The Press.
London, England, 1857-01-24 00:00:00

Volitttai.

A CABINET COUNCIL was held on Wednesday after-
noon at the official residence of the First Lord of the
Treasury in Downing street. Present—Viscount
Palmerston, the Lord Chancellor, Earl Granville,
the Marquis of Lansdowne, Sir George Grey, the
Earl of Clarendon, Mr. Secretary Lahouchere, Lord
Panmure, Sir Charles Wood, the Right Hon. R.
Vernon Smith, Lord Stanley of Alderley, the Right
Hon. M. T. Baines, and the Duke of Argyll.
A SECOND CABINET COUNCIL was held at Lord
Palmerston's official residence yesterday afternoon.
TUE USUAL PARLIAMETART CIRCULAR has been
forwarded by Lord Palmerston to each of the
Liberal members.

THE KING or DENUABK has conferred the honour
of Knight Commander of the Order of the Danne-
brog on Mr. William Marshall, of the firm of Max-
well, Marshall, and Co., Leith, in acknowledgment of
his services as Consul General for Scotland.

THE INCOME TAX in the year ended March last
produced 15,159,4581., against 10,922,2671. The
"poundage" on taxes in the year ended March was
281,2111., which was an increase of 68,151/. on the
preceding year arising from the income tax.
MR. G. H. BUTT, M.P., has addressed a letter in
reply to the Mayor of Weymouth with respect to
certain resolutions lately passed at a public meeting
against the continuance of the increased incoma tax.
Mr. Butt states that the literal meaning of the con-
tinuance clause in the act of 1854 was that the tax
should cease on the sth of April after the ratification of
peace, but by the change of terms in the continuance
clause of the act of '55 the tax, as it stands, should
continue till April, 1858. He thinks, however, it
would be " a breach of good faith, and contrary to the
understanding of the country," to continue the in-
creased tax beyond the sth of April next.

A COMMITTEE OF LAYMEN, consisting of Sir John
Pakimy,ton, M.P., the Marquis of Blandford, M.P.,
Lord John Manners, M.P., Sir Sufford Northcote,
NI.P., Mr. J. Napier, M.P., Mr. Adderley, M.P., Lord
Robert Cecil, M.P., Sir Brook Bridges, Bart., Mr.
Smith Child, M.P., Mr. C. Colquhoun, Mr. G. A.
Hamilton, M.P. Mr. Henry Hoare, the banker, Mr.
N. Kendall, M.P., Mr. R. B. Seely, Mr. Spooner,
M.P., and others, has been formed for the settlement
of the church-rate question in the ensuing session.
In an address they have issued they say :

This will render it necessary for every exertion to be
made to prevent Parliament legislating on the subject
without full knowledge of the opinions and wishes of the
people. The committee trust that Churchmen will enable
them to act with vigour and efficiency in resisting any pro-
posal to despoil the Church of one of her most ancient
sources of income.

THE ROYAL PALACF.S AND PUIILIC BUILDINGS cost
for repairs in the year ended March 170,7801.
THE MANCHESTER EDUCATION PARTY met this
week, and the heads of a new Educational Act of
Parliament were submitted to Sir John Pakington,
who was present. The proposed bill was ordered to
be drafted, and the meeting passed a resolution
requesting Sir John Pakington and Mr. Cobden to
introduce it into the Commons. Several modifica-
tions were made, and the hope was expressed that
the scheme embraced in the " heads " only required
full exposition to secure very general and cordial
public support. It is intended to hold a public)
meeting ou an early day in the Free •trade Hall, when
the character and merits of the particular scheme iu
view will be fully expounded.
THE HARBOURS OF REFUGE expenses to the coun-
try, 6:c., in the year ended March was 188.93 V.

THE PRESENT PERSIAN AND CIIINESE WARS were
discussed at a public meetings at Birmingham, held
in the Music-hall, on Monday night. A letter was
read from Lord Lyttelton excusing his personal
attendance on the plea of the session being close at
hand, when Government explanations would be
given. Mr. Alderman Baldwin took the chair, and
among those present were.—Mr. Joseph Sturge, Mr.
W. Morgan, Mr. J. S. Wright, Mr. J. Partridge, 31r,
F. Wells, the Rev. C. Vence, the Rev. A. O'Neill,
Mr. C. Sturge, Mr. J. Betts, and many influential
pomp% M. W, Morgap, Wllp moved the JIM