The Express. — London, England, 1866-05-18 00:00:00

fRIPERIIL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF ILiItDEI;, ! -TatrsarrAY, MAY 17._ . The Lost) Ciluicsitworteathb wet Oa the troolisele it EOCLESIABT/CALAg4V - (ISLE OP ItAN) BILL This.bill was iced s'seeestrtime. LAND DRApIAGE - SCPPLEMENTAL BILL. wee reeds seoelid time. CATTLE VIIIIRANCE BILL. This bill vas rid • pits O n. d time. Arroluisys AND 2 80LICITORS (IRKLAND) 1866 &LL. This hill was read a third time said passed. SELLING AND HAWKING GOODS ON SUNDAY On the motion that the rept* of amendments on this bill be con‘;tlered, . . Lord :10VG1ITON etrongl7 urged the noble and learned lord (Lord C'helmsfordl, to withdraw the bill, as he must have observed, that although no division bad taken place upon the principle of the measure, it was not because the bill was approved of by their lordships, but simply with the view of a ff ording opportunity for full and fair dis- mission. Lord CHELMSFORD said he agreed that it would have been infinitely better that the bill should have been introduced in the House of Commons, but he bad intro duced it in their lordship,' house upon theadvice of a mem ber of the other house representing a large metropolitan constituency, who considered that it would aid the object if thebill went down to the lower house with the autho rity of their lordships. Lord I'EYNHAM observedthat the bill proposed to shut up tobacooniats' shops but to allow the sale of tobacco in public-houses, and the consequence would be that those who supported their families by keeping such ahops, and whose profit was principally on the Sunday, would be in duced to take out beer licenses in order to enable them to continue their business. There were societies all over the country whose object was to promote temperance, and one of their principles was that the amount of drunkenness was in proportion to the multiplication of houses for the sale of intoxicating liquors, so that under the name of a bill to prevent Sunday trading they would in fact be in creasing drunkenness. Lord REDESDALE said the bill as it stood would give indirectly a license to descriptions of Sunday trading which at present were prohibited by law, and he was anxious therefore that the existing law should be incor porated in this measure. He proposed an amendment the effect of which would be to prohibit the opening of any mops for the sale of any articles except medicines being carried on during the time of morning service—that was to say, from 10 o'clock till 1 o'clock. He would leave the old law in force during every other period of the day. Lord TAUNTON thought a bill of this kind should be very carefully considered before it received the 'aunt of their lordships. The more he examined this measure the more strong was his doubt whether it was possible by legis lationit, of this ption * to introduce a law which should sot be much likely td do harm than good. Earl RUB S was glad that his noble friend had moved his amendment, which would much mitigate the severity of the bill, whilst the most useful clauses would be still retained. His noble friend who had just at down bad truly said that within the last thirty or forty years a groat difference had taken place in the observance of the Sabbath, but he suspected that his noble friend was mis taken as to the diminution of Sunday trading in the metropolis. (Hear, hear.) Instead of having decreased, he (Lord Russell) believed that it had very much increased. Ilis noble friend had said that the law of Charles 11. was practically obsolete, but what would it be if the number of persons selling on Sunday increased from 60,000 to 200,000? The result would be that the matter would have grown beyond the powers of the legislature to check it. If it were not checked the principal sufferers would not be the higher classes, who could make their arrangements and purchases on Saturday, but the middle and working chines, to whom the institution of a day of rest was most valuable. (Hear, hear.) For these reasons he hoped that his noble friend's amendment would be car ried; but still, although their lordships could not prescribe to the House of Commons what measures it should pau, he thought they would only be doing their duty by them selves pa ssing the bill. Lord CHELMSFORD defended the bill against the objec tions of Lord Taunton, and complained that, after the bill bad passed through the stormy seasons of second reading and committee, this amendment of the noble lord the chairman of committee on the report had taken him by surprise. He regretted to find the noble earl at the head of the government supporting the amendment, which he (Lord Chelmsford) deemed to be so much at variance with the principle of the bill that if it (the amendment) were carried he should deem it his duty to withdraw the bill. Lord PORTMAN hoped that the noble and learned lord would not withdraw hie bill, but would accept the amend ment, for which there was a precedent in the case of the public-houses. He feared that the employment of the police would render that force very obnoxious to the people. The Erxl of HARROWS Y opposed the amendment. If they insisted on shutting the shops duriug certain hours they virtually legalised them remaining open during the re mainder of the day . ......—..--_____ .. . . . The Earl of ELIENBOROI - CH said that the more he looked at this bill the more be was alarmed. (Hear, hear.) The objects it had in view were, he admitted, good ; he only wished they were attainable. Sunday trading was a great grievance, hut his fear was that if the bill they would have the grievance with a riot on its back7 se ll the poor women hawkers were taken up there would cer tainly be a riot, and a feud would be at once established between the people and the police. He should have objected to this bill before if ho were not certain that it would be rejected by the House of Commons. It had been said that bills from that house were seldom received with favour by the House of Commons, and, looking at the great affection which had recently sprung up in that house for the working classes, he did not think that this bill was likely to be more fortunate than its predecessors. He saw mischief in the bill, and should take every opportunity of voting against it. Earl GREY had not the slightest sympathy with those swim would give Jewish rigidity to the Christian Sabbath, but, on the other hand, he held that the Sunday of rest was an institution of the utmost value to the middle and working classes. He approved of the general scope and object of his noble and learned friend's bill, but when he came to examine its details, he must confess that he thought its exceptions somewhat arbitrary and difficult to reconcile. There were certain trades which were neces sary on Sunday, and for parliament to draw the line would be extremely difficult. If trade was interrupted for three hours, he believed it would in very few cases be resumed during the day. He was convinced from experience that far less animosity would he created in the minds of Sunday traders by the enforcement of the law by the public authorities, than by leaving that duty to be performed by private persons or by informers ; therefore if this bill should be paned, that clause should be retained which empowered the police to act, but, further, they should be required to do so. (Hear, bear.) Their lordship. then divided : For the clause—Contents 4l For Lord Redesdale's amendment — Non-contents The amendment having been carried, Lord CHEL3ISFORD and, that so far as he himself was concerned, be was not disposed to proceed further with the bill, but as there were many noble lords who were in favour of the bill as amended, it would not be respectful to the house to move that the order be discharged and the bill withdrawn, but he would leave it to any noble lord who chose to do so, to take charge of the bill. He would not say anything further upon the subject. The other amendments were agreed to, and the third reading of the bill was ordered for to-morrow, and Lord TAUNTON subsequently gave notice that on the !notion for the third reading he would move as an amend ment that the bill be read • third time that day sir months. • The following bills were !Tad a third time and . The Contagious Diseases Bill, the Inclosure Rill, trestr hour Loans Bill, and the Superannuation (Officers, Metro politan Vestries, and Di',trict Boards) Bill. The house adjourned at 20 minutes to 7 o'clock. HOUSE OF COMMONS.—TurnsDAT, MAY 17. The SPEAKER took the chair at a few minutes to four o'clock. PRIVATE BUSINESS. The following bills were read a third time and passed ; Abercarri Roads ; Aberdeen County and Municipal Build ings ; Belfast Burial Ground ; Bridport, Lyme, and South Coast Railway ; Combni.mtin and Ilfracombe Road ; Dub- IM and Kingstown Railway (Lease) ; Glasgow (City) Im provements, in. ; Kilmarnock Water ; London and South- Western Railway (Additional Powers) ; Manchester, Shef field. and Lincolnshire Railway (Additional Powers) ; Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire Railway (New Lines); Mersey Docks and Harbour Board (Outer Works Alteration) ; Mersey Pneumatic Railway ; Metropolitan Railway (Additional Powers) ; North Walsham and Dil haw Canal ; Salisbury and Yeovil Railway ; Solway Junc tion Railway (Capital) ; Yentnor Gas and Water; Walker and Wallsend Uni o n Gas. THE REDISTRIBUTION OF SEATS BILL. Mr. CROSLAND gave notice that when the bill for the redistribution of seats was in committee he would move that the borough of Huddersseld was entitled to an ad ditional member, and that such additional member be ac cordingly given to that borough. Mr. H. BAILEY gave notice that on the same occasion he should move to add to schedule B all those boroughs that had more than 8,000 inhabitants and less than 10,000. VALPMLMSO. Mr. GRAVES gave notice of his intention to ask whether the British consul at Valparaiso had been super seded, and if so the reason why. THE CATTLE PLAGUE. Sir J. C. JERVOISE aaked the Vice-President of the Committee of Council on Education when the copy pre sented on the origin, propagation, ke., of the cattle plague, in moderate supply, and met a tolerably fre e L a, fully the rates of this day se'nnight. f or , ,„„ a limited business passing, but rather win. out rally realised. AA active consumptive prices were firmly maintained. RI rather dearer ; other sorts std lit in better supply, and values gave wet quite as dear. Devise, MAY 17.-We had a good day, and at the opening of the market were in a few instances obtained, but ma I these prime gave way and a slow sale trifling reduction. Nearly the whole, hot by the close of the market. Of b ar l ey t h e than two or three samples in the market , possible to ma /me any return. The same apply to other articles, there being oak sacks of pesa, and 1 mach of oats pitch( 240. to 25e. ; best red, ditto, 24a sorts, 21e. to We. ; best barley, Ms. to 32a.; beans, 21a. to 25..; peas, ii vetches, 245. to 2es. ; rye, he. to t 37m.; best seconds, 325. to 34e. MANCHESTER, MAY 17.-Our mark) only slenderly attended by burns. the burliness passing was limited, currency of this day se`nnight. Oat and oatmeal 6d. per load dearer. Ilci advanced 6d. per quarter. In Ina= observable. NEWARK, MAY 16.-At our market was middling, and the trade proved quit were, however, maintained. Of barley . the waglß short, and prices were unchanged. Oats vary dem g h of beans scanty, and prices were higher. NEWBURY, MAY 17.-We had a good supply o f this day, the trade dull at Is. to 2s. p er qr. less t ea " No barley exhibited. Oats a ste.uly sale at ?mam a 1 , 84 Beans very firm. Brocarrott-ott•Tens, NAT 16. -The n o ist i f from the growers this morning was m obi which there was a good demand at an advance la I per qr. on lad week's peaces. Barley unaltered W e e dearer. Beans la. higher. Wheat qr . of 631 k to bushel-Durham and Yorkshire re d, BM. to 51a. ; white, 545. to 58e. ; south country red, 49a to 51a; white, 56a. to 57e. ; barley, grinding, per impaid 35e. to 36e.; oats, feed, new 26e. to 28 a • pi: 421 b. per bushel, 30s. to 31s. ; beans, new, eg g : tow old, •Mi. to 495. Use/um; Nay 17.-With a good supply of Amu 6 trade is not active, but former prices are well nigg le * There are but few samples of spring corn offering, le i mostly la per quarter dearer. EDDrsusaa, MAT 16.-As compared with lau wheat was Is. 6d. down on top, and 6d. down oa 1 was same on top, and Bd. down on average. were s. 6d. down on top, and 3d. up on average. were le. 6d. down on top, and la 3d. up on s Wheat, 435. 6d. to 53a. ' • barley, 345. to kh ; 27a. &L to 33e. ; beans, 468. to 51s. CATTLE.—Boteounue, MAT 17.—We mei* s seasonable time-of-year supply of beasts on offer W I Z the general condition prime ; the trade was steely, yyj rates. The supply of sheep was moderate ; trade sin, prices stationary. Lambs a fair supply ; trade fair. CA % - a fair supply ; trade slow. Fat pigs a moderate Beef, 6d. to 70. per lb.; mutton in wool, 104 is per lb.; ditto shorn, 70. to 844t1. ; veal, y Limbs, 33a. to 425. each ; bacon pigs, 10e. 6d is llh per score ; porket, ditto, 10s. Ocl. to lls. 3d. per Ni t Demerol, MAT 17.—After the short markets al tie two or three weeks we had an exceedingly beef to-day. The supply chiefly comprised male, there being only about 70 consigned bete y, land, although no restrictions as to export an h fop with respect to the recent outbreak of the cattle , there. 'rude was dull, but although there was animation visible throughout the day, the reduction ' took place in prices caused a large number of eine change hands ; best descriptions realised from 630. per cwt., and secondary from 584. to 625. A fall shy sheep, and trade being anything but brisk holders Lid submit to a considerable reduction ; anything veep realised from ltd. to Sid., and middling samples sit from 74d. to Bd. per lb. We had nearly 2,000 store from Ireland, and in consequence of the present • time prohibiting them being admitted to the cote ket, they were offered for sale in the large yard flit street. Owing to the high prices given for them in and consequently demanded for them here, trade no and a large number remained on hand. There we e show of pip, but there being little animation h prices continue to show a downward tendency, fret to 10s. 3d. per score being about an average figure. Norrorolte, MAT 16.—The supply of dead meat I much smaller. Trade brisk ; for the best pulite ei ' Bs. 6d. per atone the carcaae ; inferior, 6s. 6d. to h. The supply of mutton was smaller, and trade was at 9d. to 10d per lb. beet quality ; to 7id. Bacon pigs rather lower this week, 7s. 6d. to ds. per Forked pigs, N. to N. 3d. Number at market :—W day—fibeep, 720 ; pigs, 3. Saturday—Sheep,l3; pip, EDI/130E0H, MAY 16.—The number of cattle morning was 228, being 4 more than last week. Selo easily effected at prices considerably higher thee obtained this day se t. Top price 9s. 6:1 ; Bs. 9d. to 9s. 3d. ; middling and inferior, 6e. fd. to la per stone. The supply of sheep was less than Lest there being 2,138, or a decrease of 419. mutton, 94d. to 111 d. ; Cheviot ditto, 100. toll i clipt hogga, 9d. ; p t ditto, 110. to le. per Ih pigs brought Bs. 6d. to 7s. per stone. Numbers is —Fat cattle, 226 ; gyp,2,138 ; pigs, 16& TRAFFIC RETURNS. Miles Pas- Iter- Tstal, RAILWAYS. open @engem ebaudne. 1260. Week ending March 10. E g g 1. 11 Great Southern of India 79 310 354 034 Week ending April 7 . Bahia and San Francisco 76 227 461 6E2 - Week ending Aprll 8 . East Indian 1124 13,759 37,302 51,331 2,1 481 LSS 3 '305 0 311 49 ON 320 457 777 Ottonnin Ditto April 16 Ditto April n Week ending April 28. Grand hunk of toads —1277 10,623 10,063 '✓6,706 Week ending May 4. Dublin and Meath .... Week ending May IL Belfast end County Down.. 441 436 367 706 Z 5 189 95 884 NORTH LONDON RmLwAy. —A special gaol meeting of shareholders in the above undertaking trwifld yesterday at the °Mee, Ruston Station, Mr. Bancroft te the chair, for the purpose of considering the (01101640 now before parliament, entitled, " An act for sathanitN the London and South Western Railway Company to NO and maintain the Brentford curve, and the &irk* curve, and other works, for authorising s between them and other companies, for autliorTg e r or transfer to them of the Okehampton Railway ; feria increase of the capital, and for other purposes." solicitor having read the heads of the bill, the obsora moved the formal resolutions approving of the ha were unanimously agreed to. A shareh o ld er complains:l 4 the inconvenience caused to passengers on the line by the rules under which the company were working sues to opening of the new station m Broad-street, City. non rules were acting very injuriously to the interests of tlss company, as many persona who would otherwise be 1 ' sengers travelled to the City by omnibus in couseto"' The chairman promised that the subject should be Wm into the consideration of the directors. [Advertisement. 1-11oLLowAY's OIL stan OP Pats —Effectual Aid.—ln the sad time of sickness it iseVer log to know that a remedy does exist, and that It cal be 10' dated at little cost. Holloway. Ointment and Polls wt. valuable in relieving pain, reducing inflammations and rec ce disordered actions. They never can be misapplied, we can tin under any circumstances cause mischief. Taken In appnie•? Mee* they are a blessing to the rich, when suffering trio low gestion, gout, skin diseases, Ac., and a boon to the Poo , fl ." m struck down by Illness. Holloway's medicines should De Icy!! on of all soldiers, sailors, and emigrants. who Irdl 11 '7 possession to relieve pain and cure disease when tocataiw aistance cannot be obtained QEi I t a Under .. pot, land ( rebalr pa+ Dlre( unless Mader has Dallas OK* 86 dap meat and a vortunity. be followed jpg lath Ju SO Black B. X. MAO aria It t rxn iptiching t ferrYing .oemvr IX 17, ao Forward p rs I =Wm ../.,t AM sod MACE VUNA AM I Atha's rod betwo Ai Malibu Ibi or eau at Cork to tr . MOM, rlln EIE 30, Wiril7 or ETAVTI el W a rra TIPPS az Vatvarsal ME'r —At Com paISyP n ECSD Os advez issaniTT That th to confer ; u tbelr ant arogrrn the time lating Is hereby more 04 is: l c sll : 6lll : 44ru z et: lait : d eeNwr ir t ir ha ffretegingrfeetea' hi pv t . te h it elig" :. • Tre mc I, however, was •y there wer e n o t sure ream{ w A uly one lath tu Ito 245. ild. to 40e. • 4" oth, 19e. to 2Y, ; • to Mee 1 75.; tine flovs, 35., voo d oo to rket this moe o i k - In • wheat and t i Bias we T to Al oats were Id. p 434 (t , v. the an ßeens oorn ers u r o l c r iteve , I t the mA . Wel .et th e sh ow of •be . to will quiet ; extrem e • Itariar IL- _ ir-411 AOTIC IN now Ye. 6, WESTSII All aro Y to ebs. interest 11, war THE NOTIC ORDINA Madras 1 vertisem Instant, place, S = 1 :71 pany a*, sa.Orlitr And I Of June to be tre ea Extr the Of& Yon nen for &del of the 1 %s e t n 4 lite.7th II and T HI Ii pabUitl GEO. B. P Robl Army Bear, ] , tord-I • B• 14 "Roza' Ileum . Gasi ArDrra Th the pat ow, a -see • pra Ift• lira fa tZtet - lbw 'Ware • tualuti wit Dort of linbtlat Yd at BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, AND DEATEI BIRTHS. BEVAN. —May 15, at Cedars-road, Claphant.cormat t— of W. Bevan, Lg., of a daughter. HULL—May IS, at Richmond Howe, Crowbar st-reed, the wife of Mr. U. K. Hull, of a daughter. MeLEOD.—May 16, at the Western Heights, Dover, the' ilsd Lieutenant-Colonel W. K. McLeod, 74th Highlander.. of ~.1 * MILLS.—May 15, at Howrah House, East ludia.road, Mrs. J. Mille, of a daughter. d PATRY.—may 15, at the Chesnnta, Sydeolumi.MlL the s lk R. S. ritzy, Beg., of a daughter. 0 dl, STUART.—May 15, at Victoria-road, llainpetead, the E Stuart, Eag., of a eon. ILLILRIAGES. BARRON—BRICK—May Ig, at the pariah church, Eri d g l it by the Bev. T. C. Tanner, P. Barron, Esq., of Rri oa. .._ d wick, to Day, daughter of the late R. P. Britt, ". Gothelney. DAVENPORT--000MB8.—Nay S. at St. 8.-n-- - quire. Clapham-road, by the Rev. J. H. T. Louisan,. J. T. Lenenport, Nei., of ilillwood Tulsehlt So i ii 2;. danghter of J. L. Coombe, Zoo, of Cla -road. OV TON—IUDALL.—May LS, at St. Georiret, Ba a l square, by the Rev. J. Turner, W. H. Overton, yea., Foot, to Marian, daughter of J. itudall, Fag, of DEATHS. READ.—May 15, at Upper Revive -place, Pimlico, F. 2.4 ESTIIhr i -I:ay 16, at 13loomsbary-aquare, Dr. J. S" vali . wed 46. TJlik. - Ir-: a ttay --. 15, at Ifigh-street, St. Marylebolle. 1•t" 811 . ITH. L.a M zUs at Aedn A France, 8. B .Bh . r.. 1 , XIII: wife of E. A. Tamer, Fad. 11 TIBBETTS —May 15, at Haelmey-mad, Mr. W. Tinhetts, Ned WOLLOCOMBE —May 15, at Btowford Radon'. Dena. tis 11° J. Wollocombe, aged 90 Printed and Published by Waium Irmo RALA of Dr Lomb rd-street, in the City of London, Prluter.•• Office In Lombard-street, In the Precinct of White FRIDAY, MAT 18, lIMS. I THE EXPRESS, FRIDAY EVENING, MAY 18, 1866. 27th and 28th April, lb:Al, would be in the bends ca' Mr. BRUCE st..t , 1 that the printed report had been ordered to be sum to evo.y member of the house, ant. .10 hoped it would be delivered in a few days. No evidenee had been taken ; the report was not that of the commis sion, but of the'veteriniwy department. MALE OCCUPIERS IN CITIES AND BOROUGH& Ilt. SCHRELBEIraaked the President of the Poor.law Board when the returns would be presented of the number of male occupiers in the cities and boroughs of England and Wales between 10/. and 20/. Lard , ENFIELD , said he hoped the returns would be issued shortly alter the Whitsuntide recess. THE PANIC IN THE CITY AND THE BANK OF ENGLAND. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER, replying to inquiries pale 'him by Captain Gridley and Mi. Wyld, stated that he had not received any representations in the nature of complaints by persons said to be aggrieved or inconvenienced by the conduct of the Bank of England during the prompt monetary crisis ; but rumours had reached him on the subject which he admitted might require some explanation. On Friday last the Bank made advances upon government securities to the ex. tent of 919,0001., on Saturday the amount was 740,0001., and on the three following days the further advances brought the total for five days up to 2,874,000/. With regard to the general accommodation to merchants and others, the Bank bail discounted bills to the extent of 9,350' ,000/., within the five days, thus making the total of advanoes in that period 12,22 b 0001 . The rumours to which he had referred might, perhaps, be traced to the circumstance that the directors had, in reply to applica tions from some parties, recommended them to try the open market and realis e ; but it was only right to state that, in cases where that advice had been followed, and the securities could not be realised, except at a great depreciation in value, the directors had given the relief required. TRANSUBSTANTIATION, Ac., DECLARATION . ; menu of some part of their own improvements. That awn pensation should be given for improvements effected with out the consent of the landlords was of the essence of the bill ; and, after arguing that as the original title to land was acquired by reclamation from its original state of waste, so those who performed subs equent improvement earned some kind of title, he warm ly pressed the house to pass the bill in a spirit of justice and, conciliation, express ing his amazement that after so much suffering at our hands the Irish people should be conciliated by so small a boon. . _ The bill was supported by Mr. Dillon, who contended that the bill, giving compensation for retrospective im provements, agreed to by Mr. Napier, Mr. Whiteside, Lord Naas, and Sir H. Cairns, went much further than this measur e; by Mr. Pim, who maintained that it would be the last piece of exceptional legislation which would be necessary for Ireland ; and by Mr. Seunderson. Mr. C. S. READ examined the provisions of the bill from the position of a practical tenant farmer, concluding that in an occupancy of 21 years the tenant would have reaped the full benefit of most improvements, that many improvements might be made which would be a detriment to the landlord. and that if this exceptional legislation were sanctioned it would be difficult to maintain the law of distress and the law of hypothec in England and Scotland. . . . . Mr. WHITESIDE argued at length in favour of the resolution, condemning the measure as unprincipled, unjust to the landlord, and delusive to the tenant, and contending that it had been introduced simply for political purposes as part of the compact with the Irish liberals concluded by Mr. Bright's letter to the Lord Mayor of Dublin. . . Mr. SYNAN reviewed the previous attempts at legisla tion, arguing that the bill fell short of the recommenda tions of many of the best authorities, and ascribing the opposition to party feelins. The discussion was continued by Sir F. Heygate and Mr. &monde, and at 12 o'clock a motion to adjourn it, made by Mr. Bagwell, was carried by 167 to 164. A warm discussion was caused by Mr. Gladstone pro posing to take the second reading of the Customs and In land Revenue Bill, postponing Mr. Hubbard's resolution on it relating to the fire insurance duty till a future stage. A motion to adjourn the debate was rejected by 120 to 101, and on a further motion being made to adjourn the house, Mr. Disraeli seized the occasion to criticise sharply the arrangement of the government business. Ultimately the debate was adjourned until to-night. A number of orders were forwarded a stage, and the house adjourned at ten minutes past 1. *parting Intelligence. EPSOM RACES.Thultsnmr. The Intermediate day between the Derby and Oaks has appro priately been designated an "off" day, and such It certainly was yesterday. The road presented a deserted appearance, and the town, though full of professional racing men, looked empty when compared with the multitude which tilled Epsom on the Derby Dec. The weather was particularly fine, the sir being much milder than It was on Wednesday, and the aspect of the Downs, strewed as they were with the debris of the monster pic-nic held four and twenty hours previously, looked somewhat barren and cheerless. The racing, as will be seen from the accompanying return, was of the tamest description, and requires no comment. *The Oaks betting underwent au extraordinary change, for though Repulse at the opening of business was supported at as little as bto 2, she subsequently receded to 10 tot while her stable com panion, Ischia. became the leading favourite for the ladies' race. Several other fillies met with substantial support at the prices quoted below. The following Is a return of the days racing. 'THE TALIWoRTH STAMM of 10 lave. each, with 90 added : for 2-yr-olds, let ; three, iist 27b; fillies and geldings allowed Sibs. The winner to be sold for £9OO. T. Y.C. Lord Coventry's La Mute, by Wild Dayrell—Fenella, 3 yrs, Bst 13Ib (J. Adams) 1 Mr. W. 0. Craven's f, by Oxford. dam by Mountain Deer— Ibis, 2 yrs, est 11Ib 'Kenyon) 2 Mr. Stevens s AdamantheN 2 yrs, 6!t lllb 'H. Covey) 3 promised — Ulla cvrnit if;,; VIZ GRAND STAND STAVIN iHandicap, of 10 sore, each, h ft, with 100 added ; winners extra. One mile and three quarters. (14 subs.) Mr. Wadson's Boleno, by Leamington—C-01=We, 4 yrs. 7st bib (Heartneld) 1 Lord Wilton's Sandal, Syrs, 71t 81b J Grimshaw) 2 'clii . u:cin also ran. Betting: 3 to 1 on Sandal„ and 5 to 1 bar one. THE TWO-THAR-OLD STARES of 10 sore each, with 50 added for colts. Bet 10lb ; Allies, bat 71b ; winners, 51b extra. Haifa me! IS 91 1 1 ). Mr. Chapll n's Problem, by Newminster—Triangle, 84 121 b, (Inc Meat) Mr. Beadinan's commissioner, 84 101 b (Clement) Baron Ituthsc/Abra Chignon, fist 71b (Adel) 3 Verdi, Bcoder, and Phantom Sall also ran TBB Eason Cue of 10 sous, with 200 added; for Syr-olds, 74 21b ; hair. sat 101 b ; eve, 9st alb ; six and aged, Oat bib ; with certain is.naltles and allowances. Derby Course. mile. (ltniuba Marquis of Hastings' The Duke, by Stockwell—Bay Cella, 4 yrs, Sat 10Ib % Cannon) 1 Mr. Barber's The Clown, 5 yes, Oat Mb (Cowley) Betting 30 to lon The Duke. Tug bourn-Waimea.* STAKES of 10 sou. each, h ft, with 100 added, for horses of all ages ; winners extra. One mile . C.arew's Oodmersham, by Lambourne--Bay Banter, 4 yes, Sot 4lb (Edwards) 1 Lord Rendb,ham's Effervescence, S jTS, Sat 'Buller, 2 Mr. Thellusson's Actiel, 3 yrs, tat (car ast 11b). Murray) 3 The following also ran : Br ahma, Applecroas, Vixen. Steam boat, The Czar, Tuaculanetun, Lau o' Gowrie, and Haaketon Maid. Betting : sto 1 each agst Steamboat and Brahma, 8 to I agst Lass o'Gowrie, 100 to 15 agat The Czar, s to 1 each agst Tuscola mum and Applecroaa, 10 to 1 agat Effervescence, 100 to 8 apt Huketon Maid, and 100 to 8 agat Godmersharn. HER MAJAsTes 11.4.72, of 100 guineas, for mares only : 3.yr old, 7st 9lb ; four, Nat 71b ; Ove, lOst llb , six and aged, lOst 31b. Two miles and ailuarter. Baron Rothschild's Tonrmalln, by King Tom—Flash of Lightning, S yrs, 7st 91b Peake) 1 Mr. Simile's My - rrhina, 3 yrs, 7st 91b ;f l Covey) 2 Betting: S to 1 on T0%1171111113, who made play throughout, and won in a canter by 8) lengths. THE EPtioll FOUR-TEAR-01D STAKES of 50 sovs. each, h It ; for colts, Sat 111 b ; tlWev, Sat tilb. One mile and a half. Captain Gray's Audax, by Voltigcur—Amason, 4 yrs, est 11Ib J. Smith; W.O. THE WILTON STAKES was void. BETTING ON THE COURSE. OAK S. - - - - - - 9 to 2 eget Ischia 31 10 to 1 agst La Dauphine t) 7 to 1 Tormentor (t) 10 to 1 -- Repulse t) 7 to 1 Wild Briar (t) 11 to 1 Proaerpine t) b to 1 The Mayonnaise filly kt, AnnmoNst ARRIVALS. —Pia 110.aniond, Repulse. and Ischia. The Queen Is struck out of Th 4 nine, Mayonalse filly, Fair Oaks. CRICRET.-110ESKHOLD BRIGADE V. QUID/MRCS. —This match was played yesterday at Lord's with the fol lowing results :—Quidnuncs, first innings, 188 ; Brigade, first innings, six wickets down, 161. _ _ , SINGLE-WICKET MATCH.—A match was played at Lord's ground on Wednesday, and excited considerable interest, both . players batting with one hand only. Mr. Buller won in one innings, as the following score will show :—Hon. T. de Grey (first innings), b. Buller, 12; ditto (second innings), c. and b. Buller, 27; wide balls, 3—total 42. Mr. C. F. Buller (first innings), not out, 41 ; wide balls, 3—total, 44. Umpires—Grundy and Roston. THE ROYAL THAMES YACHT CLCR—The entries for this great race on Monday next from abreast of the Non lightship to Dover harbour, for prizes of 100!., 50/., and 50!. value respectively, for schooners (luggers to class with schooners), yawls, and cutters, open to all Royal Yacht Clubs. the first boat of whatever rig to receive the 1001. prize, closed last night at the Club-house, Albemarle street, Piccadilly. THE FIGHT FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP.—Lest night the final deposit was made for the forthcoming fight be tween Mace and Gosa for the championt belt and 2001. a side. One of the other arrangements come to is— " that the men shall fight in what is termed ' the home I circuit,' and that the battle will take place before the close of the present month." Both Mace and Goes were reported to be " well up to the mark, and anxiously looking for the day of battle." The betting is at present slightly in favour of Mace, but the friends of both men are sanguine.—Post. AMU:4BION OF ATTORNEYB.—More than 150 ap plications for admission as attorneys will be made in the ensuing term, of which number 102 are original applica tions. There are notices for the vacation, and renewed motions for admission. THE HOP PLANTATIONS.—ROCHESTER, MAY 17. —The recent cold wintry weather has proved less detri mental to the growth of the young hops than had been expected ; and, on the whole, the young bine is coming forward vigorously, most of the plantations already pre senting a luxurious appearance. During the past fortnight there have been one or two rather severe frosts, which have proved very disastrous to the young hops in many of the more exposed localities, and in several of the gardens they have received such a check that they are scarcely ex to recover. Notwithstanding these drawbacks, ro e w te etr, the prospects of the planters, on the whole, are very promising, the plantations at no former period pre senting a better appearance than is the case at present, throughout both Mid an 1 East Kent. Should the weather during the next few weeks become warm and showery, much of the mischief that has been occasioned by the late fronts will be remedied, and a good hop year confidently looked forward to. Since last year a large extent of land throughout Kent has been brought under hop cultivation, the hop acreage, which before the repeal of the duty had been for some time diminishing, being now on the increase. The market continues very firm, all best hops fetching hi Eli prices. THE NITRO-GLYCERINE QUESTION. —The parlia mentary committee of the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board have agreed to and forwarded a memorial to the Board of Truk praying that a special act of parliament may be brought in for the regulation of the storage and shipment of nitro-glycerine and other dangerous substances. Mr. Tobin (the chairman) said the government were fully alive to the importance of this matter, and were about to take measures for the protection of populous districts, but that no definite steps had yet been taken. HEALTH AND STRENGTH RESTORED BY DU BARRY'S DILICIOrS REVALIIITA AEASICA FOOD, which cures without me dicine or inconvenience dyspepsia Jndigettion;, cough, asthma, consumption, debility, constipation, diarrheea, palpitation, ner vous, bilious, liver, and stomach complaints It saves fifty times Its coat In other remedies, and is the beet food for infants 60,000 cures annually. -Du Barry and Co., No. 77, Etegentutreet, London, W. In tins, at Is. loci. ; Ilb., 2s. 9d. ; 121bs, 23. ; 9411 e., 40e. ; also still, Oranechurchetreet; 4, Cheapeide ; OS, 160, and 108. Oztorddtraet ; and at ail Grocars.--(Advartlaement.] .. THE BISHOP OF LONDO . N'S liar!). C Yesterday afternoon the annual meeting of the gentlemen composing the Hoard of the Bishop of London's Fund, comprising representatives of all the local associa tions throughout the diocese, was held at the offices, No. Oa, Pall-mall. In the wretted absence of the bishop, Lord Bosoms of Terms was called to the chair. Mr. T. Bodley, the secretary, read the annual report, which was a very voluminous document. It appeared from it that the whole number of mission districts connected with the fund was 7t . Of these 60 had been established by means of grants from the fund ; 12 originally belonged to the Diocesan Church Building Society, and bad mince been adopted by the fund ; two were established, by the Dio cesan Home Mission, and three independently of the fund. Of the 80 .missions founded by grants from the fund, 30 were founded through the initiative of the com mittee. There had been a considerable decrease in the income during the past year. The total re ceipts between Dec. 31 1863, and Dec. 31, 1864, were 71,269/. 12s. 23., and in the comsponding.period in 1865, 48,248/. Ria. The income was therefore less than one-half of what was hoped would have been contributed, and of what wee actually required if the fund was to accomplish the work which was proposed. A large part of the income of the year had been derived from new donations received from the original subscribers to the fund, as well as from the instalments of subscrip tions previously promised. But the increase in the number of the subscribers had been much less than might have been fairly expected. Of the total fund no less than 117,000/. had been subscribed by 96 individual contributors or public bodies. What was urgently needed was the general interest in the work of the vast number of persons In the diocese whose means would most easily enable them to assist it, and by whose united effort it could at once be accomplished. At the present moment the staff of clergy whose stipends were paid in whole or in part by the fund was 111, and the annual charge was 12,435/. The stipends in 6ve cases which were not included in the above number bad ceased. In four of these cases the endowment bad been obtained, and one was about to be endowed. The number of scripture readers for which grants bad been made was 48, and of parochial mission women 21. The annual charge for the former was 2,336/., and for the latter, 445/. The distribution of grants for buildings, sites, and other purposes not requiring annual renewal was as follows :-30,760/. had been voted on account of 34 churches. Of these, 14 had been consecrated, four others were opened for services, nine were being built, and the works of the others would be begun as soon as sufficient funds had been raised, 13 of the churches thus aided had been already endowed by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners. The other churches for which votes had been made would have a suf ficient population attached to them to enable the incum bents to claim endowment grants from the Ecclesiastical Commissioners as soon as the churches were completed. In 61 mission districts grants to the amount of 27,5061. 9s. 3d. bad been voted for buildings, leases, and for some incidental expenses, as fittings and repairs. There was also an annual charge of 5051. for the rent of moms ; 8,500/. had been voted for 19 school buildings, and 1,000/. hail been placed at the disposal of the Diocesan Board of Education for the fittings and maintenance of the new schools during the first year of their existence ; 765/. had already been expended in small grants under this head. Additional school accommodation had been also provided to a very considerable extent in the miasion There had been voted 10,025/. 10s. for church sites, 7,509/. for school sites, and 9,540/. 9s. 3d. for sites for mission stations. The report concluded with an elaborate review of the past, and an earnest appeal for increased aid to enable the fund to deal with some of the pressing cases which were daily arising. Lord Ebury moved the adop tion of the report, which was seconded by Viscount San don, and carried. Mr. Richard Hoare and Mr. Arthur Mills were elected to fill two van:melee on the executive comn.ittee caused by death. 1 i I THE POLICE COURTS. BIAN4ION•HOCSK The two Frenchmen, Loads Desalting and Wi Mane Bung, who were apprehended last week by Foulger, the de tective officer, upon the charge of having been concerned in an extensive system of fraud upon persons residnig at Paris, and otherplaom in France, were yesterday brought beta. Alderman Waterlow for further examination. Mr. Templeman appeared for the defence. It will be recolleoted that at the 'first examination it appeared that the prisoners had been in the habit of writing to persona of respectability whale names they obtained from the French Directory, she letters beig dated•from places of apparent mercantile business, in foTming them that papers of impertanoe had been trans-, witted to them fiom Southampton which would be sent on receipt of a certain sum for charges. The pri• Boners had taken rooms in different parts of London, under the amounted names of Ley and Co., Dolby and Co., &c., wherrisll letters ruldeeked to them by those names were received, and in this way they appeared to have received altogether considerable sums, chiefly in postage stamps, which they, of course, immediately turned into crab. _ . . . Foulgcr, the officer through whose exertions the pri soners had been apprehended, and the system of fraud for the present put a !stop to, stated that since the last exami nation be had obtained possession of other letters ad dressed to the prisoners in their assumed names from France, and several of them contained postage stamps, but none of the parties who bad been defrauded were in at tendance, indeed there had not been sufficient time for them to come from some parts in France where they re sided. He had also been in communication with the French consul; but he did not know whether he intended to take up the prosecution on behalf of the French govern ment. He had no doubt that the prisoners were connected with the two men, Jourdain and Bathe, who were charged with a similar offence at this court a few mouths ago, and that the prisoner Deseours was the person ref, reed to upon that occasion as having stated that he had six hundred letters ready to be sent to different persons abroad. The officer added, that if further time was afforded him he bad no doubt that he should be able to procure additional evidence against the prisoners. Mr. Templeman expressed his opinion that there really was no evidence against the prisoners, and that there was nothing to show that they were the writers of the letters to the persons abroad. Alderman Waterlow said it appeared to him that there was no doubt that the prisoners were acting together for the purpose of arrying out an extensive fraud, and he should, therefore, remand them for another week. ABOLITION BILL In reply to Mr. NIWDEGATE, Mr. e.FORTESCUE stated that the government had not taken charge of this bill, but they gave it their sup port. Mr. COGAN said he intended to postpone the second reading of this bill until Tuesday, the sth of June. CHURCH RATE ABOLITION BILL In reply to a question put by Lord J. MAtairrss, The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said the e vernment had fixed the second reading of this bill for the 25th inst., and he hoped to be able to bring it on then. The government were desirous of advancing the Customs and Inland Revenue Bill a stage ; and unless it was un reasonably late, he hoped to move the second reading of that bill that night, with the view of placing it on the paper as the first order after supply to-morrow. THE GENERAL BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE. In reply to Sir S. Notrotccrrz, The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he hoped to take the National Debt Reduction Bill on Thurs day next, and on the Friday in the next week to move the second reading of the Church-rates Abolition Bill. On Monday, after the Whitsuntide recess, he proposed to con tinue the consideration of the Reform Bills. TENURE AND IMPROVEMENT OF LAND (IRE LAND) BILL. On the motion for the second reading of this bill, Lord NAAS rose to move the following amendment:— "That this house, though desirous of simplifying the method of securing to tenants compensation for outlay made in permanent improvements, is of opinion that, in any measure relating to the tenure and improvement of land in Ireland, it is expedient to maintain the principle affirmed by the act of H6O, namely, that compensation to tenants should be secured in respect of those improve ' meats only which are made with the consent of the land lord. That, in the opinion of this house, the provisions as to the improvement of land in Ireland contained in the measure of her Majesty's government would operate in juriously on the position of holders of small farms in that country." The principles upon which this bill was founded were condemned last year by Lord Palmerston, the present Attorney-General for Ireland, the present Chief Secretary for Ireland, and by Lord Dufferin, who he was rejoiced to see a member of the government, and who was examined before the committee, and gave the moat valuable evidence upon this subject. After the retirement from office of the right hon. baronet the member for Tamworth the whole policy of the government with regard to Ireland appeared to have changed. (Cheers.) Since that time some most important announcements had been made by members of the admi nistration. Some time ago the Secretary of State for the Home Department announced that important changes were about to be introdueed into the system of the Queen's Colleges ; only the other night the Chief Secretary for Ire land promised material alterations in the rules of the Commissioner, of National Education ; and on another oc casion, when a motion was made by a member below the gangway, directed against the estab lished church in Ireland, the same right honour able gentleman wished the movement God speed. (Cheers.) He should be the last person in the world to impugn the motives of any man or body of men in that house; but these things were being discussed out of doors, and it was remarked by the newspapers that it was a very strange co incidence that these changes were promised and these alterations shadowed forth at a moment when the exigen cies of party were particularly severe, when close divisions were expected, and the government were in need of all the support that they could obtain. (Hear, hear.) The ATTORNEY-GENERAL for IRELAND informed the noble lord that this bill was not the result of pledges which had been given in view of the critical state of affairs to which he had alluded. When his right hon. friend the Chief Secretary came into office this was the first question which was discussed between himself and his right hon. friend. He then stated the principles upon which he thought the landlord and tenant question ought to be settled, and it was upon those principles that this bill was founded. (Hear, hear.) He should not then enter into any general defence of the policy pursued by the govern ment towards Ireland. He left that policy to stand upon its own merits. It had been founded upon sound, upon just, and upon liberal principles ; and he believed that it would meet with the approval of that house. (" Hear, hear ;" and au HON. MEMBIR—" And of Ireland.") He felt convinced that if this bill passed into law it would not interfere with any just right of property. It would only prevent bad landlords from doing what no good land lord would ever do, and he could not therefore think that such legislation was subversive of the rights of property. The noble lord had said the bill would produce a want of confidence between landlord and tenant. There was always a want of confidence between a bad landlord and his te nants, while on the other hand there was always a certain amount of confidence between a good landlord and his tenants • and the bill now before the house, while it would do nothing to impair that just confi dence, would in the other case afford that legal protection which was due to the tenants who improved the land in their occupation, and who were fairly entitled to ask that they should be compensated for the improvements they effected. Such a law would, he thought, give a healthy stimulus to the cultivation of the land, and re move a great amount of soreness and disaffection from the occupiers without interfering in any way with the just rights of the landlord, and therefore he trusted the house would be prepared to sanction the second reading of the bill. (Cheers) Mr. LOWE pointed out to the Attorney-General that if this bill rested, as he maintained, on natural justice, the tenants of England and Scotland, who were not to have the advantage of it, would be treated with grievous injustice. Natural justice, however, be defined to be • fulfilment of contracts, and the introduction of a com pulsory term into voluntary contracts was a blunder and a solecism, for if both parties knew of it provision would be made against it, and if one were ignorant a fraud would be committed on him. This was a matter of imperfect obliga tion which must be determined by contracts between the parties, and could not be enforced by laws. If a tenant, he argued. used the land for anypurpose not contemplated by his contract, by making improvements or otherwise, he had no right to compensation for such breach of contract, and he warned the house against being led to deal with this question on sentimental grounds, maintaining that in dealing with Ireland, above all other countries, it was our duty and our safety nut to deviate from the strict principles of political economy. After criticising the language of some of the clauses, be asserted that the reason for introducing this bill was not so much a craving for compensation—for no actual grievance had been shown before the committee—as a desire to perpetuate small hold ings, in which the priesthood naturally had a great interest. These contracts must be regulated by supply and demand. Emigration and other causes, if left to work alone, by re ducing competition, would in time put the tenant in a position to get better terms, but in the meantime he main tained it was cruelty to the weaker party to promote a measure which would embitter the relations between land lord and tenant, and might stimulate evictions and lead to the aggregation of email holdings. Concession, he warned the house, could not stop here ; fixity of tenure must follow, and ultimately a permanent settlement, like that of Bengal. In conclusion, he laid great stress on the un wisdom, in dealing with a people among whom prevailed wild dreams of reconquering the land, of relaxing in their favour laws of property which were still held just and right for other portions of the country. Mr. MILL welcomed the bill an the most beneficial measure everconferred on Ireland by the English legislature, not even excepting catholic emancipation, and described it as the fulfilment of Mr. Gladstone) promise to treat Irish question. according to Irish exigencies, and not by English routine. He pointed to the circumstances of Irish history and to the social state of the country an a proof that England and Ireland could not be treated on the ' same principles • but it was England, not Ireland, which was the excepti onal country, for no country had under the owners of land corresponding classes of intermediate capitalists—farmers and tillers of the soil living on day wages. Peasant cultivation, he asserted, had never suc ceeded without fixity of tenure ; but he warned those who wished to change the present peasant system to the Eng lish capitalist-farmer system that it must be done by raising the hest of the peasantry to the position of fatalism and the only mode, he argued, of doing that was by a bill of this sort, which would give them a taste of the blessed effects of ownership, and would secure to them the enjoy- MERCHANT SEAMEA'S HOSPITAL. A public meeting was held last night at the Sailor,' Institute, Mercer-street, Shadwell, Mr. THOMAS BASING. M.P., in the chair, for the purpose of bringing under the notice of the mercantile marine the claims to support of the new hospital at Belvedere, near Brith, on the Thames, for disabled and worn-out merchant seamen. To help the meeting, which was numerously attended, to form an adequate notion of its extent and appropriate situation, a spirited representation of the building, painted by Mr. Rogers, the chief scenic artist of the Britannia Theatre, was hung over the platform. Mr. Baring, in opening the proceedings, recalled to mind that the com merce of the country owed much of its greatness to the sailors engaged in the merchant service. He candidly ad mitted that the extensive mercantile house to which he belonged felt it to be its duty to assist in the esta blishment of this institution, and it afforded him un feigned pleasure in having bad the opportunity of assisting 1111 the initiating of the hospital at the Mansion house, and of presiding over the present meeting. We had retreats for our worn-out soldiers and sailors at Chelsea and.. Greenwich ; but until now no such national asylum had been thought of for our disabled merchant seamen. It was estimated that there were no less than 250,000 sailors employed in that service, and of these 3,000 were generally driven to seek shelter in workhouses, or to sub sist upon outdoor parochial relief. These simple facts de monstrated the necessity for the Belvedere institution, which would be now further explained in an address from its secretary. Captain T. TRIBE, in responding to this iyquest, gave a rapid history i of the ho spital, urging all who had " a shot n his locker " to come forward and assist the effort. The building was within a quarter of an hour's journey of London, and contained 65 rooms, and bad 24 acres of land attached to it. It was now capa ble of receiving 150 men, but its capacity was equal to the wants of 500, and it was proposed gradually to raise the inmates to that number. Royalty, the government, and every large commercial town, with the City of London and Liverpool at their head, had lent their aid in launching the good ship Belvedere, of which it was ex. pected our sailor prince would shortly hoist his Hag_ as commander, by becoming its president. The institution would be chiefly self-supporting, and,under a plan of subscription by the seamen themselves, partake rather of the character of a provident society than a charity. . . Captain Hunter proposed, the Rev. Mr. Wilkson seconded, Captain Peter Campbell supported, and the meeting by acclamation, a resolution declaring that, corn as it was of officers and seamen of the mer cantile marine and of shipowners and gentlemen connected with commerce, it hailed with much satisfaction the state ment it had heard of the progress made towards providing a refuge for the aged and disabled seamen of all ranks who were in need, and establishing a national pension fund for them, and annuities for their widows. A second retvulution was carried, pledging the officers and seamen present to become trubecnbers to the institution, and to exert their influence in its behalf with their brother sailors, and a vote of thanks to the chairnuui terminated the proceedings. THE SA molts' HOME, WELLS-STREET. —The annual meeting of the friends of this institution was held yester day at the Home, Wells-street, St. George's-in-the-East ,• Admiral Sir W. Bowles in the chair. The secretary read the report, which, after referring to the success attending the operations of the institution, alluded to the satisfac tory opening of the additional b uildingi in May last by the Prince of AS ales, a building worthy of the object for which it was erected ; theexpense attending the erecting, and fitting, and furnishing of which was about 20 0001. The boarders at the Home during the past year had been— British seamen, 7,260 ; foreign ditto, 2,120 ; making a total of 11,390, of whom 243 had been also victualled daily at the Home during the year. The report then went on at great length to enumerate the many be nefits conferred on the seamen by the existence of the homes in various parts of the United Kingdom. The in come for the year had been 11,019/. lls. kid-, and the ex penditure had been 7,801/. 16a. 3d., with 9731. 3.. 11d. advanced to the building fund, which left a balance of 2441. lls. 6d. The invested fund was 3,4111. The Rev. Mr. Pattison moved, and • Admiral Buckle seconded the adoption of the report, which having also been spoken to by the Hon. Capt. Maude and Messrs. Brown and Barnes, was agreed to. A vote of thanks to the chai rma n closed the proceedings. BRITISH HOME FOR INCURABLES. —The annual meeting of the subscribers was held yesterday at the Lon don Tavern, Mr. Charles Hood in the chair. The report stated that since the establishment of the institution 93 patients have been elected to its benefits, of whom 40 were inmates and 53 were out-pensioners. Some few have also been admitted on payment, and there are at present re siding in the Home 35 patients. Among these severely afflicted persons there is to be found nearly every form of suffering under which humanity can exist. The sub scriptions and donations of the year had amounted to 6,969/. 4s. 7d. During the same period 3,5701. was invested in approved securities, and the Dotal investments now amount to 13,2861. 3s. 4d. The balance in the hands of the treasurer was 438/. 12s. 10d. In moving the adoption of the report, the chairman mentioned that in two years time the asylum would be quite fun, and it would then become necessary to seek a larger house, or cease to make new elections. At the termination of the ordinary business of the meeting an election of eight in and eight out pensioners took place. There were ninety-four candidates, but it was announced that three of them had died since the publication of the lists. Lew .Assoclertolv.—The annual general court of the Law Association for the benefit of widows and families of professional men in the metropolis and its vicinity was held yesterday afternoon, at the hall of the Inoorporated Law Society, Chancery-lane ; Mr. Lenience Desborough in the chair. The forty-ninth report, read from the chair, showed that during the past year 32 cases of the primary class had been relieved by the distribution among them of 1,3251., while 250/. had been applied to the cases of the second class, being the widows and families of non members. Three life and seven annual members bad died during the year, and the association now consists of 738 members. The receipts of the year had amounted to 1,1161. 12s. 4d. from dividends, and 5834 16s. from sub scriptions, besides a donation of 105/. and a legacy of 901. The capital stock of the association now amounts to 26,4471. 14s. 4d. The report was unanimously adopted. METROPOLITAN DISTRICT RAILWAY. A special meeting of this company took place yesterday at the offices, Westminster-chambers Victoria street, to take into consideration " a bill to °Outer addi tional powers on the Metropolitan Railway Company, to enable such company to alter and improve portions of their authorised works, and to acquire a dd itional lands, to con firm or authorise agreements with other parties, to extend the time for completing certain works, to amend the acts relating to the company, and for other purposes :" the Earl of DEVON in the chair. The CHAIRMAN, in opening the proceedings, stated that they were assembled on this occasion for the purpose of considering so much of the bill to which the advertisement referred as applied to the Metropolitan District Company. The only clause in the bill which affected their interest, and to which it was necessary to invite thoir attention, was the 4dth. That clause was to this effect : That the company (the Metropolitan) on the one hand, and the Metropolitan District Railway Company on the other band, from time to time may enter into arrange ments and agreements with respect to construction and the purchase of lands for their respective railways, and in reference to the working, use, management, and mainte nanoe of the railways of both companies ; the supply of rolling-stock and machinery and of officers and servants for the conduct of the traffic on the said railways ; the payments to be made and the conditions to be performed with respect to such working, use, management, and main tenance ; the interchange, accommodation and conveyance of the contracting companies, and the division and appro priation of the revenue arising from that traffic ; and the companies may agree to the appointment of and may conditionally appoint joint committees or a joint board for carrying into effect any such arrangement or agreement as aforesaid, and any lands or works which may be so purchased, or con structed for the purpose of the two com pa nies, may be held and used accordingly. The noble lord proceeded to say that the relations in which this company stood as re garded the Metropolitan Company rendered it necessary that it should have power to adopt some such machinery as was indicated in this clause ,• and it was to approve the insertion of that clause that they had invited the con sideration and assent of the shareholders on this occasion. He proposed • resolution in accordance with the terms of the advertisement. Mr. PARSON seconded the motion, which was adopted. A SHAREHOLDER wished to know whether this company was in any way involved by the reputed failure of Peto, Betts, and Co., and also in what way their money was in vested on the 31st December last ; w hether, in fact, any of their assets were jeopardised by the repo rted failure of that Arm? The CHAIRMAN, in reply, said that the event which they all lamented would not in any way, as far as the directors believed and knew, affect the interests of this company. They were assured by two other gentlemen who were con cerned in the contract that the event in question would in no way interfere with the carrying out of that contract, or lead to the interruption of the works. With regard to the investment of funds, he might state that there was no reason whatever to think that their money was likely to be endangered. . . . A PitoPeigeon wished to know whether the contractors stood possessed of the capital of this company. The CHAIRMAN replied that the contract was one for the payment of cash, and the directors only paid cheques to the contractors on receiving a certificate from Mr. Fowler, the chief engineer, as to the completion of given portions of the work. . . a The SHAREHOLDER—Then we are to understand that the contractors have received no shares in payment for works completed, but that they are paid in cash The CHAIRMAN said they were paid in cash ; and be added that the contractors received the amount due to them ler 10 per cent., so that if they claimed 50,0001. they received 40,0001., the remaining 10,0001. being left in the hands of the company until the completion of the entire works. After some further discussion the meeting separated with a vote of thanks to the chairman. MARKET& TALLOW.—THURIMAT Ermwo.—The market was flat. Spot, 44a. 9d.; June, 44a. 6d. ; October to Decem. ber, 47e. COTTON.—LrwraPoox, MAT 17.—We have had a rather quieter market to-day than yesterday, and prices are rather easier. American about Otd. easier. The sales are 5,000 bales, of which 500 are for export and specula. tion. WOOL AND WORSTED.— /burin - nip, MAY 17. The steadier tone of the Liverpool cotton market this morning, and the more peaceable tenor of the continental advice', have in some measure (relieved our market from the extreme depression which had characterised it for the last few weeks. As far as the actual business of the day is concerned, no improvement has taken place. There is an entire indisposition on the part of spinners to operate. The present unsettled state of monetary affairs tends to produce great caution. Stooks in the hands of staplers are not so small as has been reported, but they are held by those who can afford to retain them. Specials sorts, of a choice character, are sold at fair prices, and lower offers are made for other sorts of wool, but they are generally rejected. In wonted yarns there is the same indisposition to do business. The export mer- chants keep out of the market. A few order have been placed in two-folds for actual requirements. The demand for the home trade has fallen considerably, and spinners, though on the whole tolerably well employed, in many instances find orders running out without any prospect of their being renewed. Working short time is talked about. There is some slight improvement in pieces. Mer- chants are looking about and inquiring as to price,. Some few orders have been placed, but most merchants are pur suing' a very cautious policy, and refrain from buying. Stocks in manufacturers' hands are unusually low. Though prices have to some extent given way, yet the reduction is inconsiderable as compared with the fall in the raw mate rial. Several American merchants are in the market to day, but they are only looking round and testing prices. Novelties in fancy goods for the autumn are ready, but manufacturers so far find it difficult to obtain the high prices at which they are quoted. Business in the ware houses of the home merchants has been very quiet. Drapers have generally supplied themselves in prospect of Whitsuntide. LACE AND HOSlERY.—Norrifiolum, MAY IT: late panic in the money-market, and consequent high rates of discount, have been felt but slightly in business circles here. The lace trade is in about the same quiet state as it was last week, the continued diminution of orders from the Continent being compensated by more inquiries from America. There is very little change in the home trade, and quotations for all classes of goods are merely nominal. There are still few or no orders for the Australian market. The hosiery warehouses are mode rately busy for the season, there being a fair sprinkling of orders both for shipping and for home purposes. For the American fall trade there is also rather more business doing. Though the prices of cotton and yarn still tend • little downward much confidence is felt that the present rates will not be materially altered.—Nottingham Journat, CORN.—BIRVINCRAII, MAT 17.—At this day's market there was rather more English wheat offering, and the trade ruled dull at rather over previous currency. Barley scarce, and fully as dear. Oats 3d. and 6d. per qr. higher. Beans and peas tending upwards. BRISTOL, MAT 17.—At our market to-day there was much less activity than last week. English wheat was "d I F I r • a!•4 bi :a w hi; . atter • sioatbi T B APPLI 112CE1 sad £3A : N c mreet: tee .1 ohs AOA I awn; hot._ re . Mos Co ye Met 9181 Pull 1114'11 bed 0 1 1112us i ud ads G, 1 I I 471 kid b oblaby