The Express.
London, England, 1853-05-12 00:00:00

TIIE EMITIIME.V OF THE ORANGE RIFER.

An exhibition has just been opened in Regent-
street for the purpose of introducing to the English public
two extraordinary specimens—male and female—of the
human race called Earthmen, on designated from their
habit of burrowing in the ground. They have been brought
from Southern Atria, and it appears that they have been
living with an English family in this country since the year
1851, at which period they were totally uncivilised, and
were incapable of distinguishing between right and wrong.
They have ►ince, however, acquired the power of expressing
their thoughts in the English tangleige, and their manners
betray a degree of refinement and grace which render it
difficult to believe that they belong to a race forming the
►ast link in the great chain of the human family. The male
le about fourteen years of age and the female sixteen, their
height does not exceed three feet four inches, end the for-
mation of their bodies is extremely symMetrical, whilst the
intelligence they display is of a much more marked cha-
racter than is often observed in the children of civilised
climes. They amuse themselves with drawing and playing
the pianoforte, on which instrument they have learnt to
perluim ataxy popular tunes ; and the only habit
they have acquired which is con►idered objectionable by
the more refined classes of our own country is that of
smoking—their manner of indulging this propensity whilst
engaged is exhibiting their musical accomplishments, being
of each a nature as to form a striking satire upon the ordi-
nary mode of enjoying the fashionable luxury of the " fra-
grant weed." 1 heir deportment to the visitors is respectful
and agreeable, and their little tawny figares, the upper
part of which is uncovered, are sufficiently graceful to
supply a sculptor with a ready-colcared model for a group
in bronze. it is stated that the n'ject of the exhibition of
these natural curiesiiies is to provide a fund for their main-
tenance, and to secure sufficient means to enable them to
return to their waive land, and to disseminate among their
people the advantages of civilisation. A very praiseworthy
object, if properly carried out; but, in whatever light these
children of the sixth may be regarded, they will doubtless
abed much food for reflection amongst ethnologists and
those who are ismrested in the eccentricities of nature's
handiwork.

VICTORIA LONDON DOCK COMPANY.—Yesterday
• special general meeting of this company was held at the
London Tavern, Bishopsgate-street, for the purpose of
submitting for the approval of the proprietors a hill now
before parliament, entitled " A Bill to amend the Victoria
(London) Dock Act, 18.50," and to authorise the construc-
tion of additionsl docks and other works. Mr. J. I'. Iley-
wood in the chair. Mr. W. Smith, the secretary of the
company, teed the heads of the bill, which gave power to
increase the capital of the company from 400,0001. to
9000001., by the issue of new shares distributable pro rata,
to extend the time originally determined upon fur the
completion of the works ; to construct new works,
including additional docks and warehouses; and to lease
the line fur a period of 21 years. The bill was approved,
subject to such alterations as parliament might consider
exp. client ; and the common seal of the company was affixed
to the draft. The meeting then separated.
RELIC Or COLUMBUS.—The Espana announces
that the general autograph chart of the pilot Juan de la
Coma, the companion of Columbus in his diocovery of the
New World, has been purchased in Paris, by order of the
Spankh government, for the sum of 4.000 f. It lately be-
'w'lunged to Baron Walkenaer, whose library was sold some
eeks ego in Paris.
111.11wieli-0:1-TwEED.-11ie nomination for this
borough takes place to-day, the polling to-morrow. There
are still four candidates for the representation; but the
election, it is expected, will result in the return of Messrs.
John Forster and D. C. Marjoribaults, the two liberal
asasdidates.

FESTIVAL OF TUE SONS OF TILE CLERGY.

Yesterday, the 199th anniversary festival of this
charity errs celebrated at St. Paul's Cathedral with the
usual ceremonies. There was a fall charch service, the
chantiog ant eingieg 1,, ing pi rformed by the choirs of the
Chapel Royal, St. Paul's, and Westminster Abbey. The
sermon was preached by the Venerable Archdeacon Sinclair,
who took for his teat the 2:01t verse of the bth chapter of
the Epistle to the Therealznians, "Brethren, pray for us,"
and urged the claims of the charity in very forcible end
eloquest terms.
In the evening the anneal dinner took place at Mer-
chant Tailors Hall; the Loan Maros in the chair, who
was supported by shoot 200 clergymen and gentlemen,
among whom were the Archbishop of Canterbury, the
Bishops of London, Winchester, Bt. Aaaph, Bangor, Ripon,
Norwich, Carlisle, Salisbury, Hereford, Bt. David's, and
I.landalf, Mr. heron Parke, Lord Justice Turner, Lord
leadetork, Lord John Thyane, the Dean of Carlisle, Arch-
deacons Sinclair, Bentinek, and Lane Freer*, Canoes Spry
and Jelf, the Earl of Egmont, Viscount Sidney, Mr.
Booker, M.P., Mr. Freshfield, dc.
After grate had been sting,
The LOUD MAYON proposed, as the first toast, "Church
and Queen," which was duly honoured. His lordship then
proposed the health of his Grace the Archbishop of Can-
terbury, the president of the institution.
His Lordship, in returning thanks, gave a brief, but
comprehensive statement of the affairs of the society, and
highly eulogised the objects which were kept in view and
the manner in which its affairs were conducted. He eon.
eluded by proposing the health of the Lord Mayor, who I
returned thanks.
The SEC/M.411Y annouoced that the collection was the
largest on record. There had been received at St. Paul's
Cathedral 931. ; at the dinner, 1,3151. ; annual subscrip-
tions, 3iol.—showing an increase over the receipts at the
last festis al of 282/. The totdl receipts of the charity, in-
eluding legacies and donations, was 4,169/. lie also stated
that, neat year being the 200th anniversary of the institu-
tion, efforts would be made to celebrate it with unusual
effect.
The company then separated.