The Press.
London, England, 1853-05-21 00:00:00

THE PRESS.

and he recited the passage as it now stands in the
tezt. The lecturer bad occasion here to say
that In modent British literature there were too many
rough diamonds," and that their lustre would not be
visible to posterity, for want of due care in the setting. Of
the dramatists who succeeded Shakapeare he spoke with
severity, awl dwelt on plays being written for actors as a
cause fur the decline of the drama, which he heartily
wished might be resuscitated, specially mentioning with
honour, as successful dramatists, Sheridan Knowles, Sir
Edward Bulwer Lytton, and Mr. Craftuu, the author of
" Nina Sforza."
The lecture terminated at ten minutes after five, being
heard throughout with marked attention, and the audience
cordially applauded at the close. The room was crowded
with a highly fashionable audience, and we observed many
eminent. persons, fur whose names we have no room. The
last lecture of the series will be delivemd on Monday.

THE Tensistt QUESTION.—11l reference to the
Times' statement " that the Russian Legation at
Paris had received intelligence that Prince Menschi-
koff's ultimatum had been accepted by the Porte, a
telegraphic message, dated Friday afternoon, has
been transmitted by the I'aris correspondent of the
Post to the following effect:—" I have just this mo-
ment ascertained that the Times' assertion is utterly
false. The Russian Legation here has received no
news of a later date than the ith. The answer of
the Porte to Prince Menschikoff was to be given on
the 10th. News is anxiously expected, but as yet
any that pretends to be of later date than the ith is
pure fabncation."
A CABINET COUNCIL be held at the Foreign-
offiee to-day (Saturday) at two o'clock.
W. B. NEALE, Esq., for some time Vice-Consul at
Alexandretta, has been appointed her Majesty's Con-
sul at the Piraeus.
Mr. Issexcron who received a gold watch
from her Majesty on account of his services at the
Great Exhibition of Isra, has just been appointed
superintendent of the C, or St. James's, division, in
lieu of Mr. Superintendent. Otway, who has retired
on a superannuation allowance.
ACCOUNTS have reached Ireland mentioning the
demise of Sir Montagu Lowther Chapman, Bart.,
who, not having been heard of for many months, was
reported to have been drowned some time ago. He
died in February last, on board ship, while proceed-
ing from Melbourne to Sydney. Deceased repre-
sented the county of Westmeath in Parliament from
l$:10 to 1841, and was High Sheriff in 154.1. He is
succeeded by his brother, Benjamin James, who has
also represented the county before mentioned.

LATEsT DEBBY BETTING.
TATTIKIWAI.I:I4, IrIUDAY EVFININO.
2to I against West Australian, S to 1 against Honey.
wood (taken), 9 to 1 against Pharos (taken), 11 to 1
against t•ineas (ot1), 13 to 1 against I.lnthriel (taken), 20
to 1 against Peggy, 10 to I agst Broeket, 50 to 1 against
11nrworth (taken), 50 tip 1 ttgiiilist, IlK) to 1
against Rattle, 100 to 1 against Phasohl, 40 to 1 against
Lord Exeter's Lot (taken ).
Tux 00:14.
7 to 2 against Catherine Hayes (taken).

No vEWER than 10,605 persons visited the British
Museum on Monday last (Whit-Monday); the Layard
diseoveties attracting especial notice.
IT IN ESTIMATED that there lies from time to time,
in the Dead Letter Office, undergoing the process of
finding owners, some MOM. annually, in cash alone.
it i 8 registered that one day ramie time since there
were lying in the Dead Letter Office bills of exchange
for the immense sum of 0;110/.
THE CommrrrEu of the Sailors' Home, in Well-
street, London-docks, have published an interesting
sheet, giving a statement of the produce of gold from
the diggings brought to the Sailors' Home by sea-
men during the last twelve mouths. Eleven sailors
have brought home amounts ranging between two
and three hundred pounds ; and ten between three
anti four hundred ; four above four hundred and
under five hundred. One Brown brings over an even
live hundred pounds. Two obtained i5O/. each, two
WWI., one 1,0351., and the most prosperous 24811.
Tux lithuunso which has enclosed the statue of
Charles the First, at Charing -eross, for some months
past, during the modelling 44* a cast of it for the
Crystal Palace at Sydenhatn, wasremoved on Monday,
the works being emnpleted. The statue has been
restored and beautified, and is now seen to much
advantage.
.IOHN KNOX'S HOUSE has been entailed on the 11ev.
John Jattray, who, while paying a full price for the
property. receives it under stringent provisions against
diantembering or separating the tenement, or changing
its original antiquarian character, and, at the same
time, undertakinglto improve it, and make it at all
times accessible to the public.
Soitt: WORKMEN engaged in removing an old
thatched roof from a farmhouse: at mile, near Easing.
wohi, have discovered an old linen hag containing a
lose number of ancient silver coins, which were, with
•.a few exceptions, shilling-pieces of the reigus of Eliza-
beth, James, and Charles.