finds that he saves nothing in respect of rates by clearing off his ablest labourers, be assured that 'he will not clear them. If he is told that for every man to whom he refuses work during the day. and a shelter (rent free or rendering rent, it matters not) during the night, he will have to bear his share of the Union's liability, be assured he will not be guilts- of such refusal. If the law compels him to be honest, and not to saddle the innocent parish or union which happens to adjoin his own with the consequences of his delinquency, be assured that he will obey it. BRITISH LTING-IN HthrITAL FOR MARRIED Woxxx.—The halflearly court of the governors of this institAtion, the oldest of the kind in Loudon, having been founded by Dr, limiter in 1749, was to have been held yes terday, at the hospital, in Endell-strcet, Long-acre, but a sufficient number of members not hating assembled to form a court, those present resolved themselves into an ordinary board, Dr. John Clarke in the chair. The report stated that during the past half-year. coding Oct. 31, there were 54 in and out patients, and 25 were now on the books. The income (Jr the half•year had been 2961. 153. 94d., con sisting of subscriptions, 601. 18s.; donations, 96/. ; divi dends on stock. 291. 181. Id. The expenditure was 2:501. Its. MC leaving a balance of 46!. 10s. in the hands of the treasurer. BECII:EIT TO THE ROYAL ORTIIONEDIC HOSPl tx.eL.—Vesterda the committee of the above institution for the cure of deformities, received intimation of a legacy of 100!. from the late Miss Wightwick, of Chertsey—a con tribution, it may he observed, of much importance, the charity being entirely dependent upon such ♦o:antary bounty. FRANCE. PARIS, THCIADAT MORNING. By an adroit parliamentary manceuvre of Berryer, who IS still more remarkable as a tactician than an ankle, the new electoral bill presented by the minis by of October 26, has been smuggled into the limbo of abortive projects.. According to the organic law of the council of state, whin urgency is demanded for a bill and rejected by the Assembly, the bill must be subjected to the examination of the former body. Still it seems that the wording of the law is not so clear that a question may not be raised on this point. Certainly at the moment when the vote tuna/is-et-lent , woe taken, not a third part of the majority were aware that their decision would involve such a con sequence. Everybody knows that the falling of a bill into the Conseil-d'-Etat is like an estate getting into Chancery. The immense multiplicity of labours incumbent on that body forms a security for the de tention of the project of law during any term that parliamentary intrigue may require. But it may safely be asserted that the people of France will not allow a great and vitalquestton of this kind settled, or even considerably influenced,by a technical trick. It was the too great cleverness of the law of May 31 that was the fatal feature in it. Universal suffrage is the fruit of the revolution of 1818, and no juggling upon earth will do away with it. There must be either fair play in the parliament, or a decision by arms out of doors. The mode iu which M. Dupin presided yesterday was worthy of the astute strategy of the legitimist leader, and played into his hands. One would think that the virtue of a chairman should be his impartiality. The virtue of the President of the French Assembly is, however, the very opposite quality. Dupin is great at giving as much license of tongue as possible to the party that vote him into the chair, and stopping the mouths of their ad versaries. There is no dodge, quibble, or chicane, to which he will not resort, to influence a decision, which it is his first duty to take care should be the result of impartial deliberation and free voting. Thus, the rules of the house be come, in the hands of M. Dupin, a pack of cards, with which he shuffles and deals as he pleases. Yes terday he allowed Ilerryer to speak on the urgency, and even to pass beside the question to the exciting topic of General St. Arnaud's circular to the generals of divisions ; while last session he stopt the mouth of Emile de Girardin, on the plea that it was against the rules of the house to speak on the urgency. I may explain, by the way, that urgency is demanded for a bill in order that it may pass at the first reading. Even llaraguay-d'}lilliers, who, since his disgrace, is regarded as by no means Elysean, joined Michel (de Bourges) in protesting against the glaring violation of the rules permitted to If erryer. M. Giraud, the Minister of Public Instruction, observed justly that the legitimist orator had neither spoken in relation to the order of the day, nor to the urgency, and ended by making a motion altogether foreign to both. for a committee on the state of the nation. Yet I)upin, who will raise the smallest scruple into an insuperable harrier against a member of the Left, gave M. Berryer free rein to use all means, in viola tion of the rules of the house, to excite the passions of the majority, and trap them into a vote, with the view of bucking the great bill of the session. In the general meeting of the council of state yes terday it was decided, by 25 votes against 7, that copies of the bill on the responsibility of the presi dent, ministers, and public functionaries, should be sent to the president of the republic and to the pre sident of the assembly. The bill, as drawn up by the council of state, contains provisions against every provocation to violation of the constitution, and in particular of the 45th article. The Petrie says :—" We arc authorised to declare in the most formal terms that there is not and never has been any intention of depriving General Mag nan of the command in chief of the army of I'aris." The nominations of the presidents and secretaries of the monthly committees exhibits a closer under standing between the parties of the majority. In appointing the members of parliamentary initiative an attempt was made in one or two bureaux to introduce a debate on the law of May 31, but proved abortive. The cx•mimstcrs Fould and Baroche were elected presidents of their bureaux. The llonitear contains a decree conferring upon M. Baroche, ex-minister of foreign affairs, the rank of grand officer of the Legion of Honour. NI. Pierre Leroy, prefect of the Sione•et-Loire, is gazettes] as secretary-general of the ministry of the. interior, in the room of M. Blanche. The prueurcur of the republic ordered to be seized yesterday the Antanatk des Corporations Ourrisrea, which will be prosecuted for attacking the principle of property, for exciting the citizens to hatred and contempt of one another, and for excusing facts qualified as crimes and offences. Our second despatch from Paris had not arrived at the time of going to press. The following has been received by electric telegraph : PARIS, THURSDAY, 6.40, P.N. The Assembly has decided that the project of law for the abrogation of the law of May shall not be again referred to the Council of State. SPAIN. THE CAPTURE OF AN ENGLISH BRIG BY PIRATES. We have received the Madrid journals of the 31st ult. We find the following in the Herald., : According to a letter of the 22nd from Melilla, the crew of the English brig which was captured by the Moors still remained in their camp. They demand 100 Bores (20/.) ransom fur each of them. On the previous day an English war-steamer came in search of the brig. Two armed boats were sent along the coast ; the Moors fired on them, and compelled them to return to their vessel, which afterwards discharged several broadsides. The Moors lost two men, and the English had several wounded in the boats. As Great Britain does not usually leave such things half done, it is probable that she will not long delay taking ample ven geance for this insult to her flag, and that a sufficient force will urn he sent to make the Arabs feel the consequences of their piratical conduct. ITALY. ROME. The Osserratcare Romano publishes a letter from Cardinal Wiseman of 9th ult., stating that he has received 298'. Bs. 10d., collected at Rome by sub scription, towards the erection of a large catholic church at London. The cardinal thanks the editor of the Osserratore for the active part he has taken in the subscription, and rmsommends him to continue his efforts. PIEDMONT. A letter from San Itemo, in the Genoa Gazette, states that a second shock of earthquake was felt there on the 26th ult., thirteen days after the first one. The motion was undulatory at the outset, but afterwards changed to a subsaltory one ; it lasted six seconds. The sky was clear at the time, and the heat had been excessive for the season during the two preceding days. LATEST FOREIGN EXCHANGES. PARIS, Nov. 6.—Five per Cents., 90f. 70c. Three per Cents. WE 10c. ; Bank of Fmnce, 2,120 f. ROME, Ocr. 31.—Exchange on London, 497. (By Electric Telegraph.) ANTWERP, Nov. 6—Five per Cent. Metalliques, 71/ ; ditto Ardoins, 13. Three per Cent. Interior, Itus,ian Four-and-a-Half per Cents., —. Ex change on London, 23.23. llausset.s, Nov. 6.—Belgian Five per Cents., %II; Four-and-a-Half per Cents., 89i ; Two-and-a-Half per Cents., -19!,. Exchange on London, 23.25. AMSTERDAM, Nov. s.—Five per Cent. Metal li9ues, 68!. Two-and-a-Half per Cent. Belgians, Five per Cent. Ardoins, 13 3-16. Three per Cents., Interior, 34!. Russian Four,and-a-Half per Cents., 991. Two-and-a-Half per Cent. Integrals, 37k. Ex change on London, 11.83. ARRIVAL AT LIVERPOOL OF TUE NEW SCREW STFAMEIL PIONEER. —This Teasel, which has been expected at Liverpool for some days past, arrived yesterday from New York, which port she quitted on the 18th ult. She belongs to Messrs. Bird and Gilfilen, and is commanded by Captain Eldridge, an experienced officer. Her news, of course, has been anticipated. She brings a fair number of passengers. Her accommodations are of first-rate descrip tion, and her build graceful and trim. UNITED STATES. PROX OCR OWN CORRESPONDENT. (By !kettle Telegraph.) LIVERPOOL, FRIDAY, 815 A.Y. The United States steam-ship Atlantic, Captain West, has just arrived in the Mersey, with three days' later news from New York and other cities in the United States.' The Atlantic sailed from the port of New York on the 'pith October, the day following her usual time. She reports the arrivals out of the Pacific and Niagara. The number of passengers by this arrival is 26, and the amount of specie four hun dred thousand dollars. Monetary affairs at Now York continue to improve, and business generally was in a more flourishing condition. The stock and securities market was in active. Messrs. Jacob Little and Co., bankers, New York, failed on the 23rd ult. The market for breadstuffs was brisk ; prices had advanced slightly, and considerable transactions had taken place at the following quotations: Western canal flour, 3 dole. 871 e. to 4 dois. per brl. • Gennes see prime wheat, 91e. to tHle. per lb; India corn, round yellow, 58c. to 60e. per bushel ; Indian meal, 3 dols. 25e. to 3 dols. 37',e. per barrel. . _ The cotton market at New York was quiet. Bu siness to a moderate extent only had been done ; prices, however, were steady, as follows: New Or leans and Mobi c, mid fair to fair, 101 e. to 10,:c. per lb.; Uplands and Florida, mid fair to fair, 9,:c. to 91c. per lb. Freights were unaltered. Provisions were dull, at slightly declining prices. New mess pork, 151 e.; prime, 13;e. Exchange on London, 110 to 1101, in moderate demand. Paris, 5-13. Hamburg, 3t to 36.1. Bremen, 781 to 781. Zne Court. WINDSOR, Nov. S. Her Majesty and Prince Albert walked in the Horne Park yesterday afternoon. The royal dinner party yesterday evening included the Duchess of Kent, the Duke of Wellington, the Marquis of Lansdowne, the Lady in-Waiting to the Duchess of Kent, the Baroness de Speth, the Eel Fitzwilliam, Lady Char lotte Fitswilliam,ly Dorothy Fitzwilliam, and Colonel the lion. C. 11. Phipps. The Qum's private hand attended after dinner in the Castle, and played the following selection: overture," ft threw,' tidier throuredia" ... Mozart lororazoole alb Arnroltt . RAM. Prince Albert *lndult, l• Era lekloorr In sidsleeteri" Neyerbeer _ . The Queen with the l'•iueesses Helena and Louisa, took a drive this morning in an open earriage and four. Lord Charles Fitzroy attended on horseback. The Prince of Wales, the l'rincess Royal, and the re mainder of the royal children took walking exercise. Prince Albert went to town this morning by a spe cial train of the Great Western ltailway, attended by Colonel lion. C. B. Phipps and Colonel Hon. Charles Gre)•. The Marquis of Lansdowne, the Duke of Wellington, the Earl Fitwilliam, mid the Ladies Charlotte and Dorothy Fitzwilliam left the Castle to-day. Prince Albert presided yestenlay morning at a meeting of the surplus committee of the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of the Winks of industry of all Nations. His Royal Highness arrived at the Exhibition building iu Hyde Park shortly before 11 o'clock, Irom Windsor Castle, at tended by Lieutenant. Colonel the lion. C. B. Phipps and Colonel the Hon. Charles Grey. The other members of the committee present were Earl Granville, Sir Charles Lyell, Sir Charles L. Eastbke, Sir William Cubitt, Mr. Boring, 'MX., and Mr. Baxley. Mr. Edgaf Bowring, secretary to the committee, attended. The meeting broke up at 12 o clock. _ . . _ . . . A meeting of the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of the Works ,of Industy of all Nations was held imme diately afterwards, l'rincc Albert presiding. The other royal commissioners present were Earl Granville, Lord John Russell, Sir Richard Westmacott, Sir Charles Lyell, Sir Charles L. Eastlake, Sir William Cuhitt, Mr. Baring, I M.P., Mr. Barley, Mr. T. F. Gibson, Mr. Pulley, M.P., Mr. John Shepherd, and Mr. Hopkins, president of the Geological Society. Mr. Scott Russell and Mr. Edgar Bowring, secretaries of the royal commission, attended. Dr. Lyon Playful., and Colonel Lloyd, special commissioners, were in attendance. Mr. Henry Cole and Mr. C. Went worth Hake, of the Executive Committee, were present. The meeting of the Royal Commission broke up at ten minutes belore 1 o'clock, when Prince Albert, attended by Colonel the lion. C. Grey, proceeded to the Paddington terminus of the Great Western Railway, and returned by a special train to Windsor Castle. Mr. Robertson, of the Cape Mounted Rifles, had an in terview with Earl Grey yesterday at the Colorial-office. The Cambridge University Commission hail a meeting yesterday at the official residence of the First Lord of the Treasury, in Downing-street. )'resent:—The Bishop of Cheater, Sir John Herschel, Professor Scdgwick, and the Rev. W. 11. Bateson (secretary). Mr. John Wood, Chairman of the Board of Inland Re venue, had an interview with the Chancellor of the Ex chequer on Wednesday at his official residence in Downing street. _ _ . The Marquis of Lansdowne returned to his scat, Bowood Park, Wilts, yesterday, from Windsor Castle. Despatches from the Governor of the Cape of Good Hope were received yesterday at the Colonial-office. Despatches were also received yesterday from the Governor of Sierra Leone. CITY OF LONDON ELECTION ACTS. Yesterday, at the Court of Common Council, Mr. Deputy HARRISON brought up the report of the freedom committee, with the draft of the proposed bill for amending the City of London Election Acts. He stated that Sir l'eter Laurie had two motions upon the paper of business, the one affecting the privileges now possessed by the freemen householders of the City with reference to the choice of their own magistrates, the other relating to the periodical election of magistrates, and he suggested, for the convenience of the court, that the latter motion should be first discussed. (Hear, hear.) Sir PETER LAURIE then rose to move, in accordance with the suggestion of the chairman of the Freedom Com mittee, that, " So much of the proceedings of the court upon the report of the Freedom Committee as relates to tho peri odical election of magistrates, he rescinded, and that notices to parliament be altered accordingly." Ho was not in sensible to the defects of the Court of Aldermen—(" hear, hear," and a laugh)—but he would unhesitatingly say that the administration of justice by the aldermen of the City of London was not surpassed by the exertions and judgment of any other portion of the magistracy of the metropolis. (Hear.) Ile maintained that the pe riodical election of magistrates was unknown in the City. It was true that in the time of Edward 11. the aldermen were elected annually, but the aldermen were not then magistrates. The law already provided for the removal of aldermen under certain disabilities. The Queen's Bench would remove an alderman who was legally obnoxious. The Court of Aldermen could remove an alderman upon sufficient reason, upon a petition from a ward, and what was more powerful than all put together, public opinion would render an obnoxious alderman totally powerless and insignificant. Deputy LOTT seconded the motion. • • • - Mr. BENNOCII trusted that the court would not stultify itself upon that occasion by coming to an adverse vote. Ile believed that it was essential to the well-being of the cor poration of London that the election of the aldermen should periodically take place. (No.) They had had instances of this during the last kw years when they bad come into contact with obstreperous aldermen. (Hear.) He trusted they would adhere to the principle of the periodical elec tion of the aldermen; for, if they persisted in not doing so, they might be certain that they would cause a general excitement, which they would be unable to withstand. Alderman SIDNEI having defended the course he has taken with reference to the list of voters in Billingsgate Ward, said he was surprised to hear it said that it was not possible for tkem to get rid of an alderman who might prove to he obnoxious. Why, they had it already enacted that if any person holding the office of alderman, or com mon councilman, in the city of London, should declare himself, or be declared, bankrupt or insolvent, or should apply to take, or should take, the benefit of any act for the relief of insolvent debtors, or should make any composition with his creditors, or should cease to occupy certain pre mane., or should altogether absent himself from his duty for more than six calendar months consecutively, unless prevented by illness or other reasonable cause, or should ' be convicted of fraud or of any crime, then and in every or any such case, such person should thereupon immediately become disqualified. It did not follow that the court had not the power to act because occurrences of this kind in that court were extremely rare, and at that rarity he (Add. Sidney) rejoiced. He believed that if they were to poll the entire city they would find that to a man the people were content to leave the magisterial functions in the hands of the aldermen, rather than throw them into the hands of the government. (Loud cheers.) lie believed, moreover, that the system of periodical election was open to many grave objections, such as the intimidation of parties filling the magisterial chair, and thus causing a check to the spirit of justice faithfully administered under the present system. In conclusion, he entreated the court to agree to rescind their former proceedings If they did not they would destroy their position, and the government would no doubt soon grant them more than they required, for the "de structive party," as he might call them, in the House of Commons, would be most happy to seize an opportunity of i t taking . from them their old and undoubted privileges. Some further discussion having taken place, On a division being called for, the numbers were de clared to be— For the motion For the report of the committee Majori•y 4i was received with cheering.—Ad- The al jotuned. THE GREAT EXHIBITION. The royal commissioners held a meeting yesterday at the Crystal Palace at half-past 11 o'clock, His Royal Highness Prince Albert being present as president of the commission. The commissioners sat till near 3 o'clock. The following report wu adopted " TO TYE QUEEN'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY. "May it please your Majesty,—We, the commissioners ap pointed by your Majesty's royal warrant of the 3rd January, 1850, for the promotion of the Exhibition of the Works of Industry of all Nations, and subsequently incorp orated b y your Majesty's royal charter of the 15th August, 1 8 50, humbly beg to submit to your Majesty the following report: " The Exhibition, for the promotion of which we were ap pointed by your Majesty, was finally closed on the 15th of October of this year, and we humbly beg to report to your Majesty that the medals and prizes have been awarded to the successful exhibitors by the juries appointed to judge on the merits of their productions, and urc in Course of distribution. The full reports of the juries will be laid before your Majesty when completed, together with the list of the successful competitors. We are now engaged in bringing to a close all the business connected with the Exhibition, and in defraying the various expenses incurred during its progress. Most of the claims on the funds at our disposal, however, are already discharged, and after all shall have been satisfied , a considerable surplus will remain, the precise amount of which cannot be ascertained uutil the accounts arc finally wound up, when they will be duly laid before your Ma jesty, but which surplus we have reason to believe will not be less than 150,0001. " This surplus will consist in the balance that may remain in our hauls after deducting all expenditure from the sum of (in round numbers) 503,0001., which has been derived from the following sources : Subscriptions £67,400 Entrance fees 421,400 Casual receipts Total J:505,000 " Of the entrance fees, a portion has been paid by foreign visitors, and it was owing to the fact that the contributions of all nations were there displayeti, that the number of visits made by persons attracted to the Exhibition amounted to upwards of 6,000,000. " The subscriptions were derived, with few exceptions, solely fiom your Majesty's subjects, and were made after a public announcement :that they must be ' absolute and definite,' but that should any surplus remain it was the intention of your Majesty's commissioners 'to apply the same to purposes strictly in connexion with the ends of the Exhibition, or fur the establishment of similar Exhibitions fur the future.' . "We humbly beg to renresent to your Majesty that we arc of opinion that it is nut advisable to apply the surplus to thelast-named purpose. Considering that the Exhibition which has just closed has afforded ample proof that an un dertaking of this kind can be made self-supporting, and that it may safely he left to the public again to ptovide, when required, the means of meeting the preliminary expenses,— considering also the impossibility of fixing long Isefore hand any definite period for the repetition of such an Exhibition, which requires for its success so many concurrent circumstances,—we arc of opinion, that greater benefit may he derived by the public from a judicious application in the interval of the means at our dis posal to the furtherance of the general objects for which the xhibitiun was designed, and in such a manner that the advantages which may be obtained should not he confined solely to your Majesty 3 subjects, but should be shared, as far as it may be possible, by other countries. "Those objects your Majesty's commissioners conceive to have been the furtherance of every branch of human indus try, by the comparison of the prucessea employed, and of the results obtained by all the nations of the earth, and by the promotion of kindly international feelings, by the practical illustration of the advantages which may be de rived by each country from what has been done by others. Your Majesty's commissioners have the satisfaction to be able to express' to your Majesty their conviction that the Exhibition has, to a great extent, attained these objects, and that in its consequences the most beneficial results may yet be expected. Already many requirements on the part of the public have become apparent during the course of the Exhibition, and have found expression in various suggestions made to us fur the application of the surplus; many of them, how ever, were for objects quite inconsistent with the pledges above alluded to, whilst others, though for purposes in ac cordance with them, were of a limited, partial, or local character. _ . . . " Your Majesty's commissioners are of opinion that no measures could be so strictly in accordance with the ends of the Exhibition no those which may increase the means of industrial education, and extend the influence of science and art upon productive industry. We arc fully aware of the difficulty of devising a comprehensive plan to meet these objects ; should the view, however, which we have taken as to the manner of fulfilling tea pledges meet with your Majesty's approbation, we beg to assure your Majesty that we shall give our fullest and most careful consideration to this important subject, and we would suggest that full time should be nlliirdcd us to consider and mature such a plan as we should feel warranted in laying Winn your Majesty, the more so as from the disproportion between the end proposed and the means at present applicable to it, much will depend on the extent of co-operation we may receive from the public. 44 We are advised, however, that our powers under your Majesty's royal charter will cease when all the expenses inci dental to the Exhibition shall have been discharged and notice thereof given to your Majesty's Secretary of State, and that we have not the power of deciding upon the dis posal of the surplus. lf, therefore, it be your Majesty's pleasure that we should act further in this matter it will be necessary, Wore we can take even any preliminary step, that your Majesty should grant to us by royal charter such further powers as your Majesty may deem necessary, to enable us to lay be fore your Majesty a scheme for the application of the sur plus in accordance with the expectations held out to the public, and with the sanction and approval of your Majesty to adopt such measures as may be necessary fur such purpose. All which we humbly take leave to report to your Majesty. " Given under our corporate seal this 6th day of Novem ber, in the year of our Lord Mil. (Signed) " ALBERT, " President of the Commissioners for tho " Exhibition of ISM." KOSSUTII. The following is a list of the committee for the Kossuth fund :—W. It. Ashurst, Esq., F. Bennoeh, Esq., R. Cobden, Esq., M.l'., Charles Gilpin, J. M. Ilawkes, Esq., J. A. Nieholay, Esq., Thomas Prout, Esq., Robert Russell, Esq., James Stanstield, Esq. Lord Dudley Contts Stuart, M.P., William Arthur Wilkinson, Esq., David Witton, Esq. Trustees: R. Cobden, Esq., M.P., Lora Dudley Stuart, M.P., Charles Gilpin, Esq., David Wit ton, Esq. Bankers: Currie and Co., Cornhill ; Coutta and Co., Strand ; Commercial Bank of London. Kossuth will be the guest of Alexander Henry, Esq., M.P. for South Lancashire, during his stay in Man chester. The Ma)•or of Southampton has received a special invitation from Mr. Henry to meet the Magyar chief at Woodlands, near Manchester, the seat of Mr. Henry. Koasuth, whilst at Birmingham is, in company with M. Pulsky, Colonel nary, and Mr. 'foulmin Smith, to be the guest of Charles Gesell, Esq., M.P. A deputation waited on M. Kossuth to present an address from the French proscrits, which had been written and signed on the 21st Sept., before the arrival of Kossuth in England. It was on the 31st of October only that it was presented to him in London. Kossuth received with much affability M. Barthelemy, who had been commissioned to meet him in the name of those who signed the address. He listened attentively to the reading of the address ; then, in presence of a large number of persons who filled the room, he replied as follows: " lam happy to be the object of the sentiments ex pressed in the address of the French democrats. My sympathies for France are equal to the admiration with which that great and brave people, the first champions of liberty, inspires me. I doubt nut that the French people, notwithstanding the resistonee of its government and the opinions which divide it, will still take the greatest and most generous part in the events which the future is pre paring for Europe. I wished to have had the power of traversing France to come to England, but Louis Napoleon has contrived that the French Republic, which has pro scribed its founders, should no longer be an asylum, nor even apiece of passage for republicans of other countries. My address to the city of Marseilles has made known that in my heart I should not make France responsible for the inhospitality of Louis Bonaparte. I have also affirmed in that address that I wish for my country the government of a republic. lam convinced that there is nothing possi ble henceforth in Europe but the republic based on univer sal suffrage, with the principle of the solidarity of peoples and the independence of nations. I ought to add that I do not think the opinions which are now discussed in France can be applied elsewhere, for the present. As for me, I do not wish to occupy myself with those ideas which divide France. I ought only to occupy myself with that which is of a nature to ensure the independence of Hun gary. If I have not manifested in England that thought which I expressed at Marseilles it is because I do not , wish to interfere in the affairs of a country which gives me hospitality, and whose assistance I desire for the future of Hungary, for which, I repeat, I wish the republic based upon universal suffrage. You speak of temptations which will be offered to detach mo from the cause of democracy, and of homages which will be rendered me. It is right to tell you that I have seen none of these homages, and that, if temptitioas were tried to separate me from the cause of the people, the attempts, of which 1 have seen no sign, would fail with me." :41. Barthelemy then said —Your words will be re ceived amongst us with a satisfaction the more lively, in that they refute and reduce to their true value the asser tions of some English papers, which have not scrupled to declare that •the address to the city of Marseilles was not the work of citizen Kossuth; that that address was in vented by the French demagogues, and could not have been the expression of the thoughts of a man whose opin ions were simply constitutional. On hearing that the English papers had stated that the address to the City of Marseilles was not his, Kossuth ap peared much surprised, and said, with marked emotion, that not having time to read the newspapers, he was en tirely ignorant of what M. Barthelemy had just informed him, and added, that he would send to the papers a 1 contra di ct i on. I con - DOVER.—In compliance with a requisition to tho Mayor, signed by about forty of our most influential townsmen, a Common Hall was held on Monday even ing for the purpose of voting to M. Kossuth an ad dress, which was mond as a resolution by the Rev. T. B. N. Briggs, seconded by Mr. Councillor Bart, supported by Signor rflalucei, an Italian refugee, and unanimously lirDDERSPIELD.—On Tuesday night a meeting was held in the Philosophical Hall, Iftlaerstield, in order to agree to an address to Kossuth. The meeting was con vened by the chief local functionary, the constable, in com pliance with a numerously signed requisition. In the ab sence of Thomas MaHinson, Asy., thu constable, Wm. Winans, Esq., presided. The meeting, which was of a very spirited character, was addressed by the Her. John Glen dinning, Mr. Woodhcad, the Her. J. K. Montgomery, Mr. Skyrme, and others, and an address of sympathy was unani mously adopted. ST. ALBANS BRIBERY COMMISSION. The inquiry was resumed yesterday morning. Mr. Henry Shepherd Law was then esantined. lie said he was the town agent of Alderman Carden at the time of the last election. The alderman told him he had been solicited to become a candidate for St. Albans. and witness endeavoured to dissuade him from coming to the town. Sir Robert referred to a requisition which had been presented to him promising that he should be returned without any bribery. Considered that there was no chance of has being returned unless he paid money. Came down with 'he alderman, and converned the town ; and afterwards told him that he thought he had no chance. Advised him not to go on, but he persisted in doing so. The voters were so far pre-engaged, that even if he spent money he could not be returned. Mr. I'hinn said the alderman dad himself stated that ho thought be might have been returned if he would have paid a small sum. Mr. Law differed from him on that point. Mr. Rumball I asked him whether he intended to abide by his principle, and Mr. Dunning, a clergyman. put the same question. Remembered being himself pressed to advance money by Mr. Webster and by Mr. Blanks. On the day before the election Mr. Webster told him that the election might be secured for 5001. That gentleman desired to see him in a room by himself, and there told him that unless 5001. were advanced, the election would be lost, adding that means could be adopted to escape detection. Witness en deavoured to show him the absurdity of his proposing bribery, when the majority had promised Mr. Bell, and when Sir Robert Carden would not consent to give a shilling. Mr. Slade—What were the means which he sug gested ? Mr. Law continued—He said a parcel might come to him (Mr. Webster) by coach. Mr. Blanks proceeded in a diffe rent way; he was constantly endeavouring to get Sir Robert Carden into a bet of 500/.; he wanted to bet him 500/. that he would win the election. Was in connexion with Mr. Low. Understood that certain persons, being necessary for the election, would he paid fur their service,. Had sanc tioned the payment of Inf. to Mr. Webster, and 10/. to Mr. Faircloth. Received two cheques of 2001, each front the alderman, and handed them to Mr. Low, besides 2.101. on the general account. Had since settled with Sir Robert. Mr. Blanks's propositions were muds to the alderman. Did not communicate the proposition respecting the pay ment of 500/. to his principal, but took it upon himself to reject it. There were no other propositions. Mr. Low was the party who could state the expenses of the election. Mr. Theopliilus Webster was then called and examined— Was a surgeon residing in the town. Was born in St. Albans. Was a voter, and had been one for' 0 years. Had voted at all the elections since the passing of the Reform Bill. His political principles were liberal, and be belonged to the same party as Mr. Edwards. Was one of the gen tlemen who went to Sir Robert Carden. Understood front Sir Robert that he was a liberal conservative. He was to tome down to rescue the borough from its thraldom. Tho requisition had special reference to that object. The principal object of the party with whom he acted was to do away with the interference of Mr. Convects, who had pre viously interfered at the borough elections. His (wit ness's) object was to bring the borough into the condition in which it was before the Reform Bill, when cock voter received a guinea from the member, and all tho wive, of the voters half a guinea whenever they were con fined. (Laughter.) Approved of that system, and had wished, therefore, to reduce the price of votes. Had sumo conversation with Mr. Law in a roost by himself, and told him it was impossible for Sir Robert to succeed unless money wan passed. Something was said between Mr. Law and himself respecting money. Did not propose that money should be sent to himself by cum+. Said the election might be won for .5001. Did not say that detection might be avoided. Said that certain voters who had not promised might be paid, and that others who bad not promised might be sent away. Those were the old elect' tactics of tho borough. Was prepared to contradict what Mr. Law had stated as to the parcel and coach; in other respects that gentleman's statement was correct. Told Sir Robert Car den in Loudon that he was determined, if possible, to do away with the interference of Mr. Coppock; and also that there were many persons in the borough who were anxious to rescue it from thraldom. His father before mm had considerable influence in the borough. Mr. Phinn—Wan your object to acquire the same influ ence as was possessed by your father? Mr. Webster—My father was the friend of every one in the borough, and I wished to be the same. I did not con sider the old system of paying a guinea bribery; it was matter of custom. I objected to the interference of Mr. Ed wards as well as that of Mr. Coppock. Ilia object was that they should go on as they did in his father's time, and that every man should do as he pleased, irrespective of Mr. Coppock's influence. Mr. Coppock could come down and prevent a contest. Received 201. last May from Mr. Low for expenditure. Expended more than that amount for his losses. Gave his whole time to Sir Robert Carden, and paid another medical man to attend his patients. While ho was away his patients got whoever they thought proper, and on a bill being brought to him he paid it. Could not say how much he paid in all to medical men. Paid money for the attendance of Mr. Hutchinson and Dr. Hastings; not less than from 51. to 10/. The remainder went in the can vass. Some of the voters' wives asked for a new cap ; it was impossible to go about without being called upon to expend money. The mere expenditure out of pocket amounted to between 1.11. and 201. Received nothing therefore for himself. Was an intimate friend of Mr. Simpson, and was aware that Mr. Simpson's object was to obtain the control of the election instead of Mr. Edwards, the price being fixed at a lower figure. Mr. Slade (addressing Mr. Edwards)—We wish now, Mr. Edwards, to have some explanations front you with respect to previous elections with which you were con nected. From the language of the act it appears that the legislature would not be satisfied with less. Mr. Edwards re-examined—There were four candidates at the election in 1847. The lion. Mr. Craven was a libe ral; Mr. Itepton, a conservative ; Mr. Raphael, a liberal; and Mr. Wilkes, a liberal. That election had been long an ticipated. The parties in St. Albans were as usual prepared. The liberal party was divided. The witness then proceeded, at the wish of the commissioners, to give the following nar rative. It was the wish of the principals of the conserva tive party and of the liberal party that there should be no opposition, as the only means of doing away with the sys tem which prevailed. lie was a party to the arrangement, each party consenting to make up his fee for aiding in their election. lle gave an assurance to Mr. Blagg and Mr. Coppock that he would take no part in any contest; it being arranged that he should receive 2501. from Mr. Blagg on the part of the conservatives, and 2501. from Mr. Coppock on the part of the liberals. He kept himself aloof from the election until there were three candidates in the field. Ile then called upon Mr.Coppock, and told him his exact position. Mr. Coppoek wished his receiving the 2501. to he contingent on Mr. Craven's succeeding, but that he would not consent to. lie said, 0 You will lose Mr. Craven, and I shall bee my position, and we shall none of us get anything." There were three candidates in the field, and there was no prospect of Mr. Craven's getting in. Mr. Slade—Who were the three? Mr. Edwards—Mr. Craven, Mr. Wilkes, and Mr. Rep ton. He left Mr. Coppoek in anger, considering that that gentleman had broken faith. lie had before had Mr. Raphael in view, and he went to a person who was ac quainted with him. lie was told that Mr. Raphael was then on the Continent, but had a strong desire to sit for St. Albans, and should be written to immediately. In order that there might be no mistake, he mentioned to the party who undertook to write, that 3,0001. would be the expense of a contest, and out of that he should expect 5001. for himself. The result was, that Mr. Raphael came to England, and he (witness) received an intimation that he wished to see him. He had an interview with Mr. Raphael. They went into the question of expenses to gether, and Mr. Raphael did not dissent. lie referred Mr. Raphael to Mr. Blagg and Mr. B njamin Bond Cabbell, and the replies were considered satisfactory. Still there TIT a difficulty. Mr. Raphael hesitated to come; and, as there were other candidates in the field, he (witness) was losing his position. Before Mr. Raphael had determined to come a requisition to him was got up in the town. A day or two after, a gentleman drove to his (Mr. Edwards's) farm, and told him that Mr. Montague Gore had determined to come. Mr. Simpson came to his house on the same sub ject. lie told him exactly how he was situated—that he felt obliged to see Mr. Raphael again, and did not wish to lose him at that moment. They then got into the carriage and drove to the office of Mr. Gore's solicitor, in Lincoln's inn-fields. The result was that Mr. Gore declined to come. Mr. Slade—What did Mr. Gore call himself? The witness—A liberal conservative. Mr. Slade—Yon were prepared to take Mr. Gore if Mr. Raphael declined ? The witness—Yes. Mr. I'ninn—With the assurance of being aide to carry his election ? The witness—l had no doubt in my own mind about that. (Laughter.) Mr. Phiun—Politics bad nothing to do with the matter ? The witness—\o; he then went to Mr. Raphael, and urged him to make up his mind one way or other. The inter view ended in Mr. Raphael's coming to St. Albans and agreeing to spend 3.5001., giving him (witness) SON. to com mence with. Mr. Raphael said " If you succeed, Mr. Edwards, I'll make it up 5;0001.," and called several persons to the table to hear his statement. That was never made up ; though the promise justified him in going to a greater expense. Mr. Raphael came to St. Albans, ac companied by his solicitor, Mr. Macho, Mr. Sirapson,and