The Express. — London, England, 1861-02-08 00:00:00

QZCOND- HAND PIANOFORTES. 1., MANIA. IMAM sail Ca boo • Wife •••oftment of •coed-band Plamontgrios, by the 11104 alcoved soak" at trolly rodnanl prima —MI. 2•lllB•Cdnet gee snares. _TO_ opigua Pox Dorn. Elloolllownowbo btawkd for Ttos Express London Emile, Mlll4 be of Ow °flee, 10. Iloarode-street, by Two es Slos day of pablketloo. HATILULIRT. Tittg Elm =lll. TN VALt. lilreorg J Itrott‘hato, flown, Chirp... Wok Itotkoloso I Sitritag. \ LAI41111111) A ND Pl* CIIILDSCX . or, HozNolo and i Itroi•e out row itortt:olo,TboLoollotetts, Yla b. Wright, Who LWrokro. PIUNCIBII2. THIS Anew.T Homo lechter, Mill Potter, arkt Herne. Mao Hank —Aad lbe pantomime, ROKINIMIS Car 4 012 : or. Harlequin Frklay. an.l The Knu of the Carribbee islands. Moen Legnituaa A %Mk. H. Dumdum. Mr. A. Yuma. • XT. J Alfva TIM ItTWOM. MT WIIICS JeCILVAL —THE 141. F. (1/ , /IP MEL Lora A. Rips and Lary Mr b... kb nxlsam White. SAM ['DTI )N, Maim C. T. and Bet..n )hues 4 1. Casmillaftirk sad imase.—caumm. as full.p.rt 7. WUTANTIA. TWO BMW% THE MOTS AND THE OGRE. Meters . TWA ►ag. Jam Lamb. baby. obi Nowbow *Ws C. Mrpase, Mks A. Lamaism Mrs M. Crothal..-Ad A OS:. L ►'Will MLA. Maws. Itowslis wast %Whoa . Mrs. K. Tartish'. a 11l El ITATICR AT tomer IaUDGIT. Twos Aar —Waft& II A 5..... Aftwesar4 lA. 31s. 14.-astA(M—fiats, 1k A 15..... Allows% 114. lAs. LONDON, FRIDAY, YE& S. I r the world ever really enjoyed a golden age, as the poets bid us believe, it is so long ago that we have utterly forgotten it. About the iron age se are less sceptical, fur its wounds and scars remain distinctly traceable in the features of many a luckless race, and images and inscript• of its triumphs every day turn up beneath the spade of the excavator. With the age of brass we are still better acquainted, cynical moralists being never tired of telling us that its hard artifi ciality is the natural and inevitable consequence of that fusion of elements whereof our modern civilisation is made up. But let no man say the cycle of metallic epochs is exhausted, and that if we cannot get back to a state of perfection idea lized under the epithet of golden, we must be content to have bronze for our type to the end. It is clear that we are just entering upon a new age— that of Ammonia. For some time we have pri vately suspected the advent of this new era, though we have kept our suspicions pru dently to ourselves. But as we contemplatively noted the progress to universal domination of that potent mineral in the pharmacopeia of the leech, and the laboratory of the slow poisoner, we said within ourselves—in health or sickness, life or death, Ammonia rules. Throughout the various changes in our social economy, causing or caused by improvements in agriculture, we still recognised the pungent presence of that all-pervading power. If the fields grew earlier green than formerly with succulent food for beasts, or waved sooner and more certainly with golden fruits fit for the use of man, it was Ammonia whose mysterious efficacy did it all. Wo turned to the scenes of political life, and found there, too, abundant and unmistakable tributes paid by men of all parties and opinions to its paramount importance. A Parliament sitting in Westminster in its new Palace there presents every variety of attraction and re pulsion that the morel chemistry of man contains ; yet, for the space of nearly a whole session, Lords and Commons, Whigs and Tories, fine gentlemen from White's, and philosophic radicals from Man chester, concurred with an earnestness im possible to doubt in prayers, and peace offerings to the troubled Spirit, which they believed was rising from the bosom of the Thames to make away with them. It was not in nature that either House of Parliament should testify its homage to the subtle power by holding its tongue ; but it did the next touching thing that a House could do, for it held its nose for weeks and months together, in a most marvellous fashion. The climax, however, of Ammonial ascendancy was not reached until the discovery that this Prince of the power of the air had declared war against the great national edifice which the most compliant of communities had just paid two millions and a half to have built of inde structible stone. Never before in the history of architecture had so much pains been taken to get the right thing into the right place ; and never were time, labour, and coat more prodigally ex pended, or more egregiously thrown away. A roving commission was actually appointed, to peer into quarries and smite with its hammer the face of all good looking rocks, in search of the best possible material ; and when after infinite journeying and jobbing of post horses, and jocund resting and feasting at out of the way inns, the commisuotters returned to town, and made their report to the upper and grander commissioners who had undertaken to do the nation—we mean to do the Palace for the nation—orders were issued in the infallible style ; that the Derbyshire dolomite and nothing else was the right thing, and that to Derbyshire for this its precious magneaian limestone the builders of the edifice must go. Unhappily, it is now too clear that neither the roving commissioners nor the supreme commis sioners, nor the architect of the noble edifice, nor the contractors who were to rear it from the foundations, ever devoted a thought to the preva lent spirit of Ammonia, offered a prayer in depre cation of its jealous might, or made the smallest sacrifiee to avert its enmity. Dolomite was the order of the day. They had all looked at it, tried it, and weighed it. Many experiments in the nature of chemical tests had been made on the specimens supplied for inspection, and the results appeared to be in all respects satisfactory. Ammonia sat by listening and laughing in its sleeve at the pompous resolutions passed unanimously, to the effect that dolomite was imperishable ; and, with cro•- - .:_ •- - _ malignity, it determined to let the blind lead the blind until they had both not only got into the quarry hole, but until they had piled up in mid air its ponderous produce, and spent no end of money and labour in chiselling and carving every corner and pinnacle of the stupendous structure. When the late Emperor NICHOLAS had surveyed its vest proportions and interminable intricacies of ornament, he exclaimed, " It is a dream in stone." Ammonia heard him, and nearly laughed outright, thinking how tho imperishable splendours of tho atone might slowly and imperceptibly be reduced to the consistency of a dream. And now what is to be done 1 The money has all been frittered away ; and the atone that we bought with it will before long be frittered away likewise. The vengeance of Ammonia is inveterate. While men are asleep, it works its way into the precious stones of Parliament. Foe alike to Church and State, it disregards the laws of both, and not content with working twice the number of hours a day permitted by Act of Parliament, it does not scruple to sin yet more by working upon Sunday. What is to be done to save our Parliament Rouse from the gnawing tooth of such a fiend T Some say pitch it ; others, paint it ; and finally we are told to glaze it. Mr. TITe assures us that if Dioscoututs was alive, he would say—try tar. Mr. SZERZLMsYgotisave some months ago to experimentalize with a paint pot or plaster pot ; but, after turning patchy in all shades of colour, the plaster, or paint, or whatever it ought to be called, has begun treacherously to peel off the walla, leaving their blistered sides de fenceless to the attacks of the enemy. Mr. Tire strongly recommends putting our imperishable l'alace into a glass case, and suggests the application of Mr. RANSOME'S patent. Liquid glass is to do all we want. The Assyrians had a varnish wherewith they an ointed their inscriptions; mid as we do not know what it was made of, the patentee is entitled to the benefit of the presumption that it is just the thing he has to sell. How long the glass coating would last without cracking or breaking we are not at present informed. But as the discovery of its failure would come at a future day, that would, of course, be a matter for another set of gentlemen to deal with. All we pray for is, that, if it be possible, there may be no more jobbing in this most scandalous business. Had there not been the grossest neglect and malpractice, the disastrous waste of the nation's money never could have occurred. Specimens of a perfectly crystallised magnesian limestone were duly obtained at the beginning, and had the materials delivered been according to sample, no defect or decay would now appear. But there are reliable stones and rotten stones which bear the same name, and to the superficial pass for the same thing, just as there are reliable members of Parliament and rotten-borough members. The hail. crystallised dolomite was found to be easier quarried and easier carved than the perfectly crystallised, and hence it came to be used to a great extent instead of the other. A part of the mischief, moreover, is due, we believe, to the error of placing the stone perpendicularly instead of bedwise, neglecting thereby a rule long observed in building. Sooner or later we greatly fear that resort will have to be had to something more than the use of any patent medicine. The best to be said for any cosmetic is that it makes you look better for the time and does no permanent harm ; but beyond this recommendation genuine science will hardly be induced to go. THE EXPRESS, FRIDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 8, 1861. CDt Court. The Queen and the Prince Consort, accompanied by the Princess Alice, rods on horseback yesterday morning, attended by the Hon. Horatia Stopford, Lord Alfred Paget, Colonel Biddulph, and Lieutenant-Colonel the Hon. 11. de Hos. The Queen received addresses on the Throne in the after. noon, at Buckingham Palace. The members of the House of Commons were conducted to the Promenade Gallery, and after the reception of the Lords' addrais were conducted by Sir William Martins and the Hon. Spencer Ponsonby, Gentlemen Ushers, to the Throne•room. The peak er was supported by the mover and seconder of the a irk ma, and was followed by the other member,. The right hoe. gentleman read the addreas from the House of Commons. Iler Majesty returned a most gracious answer, ■nd handed the some to the Speaker, who received it kneel. ing. The members then retired from the presence of the Sovereign. The queen and Prince Consort, accompanied by the Primal. Alice, and attended by the Hon. Caroline Caven dish end Lord Alfred Paget, visited Marlborough-home yes terday afternoon. Her Majesty and the Prince Consort, accompanied by the Princess Alice, honoured the performance at the St. James's Theatre last evening with their presence. In at tendance were the Viscouutess Jocelyn, Hon. Caroline Ca vendish, Lord Do Tablev, Lord Alfred Paget, and Liente naut-Colonel the Hon. Ir. de Ros. Lady Napier, wife of her Majesty's ambassador to the Empemr of all the Rumania, was presented to the queen on Wednesday evening at Buckingham Palace, by the Viscountess Jocelyn, Lady in Waiting to her Majesty. A deputation on the piracy of trade marks and the amend ment of the Copyright of Design* Bill had an interview with the Right Hon. T. Milner Gaston yesterday at the office of the Board of Trade. A deputation oa the subject of the Marine Store Dealers Bill transacted business at the Home•oflice yesterday. The Judicial (onunittems d the Privy Council eat yester• day. An appeal from New South Wale; " I)evitie r. Holloway and °these," was coocluded. Au appeal from New South Wales, " Hogan r. Hand," was heard The marriage of the King of Portugal with the Elise= of Hohenzollern is impeded to take place in May. The Countess Apponyi has issued cards for assem blies es Tuesdays, the 12th, 19th, and 26th inst., at Chaska House. The Duke and Duchess of Roxburghe and Lady Charlotte lanes Ker will leave town in a few days, to lota the oompony about to assemble at Itendleshain Hall, Suffolk. The Earl and Countess of Ellesmere leave Bridgewater Howe today for M 11 1 ,10041, Cobham, Surrey. The Earl of Shelburne has left Lansdowne Howe for Liverpool. Her ladyship remains in town. The Earl and COuniela Spencer lett town on Wednesday for Althorp Park, Nortluunpron.bire. Count Brandenburg has left Prussia House for Paris- The Duke of Wellington has given a piece of resod for a new Weiferia chapel in Norfolk. His grace hew deopreeestedbel. to the building fuel On tie second reading of the ehureli-ratee Aboli tion Bill, Lord Hobert Montagu will move that it be read a eavond Mae t►is day six months On an early day Mr. Grant Duff will move an address fer a royal commission to inquire into the state of the higher school education in England and Wales. Mr. Locke King will introduce a bill for further wean the liberty of religious worship, on an early day. Bir Charles Burrell, after Euder, will bring for ward a hill to diminish the danger incurred by servants and ethers in cleaning and repairing windows. . _ Mr. Digby Seymour, M.P., has given notice that co Thursday nest he will more for leave to brie( in a bill to extend the p.rhanientary franchise in cities and ►oroughs hi Enigma and Wales to occupiers of the annual value of V. THE APILICAN AID SOCIETY. DEPUTATION UPON LORD PALMERSTON. (THIS DAY.) This days deputation, consisting of the members of the committee and council of the African Aid Society, manufacturers and others, waited upon Lord Palmerston at his official residence, to present a memorial, urging that a subsidy be given to the King of Wortley, compensating him for relinquishing slave bunting. The memorialists are of opinion that the amouot of the subsidy could be obtained by a corresponding reduction in the cost of the African seredron. They also suggest that a special high commis. sinner be despatched to the king with full powers to nego tiate. SOIREE 01 THE CEELNSEORD LITERARY INSTITUTION. This soiree, under the presidency of the Right Hos. Lord Chelmsford, and the auspices of many of the conatry gentry, took place at the Shire Hall no Wednesday and was one of the most influential gatherings of jeot2 that has taken place in Ewa for yeen past. Lord Chehnefeed was supported on the platform by T. W. Drasareee, Esq. M.P., J. W. Perry Watli ng t oo , E sq., M.P., Charles imam', M.P., 3fajor Skinner, ILA., Oulu Sarin Coley, Fag. Rev. Sir John Pa ge Woo d, Hart., W. if. Tuffnell, Fag. "Swirl Atkinson, Eel., E. Butler, Fag., W. W. Duffield. Eel, and Whitbread Tornaon, Esq. He told the audience, at the commencement of his address, that it was gratify's( to biro to think that after so many years he still lived in the favourable recollection of the in habitants of the town. "It is now, " maid his lordship "more than forty-twoyean ago gees I Int entered this ebbe& that forlorn being, a Iniellevi harriater—(laughter); littUantkip a . ting that the time would arrive when my ulna would be so closely connected with this town—that its name would become bound up with the honours of my family, and be known as a household word amongst us. (Applause.) Is the course of a protectionsl career, successful beyond ay most sanguine expectations, I ran never (omit that ti t . opportunity which opened to me the door of prefeesieasd advancement was presented to me here : and 1 wee anxious to show my grateful recollection of a town which I must consider the cradle of my fortunes, by emaciating with its name the honours of my family." (Applause.) LATEST INTELLIGENCE. THE SIEGE OF GAETA. The following telegrams have been received at Mr. Reuter's office NAPLES, THURSDAY NIGHT. Two other explosions of powder magazines at Gaeta have compelled the garrison to ask for an arinistioe of forty-eight hours to bury their dead, and disinter the living from the mine caused by the bombardment General Cialdiui granted the armistice, although it was against his interest. The explosion caused great damage to the bat tery of St. Antonio. Th,, Bourbon soldier, are greatly discouraged. Ciallini has otfered necrularies for their wounded. THE ANNEXATION OF MONACO. La Patric ham the following : Since 1848, the districts of Menton and Roquebrune, belonging to the Principality of Monaco, had been occupied by Sardinia. When the question relative to that occupa tion was incidentally brought before the Congress of Paris in the sitting of the Bth of April, 1856, it was established that, is consequence of the disturbances which broke out In the Principality in 1848, the Sovereign Prince of that country was not capable of upholding his authority except in the town of Monaco, and that it was under those circumstances that Sardinia placed a small detachment in each of the two dis tricts we have just named. The Prince of Monaco, however, never ceased to protest against this state of things, which lie considered contrary to his rights and to the stipulaticse of treaties. These protests are now terminated by the con vention which cedes the territories of Menton and Requebrune to France for a pecuniary indemnity, Prince Houore IV. retaining only, with the title of Sovereign Prince, the town of Monaco. FRANCE AND TURKEY. PARIS, Famer. A telegram received here from Constantinople, dated yesterday, announces that France had re mitted to the Porte a note almost identical with that of Russia, stating that tho inquiry in Ron melia was not sufficient, and demanding the convo cation of conferences. The Porte replied that reforms had been pre pared• GALLICIA. LEMBERG, Fn. 8. An address, signed by several hundreds of the notables of tide city, petitions that the popular in terest may be 'principally considered in the ap proaching election to the Diet, but that only pro prietors of landed property should be entitled to elect, and that all other persons should be ex cluded. PRUSSIA. BERLIN, THCIVIDAY. In to-day's sitting of the Chamber of Deputies the discussion of the address was continued, and the question of the oNtmisation of Germany was treated by several speakers. M. Stavenhagen proposed an amendment ex pressing the wish that Prussia should be placed at the head of united Germany and the German Confederation. Baron Schleinits, in reference to this amendment, said, "An energetic concentration of the national forces towards the exterior, and a development of federal institutions, are highly desirable." The minister t laid stress, however, on the necessity of respecting the established rights of others, and said, " A free understanding is desirable ; no coercion must take place. As regards the solution of the German question different opi nions exist. In many places a strong antipathy prevails against the solution which would place Prussia at the head of Germany. Stich antipathies would receive a new stimulus b 7 such resolutions. The present general state of things does not allow of extensive projects of reform. At a moment when concord is needed no discord must be sown." In the course of the discussion Baron Schleinitz said further, "Even if there is no danger in adopt ing the amendment, it is nevertheless undesirable." M. Stavenbagen then withdrew his amendment. M. Overbeck took it up, and proposed it on his own account The amendment was, however, rejected by 261 agaiturt 41 votes. SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN. FRANKFORT-ON-THE-MAINE, FEB. 7. In to-day's sitting of the Federal Diet the pro positions of the Committee on the Affairs of Hol stein were agreed to. The representative of Den mark contested the competency of the Diet, and reserved the rights of Denmark. TURKEY. THE FRENCH OCCUPATION OF SYRIA. CONSTANTLNOPLE, Frs. 2. The Russian Ambassador has presented to the Porte a strong note in reply to the Grand Vizier's report. This note reiterates the assertions of Russia that the Christians are oppressed. The Porte continues to refuse its consent to a pro longation of the French occupation of Syria. The drafts of the treaties of commerce which are about to be concluded between England and Turkey, and France and Turkey, have been sent home for the approval of the English and French governments. The commercial crisis continues in Galata. MONTENEGRO. MOOTAIt, Frs. 4. On the 28th of January the Montenegrins, with a band of insurgents from the neighbouring vil laps, which they keep in a state of revolt, sur prised several villages in the district of Niesich, and behaved with the utmost cruelty and atrocity towards the peaceable Muasulman inhabitants, killing altogether 41 persons, of whom ten were children and three women. A second baud attacked the chief town, Carianitz —assassinated several people, burnt many houses, and acted with the greatest ferocity and cruelty towards the inhabitants. AUSTRALIA. The well-known clipper ship Orient, Captain Lawrence, from Adelaide, South Australia, with 60 passengers and full cargo of wool, arrived and landed part of her passen,ters off Swanage yester day evening. She sailed from Adelaide the 3rd of November, making the passage in 96 days, rid Cape of Good Hope. The Count de Persigny is actively engaged in carrying into execution • grand plan of administrative &neutral/nation. The Directors-General of that depart ment assemble at the hotel of the Minister of the Interior several times every week to discuss the question in his presence. A special commission hu been appointed to make a report and prepare a decree on the subject. The difficulty appears to be to establish within just limits the new privileges granted to the Prefects and those which it is intended to confer on the Councils-General and the municipalities. A French translation of the "Swallows" of Lud wig Wild has just been published at Paris by Hachette. It is stated, on good authority, to be the intention of the Admiralty to cut down several of the largest and souodest line•ot.battle ships, and convert them into plated steam batteries for the defence of our harbours and coasts, bat more partieelerly with reference to the defence of godhead. SHIPWRECK OFF THE SCFFOLE Coeur.—The brig Charles,. of and for London from Sunderland, Reynolds master, was totally lost off the Suffolk coast on Tuesday night. The In ig struck on the Corton Sands about 8 p.m., and the sea beating heavily the crew took to their boat. Fortunately' for them they succeeded in getting on hoard the Seim, of Whitstable. which brought them on to Great Yarmouth on Wednesday. The poor fellows, seven in number, IWO mortised at the Sailors Home. EXPRESS FROM PARIS. (YllOll 09111 OW3 PARIS, THURSDAY S7I2IINCI. A "cue of conscience " has just occurred, which, in the result, puts a cool 2,0001. a year additional into the pocket of that fortunate public servant, M. Billault. You are aware that when he resigned the seals of the Home Office into the hands of M. de l'ersigny the Emperor invented for his benefit— as also for that of other favourites—the office of " minister without portfolio." A decree, simul taneously published, lays it down that this new class of ministers is to have the same rank and salary as ordinary ministers, and to be " lodged at the state's charge." 'Malting, in the case of M. Billault, to do the handsome thing, the Emperor— who may well be excused for thinking with Louis XI V. that " he is the state "—put his hand into that inexhaustible private purse which is called his cassette, took out the heavy sum of 000,000 fr., and bought with it Prince Soltikoff's palatial man sion in the Rue St. Arnaud, which he incontinently gave to his minister in fee simple. But M. Billault, who, besides being an eminent minister, is a great jurisconsult and a man of delicate feeling, was no I l sooner installed in his palace than the pricks of his conscience suggested to his mind the question whe ther the way in which he was living was not an infraction of the imperial decree. It will never do (he reasoned) for me, as • loyal subject and an important mouthpiece of the government, to sanc tion, even tacitly, the inobservance of a decree of the Emperor issued so lately as November last. Now, that decree tells me that lamto be lodged at the state's charge. But I am not. The kind present of the Emperor, and for which lam most grateful of course, is quite a distinct matter, and has nothing to do with the state. Accordingly, M. Billault laid his scruples of conscience before the council of state, and that august body, entirely participating in them, the difficulty has been solved by the following pleasant arrangement :—M. Billault lets the Hotel Soltikoff to the state for the very handsome rent of 50,000 fr., and then the state, consulting the cotvenience of M. Billault, assigns to him his own house for his official residence. I suppose this in England would be called a " job ;" there is no such unpolite word in the French language, but of the thing itself I submit that the above transaction is a very perfect specimen. In the Opinion Nationale M. Gueroult submits to the government that if it really wishes to enable the journals to publish the debates of the Senate and Corps Legislatif—if, as M. de Morny lately as serted, the Emperor " thirsta for publicity"—• re duction of the stamp duty cannot be refused. It has been calculated that the supplements of the journals, if the readers were to pay for them, which M. Gueroult will not hear of, would add Bfr. toevery subscription. The papers cannot afford to pay this difference themselves ; the Opinion Nationale calcu lates that in its own case it would amount to from 160,000 fr. to 180,009 fr. a year. A diminution of the stamp duty from 6c. to 30. would meet the case, and the Opinion thinks that a government which has just sacrificed ninety millions of revenue to promote free trade, may well sacrifice a few millions more for the diffusion of political facts. News has arrived that three French gentlemen, MM. de No 4, de la Pierre, and Saint Martin, who were recently arrested in Sicily on a charge of con spiring with Francis H.'s governor of Messina to get up a reactionary movement in the island, have been sentenced to death by a Piedmonteee court martial. I am glad to state, however, that M. Boulard, the French Consul at Messina, has interfered in their favour, and that there is no likelihood of the sentence being executed. M. de Nod, a retired lieutenant colonel of the French army, is the son of Count de NO4I , and brother to " Chain," the celebrated carica turist. He was in Paris only a few weeks ago, and I happened to be introduced to him. At that time his thoughts, so far as they could be judged from his conversation, had no warlike bent, and I remem ber that he showed me a correspondence with the editor of the Conatill Maga:ine, about an article which he bad submitted to that publication. The Bourse was very firm. The defeat of the Prussian ministry on the Italian question, and Lord John Russell's announcement that a confer ence is to discuss the affairs of Syria, were viewed as most favourable to peace. The Rente rose 10c., closing at 63fr. 35c., both for cash and account. Mobilier rose Sir. 75c. The Lyons Railway rose 6fr. 25c., Orleans, 3fr. 75c., and the other lines from lfr. 25c. to 2f r. 50c. FRENCH SYMPATHY WITH 2713 ENGLISH POOR. The editor of the Critique Avotraise has received from the Loed Mayor of Loudon the following most gra tifying letter, showing that the special distress which weighed upon the London poor during the hard weather exists no longer : •' Mansion House, London, Feb. 4, 1861. " Sir,—As Lord Mayor of London, I hasten, with a deep sense of gratitude, to acknowledge the great liberality of the donors of 40f. in aid of the relief of the distress of the labourers of this city. You will be much gratified in learn ing what I have much satisfaction in telling you, that the crisis is over, and that the labourers whose work bad been so entirely suspended, and who for a time had been so utterly deprived of their means of subsistence, have been enabled to resume their usual avocations, and to earn for themselves and families that sustenance which for a brief period the charity of the public was called upon to supply. The charity of the public was so ready and so ample, and the breaking up of the frost so early, that the necessity for such relief had passed away, while yet we had considerable means in hand. Those means are nut yet exhausted ; we have still a balance for which there is no immediate de mand, and I hove thought it my duty to announce to the British public that we needed no further contributions. Under three circumstances I should feel obliged if you would Le pleased to consider, and kindly let me know, what application of your munificent contribution would be most satisfactory to the generous tionora As Lord Mayor of London and a member of parliament, sal therefore a public man, I bail with the politest possible pleasure every such incident ea this, tending so powerfully to strengthen the growth of kindly feeling between our two countries, and so well calculated to prevent soy disturbance of that peace which ts so beneficial to the whole world. —I have the honour to be your obliged and obedient servant. - " WILLIAM CCM; " Lord Mayor of London, and Member of Parliament for Andover." In consequence of the above letter, the subscription which had been opened at the o ffi ce of le Critique Free raise is closed. A " PER-1014AL EXPLAWATION."—Itt the American House of Representatives, on the t3rd ult., Mr. Clemens (Democrat, irg(nta), rising to a personal explanation, said :—He perceived from the official report that his col league (Mr. Martin) is reported to have expressed a wish that he (Clemens) should go on with his traitorous remarks. He understood that his colleague made some other observa tion which did not reach his ear. It was now for him to say at first, sa well as at lest, the position which he conceived it his duty to take iu this national emergency was taken deliberately and with the expectation that he would be subject to personal defamation. If his colleague's remark was intended to give offence he pardoned him, forth. reason he was now labouring under a physical infirmity with a reeking wound received in a personal encounter. If his colleague had • like fracture in his thigh bone, and had been crippled for two and a half years, he would find • bullet not a comfortable sensation. (Laughter.) He did not desire to be put in &caricature in Pa lith or Yu airs Fair as leaning on a cane with one hand and holding a pistol in the other. (Laughter.) THE ARMY OF SOUTHERN ITALY. General Sirtori has published the following order of the day : °Seers and soldiers of the Southern Array,—At the mo ment when the command expires that was confided to me by Garibaldi and the King, permit me to speak without re. serve. In the crisis we have had to pass through, your honour has been subjected to grave trials by a great num ber of men who were not worthy of appearing in your ranks. But I have watched over your honour, as a mother does over her son when in danger. Thanks to the love of country that inspires you, the honour of the southern army has been saved. Love of country, with honour, forms the hero. You, soldiers of your country and of liberty, von have not had to choose between life and heroism. Soldiers of Calatafimi, Palestro, Milarso, Reggio, and of the Volturno, prepare for the future. Great battles await you ; they will be sterner than those in which you have conquered. Prepare yourselves, I say, strengthen yourselves in the discipline and virtue of the soldier, armed not for destruction, but for raising the edifice of his country. Until then, watch yourselves in order that no soldier may enter your ranks who is not worthy of taking part in the great work that will constitute the glory of this generation. Soldiery the work will be hard to complete. If we are compelled to wait one year—ten years, for its final comple tion, know how to wait with confidence, love, patience, self-denial, and perseverance, which are the virtues of the strong who fight for justice. The Lieutenant-Generalcommanding the Southern Army, Naples, Jan. 30,1861. G. SIKTOIII. NAVAL AND MILITARY. ADMIRALTY, FIJI. 7. -APPOINT)! MiTB. —Paymas ter C. A. Pt itchard to be secretary to Rear-Adruiral Sir B. Walker. Assistant. Paymasters C. H. Wells, to be secretary's clerk in the Narcissus ; F. H. Chown, to be secretary's clerk in the Princess Royal ; J. N. Robinson, to be secretary's clerk in the Narciesus ; and T. Buckhoose, to be additional to the Princess Royal. Acting Third Class Assistant-Esgineer E. S. Young, to the Cumberland, for temporary charge of the machinery of the Lee. VOLUNTEER SHAM FIGHT. TO THE EDITOR Or TRIEIXPRVIR. Sia,—With a view to ascertain in what numbers and time • body of volunteers can be concentrated on • given point in the event of an emergency—it is proposed to test the operation in connexion with a sham fight on Easter Monday. The liberality of the directors of the London, Brighton, and South Coast Railway, and the great capabilities which that line offers, induce me to select the neighbourhood of Brighton as the locality, in preference to Croydon, as originally intended. The oust of the journey by return tickets to volunteers in uniform will be I.s. 6d, each, available from Saturday to Monday. It is suggested that commanding of icers.aphould arrange for the commuoariat of their respective corps. The commanding officers of the Metropolitan and Surrey Volunteers to whom I have written upon the subject, have (with only two or three exceptions) promised the attendance of their corps, and I shall be happy to receive as early as pos sible the name of any other corps wishing to participate, in order that the necessary application may be made to the lords lieutenants.—l ILSNELAGH. Volunteer Service Club, Feb. 7. COURT OF COMMON COUNCIL A meeting of the Court of Common Council for the City of London was held yesterday, in the Council Chamber, Guildhall ; the Right Hon. the Low Maxim presided. THE NEW METROPOLITAN RAILWAY RENEWER. Mr. Deputy BOWER brought up a report from the Im provement Committee upon the subject of the new lines of railway projected in reference to the city of London. The report stated that the nature of the proposed schemes had been most carefully considered by a sub-committee, in all their bearing; and they were of opinion that many of them contained provisions of a very objectionable character, and which would materially affect the interests of the citizens of Loudon. They therefore recommended that the court should empower the Itemembranoer to prepare a petition to the House of Commons against the schemes that were con sidered objectionable, so that the corporation would have a foraz dandi in parliament, iu case it should eventually become necessary to oppose these projects before a com mittee of the House of Commons. The motion, after some discussion, was agreed to. THE UNION OF BENEFICIN ACT. The LORD MAYOR said that there was a motion OD the paper that two persons, being members of the church of England, should be appointed members of the commission about to be issued by thu Bishop of London to inquire into the propriety of uniting certain benefices in the City of Loudon, and he suggested that this motion should be post poned to the neat court. His lordship said that a cont. mittee was at present engsged in the most diligent consi dention of this matter, and they had before them a coin. prehenaive scheme of amalgamating the whole of the benefices in the City of Loudon, .1 they were consider ing different groups of benefices with that view, soil would shortly report upou the whole question. Under these cir cumstances he suggested that it would be advisable that the present motion should stand over until the committee he referred to had made their report. The court at once acceded to the suggestion of his lord ship, and the motion was postponed. PRufOnED itan.wAy STATION IN TINSBrItT-CIRCUS. A petition was presented from the inhabitants of Fins bury:circus, which was agreed to at a public meeting, praying the court to co-operate with them in opposing a scheme for erecting a railway station upon the present site of Finsbury-circus; a proposition which, they stated, they looked upon with surprise and dismay, as this was one of the few open spots tluit were left in the City, and which were so essential to the health and comfort of the in habitants. _ The petition was referred to the Improvement Committee, with the understanding that they should confer with the Bridge House Estates Committee upon the subject. ILL.NEHR OF SIR JOHN OWEN.—We regret to learn that Sir John Owen, Bart., the member for the Pembroke district of boroughs, lies hopelessly ill at his residence, Tayntou House, near Newent, Gloucestershire. The venera ble baronet, from the latest accounts, is said to be sinking fast, and from his extreme age no hope is entertained of his recovery. Sir John, who is a conservative in politics, sat for the county of Pembroke from 1806 to 1841, since which he has represented the boroughs in the House of Commons. DEPUTATION OF PARLIAMENTARY AGENTS TO LORD REDDIDALE AND THE CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES. Yesterday, a deputation of the representatives of the lead ing parliamentary firms attended before Lord Redesdide and Mr. Massey, ILP., the chairmen of committees of the Lords and Commons, to make arrangements with refer ence to proceeding with the more than usually numerous number of bills, between 300 and 400, to be heard upon their merits in committee, and to consoler what particular bills should "originate" in the House of Lords, and what bills should originate in the House of Coninions. Lust session all the Irish railway bills were first referred to the House of Lords, hut after considerable dis cussion it was determined to depart from this precedent for the present session, and to refer for the consideration of their lordships the numerous miscellaneous joint stock and gas and water bills, together with sundry Scotch bills, and those for the metropolitan railways. Altogether between 80 and 90 bills of this description will be sent up to their lordships for consideration, and the arrangement it is be lieved will materially tend to facilitate the progress of publics companies' bills through parliament. SUeIETY FOR ENCOURAGEMENT OF TH L FINE Accts. —last evening the Rev. Sir F. A. Gore Ouseley, Bart., pro fessor of music at the University of Oxford, and one of the vice-president of this society, delivered a lecture at the society's rooms in Conduit-street, " On the Development of Musical Style." The room was crowded, many musical and artistic notabilities being present. Mr. R. Lincoln Cocks was in the chair. The lecturer illustrated his remarks throughout by references to various works of great com posers of all ages, and was loudly cheered at its conclusion, a vote of thanks being carried hyacclanuttion. MIDDLINEX 110SPITAL.—The annual court of the governors of this institution was held in the hoard-room, Charloestreet, Berner-street, the Hon. F. Maude, R.N., in the chair. It appeared from the report, which was read by Mr. Sheldon, the secretary, that the funds of the charity re quire a large increase of annual subscriptions to enable them to bear the burden of the relief of the sick poor of the thickly inhabited district which surrounds the hospital, as the committee had lately to sell out 10,1100 f. to enable them to pay off the debts of the establishment, which have been for some years past constantly iticreasiug, from the circumstance th a t th e income has been less than the expenditure. During the past year the income from all sources amounted to only 7,,n0.145. Bd., whereas the expenditure reached 7,6681. is. 10d., showing a deficiency on the year to the extent of 3441. 19s. lid., which added to the accumulated deficiencies of former years, made a leisure against the charity to the extent of 4,1271. lls. 11d. As one means of saving the sick poor from the calamity of having any of the wards of the hospital closed upon them, her Majesty and the Prince Consort have signified their intention to patronise the performance of the oratorio of Abraham, under the conduct of Herr 3lolique, the proceeds of which are to be applied to the uses of the charity. The oratorio in quer, tent has never been performed in this country, but its coming performance will take place in April next, in Exeter-hall. The number of in-patients treated kg year was urn, and the out-patients numbered 17,724, making in all 19,046. This report having been adopted, the com mittee west elected for the ensuing year, and the proceedings closed in the usual manner. COLLIERY EXPIAMION AND Loss OF SEVEN Lit's:4. —On Wednesday morning a fearful explosion took place at the Copy Pit Colliery, belonging to the Earl of Shrewsbury, and situated in the parish of Rugeley, by which live men and two boys lost their lives. Thu catastrophe is believed to have been caused by an explosion of tire-damp. LAW INTELLIGENCE. (THIS DAY.) EQUITY COURT. (Before Vice-Chanoellor Sir W. P. Wood.) LARKIN r. THE LONDON AND NORTN•WESTRRN RAILWAY CO. . . This suit was instituted by two of the joint owners of patent for improvements in the construction of waggons fur use on railways, against the above company, for the purpose of obtainint an account of profits made by the company by the use of such patents. The case set up by the company rested upon lengthy and complicated facia, but in effect it amounted to this—let, that the patent was of no value ; 2ndly, that if it were the defendants had, by acquiescence in a notice which had been given by the company in regard to patents used by them and by their course of action gene rally, waived thew right to the relief claimed. Mr. Rolt, Mr. Wilmck, Sir H. Cairns, Mr. Freeli ng , Mr. Speed, Mr. Turner, and Mr. Miller, appeared for the different parties. The Vice-Chancellor was of opinion that upon the utility and beneficial nature of the plaintiffs patent, the de fendants (the company) failed in making out their case. His Honour was of opinion that the invention was a useful one and had been beneficial to the company. But upon the head of acquiescence the plaintiffs failed. Hi s Honour went a great length into a consideration of different facts upon which he based this view, and added that it was clear, therefore, the bill must fail. There remained the question of cost only. No doubt the plaintiffs had received some advantages from the use of this patent by the London and North Western Railway Company ; but, on the other hand, the company had been gainers by using the invention. Notwithstanding this, they had thought fit to deny the utility of the invention, and had thereby occasioned the expenses of the suit. Under these circumstances although the bill must be dismissed, that dismissal would be without costs. COURT OF EXCHEQUER. Sittings at Nisi Him at Westminster. (Before Mr. Baron Martin and a Special Jury.) CRACE r. THE NESTMINSTER PALACE HOTEL COMPANY. This was an action to recover compensation in damages for wrongful dismissal from the secretaryship of the West minster Palace Hotel Company, and also for arrears of salary and remuneration fur services as • member of the "art committee," which had been appointed to superintend the furnishing and decoration of the hotel. The defendants pleaded a justification of the dismissal, and as to the money counts psid 50 guineas into court, and pleaded never indebted as to the rest. Mr. 31. Chambers, Mr. Collier, and Mr. Needham were counsel for the plaintiff ; and Mr. Bovill and Mr. Coleridge conducted the CRAW for the defence. Mr. M. Chambers, in his marling statement, said the plaintiff, Mr. Winfield Crace, was a member of the bar, and the defendants were Lord Chelsea, Sir Charles Russell, sad other directors of the Westminster Palace Hotel Company, which was formed in 1857, and of which the plaintiff was ono of the original promoters. Shortly after the incorpora tion of the company the plaintiff, who had introduced a large number of shareholders, was appointed secretary, at a Wary of 400/. a year, and continued acting in that capacity until his dismissal in May, 1800. Great difficulties arose at the outset of the undertaking in regard to the title to the land on which the hotel is erected, and the plaintiff's labours were much increased in consequence. He was also appointed, in conjunction with Mr. S. C. Hall, one of the directors, and the architect, a member of the art cont. mittee, and in that capacity, from his taste, judgment, and habits of business, was the means of saving many thee. mods ofunds to the company in the furuuhing of the hotel. I nconsideration of these serviced he was to have been remunerated, but after his exertion for a period of sixteen months in this committee in adifition to bis other labours, the directors had only voted a ridiculous sum of fifty guineas, which they had now paid into court. In regard to his other duties the directors were so satisfied with him that they unanimously in September, 1859, voted him a gratuity of 2CJf. The learned counsel was then about to refer to the differences in the board which led to the plaintiff's dismissal, characterising them as lovers' quarrels which often happened in the boards of public com panies, when Mr. Baron Martin said, before the learned gentleman went into those matters, he would throw out a suggestion whether a private arrangement could not be come to between the parties. Mr. M. Chambers said his client was perfectly ready to agree to any proporial which his lordship might make. Mr. Bovill said advances had already been made by the directors, and he *as now ready to refer the matter. Mr. Baron Martin said the plaintiff wanted something more than that. The learned counsel on each side then consulted together, and after the lapse of a considerable time, Mr. M. Chambers said he was happy to state that Mr. Bovill and himself had agreed to an arrangement favourable to the plaintiff, by which a jurw should be withdrawn. Mr. Baron Martin said he was very glad that they had done so, as he saw from the pleadings that technical diffi culties of a legal nature might be started, which might lead toendless litigation, from which no one would derive any benefit but the lawyers. (Loud laughter.) Mr. M. Chambers stated that his client had been inducol to accept the arrangement in consequence of having many friends amongst the shareholders of the company. A juror was then withdrawn. COURT OF BANKRUPTCY. (Before Mr. Commiesioner Holroyd.) IN RE THE LITTLE DOWN AND EBBW BOCK NIXING comrAn— CALL. A whaling-up order was rec made in this case ; the list of contributories was settled ; and this was the day ap pointed for making a call. Mr. Bagley appeared for the official liquidator. Mr. Btraogwayes, on behalf of a lady who hail been placed on the list for 100 shares as Mrs. Bellamy, of True mouth, Devon, wished the case to be reopened. The lady. then a widow, bad since married Mr. Abraham Lee, of Liverpool, who denied her liability on the ground that there had been no acceptance of the Aries. Mr. Bagley protested against the list being reopened, without • formal application to the court, of which due notice should be given. His Honour said that if the applicant could make out • prima facie case of non-acceptance of shares, he would allow the question to be re-opened on due notice. Mr. Bagley stated that the company, as originally con stituted, consisted of 15,000 shares of 1/. each ; only 41. a share was paid, and that not by the whole of the shareholders. Contributories had been placed or. the list in respect of 14,114'2 shame. If the holders of all those shares were to pay, a very small sum—about 2s. fid. per share—would be more than sufficient to I.y all the debts of the company. Bat pa meat by many of the tootles WWI out of the question, for they were not iu circumstances to pay ; others, whose names were on the list, were expected to dispute their liability. Under those circumstances, the official liquidator felt it necessary to promme a larger call than would otherwise be neecosaly, a call of 17i Gd. per share. Only about 300 shareholders had intimated anything like a disposition to pay whet was neomaary on the calls. It was proposed to ovoid the expense of further meetings by making • call in the first instance that would cover all expenses necessary in order to ascertain who were liable, and to make them pay. The actual debts of the company were 718/. ; but other proofs were expected to be made. One of the shareholders, a gentleman named John William Wray, stood on the list for 10,2:4 shares. He had been out of the country nearly from the time that the company suspended its operations. It was for the interest of all the other shareholders that he should be successfully proceeded **wit ; but this could not be done without means. The official liquidator, there fore, proposed a call of 17s. 6.1. per share. Mr. V. aldron, ou behalf of Mr. Charles Carter, a holder of 3,000 shares, contended that he was a creditor for a larger amount than the amount of the call. His Honour said the matter might be arranged with tho official liquidator. If they could uut settle it, it might Dieu be brought before the court. Meantime Mr. Carter would not be annoyed. _ _ _ . Mr. Church objected to any call being made, and alleged that the directors had not accounted for the monies they had received. They ought to be subjected to examination. Mr. Bagley aid the °nicht' liquidator was willing to go into any investigation that might le for the interest of he shareholders ; but this could not be done without ineumog expense, and the creditors ought to be {arid in the hint in stance. Home further objections were mule and overruled; awl ultimately the call was made at the amount proposed -174. lid. per mare. THE POLICE COURTS. (THIS DA Y. ) -4 MARLBOROUGHSTREET. OCTRAGZOUS ACT. Two low-looking females, named Merry Dori* and Mary Smith, and whose conduct in the cell was abominable, went charged before Mr. Tyrwhitt with wilfully breaking the windows id. Mc•srs. liver and Co., Regent-street, perfumers and glovers. James Henry Boatead, a postman, ■aid about half-past 7 the previous evening he was pausing down Regent-street, when he saw Smith throw a large stone at one of the win dows of Messrs. Piver, and this was followed immediately by Davis throwing a second stone at another pane of glair, and also smashing it. Dans said she had done it, and would do it again when she came out. Mr. Jules Liuvergnat, one of the firni Piver and Co., said the value of the Flails was 50/. Sergeant Kay, 293 A, said they told his they would to it again. Mr. Tyrwhitt nil he trusted the act would be alteml. it was a meet wilful and malicious act. They nant poy a fine of V. sad), or be ossamitted for two mouths. CRYSTAL PALACI. - ONZ SHILLING DAY. •-• THURSDAY, Fill. T.—Admissions on moist, 777 ; di"° by 5011 SOU tickets, 587 ; total viiiton, 1,364. Mr Ni am (the leve: The pert the i but was recta mgct: tout) how any I woil the 1 -B °the] after nerd Mere bra train art not I keep DPW Lack after to erg Was ham,. By were clang The I By off ; day WI about Go know way. T i Gad, the I jest ell th after auytli a ca lead hue t. but I R 9; dition thing app G