The Press. — London, England, 1855-03-24 00:00:00

MARCH 24, 1855. AT the evening meeting of the Royal Geographical Society, on Monday next, the following papers will be real :—Extract of a letter received by Admiral Smyth from Admiral Matthieu, on the progress of the survey in the straits of Gibraltar—Despatch from Loanda respecting Dr. Livingston's exploration in Central Africa, communicated by Consul Brand—On the ruins of Tical, near the Lake of Piten, in Central America, by Don Vicente T. D. B. Castellanos. THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL states in his last report that the effect of a severe winter is seen in the weekly returns for some time after a milder tempera ture has been restored. The mortality of London is still high. The deaths, which had fallen from 1,560 to 1,377 in the previous week, again rose last week to 1,425. the mean weekly temperature was 40 8 deg., in the beginning of March, higher by 14 deg. than it had been in the latter half of February. From natural causes, as well as from the circumstance that deaths are not always registered as soon as they occur, the consequences of a change of temperature in one week are only developed in the returns of the wi ak following, or at a later period. In the ten cor p )riding weeks of the years 1845-54 the average number of deaths was 1,142, which by a correction for increase of population is raised to 1,256. The present return shows that 109 persons died above the estimated number. Tax BRITISH FLEET at the present moment in commission counts 271 ships of all classes and sizes, from the Duke of Wellington, 131, screw three decker, to the port admiral's cutter. These ships mount 6,370 guns, and are manned with about 62,000 officers, seamen, boys, and marines. It is estimated that at least 4,000 petty officers and sea men are required to complete the crews of the ships at present fitting out at the ports. THE report of the railway department of the Board of Trade on the railway bills of 1855 shows that the number of bills for railways deposited this session amounts to 104, of which 71 authorise new works, and a total length of line extending over 655 miles, besides 51 miles of deviation, and 35 proposals for enlargement of stations. Of the 33 other bills 4 are for the extension of time, 12 relate to capital arrangements, 13 to amalgamation, sale, lease, work ing, and traffic arrangements, and 4 may be cla,sed as miscellaneous. Of the 71 bills authorising new works, 34 are introduced by new companies, and 37 by old. The number of such bills is thus divided — in England 53, length of lines 384 miles ; in Scotland 11, length of lines 165 miles; and in Ireland 7, length of line 106 miles. Tax APPOINTMENT of the Right Hon. Sir John Young to be Lord High Commissioner of the lonian Islands was officially announced in Tuesday's Gazette. Tax EARL OF ABERDEEN, it is understood, will, in the course of a short period, leave England, for Egypt, in order to see his son, Lord Haddo, who contemplates prolonging his sejour in the East for some time to come. Lord Haddo is at present in the neighbourhood of Cairo. HER MAJESTY has marked her sense of the valuable services of the late Mr. John Montagu, colonial secretary at the Cape of Good Hope, by making a suitable provision for his widow. A pension of 3001. a year for life has been bestowed upon this lady. Ma. BARRY CHARLES HAMPTON KNIGHT—SOI I of the eminent publisher, Mr. Charles Knight—is appointed index maker to the London Gazette. THE HUT INTENDED FOR THE FRENCH EMPEROR when he visits the Crimea has been already packed up. It was inspected by his Majesty in the gardens of the Elysees Napoleon, with other articles destined to accompany the expedition. The but is made of wood and is put together without nails. The windows are so contrived as to render it difficult to see into the little cabin, whilst it is very easy to see out of it. A small stove is provided, and other conveniences ; but the whole is extremely simple and devoid of ornament. THE 98th REGIMENT is on its passage from India, on board the ships Sutlej, Maidstone, Prince of Wale i s and lenheim, and xp may be expected to arrive early n Jun ß e. The 25th Regiment of Foot is on its passage home from India. THE 10TH Hussmts were, on the 10th inst., with the exception of seventy men, in Egypt, awaiting further orders to proceed to the Crimea. They had been comfortably located at Cairo. Tim FRENCH EMPEROR hag granted a silver medal of honour to Edward Richard Warden and George Edwards, fishermen, of Rye, for having rescued from certain death, on the 14th of January last, the crew of the French merchantman Itletre Dame du Mont Carmel. THE receipts of the Great Western Railway of Canada for the week ending the 2nd of March were 5,5241. sterling, making a total of 21,3061. since the Ist February. A HALF YEARLY DIVIDEND of 245. per share, and also a bonus of 565. per share, making together 41. per share, (or at the rate of twenty per cent. per annum), will be payable on the shares of the Bulk of Australasia on the 17th April. THE PRESS. THE second annual statistical abstract of parlia mentary papers, prepared by the Board of Trade, has been published It comprises yearly results from 1840 to 1854, arranged in a small space and with much clearness. There are some new features — such as the quantities of articles retained for home consumption, the state of pauperism, dic. THE passenger-ship Blackmail, belonging to Messrs. Green, arrived at Plymouth on Thursday from Australia, having left Melbourne Heads 4th January. She has on freight about 50,000 ounces of gold-dust and a cargo of wool, and 160 passengers, many of whom have been successful at the diggings. Her news has been anticipated by that of the steamer Argo. A MEETING OF THE NEWSPAPER TRADE was held on Thursday at St. Martin's-ball, Long-acre, for the purpose of considering and resisting the proposed abolition of the newspaper stamp by the Chancellor of the Exchequer; Mr. L. Wild, of Catherine-street, in the chair. The meeting was but thinly attended. MR. CHICHESTER FORTESCUE, says the Globe, is about to resign his office of Junior Lord of the Trea sury. In taking this step the hon. gentleman is in nowise influenced by political considerations. Tux statement made of Mr. James Wilson's ap pointment to the vacant ViceTresidency of the Board of Trade is incorrect. Mr. Wilson was offered the office, and declined it, so that it remains unfilled. MR. C. H. WYNDHAM A'CouRT, M.P. for Wilton, and brother-in-law to Mr. Sidney Herbert, has been appointed Special Commissioner of Income Tax. The salary of the office is 6001. per annum. PROFESSOR SIMPSON, of Edinburgh, has been re quested by Lord Panmure to provide the medical officers requisite for the formation of another civil hospital in the East. He will be required, it seems, to select physicians, surgeons, assistant-physicians, assistant surgeons, apothecaries, and male and fe male nurses. Sir : G. BONHAM was introduced on Tuesday to the electors of Liverpool, whom he addressed in a brief speech. Owing to some informality in the prepara tion of the writ, the election cannot commence until Monday. Mr. H. C. Ewart is brought forward by the Liberals to contest the return, but it is questionable whether he will go to the poll. A FORMIDABLE OPPOSITION TO MR. SIDNEY HER BERT is being organised in South Wilts on behalf of Lord Harry Thynn..? the young brother of the you n g Marquis of Bath. Retainers have already been given to several solicitors, and the contest, when it hap pens, is expected to be a very severe one. SIR W. RIDDELL, BART., Recorder of Maidstone, has consented to become a candidate, on the Conser. vative ii terest, for the vacancy in the representation of Kent, caused by the retirement or Sir E. Fikeen THE VICEROY OF EGYPT has remiLted to the Bank of France the funds necessary for paying the first coupon of the Turkish loan, due April 10, 1855. Yalu Rub Volta. Ltnot Bunram.i, who stands charged with the murder of Joseph Latham, otherwise Lambert, in Foley place, was brought before Mr. Hardwick, at the Marlborough-street Police court, on Tuesday, for final examination. The woman, Mary Ann Jeanes, with whom Latham cohabited, and who was also fired at by the prisoner, and had a ball lodged in her chest, from whi• h she has been suffering ever since, was able to atend before the magistrate in person to give her evidence. The depositions being taken, the prisoner was fully oommitted for trial on the capital charge. THE Mountgarrett peerage case, " Butler v. Mount garrett," which was commenced at Kilkenny assizes on Wednesday week, was brought to a close on Tuesday last. The learned Judge (Berwick) having charged the jury, they retired, and at half-past seven returned into czurt, and handed in a verdict for the defendant. The announcement was received with some manifestation of applause. By this sentence the decision on the former trial is reversed, and the title and estates confirmed in the possession of their present owner. AN important investigation took place at the Court-house, Keigbley, on the 10th, which resulted in the conviction of two corn -millers, carrying on business at Keighley, in a penalty of 201. each, for having adulterated flour in their possession. The flour was adulterated with sulphuric acid, or oil of vitriol, and oxide of iron. A CHINAMAN, who would not give his name, but who evidently understood English, was charged at Maiylebone Police-court with begging. The charge having been proved the prisoner was committed for 21 days. No sooner did he hear the sentence than he drew a large clasp-knife across his throat, and immediately fell down on his back in the dock. He was at once taken out by the officer+, and con veyed down stairs, wheb a surgeon was fetched, who examined the wound, which he pronounced not to be dangerous, and recommended his immediate removal to the hospital. authents ad Offnuts. 289 A raw days since the pulverising house at the Kennel Vale Powder-works near Truro, in Cornwall, blew up with a tremendous report. The night police at Truro, which is seven or eight miles distant, plainly saw the flash of light, which lit up the whole firmament, and immediately afterwards felt a distinct shock of the ground. Fortunately no lives were lost; but much damage was done to the premises where the explosion took place. A DREADFUL ACCIDENT occurred at Bristol on Tuesday, owing to a steam collier having come into collision with the great iron bridge leading from Bath-parade to the London-road. It was a cast-iron bridge, made by the Colebrook Dale Company, 180 feet span, and comprised a single arch, with six cast iron ribs, trussed by iron girders, and supported by cast-iron stanchions. It occupied from four to five yeas in its erection (18,.5 9), and in 1808, owing to some defects in the stonework on which it rested, fell, and either killed or severely injured thirty-two persons. On Tuesday morning a screw propeller barge was descending the river Avon when she came in contact with the iron framework of the bridge, which rests on side piers. The whole structure immediately fell with a tremendous crash, carrying with it every thing upon it. Three or four persons swam to the banks, and were got out alive, but it is said that a woman with a child in her arms, and two ladies who were seen struggling in the water, are missing, as also a little girl. Two carts were thrown into the river, and one or two of the horses drowned. Some hats have also been seen floating down with the ebb tide. Several parties bad most narrow escapes. The cause of the collision is differently stated, but the captain of the barge has been arrested. As 7115 LORD CHANCELLOR was delivering judg ment on Tuesday afternoon in the House of Lords an immense stone, which was being hauled up to the ventilator tower, immediately over the house, fell with a fearful crash upon the roof, almost immediately over his lordship. The accident occasioned considerable uneasiness, and the peers present did not appear at all convinced of their security until a messenger who had been despatched for the purpose of ascertaining the extent of the accident returned and informed them that there was no further occasion for alarm. Tay NOTORIOUS GARRETT; who is Oblirged with robbing the Victoria Bank, Melbourne, South Aus tralia, of 14,0001., was on Thursday evening detected by the London police, and , withou t a struggle on his part, though armed to the teeth, lodged in custody. He was only a few days arrived from the Antipodes, and it is supposed by the steam ship Argo. Besides weapons for his defence, there were found on his person two bank cheques, one for upwards of 2,0001. and another for over SOU, together with 201. in gold. Garrett was a ticket of-leave man, and it appears made his first essay, alter obtaining his liberty, by the determined robbery with which he is now charged. INTELLIGENCE has been received from Australia by Mr. Gould, the ornithologist, of the murder, at Percy Island, of his collector , Mr. Stran g e, making the third patty employed by that gentleman in pursuit of birds, tic., who has been speared by the natives. A FIRE, attended with the de truction of several thousand pounds' worth of property, by which up wards of 100 persons will be severe losers, happened on Thursday morning, in High- street, Homerton. The premises in which the conflagration occurred were in the occupancy of Mr. H. Taylor, a pawnbroker and silversmith. The building was of considerable extent, not fewer than eight large rooms being filled with pledges, furniture, and other effects ; whilst the shop, which stood in front of the house, was stocked with plate, watches, trinkets, and other valuable I articles. te taltsiastical. PREFERMENTS AN I/ APPOINTMENTS. The Rev. Frederick William Harris, M.A., to the Vicarage of Midmenham, Buckinghemehire. The Rev. J. A. I.egh Campbell, M.A., to the Vicarage of Help stone, near Market Deeping, Leicestershire. The Rev. A. Rolland, 8.A. , to the Curacy of the Parish Church of Ripon. The Rev. J. R. Lewis, 8.A. , t o the Rectory of Caboot, Radnor shire. The Rev. Henry Gipps, M.A., to the Vicarage of Cr osthwalle. Cumberland. The Rev. W. Hayward Cox, 8.D., to the Rural Deanery of Hereford. The Rev. John H anmer Underwood,M.A., to the Rural Deanery of Froome. The Rev. W. English. M.A ., to the Rectory o f Bradfield, near North Vi'alsham, Norfolk. The Rev. Hugh Francis Rove. M.A., to the Rectory of Homers. field, with South Eln.basn St. Cross, Leer Bungsy, Norfolk. The Rev. James E. Nash, W.A., to the locuaebency of tile new church at Jacob's-well, near Bristol. The Rev. T. Lewis. MA., to the Rrctory o f Denbigh. The Bev. William fierier Corens, M.A.. to a of St. ADdrew's inor Canonry i n Chichester Cathedral, and to the Incumbency Church, Chichester. The Rev. J. Tlndon Wrenford, 8.A., to the I neom beoey of et Paul's Church, Newport, hfonzaouthahtre. I I