The Press. — London, England, 1854-03-11 00:00:00

MARCH 11, 1854. Royal Highnesses the Duchess of Cambridge and the Princess Mary. Several foreign Ministers were invited ; and after the banquet Lady Palmerston bad a " reception." HIS EXCELLENCY THE SPANISH MINISTER (M. Isturitz), it is said, is about to be recalled by his Sovereign. LIEUTENANT-COLONEL J. C. CHADS, President of the island of Tortola, died of cholera on the 3rd of February. Volitual ad Otani. THE QUEEN V. BERESFORD AND OTHERS.-11r. Coppock has published a long letter in the Derby Reporter of the 3rd inst., detailing the reasons why this prosecution was abandoned. According to his statement, there were great legal difficulties in the way, which would probably have prevented him from o )nvicting any of the defendants, and he consequently agreed, on the part of the prosecutors, to accept from Mr. William Thomas Cox, and others who were in cluded in the indictment, the sum of 1,3001. (for costs), in consideration of the charge against them being abandoned. He goes on to state, not only that Mr. Beresford and his friends wore no parties to the com promise, but that the charges of conspiracy and bribery against Mr. Beresford were entirely unfounded. The letter states:—" It had always been thought that when Major Beresford gave Mr. George Henry Richardson Cox the W. B.' letter, he had supplied the money found upon Morgan. I was assured, and proof offered, that Major Beresford had not, directly or indirectly, supplied any money for Derby; the money found upon Morgan had been supplied in Derby. I had been previously told by one who had good infor mation that Major Beresford's complicity began and ended with the writing of the letter to Mr. Frail. On being convinced that this was the fact, I felt bound, in common fairness, to put an end to the indictment as to Major Beresford, for, although the letter might have been held by the jury, from its terms, satisfac tory evidence of guilty knowledge and of conspiracy for a common object with Mr. Cox, that object to be carried out by Mr. Frail, as it was ultimately by Morgan, still, if Major Beresford had not actually done more than write one of the most indiscreet letters ever written at the dictation of an indiscreet man, his own self-reproaches had punished him enough. Notice was accordingly given to Major Beresford's solicitors and to the associate of the oourt that the indictment woull not be prosecuted." THE CLERGY OF LICHFIELD have petitioned the Archbishop of Canterbury to impress upon the Legis -1 iture Vie importance of setting apart an early day for fasting and prayer that the threatened strife and blood shed may be averted from Europe, and that to this nation in particular the blessings of peace may be continued. His grace has expressed his intention of acting upon the suggestion, m which he heartily concurs. THE ERECTION OF A BISHOPRIC OF JERSEY iS requested in some memorials which are now in course of signature in the island, praying that tithes which were alienated before the Reformation, and since then have formed part of the governor's salary, may, now that this appointment is vacant and is not to be filled up, revert to the parishes for the sacred and charitable purposes to which they were originally dedicated, or to the foundation of a bishopric, the island being almost entirely cut off from the advantages of the episcopacy • in consequence of its connection with the see of Win chester. The new bishopric—if the consent of her Majesty's Government can be obtained for its forma tion—will include Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, and Sark. It is contended by the memorialists that it is impossible for a bishop, however active he may be, adequately to discharge the duties of a diocese which extends from the Channel Islands to Lambeth. THE PRESTON OPERATIVES ON STRIKE held a great camp meeting on Sunday last, to hear addresses from the delegates of distant towns, who came to that place on Sundays with money. Although the place of meeting was about four miles from the town, the number present was computed at thirty thousand. The field (lent by a farmer for the occasion) formed a kind of natural amphitheatre, all being enabled to see, if not to hear, the speakers, who occupied a waggon on an elevated slip of land, with the multitude of people below and in front of them. Mr. Kinder Smith, of Oldham, was )ted to the chair. After a few verses had been sung, the burden of which was that "God never made a slave," numerous speeches were delivered in support of the cause. The conduct of the borough magistrate was loudly condemned. Nearly all the delegates strongly impressed on the people of Preston the ne cessity of keeping the peace, and many announced in creased subscriptions. Mr. Cowell called for a show of hands from those who were resolved to be firm to the last. The response is stated to have been most im posing. The operatives are about to send a deputation the to London to wait upon Lor d Palmerston, for purpose of communicating to his lordship the pro ceedings of the local authorities in reading the Riot Act, prohibiting public meetings in the borough, km THE PRESS. Tax RIGA MERCHANTS had applied to the Foreign office to learn what respect would be paid by British cruisers, in the event of war, to bond fide British properly, the produce of Russia, if shipped on board neutral vessels. Lord Clarendon has caused the ap plicants to be informed that property of the descrip tion in question—the produce of Russia, and exported therefrom by and on account of a British merchant domiciled and trading there—although purchased before the war, and exported to England, would not be respected by her Mikjesty's cruisers, unless in pursuance of a licence, or some special instructions from her Majesty to the officers of her navy. LIBERATED AFRICANS.—By a parliamentary paper lately published it appears that the numbers of liberated Africans brought by Government into the West Indies for the last six years were—in 1848, 8,448 ; 1849, 4,707; 1850, 5,292 ; 1851, 3,719 ; 1852, 5,465; 1853, 9,112. The importations to the Mauri tius during the same period were—in 1848, 5,303; 1849, 7,282 ; 1850, 9,823 ; 1851, 9,334 ; 1852, 16,796 ; 1850 (up to Sept. 30), 8,937. MR. GLADSTONE'S Buz for revolutionising the University has been sent to4ome of his own especial partisans in Oxford, but with restriction as to their powers of divulging the particulars of the proposed measure. Sufficient, however, has reached us to warrant our designation of the bill as a revolutionary measure. A considerable portion of the present Heb domadal Board is to be abolished, and the numbers recruited from the ranks of professors and the liberal members of the Convocation. It is also said that in dividual masters of arts are to be allowed to open houses for the reception of students in no way con nected with any college or hall in t6e university ; and it is even affirmed that a regular account of the receipts and expenditure of the different societies is to be rendered at stated periods, to be fixed upon by the Government.—Herald. A PAPER containing returns of the stocks and annuities redeemed, paid off, or commuted under Mr. Gladstone's act of last session has just been printed by order of the House of Lords. It appears that the amount of capital stock directed to be redeemed or commuted was 11,133,2101. 12s. The amount com muted was 3,063,9061. 18s. Bd. ; the capital stock re deemed was 8,009,9031. 13s. 4d.; the amount paid off on the sth of January last was 0,048,7551. 4s. Vd.; and the amount to be paid off on the sth of April next is 2,020,5451. Bs. 7d. The annual interest on the stock before commutation was 91,917/. 3s. 10d., and after coin. mutation 84,658/. 13s. 4d. The amountof Exchequer Bills exchanged for Exchequer Bonds wag 408,000/. From the sth of January, 1843, to the sth of January last, the amount of Exchequer Bills paid off in money was 3,128,0001. ; amount purchased by the National Debt Commissioners on account of the Sinking Fund, 1,557,0001. ; and on account of the savings -banks fund, 1,247,0001. THE THAMES TUNNEL COMPANY held their annual meeting on Tuesday. The receipts for the past year were stated to have been 5,6571. 14s. 6d., and the expenditure 3,4861. Bs. 6d., leaving a balance of— paid to Government, 1,490/. 3s. 3d.; and cash in band, 6811. 2s. 9d. The amount of tolls had been 4,1171. 16s. Id., being an increase over the previous year of 3831. 12s. 9d., or 92,074 passengers. The tunnel was perfectly dry and clean and becoming much more in use as a thoroughfare, the number of passengers per week, since the Ist of January, averaging 21,000, showing an increase of 3,(1W each week over last year. The total amount paid to the Government off the debt had been 23,4491. 13s. 6d. THE CHOLERA has broken out at Leeds. It com menced in the flax-spinning mill of Messrs. Williamson, and fourteen cases, with six deaths, have been already reported. The outbreak has been communicated to the General Board of Health. On Tuesday Dr. Gavins, deputed by the board, arrived in Leeds, and is at pre sent prosecuting inquiries. CERTAIN CIVIL APPOINTMENTS IN CHINA have been placed by the Government atthe disposal of the council of King's College. The students to be selected for this service are to form a school of interpreters for the use of the British authorities at Hong-Kong ; and, if not needed there, are to proceed, under the direction of the Government, to other stations. THE NUMBER OF LICENSED VICTUALLERS in England and Wales in 1853 was 61,040, and of personslicensed to sell beer to be drunk on the premises 40,913. The number of licensed victuallers in Scotland was 14,812; and in Ireland, 15,280. THE number of British subjects resident or travelling in Russia on the night of the recent census of Great Britain was two thousand seven hundred and eighty-three. SOME extraordinary specimens of gold ore have been exhibited in the City, said to be obtained from a place in Merionethshire, about five miles from Dolgelly, and to exist in great abundance. A SEVERE CONTEST for the office of assistant physician to the London Hospital, Mile-end, has terminated in favour of Dr. Andrew Clark, who has been elected to that post, vacant by the elevation of Dr. H. Davies to the office of physician to the hospital. 225 GOVERNMENT have instructed the General Board of Health to prepare suggestions for a Buildings Bill, to serve for the country as well as for the metropolis. HIS EXCELLENCY SIR H. SEYMOUR, family, and suite, arrived at Dover on Sunday last, on their return from St. Petersburg. A thick fog prevailed at the time, during which her Majesty's packet Onyx got ashore, and the party were rowed four miles in a boat. THE COMMISSIONERS appointed to inquire into the promotion in the army have appointed Mr. George D. Ramsay to be their secretary. The oommission meets at the office for military boards, 0, Whitehall. yard. THE NEW REFORM BILL was again discussed in Manchester on Monday night last, but, although called by advertisements and circulars, and graced by the presence of Mr. Bright, the meeting was but thinly attended. Mr. Bright, nevertheless, made another long speech against the bill, winding up by declaring that the measure was calculated to " hand over the rights of the people to the possession of the territorial class," and he would be no party to it. This declaration was loudly cheered by the few who were in attendance. THE ASSOCIATION FOR AIDING THE WIVES AND FAMILIES OF SOLDIERS ORDERED TO THE EAST was formally organised at a public meeting held in Willis's Rooms on Tuesday. Lieutenant General Sir P. Maitland presided, and on the platform were Lord St. Leonard's, the Earl of Shaftesbury. Lord Ingestre, Lord R. Grosvenor, Lord Mandeville, Mr. flume, the Rev. Dr. Cumming, ..tc. &c. Several speeches were made, expressing and invoking sympathy on behalf of the objects of the association, and a resolution was moved by Lord Ingestre : " That., with a view to give practical effect to the sympathy for the distress of the sufferers which was so generally felt by the public, en association be formed, to be called 'The Association in Aid of the Wives and Families of Soldiers ordered to the East,' and that a body of gentlemen be requested to act as a committee, with power to add to their number." Among the various addresses, however, that of Lord St. Leonard's was the only one that contained any suggestion for a plan of action. " It. was," he said, " a very simple one, and was this :—He thought if they assisted the wives of soldiers by maintaining their children they would leave the former at liberty to earn their own livelihood, instead of depending upon charity for support. It was not charity in the ordinary sense that they were about to bestow—it was the protection which they owed to the children ; and this might be so administered that oh • jects of it would not be aware that they were the recipients of charity. He proposed that in every parish the inhabi tants should subscribe for the purpose of securing a home to a certain number of children, giving them the benefit of schools, dispensaries, and other institutions which were necessary to their cultivation. His plan was to make the children feel themselves at home, and form a part of the population of the place to which they were taken—to place them under the care of some respectable elderly woman in the village who would act as a mother to them, and so to treat and watch over them that when the soldier returned from the war he would find them an honour to the country. This was a plan which ought to be adopted in every parish throughout the country. The only difficulty was, how the children were to be maintained. lie had spoken to the Commander-in-Chief upon the subject, and he felt very strongly in favour of the suggestion. lie then put him in communication with Deputy Commander Pack, and ob• served that should the plan be matured a committee had only to write to him and he would inform them how the children were to be provided for. The directors of the railways would doubtless convey the children without charge ; and the value of the plan would be found in the fact that it would secure to the children of soldiers a home, without having the slightest tinge or appearance of de grading them to the condition of paupers. The mothers might have free access to them ; and, whilst they were earning their own livelihood, they would have the satisfac tion of seeing that their children were not neglected. Local funds might be established, and these might apply to a central or metropolitan fund for any assistance they might require. (Hear, hear.)" IralD an Voila. BARON ALDERAON'S WIO was stolen last week, and one Fowles, a " low dirty-lcoking fellow," as he was described by the reporter, was charged on Wednes day at Westminster Police Court for the theft The wig, it seems, was brought by a messenger from the wig -dresser's, and left in an antechamber of the Court of Exchequer in readiness for his lordship. When wanted, however, it had disappeared:— William George, a news-agent in Westminster, said that pri soner brought him the wig In question Prisoner knew witness wore judges' wigs, as he presided as judge at a "judge and Jury" entertainment at the liagnigge-wells Tavern. Prisoner said he was hard up, and wanted a shilling, so witness gave him a shil ling and took the wig. Seeing an advertisement a few days af terwards offering a reward for a wig he took it to the address named. In defence, the prisoner said that he waa standing early in the morning without a hat near ht. Margaret's Church, when three gentlemen got out of a cab and began larking with a wig, and at lut, seeing him without any covering on his head, one of them clapped It on it, and said, "How would you like to be a judge?" (Laughter.) He wore the wig to two poblie-bouses and a hairdresser's, and was then recommended to sell It and buy hat, as more becoming his countenance. (Lawes(er.) He was remanded.