The Press.
London, England, 1856-02-09 00:00:00

THE PRESS.

and the Commons as the two sole powers, when the
conflict that must inevitably ensue would as certainly
result in the substitution of a democracy and entire
subjecti,m of the Constitution.
- - - -

LIEUT.-GENERAI, SIR PATRICK GRAWT, H.E.LC.S.,
was entertained at a grand banquet on Saturday last
by the Directors of the East India Company, pre-
vious to his departure to take the command-in-chief of
the Madras Presidency. The interest of the event
was unusually heightened by this being the first
occasion upon which an officer of the East India
Company's service had been appointed to so high a
command, and in the speeches delivered on the occa-
sion every allusion was made to the justice and
policy of the principle involved in the appointment of
Sir Patrick Grant by the Crown. Lord Gough, Sir
G. Pollock, Sir Willoughby Cotton, the Duke of
Argyll, Lord Stanley of Alderley, Mr. Vernon Smith,
and the Hon. Robert Lowe, were among the guests,
who numbered upwards of 150. In returning thanks
for his health, Sir Patrick Grant, alluding to the
honour conferred upon him, said .
These are, indeed, memorable times for the Indian
army. Her Majesty has been graciously pleased to assure
to us our military rank all over the world. Our rank is no
longer, as heretofore, merely local ; it extends to every por-
tion of her Majesty's dominions, at home as well as
abroad ; and we have now in my appointment a practical
acknowledgment that we are deemed eligible for the high-
est military commands. I take upon myself to assure all
who have aided in bringing about these resul.s that their
generous exertions in the cause—( may I not say ?)—of
common sense and sound polity are gratefully appreciated
by every member of the vast army of India, whose loyalty,
fidelity, and attachment to their Sovereign and their
country never have been, and I firmly believe never can,
justly be called in question. I shall go to India unfettered
by pledge or promise of any kind, resolved to devote every
energy I possess to the discharge of the important duties
devolved upon me, and with a single eye to the efficiency
and wellbeing of the public service. 1 feel that I am
undertaking what would be a very grave responsibility for
any one, but for me it is peculiarly so; and I can only
pray God to enable me to acquit myself to the satisfaction
of the high authorities who have done me the honour of
selecting me for the proud position of Commander-in-Chief
of the Army of Madras, the promotion being additionally
gratifying to me from the circumstance of my being the
first officer in the Company's service upon whom that high
distinction has ever been conferred.

The Duke of Argyll, Mr. Vernon Smith, and Mr.
Lowe, also spoke in return for the usual toasts.
Lord Campbell also returned thanks for " The
Lords " in a brief speech, and alluded with much
humour to a recent event in that chamber•— .

He was nut ashamed to belong to that distinguished
body, which had ever been the friend of freedom, and
which, although it had been held to be a little backward at
times, had yet, under the influence of a gentle stimulus,
always responded in the long run to the healthy impulses
of public opinion. It was now said, however, that the
Upper Chamber of the Legislature must be reformed, and
a new batch of peers was about to be created. That was
not a fitting occasion for him to discuss whether or not
such a measure was legal and constitutional. On that
subject they would probably hear more on Thursday next
—(alaugh)—but, fur his own part, he entertained no ap-
prehension of the result of the contemplated proceeding ;
and he could only say that if it. was really legal, and also
if any of the gentlemen present were destined to be made
peers for life, they would be sure of a courteous reception
from the House of Lords—(laughter)—where it was to be
hoped they would show as devoted a zeal or the honour of
the Crown and for the liberties and the prosperity of the
people as had been displayed by the hereditary members
of that assembly.

THE REMOVAL OF THE NEWOATE AND LEADNE-
HALL MARKETS was considered at a public meeting
at the London Coffee house on Wednesday. Sir
James Duke, in explaining the object of the meeting,
said he believed that a great central market could
be erected at Smithfield without detriment to St.
Bartholomew's hospital. The corporation were willing
to purchase and pull down houses on the north-
west side, so as to allow free ventilation to the hospi-
tal, while accomplishing their own objects. Mr. Ross
denied that any material advantages had been gained
by the removal of the live-stock market from Smith
field; and as to Smithfield itself, trade had dwindled,
shopkeepers had left the neighbourhood, and every-
thing was in a state of stagnation. He denied that
the establishment of a meat market would create
pestilence or disease, and quoted the opinion of Mr.
Lawrence that decaying animal matter was not so
injurious to health as commonly supposed. In con-
clusion, he moved a resolution expressive of the eli-
gibility of Smithfield as a locale for the present
markets of Newgate and Leadenhall-street. Several
salesmen and other persons connected with the trade
addressed the meeting, when the resolution was
unanimously passed, and a memorial and deputation
to Sir George Grey agreed upon.
THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL'S RETURNS FOR LAST
WEEK show a mortality of 949—a singularly low
rate, the deaths in the corresponding week of the
preceding year being 1,604, and the average for the
last ten years 1,270. The births show a marked
increase over the usual average, 1,728 being
registered last week, against an average of 1,580.

SATUhDAY,

The state of the public health may therefore be con-
sidered as remarkably good.

THE CORPORATION REFORM BILL, about to be
introduced by the Home Secretary, will, it is said,
confer a new charter, preserving only such customs
as are expedient. Among the prominent changes
mentioned, the election of Lord Mayor will, it is re-
ported, be henceforth by Common Council—alder-
men will he elected for only six years—the wards to
be reduced to sixteen—the City police will be incor-
porated with the metropolitan force—the conservancy
of the Thames will be transferred to a special board,
while the Courts of Hustings and St. Martin's-le-
Grand will be abolished.
THE METROPOLITAN BOARD OF WORKS held a
meeting on Monday, at the Council Chamber, Guild-
ball, and proceeded with the election of a superin-
tending architect, at a fixed salary of 800/. a year.
After some discussion the election was proceeded
with in the usual form, and Mr. Marrable, a young
assistant, formerly in the service of Mr. Blore, was
declared duly elected. A regular meeting-day for
the board was brought under consideration, but not
fixed.

THE COAL-WHIPPERS OF LONDON held a crowded
meeting last week, to consider the propriety of petiti-
oning Parliament for a renewal of the act which ex •
pires in August next. The meeting was addressed
by Mr. W. Deering, and several coal-whippers, and
a petition, embodying the object of the meeting, was
unanimously agreed upon for immediate presentation
to Parliament.