The Express. — London, England, 1858-04-02 00:00:00

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Tesnememenre. by Tee Melee fig dyebilesiim HIGH NAT= AT LONDON BRIDGE. °Z.- LONDON, FRIDAY; APRIL 2. 131131ILAL MOURATILIT'd speech, reported in Our columns of yesterday, on the Emancipation of the Russian Serfs, recalls to mind the great banquet which took place at Moscow on the 9th of January. We did not speak of that banquet in the terms of confident congratulation employed by many foreign journalists, because we believed the rejoicing premature. On that occasion 150 landed proprietors celebrated the arrival of the time when the emanci pation of the serfs was to begin in earnest, under the Extrzaoa's leading. When it appeared that the speakers at that banquet attributed the continued existence of serfage to apathy on the part of the landowners, and that they believed the present movement to be something new, it was clear to all who bad attended to Russian history that the speakers were going too fast. Already events prove that it was so. We bear of " opposition to the " measure "on the part of the landowners generally ; and we find that a multitude of them are flying to St. Petersburg, to save their lives. It could not be otherwise ; and these men are not to be hastily and vehemently blamed, as if they were gratuitously obstructive to a great social reform. When it is seen bow far this movement is from being new, and what the institution really is in Ramis, and what has become of former efforts to abolish it, more moderate expectations will bo formed of what the EMPEROR and his supporters, with the sincerest and mos: anxious care for the good of all the parties con cerned, may and may not hope to effect, than were expressed by the patriotic gentlemen who spoke so stirringly at the Moscow banquet. Madams 1)z STALL says somewhere, "It is des " potism that is new, and liberty that is ancient." This is eminently true in the case of the labouring classes of Russia. They remained free long after various civic liberties had been overthrown ; and it was only in 1593 that the fatal law was passed which fastened the husbandman to the soil. BORIS was the Czar who did it ; and he did it as a neces sary consequence of his complaisance to the small proprietors, from whom he recruited his army, and whose favour he had bought by prohibiting the re moval of labourers from the soil on which they were at the time employed. The prohibition rendered the law necessary ; and the law rendered necessary a census of the peasantry; and both rendered neces sary • further proclamation of the impe rial will in 1597, by which servants by contract were forbidden to leave their service on the expiration of their contract ; and all pro prietors were authorised to appropriate as slaves any labourers who had been with them longer than six months. It is not our intention to follow out, at this moment, the history of Russian serfage ; but it was desimb:e to indicate that it is not an institution which has grown up with the country and nation, keeping the labouring population in a station mid way between the boasts on the farm and the owners in the mansion. The serfs of Russia are a class very superior to that of the most humane slave-holding country—strong traces of their ancient freedom and love of country remaining, after a subjugation of above two centuries and a half. The American Regrets who fought in the Revolutionary war, and even those who received public thanks for their con duct in ths war of 1812, superior as they were to the present set, who have undergone further depression for anceessive generations, were still far inferior to the Russian serfs who fought against the French invader in au, and so acted the part of citizens u to refuse to return under the yoke after the peace. The CZAR and his nobles were perplexed; but they knew that there was no appeal for these people— and no hope unless they were incited to violence; so they let them alone, and, as there was no represen tation in the country, no middle-class, no law, and no means of concert, they fell back into their former position u necessity compelled them. Reverting to the attempts made from time to time on behalf of the serfs, the first slight remission took place .n 1801, as a consequence of the dangerous discontent of the laoourers. During fifteen days, at a stated time of year, two serfs from each estate of a small proprietor might per to that of another of the same rank. The melancholy proverb by which the breaking up of an illusion makes it "a St. George's day," perpetuates this observance. It was on St. George's day that the serf was baulked of his hope of exchanging one owner for another, or found that he had exchanged a bad lot for a worse. In Russia, the intimations of the Czars are the laws; and the laws are therefore so numerous, that it is difficult in the extreme to hunt up and arrange those which relate to any particular class or subject. The Czars themselves are often unable to learn how the matter really stands, when petitioned by any sub jects who seek redress or favour; but the one thing which they find more difficult still is to get their own wishes embodied in action, and even their orders obeyed, when those wishes and commands are favourable to any oppressed class. PETER the GREAT was so shocked at finding that "men were sold like " cattle—parents being separated from their chil " dren, and husbands and wives from each other" (" a thing," he added, " which happens nowhere " else in the world, and which causes tears to Sow "), that he issued his mandate to the Senate to make a law to prevent it. The law was never made. On all such occasions, from reign to reign, the way has been to sympathise in the object, with great and loyal demonstration, and find difficulties in the Ant or second step, which prevent the project advancing beyond words. The Empress CATRCRIRI proposed to an academy the question of the emancipation of the serfs ; and a dissertation on the subject was pub lished by order of Government; but here, as usual, the statesmen of the Court found that the theory redounded to the honour of the sovereign, but that the practice required mach consideration; and nothing came of the move. Another move in the suns reign bad more practical consequences. In 1783, CATURRINE travelled into Little Russia, which had not formed part of the empire in the days of Boats, and there she imitated Routs in decreeing that all labourers should remain as property on the land on which they were at week. Some of her courtiers were made aware of the impending decree before it was divulged to the public; and these hastened to offer favourable conditions to as many labourers as they could collect on their estates in Little Russia. On the proclama tion of the fatal law all these dupes found themselves irreversibly attached to the soil on which they stood. One proprietor, a member of the Council of State, and a courtier of Portatxue, obtained the favour of having two fine regiments of grenadiers encamped on his estate; and he fierily contrived to iooorporate the whole with his seed, in virtue of the imperial proclamation. This was what CATHERINE did in regard to serfage in Russia. Next came PAUL. He was petitioned by the pro prietors whom his mother had endowed with slaves to permit the sale of serfs apart from the land—the plea being that, in Great Russia, the tariff bore a duty on slaves sold, which showed that they were merchandise. PAUL wrote on the back of the peti tion, " Peasants may not be sold independently of " the land on which they dwell." Next came ALEXANDER I. Thus far, nothing more had been thought of than ameliorating the condition of the serfs in some particulars. ALEXANDER was the first of the Emperors who conceived the project of emancipating the clams. On his accession he de clared his intention of never making those presents of estates, with the peasants on them, in return for service, of which his father and his grandmother had been lavish. While at a Congress (at Aix-la- Chapelle, we believe) he received a petition from some wretched men who had been carried from their homes, and sold into the hard service of a Scotch engineer who had risen in the service of the State to a rank which empowered him to hold slaves. The EMPEROR transmitted the paper to his Council, with an order to investigate the case, and a few lines in his own hand exploring his astonishment that slaves had been sold apart from land. He was con fident, he said, that such a sale had long been illegal. The point was difficult to clear up; and the practise was to pronounce the act illegal, and to go on pee petrating it. There was a good deal of inquiry— commissions of lawyers and statesman furnished draughts of new laws; but nothing came of it. The majority of the Council, and of society about the Court, dreaded any public mention of such a project, because it would, even if baffled, manifest a leaning in favour of emancipating the labourer. All pains were taken to keep the subject oat of the Imperial eight ; and the CZAR in fact forgot it. The President of the Council found it necessary to carry home the scheme which found most favour, in order to examine it, and he buried it in his portfolio. "So you believe," said he, to one of the sincere reformers in the Council, " that the EMPEROR is persuaded that twenty "years hence no men will be sold in de " tail on his own estates !" About that time a woman was sold for two roubles and a half within two paces of the EMPEROR'S palace gate ; and, this father of his people was perfectly unaware that such things were done. One day he wrought himself up, in talking of slavery, to an enthusiasm under which he seized an image, and vowed upon it to abolish the institution ; but when, towards the end of his reign, others desired to do it, they found he had been retrograding while they had been advancing. Count Wonowtorr and Prince MENTCHIKOPY made up their minds to take up and accomplish the work of emancipation ; and they knew that, to succeed, it was neoesealy that the Government should have the supreme direction of the requisite measures. They therefore spoke first to the EMPEROR, informing him that a considerable number of proprietors were ready to do their part in the work. A declaration to this effect was prepared ; and it soon bore the signatures of the owners of above 100,000 serfs. At first the EMPEROR appeared propitious ; and, indeed, he pro mised that no obstacle should arise on his part : but influences prevailed which filled him with dread of association, even among such men as had signed the declaration. At the second interview, he asked why they should unite. All did not belong to the same province ; they ought to act individually, and send their respective projects to the Minister of the In terior. The project was at an end; and the signers of the declaration found themselves coolly treated at Court for some time after. Some notion of what was doing got abroad, and various schemes were brought under the EMPEROR'S notice. To the last, he said he should occupy himself with studying them all, and should at length choose the best ; and thus they were all buried in the Imperial portfolio. The thing that was accomplished was the emancipa tion of the serfs in the three German provinces of Russia—Livonia, Esthonia, and Courland. The experiment could be tried there without being much heard of in the old empire : but, when success was obtained, and it was supposed, as of course, that it would be extended, obstacles were interposed, as on all prior occasions, by those who knew the weak side of all Curs. ALEXANDER was assures that the Russian proprietors were re solved on poisoning him, and held in their hands the strings of a vast conspiracy, which would be played out on the proclamation of any measure on behalf of peasant liberties ; and nothing more was done during his reign. Next came NICHOLAS. He began, like his prede cessor, by expressing his sympathy with the serfs, and his hope of doing something for them ; but the age had advanced, and fatal consequences ensued which shocked him to the soul. In some remote parts the serfs heard this, believed the CZAR was on their side, and slaughtered the proprietors and their agents under circumstances of extreme horror. NICHOLAS becamereserved in speech ; but he really effected something. More and more of the Crown peasants were liberated from ail bondage but a tax, which is rendered so heavy by the tax-gatherer as to serve the purpose of a fetter; but this is an evil of administration which might be cured. By an Ukase of April, 1842, proprietors and their serfs are allowed to enter into a contract by which the serf may make advances for a fixed term of years, in money or in labour, in order to be free at the end. If this ar rangement can be carried out fairly in practice, and if it is really acted upon, something has been done towards emancipation. And now there is a second ALEXANDER; and there are fresh discussions of the great question, and renewed promises. Our best wishes attend every serious project of serf-emancipation ; and it is pre cisely the heartiest well-wishers who should most carefully inform themselves and the world of what has been attempted—what has succeeded—and what has failed. It is for purposes of help, and not of discouragement, that ws remind ourselves and others of the fact that an ALLY...X=B once before promised emancipation at the beginning of his reign, where's he drew back toward; the close; and that such men u Count Woaoxsorr and his band of signers believed the work to be more forward than the speakers at Moscow last month can consider it, whereas they were disappointed. The advance of time authorises a hope of better things; but let the achievement come first, and the glorification afterwards. WATT has been restored to this country. PARK has been liberated conditionally, and will soon, no I doubt, be liberated absolutely. When it is consi- dered that during ten mouths of PALMERSTON and CLARENDON these men languished in prison without a single effort being made for their liberation, the speedy results that have followed the more energetio intervention of the present Ministry are no doubt calculated to create mixed feelings of satisfaction and humiliation. As far as these two unfortunate Englishmen are concerned, there is a certsin degree of satisfaction in reflecting that they have at length been released from an intolerable harden of unjust punishment and unmerited suffering. As far as England is concerned, it is to the last degree humiliating to know that this liberation has not been effected till one of the sufferers has lost his rea- son and both their health; that it has not been effect( d till the whole European world has been astounded at our strange long-suffering; and that it has at last been conceded as an act of grace, not paid as a debt of justice. It is of the last importance that the international view of this question should not be lost sight of. It would ill comport with the high bearing for which Euglan d in her dealings with foreign States was once so honourably proverbial, it would betray an entire forgetfulness of what is due to the jest demands of national self-respect, if the English people or the English Government were for a moment to treat the restoration of Warr and the qualified liberation of PARR, as a sufficient atonement for the indignity which, in their persons, has been offered to their country. Our case against the Government of the Two Sicilies is, that these two Englishmen were seized without a shadow of right, and impri soned for ten months in clear violation of inter national law. To suppose that such a case as this is to be adequately answered by send ing one of the men home, after he has been driven mad by ill-treatment, and lib rating the other, because his health is so far undermined that his life would be jeopardised by further im prisonment—is a pitiful conceit unworthy even of Lord CLARENDON. Even as far as the sufferers themselves are concerned, it is plain, on the very face of the matter, that their claim for reparation is irresistible. Mere liberation, with shattered health, impaired intellect and ruined prospects, from a cruel and unjust imprisonment, can never be accepted by the released prisoners themselves as an expiation of original wrong ani protracted outrage. Some sub stantial compensation is the very least that ought to be demanded in a case in which no compensation can be an equivalent for the wrong. But if this be so as between these prisoners and the Neapolitan Government, how much more strongly is it the case as between the Crown of England and the Crown of the Two Sicilies P Wrong has been committed ; insult has been offered; reparation must be demanded and obtained. From first to last the imprisonment of these two men has been as wrongful as it has been merciless. Is it a sufficient acknow ledgment of that protracted wrong and that studied contumely, simply to unbar the prison doors, which ought never to have been closed, to terminate a con finement which ought never to have commenced, and to release these two Englishmen, after their ten months' captivity, without a single expression of regret, a single promise of reparation, or the faintest semblance of an apology P We rather fancy that the TUDOR QUEEN and the Puritan PROTECTOR would have known how to reject and resent such an insolent act of condescension as this. Do our readers remember the story of CROMWELL, Cardinal MA ZARIN, and the Quaker ? In these days of diplo matic deference to despots it may really be as well to recall IL The vessel and cargo of a Quaker mer chant (there being no war between France and this country) had been wrongfully seized by a French cruiser. The Quaker complained to the PROTECTOR, and the PROTECTOR represented the matter to MAZARIN. MAZARIN, after procrastinating as long as he could, finally declined to interfere. Upon this his Highness instantly caused seizure to be made of three French vessels, then in English ports, had their proceeds sold, paid the Quaker the full amount of his claim, and then directed his Latin Secretary, Mr. MILTON, to inform the Cardinal that the balance was held at the disposal of the French Treasury. This very " nnamiable" proceed ing, we are told, was attended by the best results: it not only procured compensation for the immediate wrong, but prevented other wrongs of a similar kind from being attempted in future. There is an especial reason in the present case, why the CROMWELL style of diplomacy should be preferred to the CLARENDON, in dealing with King FERDINAND. It is not we alone who are interested in this question of the Cagliari seizure. Sardinia his a common stake in it with ourselves. Sardinia claims the restitution of the vessel, captain, and crew, on precisely the same grounds as entitled us to demand the liberation of the Engineers. Who can doubt that the policy of the Neapolitan Court in their tardy concession of complete or qualified libera tion to the two Englishmen, has been dictated by a desire to deprive Sardinia of the support of England, in prosecuting the claim in which the sub-Alpine State is more immediately concerned ? But are we prepared to be the ready dupes of an artifice so transparent? Are we to take this tardy concession, wrung from fear and craft, not justice, as a full satisfaction of our demands ? Are we to waive all claim to apology and reparation, and be very thankful that it has graciously pleased his Majesty of the Two Sicilia to forego, out of his sovereign will and pleunre, the luxury of continuing to inflict the mortal pains of Neapolitan incarceration on two Englishmen whom he never had a shads of right to detain in durance for a moment ? If we allow our selves to assume such an attitude as this, to evade a common prosecution with Sardinia of the claims of international justice, because we have been insulted by the parade of royal clemency —then indeed we shall have been rather losers than gainers in the world's estimation and our own self respect by the restoration of WATT and the release of PARK. But we will not anticipate such a con- summation as this. It is fair to credit with something nobler and manlier than this, a Ministry who, in this matter of the Cagliari, if they have not done much, have yet accomplished more in one month than my Lords PALMY-I=ON and CLJAENDON achieved in tell. NOTICE. Foreign-office, March 31, 1858. A despatch has been received by the Earl of Malmes bury, her Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, from Earl Cowley, her Majesty's ambassador at Paris, Rating that the competent authorities will be authorised, for the future, as heretofore, to furnish to British subjects resident in France passports to travel in the interior of the French territories; and also, in eases of urgent necessity, to grant purports to British subjects to return to England. CRYSTAL PALACL—In OULUO4 to the attractive mend innekal perfonneame this day (Good Friday), it be. been arranged that the " Old Hundredth Psalm" and the "Evening Hymn" shall be rung towards the came al the after Goon by the taw of thou.'s& who are expected to con gregate in the antral transept. The Crystal Palace bead, the band of the Coldstream Guilds, with the Greet Handel Festival organ, will ell join in this high act of pram and prayer, so fitted for the occasion. ZUt Cow. CONFIRMATION OF HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES. WINDSOR, Aram 1. The confirmation of the Prince of Wales took place in the Private Chapel at Windsor Castle this morning ; his Royal Highness having been examined on the previous day by the Dean of Wind sor, in the presence of the Queen, the Prince Con sort, and the Archbishop of Canterbury. The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Bishop of Oxford (Lord High Almoner), the Bishop of Ches ter (Clerk of the Closet), the Dean of Windsor (Resident Chaplain to the Queen), the Rev. Lord Wriothesley Russell (Chaplain to the Prince Consort), and the Rev. H. J. Ellison (Vicar of Windsor), took their seats within the rails of the Communion Table shortly before 12 o'clock. The Ministers and other company invited to wit ness the ceremony assembled in the Green Drawing room at a quarter before twelve. The ladies and gentlemen in waiting on the Queen and the Royal Family assembled in the corridor. The company were then conducted to their seats in the chapel. About 12 o'clock the Queen, the Prince Consort, and the Prince of Wales, accompanied by the Duchess of Keut, the Duchess of Cambridge, the Princess Alice, Prince Alfred, Prince Arthur, the Princess Helena, the Princess Louisa, the Princess Mary of Cambridge, and the Duke of Cambridge, entered the Chapel. The Queen and Prince Consort, with the members of the Royal family, occupied chairs in the centre of the chapel. The great Officers of State and the Ladies and Gentlemen in Waiting took their seats immediately behind the Royal Family. The re mainder of the company invited were placed in pews on either side of the Chapel. The Prince Consort and the Duke of Cambridge appeared in the Windsor uniform, and each wore the Whited, Badge, and Star of the most noble Order of the Garter. The Prince of Wales also appeared in the Windsor uniform. The gentlemen of the Queen's and Prince Consort's household wore the Windsor uniform, the members of orders of knighthood wearing their respective in signia. The gentlemen of the choir of St. George's Chapel attended, and Mr. W. G. Casino (organist of her Majesty's private chapel) presided at the organ. The ceremony commenced with Hymn 147, "Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire." The Bishop of Oxford read the preface, and bis Greco the Archbishop of Canterbury performed the c. remony, and concluded the service with an exhor tation. The Hymn 268, "Oh happy day that flat my choice," was then sung. The ceremony being ended, the Queen, the Prince Consort, and the Royal Family quitted the Chapel, and entered the Green Drawing-room, where her Majesty received the congratulations of the distin guished company present. The following were the royal and distinguished persons present : the Queen, the Prince Consort, the Prince of Wales, Prince Alfred, Prince Ar thur, the Princess Alice, the Princess Helena, the Princess Louisa, the Duchene of Kent, the Duchess of Cambridge, the Duke of Cambridge, and the Princess Mary of Cambridge, the Archbishop of Canterbury ; the Earl of Derby, the First Lord of the Treasury ; the Right Hon. Spencer Walpole, the Secretary of State for the Home Department; the Marquis of Exeter, K.G., the Lord Steward ; the Earl M la Warr, the Lord Chamberlain ; the Duke of Beaufort, the Master of the Horse ; the Duchess of Manchester, the Mistress of the Robes; the Bishop of Oxford, the Lord High Almoner ; the Bishop of Chester, the Clerk of the Closet ; the Hon. and Very Rev. Gerald V. Wellesley, the Dean of Windsor and resident chaplain ; the Hon. Mrs. Wellesley, the Countess of Caledon, the Lady in Waiting; the Hon. Lucy Kerr and the Hon. Mary Bullet', the Maids of Honour in Waiting ; Lady Caroline Barrington, the Lady Superintendent ; Lord Raglan, the Lord in Waiting; Major-General Berkeley Drummond, the Groom in Waiting; Colonel the Hon. A. N. Hood, the Equerry in Wait ing; Lade Mary Hood, Colonel the Hon. Sir Charles Phipps, K.C.8., the Privy Purse; the Hon. Lady and Miss Phipps, Colonel Biddulph, the Master of the Household; the Hon. Mrs. Biddulph, Colonel Francis H. Seymour and Lady Emily Seymour, Sir James Clark, Bart., Physician in Ordinary; Mr. Glover, the Librarian; Lord George Lennox, the Lord of the Bedchamber to the Prince Consort; Major- General Wylde, the Groom of the Bedchamber to the Prince Consort ; Captain Du Plat, the Equerry in Waiting to thePrinceConsort; the Rev.LordWriothes ley Russell, the Chaplain to the Prince Consort; Mr. Becker, the Librarian to the Prince Consort; Lady Fanny Howard, the Lady in Waiting to the Duchess of Kent; Lady Geraldine Somerset, the Lady in Waiting to the Duchess of Cambridge ; Colonel Sir George Cooper, the Equerry in Waiting upon the Duchess of Kent; Lady Cowper, Baron Knesebeck, the Equerry in Waiting upon the Duchess of Cambridge, Colonel Tyrwhitt, the Equerry in Wait ing upon the Duke of Cambridge, Mr. Gibbs, Tutor to the Prince of Wales ; Lieutenant Cowell, H.R., Tutor to Prince Alfred; Miss Hildyard, Madame Rollande de la Sange, and Mademoiselle Illhardt, Governesses to the Princesses. The council of the Prince of Wales—The Right Hon. Thomas Pemberton Leigh, Chancellor ; the Duke of New castle ; Mr. Alexander, Attorney-General ; and Mr. Whitmore, Privy Seal. The trustees for the Prince of Wales—The Lord Chancellor ; the Earl of Derby (invited as First Lord of the Treasury) ; and Lord John Russell. Other invitations : The Prussian Minister, representative of his Majesty the King of Prussia, Godfather to the Prince of Wales; the Countess de Bern storff, the Marquis of Lansdowne, K.G., the Earl of Hardwicke, Viscount Palmerston, K.G., Lieutenant-General Sir William Codrington, K.C.8., Lieutenant-General Sir George Boyle., K.C.8., the Vicar of Windsor, the Rev. H. J. Ellison, the Rev. H. M. Birch, and the Rev. C. Tsrver. Luncheon was served to the Royal Family in the White Drawing-roam, and to the general company in the Dining-room. The Duchess of Cambridge, the Princess Mary, and the Duke of Cambridge took leave of the Queen and Prince in the afternoon: the Duchess and Prince.. Mary proceeding to Kew, and the Duke re turning to London. The 'Ministers, Officers of State, and other visitors invited to attend the ceremony, took their departure. The Marquis of Abercorn, the Earl of Aberdeen, Lord Portman, the Dowager Lady Lyttelton, and the Right Hon. Sir James Graham, were unavoidably prevented from being present at the ceremony. Despatches wore sent yesterday from the Colonfel.ofEes to the Governor of Canada end the Govet norm of the West India lolanda. ROYAL VISIT TO THE BRITISH MUSEUM. Prince George of Saxony, accompanied by the Saxon Barat ta., Colonel Poneonby, sod three gentlemen of his house hold, viated the British Museum yesterday afternoon, and was shown over the whole building by the chief librarian, Mr. Paniuti The Prince seemed particularly st. ark by the satisfies library of printed books and manuscripto, and by the grand dimensions and extreme beauty of the reading room. He also spent some time in the apartments devoted to prints sad dratt:np, in the suite of rooms approptiated to Natural History, and in the hall of the massive Egypticu antiquities, Greek and Romen marbles, and Lydan anti quities. Sir Edward Buiwer Lytton, M.P., arrived in Lincoln on Tuesday last, and proceeded to Bayous Manor, the seat of the Right Hon. C. T. D'llyncoort, on Wed nemlay afternoon. " The bon. baronet," says the Stam ford Mercury, "sill undoubtedly experience a veil friendly reoeptien in the city on the occasion of hie lecturing in the Mechanic' Institute, for though there is an estrangement as regards politics be. between him and the majority of big former supporters, not one of the old liberals is likely to forget the services he tendered to the cause of civil and religious liberty during the nine years he represented Lincoln, and sash must re tied with pleasure upon the cordial and courteous feeling which ever distinguished the intercourse between the great littErakwe end his approving constituents." Lod Sudsley has apiointed the Rey. Jacob Hugo North, WA., of Brighton, his lordship's domestic chspislis. COURT OF COMMON COUNCIL. Yesterday a court was bold for the despatch of pablto btudnets. THE SITE OP THE LATE OILTEPIIR•STREET PRISON. _ . - Mr. CONNELL—S4 ring the chairman of the City Londe Committee (Mr. Underoberiff Parker) in his lem, lam desirous of a4ing him if he has any further information to suggest to this court in reference to the site of the late Gilt apur-street Priemt. I believe that the information con tained in tho report was not quite so full as it might have been. . . Mr. Under-rheriff PARKER—I am obliged to . my friend for the opportunity that he has afforded me of giving aome information to the court which I think will be highly satis factory. I ri-tut that wy friend Mr. De Jersey is not In his place. The award that was made upon this 00138A011 stated that the value of the site of Oiltapur-street Compter was 17,6401. ; that the v 4.100 of the freehold property we took In excltinge was 15,2671., leaving a balance of 2,3731. I am happy also further to state that, instead of now having a site of ground totally unproductive, as it hes been for a num ber of yew., we reeeive a net rental for the houses we have taken in exchange of 7631. (Hear, hear.) If you add to that the 3 per cent. upon the 2,3731., which the court hat ordered to be invested, you will find that we have a net income of 8431. (Deer, hear.) EQVALISATION OP POOR RATES. Deputy Lorr—l beg to ask the Retnetnbrancer whether • bill has not been brought into parliament to equalise the poor rates, and whether that bill does not extend to the City of Londrin _ . The REMENERANCER—A bill has been brought into pa-- 'lament for that purpose. I have not seen it. Deputy Lott moved, and Mr. PERKINS seconded, rhat the bill be referred to the Law, Parliamentary, and Chi Coasts Committee.—Carried unanimotusly. THE NEW CATTLE XARIET, Mr. H. L. TAltua,ehairman of the Markets Improvement Committee, brought up a report from that body, with the draft of • bye-lAN for altering the hours for holding the market fur the sale of horses, &c. The report was agreed to. THIS FIINOR OF TRH CORPORATION. Mr. SCANIELL brUtligh upa report from tho Coal and Corn and noise. Committee upon the subject of the right of the Court of Aldermen to draw upon the chamber fur a sum of 1.0801. 7s. 3d., which had been expended in op posing the London Corporation Ball in parliament in 1836. The report states, "The Court of Common Council having by resolution of Feb. 24, 1854, agreed to the principle of nut allowing the Court of Alderman to draw upon the chamber without the consent of your hon. court, which reso- lotion was assented to by the Coitrt of Aldetm - en, and sub• sequently affirmed by the Court of Common Council, as an essential part of the basis of a bill for reforming the ooyprra lion, we are of opinion that although such principle has not yet become law, it would have materially promoted the mutual good feeling which should exist between the two branches of tho corporation bad the Court of Aldermen carried into effect the spirit of such resolution, by having taken a vote of your honourable court on the matter before drawing on the chamber." The report was agreed to. POLICE COMMISSIONER. Mr. T. 11. FRY, chairman of a special committee appointed to consider the subject of the refusel of the Commissioner of Police to occupy the premises allotted him in the Old Jos ry for a residence, brought up a report. The report states that the committee were of opinion that the terms of the resolu tion of the court of Octobff, 1839, and March, 1841, re quiring the Commissioner to be resident within the City, should be complied with. The report proceede—'. Your corn mitteo have annexed hereto the case submitted under their d6ections to the Recorder and Common Berjeant and the other law officers of the corporation, together with their opinions thereon. That your committee have been attended by the Police Commissioner, whom they have heard relative to the accommodation afforded by the residence provided for him in the Old Jewry, and that officer having stated that he had found It necessary to make use of several of the principal rooms in such residence for the due conduct of official bud- arse in consequence of the extended demand fur the services of the police force, we recommend that a reference should be made to the Police Committee of this honourable court further to inquire into the subject, with authority to seek for other premises within the City suitable for a residence for the Police Commissioner, should tho circumatanoes appear to them to render such a course desirable." Annexed to the report is a case which had been submitted to the law officers of the corporation, and in which the fol low'ng questions were asked "Whether the Commissioner is entitled to require the allowance of 2001. per annum, in lien of a residence, from the year 1847, as recommended in the report of the Police Committee, not affirmed by the court P "And whether the Commissioner is legally justified by the prolugs of the Police Committee in vacating his e n tL ed City. in opposition to the resolution or the Court of Common Council of the 4th day of October, 1839." The opinion of the law officers is: "Ist. We are of opinion that the Commissioner has not acquired any right to the allowance of 2001. a year, in lieu of a residence, from the year 1847. " 2nd. We ere of opinion that the Commissioner is not legally justified in vacating his official mildew°, in opposi tion to the resolution of the 4th October, 1839. " Russell Gurney, Thomas Chambers, Ferdinand Brand, E. Tyrrell, Charles l'earson." Mr. T. 11. FRY, in moving tt o t i tly eri mrt be agreed to, said it was well known that for a period a great difference of opinion had existed among the police commit tee, the commissioner, and the members of the court. The question was whether it was desirable that the Commissioner should reside within the City, and whether the premises in the Old Jewry were to be considered a suitable residence for that gentleman. The police committee had on several occasions brought up reports to the court recom mending that the commissioner should be allowed to reside without the City, but to every such recommendation the court had given a decided negative, still adhering to their original omen, that it was very desirable that the commis- Wooer should reside within the City. (Hear, hear.) It was • remarkable fact that the very thing that the police com mittee came and asked the sanction of the court to do, and which had been refused, the commissioner did himself. (" Hear, hear," and a laugh.) Another extraordinary fact was, that when the commissioner did this the committee shortly afterwards brought up a report recommending that, to consequence of that gentleman having vacated his resi dence, he should be allowed a sum of 2001. for so doing. (Hear, hear.) The court had invariably entertained a strong objection to the principle that the police commissioner should not amide within the City, but when it was known that the ommissioner had taken upon himself the responsibility and the daring act of vacating his official residence when he knew that the court had on two or three occasions re;ided, and decided unanimously, that that should not be done, he (Mr. Fry) and many members of the court thought it a most extraordinary proceeding. The Court of Aldermen were then. asked to request the commissioner to occupy the residence provided for him. They entered upon the question, and brought up a report, in which they stated that they did not feel themselves justified in taking upon themselves the responsibility of requesting the commissioner to reside within the premises in the Old leery, because they considered them unsuitable, and they fortified that opinion by the opinion of the City architect and the surgeon of the police force; end these gentlemen did not object to the premises on sanitary grounds, but simply because of the want of ingrees and egress. The committee said that it was still desirable that the commissioner should reside within the City. (Hear, hear.) That was a doctrine which that cone/ had always entertained, and he trusted it was one that worlever continue. (Hear, hear.) The report was weed to, end ordered to be printed. Mr. SCAUZLL brought up reports from the coal and corn end finance committee, recommending grants of 621. 10s. to the Fsrriogdon General Dispensary end Lying-in Charity, and 26/. 6s. to the City of London Ragged •cols, Long alley, Hishopagate.— Agreed to. Mr. CotexeLt. moved—That William Fernley Allen, Heel., end alderman, be appointed upon the following com mittees, via. :—City Leads, Coal and Corn and Fenno), Purposes, Library, City of London School, Officers and Clerks, Improvement, Markets Improvement, and Orgyut i School.—Agreed to, Deputy HOLT moved—That Benjamin Samuel Phillips, and alderman, be appointed an additional commissioner of the Property and Income-tax Commission in the room of Charles Farebrotber, Eq., deowed.—Agreed to. BRIDEWELL NOSPIi?.L.-DENT AND INCOME, Under•Shariff PARKER brought up the report of the my Lands Committee upon the reference to =endue the alle gations in the petition of William Storey, for en inquiry into the original grant of Bliderrell Hospital to Om corporation as trustees, and the income of the same, and the pewees to which the said income is now applied. It certified as fol lows That we proceeded on the said reference end were attended by Ida. William Graeber°, the mover thereof in your honourable court, and by the petitioner, who were fee peclively heard on the subject of the said petition, and it appearing to us desirable, before entering into en inqr , ry of the important and extensive character mentioned In the said petition, to iumertain the powers pommeled by your honor! , able court with respect to Bridewell Hospital, we directed the law °films of the corporation to confider the said petition 2 and report their opinion whether your honourable court had any power to control or interfere with the management or government of the said hospital, or the stale, posted/done, or revenues thereof, end having since received a report from them upon the subject, we bare caused a copy there of to be hereunto annexed for the information of yowhonour able court, from which It will be seen that, In the opinion of the law officers, your honourable court has not soy power to control or interfere with the management or government of Bridewell Hospital, or the Watts, possessions, or revenues thereof; and, under them circumstances, year committee do not think it would be expedient to premed farther in the consideration of the said petition.—J. Parker, B Read, Thomas Sprague, James Waterlow, D. Cork, e = Barrows, Charles Whetham. Thomas Abraham. , _ _ _ The opintoa of the liTalairsTrthillieCourt of Com mon council have no power to meted or interfere with the management or government of Headmen Hospital, or the estates, possession'', or TIMMINS thereat Upon the motion of Mr. Undawilheriff Pawn, the re port was speed to, and ordseed to be printed in the minutes of the court. Mr. Under-SherWiraiErtbrOnll;i4. the folios ing re "To Right Hon, the Lord Mayor, Aldianeen. and Cos. mons of the City of Loudon in Comma Connie or ambled._ . . ire, ;base Dame Ire bonnets eabstellioi, your com mittee for lett* the City's lied~, to idiom by as cedar of tW basomoble meet el tb LOM of Deosadem last, it was referred to inquire, and repot whether the corporation ha' any jurisdiction with respect to the government and appro. pvtauon of the (ands of Bold, hem Hospital, do notify that we proceeded in the said reference, and directed the law Officers of the corporation to mender the same, and report Ito us their opinion thereon, and having since received a re. port from them noon the eubj , ct, we have caused a t opy thereof to be hereunto annexed for the information of your honourable court, from which it will bo seen that, whatever powers may have been poser= d by the corporation prior t o the gifting of the act of parliament of the 22nd Geo. llh cap. 77, the law officers ere of opinion that the corporation hem not now say jurisdiction with rest ..‘ct to the government and appropriation of the funds of Bethlehem Hovital.-1. Parker Septimus Read, Thos. Splitfrue, J. Waterlow Cork, Thos. Barrows, Charles Whetham, Thames Aber hansit. Pend, Theo :Webber." The opinion of the law officers la that the corporation have not any jurisdiction with reepoct to tbo government and appropriation of the funds of Bethlehem Hospital." The report was agreed to, and ordered to be printed in the minutes of the court. THE LATE COMMITMENT OP AN ATTORNEY HY THE JI:DOM OP THE 811marrs' COURT POE CONTEMPT. - Mr. H. WELLINGTON VALIANCE, Chairmen of the Of. cent' end Clerks Committee, brought up the following report, which was read by the Deputy Town Clerk : "We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, of your com mittee in relation to officers and clerics to whom, on the 11th of February last, it was referred to examine the allegations contained in the petition of Mr. George Henry Lewis, soli citor, for en inquiry with respect to his commitment by the Judge of the Sheriffs' Court under the City Small Debts Act, and other matters relating to the said court, do certify that we have proceeded in such reference and have taken the matters alleged in the said petition Into full and careful consideration, and have heeled the learned judge and the pet titfuner, and such witnesses es he produced, in support of the petition, and have referred to documental) , evidence in the I Possession of the corporation bearing upon the allegations of the said petition. " That the petition consisted of two parts—the one com plaining of the commitment of the peti tioner by the learned judge, and the other containing al legations that since the appointment of Michael Prendergast, Esq., Q.C., as judge of the Sheriffs' Court, his want of temper and discourteous con , duct have driven solicitors from the court, and that the causes have diminished in number and imminence, and the efficiency of the court had become impaired, and that the menifeetation of applause by the public attending the court was permitted by the learned judge. " That with respect to the/ complaint of the petitioner on account of his commitment, your committee, Boding that the act of parliament constituting this court gave to the learned judge the power which be on that occasion exercised, after a careful inquiry into the circumstances attending that commit ment, are of opinion that the provocation given to the learned judge justified him fa so committing the petitioner. " That as to the allegation of the petitioner, that Felicitate have been driven from the court, and that causes have diminished in number and importance, two instances have been shown of gentlemen declaring their intention of with drawing from practice in the said court; and with respect to the alleged diminution of the business of the court from a decrease in the number and importance of the causes de pending therein, your committee have referred to the official returns made by the officers of the court, and have aster tamed that such diminution has not taken place; but that, on the contrary, the business of the said court has increased, as shown by the returns hereto annexed. " And that with respect to the conduct of the court as to the manifestation of applause, the evidence produced to your committee on the subject was so conflicting as not to permit their arriving at an accurate knowledge of the facts ; but your committee hope that due regard to the dignity of the office of a judge, as well as to the propriety of conduct emcee. easy to be observed by all parties engaged in the furtherance of the administration of justice, will be shown by the learned judge presiding, end that such arrangements wiU be made and directions given to the officers whose duty it properly Is to maintain the observance of decent, orderly, and quiet con duct in the add court, as may effectually prevent any such indecorous demeanour on the part of the public attending there. "All which we submit to the judgment of this honourable wart. - . w " H, Wellington Valiance, W. Jrmes, E. Stillwell, Bd. ward Godson, George Virtue, Henry Blake, H. Lowman Taylor. Joseph Perkins, Daniel Cork, Richard Ashby, Henry Webber, James Teny, John Edmonds, James We. terlow, W. T. Bedford." Mr. H. WELLINGTON VALLANCE—My Lord Mayor, I think I shall beet discharge my duty to fins court and to the committee by simply moving that they agree with the con. mines in their report, and observing that that commints devoted themselves with untiring diligence for many days to a patient and calm investigation of everything that was brought before them. (Hear, hear.) They came with minds entirely unbiassed to the conclusion that the report = to every attentive hearer, and I am sure that in the of the painful and difficult task assigned to them they had no desire except to do ample justice, and to arrive at a result that would be se isfactory to all parties. (Cheers.) The report was agreed to, and the court adjourned. The Marchioness Maria of Ailesbnry has left Claridge's Hotel, for Ham House, Twickenham. The Earl and Countess of Craven entertained at dinner last evening, at the family mansion in Charles street, his Excellency the Ambustdor of Preece and the Countess de Persigny, the Earl of Sefton, Viscoant Hia chingbeoke, Count Jaucourt, Lady Caroline Townley and Miss Townley, Mr. William and Lady Mary Craven, Mr. Lumley, Ste. After dinner her ladyship received a select circle of the aristocracy. . . . The Earl of File, accompanied by his mother, Lady Duff, left town yesterday for St. Leonard'uun-Ban, where apartments have been engaged for them at the Vls• toria Hotel. The counter will join the noble earl VIOUVW. _ _ _ --• The Earl and Countess of Jersey and Lady Clementin► Villiers will leave town on Tuesday, on a visa to the Earl and Countess of Mount-Edgcuntbe, at thole seat in Devonshire. The Earl and Countess of Zetland are passing the Eamon at Upleathata, Yorkebtre. Viscount and Viscountess Palmerston left Cam bridge Hotter, yesterday afternoon, for Broadlands, Hants. Viscount and Viscountess Campdea have returned to town from Campden House, Olouoesterabire. Lady Brougham will leave town to-morrow for Cobham, Surrey. Lord and Lady Henniker and family have left town for Thornham Hall, Suffolk, for the Easter reeem. Lord Aahbartoa is passing the season at Addis combs Park, near Croydon. Lord and Lady Foley are passing the season at Worksop Manor, Notts. Capt. and Mrs. Woodhouse have left Claridge's Hotel for lrnham Park, near Bourn, Lincolnshire: --.— --- -_, _ Yesterday Mrs. Charles I)ickcns gave birth to a daughter, at Iretea Rows, Boundary-road, St. Jolter wood. The Secretary of State for War, acting on the representation of his Royal Highness the Coanuandtesia- Chief,has sanctioned the formation of an hospital,inthe map at Colchester, for the sick wives and children of the soklieles and orders have already been issued to the military rover tug deportment to supply the requisite diet and medical eta forte. THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OE LONDON.-AI monthly general meeting held yesterday, at the sottistyl house in lienover-equare, the Right Hort. Sir Clomp ChM. _ _ Bark, vicapreeident, in the chair, Mears. LM. D. Spent and A. C. Blackstone were elected fallow, and M. Perils 0. des Mae, of Perla, a oorrespamding member of the soot and the Earl of Sefton and Meow. J. B. Ram J. R. Shoolbred, 0. Bond, 11. Rutter, A. Gagniere, and R. Dnt mond, were proposed as candidates for the fellowship. TY report stated that the number of Miters to the gardens la already amounted to 24,997, sad afforded a favourable crease as compared with the same period of last year. TM donations during the last month included a fine Jaguar, rd other animals, presented by his Excellency W. D. Chi" her Majesty's minister plenipetentituy in the Argentine Br public ; a large fruit-eating bat, captured at an, eta distend of 100 miles from the coast of West Africa, presented by A. Swung, Esq. • and some interesting marine animals Iron Bombay, pres ented by Lady Cuet. TRIALS Or TRUELOVE ASD TCHOREOWSKI YOZ Lust,, win os BWARD roa Conerinscr.—Thra writs of certiorari have been received by the Clerk of the Affelfill at the Old Bailey, removing into the Court of Queen's Bench the trials of Truelove and of Stanislaw Tchoraoweki for Oar end that for conspiracy against Dr. Bernard, so that all the trial of Dr. Bernard for the capital offence will take plies at the fathoming serious at the Old Bailey. RESPITZ Or WILLIAM DAVIES, THE MURDERS* ar SKIIIIMIIRT.--Yeetffliay morning • respite we. Ms aired by the governor of Shrewsbury gaol from the Bras Secretary far William Davies, who was condemned for the murder of Ann Morgan, the reputed witch, at Watson& common, near Much Wenlock, at the recent cam st Shrewsbury. Since the wretched man's condemnstlit strenuous efforts have been made for • commutation ii his sentanos. The respite is during her Majesty's plaserk The execution, had the respite not arrived, would have YAM , plasm on Saturday at noon. Since hie oondausat on Dabs I aim = to great attention the spiritual instration of the the Rev. J. Denning, and it Is understood he MI r skll statement as to the quarrel and its fatal resells. The news of the respite has given very general Midriff= • the town. From the Australian papers received this morning it that Mir Julia Harland, end Messrs. Faresarer and Sherwng in Sneak opera at BlLlPulit a digging /wards of 100 miles idea& 0' l I