The Press.
London, England, 1855-02-17 00:00:00

BALL AT THE TUILERIES.

THE second grand ball for the season was given at the
Tuileries on Thursday, the Bth inst. All the arrangements
were on a most magnificent scale, and the whole range of
splendid apartments along the l'lace du Carrousel were
thrown open on the occasion. The guests began to arrive
about nine o'clock. At ten the imperial party made their
appearance in the Salle ded Alarechaux, the Emperor
having Queen Maria Christina leaning on his arm, and the
Empress being escorted by Prince Jerome. The Princess
Mathilde and Prince Napoleon followed, with the principal
officers and ladies of the imperial households bringing up
the rear. The orchestra, conducted by Strauss, played
" Permit pour la Syne " as the Emperor and his party
entered. Immediately after a quadrille was formed, in
which the Empress danced with Prince Napoleon, their
vis-a-vis being the Princess Mathilde and Lord Cowley,
Marshal Msgnan and M. de Hubner, the Austrian Minister,
being amongst the other persons admitted to the quadrille.
The Emperor did not dance, but remained conversing with
some members of the diplomatic corps. The Empress
was dressed with great simplicity in white, and wore a mag-
nificent diamond necklace, interspersed with large emeralds.
The Emperor had on a general's uniform, but with silk
stockings and shoes. It is impossible to conceive a spec-
tacle of more gorgeous magnificence than this fete dis-
played as the imperial party went through some of the
rooms. The wonderful display of diamonds and the rich
dresses of the ladies, the decotations and splendid uni-
forms of the superior officers, and the official costumes of
the ministers, senators, and members of the Council of
State and Legislative Body, presented a coup•d'edl of daz-
zling brilliancy. It is supposed that about 4,000 persons
were present, and yet so ample were the apartments that
no unpleasant crowding was perceptible. Their Majesties
proceeded at one o'clock to the Salle de Diane, where
supper, consisting of every delicacy, was laid out ; and
after partaking of some refreshment, returned again to
the Salle des Marechaux, from which they finally withdrew
about two o'clock. Dancing was, however, kept up with
great spirit for an hour longer, at which time the fete
terminated.
It was remarked, as a proof of the coldness existing
between the French and Prussian Governments, that at
the ball the Emperor, in making his rounds, merely
bowed to the Prussian Minister, without speaking; while
he continued for a considerable time in conversation with
M. de Hubner and General de Crenneville.

AMONGST the English Catholics who bore tapers
before his Holiness at St. I'eter's on the 2nd inst.,
being Candlemas-day, were Lord Lovat, Sir James
Fitzgerald, and Mr. Stonrton. Sir J ames's sister wok
the veil at the Convent of the Sagro Cuore, the same

morning.
I N consequence of the numerous attacks on Prussia
in the columns of Punch, it is in serious contempla-
tion to prohibit its circulation in the whole of the
Prussian monarchy.

LORD JOHN RUSSELI'S EDUCATION BILL.
THIS bill, which was read a first time in the House
of Commons last week, contains twenty-two clauses, of
which the following is a brief abstract :—The councils
of Enghsh boroughs are empowered to submit
schemes for the promotion of education in such
boroughs (by means either of new or existing schools)
to the Education Committee of the Privy Council,
with an estimate of the expense thereof. Two-thirds
of the members of such councils must be present at
the meeting to be specially summoned for the pur-
pose fourteen days previously. If the scheme be ap-
proved by the Education Committee, it may be carried
into effect, with or without alterations. The expenses
are to be defrayed out of the borough funds, the rate
not to exceed Bd. in the pound annually. The act
may also be adopted by parishes situate without
boroughs if two-thirds of the ratepayers vote at a
public meeting in favour of such adoption. If the
scheme be rejected by the ratepayers, it may not be
again proposed for the space of three years. Where
parishes adopt the act, the scheme may be submitted
for approval to the Education Committee in the same
way as by the councils of boroughs ; the expenses to
be defrayed from the poor rates. In all schools es-
tablished under this act the Holy Scriptures are re
quired "to be react therein," but not so as to be used
as a " school lesson book ;" and no Roman Catholic
or Jewish children will be obliged to be present at the
reading of the Holy Scriptures. Another clause pro-
vides that the children of Dissenting, Roman
Catholic, or Jewish parents shall not he taught any
catechism, nor required to use any liturgy, nor ob-
liged to attend at church or other religious obser-
vances. The management of schools is to be vested
in the councils of boroughs and vestries of parishes
subject to Government inspection, and the rights of
trustees or visitors. The Education Committee may
at any time revoke any order approving any scheme
under this act, and so shut up the school disapproved.
The committee must, at the same time, state its
reasons for so doing.

THE BANKS OF ENGLAND AND FRANCE.
THE annual statements of business done by the
great national banking establishments of England
and France have been published within the last few
days, containing the detail of operations during the
entire year 1854. From the accounts of the Bank of
England, it appears that—
The amount of all Exchequer Bills, Treasury Bills, or
other Government securities purchased by the Bank, or
on which any sums were lent or advanced by the Bank,
during the year ended the sth of January, 1855, included
the following sums—viz., in the quarter ended the sth of
April, 1854, 3,711,2011. ; in the quarter ended the sth of
July, 790,0001.; in the same quarter, 5,852,0481. ; in the
quarter ending the 10th of October, 500,0001.; in the same
quarter, 4,029,289 ; and in the quarter ending the sth of
January, 1855, 2,460,582/. All these advances were made
on the growing produce of the Consolidated Fund. There
were also advanced on Exchequer Bills two sums of
1,750,0001. and 800,450/. All these amounts were paid
off during the year, except 235,9001., which remained
undischarged in the hands of the Bank on the sth of Jan-
uary last.
The balance issued for the payment of dividends due
and not demanded, and for the payment of lottery prizes
or benefits not claimed, amounted as follows--viz., on the
sth of April, 1854, to 1,099,20 X, of which 990,9531. was
advanced to Government ; on the sth of July, to 1,079,1641.,
",1641. - advanced to Government; on the
which 913,2981. was
sth of January, 1855,
was advanced to the
he Bank of England
above quarter-days to
0,7881. respectively.
expenditure of the sum of
the Commissioners for
shows that the greater
" cash received at
that nearly all of
in the purchase of
receipts were appro-
Consols and 24,9211.

..s done by the Bank
particulars for the year

The total of the operations of the establishment
amounted to 3,888,000,W0f., to 3,984,000,000 f. inis 1853,
and 2,541,000,000 f. in 1852, being a diminution of
76,0:;0,0ti0f. as compared with 1853. The discount ac-
commodation in Paris and the branch banks amounted to
2,842,000,000 f. in 1841, but reached the sum of
2,944,00;),000f. in 1854, being an augmentation of
102,000,000 f. in favour of the latter year. The account
current of the Treasury, which had fallen to 24,000,000 f.
on November 8, 1854, had risen to 222,000,000 f. on the
17th of January, 1855, and was 184,0,!0,000f. on the 24th
of January. This augmentation was the natural conse-
quence of the snbsoription to the late national loan. The
metallic reserve - the Bank -

year by a sum

S

finished 7,300,000 f. The operations of the branch banks
present a satisfactory result, as they are greater in their
aggregate than the amount of business at the main estab.
lishment in Paris. The operations of the branch banks
amounted in 1852 to 1,305,000,000 f., in 1853 to
2,098,000,000 f., and in 1854 to 2,101,000,000 f. The six
in which the largest amount of business was done are,
Marseilles, 277,000,000 f. • Lyons, 210,000,000 f.; Bor-
deaux, 179,000,000 f. ; Line, 151,000,000 f. ; Valenciennes,
127,000,000 f.; and Besancon, 107,000,000 f. On the other
hand, four have not covered their expenses—namely,
Amiens, which has a loss of 38,2881.; Rochelle, 24,884 f. ;
Toulon, 12,486 f. • and Avignon, 1,375 f. These four have
been recently established.

LORD CARDIGAN AT NORTHAMPTON.
Ox Thursday week Lord Cardigan was honoured
with a sort of triumphal entry into Northampton,
and afterwards made a speech in reply to an address
presented to him by the corporation. The speech
was of a very similar character to that delivered at
the Mansion-house. Alluding to a passage in the
address in which he was congratulated upon his
return to England, he said :—" No doubt it is most
agreeable to mix with oue's relatives and friends in
the country, and with one's neighbours in the county,
but at the same time, whatever pleasure I may de-
rive from it, I must say that had it not been for
circumstances, arising partly from ill health, over
which I had no control, I should not have deemed it
my duty to leave the seat of war at this time,
although, perhaps, my remaining there would have
been almost useless, for 1 had nothing left to com-
mand. (Hear, hear.) I still think that, unless
some such reasons as I am about to assign could be
urged—incapacity arising from ill-health amongst
the number—every general officer is bound to re-
main with the army as long as there is an army to
commaud—(cheers)—and I am prepared to say
further, that if my services are again required they
shall be perfectly available. (Loud cheering.) In
the meantime I have been promoted to a situation—
Inspector-General of Cavalry—in which I hope to
be able to render considerable service to the army by
repairing the losses and restoring the dilapidated
condition of the cavalry—being, in short, intrusted
with the preparation of all cavalry recruits for the
army." (Cheers.) Respecting the fatal " order,"
Lord Cardigan remarked:—Though I do not pretend
to more sentimentality than other men, it seemed to
me at the time, and still seems, that the loss was so
certain and serious, and the advantage to be gained
by the attack so slight, as to make it a matter of
deep regret that the order was given. (Hear, hear.)
I received the order, however, to attack, and, although
I should not have thought of making such an attack
without orders, and although I differed in opinion as
to the propnety of the order, I promptly obeyed it."
(Loud cheering.)

ST. CROSS HOSPITAL.
THE following scheme for the future government of
this establishment, respecting which so much dispute
has arisen in various forms, has been settled under
the authority of the Master of the Rolls :
In this scheme the present income of the hospital is
estimated at 1,8001. a year, and, prospectively, when the
present life leases of the great tithes of the various parishes
which belong to it expire, its income will be SPOOL a year.
The government of the hospital is to be vested in fifteen
trustees, chosen from the respectable inhabitants of the
city of Winchester and its neighbourhood. A master will
be appointed, who is to be a clergyman of the Church of
England. He is to be chosen by the Bishop of Winchester
for the time being, and subject to his canonical jurisdiction.
His salary will be for the present 250 i. a year. He is to
be the incumbent of St. Faith, the parish in which St.
Cross is situated. He is to reside in the hospital, perform
daily service in its church and two full services on Sundays,
and bury the hospital brethren and the inhabitants of St.
Faith, who are interred in the churchyard of that parish
without fees. There is to be a receiver of thekrevenue of
the hospital, who is to be appointed by the trustees, and is
to be paid five per cent. of the revenue of St. Cross. A
porter is to be appointed at a salary of 501. a year. He is
not to be a brother of the hospital, nor to receive rations.
He is to keep in order the church premises and grounds.
The question of fees for showing the hospital is to be left
with the trustees. The brethren are to be at presen' thir-
teen in number; they are to receive Ills. a week, and daily
rations of meat, bread, and beer, but their extra allowances
on gaudy days are to be abolished. The trustees have the
power to commute the allowances to the brethren by a
money payment, not exceeding 401. a year for each brother.
The daily dole of bread and beer to all strangers applying
at the porter's lodge, and the doles of bread now delivered
at the gates of the hospital on certain festivals of the year,
are to be abolished.

A Biu. for abolishing the duties on flour and the
tonnage dues has been introduced in the Legislative
Chamber of the Netherlands. The loss of the Trea-
sury, which will amount to five millions of guilders,
will be partially compensated by an increase of the
property tax, and the excise on sugar and spirits.
IN order to provide means of subsistence for the
destitute, 5,860 labourers have been constantly em-
ployed during the present inclement season on the
railways in progress in the provinces of Lombardy and
Venice, and along the Tyrolese limes.

SAttntDAY,

Voiitical a 0 tiitntral.

MISS CATHERINE HAYES had arrived in Calcutta
at the date of the last advices. She had come up
from Sydney, to which place she crossed from
America, and was going to give a few concerts in
Calcutta before proceeding to Europe.
THE Leader states that Miss Martineau is so
dangerously ill as to leave no hope for her recovery.
"Her disease is enlargement of the heart; the end
may come at any moment."
MR. THOMAS UWINS, the accomplished Royal
Academician and keeper of the National Gallery,
was lately seized with an illness which for some days
threatened his life. A favourable change has since
taken place, however, and hopes are entertained of
his recovery.
A MINOR REFORM has been effected by the House
of Lords. The public papers of that body are in
future to be sold to the general public without the
formality of a peers' order.
A GOLD MEDAL OF THE SECOND CLASS has just
been conferred by the French Government on Capt.
John Jones, of the English brig Enterprise, for having
lately assisted some French sailors whoSe vessel had
been wrecked.
M. VARNAVAS PANGALOS, the oldest of the patriots
who struggled for the independence of Greece, and
one of those who sacrificed a large fortune to the
cause, has just died at Athens at the extraordinary
age of one hundred and eleven years.
A GRAND BALL took place at the Hanover-square
Rooms on Monday night, in aid of the funds of the
" Sosiete Francias de Bienfaisance," an institution for
the relief of distressed Frenchmen, " strangers and
sojourners" in London. Despite the state of the
weather, and the intensity of the cold, the rooms
were very well attended.
THE official returns of the receipts of the various
railways in France for the year 1854 have just been
published. For the first quarter, they amounted to
40,136,365!. ; for the second, to 45,556,500 f.; for the
third, to 55,013,528 f.; and for the fourth, to
55,828,404 f.; making a total of 198,534,803 E, to
165,928,586 f. in 1853. The increase for the year is
consequently upwards of thirty millions. The receipts
per kilometre have increased from 41,712 f. in 1853 to
45,025 f. in 1854, giving an increase per kilometre of
very nearly 8 per cent.
LORD JOHN ilvsszu. has accepted the duties of
British Plenipotentiary in the conferences and
negotiations about to open at Vienna, and will pro-
ceed in a very few days to that destination. It is
stated that Mr. Hammond, Under Secretary of State
for Foreign Affairs, will accompany the mission.
LORD GODERICH' according to the Times, will suc-
ceed Mr. Lowe as Secretary to the Board of Control.
Mr. Lowe resigned office upon the accession of the
present Ministry. No appointment has been yet
made in the room of Mr. Peel as Under-Secretary
for the Colonies. The Globe denies the statement
that Lord Wodehouse, at present Under Secretary
in the Foreign-office, was to succeed to Mr. Peel's
appointment in the Colonial department.
A Coma OF DIRECTORS was held at the East India-
house on the 7th inst., when Major-General Sir
Henry Somerset, K.C.8., was appointed Commander-
in-Chief of the East India Company's forces on the
Bombay Establishment, and second member of
council at that presidency.
ON the nomination of his Royal Highness Prince
Albert, Lord Dundonald was recently elected an
Honorary Elder Brother of the Corporation of the
Trinity-house.
THE prospectus of the " Bank of London " was
issued on Tuesday. It appears that, the capital has
been reduced to 600,0001., instead of 1,000,0001, as
first proposed. It does not appear that the promoters
contemplate the introduction of any new feature
into banking operations.
THE great Paris houses affected by the sale of the
exclusive right to engrave the Valais de L'lndustrie,
have combined to oppose this arbitrary, and, they
assert, unlawful proceeding. This protest is signed
by such men as Susse, do., and is, therefore, likely
to have some effect. It is proposed to bring the
matter before the tribunals. The preposterous
nature of the present claim of the Palace Company
would, if made good, lead to endless law suits.
A FRENCH COMPANY has offered, it is said, to raise
in France a legion for the service of the English
Government. The company engages to supply
from 10,000 to 25,000 men within the shortest
possible time, half the number that may be agreed
upon to be ready in fifteen days at the utmost. In
order to effect that undertaking it requires that it
shall be permitted to recruit in France all who
according to the recent law of emigration are in the
free enjoyment of the right to quit France for
America or any other part of the world they please.
It is stated that the English Government is disposed
to entertain the propositions of the company, and
only awaits, to enter on its execution, the assent of
the French Goverament.

of which 979,1641. was advanced to Go
)oth of October, to 1,013,2931., of wh
advanced to Government: and on the Ott
to 1,068,081/., of which 913;293/. was
Government. The sums left in the
consequently amounted on the ahoy
108,256/., 100,0001., 100,0001., and 152,7 t
Au account of the receipt and expendi
2,794,722/. during the year 1854 by the (
the Reduction of the National Debt shoe
portion of the receipts accrued from
sundry times from the Exchequer," and
this cash, or 2,773,6971., was expended
Exchequer Bills. The rest of the re
priated to the purchase of 2,9741. Co
Reduced Annuities Consolidated.
The official resume of business d 4
of France gives the following partici;
1854:

qnence or 1.110
metallic reeerve of the Bank amounted, on January 1,
18.54, to 299,000,00 K, of which amount 109,000,000 f. were
in silver, and 190,000,000 f. in geld. On the Ist of Jan-
uary, 1855, the amount wes 384,000,000 f., of which
183,300,000 f. were in silver, and 180,700,000 f. in gold.
The reserve in gold has consequentky increased during the
year by a sum of 71,700,000 f., while that in saver has di.