The Press. — London, England, 1856-03-29 00:00:00

298 • THE SERIOUS CONDITION OF THE U: BUSINESS was brought under the notice of the underwriters at Lloyd's on Wednesday, at the annual meeting, by Mr. Watts, who pointed out at some length the uncertainty at present existing regarding the underwriters' liability, the increased risk for which they were now responsible from the dangerous class of vessels built, the reckless sacrifice of safety to speed, and the difficulty of manning ships with good seamen, all of which combined to press heavily on the underwriters' profits and capital, so as to make the business one of almost certain loss and ultimate ruin. The cause of all this he believed to be the want of unity among underwriters. There were no rules for keeping buiness within legitimate channels, and the shameless system of imposition practised on underwriters by shippers and manufac turers by claims for pretended sea damage, called for some immediate check. He proposed a board of investigation, the decision of which should be bind ing, either for the claim to be paid or resisted out of a common fund. He also proposed that a register of chum , , the names of parties, and the nature of the claims, be kept for the use of the members. He was satisfied that these securities must be afforded to the underwriter, in order to put a stop to scandals which, every year, were becoming more prevalent. Mr. Wills thought that the proposition for a board of examination for claims was beset with insuperable difficulties, and could not be advantageously carried out. The other proposition, for a register of claims, might be of use to members, and was worth further consideration. It was arranged that the discussion should be revived by another motion for next Wed nesday. SEVERAL Exrettsn - E FIRES have occurted this week. On Wednesday night one broke out at Messrs. Harrison's, in Tottenham-court road, and nearly destroyed the whole stock in trade, be sides injuring several of the neighbouring houses. On Thursday morning another broke out in Mar garet-street, and a second in Stamford-street, each inflicting considerable loss and injury. Another occurred at Wapping on Monday morning, by which a large tavern was completely destroyed and four neighbouring houses more or less severely injured. Although nearly the whole fire brigade of London was on the spot, together with the two powerful river floating engines, and commanding an unlimited supply of water, not the slightest im pression could be made upon the flames. Two PRISONERS ESCAPED last week from the Model Prison, Pentonville, by singular good fortune and dexterity. Once in the yard they scaled the lofty walls of the prison by means of a ladder made of wax-end ,, , and ascended and descended the dif ferent walls six times before they fairly got out. Nothing has since been heard of them. A SPECIAL MEETING OF MIDDLESEX MAGISTRATES was held on Thursday, at Clerkenwell, to consider the proposed enlargment of Hanwell and Colney Hatch lunatic asylums. After some discussion the proposal was agreed to with respect to Hanwell asylum, provided the expense did not exceed the estimate of 67,300!. The consideration of the Colney Hatch report was deferred till county day. A SCREW STEAMSHIP, the Vesta, caught fire in the river on Sunday last, and burnt furiously for three hours before the flames could be got under. Upwards of a hundred bales of hemp were destroyed, and the rest of the cargo much damaged. The fire is reported to have arisen from the carelessness of an engineer, in lighting a lamp, letting a spark fall upon a bale of hemp. THE FOUNDATION-STONE of a new Independent Chapel was laid by Sir John Key, Bart., in the Cam berwell-road, on Tuesday. The chapel is intended to hold upwards of seven hundred. THE CITY OBSERVATORY, erected in Cornhill, has been completed. The observatory is in direct com munication with Greenwich Observatory, the Go vernment ball at Deal, and those of the Electric Telegraph Company's offices in the Strand and at Liverpool, and is discharged every day at one o'clock by electric current from Greenwich direct; giving the instantaneous mean time issued at that observatory. THE SPITAL SERMON was preached on Easter Monday by the Rev. Dr. Jackson, Bishop of Lincoln, who took his text from S:. Luke, xvi. 12. From the returns published, the number of children at present maintained in the City hospitals appears to be, 1,215 in Christ's Hospital, 4,434 in St. Bartholomew's, 2,802 in St. Thomas's, and 322 in Betblem. The number of patients admitted during the year 1855 to St. Bartholomew's amounted to 81,122. The Blue coat boys attended at the Mansion-house on Tuesday, and received their annual glass of wine, two buns, and a new sixpence from the Lord Mayor. THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL'S RETURNS for the week show a mortality one tenth higher than the week preceding, bet still below the average. The deaths amounted in all to 1,213, against 1,727 births. Among the deaths of the last two weeks are mentioned cases of two women reaching the ages of 103 and 104 years respectively. The illness and death of the one 103 years old was caused by her bearing of the k THE PRESS. death of her son, an old man of 61, who died in Guy's Hospital from the effects of amputation. The mean temperature of the week has been above that of the average of shirty-eight years. THE ELECTION OF A CHURCHWARDEN for St. Paul's, Knightsbridge, passed off on Tuesday, without any contest. Mr. Westerton was declared re-elected. On thanking the parishioners, Mr. Westerton declared that he had been offered 6,0001. and a seat in Parlia ment it' he would stay all further proceedings against the High Church party. Mr. Westerton pledged himself to make the facts fully known in a pamphlet. THE PROFESSIONAL LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY held their annual general meeting on Wednesday last. From the report of the secretary, the affairs of this excellent society appear to be in a most flattering condition. Vrollintial. THE BISHOP OF BANGOR and the Hon. W. 0. Stanley, M.P., have lately held a correspondence upon the subject of a memorial recently presented to the bishop, and signed by above twenty clergymen and some hundreds of laymen, including three mem bers of Parliament. The memorial in question re ferred to the continued estrangement of the mass of the people in \Vales from the Church of England, and expressed an opinion that this alienation was in a great degree the result of the insufficient number of services provided for the spiritual wants of the people in many of their churches on the Lord's Day, rather than of any de' ided objection to the tenets of the Church of England, and prayed that the bishop would forthwith order that the full services be for the future performed in those churches over which he had jurisdiction. A lengthened correspondence ensued between the bishop, who repudiates, and Mr. Stanley, who supports, the views of the memorial. Mr. Stanley has since published the correspon dence in a pamphlet, to which the bishop has ap • pended the following explanation : Before the bishop takes leave of this correspondence, he will endeavour to explain in a few lines the real state of the question. It is one part of a bishop's duties to make inquiries into the amount of services performed in every church of his diocese. These inquiries the bishop has been making for the last thirty-two years—in the diocese of Gloucester till the year 1830, and in that of Bangor since the 11th of November in the same year. Besides inquiries into particular cases, and an extensive correspondence with his clergy on this subject, he has once in every year, and twice in the years that he has held visitations, received answers to the inquiries which he made of all the beneficed clergy ; these are afrerwards sent, in an abridged form, to her Majesty's Privy Council ; and as the result of these inquiries he exercises that discretion which the law assigns to him. But the prayer of this so-called petition is that the bishop will make inquiries into those very matters which he has been inquiring into during the whole period of twenty-five years. It is there fore an insolent and libellous attack upon his person and authority, charging him with ignorance or neglect of sacred and binding duties. THE LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE LITERARY AND MECHANICS' ASSOCIATION held its annual meeting last Saturday at Manchester. The Bishop of Man chester presided, and delivered an address upon the occasion, pointing out the great success which had attended the institution, and suggested that a sub scription of one guinea a year should be given to the Institutional Association in Manchester for the pur pose of augmenting the number and value of their prizes, and by this means retaining in Manchester those pupils who now competed for the prizes of the Society of Arts in London. He did not approve of the Society of Arts in London alluring young people away from the provinces, when they might do better for themselves in their own districts. The higher class of competitors might go to London if they chose, but for the lower class he thought that means should be found them for improvement upon the spot. A resolution to consider and report upon the proposition was unanimously carried. ROYALTY IN • COALPIT is a sight not often to be met with. His Highness the Maharajah Duleep Singh, who has been on a visit to Lord Hatherton, at Teddesley-park, near Stafford, has in the past week been conducted to different points of interest in the county. Robed in silk, with a handsome head dress and massive earrings, he was conducted by the Right Hon. Earl Granville, who was also at Teddesley, to the ironworks of the noble earl at Hanley and Shelton. Here his Highness, accompanied by Sir John Login, descended the shaft of the Big Coalpit, which is 510 yards deep His Highness prolonged his subterraneons visit some time, taking consider able interest in examining the worlengs. Subse quently Duleep Singh, attended by his noble host and Sir John Login, visited Messrs. Minton and Co.'s pottery and porcelain works at Stoke-upon-Trent. The greater Tart of the afternoon was occupied by the Indian Prince in making a minute inspection of the various branches of the manufactures of this firm. Duleep Singh, who speaks English with fluency and correctness, expressed himself much SATURDAY, gratified with his visit to Stoke, and commended the apparent good conduct and general demeanour of the working classes of the town. He favorably contrasted the working people of Stoke with some in other towns that he had visited. A CHESS MATCH BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH com menced yesterday at five p.m., between the Manches ter and Liverpool Chess Clubs. It was arranged that some of the leading players of each club should meet at the electric telegraph office of their respec tive towns, and play the game on the premises in order to save time. The moves on both sides were immediately forwarded to the Manchester Chess Club, in Ridgefield, which on this occasion were open to the public, and all were welcome who took an interest in chess. It was expected that the game would take about four or five hours, and be finished early in the evening. A CLERGYMAN* OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND (Episcopalian), resident at Glasgow, Mr. C. R. F. Smith, committed suicide on Monday last. Th e deceased had exhibited remarkable excitement in the pulpit on the previous day. No cause for his death has been ascertained. THE PROPOSED JOINT REFORMATORY between Shropshire and Hertford has been declined by tho Hertfordshire magistrates. _ _ A COTTON MILL, the property of Mr. Threlfall, Regent-road, Salford, was totally destroyed by fire last week. The loss is estimated at 14,0001., covered by insurances in different fire-offices. About 230 workpeople are thrown out of emplcy. A WORKING MAN'S COLLEGE, upon the systenilof Professor Maurice, is proposed to be established at Haley-hill, Halifax. Mr. Akroyd, the gnat worsted manufacturer, is the originator of the scheme, b e i ng encouraged by the success of his evening school, established only last year, to extend its utility by converting it into a working man's college. The foundation of the college was inaugurated by apublic meeting on Wednesday at the Haley-hill school room. Mr. Akroyd and several gentlemen of the neighbourhood addressed the meeting at great length, pointing out the advantages of the college now opened, and impressing upon the working men the necessity and advantages of education. Several resolutions were passed in accordance with the ob ject of the meeting, and a general committee of management appointed. THE FAR-FAMED FA.WSLEY HERD of justly-cele brated shorthorns, belonging to Sir Charles Knight ley, who, it is universally acknowledged, stands second to no man as a breeder of this celebrated class of stock, is about to be sold. For a period of between thirty and forty years Sir Charles, with re markable success, has devoted hoth his time and fortune to the improvement of the breed of short horns. The herd consists of about eighty head, which, to use the language of Mr. Strafford, who will have the honour of presiding at the sale, " for purity of breeding cannot be excelled." The sale is fixed for the 3rd of April, and among lovers of pure blood has already excited much speculation. THE INCUMBENT OF DARLINGTON, in the see of Durham, has lately been suspended for two years by the bishop on the report of a commission held to in• vestigate a charge of drunkenness. s. , THE RUINS OF AN OLD DRUIDICAL TEMPLE at Moyness, in Scotland, of which sixty stones yet remain in the outer and inner circles, 9re threat ened with complete destruction by a new tenant on the estate, who is building a house, and using up the granite boulders as material. The most curious stone of all was the huge Logan or rocking stone, an immense rhomboid granite boulder, eight feet by five, lying upon the crown of another, and so finely balanced that on the slightest touch it would vibrate twenty-six times before steadying. The first stone to be split up by this barbarian NM the Logan. A representation has been made to the Earl of Cawdor, lord of the manor, to put a stop to the rte- , ---tion of so fine a Druidical monument. AN EXCIV.DINGLY DARING ESCAPE was made from the new ga at Southampton last week. Joseph Anderson, one of the prisoners awaiting trial, having succeeded in opening his cell-door by means of his number plate, passed through the corridor int) the exercise-yard unobserved. Here a number of work men were employed in the erection of a treadmill, but the prisoner was lucky enough to arrive here just as the whole of them bad gone to dinner. Taking a shovel, he heaped up a quantity of earth, putting on top a mortar-board to secure a good foun dation ;he then placed upon it a scaffold-pole which reached to the top of the wall. Climbing the pole, he gained hold of the top of the wall, dropped him• self down the other side, and escaped. Nothing has since been heard or seen of him. A NEW OMNIBUS COMPANY proposes to start in Liverpool on the principle of the London Company now at work. The capital is to consist. of 1,0001., In 101. shares. . CHURCH-RATE SEIZURES have lately been made to some extent in tilamorganshire. The excitement of the populace was so great that it required all the efforts of the police to prevent an outbreak.