The Press.
London, England, 1856-03-15 00:00:00

THE PRESS.

Gas, it appears, had been laid on to the carpenter's
shop at Christmas, but had not been used since then.
None of the firemen attribute the origin of the fire to
an escape of gas. Mr. Palmer, die gasfitter to the
theatre, did not believe that the heat generated from
the chandelier would have set fire to the roof.

Mr. Sloman could only attribute the fire to an es-
cape of gas.
After hearing this evidence the inquiry was ad-
journed to this day (Saturday).

A MEETING OF THE MAYORS OF ENGLAND took
place at Herbert's Hotel, on Monday, with the view of
sustaining the opposition to Sir George Grey's Police
Bill. Several resolutions against the principle and
details of the bill were adopted, and the meeting
separated. On Tuesday, the meeting reassembled
for a short time: a committee met the day following
to determine the most advisable course to pursue.
The result of these deliberations was submitted to a
general meeting held later in the day, when, after•
some discussion, resolutions were passed to take the
necessary steps to oppose the objectionable parts of
the bill in committee.
THE AMERICAN MINISTER was entertained at a
farewell banquet by the Lord Mayor on Tuesday
evening. A distinguished company was invited to
meet Mr. Buchanan. The Lord Mayor, in proposing
Mr. Buchanan's health, made a brief speech, wishing
him success and prosperity, and nothing but agree•
able recollections of England. Mr. Buchanan, in
the course of his reply, alluded to the "misfortune
of war " between the two countries, but anticipated
a speedy settlement of the differences now existing:—
So far from there being any jealousy either on the part
of England or the United States as to the honest and fair
extension of their borders, it ought to be considered a
blessing to mankind that they should extend them over all
the unsettled parts of the earth. He was sorry to say that
there had been from the first a number of unfortunate
questions unsettled between the two countries. There
W/18 at the present moment a difference existing between
them ; but he trusted in 'lod, and he believed that the
cloud which was now hoveringover them would be speedily
dissipated, and that the sunshine of peace and friendship
would become more and more bright till all dissensions
had passed away, and only lived in history as a record of
the folly of two people threatening fur a moment to engage
in fratricidal war.

THE NATIONAL SUNDAY LEAGUE held a meeting at
St. Martin's-hall, on Monday, to obtain a public ex-
pression of opinion in favour of opening the national
institutions on Sundays. Sir John Shelley, M.P.,
presided. Sir J. Walmsley, M.P., Mr. Maguire,
M.P., were also present. Several resolutions against
"the stringent regulations which shackle the Sun-
day" were passed, and a petition to Parliament
agreed on.
A GALLERY OF THE WORKS OT LIVING ARTISTS iS
about to be formed at the Crystal Palace. The
north wing is to be immediately prepared for this
purpose, and an exhibition of works of living painters
of every school in Europe will, we hope, shortly be on
view. In the arrangements made the interests of
the artists are not forgotten. The pictures are to be
on sale, and will be delivered on purchase, the
money, with a deduction of five per cent., being then
handed over to the artist.

THE SUBSCRIBERS TO THE RAGLAN MEMORIAL
met at the theatre of the United Service Institution,
on Thursday, to present the present Lord Raglan
with the title-deeds of an estate near Raglan Castle,
purchased by subscription as a mark of respect and
esteem for the private character of the late noble
lord. H. R. H. the Duke of Cambridge, the Duke of
Richmond, the Earl of Cardigan, and several general
officers were present.
THE CLAIMS OF THE THEATRICAL PROFESSION to
share in the funds of Dulwich College were con
sidered at a numerous meeting of theatrical and
literary gentlemen, held at the Adelphi Theatre, on
Thursday. Mr. Charles Dickens, who was in the
chair, gave an interesting history of the origin of
Dulwich College, and mentioned various circum•
stances connected with its founder, Edward Alleyne.
Mr. Webster having detailed the efforts he bad made
with a view to obtain for "poor players" a participa-
tion in the funds of the college, Mr. Keeley moved a
resolution, embodying the propositions already made
by Mr. Webster to the Commissioners of Charities,
that in the revision of the funds of this endowment
the claims of members of the theatrical profession
might be considered. This resolution was seconded
by Mr. Buckstone, and agreed to. It was also re-
solved, on the motion of Mr. R. Bell, seconded by
Mr. Albert Smith, " That a memorial in support of
the object in view should be adopted." A committee
was then appointed to further the objects of the
meeting.
A MEETING OF TICKET-OF LEAVE MEN waS held
at the National-hall, Holborn, on Wednesday. The
meeting was convened by Mr. H. Mayhew, for the
purpose of affording those men who are anxious to
lead an honest life an opportunity of stating publicly
the difficulties they have to encounter. The meet-
ing was appropriately addressed by several ticket-of-

SATURDAY,

leave men. One concluded his speech in the
following words :
Knocked about by the police on every side, and coldly
received by the public, he was at that moment in a condi.
Lion in which he did ILA know where to get his nett meal
without stealing it; but if the encouragement held out to
his oppressed class by the benevolent gentlemen who had
come forward that evening in their behalf was only
realised, from that time forward he was determined not
again to put his hand to any dishonest action.
Mr. Mayhew terminated the proceedings with a
brief address, pointing out the necessity of self_
exertion, and promising to endeavour to form a com-
mittee of philanthropic gentlemen to raise a fund for
the assistance of all honestly disposed ticket-of-
leave men.

A SERIOUS FIRE broke out on Wednesday in Mr.
Scott Russell's ship-yard at Millwall, by which the
whole of the mills, joiners' houses, and planing-shops,
with a vast amount of valuable machinery, were
completely destroyed. The Great Eastern was not
damaged.

MR. ALBANO, the civil engineer, who with such
eminent skill converted the Covent-garden Theatre
into an opera-house in less than four mouths, has
given in the papers some details of its construction,
with the view of correcting some injurious state-
ments lately made—that " bonded timber" had been
left or introduced into the walls by Mr. Albano. He
especially says :
I not only did not insert a single inch of bond timber,
but extracted the whole tiers of bond timber which had
originally been inserted in the main walls. Five tiers up
to the level of the ceiling—in all above 2,000 feet of bond
timber, were removed in small lengths, and their spaces
tilled in with brick and Roman cement, to consolidate the
wall.

THE REGISTRAR GENERAL'S RETURNS for the week
show a mortality of 1,082, an increase of 170 over
last week. The births amounted to 1,925, 336 above
the usual average.
DRURY-LANE THEATRE, last Friday night week,
had a narrow escape from sharing the same fate as
its neighbour. Fire smouldering among the " flies "
was happily discovered, and after some little trouble
put out. A strict inquiry was immediately insti-
tuted, and the fire was found to have resulted from a
piece of ignited wadding, discharged from a gun
during the previous night's performance, falling
among the beams of the flies, and hence the fire.

Guy's HOSPITAL.—On Thursday evening, the 6th
instant, a meeting of the members of the Pupil's
Physical Society of Guy's Hospital was held at the
London Tavern for the purpose of presenting a
testimonial to Dr. Edward Lloyd, in token of their
high estimation of the valuable services rendered by
him to the society during the period of twelve years
in which he held the office of honorary secretary.
The chair was taken by Dr. Odling, Professor of
Practical Chemistry at Guy's Hospital, and among
the gentlemen present were Mr. Edward Coch, Mr.
Cooper Foster, and Dr. Wilks. An address having
been read by the secretary, the chairman presented
the testimonial, consisting of an elegant sliver can•
delabrum, richly chased, and made to serve as a
flower-stand as well. Dr. Lloyd, in returning thanks,
said that he was deeply grateful for this proof of
esteem from his old pupils and friends. He should
always regard this re-union with those with whom he
had been so long familiar, and the circumstance
that had called them together, among the happiest
events of his live, and begged to assure his old asso-
ciates of Guy's that, could he in any way and at any
time aid them, he should be ever at their command.
The party then sat down to supper, after which the
health of Dr. Lloyd was proposed by the chairman,
and drank with enthusiasm.