The Express. — London, England, 1867-01-21 00:00:00

LIFEBOAT SERVICES.—During the storms of ' -1i../ the pan C=E O) the National Lifeboat Institutiou, by its lifeboats an means, contributed to the saving of 913 meow from different wrecks on our coasts. The institution also expended £31,430 in the same period on Its lifeboat eats blishments, In addition to grunting £t,173 for rewards. The Committee of the Institution earnestly APPEAL to the public for ASSISTA !WE to enable than to meet the coatlased heavy demands on the 170 Ifthnot tletions of the institution. t attributions are reecisW by the London and tletalgt Bankers: and by the `4 rotary, RICHARD LEW IS, Esq., Id the lesineliat, IS, Johnitreet, AdelphL London. JOHN BROGDEN'S.d.ILD CHAINS by troy Weight, at realisable value, and the woriunandalp at wholesale nuiftfacturers' prices. The gold In the chains gun ranteed, and repurchased at the prlcc charged . ere's - the note. How much your own weighs to the utmost carat, The fineness of the gold, and charge for fashion." KNAKESPLAKB. Manufactory, in, Henrietta-street, Coventitaden, W.O , London BENSO'NB WATCHES. 68 and GO, Ludgate•hill; 25, Oldßondntraet. BROWN and POISON'S CORN FLOUR for CHILDRIMS DIET. To obtain extra profit by the sale other kinds are sometime offered Instead of BROWN and POLIO:VS. "John brown," "John Poison," Is signed by the makers on each packet. Ette etrprefso. DRURY LAYS Tins Riveted, JOHN 111 LL. Mr. Ptirlps, Neva. Swin bourne, E. Phrlpe, sm.! Barrett; Nlcidames H. Tr&ln, Isabel Adams, & 11.Tandenhoff.—And NUMBER NIP: OR, HARLE. QUIN AND THE GNOME KING OYTHEGIANT MOUNTAIN. HAYMARKET. THIS Emuna, A LESSON FOR LIFE. Mews. Sothan, Rogers, (lark, Compton, de. Mrs. Chippendale, Mimes Hill, Wnicht. dc.—And THE ' , EMUS FAMILY. Messrs. Bueludone, Howe, Farren, Mesdames Chippendale, %I.eire, Burke, die. PILINCERIf& TM !MGM, DELICATE GROUND. Masan. Vining and J. o..Yhoce ; Mita kathertne Rodgers.—And THE STREETS 4W LONla IN. Mears Y. Villiers, abort, (Wham, Forreoter, CUR. cart, Mellon, Lind Yining, Mn. H. Marston amid Miss Rodgers LS CIVIL TEnt Erwanwo, THE riaFtZus. Mr. Widdloomb.—And ROUGE ET ollL limn. ►acbler, Emery, Cowper. Moreland, Yitzpatrkk. D.dt..n, Reynolds, Lonna Andrvw4, Price. ke. ; Itra. L. Hurry, and Mimes Elenrade, Grattan, and C. Leclercy. STRAND. Ting Remit°, N EIGHBOURIL —After 'dila will be produced • (rend Burk/qua, GUY IAWYLi.—And A BOIT OF TWEELY3. Houtowt: Tats Evintion, MY TURN NEXT. Mr. Delmore: Mdse. Foote and Lennoz.—And PLYING KULL Messrs. Yevlllo. Del more. Blake, YoDade, *c. • Madame If. Josephs, C. &launders, Dessie Foote, Fiddes, Leon:, Raymond. de. BRITANNIA. TIM LIMNING, THE PRINCESA OF THE PEARL PILAND ; OR, THE THILKE KINGDOMS Olf PEARL, GOLD, AND lILLVEIL lin Lane and Miss Jacolm.—Yint-rate Pantomimist& ...And TUN Wink:TON CREW. DION WATNE AT LONDON BRIDGE 21111 DAY —Moral's, 211. 29. Afternoon. 2n. M. 19410AnoW—Morning, 3h 18a Afternoon, LONDON, _IPINDAY. JANUARY 21. ANOTHER sudden change has taken place in the money market. A week or two ago speculation was busy as to which particular Thursday the Bank rate of discount would be reduced from 34 to 3 per cent. The payment of the dividends, the in flux of coin from the provinces, and the steady arrivals of foreign specie, all pointed to . this result. On the other hand, a Russian loan had been nego tiated with unexpected success in London and Amsterdam, but the sum subscribed here, perhaps, barely sufficed to meet the balance of trade in our favour, taking into consideration the licitly remit tances which are periodically made to England to pay the dividends on the existing stocks. There was likewise some revival in the demand for send ing money to the East, as exemplified by the greater readiness with which the last tenders for Government bills on India were absorbed, but this movement was of no practical importance. The downward tendency in the value of money has been arrested almost solely by withdrawals of specie for Paris, either to be retained there or transmitted to other countries. It seems aing.dar that it is worth while to undertake these opera tions. In London the rate of discount in the open market is about 3 per cent., in Paris about ; why, therefore, should the law of supply and demand be violated by buying gold in the dearer market in order to sell it in the cheaper? The only answer is that it is so. If the supply o: bullion in the Bank of France were defic , ent,some reason might be shown for carrying out excep tional transactions which, as a matter of fact, must involve a loss. It has occurred more than once that foreign banks have adopted these con trivances for temporarily strengthening the" posi tion ; but the Bank of France stands in no need of them, and has indeed abandoned them long ago. The last accounta officially published in Paris and London show the following amounts of bullion held by the two national Banks : Bank of Fromm .. Bank of England £26,1/40,000 19,t40,845 So that our neighbours have a stock of nearly seven millions more than we hold. Coupling this fact with the difference in the respective rates of discount in the two capitals it is difficult at first sight to discover any adequate commercial cause for this renewed export of bullion from our side. Perhaps in part it may proceed from the somewhat defective yield of the harvest. No surer reason for a drain of gold from the Bark can be adduced than that of large imports of foreign corn to be paid for in specie. This is more especially felt now, seeing that half-civilized countries like Egypt have occupied in a great de gree, or at least contested, the place hitherto held by the United States. But at present our im ports are by no means excessive. At any rate they can scarcely account for a large withdrawal of gold at this time of the year, since, if there were a real reason for this export, it would have taken place long ago. In previous periods of scarcity the shipments hero of corn have occurred much earlier ; ordinarily in the autumn, and rarely so late as the succeeding spring. This hypothesis may there fore be practically dismissed. If the export of gold were for corn, it would have commenced some months back, and have proceeded at a more equable rate. The process would have been gradual ; not, as in this case, spasmodic. Looking round the general departments of trade, there seems no reason why bullion should be taken away at this particular conjuncture. We are not reduced on a sudden to import cotton, or any equally necessary commodity, from a new and un tried market, where our manufactures are com paratively unknown, and the precious metals only taken in exchange. Still less are we lavishing our capital in foreign enterprises. Yet there is the fact that during the last week gold has been unexpectedly taken from us, not in driblets, but in comparatively large quantities. From the considerations already adduced, we can put aside all belief that the present drain of specie is due to what may be called natural causes. We are neither lend ing nor importing, still less investing in foreign companies. Where then is the money going T We hear that the cause is one that is little complimentary to the knowledge of England possessed by foreigners. It is assumed, we know not with what degree of credibility, that French and German bankers are withdrawing their balances from this country and declining to employ capital in English bills from fear of political danger. Our free play of public liberties forebodes to some con tinental capitalists, who have the happiness of living under more or less arbitrary Governments, dangers which no sane Englishman can perceive. 'flJi They are unable to comprehend that sound and' salutary constitutional changes can taki, place without perturbations in which commerce must necessarily suffer. Capitalists are proverbially timo rous, and not remarkable for political discernment, and foreign capitalists are probably more timorous than our own. Hence, when our political stagna tion begins to be ruffled a little, they draw in their balances, abstain from holding bills of English merchants—always in ordinary times a favourite investment with continental bankers—and give as little credit to our traders as possible. The same mistrust was experienced during the late com mercial panic. At that time it proceeded from financial, now from political influences. It will be easily understood that these foolish apprehen sions will gradually wear off, but they have a cer tain effect for the moment. It is, however, of very little consequence that foreign capitalists should have misgivings about English credit, if politics alone are in question. The abundance of money is such, that whatever sums they are enabled to draw away could hardly raise the Late of discount one-half per cent. Sup posing that it were so, it would be no great tax upon industry that bills could not be cashed on less terms than 4 per cent. The whole effect would be widely different from the experience of the past summer, when ordinary woommo. dation was not merely difficult but often impossible to be obtained. There is a broad interval between discredit caused by actual financial difficulties, and that which pro ceeds from chimerical political apprehensions. The maintenance of the Bank rate for more than three months at 10 per cent. was an actual tangible fact ; the nightmare of foreign ignorance and timidity will vanish with the light. At all events the question is of no great moment. We owe so little to the Continent that if our exports of specie are at all considerable, what ever may go there will rather represent loans from our side than debts called in by foreign creditors. Taking all the circumstances into calculation it may fairly be assumed that the course of the money market will be rather towards a reduction than an increase of the rate of discount. If private discounters are ready to lend at 3 per cent., the Bank can scarcely continue long to charge 37. Yet a reduction would be of little value. If the Bank went to 3 per cent. the private discounters would lower their terms to 2i, and, indeed, they have taken that price and 2& already. It is possible, of course, that the withdrawals of bullion may con tinue on a scale sufficient to necessitate a rige to 4 or 5 per cent., but this event seems hardly likely. Should it happen, the general market will follow the course of the Bank as the rate rises, equally as it disregards any tendency to a fall. If, to take an extreme example, the Bank charges 10 per cent., the open discount market stands out for at least as much, and perhaps 11 or 12. If, on the other hand, the official terms are only 3i per cent., as now, private discounters are quite ready to accept any reduction which the general state of the money market may warrant. In this way the effect of a high, and, nine times out of ten, unnecessarily high, rate of discount may be appreciated. Thus, during the late crisis, while the Bank kept its minimum at 10 per cent., the terms elsewhere were at least the same —theorists will tell us, like Mr. DISRAELI, from a deficiency of capitaL In a few weeks money was at 5 per cent. at the Bank, and less in the open discount market. According to the views of our present CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER, crpital must have accumulated in the course of a month to an enormous extent. How true this may be can be easily determined by any man of business. A financial contemporary informs the commer cial world that they do not understand the Bank I Charter Act • that , in fact , a slight change in • " i n • l administration, not principle, would make it " intelligible." So much has been written, said, l and, what is more to the purpose, experienced, from the practical wo-king of this celebrated mea sure, that it seems strange there should be any mis understanding on the subject. The mercantile world pretty well understand the effect of regulations that especially deal with their own interests. They I a re quite competent to judge of the effects of a high rate of discount—for instance, in stopping the export of bullion or increasing the imports, and so forth. They have the experience not merely of last summer, but of former years besides. It is wearisome to go over the same ground con tinually, while the supporters of an antiquated system seem incapable of instruction by the logic of facts. OUR CONTEMPORARIES. (THIS DAY.) THE NEW REFORMS IN ►RANCE. In the form in which they are presented to us the concessions announced in yesterday's Mositeur seem to the Daily News little more than nominal. If the Em parer wished to diminish bis responsibility without lessen ing his power, some such scheme as that foreshadowed in the imperial decree would answer this double purpose very satisfactorily. The liberty of interpellation granted by the Emperor is the liberty of petitioning to be allowed to ask questions which nobody needs answer ; and even this result is to be obtained only after Yell arduous and critical exertions. No very dangerous matter can be expected to filter through the imperialist majorities of two committees in the Senate and four committees in the legislative Body, as well as through the chambers themselves. The im perial decree as it affects the press is open to much the same criticism, for in the Correctional T,ibunal the govern ment will still continue to judge of offences through police magistrates holding office during the pleasure of the chief of the state. Sanguine expectations, therefore, must not be formed of the value of the promised extension of the right of public meeting. The measures, in short, when put forward with such pretensions as accompany them, are likely to embitter and to estrange rather than to conci liate. If this be all that liberals have to expect from the Second Empire, it is vain to hope for their reconciliation with it. Whether the change of internal organisation is correlative to any modification or fresh development of internal or external policy, cannot of course be more than guessed at. The departments of the retiring ministers— finance, war, and marine, and public works—may seem to some significant. 31. Fould is understood to have always advocated peace and retrenchment and to have opposed the costly system of reconstruction which has immortalised 31. Hausmann. But it is perhaps gratuitous or premature to see indications of a policy in his resignation. The Herold says that though it is true the liberties conceded are but small in themselves, yet they give to the French Chambers all the powers that are practically exercised by our own. The concession promised to the press is an invaluable boon. Nevertheless, no one imagines, the Herald says, that, for the present at least, the French legislature will be any more than the pliant and useful council of the Emperor, informing him of the popular wishes, but opposing no obstinate resistance to his own. The Telegraph also regardithe reforms as gtted not only to gratify the ardent wishes of all that is enlightened in France, but to afford satisfaction to every admirer of free institutions throughout Europe. So imperfect an application of the principles of ministerial responsibility would never suit us English; but, we suspect, the Emperor has correctly gauged the popular opinion of his own countrymen in his adaptation of the principle to France. To the senile and empty professions of the Count de Chambonl the present ruler of France replies by a proud assertion of his con& dence in the French people, conveyed in the tangible form of coneerdiene to popubir opinion, molt as no Bourbon would been ever dared to make. TRAI , 2-`4' UNIONS. After describing the judgment in the Queen's Bench, in the case of a trades' union society, the particulars of which have already appeared in our columns, the Times proceeds to claim a general assent to the ruling of the court that a voluntary association which usurps the functions of a legislature is in that sense unlawful. At the same time the necessity of a comprehensive enactment, putting an end to the doubts entered by laayers on some other points in the law of strikes, is beginning to be acknow ledged. Many difficulties have been found in construing and applying the present law applicable to the practice of trades' unions, and especially in determining how far it supersedes the common law definition of conspiracy. Sooner or later it will have to be revised, and when it is revised parliament ought not to shrink from the duty of grappling with the formidable subject of trades' unions as a whole. The Pat is greatly encouraged by an anti-trades-union movement which, it says, is making considerable progress in the northern counties, and asks why the London operatives do not follow the example. If only few masters united together to follow the Staveley example they would soon be joined by the others in their trade, and other trades would follow in their turn. If the men once had a nucleus, or rallying point, to give them support, the move ment would soon extend in every direction. EXPRESS, MONDAY EVENING, JANUARY 21, 1867. REMARKS. On our southern oouts yesterday It blew a gale from the east ward, and the sea was high. This morning the winds are easterly and eouth-easterly, light to moderate on our northern and not th easteni coasts, and very strong on our other coasts. Barometers are falling, and are more than half an inch higher lu the east of the British lake than at Valentin. in the south. west of Ireland. Temperatures have declined In the north and east, and risen a 1115 k In the south. A report was current in Bombay at the last ad vices that the Indian government had received a telegram from Lord Cranborne, order sag preparations to be made for the despatch of an expedition to Abyssinia. The force, it is said, was to consist of 10,000 men, namely, two regi ments of European and four of native infantry, four bat teries of artillery, and two regiments of cavalv. The American papers, referring to the statistics of the production of the oil regions during the past year express a hope that science may soon do something to bring petroleum into use for purposes in addition to those of illumination. The yield of 1866 was so far in excess of the demand that it is calculated the present year com menced with a surplus on hand in the various markets of the world of 733,000 barrels of refined, " which will have to be consumed before the production of 1867 can be brought forward." A letter from St. Petersburg of the 12th says : " The Davenport Brothers, with their cords and guitar and their cupboard, are drawing crowds of spectators to the great hall of the Artist.' Club three times a week. They will probably become a fashionable attraction, as they have bad the honour of going through their per formances before the imperial family. After having been roughly handled in so many places they appear to h►ve become wiser, they say nothing about spirits, but perform their clever tricks like any other conjurors, and everyone admires their dexterity." A coi.espondent writing from Rome on the 12th says :—" The American arms were yesterday hoisted on the facade of Mr. Macpherson's house, and the United States Legation archives transferred to the large room in it used by the American Episcopalian congregation, so that Dr. Lyman is no longer in danger of being misted, as Messrs. Lewis and Williams have been. As American visitors to the Eternal City are every year on the increase, however, it is apprehended that their present chapel accommodation will soon be insufficient, and negotiations are being entered into by their church committee to obtain for the ensuing year the building outside the Porta del Popolo which was used as a chapel by the British Protestant congregation before removing to their present more commodious establishment, a few paces nearer the gate." On the Ist of January was to be published at San Francisco the first monthly number of the California China Mail and Flying Dragoa, printed in the English and Chinese languages. The first Chinese printing and job business was about to be established in San Francisco by menus of several complete fonts of Chinese type, and a number of Chinese compositors which are to be introduced from China. The Francisco News Letter heads its births, deaths, and marriages, " the cradle, altar, and tomb." THE POPULATION OF FRANCE.—The quinquen nial census of the population of France, just completed, gives 38,064,094 as the number of inhabitants, exclusive of 121,000 employed abroad in Algeria, Mexico, ko. This is an increase of 680,933 over the census of 1861. There are in France 19,014,109 males and 19,032,983 females. The females are therefore in a majority of 38,876. In 31 of the 89 departments of France there has been a diminution in the number of inhabitants to the extent of 106,459. which is attributed to emigration and migration from the country districts into the large cities. The population of Paris has in creased by 129,133. The increase of population has been greatest in the department of the Seine, and the decrease greatest in the department of La Manche. THE LOSS OF THE SCREW STEAMER NEWTON CoLvewr..—There can be no doubt but that this fine steamer, belonging to R. Young, Esq.,M.P., has been lost at sea, and, unhappily, all hands perished. The Newton Col ville was employed in the Baltic, and left Dantric for Lon don, laden with wheat, on the 26th ult. She passed Copen hagen on the 29th, in company with several other steamers, and since then no tidings of her have reached the owner. The weather at that time was awful, and it may reason ably be supposed that the noble vessel foundered during the gale. The ship was insured at Lloyd's, so that in a monetary point of view Mr. Young's loss will be but nominal, though it is a sad thing to lose a crew of 18 men. Mr. Thomas Lee, the commander of the ves sel, had been in Mr. Young's employ for 20 years, and was much respected for his straightforward and honourable conduct. The chief officer was Mr. Richard Horsepool, a nephew of Captain Lee, and a young man of great promise; he and several of the seamen had been in the same service for many years, and the painful event has caused quite a gloom to pervade the town of Wisbech. Captain Lee married a daughter of the much-respected harbour-master, and leaves a widow and four children to lament his death. Much genuine sympathy is felt for the relatives of the crew. The steamer was but three years old, and in the beet possible condition ; in feet she was a noble vessel, and manned by an efficient crew. We under stand the value of the ship and cargo amounts to 30,0001. There is no doubt but that this sad calamity was pressing heavily on the mmd of Mr. Young during the time he was surrounded by his friends at the banquet given to him, on the 10th inst., at Wisbech, when (contrary to his usual custom), after speaking a consider able time, he faltered, and on resuming, the honourable gentleman mid—" There are affairs that press upon men's minds and prevent the words coming to the lips, therefore a great deal I should have said to-night must be left un said, and you must take me, as you have always found me, a working man--a man of dee ds and not words."—Caist &ridge Inclepoukat. . ' ITHE ACCIDENT IN THE REGENT'S-PARK. ADJOURN= INQUEST.-(THIS DAY.) The coroner's inquisition on the 40 bodies re covered from the water and viewed by the jury, was re sumed this morning at Marylebone court-house. Dr. Lan kester, the coroner for Central Middlesex, assisted by his deputy, Dr. Hardwioke, took his seat about 10 o'clock, when the names of the jurors were called over. The gal leries and other unreserved portions of the court were opened shortly after the commencement of the proceed ings, and were soon filled. A plan of the ornamental water, which had been prepared by the local surveyor, was laid on the table for the use of the coroner and jury. In spectors }brides and Sylvester attended on behalf of the commissioners of police ; Mr. Young, secretary of the Royal Humane Society, watched the proceedings for that institution ; and Mr. Russell was present in the interest of the Commissioners of Woods and Forests. The Coroner said be proposed to hear the evidence of persons who were on the isle at the time of the accident, and evidence as to the probable cause of the breaking of the ice, respecting which there were many theories, including one which attributed the unsound state of the ice to the breaking of it at the sides for the purpose of taking water. He would also take evidence as to the pre sent condition of the lake, and entertain suggestions as to the measures which would prevent such accidents in future. Some persons mentioned the desirableness of having the lake emptied, and as inquiries bad been made as to whether Lord John Manners, the First Commissioner of Works, was in town, be wished to state that Mr. Russell, the secretary to the commissioners, was present, and he would tell them that the government were anxious to do everything they could to assist the efforts which were being made to recover the remaining bodies, and that there was every disposition shown by Lord John Manners to entertain every mode of procedure for preventing such accidents. Mr. Russell said the Commissioners of her Majesty's Works had every desire to give all the information in their possession, and if they could furnish any papers or other assistance they would be glad to do so. Lord John Manners was out of town at present, but he would return to-morrow, when no doubt he would attend to any com munication from the coroner and jury. A juror said he had been told that private individuals supplied money on the previous day for the purpose of having the ice cleared off. He wished to know what steps were being taken by the government at present. Mr. Russell replied that a large number of labourers and park constables had been employed in removing the ice and facilitating the operations of the searchers. He was not aware that any gratuitous services were given, except in one case where the diving apparatus invented by Mr. Heinke was offered to the government by that gentleman, and at once accepted. The following evidence was then adduced : Mr. Lawrence Barnett Phillips, of 35, Hunter-street, Brunswick-square, said—l was on the ice on Tuesday last at the time of the accident. Previous to the accident my attention was called to the ice, which was in a very bed condition. I first got on the ice at the boat-house and crossed over in the direction of the Clarence-gate. Soon after I got on the ice I found it in a state like a tesselated pavement. The ice appeared to have broken and frozen together. The pieces varied In size and shape, most of them about three feet square. Between the cracks nearest the middle water was gently oozing through, but upon approaching the larger islands it came up in sudden spurts and rose above to the distance of two inches, which leads me to suppose the ice was not resting on the water. This induced me to proceed in the direction of Hanover-gate, and when I got near the suspension. bridge I found the whole of the ice near the shore was broken away. I did not see anyone breaking the ice, but lam quite sure some was broken while I was on. I then noticed that there were numbers of persons endeavouring to get off on the other side. I then proceeded in the direction of Clarence-gate, and I then found the portion of the ice between the largest island and the shore was carried away. I then made my way to the north bank, and I saw numbers of persons struggling to get on shore by means of • ladder. I saw • few fall into the water ; and this seemed to create a panic in the centre, as the people there seemed to make a rush in a body for the shore. I instantly observed that it was a general break-up, and laid myself down on my hands and knees. In lees than a minute—in half • minute—l was in the water. I saw a Royal Humane Society's man driving the people off and urging them on to the ladder. Whilst I was on my bands and knees I saw a young man pass me and sink into the water. He did not rise again. I scarcely know how I got on the shore myself I remained supporting myself on the ice, as my feet did not touch the bottom. I saw a gentleman holding up two children, and an elderly lady close by me. I then commenced shifting myself from piece to piece, taking care not to leave one portion till I could get to another, and by aid of " treading" water and using may walking stick I at leas got on shore. I had skates on, and I found it difficult to swim. I of course had great difficulty in reaching the north shore. As I neared it I saw boys scrambling, almost drawing each other, even when in shallow water. I travelled about a hundred yards in making my way to the shore. Before I got out I saw a boat coming, and I assisted the boat on to the rescue of the gentleman and two chil dren. I saw them rescued before I landed. There wag only air under the ice in those portions which were at tached to the land. There was the usual bend in the ice resting upon the water, but the waving appeared to be very great. At the time I went on the ice it did not seem dangerous, and es I could see no caution notices posted I went on. By the jury—The breakage near the shores was from one to two yards wide. I think the people rushing to wards the side where the ladder was caused the general break up. The Royal Humane Society's man did not force the people, but advised them to go off. I went on about half-past 2 o'clock, but I do not know at what time the accident happened. I had my watch with me at the time, but I was too exhausted to look at it. On reaching shore, I took off my skates and rushed round over the bridge to the tent, which I found was full. A gentleman kindly took me to the York baths, in the Mary. lebone-road, and there I remained until my recovery. I cannot remember what time I got home, but it was late. The ice was much thinner near the shore than in the middle. I cannot tell how long I was in the water, or how long I was on the hoe. I must hays been in some con siderable time. I was delirious after getting on shore. Mr. William Edwin Hardwicke —1 live at 70, Morn ington-road. I was on the ice on Tuesday. I went on at 10 o'clock in the morning. The ice was perfectly safe then. About half-an-hour after wards I saw two gangs of men begin to break up the ice round the islands. They were employed by Mr. Edwards, the Superintendent of the 'Parks. I thought there was danger in this process. I was warned by an iceman that the ice was dangerous. I was with my friend Mr. Day:es, one of the deceased per sons, and I told him I should go off. I did so and got on to the island. Boon afterwards the accident happened. The ice waved under the skaters, and then broke up, when I observed the people struggling in the water. I saw the fi rst boat put o ff from the shore. They had to break the ice to get the boat along. I saw several people rescued, and landed near the boat-house. I then got oft the island to the main shore where I stood watching the scene, and when dusk came on the people still on the island lighted a fire. I was told that there were some dead bodies there. . . . . —.- By the Jury—We were warned not to stand about in groups or lumps. I witnessed two immersions, and the second was the universal break up. The Coroner said that, with a view to distinguish the islands, he would callthe long island No. 1, and the short one No. 2. _ . Caled Charles Whiteford„l4, St. John's-wood-terrace—l was on the water on Tuesday last. I went on at 12, and waa there at the time of the accident. I did not think that the ice was so dangerous when I went on as on the previous day. I did not apprehend any accident, hut we were warned by one of the icemen before going on that we would all go in together. I did not heed his warning and went on. My compani ,, na consisted of the deceased gentle. men, Davies and Wake, and others. As I was skating I found the ice uncertain, and I skated rapidly between the two islands. When I was near the Toxophilite gardens • gentleman who followed me went in. I then saw the ice give way on the broad water close to the enclosure. I was on the ice between the enclosure and the south shore when I saw the ice give way. I went to the escape for the purpose of wheeling it down, but I found the axle wheel broken, and one wheel on the ground. A gentleman on shore move.l the oscine. There were a lot of boats near the south island ; persons were preparing to put them out. I got a rope and when I brought it to the water five boats had beta put out. I subsequently went to the enclosure and assisted in getting five persons over the ioe at the east end of the island where it was sound. About half an hour before the accident, I don't think five persons could have stood on the pert where it was broken. In my opinion the cause of the accident was owing to the breaking of the ice at the sides, and partly owing to the condition of the ice between Hanoventerrace and Stumex-place, where there was open water on the pre vious Saturday. This part was frozen over on Monday, and there was no caution posted there. Rather than go j over that ice I went to the safe part by land. I saw the part between the two isLuids give way, but I could uot see the north-eastern side. The ice was unsupported at the edges along the islands and at the nortb-weet ena side ' when the rays of the sun had effect. I obse rve d that the water at the sides was on • lowed with the ice. / had not seen the thermometer before I went on the ice. Mr. Alexander Nesbitt Shaw—l reside at Yorkylae e , Portman-square, and am a member of the vestry. At 12 o'clock on the day of the accident I was in the park with my son. Whilst my son was putting on his skates I went into the hut of the Royal Humane Society , en d seeing at the door a placard announcing that the ice was in a dangerous state, I saked the man what he meant by saying that the ice was dangerous, and further asked him what part was dangerous. He replied that it was all dangerous, and that an awful accident would occur. I plied him what part was meet danger eu and he pointed to the spot where the accident afterwards occurred. My eon su bs equently went on' a part of the ice which I oonsidered safe. I don't think that the gates should be thrown open to the publie when the ice is unsafe. lam aware that access to the ice could be obtained at the other side of the park. lam ey,„ posed to the police being placed at the park to interfere with private individuals. lam opposed to the imposition of a penalty on persons who go on ace after they have be en is warned, u as done in New York where a ball is hoisted wh en the ice safe. lam against finind persons for endaugerie g their lives. John Spencer, • builder, residing at 3, Stock Orchard. street, Holloway, said—l was on the ice at 12 o'clock oe the day of the accident, and it was not dangerous then. There were three or four thousand people on the side, and all went on well till about 3 o'clock. I was on the long island at 2 o'clock, and was told to go off by rap t who were breaking the ice all round the island. The men also broke the tee around the abort island and at the pri vate grounds. I asked them why they broke the ice, b u t I got no reply. About 3 o'clock I saw an iceman on th e south-western bank sitting in • flat-bottomed boat and breaking the ice right across, evidently for the purpose of preventing people fr om crossing. He made • bag hole in the middle, and the water spouted up as if from a fountain. I asked him what he did it for, sad be re plied, "To let two or three of you in." His pul li ng the boat across broke the ice. He did not break the ice acmes the whole away. I said, " I do not think you are a fit person to be here—what are you doing that for ?" The reply he gave me was, " For my amusement." I that skated to where the ladder was, and after delay of a quarter of an hour, I thought the ice was gettin g dangerous, and I directed my two sons who were on the ice to leave. There was then a general movements towards the ladder at the north end. I was on the ies near the ladder, and I turned round, when I suddenly found myself in the water, and I then saw that all the others were struggling at the same time. I got on shore without assirtince. My son, brother, and brotherindaw , were struggling around me. I think the breaking et the ice at the sides was the sole cause of the accident, When the ice was broken at the sides there were no means of getting on shore. Chas. Edward Thomas. 6, Martin's-churchyard Tower. hill— I was in the Regent's-park on Tuesday. On loOking at the ice I thought it was made dangerous by the work of the men who were breaking it with crow-bars at the islands. Along all the north-west side facing the mound the ice was broken. I was walking along observing the skaters when all at once I saw • confusion, and in another instant the whole body of ice seemed to me to go in at once. I looked around and saw no appliances on the trees for rescuing those who were struggling in the water, Red that is why I attend here to-day. When I saw the men breaking the ice I thought there was great danger, there being an unclouded sun at the time. The majority of the people present also apprehended danger. I saw man and his two children struggling near the shore, and if there had been a rope ready they could have been easily brought out. The three were afterwards rescued, and I wish to bear my testimony to the intrepid conduct of boatman named Archer, who saved four or five persons who were struggling in front of me. The court here adjourned for a short time. 080. W. R. Ito sh 0.02 2 2f 0.29 2 so 0.03 1 c 2 so 0.02 , 4 o To 1 c o 7 o 6 ref co o I z ; 013 c0 1...•!S to 910 4 o THE GOVERNMENT AND RXTORI. The Tekgraph is informed that the present idea of Lord Derby's cabinet is to bring in no reform bill, but to pro pose the issue of a commission on the present working of our representative system. The new plan, however, " does not seem to have been finally adopted, and we may yet hear of another change." The Tinus quotes and gives some prominence to an article from the Suaday Gazette, in which a similar statement is made. On the other hand the Standard of to-day urges that reform is the most pressing question of the time, and that it will be almost impossible to effect any useful legislation until it is settled for good and all. It foresees that a bill will be laid by the govern ment on the table of the house, and it warns the Adul lamites that any line of policy adopted towards the con servative bill involving its rejection will be interpreted as devised to give " aid and comfort" to the revolutionary reformers. int enrurt. OSBORNE, JAN. 19. The Queen and Princess Louise, attended by the Dowager Duchess of Athole and Lady Waterpark, drove out yesterday afternoon. Colonel Ponsoaby was in attendance upon horseback. Her Majesty walked,and drove in a sledge this morning, attended by the Dowager Duchess of Athole. Princess Louise and Prince Arthur skated in the grounds this morning, her royal highness being attended by the Hon. Lady Biddulpb and the Hon. Emily Cathcart. Princes Beatrice and Prince Cbriatian went out also. Lieutenant• General the Hon. Charles and Mrs. Grey had the honour of dining with the Queen and the royal family yesterday. - JAN. 20. The Queen, accompanied by Princess Louise and Prince Arthur, drove out in a sledge yesterday afternoon, attended by Lady Waterpark. Her Majesty, the Duke of Edinbrrgh, Pr;icesa Louise, Prince Arthur, and the Prinoe of Leiningen attended Divine service at Whippingham Church this morning. The Hew. George Prothero officiated. The Duke of Edinburgh, attended by the Hon. Eliot Yorke, honoured Mr. Arthur Helps with a visit at Bishops Waltham yesterday. His royal highness, accompanied by Mr. Helps, afterwards visited the Royal Albert In firmary and pottery works there. The Prince of Leiningen arrived at Osborne yesterday on a visit to her Majesty. Despatches were received on Saturday at the Colonial office from the Governors of the Australian colonies, New Zealand, Ceylon, Hong Kong, Malta, and Gibraltar. De spatches were sent to the Governors of the Australian colonies, Ceylon, Hong Kong, Labuan, the Mauritius, Malta, Gibraltar, Bermuda, and the North American Provinces. Summonses were issued on Saturday evening for a Cabinet Council, to be held at the official nsidenoe of the First Lord of the Treasury, in Downing-street, to-morrow (Tuesday), at three o'clock. THE PRINCi AND PRINCESS 07 WALE/I.—During the past week the Prince and Princess Teak have hien on a visit to their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales, at Sandi:ushani House. His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh left Sandringham on Wednesday for town. The weather having been intensely cold during the past week skating has been the principal amusement of the Prince of Wales and his friends. When the weather improves the Prints of Wales sal :sit General Hall, at his shooting-box, at Six-mile-bottom, Cambridgeshire, and after this visit the present sojourn of h;s Royal Highness and the Princess of Wales in the eastern district will be probably brought to a close, as the London season will then be commencing. The Marquis and Marchioness of Kildare and family left Carlton House-terrace on Friday for Cliefden, on a visit to the Dowager Duchess of Sutherland. Lord Arthur Pelham Clinton, M.P., RN., left town on Saturday for Clumber Park. The Hon. Adolphus Liddell, Q.C., and Mies Liddell have arrived at Brighton, on a visit to Mn. Lane Fox, from visiting at Goodwood Houae. Sir John and Lady Shelley have left Brighton for their meat in Sturm Mr. and the Hon. Mn. Tomlin have arrived in town from Brighton. The Right Hon. Sir John Trol'ope, M.P., is staying at Brighton for the benefit of his health, which suffered from a fall in hunting. The marriage of Lord Hylton to the Countess of Ilohester took place on Saturday last at St. James's Church. The funeral of the Marquis of Exeter has been fixed for Thursday next. Sir Henry Hoare, Bart., has purchased the tome of No. 25, Albem►rleatreet, Piccadilly. The Address in the House of Lords will be moved by the Earl Beauchamp, and will, in all probability Oafs tho Times) be seconded by Lord Delamina. The Duchess of Leeds and Lady Herbert of Lea have each given the large sum of 10,000/, to the Roman Catholic church, to be applied to the purchase of Priory Park for the use of that religious body. —Court Journal. The private view of the Exhibition of the Society of Female Artists took place on Saturday at the Gallery of the Architectural Exhibition in Conduit-street. The question of the supplementary charter to the Queen's University will again come under the consideration of the Muter of the Rolls towards the close of this week, on the hearing of the petition praying that the senate may be restrained from granting degrees to any persons except those who have been educated in the Queen's Colleges. Mr. Phelps will re-appear at Drury-lane this evening (Monday), for the first time since Christmas, a. Job Thon,berry, in the younger Colman's comedy, John Bull, which, wall known to our fathers, will be entirely new to many playgoers of the present day. To allow full time for the performance of the pantomime the comedy will commence at a quarter before 7 o'clock. With reference to the vacant treasurership of the Household, we have good reason fcr believing (says the Sunday Gazette) that the statements made by some of our contemporaries are unauthorised and premature. No step is likely to be taken for filling up the post until after the burial of the late Lord Exeter. The same remark applies to the garter and the lord-lieutenancies held by the deceased marquis. The following is Mr. Disraeli's circular to his supporters in the House of Commons :—" Downing street, Jan. 17, 1867.--Sir,—The meeting of parliament has been fixed for Tuesday, the sth of February, when the House of Commons will immediately proceed to the con sideration of business of the highest importance. I there fore take the liberty of earnestly requesting your presence on that day.—l have the honour to remain, air, your faithful servant, B. Dtssaeti." The death is announced of Dr. Brinton, F.R.S., at the early age of 43. He held several hospital appoint ments at different times, the latest being as physician and lecturer at St. Thomas's Hospital. He was the author of some elaborate reserches on the structure and compara tive anatomy of the stomach, and of valuable medical works on the digestive organs, and was peculiarly suc cessful as &clinical teacher. LATEST INTELLIGENCE. IMPORTANT NEWS FROM GREECE AND CANDI A. The Levant mail brings the following new:: dated Athens, Jan. 12: The Chamber has voted 200,000 drachmas (90c. each) for the despatch of an extraordinary di plomatic mission to the Great Powers, and a million for the acquisition of rifles. The government has named the following gen tlemen : To Paris, M. Feligiandis ; to St. Petersburg, M. Metaxas ; to London, M. Braila+ ; to Florence, M. Conduriotis ; to Washington, M. "Langan& ; to Vienna, M. Mavrocordato. England and France have in vited the Greek government to maintain a strict neutrality which does not exclude the transport of women and children from Crete to Greece. Operations in the island of Candice are interrupted by the cold. Ali Pacha has declined the proposal of the Russian Ambassador to establish neutral hospitals in the island of Candia. The governor of Themaly, Edhem Pacha, is distributing arms among the Muasulman popula tion of that province. (RECTER'S TELEGRAM.) THE FOREIGN POLICY OF FRANCE. PARIS, JAN. 21. The Muniteur of this morning says :—"The government is strongly desirous of submitting to the appreciation of the great bodies of the state the motives which determine its conduct in foreign policy. The suppression of the debates on the address will not delay explanations since the government has decided to accept from the open ing of the session questions upon foreign affairs." WEATHER REPORT.-(THIS DAY.) MoWDAY, JLM:IMM 21, 8 A.X. N 11 3 0 , 1 . 06 1-2.- Aberdeen 30.07 Leith Arttremat *4O Oresomettle 111.90 2 24144236 12.04 Unocal 2693 32 LIZ. Boiyheml _19.79 311 LN.L Peomme p.m 40 1.8.11.. Brest ....-;911.41 N.E. !Azimut — RocPefort.. 10.49 41 Z. Plymouth 2308 33 KN.& Weymouth ?0.72 32 E.S.E. 10 Portsmouth 20.80 28 E. 8.2. i 6 London 29.88 28 Z. 6 Yarmouth. 20.95 31 B.Z. i Scarborough. 90.01 31 ELF. . 3 Shields Ii az. THE DISTRESS IN THE EAST OP LONDON. With a view to relieve the wide-spread distress in the eastern parts of London in a systematic and effectual manner, it is in contemplation to reorganise the com mittee which, during the mayoralty of Sir Benjamin Phillips, did such conspicuous service in the City of Loa don in arresting the cholera in the autumn of last year, and which in that work dispensed • sum of nevi/ 20,0001. confided Wit by the public in feeding the poverty. stricken population. For that purpose &preliminary meeting was held on Saturday at the house of the Rev. William Rogers, the Rector of Bishopsgate, and himself a leading member of the Cholera Committee, and their first step was to put themselves in communication with the Lord Mayor as an act of respect, and, if possible, to enlist his coopers• tion in the object they had in view. A deputation Sc. conlingly waited upon the chief magistrate at the Man. sion-house, composed of the Rev. F. G. Itlomfield, son of the late Bishop of London and Rector of St. Mary Ase; the Rev. William Rogers, Chaplain in Ordinary to the Queen; and Mr. W. Davenport Bromley, M.P. At present money is being raised by individual efforts in the City ci London for want of some better organisation. On the Steel Exchange a subscription has been set on foot, and • me siderable sum already raised as • commencement. Tht corporation of London, if need were, would doubtles make a suitable grant in aid, and so would most, if as all, of the great city companies. The Rev. Dr. Miller, the vicar of Greenwich, acknow ledging the receipt of numerous contributions, ails : " I believe that, as ' there is no sectarianism in misery, there should be none in mercy.' Such was the golden saying of the admirable John A age!! James. In that spirit I act in the discharge of a trust reposed in me with such generous confidence. I have had the delight of sending an instalment to earl of the Greenwich clergy and to the Roman Catholic priest. I am now about to inquire into the best existrag channels for distribution by our nonconformist neighbours. I at once singled out the Roman catholic priest, because many who are in pressing want are Irish l►bourers. I ant sure the stoutest protestant donor will not wish a man to starve for his creed's sake." Mr. Thomas Carlyle intends to pass the remainder of the winter in Italy. . Mr. Goldwin Smith, Mr. Jacob Bright, and other friends of the co-operative movement, took part in the some of the Manchester and Salford Equitable Cowper tire Society on Saturday night. Sir James George Dalton Fitzgerald, a descend• ant of the distinguished loyalist of that mane. who lived in the time of Charles 1., efied on Saturday. He was bar in 1831, and was educated at the Roman Catholic College, at Osoott. He is succeeded in his baronetcy by his broths, Lieutenant Gerald Fitzgerald, R.N. Mr. Joseph Guy, whose name is familiar to young people as the anther of elementary books on hist** geography, and various branches of science, died on Sato day mornin7, at the age of $3. Mr. Crum-Ewing, M.P., met a numerous gather ing of his constituents at Paistey on Friday night, , s 1 received a vote of confidence. He expensed a hope tint when the liberal party next brought in a reform bell a would be an improvement upon the one they had laidf lost—nothing less, indeed, than a final, intelligible seek• meat of the question in the shape of household suffrare• MR. OLIPHANT, M.P., ON REPOKY.Mr. Oliphant, M.P. for the Stirling groep of burghs, Adam.' has constituents on Thursday night. Habig thst • settlement of the reform question cannot be ilelered. he holds also that the present ministers," if they are WW 4 cannot bring forward an honest measure," though :11r. Oliphant has " no objection to their being dishonest." Mr. Oliphant is also of opinion, in regard to the House o leos. 'non', that " the great majority owes its existence to bribery ;" would favour a reform hill giving a vote to ell man that can write his own name, and can read if c'exl' lensed ; and mentions that the tory government. thea4 l deriding him at the time, adopted his advice regal% the Alabama claims and the Hyde-park riots. The REPRESENTATION OF STROUD. --The al' nouncement which appeared in a contemporary on EridiY. that Mr. Poulett Scrape bad retired from the represent , ' tion is entirely devoid of truth. We are authorised 0 state that Mr. Scrope has no present intention of rein% from the representation of the borough. Mr. IL S. 1 '; Winterbotham, Chancery barrister, and son of a 10 .0' banker, has issued an address to the elector; I. view of a probable speedy dissolution. His w hir , ' is a long one. He avows himself an advocate la a large extension of the franchise. Mr. Irt ol6 ' bothani has a large and influential family counties in the borough, which give hint specially fatourabl, chances of success. It is thoroughly muleratood that le comes forward in direct opposition to Mr. Horatian. Tl° latter gentleman is becoming more and more unpoln,l 4l. ' and considerable sections of the liberal pa rty W.'M he was supported at the last election n ow 11.1111 ' . , drawn their support. At an influential privste ineetne of the beads of the party it was unanimously nsobel to oppose him whenever the next election should oceur i i and Mr. Winterbothaufs candidature was warmly ONO": The new candidate has called a public mevtinc for tat 28th inst. A requisition, signed by a very f, a. and . 11 the most part uninfluentiel names, has been leaned, 4 04 a dinner to be given to Mr. Horsinan. The conscrate d are said to he on the gni rire, and to have it in c enter plation to start a candidate of their own in co njunct.? with Mr. Harman, whom they unanimously support. bat the party is numerically very weak. FOOTBALL.—ETON AND HARROW V. THE —These two 'great schools will meet the rest of the warp in football strife, for the second tints this season, er Wednesday next, ' the Sird hurt., at Westminster. the AO mateh played on Tuesday, the Bth inst., at Westadost B having terminated nrinatisfactoeily in a draw, two ho'"' having been obtained by each side. , D. &K. &L RtL LiiiL LILL 5.L N.E. &N.& S&L E.S. 13. E. matt, t