The Press.
London, England, 1858-03-20 00:00:00

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A MosT EtocitrENT SERYON was preached on Sun-
day last at SL Saviour's, Upper Chelsea, by the Rev.
J. T. Manley, Incumbent of Mortlake, in aid of the
Hospital for Consumption at Brompton. Having
described the great amount of good effected by this
institution, and mentioned that eighty beds were
unfortunately empty for want of means, whilst 200

patients were demanding admission, the preacher
concluded his earnest and touching diszourse by
calling upon the congregation to gladden the hearts
of the committee by assisting them to liquidate the
heavy debt now crippling the usefulness of this
interesting charity, and so enabling them speedily to
admit a large number of very urgent cases. The
sum of 851. 16s. Bd. was collected after the sermon,
which was preached from the 38th chapter of Isaiah,
and was listened to with the deepest attention.
ROYAL GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY.--Evening meeting,
Monday, March 22nd, Bi, Burlington-house, Sir
Roderick I. Murchison in the chair. Papers to be
read :-1. " Contribution to the Knowledge of New
Guinea." By Dr. Salomon Muller; communicated
by John Yeats, Esq., F.R.G.S.-2. "Latest Commu-
nications on Australian Explorations." By Captain
Freeling, R.E., Surveyor-General, and Mr. Stephen
Hack ; communicated by the Colonial office.
THE ECLIPSE OF THE SUN, in consequence of
the unfavourable state of the weather last Monday
in London and throughout the greater part of Eng-
land, offered few opportunities for observing those
remarkable phenomena which render an annular,
solar eclipse so imposing a spectacle. A bright,
clear, sunshiny morning was succeeded by a dull
clouded sky, which, with the exception of a break or
two, about one p.m., when a silvery crescent of sun
appeared for a moment, completely obscured the
sun during the whole process of the eclipse. The
accounts from Manchester and from Birmingham,
and other districts of England, bear testimony to the
fact that the view of the eclipse was similar to that
obtained in the metropolis. An immense number of
observers, armed with co!onrea class, telescopes, ea.,
were gathered in the different parks and pnblio
places, and in all the eligible situations in and
around London. Generally throughout the country
similar interest was excited and preparations made.
THE ROADWAY OF NEW CHELSEA BRIDGE is now
complete and ready for opening to the public. It
Was crossed for the first time on Thursday by their
Royal Highnesses the Prince Consort and the Prince
of Wales, accompanied by their attendants. Mr.
Page, the engineer, and Professor Faraday received
the Royal party and accompanied them along the
bridge.
A TERRIBLE FIRE occurred on Wednesday morn-
ing at the corner of Devonshire-square, Bishopsgate-
street. The premises were very extensive, and were
occupied by a Mr. Dulin, a Mr. Hare, a Mr. Graff,
Mr. Selunnitz, and a Mr. and Mrs. Handzell. The
,fire-escapes and engines were promptly on the spot,
but the fire spread so rapidly that the lives of the
first-named inmates were barely saved. Mr. and
Mrs. Handzell made desperate efforts to get out of
the attic windows on to the roof. Mrs. Handzell
happily succeeded; her husband was burnt to death
before he could escape. The premises were almost
entirely destroyed.