The Press.
London, England, 1857-06-13 00:00:00

Cbt 21.rirxigi+

LONDON, SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 1857.

POSTSCRIPT.

DREADFUL ACCIDENT IN FLORENCE.

PARIS, Friday.

At Florence, last night, the scenery of the theatre
caught fire during the performance of The Sirge of
Sebastopol. A panic arose ; 43 persons were killed,
and 134 wounded.

A letter from Vienna, in the German Journal of
Frankfort, states that Austria has refused to deliver
up to Prince Danilo the Montenegrin refugees
residing in the Austrian territory, whom he had
applied for, and the latter have been officially in-
firmed that they may reside without fear in Austria.
The Emperor Francis Joseph has signed an ordi-
nance, which prescribes that the two-thirds at least
of the public functions of Hungary are to be con-
fided to natives. The authorities are also to be
enjoined to receive documents addressed to the
Government when drawn up in the national lan-
guage. It is also in contemplation to grant a full
amnesty to all military prisoners.

The latest bnlletin of Marshal Radetzky's state of
h*alth, dated Verona, 6th, announces that his excel-
lency had been restless during the day, and that the
fever bad returned in the course of the evening.

M. Isturitz, Spanish Ambassador at the Court of
Russia, has arrived in Paris, where he intends re-
maining a fortnight.

Letters from the frontiers of Arabia of the 25th
April (says the Pays), state that Said Medjed,
recently proclaimed 'man of Muscat and of Zanzibar
in the room of his deceased father, has been officially
recognised by the Court of Persia. The Persian
Government had at first declared in favour of the
brother of Said Medjed, but the young man having
renounced his pretensions, and himself admitted
the authority of his brother, it was decided at
Teheran to officially recognise the new Itnan. Said
Medjed is said to be a favourite with the Arab
population.

EARL FITZHARDINGE, we are happy to state, has
during the last few days greatly regained his strength,
and hopes are now held out, should his lordship
continue to progress as he has done of late, of his
ultimate restoration to health. As soon as the
noble earl is sufficiently recovered from his protracted
indisposition, he purposes to leave Berkeley Castle
for the metropolis.
THE IMPROVEMENTS AT PIMLICO.—A bill has been
brought in by Sir B. Hall and Mr. Brand, extending
the time for enaUng the Commissioners of Works
to complete their projected improvements in Pimiico
and in the neighbourhood of Buckingham Palace,
purchases of property being limited to a period of
two years from the 4th of August, 1857. The
schedule of the bill gives a list of houses and pre-
mises situate in Stafford-place and Stafford-row, and
Charlotte-street, in the parishes of St. Margaret,
Westminster, and St. George's, Hanover-square, the
reputed property of the Crown.

Ma. DErtry PE.tcocK, chairman of the City
Sewers Commission, has resigned his office, owing to
continued ill-health. Mr. Peacock is seventy.eight
years of age. Tuesday ne;t U,lll4ed for the election
of Ws buomoor,

THE PRESS.

LAST NIGHT'S DEBATE.
HOUSE OF LORDS.
ANNUITY TO THE PRINCESS ROYAL.
The Princess Royal Annuity Bill went through
committee.

TRANSPORTATION
Lord HARROWBY having moved, with a brief ex-
planation, that the house should go into committee
on the Transportation and Penal Servitude bill,
Lord CAMPBELL opposed the measure, and con-
demned the change which had recently been in-
troduced into the system of criminal jurisprudence.
The sentences passed by judges on convicted
offenders were nor:, he complained, carried into
effect with extreme uncertainty, whilst transporta-
tion, which was once regarded as a punishment
second in severity only tc., that of death, had been
converted into a sort of order of merit, to be con-
ferred on well-behaved culprits.
Earl GREY remarked upon the changes, social,
political, and commercial, which had taken place
both at home and in the colonies, and rendered
some modification in the transportation system a
matter of necessity. Ho reminded Lord Campbell
that he had formerly as member of the Cabinet
assisted in initiating the very reforms which be now
denounced.
Some further discussion followed, after which the
bill went through committee.
The Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Bill was
reported with amendments, and ordered for third
reading.
Their lordships then adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.
DEP MAJESTY'S DRAWING-ROOM.

Mr. G. DUNDAS called the attention of the
Government to the great inconvenience experienced
by ladies attending the Royal Drawing-room held at
St. James's Palace, owing to the want of proper
arrangements for their reception and departure.
Sir B. HALL admitted the gravity of the incon•
venience, which he attributed to the fact that the
number of ladies attending drawing-rooms had so
much increased. In the reign of George lIT. the
average rarely exceeded 200, while there were now
very frequently 1,200 desirous of paying their
respects to her Majesty. Instructions had, however,
been issued to prepare plans for enlarging the
approaches and affording ampler accommodation for
receptions in St. James's Palace.
To a further query, Sir B. HALL replied that no
money would be expended until the plans had been
laid before the house, and a vote obtained for the
cost.

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