The Press.
London, England, 1857-05-02 00:00:00

iTHE PRESS.

GRATTAN'S STATUE is now in St. Stephen's-hall,
and will be raised upon the pedestal set apart for it,
next to that of Chatham, and directly opposite to
that of Fox.

THE ANNUAL MASONIC FESTIVAL was held at the
Freemasons'-hall on Wednesday, when the Earl of
Zetland, for the eighteenth time, was installed as
Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of England.
Upwards of 300 of the most distinguished members
of the lodge were present.
THE NINE WATER COMPANIES OF LONDON fail to
supply 11,1 with pure water. A recent microscopical
examination by Dr. Hassall has resulted in the dis-
covery in the waters supplied by each company of
considerable numbers of living animal and vegetable
productions. The waters most tainted with organic
matter were cloudy and opalescent, whereas those
which contained a smaller quantity of such produc-
tions were clear and bright. It follows that the
metropolis is still supplied with comparatively
impure water—that is to say, with water tainted with
numbers of living vegetable and animal productions
which are not present in the purer waters of the
Plumstead, Woolwich, and Charlton Company. A
very excellent test, Dr. Hassall tells us, is the colour
test, for if the water, viewed in bulk, present any de-
cided tinge or discolouration, it is generally impure.
THE REGISTRAR•GENERAL'S RETURNS for the week
show a steady mortality of 1,005. The births
amount to 1,788.

Vrobinciai.

THE MANCHESTER EXHIBITION.

THE arrangements for the opening of the Exhibition
on Tuesday next are now in so forward a state that
the programme of the ceremonial has been definitely
settled. His Royal Highness Prince Albert will
leave the Euston square station of the London and
North-Western Railway about seven o'clock on
Tuesday morning, and will travel by special train.
His Royal Highness is expected to arrive at Man-
chester a little before twelve o'clock, and will be met
at the London-road station by Mr. James Watt, the
mayor, and conducted to Abney-hall, the magnificent
residence of the chief magistrate. The Prince,
accompanied by his suite, and escorted by a squadron
of dragoons, will leave Abney-park at one o'clock.
On arriving within the building, Lord Overstone, the
President of the General Council of the Exhibition,
the chairman and members of the executive com-
mittee, Mr. J. C. Deane, the general commissioner,
and Lieut.• Colonel Hamilton, the secretary, will
receive his Royal Highness, and conduct him to the
state reception room. The Prince will also be met
by the Mayor of Manchester in his robes of office,
accompanied by such members of the corporation as
may be present, who will present an address of con-
gratulation at a dais near the grand entrance. His
Royal Highness, having replied, will be conducted
up the central hall to the dais prepared for his recep-
tion in the transept. Lord Overstone, the chairman,
and the members of the executive committee, will
form a procession and accompany his Royal
Highness. As the cortege moves up the middle
avenue of the central hall, the orchestra, conducted
by Mr. Charles Halle, will perform the National
Anthem. Upon the conclusion, an address from the
executive committee will be presented, and a copy of
the catalogue will be handed to his Royal Highness.
The orchestra will then perform " The heavens are
telling," after which the Lord Bishop of Manchester
will offer up a prayer invoking a blessing on the
undertaking. At the termination of the prayer, the
orchestra will perform the Hundredth Psalm. The
procession will then be marshalled round the different
galleries. His Royal Highness will then declare the
Exhibition open, and after a tour of inspection his
Royal Highness will retire.
In consequence of the death of the Duchess of
Gloucester the executive committee forwarded en
address of condolence to his Royal Highness Prince
Albert the same day. In the course of the afternoon
a message was received from Colonel Phipps, stating
that he was commanded to inform the executive
committee that, in consequence of the national im-
portance of the occasion, the preparations made, and
the disappointment to the public if the Art-Treasures
Exhibition were not opened on the sth, his Royal
Highness would be present as arranged ; but that, in
every other respect, the royal visit to Manchester was
to be considered strictly private.