The Express. — London, England, 1866-05-24 00:00:00

TURTLE, TURTLE, TU alw ß ay T s LE. Clew and Invalid TURTLE SOUPS read/. ST. JASES Mkt. SII-SLILLL, REGENT-mum nocADrus. WM. DONALD. Proprietor. LONDON must have a SUPPER and M USIC ROOM for Gentlemen.—Remember, we waft tor you at EVANS'," a ft er the cerent Garden Opera and the Theatres. Eke larsreOli. TO COIIII.IISPONDENT& dvertbementa intended for " The Exuma" Lowden Evening Twr, mut be at the Moe, 10, Bouveriastreet, by Two o'clock on as day of publication. HAYMARKET. TIM IMMO, THE BALANCE OF COMFORT. Warn. Move, Rogers, Braid, de. ; Mies Ada Cavendish —THE FAVORITE OF FORTUNE. Mersa Backstone, Chippendale, and &Ahern xi% chippendalo, tte. —And THE WOLF AND THB LAMB. THIS EVIININO, • LUCKY HIT —After which MISRY VIII. Cardinal Wolsey, Mr. Charles Kean ; Queen Katherine, Mrs. Obsess Kean. LICILUM. Ten EVININO, STMPSON AND CO. Mr. Emery and Mize sigwortby—And THB CORSICAN BRAYTHERS. Means. Fech ter, Jordan, Binary, Vertn, Wlddicomb, Moreland, & Fitzpatrick; Mesdames Lavern; Duverney, Mcnrade, and Ternan. BRITANNIA. THIS LWRirrnO,RICH AND POOR: OR, THE FOUR SEASONS. —The Hungarian Dancers. from the Oxford and Alhambra—To conclude with THE CORPORAL'S DAUGHTER. Messrs. Rey nolds, Cranford, et Bigwood ; &Ilse ClaesSt Caste &Mrs. S. Lane. HIGH-WATER AT LONDON-BRIDGE. Tins DAT —Morning, 10b. 17rn Afternoon, 10h. 40rn. TO-MOnitow—Morning, 11b. 21m Afterneon, 11b. 49m. LONDON, THURSDAY, MAY 24. TEE Poor-law Board has wisely taken the medical officers of the metropolitan workhouses into its counsels, and with a highly satisfactory result. It is of the first importance that those bent upon aiding Mr. Villiers in that reform in the administration of the Poor-law to which he is pledged, should act with unanimity and fore thought. The obstructivea, resolute on upholding present abuses, could wish for nothing better than that the reformers should differ among themselves, and much malevolent rejoicing would arise if the medical authorities of the various workhouses could be made to contradict each other as to the necessity of change. This is happily impossible. A form containing a carefully prepared series of questions has been issued from Whitehall to every workhouse doctor in London, and these gentlemen met in conclave yesterday to deliberate upon their replies. Neither hint nor innuendo was given by the authorities. Indeed, " judging by your own experience and observation only," was astutely made the condition under which the evidence should be ten dered, and the conclusions arrived at are especially valuable, as coming front impartial men, whose l i personal experience and professional knowledge entitle their opinions to full weight. It was curious, too, at yesterday's gathering, to see doctors who have been sharply criticised for the shortcomings of the infirmaries they are theoretically supposed to rule, and to hear from their own lips the causes which have led to the lamentable break-down in the parochial system. Each of the seventeen formal questions put by the Poor-law Board, some of which contained several subdivisions, was care fully discussed, and two important resolutions were agreed to. The bed space absolutely necessary for the well-being of sick paupers, and the nursing, without which the best medical skill is unavailing, were both decided ou ; the first resolution, which was carried with one dissentient, being—" That 1,000 cubic feet of air and 80 feet of floor space should be the minimum recommended to the Poor_ law Board for each sick inmate of an infirmary ward." It will be useful to remember that this is two hundred feet less of cubic air than the Barrack Commission declares to be necessary for the sick soldier, and is the amount now allowed in prison hospitals for the sick felon. This proves the moderate character of the demand, and if it were not that in the specifications now out for a new metropolitan workhouse a space of five hundred feet has been sanctioned by the local authorities, it would be worse than idle to dwell upon its justice. The metropolitan workhouse doctors have, how ever, at a meeting composed of a majority of their class, declared that the sick felon's allowance of air is sufficient for the sick pauper, and in the face of this it is not likely that the Poor-law Board will insist upon the quantity deemed essential for mili tary lungs being given in our workhouses. The second resolution was carried unanimously, and ran thus :—" That the system of pauper nursing is to be wholly condemned, and that paid nurses ought to be appointed in the proportion of one day nurse, one night nurse, and one helper to each fifty s patients." We shall content ourselves with hinting at the horrifying particulars given by these:medical gen tlemen of their experience of pauper nurses. Let the reader imagine the natural consequence of em ploying drunken, renal, ignorant, cruel, and broken down wretches as irresponsible dictators in a sick room, and a faint shadow of the reality may be guessed at. One doctor, after issuing diet and prescription cards, and carefully labelling medicine bottles for his patients for years, had just discovered that only one out of the fourteen nurses under him was able to read ; another deposed that none of those employed in his workhouse ever had a day out without returning helplessly drunk ; while a third said he had nothing to say against the respectability of the nurses assigned to him, but that none of them were under sixty years of age, and that they all laboured under the striking dis advantage of being either imbecile or chronically infirm. On the confusion in the administering medicine, on the embrocation given for draughts, the neglect of instructions as to the time of taking medicines when reading is an unknown accomplish ment ; on the misappropriation of wine, brandy, and medical comforts when abandoned drunken ness is the rule ; and on the sufferings endured by those unable to move in bed or lift themselves without assistance when imbecility is gibbering and infirmity pottering about the dying couch, it is un necessary to dwell. The finishing stroke to the heavy charges brought against workhouse hospitals has been given by workhouse doctors ; and if Mr. Villiers and the Poor-law Board wanted to have their case strengthened, no thing could be more conclusive than the meeting of yesterday, and the answers agreed upon to the circular sent out. The admissions so frankly made by the President of the Poor-law Board to the deputation from the Sick Poor Asso ciation ; the repeated public exposures of the cruelties practised on the ill and dying ; the unani mous call fur reform from thinkers who agree on no other topic, will, it is to be hoped, speedily bear fruit. The time is ripe, and the occasion ready to hand, and the meeting of yesterday is by no means the leant significant of the heralds of beneficial change. NATIONAL ARTILLERY ASSOCIATION,—The Na tional Artillery Association will hold its first annual meet ing at Willis's Rooms tomorrow, immediately after the termination of the business of the National Rifle Associa tion, which commence, at 2.30 p.m. on that day. OUR coNTEmPoilli (THIS DAT-) • 1 The May News einaiders the variotui grounds of opposi tion ellffelazchdasecot Denison sad certain church Asso eiationohe, raised to Mt. Gladidene's Church Rees Etlk— bill whisk though it .is conceived isk the true spilt of campresdia. is so reebeaul that ft is tot improbable the 'House Commons isey after of ha's to choose between the existing law and Mr. Hardourtle's nierbure of simple abolition. To the counsel in yesterday's Times upon financial Invest ments the Star replies that liability would be a fares--a nonentity—if companies were tabooed in which trade profits were contemplated ; and that the only means the direc tors of limited liability companies have of getting capital together is by offering to the public a share of their trade gains. No one puts money into finance companies from an abstract preference for the security they offer, and no one would put money into them at all if they only offered 5 per cent. That trade can be carried on safely without the personal direction of the capitalist, whose dividends are proportioned to the gains made, is proved by numerous examples—indeed, the financial companies which fail axe, after all, exceptions. -J. EUROPII24 'AMIE& Arguments and calculations ot .sintmoal inialmnb- • respecting the usages of war are mostly disposed of, the Tides says, by the feet that war itself is withdrawn from the province of reason, and that its open and avowed work in such conflicts as that which is threatened in Germany for example, cannot be reconciled with the precepts of humanity. When each party is bent upon the destruc tion of the other with the least possible injury to itself, what room is there for punctilio or chivalry' War has long been recognised as the only game at which neither party can win, and the world appears actually to have retro graded in such matters, proclaiming wars on the least ad missible of causes. The Danish war was a pure war of conquest, shamelessly prosecuted from beginning to end. The German war, if it should actually break out, would be a fitting sequel—a war undertaken literally for nothing better than the chances of the scramble. We are doing our best, little as that may prove to prevent it ; we should be glad to see its horrors diminished or its cala mities alleviated by any practicable understanding ; but the whole affair expreeaes resolutions and designs so ab solutely repugnant to both reason and humanity, that we cannot tell how to invoke either of those names in any argument upon the question. The Daily News thinks it is evident that the peace makers will have no easy task with the Roumans, who seem determined to proceed in a contrary direction to that which diplomacy prescribes for them. It is the opinion of the Porte, and apparently of the recent conference, that the Roumans, in preferring a foreign prince, are simply taking an additional step towards complete independence, but it is the only way to bring about a coalition of the several parties in the country, and it would be probably better for the next conference to admit at once the Prince of Hohenzollern, whose connexion with Prussia is distant enough, to the Hoapodariat. Whatever objections there may be to this course there are tenfold greater dangers to be feared if he be set snide. The first result must be an indefinite military occupation. If the armies of Turkey, Russia, and Austria enter the Principalities it may be more difficult to get them out again than it is to get Prussia out of the Duchies. The Pod suggests that some persons will question the expediency of attempting by the ordinary modes of per suasion to induce states to desist from wrongful acts. If one individual of a community threatens another with violence if he will not consent to part with his property, we should think very little of the system of jurisprudence which,instead of visiting the offender with condign punish ment, devised some mode by which he might secure the object of his wishes without being compelled to commit a breach of the peace. Yet thin is very much what England, France, and Russia are endeavouring at the present moment to do. The Herald declares that all Prussia, all Germany, and the public opinion of all Europe are against the King's government in Prussia. Even the Elbe Duchies are not with him. The House towns and middle states are against him even to the hazard of war. The Rothschtlds of Frank fort, and the Oppenheims of Cologne, refuse to raise a loan for him ; and if he prove still pertinacious it is among the possibilities that the Diet may give him the humiliation of essaying the task of bringing him to reason by a Federal execution. Things seem at their darkest both for him and the country he has been governing so un fortunately. Witt Court. WINDSOR CASTLE, MIT 23. The Queen drove out yesterday afternoon in a carriage and four, attended by the Dowager Duchess of Athole. Lord Charles Fitzroy was in attendance upon horseback. _ . Her Majesty walked and drove in the grounds this morn ing, accompanied by Princess Helena. Princess Louise and Princess Beatrice went out walking, and Prince Leopold drove out. Princess Helena, attended by the Hon. Mrs. Bruce and Colonel the Hon. A. Hardinge, went to London yesterday and visited the International Horticultural Exhibition, and afterwards returned to Windsor Castle. Prince Alfred, attended by the Ron. Eliot Yorke, arrived at the Castle yesterday afternoon. His royal higu• ness went to London this morning. Earl Russell had an audience of the Queen. _ - Lord Talbot de Malahide, and Major-General F. Sey mour, C.B. , have succeeded the Earl of Caithness and Colcoel the Hon. A. Liddell, as Lord and Groom in Wai iting. The Prince and Princess of Wales, accompanied by Prince Alfred, visited the Horse Show at the Agricultural Hall, Islington, yesterday afternoon. Their royal highnesses dined with Lord and Lady Foley, in the eveniog, at their residence in Grosvenor-square. LATEST INTELLIGENCE. THE EXPRESS, THURSDAY YffENING, MAY 24,- 186fg. THE OCCUPATION OF MOLI*VIA•: The Journal des Debdts of to-day maids the fol lowing comment on the reported entry of a Row- Turkish army into Moldavia : Until we are more amply informed we may be permitted to doubt the accuracy of this report, although it is not wholly improbable. Russia, which fomented the recent troubles in Jassy, would naturally only feel too anxious to seize upon the first opportunity for sending her troops into the Principalities, and as to the concurrence of Turkey in this proceeding, it ought not to astonish any one. That the Porte should ally herself with Russia — that she should with her own hands introduce her into Moldavia, and take the trouble of opening out the road to Constantinople, is a miracle of ingenuity which might have been expected. The Russian diplomatists are con sidered very clever in the art of " making things plea sant,• and the Turkish politicians are quite capable of presenting to their eternal enemies the keys of their country on a silver salver, believing this to be a master stroke of policy and a solution of the Eastern question. It would, indeed, be solved, and then such would have been the will of Allah. But the will of Allah does not alone govern the affairs of this world, for there is likewise the will of France which may have something to say in the matter. Now it is the interest of France that the Prin cipalities should be limited, strong, and independent, and therefore France did not oppose in the conference the election of a foreign prince. Other powers have equally strong reasons for opposing a barrier to the en croachments of RUM* and have said so ; and amongstthese is the Porte itself, which now seems disposed, from pure good nature, to plunge herself into the abyss from which we once delivered her. However, it is not Turkey or her destiny that creates any anxiety at present, but the fate of a people whose independence is necessary to the equilibrium of Europe, who have nobly fought for it and whom we could not abandon to Russian ambition without danger to our interests and a diminution of our influence. It may be thought at St. Petersburg, that the time is come for regaining, under cover of existing complications, the ground which was lost 10 years ago, but ought France and England to allow the political results of the Crimean war to be now jeopardised in this unexpected way ? The indeperidante says that the occupation of Moldavia—which, however, requires confirmation —is a piece of intelligence, the gravity of which must strike everyone. INTELLIGENCE. (THIS DAY.) BAIL COURT. Sittings at Nisi Titus at Westminster. —(Before Mr. Justice Ludt and Common Juries.) TILBILOOX v. TILBROOK. This was an action for seduction. The defendant pleaded not guilty, ke. Mr. . HawkinsSerjean and Mr. Day were counsel for the plaintiff ; Mr. , Q.C., and Mr. Henry James were counsel for the defendant. Mr. Serjeant Atkinson, in addressing the jury' said he regretted he had to open this case because the parties were somewhat related, the fathers of the parties _being first cousins. The plaintiff's father is a farmer at Havering Hall, near Saffron Walden, and the defendant's father is a builder and in the same neighbourhood. The plaintiff is one of nine children, seven sons and two daughters, and up to the time of the occurrencescomplained of her parents had every reason to believe that her conduct was ex emplary. The improper intimacies took place first in the father's house, whilst the defendant was there attending to certain repairs, and twice afterwards, the last time being on the first of June, as she was returning home after having visited her grandmother, and the result was the birth of a child. The learned serjeant was about to observe that the plaintiff would be put into the box, and there she would have to undergo a most rigorous cross-examination by his learned friend Mr. Hawkins, when his attorney made • communication to him, and a conference took place between the learned counsel, at the conclusion of which Mr. Serjeant Atkinson said that as the parties were related he would rather spare the girl's feelings than proceed, and it had been arranged to withdraw a juror. Mr. Hawkins said his client had no desire to proceed with a case which must have resulted in most painful family disclosures. His client would have been prepared to go into the box and swear most positively that he was not guilty of the conduct imputed to him. He . (Mr. Hawkins) was also as anxious as his learned friend to save the girl from what would certainly have been a most pain ful cross-examination ; and, as there was no desire to inflict costs on her, he had no objection to allow her to retire by the withdrawal of • juror. Mr. Justice Lush said he had no doubt the learned counsel exercised a wise discretion in the course they had adopted. Juror withdrawn. COURT OF COMMON PLEAS. Sittings in Banco.—(Before Lord Chief Justice Brie, and Justices Willes, Byles, and Smith.) KITCHEN T. HAWKINS. This was an action to recover a sum due upon a bill of exchange for 1071. 10s., and the answer to it was a compo sition deed. Mr. J. Browne, Q.C., in moving for a rule to enter a ver dict for the plaintiff, stated that his client had dissented from the deed, but believing that it was binding upon him he took the composition money under it. Subsequently it turned out that the deed was not binding upon dissen tients, and the question now was, whether, under the circumstances, the plaintiff was entitled to sue upon the bill. The learned counsel also added that the question was a new one, and was also ono of considerable import ance. Rule granted. COURT OF EXCHEQUER. Sittings in Banco.—(Before the Lord Chief Baron, and Barons Martin and ChannelL) BUCILLUV r. VALENTI!". In this well known case Mr. John A. Russell made an application to the court with regard to the production of certain documents. It appeared that there were certain affi davits and also certain exhibits which were referred to in those documents. An inquiry wasdirected to take place before the master of this court as to the circumstances under which a capias was issued, and for the purposes of it the exhibits were left in his possession. In the action of " Valentin v. Hall," in the Queen's Bench, a commission was issued for the examination of witnesses in France, and the exhibits were required for the cross-examination of the defendant's witnesses. An application was made to Master l'ollock on the 19th instant to hand over those documents to Madame Valentin's attorney for that pur pose, but he did not feel justified in delivering them up without the authority of the court. The learned counsel now applied to have the exhibits delivered out to the plaintiff's attorney. Mr. Baron Martin—To whom is the commission directed Mr. Russell—lt is directed to two French courts. Mr. Baron Martin—This is a very peculiar case. There has been a conviction for perjury and there is an indict ment, and we ought to be very careful as to the custody of the original documents. Ultimately it was decided that the documents should be given up to the court, and that arrangements should be made by the master with a view to the object of the ap plication being attained. COURT OF PROBATE AND DIVORCE. (Before the Judge Ordinary.) LATH,ASI V. WHITTAKER AND WHITTAKER. Mr. Coleridge, Q.C., and Dr. Spinks for the plaintiff ; the Queen's Advocate and Dr. Tristram for the defen dants. The testatrix, Judith Ball, was the widow of a tobacco nist, at Chester. She had herself been a dressmaker, and by the two businesses they had been enabled to amass property to the extent of 22,000 f. At his death Ball left his wife the bulk of his property, and in the following year the testatrix executed a will bequeathing a number of legacies to charities and to private friends, but giving the residue to Mr. Henry Latham, chairman of Chester Waterworks, of which her husband had also in his lifetime been a director. The defendants were her sister and her hus band, but it was suggested that they were greatly disliked by the testatrix, their marriage having been a runaway one, and one very distasteful to her. She there fore only gave Mrs. Whittaker a legacy of 2001., but by a subsequent codicil she increased it to an annuity of 45/. The Whittakers opposed probate on all the usual grounds, and alleged that the deceased having been a person illiterate and given to drink could be easily im posed upon, and had in fact executed the residuary clause, under the undue influence of the plaintiff. Soon after the opening of the case, an arrangement was come to ; the pleas of the defendant were withdrawn, and The Court decreed probate. COURT OF BANKRUPTCY. (Before Mr. Commiseioner Holroyd.) IN RE WILLIAM WRIGHT. The bankrupt was a builder, of 15,Warrington-crescent, Paddington. Thin was the sitting for examination and discharge. The figures are very large, but, contrary to the usual run of cases in this court, those on the credit side preponderate. The amount due to unsecured creditors in stated at 7,8441. ; to creditors holding security, 94,653/. ; liabilities on bills receivable, 601 W. ; good debts, SW. ; property held an security, consisting chiefly of houses in Warrington-crescent and Portsdown , gardens, 144,310 i. ; thus givin•; an apparent surplus of some 40,0001. The accounts have been prepared by Mr. Smart. Mr. Bagley, for the assignees, required further particu lars as to the property held as security, and the nature of the charges upon it. The bankrupt, in examination, stated that the estimate put by him upon the secured property was the value of the houses when completed, and it would require from 30,000/. to 36,000/. to complete them. With that ex penditure there would he a surplus of 41,0001. A year ago he had called his creditors together, and got a letter of license from them for a twelvemonth. He laid before them a statement of his affairs. Mr. Bagley said it was most important that the creditors should now see that statement. After hearing Mr. K Reed for the bankrupt, His Honour said that the accounts must be amended, and directed an adjournment for that purpose. HER MAJESTY'S BIRTHDAY. This day, being the 47th anniversary of her Majesty's birthday, was celebrated in the customary man ner. At 8 o'clock the royal standard was hoisted at the Tower, the General Post-office, Somerset-house, the Admi ralty, and other government offices. The national flag was also displayed on the towers of the royal parish ' churches of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, St. John and St. Margaret, Westminster ; and St. Mary Abbotts, Kensington. The bells of the metropolitan churches rung forth peals at intervals during the day. The vessels in the river and the docks were dressed with flags from their trucks to the water's edge. At 10 o'clock an inspection of the Household Infantry, who wore the new clothing, took place on the parade, St. James's Park, in front of the Horse Guards, the bands being in attendance ; the Guards for the duties of the day were "trooped" previous tobeing marched to their respective posts; auddouble royal salutes were fired from the l'ark and Tower guns. The royal tradesmen will dine together this evening as usual. _ The occasion was also celebrated with every honour in Windsor. At 7 o'clock this morning the bells of St. George'a Chapel and the parish church of St, John commenced ringing merry peals, which were oonti. nued throughout the day at intervals. Must of the prin cipal tradesmen and the royal purveyors in the town deco rated the fronts of their houses and places of business with Hags and banners. Royal salutes of 21 guns were tired at Windsor, and from the Royal Adelaide frigate and Fort Belvedere, Virginia Water. Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of \Vales honoured Lord and Lady Foley by their company at dinner last evening, at the noble lord and lady's resi dence in Crosvenor-square. A select and distinguished circle had the honour to meet their royal highucases. After dinner Lady Foley had a dance, at which about 300 of the leading members of society assembled. The Earl and Countess of Clarendon returned to town on Tuesday from staying a few days with the Right Hon. Chichester Fortescue, M.P., and Frances Countess Wildegrave, at Strawberry Hill, Twickenham. LaiTy Moleswurth entertained at dinner last evening—The Duke and Duchess of Manchester, Lady Susan Vane Tempest, Earl SumerA, Viscount Lismore, Lord and Lady Stanley of Ablerley, the Right Hon. C. P. Villiers, M.P Lord Harris, Baron and Baroness Ferdinand do Rothschild, Mr. Alfred Montgomery, and Mr. Delane. The Right Hon. the Chancellor of the Ex chequer and Mrs. and Miss Gladstone returned to town yesterday from visiting Sir Walter and Lady James at their seat in Kent. Ilia Excellency General Webb, United States Envoy Eitraordimuy and Minister Plenipotentiary to Brazil, Mrs. Webb, and family have arrived at Fenton's Hotel. Yesterday Lady Adine Cowper laid the first stone of the new tower and spire of St. Paul's Church, Bedford, in the presence of a large and brilliant assem. blage of the leading families of the county, including the Lord Lieutenant (Earl Cowper), Lady Wensleydale, Lady Isabella Whitbread, Lady Antrim, Mr. S. Whitbread, Lieut.. Colonel Stuart, M.P., and Mr. Thomas Bar nard. The Lady Adine Cowper was presented with the silver trowel with which she performed the ceremony. Subsequently the company adjourned to the Bedford Rooms, where they had luncheon, the Mayor of the Borough (Mr. Nash) presiding. The estimated cost of the enlargement and restoration of the church is 9,000!., or thereabouts, and the following are among the largest subscriptions :—The Duke of Bedford, 1,000/. ; Mr. Thomas Barnard, 5001. ; Mr. Talbot Barnard, 5001. ; Mr. W. H. Whitbread, 300/. Mr. Palgrave is the architect. His Excellency Pin-Tu-Tin, the Chinese Corn . missioner, accompanied by Kwang-ying, Fun7-yib Tib ming, Yeu-Hwuy, Major Brine, R.E., Mr. Hart, Mr. Bohm, secretary, and M. de Champs, interpreter, had an interview yestenlay afternoon with the Earl of Clarendon, K.G., at the Foreign-office. They afterwanls paid their I respects to Mr. E. Hammond. the fader Secretary for Foreign Affairs, and visited the Royal Academy. The Church Congress at York will be held on the 9th, 10th, and 11th of October, under the presidency of the Archbishop of York. The Archbishop of Canterbury has consented to preach the sermon. The Bishops of Oxford, Ripon, and Gloucester and Bristol; the Earls of Harrowby and Devon, and Earl Nelson ; the Attorney ' General, the Queen's Advocate, with some other distin guished laymen, are expected to read papers. Communi cations should be addressed to the honorary secretaries at York, the Revs. Canon Trevor, E. Fox, and W. A. Wight man. The twenty-ninth annual conference of delegates of Mechanics' Institutes associated with the Yorkshire Union was held at Halifax, yesterday, under the presidency of Mr. Baines, M.P. The report pre sented showed that there are 112 institutes in the union, and more than 20,000 members. It was re solved that the next meeting should be held at Castleford• At the soirée in the evening, the Rev. Lord S. Godolphin Osborne presided, and addresses were delivered by Lord F. Cavendish, Mr. Akroyd, DLF. , Mr. Baines, M.P., and other gentlemen. On Tuesday evening the conservatives of Tewkev bury celebrated their recent electioneering triumph by a grand dinner in honour of Sir E. Lechmerc, the successful candidate. A large number of members of parliament were present. The principal topic of the speakers was the Redistribution of Seats Bill. The speech of Sir John Pakington dwelt at some length on what he considered the whig proclivities of the measure ; and the whole tone of the meeting was one of opposition to the bill. Another conservative dinner was held the same evening at Lichfield to commemorate the return of Colonel Dyott. It appears from a parliamentary return issued to-day that the boroughs of England and Wales having a population of leas than 10,000 and more than 8,000, sc. cording to the last census, are—Reigate, Poole, Lewes, Frome, Windsor, Christchurch, Shaftesbury, Tavistock, Wilton, Helston, Chipping Wycombe, Rye, Halton, Chi chester, Stamford, Guildford, and Haverfordwest(distaict). THE HEAn CENTRE STEPHENS. Conspiracy in Ireland, the Daily News observes, has be come a lucrative profession, and Mr. Stephens has served through all its grades, and has now before him, in his de sign of a tour through the principal hotels of the United States, the luxury of travel, of good living, and of gratified vanity. His transfer to New York is a pure gain to himself, and relieves the British government of a good deal of trouble, the only persons who will suffer being the dupes in America, who will smart in purse for their folly, though not in person, like their unfortunate fellow-countiymen at home. Possibly his presence in America may induce, or, we should rather say, may afford opportunity to the Federal government to take such steps as, within the limits of the constitution and laws, policy may dictate towards suppressing a society which is likely, in connexion ' with frontier quarrels and fishery disputes, to Le at least as annoying to the United States as to England. Native American sympathy with him is out of the question. The Tflegrapls finds it hard to see how men, even with the measure of intelligence which Stephens must possess, men who are acquainted with English history, can believe in the possibility of erecting an independent state at England's door—a state which she would be obliged to conquer in order to protect herself from ruin. Our care should be to give Ireland no excuse for placing confidence in such men. There is yet work for us to do. The Irish church is still unreformed, the national clergy are still the pensioners of the mob, the laws regulating the landed tenure are still oppressive, and we continue to neglect to take advantage of the personal loyalty which distinguishes the .rish character. The truth is, observes the Slur, that Fenianism is based upon foUy and ignorance, and is supported by foolish and ignorant men. The General. Head Centre may stump it through the states and induce the Fenian, to pay up ; but he will never invade Ireland, except in a cock-boat. Mr. Stephens will spend the next few months in reor ganising the circles, and in raising and expending the sinews of war. He will then collapse as Colonel Mahoney and Lieutenant-General Killian have done, and retire into private life amid the bitter taunts and reproaches of a rancorous and disappointed faction. There will then be an end of the Fenian Brotherhood. THE LATE COLONEL HOBBS. Captain Hobbs, of the 89th Regiment, writes from Alder shot to the Times emphatically denying that his brotherwas guiltyof crueltyinhisdealingswith the negroes. "However unwisely,"he says, " my brother may have written or acted, and I do nut hesitate to say he may have done both, I feel convinced that he acted from a high sense of duty, in fluenced by sincere Christian principles, and • desire to perform that duty in • fearless and soldierlike manner." Captain Hobbs adds that his brother was literally goaded to madness, the last blow being that in the hour of need he found himself deserted "by those from whom be might have expected, and was entitled to, respect." Commenting on this letter, the Tintei observes that any unfavourable impressions which have prevailed against the late unhappy officer were produced originally by his own despatches, which must have been either true or false. Colonel Hobbs himself, when examined before the commission, virtually accepted the latter alternative, and I represented some of them to have been false, if not false to his own knowledge ; others he explained away, and some he avowed with a justification. We now see, therefore, that he may perhaps have somewlvd maligned him self, and may thus have been too severely,' though not unfairly, condemned out of his own mouth. The view that he ought never to have been " deserted" by his military superiors cannot be sustained for a moment. He must be tried, like other men, by what he actually did, nor must we allow our sympathy for him to outweigh our appreciation of the wrong inflicted on those who may have suffered unjustly by his orders. No comments on his errors that may be contained in the commissioners' report can add much to what the public already know from the evidence, and in the mean time it is unwise to challenge hostile criticism by partial testimonials to his merits. !OrB TOPICS. After touching upon the numerous orders of the day on the notice paper which supplies the programme of the House of Commons tonight, the Tines dwells finally upon the proposition in the Budget to reduce the duty on stage carriages and post horses from a penny to a farthing a mile, and to remit the pepper duty altogether. Doubting whether pepper is too dear, or is used too thriftily in economical households, the Tines concludes that it would be much better to have the Pepper taxed if we can have the omnibuses and post horses altogether untaxed. The great majority of our omnibuses and cabs are the worst to be found in Europe, and locomotion generally is very costly and uncomfortable. The cause is the heaviness of taxation We care more for smooth and expeditious carriages than we do for cheap pepper, and while we rather prefer soup that does not set one gasping almost before it has reached the month, we also prefer to feel quite sure that one's own ' bones are not being disjointed in a street cab. Is pepper a necessity! Is locomotion not a necessity' So, why is the former tax to be taken away and the latter left on The Times presumes there is some sort of answer to this ques tion. ITALY. The Turin Gazette of the 21st says that the num ber of volunteers who have given in their names to the provisional committees exceeds 50,000. The Milan Gazette reports the death on the 18th, at Niue, of Garibaldi's brother. It likewise says that Colonel Coste and his aide-de-camp and Angelo Bottino passed through Milan on the 20th, in the Garibaldian costume, on their way to Como. (REUTERS TELEGRAMS.) PRUSSLA. AND THE DUKE OF AUGUSTEN- BURG. HANOVER, MAY 23, EVENING. General von Manteuffel has been at Kiel, in order to confer with the Duke of Augustenburg, and has since returned to Schleswig. The Duke of Augustenburg is said to have denied having taken part in any agitation hostile to Prussia. It is believed that General Manteuffel conferred with General Geblens and the Duke of Augustenburg, respecting the expected withdrawal of the Austrian troops from Holstein. BERLIN, MAY 24. The Duke of Coburg has had a conference with the King of Prussia. AUSTRIA. VIENNA, MAY 24. The exportation of corn from Austria to the states belonging to the Zollverein has again been declared free from any restriction by order of the government. SPAIN AND CHILL MADRID, MAY 23. In yesterday's sitting of the congress, Senor Bermudez de Castro, Minister for Foreign Affairs, replied to the question put to him respecting the bombardment of Valparaiso, and the declaration of Mr. Layard in the House of Commons relative to the conduct of Spain. The minister stated that he had informed the foreign governments that Spain would have recourse to every kind of hostility to avenge the blood already shed. If the American republics continued the war with Spain, she would continue to act with energy against them. THE OVERLAND MAILS. THE CALCUTTA AND CHINA MAILS. MALTA, MAT 23. The Ceylon left at noon, and the Pera at 6 p.m. to-day. The former may be expected at Marseilles early on the 26th inst., and the latter at Southampton on the Ist June. OUTWARD BOMBAY MAIL. The Syria from Southampton,l2th inst., reached Malta on the 21st at 2 p.m., and left at 8 p.m. for Alexandria. The Poonah from Marseilles, 20th inst., arrived on the 23rd at 2 a.m., and left at 8 a.m. fur Alexandria. THE BOMBAY (HEAVY) MAIL. GIBRALTAR, MAY HI. The Tanjore left at 1 p.m. to-day, all well. She may be expected at Southampton on the 28th Mat. (RnTER's EXPRESa.) CANADA. TORONTO, MAT 10. A special telegram from St. John's, New Bruns wick, states that a dissolution of parliament has been promulgated, the new writs being returnable on the 20th proximo. " If the people of New Brunswick," observes the To,l»ito Leader, " return to the House of Assembly a majority opposed to confederation, there will be no hope of union until another elec tion be held, some years hence." Those in favour of the confederation project, and they now embrace a large portion of the Cana dian community, think that Mr. Gordon, the lieutenant-governor, should not have been sent back to New Brunswick after his return from Eng land. "The recent vote of the House of Assembly of Nova Scotia in favour of confederation," says the Cape Bretmt News, " has given rise to a very general feeling of mistrust and dissatisfaction throughout the countries of Cape Breton and Vic toria. Not one in ten of the people of Cape Breton would vote for confederation." A petition to the Queen against confederation, signed by 23 members of the Nova Scotia Legisla ture, has been transmitted to England by the last mail. A Minister of Council has accompanied the documents. The Canadian parliament will meet at Ottawa, the new seat of government, early in June. A destructive fire occurred yesterday in the St. Roch's district, Quebec. 35 houses and other pro perty were totally destroyed. Count de Moynier, who unsuccessfully attempted to found • French settlement in Abyssinia, has jest left for Mexico, with a brevet of captain in the foreign legion, and taking with him ► number of men placed under his orders and destined to fill up the vacancies in that corps. Ii RE EDMUND WILLIE. The bankrupt was described as a lieutenant on half-pay in the Royal Marines, late of Trinity-square, Brixton. Debts, 542/. ; wets of trifling amount. The assignees having expressed their willingness to ac cede to a proposal of the bankrupt to set aside 20/. a year out of his half-pay, the order of discharge was granted on that condition. Mr. Wetherfield, for the bankrupt, stated that the sum set aside would be applied in keeping up a policy on the bankrupt's life. He believed that ultimately the creditors would receive payment in full. (Before Mr. Commissioner (loulbum.) TN HE RAMSH ILL. —DUTIBB or AKSIGNEICII. The bankrupt had kept the London and Brighton Hotel at Peckham. This was the sitting for examination and discharge ; but it appearing that the property was not realised, on the application of Mr. Harrowell, for the as signees, an adjournment was ordered. His Honour incidentally remarked on the difficulty which now existed in compelling assignees to pay over money which came into their hands, and mid he feared that that difficulty would be greatly increased should the new bill pass into law in its present form, as the assignees or trustees would then be entirely free from control. Mr. R. Griffiths said it was to be hoped that this defect in the bill would he remedied in committee. IN HE ALFRED MINTER. In this ease the same question arose. The bankrupt, a public►n, at Dartford, had paid over 391. to the assignee ors the adjudication, and the money had not been paid into the bank. His Honour said he should direct the man to be summoned. Mr. Griffiths suggested that the assignee was allowed three months in which to pay over the money ; and in thin case the amount was below 50/. The Commissioner—Then do you hold that he can put anything under 50/. in his pocket and keep it' (Laughter.) Mr. Griffiths disclaimed any such view. His Honour said that an assignee was bound to pay over immediately all monies not necessarily retained for current expenses ; the limitation of !WI. only applied in those cum where a penalty was sought to be enforced. Ultimately the matter was adjourned._ 12,000 dole. worth of wild pigeons have been shipped from CarLersburg, Ind., on the Torre Haut-road, to New York within the last five weeks. 2,000 dole. worth were forwarded on Saturday.—New York Sun, May 25. THE POLICE COURTS. (THIS DAY.) THE 8110ZMAX11113' MILIEZ.—VIOLENT—AIMATIL? OW Alloy& BOCIM MAN. George Grinsiad e, of 3, Vy r hich!.mptoom enet, North-road, was charged with unlawfully em eo u,;„_ beating William Bailey on the sth Wit: Ricketts, solicitor, prosecuted. For some time peat there has been an endeavour ea part of the society men of the shoemaking trade i e get advance of wage, i and for th at Purpose lugs have been held and the ce-op een t bin of non-society men solicited. On the day in qUistk e th e plainant attended a meeting at a public-home i n 0 : well, and after being treated to some wine he soy eeksd become a member of the society. This he refneed — rd, on which the defendant said he had for a loos tj grudge to wipe off with the complainant, and et in d Li „.! violent blow on the face, blackening one of his was proceeding to further acts of violence when he o u vented by his companions, and the oomplainant was sim ne l to leave. The complainant, in answer to questions by the fendant, said he had been drinking a little, b e t knew what he was about, and was quite certain flat - had not given the defendant any provocation. The defendant, in answer to the charge, said by complainant called bim foul names, an d also abases • father-in-law. He asked the complainant to deein, instead of doing so, he put up . his bands to fight, sad did then hit the complainant in the face. A witness was called for the defence • bet his clearly proved the case for the complainant. The magistrate said the assault was an unprovoked a violent one, and ordered the defendant to pay ab. 20s. and 10s. cute, or in default to be impnassi s a • hard labour in the House of Correction for 14 days. The defendant was then removed. COMPLAINT AGAINST THZ BT. PANCRAS AUDIOS/TM Mary Ana Nenaing, a charwoman, was smutting Elizabeth Jeffry, a boot-binder, at SL r r i aean The complainant, whose eye was blackened, said that was outaide the St. Pancras Workhouse gates Use", and 2 o'clock. this morning waiting for admissice a man spoke to her. He had no sooner done so tha t prisoner came up, hit her in the eye, knocked her and kicked her, she lost a good deal of blood from effects of the blow in the face. Mr. D'Eyncourt asked how it was that the was not admitted to the casual ward. The complainant said that she was there at Beebe, and was then told that it was full. She had bees &is m on the stones outside the workhouse gates for the lasiQi or six nights. Last night she was nearly numbed eillins cold. Mr. D'Eyncourt asked how it was that she did eat pi e the police and get an order for the carnal wards. The complainant said that she belonged to the yesa, and that being so, the police would not give her aW m She had frequently applied for admission and was Met, Police-sergeant Cook, 8 Y, said that the police aelyp se orders to the wayfarers, and referred those that Ws* to the parish to the relieving overseer. Mr. D'Eyncourt ordered the prisoner to pay a tit 55., or in default to be imprisoned in the Haus deep tion for seven days. The prisoner was locked up in default. WORSHIP-STREET. ANOTHER ATTEMPT AT SUICIDL Abraham Gentleman, 54, a shoemaker, in Edwaniense, Bethnal-green, was charged with attempting to emit suicide by banging himself. Police-constable Mantkerton, 65 H, said that atllye„ yesterday (Wednesday) he was called to the boseena. tioned, and saw the prisoner lying insensible befall the fire. Medical assistance was obtained, but he endued insensible for three quarters of an hour. Mirka of a lei were distinctly observable round his throat, and einia punded with the size of a twisted line lying on the Italy his side. It further appeared that he had ruspeadelbee self to a nail, which fortunately came from its habliatte room or death must have ensued. Prisoner's son assured the magistrate that trouble led induced his father to make this attempt on his tits Hs was deaf and dumb, had lost his wife and two yomaans in the hospital, and bad himself recently been lea as ink fever. The smallest quantity of drink always had I kaki effect on him, and he (witness) fully believed this idled been committed under its influence ; but henesfonadis would be a teetotaller. Prisoner signified by the usual signs that be wadi do so, and that he was bitterly sorry for what he had dame;, also that the liquor he had drunk was bad. Mr. Cooke remanded the prisoner. SOUTHWARK. DISTURBANCE AT A RAILWAY sTITION BY A MSS 17 FEMALE ATTIRE. Win. Radford, a young fellow, 19 years of sga, brought up in custody of the London, Outten, Dover Railway police, charged with being dntek disorderly at the Borough-road Station. Kober; Hancock, booking clerk at the ' • station, said that about 8 o'clock in the evening the : came rushing through his office, dressed like a • followed by a mob of persons, and before he could - . him be lan up the steps on to the platform, among sengers, causing considerable commotion, owing to dress and bonnet he had on over his proper clothing. nese followed him and requested him to leave ties pany's premises. He was very drunk rind abusive. mod was compelled to turn him down the steps. He struck and kicked witness, and it was with - • difficulty that he was secured. Mr. Francis Smith, the station-master, said be was • getting ready for an approaching train on the pled when lie saw the prisoner rush up, calling out in sten manner. His dress and general appearance maned derable excitement among the passengers, who he must be mad. Witness assisted Mr. Hancock te e him when he kicked him also and spat in his face constable was sent for, and eventually he sou neared Richard Stevens, 6t M, said he was on duty in the rough-road a little before 8 o'clock, when he sew the saner rush past dressed with an enormous climbs petticoat, and a woman's bonnet on his bead. A nob boys were following shouting after him. Witnew west pursuit and saw him turn into the railway station, lad few minutes afterwards he was ejected by the two lasted. nesses and given into his custody. larTkhaenpdrirsionnerinto the street, e st p re rounded him, and to get from their violence he n a ate the railway station. He was very drunk, and did se er eutt, some when member kicking any one. If he did , he was very talc of a the mob cloth oi ts be rr a : for it. ted li d putting on female attire, and that was a ggrays The magistrate told him his conduct was diaerswilli violence. He mut pay • fine of 20 s. or go to prism lx 14 days. WANDSWORTH. EXTENSION OF THE CATTLE PLA6FE ONDEIRL-41001010 TO THE PUBLIC. Mr. James Clark, of Croydon, was summoned spector Lovelace, of the V division, for causing tole moved five heiferscontrary to the Cattle Plague 04% Henry Clark, an old man, was also summoned for rd' ving them. The offence was committed on the 11th inst., MUM* In explanation the firstmentioned defendant Wild that he had the cattle removed on the suppoation tart Its had the power to do so without a license :Jter the Ikk of May. After the cattle had been stopped he fogad Ott the time had been prolonged till June. y M Inspector Lovelace said that by a recent corder the had been extended from the lOth of May to the 3: 1 " June. Mr. Dayman pointed out to Mr. C:a4t that Ow Iff required him to make himself acquainted with the milt Mr. Clark said he was not a cattle dealer, bat le. tractor. Mr. Daymen said the defendant had taken upon Meal the work of a cattle dealer at a time when he ooskt very particular. He fined him 405., and 9s: ca d ' other defendant he fined 55., and 2s. costs. WATCH ROBBERIES ON TILE HERBY DAT. A youth who gave the name of Dhert Bra/MEW IP examined on a charge of stealing a watch fron Gilbert, a carman, who on returning frow tiss on the Derby Day stopped at the Windmill PIZ house, Clapham-common. The house " 7, 1 at the time. The prisoner got in front aWE na forced up his arms by placing his hauls under thetk:_ d , heard a snap and saw his watch pass under the pron left arm. The prosecutor was immediately stolw"- peM°,, and a number of men endeavoured to g et the away. The prisoner was, however, secured , ssd, prosecutor not only lent his watch but a h a ndketews• another aw °f°r9e ess ik e ß , '"U was' The prisoner, who denied the rubbery, was taws for trial: of tom . r Y.tl watch from Mr. Thomas Elsey, of th e Fox Ind IT" w re ho .e vras iami p n ro ea vei o l n to a be ch o ag n e West-hill, Highgate, while stopping at the W ks' icalmk The prisoner pleaded guilty, awl he was sentencea months' imprisonment. HIGHGATE. THE LATE ItOBBERT AT LORD I,IIFERIEA. Charles Bradley, bricklayer. living at Welleslert Kentish-town, wee again brought before Mr. Bodkle,ir; Colonel Jeakes the sitting magistrates, chillted. stealing eight irabbits from Lord Dutferink Hampstead-lane, on Saturday night , where he had _r; at work. His lordship's steward, Dlr. Polo, Ina a r ia - attendance to osecute. The prisoner wan before the bench on Monday, ih case was reported in the Expn,s. 0 It appeared that Policeman Brawn, N 2 V, prisoner, and found eight dead rabbits in his bas et , Lord Dufferin's steward proved were alive at loorti the same evening. The prisoner at the station sd that he had taken the rabbits from his lordship's o ° s " Mr. Bodkin asked Brawn, the policetwob wbe thiri° bad found anything against the prisoner. Brawn said he had not. Nothing was known Of his. The Bench remanded the prisoner (for whom ,kaa I been refused) till Monday, when he will be committe d' By the substitution of an "f " for sn newspaper parigraph was made to say that Be' has received a calf from Maine to be settled over • cc i gregational church in Portland, with a salar y of 3,oddd° —.American paper, P . THI ci L' '