The Press. — London, England, 1854-06-17 00:00:00

, 562 bition of 18M, which was so happily inaugurated under our auspices, suggested the idea of this magnificent un dertaking, which has produced so noble a monument of the genius, science, and enterprise of my subjects. " It is my earnest wish and hope that the bright antici pations which have been formed as to its future destiny may, under the blessing of Divine Providence, be com pletely realised ; and that this wonderful structure, and the treasures of art and knowledge which it contains, may long continue to elevate and instruct, as well as to delight and amuse, the minds of all classes of my people." Afterwards the managers of the different depart ments and authors of the handbooks thereto were successively brought forward by Mr. Laing, intro duced to the Queen in a brief speech from each, describing the branch of art, science, or illustration which bad been entrusted to his special care, and then retired after placing in her Majesty's bands a splendidly-bound copy of their several productions. This act of the ceremony occasioned some amuse ment, especially among that part of the assemblage who could see but not hear the proceedings, owing to the narrow escape which several of the presentees encountered while endeavouring to retire backwards from the royal presence down an awkward flight of stairs, encumbered with their court swords or robes of office. A procession was then formed and made the tour of the building. It was headed by the superinten dents of works and principal employes, contractors, architects, officers, and heads of departments engaged upon the great edifice. Theu came the directors, preceding the Queen, who formed the centre of the procession. Afterwards followed the Prince Consort, the King of Portugal, the Duke of Oporto, and royal children. The Cabinet and foreign Ministers brought up the rear. The cortege wound its way along the building, proceeding down the eastern side of the south nave, and returning by the west. On passing round the centre of the transept her Majesty stepped aside for a moment into the open colonnade to admire the grounds and terraces. As the train swept by, the serried rank of spectators rose and acknowledged the royal approach by loud cheers, which the Queen continually acknowledged. When the tour was com pleted the various members composing the proces• sion returned to their former position upon and around the dais. The orchestra was then again summoned into activity by Mr. Costa, and performed the hundredth psalm. The Archbishop of Canterbury afterwards read a solemn prayer invoking the blessing of God upon the enterprise : May those who admire the wonders of nature which are here displayed be taught to perceive in those the vigour of that creative wisdom by which all things fulfil the purposes which they are designed to serve. Enable those who survey the wonders of art and industry which surround them to remember that it is by Thee that knowledge is increased, and science made to minister to the benefit and comfort of mankind Both riches and honour come of Thee ; anti Thou reignest overall, and in Thy hand it is to make great and to give strength unto all. Now therefore, 0 Lord, we thank Thee, and praise Thy glorious name, and beseech Thee to grant that the many blessings vouch safed to our nation may dispose our hearts to serve Thee more faithfully, and in ali that we undertake to seek Thy honour and glory. Another crash from the orchestra followed the prayer, preluding one of Handel's compositions, the choruses being led by Lablache, Tagliafico, and Leffler. A pause of a few moments then occurred, during which the Marquis of Breadalbane seemed to hold some consultation with the Queen. Then, stepping forth, the Lord Chamberlain proclaimed from the front of the dais, " I am commanded by her Majesty to declare this Palace opened." This announcement was followed by a lusty cheer, pro longed until it was caught up and re-echoed from the crowd without. The Queen then descended, and a procession being once more formed, quitted the edifice, while the orchestra and vocalists played and sung again the national anthem. The barriers were then removed, and the public for the first time allowed to circulate freely through the Palace. Some of the long pent•up multitudes hastened to catch a glimpse of the wonders of the building, but the great majority struggled at the refreshment stalls for supplies, which their long confinement amidst heat and crowds rendered not a little necessary. Since the opening day the Palace has had to struggle against many conflicting circumstances— the Ascot races, high prices, and wet weather; but has been nevertheless very satisfactorily attended. On Monday there were admitted 2,096 ss. visitors, and 2,''85 season-ticketholders. On Tuesday, which was wet, 1,847 Os. visitors, and 1,838 season ticket holders. On Wednesday, which was dry, but rather overcast, 2,641 ss. visitors, and 2,920 season-ticket holders; and on Thursday, which was exceedingly wet, foggy, and disagreeable out of doors, 1,413 ss. visitors, and 1,229 season-ticketholders. The total of the four days was 7,097 paying visitors, and 8,67'2 season-ticketholders. The number of season tickt ..; sold, according to the official return, has been 20,157. To-day (Saturday) a grand fete is to be given by the directors and shareholders to the foreign commissioners who honoured the opening with their THE PRESS. presence. The proceedings will consist of a recep tion in the grand transept and a dijeuner in the basement story, looking out upon the park, and which is hereafter to be occupied by machinery. Preparations are in progress for inviting to Lon don, during the present summer, the municipalities of Paris and of the other great towns in France; a subscription having been set on foot for the purpose of giving some return for the hospitalities extended in Paris to the Lord Mayor and Corporation of London and to the Royal Commissioners in 1851. gout au lastion. THE QUEEN held an investiture of the Order of the Bath on Monday afternoon. Sir J. Graham received the Grand Cross (civil) of the Order, and Mr. James Melville was made Knight Commander, also in the civil division. Rear-Admiral Lambert was afterwards made Knight Commander of the military division of the Bath. On the same day there was a Privy Council, at which Sir G. Grey was sworn in as a Secretary of State, and Lord John Russell declared, by her Majesty, President of the Council. The Duke of Newcastle also took the oaths upon appointment to his modified functions as Secretary for War. _ _ ON l'hesday the Court departed for Windsor, where a succession of hospitalities has commemo rated in the usual manner the Ascot week. Her Majesty, accompanied by the royal circle and guests at the Castle, visited the Heath on Thursday, and witnessed the race for therCup. In the evening the Queen gave a grand banquet iu St. George's-hall, followed by an evening party. THE KING us' PORTUGAL and his brother remain guests at the Castle, but are diligently occupied every day in visiting different places of amusement or edification. THE COUNTESS OF NEtrLLY visited the Queen on Tuesday morning at Buckingham Palace. DR. WAAGEN is visiting London solely to draw up a catalogue raisonne of Prince Albert's picture gallery, at the express invitation of his Royal High ness. THE MARQUIS OF LANSDOWNE gave a grand ball last evening at, Lansdowne-house. THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE is progressing rapidly towards convalescence. THE MARRIAGE of the Earl of Mountcharles and Lady Jane St. Maur Stanhope, daughter of the Dowager Countess of Harrington, takes place to-day (Saturday) at the Chapel Royal, Whitehall. THE MEMBERS OF THE NAVAL CLUB Of 1765 dined together on Thursday evening at the Thatched house Tavern. Admiral Smyth presided, and was supported by several naval officers of distinction. THE LORD MAYOR AND LADY MAYORESS have issued cards to the principal citizens of London to meet the King of Portugal and Algarves, and his Royal High ness the Duke of Oporto, at lunch, at two o'clock, in the Mansion-house, on onday next. THE MAGISTRACY OF MIDDLESEX gave an enter tainment on Wednesday evening at the Albion to the Marquis of Salisbury, Lord Lieutenant of the county, "in acknowledgment of his urbanity, readi ness of access, and kind counsel on all occasions." Mr. H. Pownall presided. Sin CHARLES WOOD gave a Cabinet dinner on Wed nesday evening at his residence in Chesham•place. Vnlitual an Otittral. THE HON. AND VERY REV. DR. NEVILLE GRENVILLE, Dean of Windsor, died on Saturday morning, at his residence, Butleigh-court, near Glastonbury. The dean was in his 66th year. THE EAST KENT RAILWAY will be completed to Canterbury within two years, and to Faversham within fifteen months. The extension to Dover is also to be completed within four years. This line will shorten the distance between London and Canterbury and Ramsgate by twenty miles. _ . . THE . annual election of scholars to St. John's College, Oxford, and the other colleges connected with the Merchant Tailors' School, took place on Saturday. IN the six years 1847 to 1852, one of the London official assignees in the Court of Bankruptcy had 307 bankruptcies committed to him. The available assets, after deducting 37,4241. for payments in full to mort gagees and for rent and taxes, a:nounted to 157,9151. Out of this sum the creditors received rather more than 00,0001. iu dividends; the court fees absorbed 10,2051. (01 per cent.), the official assignee took 7,8071. (5 per cent.), the messenger 7,943/., the broker and auctioneer 6,937/, and the solicitors 20,2551. (121 per cent ), making together above 53,0001. or more than 33 per cent. The allowance to the bankrupts for maintenance, &c., was 4,701/. THE directors of the National Provincial Bank of England have signified their intention to pay on the 14th of July a dividend at the rate of 8 per cent., and a bonus of 4 per cent. SATURDAY, AN immense quantity of coprolite, and what is termed rough stone, has been found on the shore of Bawdsey, in East Suffolk, and the intermediate parishes verging towards Woodbridge. This mineral is supposed to be the dung of antediluvian animals, and though so long buried in the earth is still rich in phosphate of lime, and other matters valuable to the agriculturist. Many of the finders are reaping an excellent harvest. In one cottager's garden twenty pounds' worth has been obtained, and others have been equally fortunate. Among the coprolite deposits are a number of curious fossils of the antedilu. vian world, consisting of relics of enormous species of fish, animals, and shells, most of which are now en. tinct. ACCORDING to the new regulations of the General Post-office all letter-carriers are paid their salaries weekly, postmasters and their clerks monthly, and letter-receivers quarterly. Letter-carriers in rural districts are now empowered to sell postage-stamps. ADMIRAL GORDON, brother of the Premier, having been appointed to the command at the Nore, it is understood that he will retire from the representation of Aberdeenshire. Lord Haddo, the oldest son of the Earl of Aberdeen, will, it is said, be his successor in the representation of the county, and, should he offer himself, will be returned probably without oppo sition. THE " PILLAR-STONE " of a new church in Mitford place, Edgware-road, was laid on Monday by Lord John Russell. The building is dedicated to St. Luke, and has been erected by a public subscription among the inhabitants of Marylebone as a thanksoffering for mercies received from Almighty God during the visitation of cholera. THE EARL OE CASTLESTUART died on Saturday evening last, at Stuart, hall, in the county of Tyrone. His lordship returned from England about a week previously, and was in delicate health. Kladaradatch, the Berlin Punch, places the follow. ing apposite dialogue in the mouths of "Schultze" and "Muller," the " Pasquino " and " Marfeso " of the Prussians :—" I say, Muller, I'm going to insure my life." "So ; where, then?" "In the Russian army." " Well, that is a queer fancy." " Not a bit. When 100,000 Russians fight battles, they never lose more than one man, and that a Cossack. Isn't that a good speculation ?" " I can't deny it." THE FOUNDATION-STONE of the immense works projected at the mouth of the Tyne was laid on Thursday with much ceremony. The Admiralty cal culate that all the improvements contemplated will cost 600,0001., to be raised by a tax on shipping fre quenting the port, the annual produce of which is about 12,0001. It is supposed that the improvement will prevent much loss of life and property. The pier on the south side will extend 4,000 feet into the sea. LETTERS FROM ST. PETERSBURG announce another failure at Moscow, the house being that of Mr. Julius Steding, for about 40,0001. The misleading state ment lately made in the House of Commons, that Archangel was not to be blockaded, had reached St. Petersburg, whence, it was said, the export trade would consequently become very active, as the route to that port was alleged to be cheaper than to Memel. THE British Government, according to the Ameri can papers, has come to the determination of taking possession of the port of Sitka and all the Russian ports in the Pacific. THE first section of the telegraph cable for the Mediterranean and Indian line has been completed at Messrs. Kuper's works in Greenwich, and stowed on board the Persian, which will sail probably to-day. The length comprises above 110 miles, intended to form the communication between Spezzia, Corsica, and Sardinia. _ . A NEW WRIT FOR MORPETH, vacant by Sir G. Grey's acceptance of office, was ordered to be issued by the House of Commons on Tuesday. The new Colonial Secretary is the only candidate at present announced for the borough. THE ASCOT Cur. won by West Australian on Thursday is a large and handsome piece of plate, representing Charles of Luxembourg, the blind and aged King of Bohemia, who caused his horse's bridle to be made fast to the horses of two knights between whom he rode at the battle of Cressy, and thus dashed sword in hand upon the English troops. The name of this prize was altered from the " Ascot Gold Cup" to the " Emperor's Plate" in compliment to the Emperor of Russia, who, being present at the race in 84-1, gave 5001. annually fur a piece of plate to be added to the stakes. Under the circumstances of the war with Russia the gift of the Czar has been declined this year, and the prize has reverted to its original character and tide. GUANITE-3 deposit of semi•crystalline character found abundantly in the Falkland—lslands has been analysed at the Royal College of Chemistry and found to be arich manure well worth importation. It contains somewhat less ammonia, but double the proportion of phosphoiic acid—presented in guano, and its value as a manure is estimated at 71. to 81. pe r ton. It must be ground to powder before being ap plied to the soil.