The Express.
London, England, 1853-05-25 00:00:00

BETTLNG OFFICES.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE EXPRESS.

SlR,—Betting-offices have been written against by
the press, censored by grand juries, ;held up to reprehen-
sion by magistrates, and noticed in the House of Commons.
yet an the very eve of the Derby they exist in more than
pristiae vigour, no government having bad the ability to
discover a means of putting them down.
I am, &c., AN HONEST SPORTSMAN.
Whitehall, May 24.

INDIAN REIORM.—A public meeting of inhabitant,
of the city of Bristol was held on Monday, at the Victoria
Rooms—the Right Worshipful the Mayor, R. 0. Barrow,
Esq., in the chair. Upon the platform were Aldermen
Vining, R. Leonard, C. J. Thomas; W. Tothill, Esq., H.
Visger, Esq., and other leading citizens; and John Bright,
Esq., M.P., attended as a deputation from the Indian
Reform Association. Resolutions to the following effect
were adopted:—.• That the question of government of
India, involving as it does the welfare of 120 millions of her
Majesty's subjects, and the commercial interests of two
great empires, is a question of vast importance, and one
which demands full inquiry and deliberation previous to
any permanent legislation thereon." " That committees of
both houses of parliament are now sitting, to whom have
been referred petitions numerously signed by both the
Christian and native populations of India in all the presi-
dencies, alleging heavy grievances; and, therefore, it is
highly desirable that the reports of the said committees be
received before entering upon any proposition for the per-
manent settlement of the future government of India."
" That to the system of government now in force has been
attributed much of the imperfect administration of justice,
the neglect of public works, the insufficiency of police, the
increase of the public debt, the deficiency in the public
revenue, the oppressive nature of some of the taxes. and the
general poverty afflicting a large portion of her Majesty's
eastern subjects." A petition in accordance with the senti-
ments of the several resolutions was also adopted, and vote.
of thanks having been carried by acclamation to Mr.
Bright and the chairman, the proceedings terminated.
MELANCHOLY OCCURRENCE.—A young married
woman, in the last stage of consumption, purposed going
yesterday by train from Southampton to Wimborn, the
latter being her native place. She sat in the waiting-room
of the Southampton railway station until just before the
train started, with her husband and nurse. When tries
time arrived for her to get into the railway carriage, she
was unable, from her extreme illness, to walk from the
waiting-room to the platform, and a railway porter took her
up to carry her. While in his arms she suddenly died be-
fore he could reach the railway carriage. The slight ex-
citement occasioned by the preparations for starting by
train snapped the slender thread by which her life was
bound. The porter, with his lifeless burden, hurried back
to the waiting-room, and medical assistance was procured,
but it was useless.
OATHS IN PARLIAMENT.—The bill which was
mentioned by Lord John Russell in his reply to a deputation
on the que.•ion of the admission of Jews into parliament,
that Lord Lyndhurst was about to introduce into the Ron e
of Lords for the purpose of altering the oaths to be taken by
persons now by law required to t dee the oaths of allegiance,
h an
t u wille
bee
supremacy, and abjuration, has been printed. The follow-
Victoria, aril that I will maintain the succession of the
crown as established by an act, intituled, 'An act for the
ingfaoiatthhfu isi to ndbebseLbsti true tut
aied wi' :in A
to swearr
Majesty
further limilation of the crown, and better a-curing the
rights and liberties of the subject ;' and I do make this re-
cegnition, declaration, and promise, heartily, willingly, and
truly, upon the true faith of a Christian, so help me God."
The name of the Sovereign for the time being is to he in-
serted, and the penalties for not taking the oath are to re-
main in lull as at present. The affirmation for Quakers,
&c. ; the 10th George IV., cap. 7, ter the relief of Rrman
catholic., are not interfered with. The sixth clause pro-
vides that tt nothing herein contained shill he construed to
alter or elf ct the declaration now required to he made by
persons of the Jewish religion by the provisions of an at t
Omitted, An act for the relief of persona of the Js:wish
relilid.)ll elected to municipal offices.' "
We are authorised to contradiet a rumour that has
been prevalent in the fashionable circles the last few days.
of an alleged separation between the Duke and Duchess of
I Marlbotough.—:itaiaard.