The Press. — London, England, 1855-05-19 00:00:00

gout anb lastlon. Yesterday morning her Majesty distributed a number of the newly issued Crimean medals to officers and men of several regiments and of the naval brigade, most of whom had returned home wound e d or invalidid from the seat of war. The ceremony took place in the square at the Horse Guards, where a raised dais had been erected, and every prepara tion made to give the proceedings its due splendour and solemnity. The Queen visited the Sydenham Crystal Palace on Saturday last. On Tuesday her Majesty inspected a body of 108 men belonging to the Guards, who had lately returned wounded and disabled from the Crimea. Next day the Queen honoured the Horti cultural Show, at Gore-house with her presence, and on Thursday went by railway to Claremont to pay a visit to the Countess of Neuilly. The Post Ampt Gazette states that Prince Albert, Prince Leopold of Belgium, and the King Regent of Portugal, agnates of the reigning Duke of Saxe Coburg Gotha, have just given their long-withheld consent to the constitution of the duchy. In a private letter, written however by an official personage, from Turin, it is stated that the King of Sardinia is at this moment negotiating a marriage with a princess, a relative of Queen Victoria. The Queen has been pleased to forward to Mr. Pepper, the resident director of the Polytechnic In stitution, the sum of 1001. as an expression of her Majesty's approbation of the various entertainments presented on the recent occasion of the royal visit to this institution. Count Walewski, the late French ambassador, had an audience of the Queen on Tuesday to take leave and deliver his letters off recal. On the same even ing the Countess held her last assembly, which was attended by a brilliant circle. Before leaving London the Count Walewski and Countess Walewski were in vited to a d4euner at Willis's-rooms, by a circle of their diplomatic friends. The entertainment came off on Tuesday afternoon. The countess has been presented with magnificent bracelet by the ladies who, since her residence in London, have received the hospitalities of the embassy. This evening nearly all the Cabinet Ministers will give state banquets in celebration of her Majesty's birthday. [he Queen holds a drawing room this (Saturday) afternoon at St. James's Palace. AN account showing the receipt and expenditure of naval prize, bounty, salvage, and other moneys between the Ist of June, 1854, and the 31st of March last, has been published by order of the House of Commons. The proceeds of the sale of Russian vessels and cargoes captured by her Majesty's ships amounted to 02,5571. 2s. The ex penditure was 11,895/. Os. 7d., and the balance 50,6011. 12s. sd. ARRANGEMENTS have been completed for the despatch of a fortnightly mail for Australia from Liverpool—viz., one on the sth of each month by the Black Ball line, and one on the 20th, com mencing on the 20th of June next, by the White Star line. The days for departure from Melbourne of the return mails have not yet been fixed, but they will be so arranged by the authorities of that impor tant settlement as to afford the greatest possible amount of convenience to the colonists. MR. JAMES WILSON, the naturalist, of Edinburgh, Mr. Ramsbottom, r. Shaw, and other scientific gentlemen, have just succeeded in establishing that the parr, or young salmon, must remain two years in the fresh water before heir migration to the sea. Thi's discovery will occasion a great change in the laws of the salmon rivers. A SCHEME is now in process of incubation, under distinguished auspices, for the formation of a road through London, eight miles long, roofed in with glass, with houses and shops on each side, and beyond these, also on each side, two lines of rails, one above the other, the lower for trains stopping at every mile, the upper for expresses. Mr. GLAisHEE, from the Greenwich Observatory, accompanied by Mr. Charles Walker, the telegraph engineer to the South-Eastern Railway Company, arrived at Dover on Tuesday, for the purpose of ascertaining the true meridian of that port, in order that a standard meridian might be established for future reference. The attention of the authorities at the Royal Observatory is now being directed to the circular theory of storms. A correct daily report of the direction and force of the wind will in future be forwarded to them, in order to add to the data on the subject. THE prospectus has been issued of an association entitled the London and Great Western Railway Col liery Company, with a capital of 60,0001., in 11. shares. The proposal is to work mines in the Dean Forest, and to supply shareholders in London, by the aid of the railway, with a certain quantity, in proportion to the number of shares held, at cost price. THE PRESS. CIVIC BANQUET TO THE MINISTERS. THE entertainment given, according to annual custom, by the Lord Mayor, to the members of the Government, came off on Wednesday evening. The banquet exhibited the hospitality of the City upon its usual scale of lavish splendour, covers being laid for 270 guests. When the speechmaking began, Lord Hardinge returned thanks for the army, and Sir C. Wood for the navy. In giving the toast of " Her Majesty's Ministers," the Lord Mayor said that although John Bull grumbled a good deal, he was grateful to the present Ministers for their attention to their duties ; and, speaking of the Administration, declared his belief that they " dreaded nothing so much as to be passed over in silence." Lord PALMERSTON, in returning thanks, said It is impossible that any men can be indifferent to the consciousness that iu this City two great principles, which form the foundation of the power, the prosperity, and the grandeur of England, are represented—l mean the prin ciple of commerce, and the principle of civil and religious liberty. (Cheers.) In proportion as those who I may say are the organs of those two principles are pleased to ap prove of the conduct of the Government of the day, in the same proportion must that Government be stimulated to increase their exertions in the performance of their duties, and encouraged by the satisfaction of thinking that those exertions have procured for them the approbation and sup port of the country. We are engaged now in a great and arduous struggle ; and though it may be justly said that we know little of this war, except that which reaches us from abroad—that the thunders of the cannon roll far from our shores, and that the flashes of battle are not seen by our eyes, and that the pressure of the contest has not been felt in our land—mothwithstanding this, and that the war has sat lightly upon us, however heavily we know it presses on our antagonist—you may be sure of this, that it is, has been, and will be our earnest desire to terminate that war at any moment at which terms can be obtained which are consistent with the dignity of the country and with the future security of peace. But the motto of this country will be—that which I am sure it ought to be—" Peace with honour, or war with victory." ( Loud cheering.) Lord JOHN RUSSELL afterwards acknowledged the toast, " The House of Commons." He observed:— I may at least claim for that assembly the merit of being an industrious one, for the number of bills and blue books which issue from that house year by year is sufficient proof of the attention with its members give to their duties. I trust that those bills and blue books will produce fruit, though occasionally a short period may elapse before that is the result. We hope, however, that we are of use to the country, because there is in the House of Commons a spirit which, borrowed from the people and sympathising with the people, has in times of peace devoted itself to the improve ment of our institutions, to the extension of trade, to the amendment of the laws, and to the various subjects which in times of peace naturally engage our attention. (Cheers. ) We have likewise shown that in time of war we sympathise with the people, and that those exertions which the people are ready to make the House of Commons ia ready to for ward and support. I believe that that house worthily re presents the people of this country ; and I think that it is not true, although it was so asserted the other day (by the Earl of Ellenborough in the House of Lords), that there has been that change in public affairs, that, whereas for merly, when Parliament met, the opinions expressed therein had great weight with the country at large, and the speeches of statesmen, of various parties, perhaps, but all men of experience and practical ability, tended to form, and probably correct, the opinions of the country, now things are totally changed, and instead of that duty which properly belongs to Parliament, the country forms its opinions, and Parliament does little else than burrow and copy the public opinion which is already formed. (Hear, hear.) Such .1 do not think is the case. Such Idu not think it is desirable should be the case, for when the people at the general election choose men whom they think are fit to re present them, and to whom they can confide their destinies, it is right and fitting that those men to whom they in trusted their destinies should be enabled to preside over their affairs with that deliberation and weight, and at the same time with that spirit, which befits the representatives of a free people. Hear, hear.) I answer for this—l think the House of Commons has that weight in the country, and I trust that the House of Commons will al ways have that weight; and having that weight, I hope that it will by inquiring into and correcting abuses, and at the same time reverencing the institutions of the country, set an example to the world at large, and show how excel lent it is to carry with us the hearts and the minds of a free people. (Cheers.) GENERAL LAMARE, whose name will be familiar to Peninsular officers as the colonel of engineers who conducted the defence of Badajos, has just died at Fontainebleau, at the age of eighty. He was one of the most eminent engineering officers in France. After the peace he was successively appointed to the direction of the fortifications of Bayonne, Rochelle, and Havre. He was at one time a prisoner of war in England, and it is narrated that Napoleonll. showed his great attachment to him, by personally providing means for his escape. Napoleon 111. ap pointed him in 1852 Governor of the Palace of Fon tainebleau, which post he held up to the time of his death. General Lamare was known as the author of several military works, and amongst others the history of the sieges of Olivenca, Badajos, and Campo-Mayor. A COMMISSION charged to revise the system of naval tactics is now sitting in Paris. A number of officers from all the maritime ports have arrived. SATURDAY, SO 10 V dia. IN March last, during the late Liverpool election, a letter was addressed by Mr. Hudson, M.P., to Mrs Cox, 29, Shaw-street, Liverpool, containing a cheque f0r101.108., being the half yearly payment of divi dends to which the lady was entitled under a settle ment of which Mr. Hudson was trustee. Mrs. Cox resides at a different number in this street ; and the letter was delivered at the house of Mr. Joseph Cox, a chandelier manufacturer and brass finisher, resid ing in Renshaw-street. Mr. Cox, according to hi s own statement, wrote to Mr. Hudson for an expla nation; but, receiving no reply, came to the some what singular conclusion that tne money had been sent to influence his vote, and placed the matter in the hands of the Reform Association. It was proved, however, that after a little time he obtained the money fur the cheque. Mr. Hudson, having learned from Mrs. Cox that the remittance had not reached her, caused inquiries to be made, which resulted in the apprehension of Cox, who on Monday was brought before the magistrates, charged with having feloniously appropriated the letter and cheque. The case was re manded. MR. BAILY, the celebrated sculptor, applied on Thursday at the Bankruptcy Court for his certificate. At the beginning of 1854 he had a surplus estate of 3,3481., but his debts and liabilities at present ex ceeded 6,0001., against 1,0001. of assets. To account for this positon the bankrupt estimated his losses to have been more than 5,0001., including 4,1001. for depreciation in the value of his property, chiefly con sisting of models used in his business. A first-class certificate was asked for, butrefused by the commis sioner, on the ground that Mr. Gaily had put his hand to a large amount of bills. An immediate certificate of the second class was then granted to to him. JAMES HOWARD TULLY, the well-known musical director, late manager of the Strand Theatre, applied on Saturday last, at the Insolvent Court, under the Protection Act. The schedule contains debts to 5051. The insolvency was attributed to his having taken the management of the Strand Theatre, at a rental from Mr. Alcroft, which proved to be a failure; and, his attention being given solely to the theatre, he was unable to attend to his other duties. Further, it appeared from the proceedings that, from July to January, the losses at the Strand Theatre amounted to 2501. Mr. Commissioner Phillips looked over the schedule, and referred to a debt owing by the insol vent to the Dramatic Authors' Society, for plays written and supplied to him. He asked for an expla nation of the entry. The insolvent said it was for acting pieces at the theatre. The parties were members of the society, and so much was charged per night. Mr. Commissioner Phillips thoui,ht it was an odd entry. The insolvent stated that for one act pieces 10s. a night was charged, and for two acts 11., and so on according to the first and second class theatre. They were called authors and translators' fees. Mr. Commissioner Phillips wcs afraid it was all the same thing to authors and translators. (A laugh.) A day was named for the second hearing, and protection renewed. Ett Armg. WAR-OFFICE, MAY lb. BREVET. Lieutenant-Colonel J. Watson, retired full pay of the 14th Foot, to be Colonel in the Army, the rank being ho norary only. C. S. Dickson, Esq., to be Colonel, with temporary rank, while employed on a particular service. The following officers, having been selected to serve in the force under the command of Major-General Beatson, to have the local rank of Veterinary Surgeon in Turkey while so employed :—H. Bath, Gent., and J. H. Lane, Gent. The following officer, having been selected to serve as Veterinary Surgeon of the Turkish Contingent, to have local rank while so employed :—G. Poyser, Gent. Lieutenant J. Meade, 83rd Foot, to have the local rank of Captain in Turkey while attached to the Turkish Irre gular Cavalry. HOarrrAL STAFF.—Surgeon G. Clerihew, M.D., to be Staff Surgeon of the First Class; Staff Surgeon of the Second Class N. O'Connor, M.D., to be Staff Surgeon of the First Class ; Assistant Staff Surgeons P. H. E. Cross and F. M. Tweddell to be Staff Surgeons of the Second Class. MAY 18. The following promotion to take place consequent on the death of the undermentioned officers:— General S. Huskisson, General finnt O'Neill, Gene• ral Samuel Brown—Lieutenant-General Thomas Evans, C. 8., to be General. The following promotion to take place consequent upon the decease of the undermentioned officers:— Lieutenant-Generals A. Maelachlan, Sir T. H. Browne, and John Duffy, C.B.—Major•General James Lindsay to be LieutenantAireneral. The following promotions to take place consequent upon the decease of the undermentioned officers : Generals Samuel Brown and Pinson Bonham, and Major. General J. G. Baumgardt—Colonel Ambrose Lane to be 470