The Sun. — London, England, 1854-07-19 00:00:00

was to bring before the committee a particular patent, and as that was not a matter on which the House of Commons should be called on to inquire, he should oppose the motion. (Hear, hear, hear.) He had no doubt from what he had heard that the patent was an ingenious one, but if it could be made available, it was for the trade to take it up. The examples of the small arms and postal communications did not apply in the present case. With regard to the general expense of printing, he admitted it was excessive, but that was owing to the number of returns on all sub jects which members asked for. (Hear.) Lord NAAS protested against the doctrine that the house was on no occasion to appoint a committee to in quire into a particular invention. (Hear.) He believed that great public good resulted from the inquiry of the postal committee. He had seen the invention referred to, and it seemed to be capable of useful application. The *whole of the trade were oppo se d t o th e inventor, and it was in vain fora single individual to contend against them. Mr. LUCAS said that the hon. gentleman W (Mr. 11- eon) and the right ho n . gen tl eman (M r .V. Sm i th) having admitted that the printing department was in an unsatis factory state, a n d th a t i nqu i ry p er se might be desirabl e , they had no right to turn round and say that they would oppose the motion because his hon and gallant friend re ferred to one p ar ti cu l ar i n vention which might promote economy and reduce expenditure. The fact of there be ing such a n i nven ti on only gave greater weight to the arguments for inquiry which was admitted per se t o b e desirable. (Hear.) He had seen the inventio n i n ques tion, and without pronouncing on its merits, he would merely say that he never saw a series of i m p rovements from which greater benefits might be hoped. (Hear.) Mr. HADFIELD would support the motion. It seemed to him that a committee of inquiry in this case was fair, just, and reasonable. The hon. gentleman would leave the Government to select the committee themselves. Lord SEYMOUR would oppose the motion, on the ground that the House of Com mons was not the place for trying the merit of inventions. If this invention was good, why did not the trade take it up ? Why did not the hon. and learned gentleman take it up himself, if he expected so much advantage from it ? (hear.) These things ought to be tried on mercantile and commercial princi ples, and not by a committee of the House of Commons. If it were an available invention, l e t th e pr i n t er o f th e house adopt i t, and then they would have the benefit of it. They had a committee on postage stamps, which ended in their paying 4,0001. t o the inventor as compen sation, for which the wh o l e mercantile commun i ty was laughing at them. It was said that the invention would be an admirable thing for the Bible Society. If so, let the Bible Society try it. But the House of Commons would be lowerin g i ts c h aracter i f they attempted to in vestigate the merits of these inventions. (Hear.) Mr . G BEENE replied, still enforcing th e a d vantages of his invention, but more with the view to publicity than compensation. If this committee were granted, he should be prepared to show that a saving of 25,0001. a year might be effected in the public printing and sta tionery departments of the country, and after that as sertion he thought th e h ouse wou l d b e want i ng i n it s duty if it refused this inquiry. The house then divided, when there appeared — For the motion 56 Against it 32 Majority — 24 The motion was accordingly agreed to. IRISH LOIN FUND SOCIETIES. Mr. P. URQUHART moved for a select committee to inquire into the management of the loan fund societies in Ireland. Sir J. YOUNG said there would be no objection to the motion. The subject, however, was not one with which the Government had, properly, anything to do ; he added that there had been grave doubts as to whether these societies were beneficial or the reverse, and he hoped the committee would consider the princi ples of the system. After some observations from Mr. F. FRENCH and Mr. F. SCULL; The motion was agreed to. NAVAL MEDICAL OFFICERS. Sir J. WALMSLEY (on the part of Mr. HUME) moved for the following returns : MEDICAL OFFICERS (BLACK SEA. AND BALTIC). — Return of the number of medical officers serving in her Majesty's ships of war in the Black Sea, and the number required to complete the war establishment of such ships. And similar return of the ships in the Baltic. ARKY.—Return stating the date of the first com mission of the Hon. Lieutenant-General George Anson in her Majesty's service, and the dates of his promotion to the several subsequent commissions, distinguishing the time of his regimental duty in each rank ; and abstract of the number of officers superseded in her Majesty's and the East India Company's service by Colonel Anson's appointment to be major -general, and also of the number of major-generals of each service superseded on his appointment as lieutenant-general. RIBBONISM IN IRELAND. Lord NAAS moved for copies of the correspondence that had taken place between the Irish Government and the magistrates of the county of Donegal relative to the liberation on ticket of leave of Miles Sweeny, a man convicted of a ribbon offence in 1851. He entered at some length into the case, in order to show that a dan gerous criminal had been returned, with bis sentence unexpired, into a district greatly disturbed by ribbon.- ism—a remission which the ignorant people mistook for a pardon. Sir J. YOUNG assented to the production of the papers, and added that Government had no evidence that, the manhin que:4ion had been convicted of a rib Lon offence, and that his release had taken place after refer• ence to the medical officers of Spike Island and to the judge who had tried him. The motion was agreed to. The Indian Appointments Bill was read a second time. The Spirits (Ireland) Bill was read a second time. Tne Medical Graduates (Ireland and Scotland) Bi was read a second time. The house adjourned at half-past 11 o'clock. BAIL Wily INTELLIGENCE. 'MADRAS. The half-yearly meeting of this company was held yesterday at the offices, New Broad-street; Major- General D. Sim in the chair. The report stated that the construction of the line pro ceeds steadily and well under the system pursued of letting the work in small contracts, such as the natives can readily undertake ; and the cost thus far has fallen within the estimates. The earthworks of the first 50 miles may be considered as completeted and ready to receive the permanent way. The bridges are also far advanced towards completion. Although considerable difficulty has been experienced in obtaining tonnage suf ficient for the conveyance of the permanent way mate rials from this country, a considerable supply of them has already arrived at Madras, and the quantity required for the first 50 miles above referred to will be delivered there before the end of the year. The laying of the permanent way has been commenced. The erection of the terminal and other stations on the line is in progress. A quantity of machinery for the work: shops about to be erected has been sent out as welt as some materials for the rolling stock of the railway, and sontracts are in course of execution for six locomo tive engines. The works on the line beyond Merril to Veniembady are begun, and will be actively pushed for ward, the completion of the railway to this point from Madras being deemed the first object to be accomplished. Detailed surveys of the section beyond Beypore an Paulghaut and of the Moroor Pass are in progress Mr. Bruce's report fully confirms the opinions the board entertained of the facilities for forming the line afforded by the nature of the country, and the favourable char acter of Zthe pass from Vaniembady to Bangalore, as well as of the Moroor Pass to Salem. A bill to enable the company to increase its capital, and to enter into further contracts with the East India Company, re ceived the Royal assent on the 2d ult. Warrants for the interest accrued to the 30th ult. on the amount paid up have been issued to the shareholders. The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report, said, the wor k s were procee di ng sa ti s f ac torily, but not so rapidly as they had anticipated. This was not to be .regretted, as the engineers were enabled to examine the . country, and to ascertai n th e re quirements of the dis trict before constructi ng t h e li ne. Th ese were advan tages which compensated for the delay that had occurred, but he thought by this time next year 70 miles of rail way would be open for traffic. They would proceed with the works on the section of the line from the west coast at Beypore, to Paulghaut about 40 or 50 miles in l ength, #Rhile the surveys were be . ug made at the inter mediate' Faces for the-re lnder of l the line.Majof Comm remarked that the r ort companied with a statement of accourts was not ac- The Min — HAN said the accounts would be published once a fir, and not lialf-yearly. The report was a d opte d . After a short discussion respecting the best wood for sleepers, and the means adopted for preventing the at tacks of the white a n t s b y creosoting and other ni the proceedings concluded w ith a vote of thankateoatnhe chairman and directors. BELFAST AND COUNTY DOWN Mr. AGLIONBY reported from the sub-committee that the new works power to construct whi c h is sought by the bill are to be executed by an existing company out of funds which they are at present authorised to raise. The length of the main line of railway is 17 miles 6 fur longs, and the length of the branch 5 miles 6 chains, It is intended to cross roads on the level. The steepest gradient on the line is lin 101. The estimated cost of the proposed lines of railway is 180,0001., and the quan tity of land required 210 acres. The committee are satis. fled of the fitness, in an engineering point of view, of the proposed lines of railway. THE LATE DREADFUL ACCIDENT ON SAFFRON-HILL.- SUFFERERS —At a late hour last -- DEATH OF ONE OF THE night, Cornelius Bards, one of the unfortunate men who were buried beneath the debris caused by the falling of two hou ses on S a ff ron -hill o St. Elrtholornew's Hospital, after the most excruciating pain, fr om the injuries he recdived on that occasion ; the other two, men, wile were also injure d, and are inmates • 0- favourably. of the - same institution, are prog ressin,, Axbrain R EBEL. —Th e gen tl eman alluded to in the following Paragraph from the Roscommon Messenger was on : • surrecti wounded i n t h e arm at the Ballingarry in at " Wet feel ext reme gratificati on a t b e ing in a position to hat Idr: Dillon h as rece i ved perm i ss i on t o return to Ireland. This announcement wag communicated to him by the British Ambassador in the United States, and was conveyed in terms as complimentary to Mr. Dillon as creditable to the Ministry. The favour so gra ciously extended was as unexpected by the object of it as it was unsolicited on his Part. Mr. Dillon's brilliant success at the American bar leave,' it doubtful whether he will to hinu avail himself of th e favour so generously extended CAUTION about FURNACES, OVENS, eze.— Mr. LEE STEVENS respectfully cautions ,he public against the representations of persons professing to modify his system of smoke prevention and saving of fuel. He will proceed against all parties infringing on his patent right, whether by suppo& d evasion, direct fraud, or attempted improvement. His established method is easily, quickly, and economically adapted to furnaces of all forms and sizes; it requires no moveable parts whatever; and any ma chinery attached to it detracts from its durability as well as its simplicity, materially increases its cost, and undoubtedly lessens its efficiency. Mr. Lzz STEVENS will be very grateful lee information of any unauthorised use of his system in steam-boilers, coal-ovens, or farnaces of any kind ; and re confidently invites reference to his list of engineers, manufacturers, colliery proprietors, mil'owners, brewers, distillers, chemists, sugar refiners, dyers, confectioners, bakers, and others in town and country, who conscientiously re commend his invention, on practical experience of its unquestion able success. -1, gam -street-hill, City, London, July 17, 1854. THEATRE ROYAL DRURY LANE; Lessee, Mr. E. T. Smith. THIS EVENING, JULY 19, Will be performed Bellini's Opera of LA SONNAMBULA. Amine, Mdlle. Bury ; Lisa, Madame Greltrenhagen ; Theresa, Ma dame Heinrich ; Alessi°, Sigr or Gregorio ; Count Rodolpho, Signor Arnoldi; and Elvino, Mr. Sims Reeves. To conclude with the popular Ballet, entitled UNE FETE EN OLYMPE. ITlces--Stalls, 7s; Dress Circle, 55.; Boxes, 35.; Pit, 2s. ; Gallery, Is. ; and Private Boxes, One, Two, Three and Four Guineas. The lox-office open daily from Ten till Six, where places may be secured. Private Boxes and Stalls to be had of Messrs. Leader and i.ock. t,5, New Bond-street. Notiee.—Doors open at Half-past Seven. Performance commences at Eight. Ha f-price at Half-past ine. THEATRE ROYAL HAYMARKET. Under the management of Mr. Enckstone. TIIIS EVENING, JULY 19, Will be performed the Drama of THE KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE. Characters by Messrs. Chippendale, Howe, G. Vandenhoff, W. Farren, Compton, and Buckstone ; Miss Reynolds, Miss E. Grey, and Mrs. Fitzwilliam. Followed by the SPANISH DANCERS in a GRAND BALLET. To conclude with SHOCKING EVENTS. ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE, OXFORD-STREET. trader the Management of Mr. CHARLES SEAN. THIS EVENING, JULY 19, Will be performed FROM VILLAGE TO COURT. Principal characters by Messrs. Harley, Fisher, and Cathcart; Misses Mur ray, Heath, and Vivash. After which, THE COURIER OF LYONS. Principal characters by Messrs. C. Kean, J. Vining, Addison, Graham, David Fisher, Cathcart, and Baker; Misses C. Lecleroq, Heath, Ternan, and K. Terry. To conclude with THE HALT OF THE BALLET. THEATRE ROYAL ADELPHI, Proprietor, Mr. B. Webster.—Directress, Madame Celeste. THIS EVENING, JULY 19, Will be performed the Drama of TIIE MAID OF CROISSEY ; or, The Return from Russia. Characters by Mr. B. Webster, and Mr. Keeley; Mrs. Keeley, and Madame Celeste. To be followed by HOPES AND FEAR.. Characters by Messrs. B. Webster and Parselle ; Misses Woolgar, Mary Keeley, Fanny Maskell, and Madame Celeste. To conclude with BOX AND COX. Followed by THE COURIER OF LYONS. ROYAL OLYMPIC THEATRE. Lessee and Manager, Mr. A. Wigan. THIS EVENING, JULY 19. Will be performed PERFECT CONFIDENCE. Characters by Messrs. Robson, Emery, and Robinson ; Misses Marston, E. Or monde, and Sliss E. I nrner. To be followed by THE JEALOUS WIFE. After which, the popular Comedietta, ca'led HEADS OR TAILS ? Characters by Mr Emery and Miss biarston, Ecc. STRAND THEATRE. Sole Lessee Mr. F. W. Allcroft. THIS EVENING, JULY 19, Will be performed THE MARBLE LOVER. Followed by FAUST AND MARGUERITE. After which, THE UNITED SERVICE CF FRANCE AND ENGLAND, in which Miss Harriet Gordon will appear. To conclude with FOR TILE BENEFIT OF THE PLAYFUL CROCODILE. tails, 45.; Boxes, 2s. 64.; Pit, is.; Gallery, 6d.; Private Boxes £1 is. to be had of Mr. Alleroft. 15, New Bond-street. ASTLEY'S EUROPE'S NATIONAL ANIPIIITUEATHE. Lessee and Manager, Mr. William Coolie. PERFEC r SUCCESS! THIS EVENING, JULY 19, A Grand Historical Equestrian spectacle, called TUE COSSACKS ; or, Vive la France. After which, the inimitable Scenes in the CIRCLE, and Pre miere Equitation, including Miss Emily Cooke and Mr. Alfred Cooke. LA PERCHE by the Brothers Francisco. The German Brothers on the DOUBLE TRAPEZE. The whole to conclude with Mr. W. T. Simpson's laughable Burlesque, RUSSIA AGAINSr TURKEY NOW ON TRIAL. Box-of:lce open from Eleven till Four. Stage Manager, Mr. W. West. ROYAL SURREY ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS. Open for the Season. Repetition of the Grand Union Fetes, under the Patronage of his Excellency Count WALE WSKI, the French Ambassador. In con sequence of the complete success of the above Fetes, they will be repeated THIS EVENING, and also on Thursday, and Friday next. The extraordinary display of FIREWORKS, by Southby, and the arrangements of the Dancing Pavilion, having given the greatest satisfaction, 'wit( also be repeated. The acclamations be stowed upon Mr. D. Godfrey's NEW MUSIC kL MELANGE, com posed by him for this occasion, descriptive of the Al lance of England and France for the Defence of Turkey, stamp it as the most success ful Musical production of the day. The Unrivalled Band of the Coldstream Guards, conducted by Mr. God rey. Full Quadrille Band, &c. M.C., Mr. Flexmore. Concert at 7 Ball d'Ete at half past ti ; Fireworks at 10. Admission to the whole, is. MOH WATER AT LONDON BR:Dag r,. DAT —Dttorning 9 cnin.after 6 Evening 37 min.aft. 9 ro \tor noW—Morning 7 min.after 10 ' Evening 41 ininoift, 10 THE WEATHER.—Sint Oaacca, JULY 19. THERMOMETER, M THE SHADE. 75 highest since noon yesterday. 57—lowest this morning and during the night. 73—this clay, at noon. BAROMETER, 30'06. Wnnn, S.W.—Light breeze, and fine, sunshiny weather. Tib ~v ~ 1 ~~~~~0 LONDON, WEDNESDAY, JULY 19, 1854. Yesterday is not unworthy of being inscribed henceforth as red-letter-day in the Calendar of Literature. It must be remembered, at least, as interesting in the literary annals of our genera tion. It must be referred to in terms of pecu liar tenderness in a book that remains still to be written, but one that, sooner or latter, will be written, inevitably, a book eloquent —no matter from whose hand it may emanate eloquent with the simple facts of THOMAS HOOD'S bio graphy, a record of his life and genius, of his sufferings and of his philanthropy. In that nar rative, yesterday, the 18th of July, 1854, must perforce be mentioned as a date not unworthy of very particular commemoration. As scarcely less worthy of note in the " Life of HOOD" than the day of his birth, the 23d of May, 1798, or than the day of his death, the 3d of May, 1845 —the alpha and the omega of that brief History which was as potent for good, as fraught with stores of elo quence, as lucid in meaning, as simple in structure, as complete, and as symmetrical, as an Alphabet. Several years have passed by since the body of the Poet and Humorist was laid in his grave in Ken sal-green Cemetery. Half-a-dozen had elapsed without that grave being marked even by a com mon slab or an ordinary head-stone. A few simple but heart-stirring stanzas from the hand of ELIZA COOS first directed attention to the ne glected condition of the spot redeemed from ob scurity by the dust of the dead Lyrist. Out of that poetic garland, flung by a gentle sympathy above the grass-grown grave of HOOD, has sprung up, in substantial bronze and granite, a very beautiful and enduring monument. A work of art not unworthy of the refined taste and ripening abilities of MATTHEW NOBLE, the sculptor. And one which, unostentatious though it is, will attest to posterity that THOMAS HOOD was appreciated and that his memory was beloved by his contem- Nraries. For the most noteworthy circumstance in connection with the monument which was inaugurated yesterday in the presence of a n umerous assembla ge , and the uncovering of whi ch was preceded ' by a feeling and effective address delivered u member p on the occasion by the accom plished.tfor the borough of Pontefract— was the fa c t graven upon the pedestal, the fact that this graceful and appropriate mon umen t was erected by p u bli c subsen therefore, a n d the impotan °l c l e _ It has the m er it, testimonyneo tributeof to gratefulth eof being a sponta maenulderyaffeDeftillaTHOMAS HO OD , a el isimmediateadmiration proffered by all ran k s and classesoofti contemporaries. As such the event of y inesterda the y becomes of sufficie n t va l ue to be reco r ded pc annals of our home literature. C HARLES e himself illustrious a mong th e most illustrious m of "s' the contemporaries of How), has spoken so I where, tenderly and sorrowfully, of the time "when he had come to know him well, and to see him, stout of heart, going slowly down into his grave" --that grave is no longer overlooked or un honoured. It bears above it a very visible attes tation that the benign genius and the innocent fame of HOOD are cherished in the na tional remembrance. A little while since an d that spot was only marked by the neglected turf and the funereal hillock. It is now touch- THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, JULY 19, /854. ingly conspicuous among the pleasant solitudes of Kensal-green Cemetery. The " monumental bust"—the granite pedestal with bronze bas-reliefs, illustrative of an exquisite lyric and an immortal ballad—the rhetorical epitaph "He Sang the Song of the Shirt"—the pithy inscription—the lyre and the comic mask, half-veiled—all are elo quently commemorative of the Poet and the Humorist. Even over his grave his Fame has blossomed. Standing before that grave, the pil grim to the spot hallowed by the dust of THOMAS HOOD may now recall to mind with renewed sig nificance one of the loveliest of his verses— " I smell the Rose above the Mould." While the popular rising against the Spanish Queen and her Government is spreading from St. Sebastian to Barcelona, and from Barcelona to Saragossa—the desultory struggles between the Turks and the Russians are continued with con siderable bloodshed in Wallachia. It is earnestly to be hoped that, out of her present troubles, Spain may come forth at last with a result satisfactory and advantageous to her population. While, in regard to the mightier interests at stake on the banks of the Danube, we can only look forward with supreme eagerness to some decisive issue consequent upon the advance of the .Anglo-French contingent. For the interests there at hazard, or in the balance, contingent upon the casualties of a campaign, are those not of a single peninsula, but of a whole continent, or rather of an entire hemisphere. Hitherto the events of the campaign in the Danubian provinces, though often brilliant and some of them very re markable, to the glory of the Ottoman arms and to the especial honour of the Turkish Com mander-in-Chief, have in no single instance yet approximated even to the decisive. Neither the victory at Citate, nor the previous one at Olte nitza. Neither the gallant stand made at Giur gevo, nor the heroic defence of the earthen ram parts of Silistria. It was not, indeed, to be expected. All that might have been expected fromthe soldiers of the SULTAN, as opposed to those of the AUTOCRAT, would have been that they should have stood resolutely upon the defensive until the troops of England and France had arrived on the battle field. They have done more than this—they have not only stood upon the defensive, but acted upon the aggressive —they have not only pre vented the invaders from advancing upon the Bal kans, but driven them back beyond the Danube, and compelled them to take up a new position behind the Sereth. More than this could not within reasonable probability have been accomplished by them under the circumstances. Now, however, that the Turkish army has been augmented by the arrival at last, troop by troop, and regiment by regiment, of the Anglo-French contingent-- we may surely begin to expect intelligence of some more positive advantage having been gained over the Muscovites. Therefore it must come to pass not unnaturally that towards the close of the summer of 1854, the people of Eng land may begin to evidence impatience at the non arrival of news of some great victory —a victory won, not in the name of conquest, but of humanity —impatience at the continued delay in the advent of any startlingly satisfactory information. The Select Committee on Public-houses, Coffee houses, and other places of public entertainment, have just published their report, an abstract whereof appeared in our impression of Saturday. We shall not for the present enter into a consi deration of the question so far as it concerns the interests of the licensed victuallers—a numerous, influential, and (despite their calumniators, we say advisedly) highly respectable body, who have invested large capital in their business—beyond expressing our dissent from many of the recom mendations put forward by the Committee. We cannot, however, refrain from expressing our ad miration of and concurrence with the suggestions respecting the opening of the Crystal Palace, the National Gallery, the British and Geological Mu seums, the Exhibitions at Marlborough and Gore Houses, and other estalalishments, which combine sound practical instruction with rational amuse ment. It is unnecessary to say how completely we differ from the modern Pharisees who would convert the Sabbath-day into one of gloom and seclusion—who would make it a burden to those who, having spent six days in toil, require a little whe:esome and innocent recreation on the seventh day, in order that they may be enabled to return to their monotonous tasks with renovated health and spirits. We have too often expressed our opinions on the important and interesting question to require any additional proofs of our opposition to the determined efforts now making to abridge the liberty of the subject by enacting additional restrictions on the use of the only day which the working man can call his own. These at tempts have been so perseveringly made for some time that, unless the people speak out boldly and unequivocally, measures may be carried of which it is impossible to predict the results. The Sab batarians seek to introduce " the sharp end of the wedge," by means whereof eventually a new code may be carried, " bristling with pains and penal ties" against every man who dares to think for himself, and to differ on matters of religion from those who make up by energy and activity for the paucity of their numbers. The Noble Lords and Hon. Gentlemen who may have to decide on these matters will not be themselves in any degree affected thereby. They do not require public-houses or coffee-shops to be opened for their entertainment on Sundays. When or how often do they resort to these establish ments even when they are available ? They do not want to purchase wines, spirits, or malt liquors by retail. Their cellars are well stocked with all they could desire of the best qualities. They do not need public conveyances. They can order out their own carriages to go wherever they please, and order their cooks to store them with provisions if they depart any distance from home. They can inspect the public sights on week days, and do not, therefore, want any facilities for visiting them on Sundays. If wearied of the domestic circle, the portals of the different clubs of which they are members expand for their admission. It is the ot 7roXXot who are really in terested—the multitude of labouring men, who are occupied from an early hour in the morning until late in the evening all the week, and who can never hope to behold these miracles of art and science, by which their intellects may be expanded and enlightened, unless there be some modifica tion of the existing law. The value of such a modification was strikingly illustrated in respect of the Zoological Gardens, Dublin, which were opened on Sundays at the al most nominal admission of one penny. At that price thousands and tens of thousands flocked thereto, where they spent their time peacefully and happily, and returned to their families cheer fully and soberly, with the money in their pockets that would otherwise have been spent in dissipa tion. If the evidence of those who availed them selves of the boon offered by the Council could be taken, the full extent of the benefit would be felt. As it is, the statement of the Committee has been abundantly substantiated, so as to leave no doubt in the mind of any unprejudiced and disinterested inquirer. Even at the Crystal Palace, the exclusion promotes the cause of intemper ance, for many flock to its gates, who, in consequence of being unable to obtain admission, remain drinking at the public-houses, become in toxicated, an d get involved in disputes and quarrels, that afterwards lead to very serious consequences. No man can be made religious by Act of Parlia ment ! Unless persons are disposed themselves to attend Divine worship, no penal enactments will make them do so. Indeed they would ope rate rather in the opposite direction, by disgusting the people. The religion of the Gospel is not one of gloom and austerity. A pious cheerfulness of disposition is far better than sour, querulous dis content. Prevent any public impropriety, anything that could shock a really moral man. c-i But h eck not inno ctn t recreation, or a exorcised, demon may be evo k ed which cannot easily be and which may l ea d t o a s t a t e o f affairs of which th e advocates of restricti o n have but little notion. T he session is far advanced : but there is still time to pass a bill for carrying into 'practical execution the excellent recommendation of the Committee, and throwing open for at least a portion of every Sunday places of rational re creation and instruction, now closed by the ope ration of the existing law. MONTE VIDEO. We have received the following from Monte Video, dated 3d June :—As we are opposed to the introduc tion of politics into our general correspondence, we consider we shall best fulfil our object in the present in stance by embodying some remarks on this subject in a sepa rate letter. From our own advices, and the information which has reachedyou through other channels, you would nodoubt have been enabled to appreciate fully the extent of the changes which have lately taken place here. Under the protection of Brazil we are glad to inform you that we see on all sides evidence of present and prospective prosperity for this country. Should the Brazilian occupation last uninterruptedly until its stipulated and natural termination, we have no fears for the future. We however regret to observe that the English and French agents are hostilising the intervention, and if they succeed in their attempts to embroil Brazil and the Argentine provinces on this question (which apparently is their aim) we can only look forward to a series of calamities, equal to, if not greater than, those resulting from the last interference of England and France in the politics of this river. So threatening an attitude have the French and English representatives assumed towards the Brazilian policy, that we think the time has come when all British subjects interested in the commerce of the River Plate ought to solicit from their. Government a frank declaration of its intended policy, because it is impossible to estimate the prejudicial effect which the hostility of our Government and that of France will have on our interests, and the material advancement of this Republic. At a public ball, given by the President on the night of the 24th and 25th ult., in honour of the allied army. (viz. native and Brazilian) the French Admiral, although invited, purposely absented himself, having first returned his ticket of invitation, and we understand ordered all the French officers on the station to follow his example. Mr. Gore and the British Consul, Mr. Hunt, also ab sented themselves. Now the natural consequence of this has been to induce the belief that the powers they represent are not in accordance with the present state of things. But this is not the only mischief. It has held out hopes to the factions opposed to the Go vernment, and will no doubt stimulate to a fearful de- I gree the activity and intrigues in which unprincipled military adventurers find a means of subsistence, and under which they combine for systematic robbery. It must not be imagined that European policy in the River Plate affairs is to be conducted successfully, and in accordance with the interests of commerce, on the principles acted upon during the last years of Rosas. Notwithstanding the barbarous system pursued by that man (at first opposed, but finally approved of, by the English Administration) these countries have advanced since his downfall, and it is next to certain, that it will be impossible for any chief to impose himself hence forward, for any length of time, on either the Argentine or Oriental peop:e, if he do not strictly fulfil the public duties which the true interests of the country demand. The importance of Brazil in South American politica was never more apparent than in the conduct of the campaign which ended in the overthrow of Oribe and Rosas, and as the army, treasure, and influence of the empire were manifestly used in the interest of both the neighbouring republics, their inhabitants look with con fidence to a power which could insure such great results, more especially after the complete failure of European diplomacy. This feeling became more general, when it was seen that the end aimed at by the alliance of 185 i was obtained, not only without the countenance of European agents, but in spite of their undisguised opposition and intrigues in favour of Oribe and Rosas, both in Buenos Ayres, here, and in Rio Janeiro. We feel assured that if the British Government refer to the despatches of their late minister at Buenos Ayres, a dis crepancy not at all creditable to their ability and foresight will be found between their prognostications and the event which rapidly succeeded. When such can clearly be proved to be the case, have we not a right to ask—Are we to continue to be made sufferers, and the objects of a policy based on information supplied by men utterly unacquainted with, and apparently indifferent to, our commercial interests, and who are here looked upon with distrust by both native and foreigner ? If so, and if foreign interference in this river should again commence, it cannot be a matter of surprise that the native popu lation should look upon us as the real fomenters of their civil disturbances. We repeat, that if the object of the British Government be at least not to prevent these countries from obtaining some prosperity, if it desire the happiness of their inhabitants and the extension of our trade, nothing could have been devised of a more mis chievous tendency than the course we are afraid our agents are determined to pursue. The distrust which the possible future interference of England and France creates prevents the employment of capital, contracts operations, and invests everything with the conse quences of uncertainty. Hence, the necessity of an immediate declaration on the part of the British Govern ment of its views on this question. Let us, at all events, know what we have to look forward to. Whatever may be said to the contrary, the Brazilian intervention is looked uF on by the native population as the best guarantee they can possess against the recur retied of civil wars. The foreigner, who is invariably the greatest pecuniary suffererfrom these contests, looks upon it in the same light. All are satisfied that Brazil acts in good faith ; and as her own manifesto invites the powers guaranteeing the independence of this Re public in 1828 to co-operate with her, nothing can be feared from the temporary military occupation which the Government of this country itself has been compelled to request. Brazil has a great and permanent interest in the organisation of the Banda Oriental. During the last ten years her frontier has been violated, and her subjects plundered and assassinated by marauders pass ing from this republic. She has had, in consequence, to maintain, at great expense, a stan di ng army for her own protection in Rio Grande, and, if means were not taken to preserve order, a conflict must sooner or later have taken place between the two countries, because this Government has been unable either to repress inroads or to indemnify the losses occasioned by them. Besides, without a Brazilian subsidy, the Government could not exist as such. The poverty and ruin caused by Rosa's occupation has left the Government without resources to pay any of the public servants. During Giro's ad ministration, the army and all other public functionaries remained unpaid until at last matters arrived at such a crisis that the Minister of Finance, Don Manuel Her rera y Obes was obliged to call a meeting of the mer chants to request a loan, and to inform them that unless he succeeded in the object they were called together for complete anarchy was inevitable.As this meant military license in the worst sense of the term, money to the amount required was collected in a few days. We believe that commentary would be lost on such a fact. All we require is peace, and no interference on the part of foreign agents with the internal questions of the I Republic, or its relations with Brazil. We do not bring these subjects under your notice from a desire to mix ourselves up with the politics of these countries, or because the study o f them affords us any pleasure, but because our own interests, and those of the friends in England on whom we depend, are so un mistakeably interwoven with the favourable or adverse issue of the present state of affairs, that to continue silent any longer would be highly culpable. We, therefore, trust that all the influence you possess may be used to dissuade the British Government from interfering withlthe internal affairs of this country. ARE WE TO " WAIT FOR TIM WINTER ?" TO THE EDITOR OP THE DAILY NEWS. SlR,—The following extract from the life of a gallant practical soldi er and politician cannot b ut be interesting, now th at we are in want of every guide which history can afford, judgment consider, escaped from the tramm e l s of diplomacy and and chivalric sentim ent act on—hav i ng narrowly en gaged in open warfare for the cause of Europe. Your obedient servant, BAYARD. (Extract from the Life of C o l one l Maceroni, Aide-de-Camp to Murat. Time, d ur i ng Moscow.) the French occupation of On the sth of October after this fresh discomfiture of the Russians, Napole on 'd ec id e d on sending General Lau riston to the Emper or Alexander, w h o, h e h a d b een led to believe, was inclined to treat for peace. Hostilities were suspended, but the colloquy requeste d b y L aur i ston only took place between the French negotiator and Kutusoff, and that after a delay which became fatal to the French. King Joachim ( Murat) felt most keenly the difficulties o f i his position : n the d a il y com b ats o f th e l as t fi ve mouths he had lost half hi s cavalry. The Russ i ans were at home, constantly coming in, wi n t er a pproaching. Murat u rge d the e pp E li m ed wper:trh ev erything necessary, their reinforcement s to push th e cam p a ign to an issue while y e t the weather would permit. But N apo l eon certainly was ussi am seventeen ; he waited seventeen days f or peace. Ile li b e y wa the R ited for the winter. His Royal Highness Prince Albert, attended by Col. Seymour, honoured the Gallery of Modern Germa n Artists, at 168, N ew Bond-street, w ith a v i s i t on Satur day last. Hi s R oyal Highness purchased three large landscapes, N os. 28 and 34, by Oswald Achenbach ; and No. 16, by B ec k er. Her Roy a l -Highn ess th e D u chess of Cambrid ge h as wh deferred her d eparture from town until Saturday next, sonen her R o y a l Highness removes to Kew for the sea- Sir James Graham has issued invitations to his col leagues in office to a Cabinet dinner on Wednesday next, the 26th inst., at the Admiralty. The Duke and Duchess of Northumberland and suite arrived at N orthumberland House yesterday, from Paris. The Earl and Countess of Caledon and family have left Carlton-terrace for Caledon Hall, Tyrone. The E ar l o f Stradbroke left town yesterday, for Burghley House, on a visit to the Marquis and Mar chioness of Exeter. His E xcellency the Lord-Lieutenant is expected at Armagh, as the guest of the Primate during the period of the Royal Agricultural Society's show. The Marquis and Marchioness of Westminster will not take their departure from town until the close of the present m onth. On leaving Grosvenor House, the family proceed to Motcombe House, Dorset. MONEY MARKET ANT) COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. CITY, TWO o'CLOCK. The sales of cotton at Liverpool yesterday were estimated at from 6,000 to 7,000 bales, in cluding 1,500 American and 500 Surat taken for export and on speculation. The market was heavy, at previous rates. The sales comprised 300 Pernam and Maranham at 50. to 62d., 200 Egyp tian at 6d. to 9d., 1,000 Surat at 2d. to 4d., and the remainder American. Railway Shares were dull. The indigo sales are still going off with compara tive briskness. The amount of duty paid in the United King dom upon sugar of all descriptions, during the fortnight ending the Bth of May last, was 152,0491., and in the fortnight to the 22d May, 159,6091. These particulars are made up to meet an order of the House of Commons, the intention of Mr. Ri cardo being, we presume, to show the movement of the trade, especially with regard to foreign sugar, about the time of the duties being altered. In sugar from the British possessions there was, during the last fortnight, a great increase, but in foreign a decrease. The following is a return of the passengers ar rived at the port of Quebec from the opening of the navigation to June 24, and the same date last year : 1853. 1854. From England „ Ireland 6,883 ... 7,451 „ Scotland „ Germany 7ll ... 2,170 „ Norway „ Sweden ~ Lower Ports 15,565 23,225 15,565 Increase in 1854 7,660 The bill which has been introduced for guaran teeing the liquidation of the loan for the service of the colony of Jamaica states, in general terms, that it is to be secured on the revenues of the island, and that the amount is not to exceed 500,0001. Any sum which England may be called upon to advance will be charged afterwards to Jamaica, with interest at the rate of 5 per cent. per annum, and no act can be passed by the local Legislature to alter the nature of the security given for the loan, unless with the sanction of her Majesty. The accounts are to be duly laid before Parliament. There was a slight improvement yesterday after noon in the rates at which bills of exchange were negotiated upon the principal Continental cities. Ninety days' paper was at 25 25 to 27k, for Paris, 11 16i to 17 for Amsterdam, 13 51 to 51 on Ham burgh, and 12 55 to 13 on Trieste. The ship Samuel Boddington has arrived from Melbourne with 24,266 ounces of gold. The Severn brings 5,6001. Gold is still in demand for remittance to the Continent. A very interesting statement has been compiled by Messrs. Haggard and Pixley, of the export of bullion from London during the six months to the 30th ult., and from this it appears the total stands thus : 1854 1853 Gold 2,819,7001 8,614,0001. Silver 3,313,350/ 2,186,500/. The total, therefore, is 6,233,3501. against 10,800,5001. in the first half of 1853, but Messrs. Haggard estimate that no less than 9,200,9101. were sent by way of Folkestone and Dover to France during the six months to June 30. Accounts of the 6th instant from Smyrna state that the Austrian Consul had summoned the Rus sian merchants, and informed them that be could no longer be considered as having them under his protection ; consequently, they would have to look to some other power. I The Funds recovered upon the decline of yester day, and opened for Consols at 911. to 92, but they have since been back to 91 1, and are now 91i, strong buyers. The news of the extending rebel lion in Spain caused the market to give way, but a failure, though not of magnitude, had also an effect. The settlement of the account, considering the extensive fluctuation lately, has been progressing very satisfactorily. Bank Stock has been firm at 211. India Stock has been quoted 227, and South Sea Stock 1121. Exchequer Bills are par to 3s. prem., and the Bonds of 1859 are at premium. The Foreign Stock Market has been dull upon the whole, the only feature being a pressure of sales in Russian 4z per Cents., which have declined to 81t. Sardinian Bonds have been at 85 to. Spanish 3 per Cents. have been done at 36, and the Deferred at 18, being flat. Dutch 4 per Cents. are 914. The following are the nominal prices of Foreign Stocks :—Grenada Deferred Bonds, 6 to 6i ; Mexi can, 24f to 21i ; Peruvian, 66 to 68 ; ditto Three per Cents. 50 to 52 ; Portuguese Four per Cents. 39 to 41 ; Russian Five per Cents. 97 to 99 ; ditto Four-and-a-Half per Cents. 82 toB4 ; Spanish New Deferred, 171 to l ; ditto Three per Cents. 36 to 37; ditto Certificates, 31 to 4; ditto Passive, 3t04. In railway shares there is very little doing, but more elasticity is observable in the quotations. North-Western, Caledonian, and Midland have been the principal lines in which business has been transacted. Foreign shares are very quiet. Zea land continued firm at the recent improvement. The Mining Market is dull, and in the Banks there is no animation. Crystal Palace are better. BRITISH FUNDS THIS DAY.—CLOSING PRICES. ( From the °tidal List.) Rusiness done. Bank Stock per Cent. Reduced Annuities.. ......... 91i 21R 3 per Cent Consols Annuities 9li 2 1 4 24 34 per Cent. Annuities 9 21 India Stock 227 India Bonds, £lOOO Ditto, under £lOOO 5 p South Sea Stock Consols for Account 17th August 9lB 21i 21 Exchequer Bills, 24d. I:1000 2500 par 3 p Small 5 1 p Exchequer Bonds Scrip Ditto Scrip, 1859 PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS THIS DAY. Russian Bonds, 1822, 5 per Cent. £ 5t...,. Ditto 4i per Cent B4_l Sardinian Bonds, 5 per Cent B5 Spanish Bonds, 3 per Cent 36 x d Spanish New Deferred, 3 per Cent. lB Spanish Committee Cert. of Coup. not fun. 43i Dividends on the above payable in London. Dutch Exchange, 2i per Cent. 12 Guil Ditto 4 per Cent. Certifieates .... 9li THREE O'CLOCK. Consols 92 Ditto August Account 92i NOUVEAU MONDE MINING COMPANY. --A meeting of the shareholders of this company took place yesterday afternoon, when a committee was appointed to wait upon the London management, with the view of ascer taining the real position of the undertaking. Com plaints are made that no detailed report or accounts have been furnished for nearly the last 18 months. EXPORTS OF BULLION.—A statement of the exports of bullion from London during the half-year ending the 30th ult., compiled by Messrs. Haggard and Pixley, shows the total to have been 15 ,331,950/., of which 11,869,0001. was gold, and the remainder silver. Of this aggregate of gold and silver the proportions were to India, China, and Mauritius 2,073,130/. (the amount of silver to China being 1,669,4701.) ; to Australia and New Zealand, 29,400/. ; to the Continent, 12,187,8201.; to the Mediterranean, 778,660/. ; to the West Indies, 197,250/. ; to Brazil, 18,700/. ; and to Africa, 47,0001. EAST INDIA RAILWAY COMPANY.—Advices from Cal cutta received by the overland mail regarding the pro gress of the East India Railway Company state that contracts have been entered into for the completion of the line up to Cawnpore by the 31st of December, 1856, making an addition of about 700 miles to the 120 miles already nearly completed. The company, it is said, in tend that their own staff should make the remainder of the line tolAllahabad. PRICE OF GOLD. —The quotation of gold at Paris is about 4 per mills discount (according to the last tariff), which at the English Mint price of 31. 17s. 10&d. per oz. for standard gold, gives an exchange of 25.07 ; and, the exchang e at Paris on London at short being 24.95, it follows that gold is about 0.48 per cent. dearer in Paris than in London. By advice... 4 from Hamburg the price of gold is 423/ per mark, which at the English Mint price of 31. 17s. 101 d. per oz. for standard gold, gives an exchange of 13.41 ; and, the exchange at Hamburg on London at short being 13.31, it follows that gold is 0.03 per cent, dearer in Hamburg than in London. The course of exchange at New York on London for bills at 60 days' sight is 1091 per cent., and, the par of exchange between England and America being 109 23-40 per cent., it follows that the exchange is nominally 0.17 per cent. in favour of England; and, after making allowance for charges of transport and difference of interest, the present rate leaves a trifling profit on the importation of gold from the - United States. MONUMENT TO THE LATE THOMAS ROOD. The inauguration of the monument erected by public subscription, in Kensal-green Cemetery, to the departed poet and humourist, Thomas Hood, was celebrated yesterday afternoon, before a very large concourse of persons, chiefly consisting of the humble and middle classes. The weather was exceedingly fine. Among the ladies present we observed the Hon. Mrs. Monckton Milnes, Miss Eliza Cook, &c.: Mr. Murdo Young, one of the trustees of the fund ; Mr. 'Watkins, the indefatigable honorary secretary ; Mr. Matthew Noble, the sculptor; Mr. George Cruikshank, Mr. Horace Mayhew, and other gentlemen connected with literature and journalism were also present. The movement for the erection of this monument was set on foot some year and a half ago, on its transpiring that the grave of the favourite litterateur was, up to then, without an ordinary headstone to indicate where his mortal remainslie. The initiative in the matter was taken by Miss Eliza Cook, Mr. Murdo Young, and Mr. John Watkins, through whom, and other friends and admirers, of the deceased, a sem was realised to enable them to supply the posthumous want, and at the same time render a public mark of respect to the memory of one who, by his writings, had contributed much healthy amusement and edification to thousands, and whose deep sympathies were ever with the poor and the oppressed. The monument, which has been ably executed by Mr. Matthew Noble, consists of a bronze bust of the poet elevated on a pedestal of highly polished red granite, the whole being twelve feet high. In front of the bust are placed wreaths in bronze, formed of the laurel, the myrtle, and the immortelle, and on a slab beneath the bust appears that well-known line of the poet, which he desired should be used as his epitaph— "He sang the song of the shirt." Upon the front of the pedestal is carved this inscrip tion : "In memory of Thomas Hood, born 23d May, 1798 ; died 3(1 May, 1815. Erected by public subscription, A.D. 1854." At the base of the pedestal a lyre and comic mask in bronze are thrown together, suggesting the mingled character of Hood's writings ; whilst on the sides of the pedestal are bronze medallions illustrating the poems of " The Bridge of Sighs" and " The Dream of Eugene Aram." The whole design is worthy of the poet and the sculptor, and it is much to the honour of the latter that his sympathy with the object has entirely destroyed all hope of profit from the work. Mr. MONcKTON MILNES, M.P., standing on a tomb stone near the monument, spoke to the following effect : —Ladies and Gentlemen, friends and admirers of the late Mr. Thomas Hood,—l have been asked to come here to-day to say a few words before we open to your view the monument which has been erected to his memory. It is now some years since we laid our friend below us in this pleasant place, where he rests after a long illness—after a life of noble struggle with much adversity, and of nothing but good to his fellow-men. It is now thought advisable that a few words should be said before that ceremony takes place. It is rather a habit of our neighbours the French than of ourselves, to make eulogistic orations at the tombs of our friends. I do not think the habit in general is pleasing to our tastes; but there are reasons why, on the present occasion, it may not be unbecoming. At the same time, it is very difficult to perform this duty, because we must feel that, if ever there was a character of simplicity and humility, it was that of the late Mr. Thomas Hood ; and it would not become us on the present occasion to indulge in eulogies which if he were here himself would be distasteful to him, for he was a man who ever retired from the crowd, and who loved, as he has said in his own classical and beautiful language— "To kneel remote upon the simple sod, And sue, in forma pauperis, to God." Our German friends call a cemetery of this kind " God's field," and we must not desecrate it by vain and pompous eulogies over a fellow mortal. All we can do is to commit him, with all his errors, to the mercy of God, and at the same time to keep his memory dear and his fame bright among us. This is the purpose of the friends of Mr. Thomas Hood who have raised this structure. Some of them were familiar with him from his youth—the eyes of others never lit upon his person. It would be invidious to single out any of these friends of the poet ; but I may mention the name of one lady who is well known to us all, Miss Eliza Cook, to whose exertions in all quarters of society the erection of this monument is very much owing. Some, too, have con tributed to it who did not appreciate him during his lifetime—to them may be applicable his beautiful lines : " Farewell ; we did not know thy worth ; But thou art gone, and now 'tis prized. So angels walked unknown on earth, But when they flew were recognised." He was a poet—a poet in the true sense of the word ; but at the same time, I by no means think that his poetical powers were of so great and remarkable a chr. ratter that his reputation would have become such as it is if it had been confined to his poetical works alone. By his poetical works, I mean those developments of pure imagination, which are more interesting to literary men than they can be to the world in general. In all these works we recognise not only the lyrical facilities which enable many a youth to throw out good poetry, but the refined taste and cultivated mind of mature years. But bis fame—that for which he is chiefly known to us—behsngs to him as an English hu mourist ; and in using that word, I use no word inapplicable to the occasion, or unworthy of his fame. It is the boast of our literature, as distinguished from that of all other nations, that from the earliest times of its history we find humouristio writers who delighted the age in which they lived and those which succeeded them. In that category we may place Shak spere himself, and we may draw downwards a l ong genealogical list of humourists, ending witi the names of Charles Lamb, Sydney Smith, and Thomas Hood. I do not know whether my opinions in this matter may be peculiar, but I have often thought that if I were to pray to Heaven for a gift to be given to any person in whose moral and intellectual welfare I was especially in terested, it would be that he might have the gift of humour. The gift of humour is, as it were, the balance of all the faculties. It enables a man to see the strong contrasts of life around him ; it prevents him b e i ng too much devoted to his own know ledge and too proud of his own imagination, and it also disposes him to submit with a wise and pious patience to the vicissitudes of his daily existence. It is thus that humourists such as Hood has been, and as Dickens is now, are great benefactors of our species, not only on account of the amusement which they give us, but because they are great moral teachers. The humorous writings of Mr. Thomas Hood have instructed you many years, and will instruct your children after you. I should mention, however, that this combination of poetry and humour does not produce in all persons the same blessed effects that it has produced here. In some cases it has degenerated into impa tient satire and fierce revolt against the better feelings of humanity. In such a mind as that of Swift it produced these evileffects, but in such a mind as Hood's it produced directly the contrary ; it generated a noble and generous sympathy with the wants and desires of his fellow creatures ; and it is for this combination of poetical genius, and humour, and earnest philanthrophy that his name has grown up to become as it were a proverb for great wits, united with deep and solemn sympathies. We recognise, ladies and gentlemen, these rare merits of Mr. Thomas Hood in the productions of his mature life, such as "The Bridge of Sighs," and "The Song of the Shirt "—verses which appear occasionally, and only occasionally, in literature, and which seem like pro ducts of the acme of the human mind—such products as the prison-song of Lovelace, the elegy of Gray, the sea-songs of Campbell, the Burial of Sir John Moore, and the May Queen of Alfred Tennyson —poems which though they cost their authors much less trouble than many of their less successful works, are neverthe less the anchors, so to speak, of their world-wide fame. These beautiful poems of Mr. Thomas Hood have had a deep moral effect on different classes of society. It there are among those poems and others of Mr. Thomas Hood some expressions of stern indignation —if there are some passages which may seem almost exceptions to the general amiability of his character, it is that he wished to enforce the moral that Evil is wrought by want of thought As well as want of heart. I do not think, therefore, that there was any levity in his character because he was an hurnourist. Ido not think because you find in his works that with his rich wit and his great possession of language, he delighted to play with words as if almost they were fireworks, there was a want of gravity or seriousness in his composition. In a poem of his, which is a perfect repertoriunt of wit and spirit, he seems conscious of this himself, for he writes to the effect that— " Ilewever critics may Eke offence, A double moaning gives double sense ; and there are, no doubt, certain subtle faculties about us which enable us to find such great pleasure in the combination of this agility of diction with serious ness of purpose. Ladies and gentlemen who have raised this monument, I was informed by a friend of mine, and a dear friend of his, who remained with him to the last—Mr. Ward—that Mr. Thomas Hood was in very great disease and suffering —that he was labouring under some pecuniary difficulties—!that hie mind ; was not easy on those points, and that it would be a great relief to him to obtain some assistance, if he could do so by any honourable means, for he was de termined to employ no other. I went on that occasion to Sir Robert Peel, from whom I met with the most perfect sympathy as regarded the object I had in view ; and it was to me a most interesting fact that that great man, governing the destinies of this mighty nation, and engaged as he was in the gravest pursuits, could nevertheless be drawn, by the force of human sympathy, to take a deep in terest in this simple man of letters. What was done on that occasion was sufficient for the purpose I will ask you, therefore, in looking upon this bust, to regard it as a memorial not only of the interest of big friends, but as a memorial of national interest for a na tional name. It consists, as you perceive, of a plain bust upon a pedestal. I have always thought that a man's bust is the best monument which could be raised to him ; it is that which is most calculated to show people who come after him what he really was, and it is less dumb and less vacant than the monuments which we see mostly around us. It is perfectly true that, generally speaking, w e find that busts represent the dead when we could wislis they represented the living ; it is perfectly true also. that in our every-day walk among living busts, we see men of genius whom we do not recognise and whose services and virtues we do not honour, and after all this may, perhaps, be but a poor acknowledgment of the worth of the poet and humourist ; but still here it is and we have raised it, and I trust all will feel that in so doing we have not done honour to him, but to our selves. I remember that at the time of his fatal illness I was very much haunted with the recollection of some lines of his, which, I dare say, some of you remem ber. They are contained in a little poem, called " The Death Bed" : " We watch'd her breathing thro' the night, Her breathing soft anelow, As in her breast the wave of life Kept heaving to and fro. " So silently we seemed to speak, So slowly moved about, As we had lent her half our powers To eke her living out. " Our very hopes belied our fears, Our fears our hopes belied— We thought her dying when she slept, And sleeping when she died. " For when the morn came dim and sad, And chill with early showers, Her quiet eyelids closed—she had Another morn than ours." Thomas Hood has now another morn than ours—may' that morn have brightened into perfect day : May his spirit look down with gratification upon us who have raised this modest homage to him—may he look down with pleasure on those he has left behind him, and who inherit his honour and his name—and may we all bear home with us the consoling reflection, that the fame of which a wise and honest man should be ambitious is not that of acquiring wealth, power, or even earning clamor• ous applause, but the attaining of such homage as we are now paying to one who among us was a brother and a friend—one who may make us at the same time thankful to the age in which it has pleased Providence to cast our lot, and grateful to the race and cuuntry of which we are common citizens and men. The address of the hon. gentleman seemed to make a deep impression upon the large assembly of persons by whom he was surrounded. At its conclusion the monument was uncovered, and the general feeling appeared to be one of admiration of the simple yet elegant and artistic structure. On the motion of Mr. MURDO YOUNG, a vote of thanks was unanimously awarded to Mr. R. M.. Milnes, M.P., for the eloquent oration he had delivered. Mr. Mums, in returning thanks, said that in consent ing to take so prominent a part in the proceedings, he was only actuated by the sincerest and warmest admi ration of the poet, and by the feeling that it would be well for any of them to leave behind so good a name. The ceremony then terminated, and all crowded round the monument to take a closer glance of the bust, the bas-reliefs, and the inscriptions. The Cemetery Company deserve our best thanks for the excellent accommodation afforded to the public, and for the marked civility and attention of their servants. Everything was orderly and respectful. ORATION OVER THE TOMB OF HOOD. The bust of Thomas Hood was uncovered yesterday at Kensal-green Cemetery. The ceremony was inats gurated by an oration from Mr. Monckton Milnes, The , custom of pronouncing eulcgiums over the graves of dead celebrities has not yet become English, and we are not sorry for it. It would be very sad to have to listen to eulogistic tirades from professional orators on the death of every pretended or real great man. A true emotion cannot be got up at the dictation of every spokesman. We cannot be expected to have strong symp ithies with every form of literary and poli'ical excellence. Our neighbours—the French—by making funeral orations over dead men the rule, and not the exception, detract fearfully from the value and the interest of such dis course . But there are occasions when a departure from the ordinary silence which we maintain over the tomb of a great man may be advantageously permitted. And such an occasion presented itself yesterday. Hood was not a merely ephemeral writer. He did not address himself to the feelings which mere passing events generated in the minds of his readers. He smote deep down into the hearts of his admirers. Had he been nothing more than a literary man, the ceremony of yes terday would have been an impertinence. The nation cannot afford to have its time taken up by eulogiams on every citizen who does his work well in his own par ticular line. Nevertheless, when a man not only does his own work well, but acts powerfully on the national mind, then his fame is a national possession, and may i, e with all propriety made the subject of public commensuration. A great author is distinguished from the merely professional scribe by the fact of adding something to the stock of national ideas. Who can tell how much of the national character is due to the operation of the works of Sbakespere t'he flood of ideas with which the great dramatist inundated the national mind has enriched it and fer tilised it. We are most of us wiser and better by the fact of Shakspere having lived and written. It would not be difficult to find in most modern works traces of the influence which Shakspere has exercised ever the writers. A great author, such as Shakspere, is then a great public educator. The national mind is enlarged and enriched by the treasures which he pours into it. There is therefore a great propriety in making such a writer the subject of public eulogium. Hood was one of those who not only enriched the na tional literature, but instructed the national mind. His conceptions, it is true, were not vast. His labours were not like" those of Shakspere, colossal. But he has pro duced as permanent an effect on the nation as many of its legislators. If he had not done this, the ceremony of yesterday would have been an inane display. English men are the wiser and the better because Hood has lived, and therefore Englishmen can listen reverentially to a pub lic eulogium on his memory. Mr. Milnes performed the task Allotted to him modestly, if not over• brilliantly. His oration would appear tame to those accustomed to hear similar discourses on all occasions on the other side of the Channel. But there was sound sense and feeling in all that he said ; and this was enough. He spoke with great delicacy and kindness of Hood's personal charac teristics, and with much taste upon the artistic value o f the dead humorist's works. He touched with great fe licity and subtlety upon the value of humour. He de fined its province, and showed how closely it was con nected with the highest forms in which genius manifests itself. Mr. Milnes spoke, however, more as a friend than as a critic, and his genial utter ances excited emotions in the hearts of his hearers which told how deep was their sympathy both with the orator and the subject of his eulogium. There were not many dry eyes amongst his hear ers when he quoted one or two exquisite por tions of Hood's poems. It was evident that the greater part of the audience were well acquainted with the works of the poet, and were delighted to hear the quotations from poems which had afforded them exqui site gratification in the perusal. The ceremony of yesterday is very significant as showing the disposition that exists amongst English ' men to recognise the value of their great authors. It tells us that the nation has arrived at the conclusion that there are other influences than legislation and war which operate upon our happiness or shape our destiny. The oration pronounced over Hood is a fact which proves an advance in the public estimation of what true greatness is. The rarity of such exhibitions adds to their value ; and although we should be sorry to see funeral orations become common, it is creditable to the nation that we should have recognised the justice of pronouncing a discourse over Thomas Hood. —Daily News. CRYSTAL PALACE.—The directors of this company have just issued their report, to be submitted to the shareholders at the half-yearly general meeting, on Thursday next. The amount expended on capital ac count up to the 10th of June, 1854, the day of opening, is 910,329/. The further amount expended, up to the present time, bas been 91,0001. ; and the remaining lia bilities, so far as they can be possibly ascertained, amount to about 209,000/. additional, for completing works now in progress. In addition to the aboue, a sum of 90,0001. will be required to erect the water towers, and to carry out the whole scheme of the palace and park, compris ing the fountains, gardens, terraces, and interior fittings and decoration', to final completion. The total cost of the undertaking will thus be 1,300,0001., of which it is right to observe that about 100,000/, arises from objects such as the refreshment department, stabling approaches, purchase of additional land, and improvements of the Dulwich-wood property, which are either productive of a large separate return in themselves or are available as assets to be realised at some future period, with every probability of a profit. The receipts on revenue ac count from all sources down to the Bth of July, com prising four weeks from the opening, have been as fol lows :—Season tickets, 35,3881. ; admission, 13,0321. ; rental for space (on account of first half-year's rent), 12,2891. ; refreshments, 11,500/. ; miscellaneous (include, jug stabling, cloak rooms, atc.), 701(. Total, MOW.