The Press.
London, England, 1857-04-18 00:00:00

piropolitan.

THE EASTER DINNER AT THE MANSION-ROUSE
included among the guests the Princes of Oude, the
Rajah of Coorg, and other distinguished strangers.
The Lord Mayor, in a complimentary speech, having
proposed the health of their Highnesses, Major Bird
replied he beiieved that a new era was dawning on
India, and that it was heralded by the appearance of
Indian princes at the table of the Lord Mayor of
London:—

Their Highnesses lied beard of the wealth, the power,
and the progress of this magnificent country, and they had
come personally to realise what had previously only been
visions of the imagination. British enterprise had done
much for the civilisation of India, but its action had been
chiefly felt among the poorer classes, while the princes of
that country had remained stationary. But these latter
had a; last aroused themselves, and, coming to these
shores, could themselves witness the mighty power of the
British army, the multitude and terrible force of our armed
marine, and, better than all, the indomitable energy and
exhaustless resources of our commerce. They could see
how the law was in this country above all things, and bow
all classes, from the Crown down to the peasant, bowed
down before the majesty of that law. The greatness of
England had been the subject of much speculation amongst
the attendants of their Highnesses, and to show the just-
ness of their conclusions he would relate a little anecdote.
One of these attendants asking another what could be the
cause of England's greatness, the other said, " The reason
is plain—tbe people all work, awl nothing goes to waste.
The dry bones which we throw out to the dogs is con-
verted into manure, and produces fresh food for man ; and
the rags which have served the beggar are made into paper,
on which are written the laws with which this peoplo
govern the world." They had all read how the Queen of
Sheba came to visit King Solomon, and how she went away
fully satisfied. He (Major Bird) trusted that the distin-
guished guests of whom he was the unworthy spokesman
would have the same story to tell when they returned to
their native country. (Loud cheers.)
Mn. SERGEANT PARRY, the defeated candidate for
Finsbury, was entertained on Monday at a public
dinner by his friends. Some two hundred Finsbury
electors were present. Mr. Parry, in his speech,
alluded to the charge of his having signed a petition
for the opening of places of public amusement on
Sunday:—

When the question was put to him he said his impression
was (as it was still) that he had never signed any such
petition. At the instigation of a gentleman connected
with the League, he had certainly signed two loose sheets
—he was told he had signed three—but his belief still was
it was only two—and that these had reference to petitions,
not in favour of opening the National irallery, the British
Museum, and other public institutions on the Sunday, but
against any legislative interference either iu the one way or
the other.
THE COMPOSITION-MILL, a building attached to
the Hounslow Powder-mills, blew up last Saturday,
happily without causing loss of life. Some four or
five hands were engaged in the mill, which contained
a great quantity of saltpetre, sulphur, &c. Three of
the lads employed in the mill had their atteutieu
directed to the north-west end of the building by
seeing a blue light flickering around the place.
Knowing at once what was likely to ensue among so
much combustible matter, an instant cry of " Fire !"
and " Run for your lives," was raised. The various
persons wilt. were then in the place made an attempt
to run out, and at the same instant the place blew
up. A lad named Warwick was struck on the heat
and severely injured by a beam falling. Before the
extent of the mischief done in the composition mill
could be ascertained two more explosions followed.
blowing two mills almost to ruins. The engines of
the firm having been got out, were set to work from
the mill streams on the grounds, and the fire was
soon subdued. The total loss will be serious, but
will not prevent the continuance of the business.