The Express.
London, England, 1851-08-09 00:00:00

THE RETURN.

The mu from Paris to Boulogne was made in five
hours. The exchange of baggage here occupied]
about half au hour, and Folkestone was reached at
nine o'eock. The abominable arrangements of the
eustom-honse authorities at this place delayed the
departure of the train fully two hours. Once in
motion, the journey was admirably performed. and
the Lord Mayor alighted at the Mansion-house
Won two o'clock.

WHAT SHALL DoN E WITH THE CRYSTAL

PALACE?

To 111 R EDlTint OP TIM zxrur.44.

tors .1s a constant reader of your journal, I beg
permission to make a few remarks with respect to that
nerznitirent triumph of human ,kill and ingenuity—the
Crystal Palace. I hate felt greatly vexed that the people
should, by their comparative sikure, tacitly entourage the
idea that it must lie detturli,hrd, hit it should bectene a
charge upon the nation, and calieciay that they shoall
appear to give oar to the matt meat of the Chancellor of the
/whisper, who asserted that ;lOW. would be required
by the nation to purehase it for a winter garden, as well as
• farthes aaitaal rh 11.41, to ket, it up.
Now, I should like to know w-at is to he done with the
brae surplus that a ill ct Mindy remain to the ciiiamissiiincrs
aft. r all the expvic...s attendant un tile Exhibition are paid,
and why this should not Ito applied to the purchase and
re-modelling of the building for some useful purpose. Let
it be hit a tomb r garden, if the community so Minn it hut
where, sir, would be the difficulty, of mAkinir such a place
oaf-supporting Let it be opened as • place of healthful
recreation to the middle and lower elat-es, ut a penny or
twopence r head—say from Sur Gin the morning wail 10,
Rail from bye in the evening until ten or eleven at night;
the aristocracy, and those who are willin,t to pay for it,
laying the foil enjoyment of it fur the interve loan,
at sixpence per head, all persons being permitted to con-
tract for month.. • . there any doubt that so
vast a p 1 ,re, replete thmughout the guar with all the ens
ellantments of a nobleman's pleasure g Is and garden,
would daily attr iet its thousand. and become self-
supportintr ? Tastefully lighted with g-,4, utter business
hours at night, it would become even more attractive than
by daylight.
Another idea has al-n struck me, which has not hem
noticed, viz., the great convenience it wool I afford to the
whale commercial public of the world to have one great
central mom house tor displaying single sriceimcns of every
production of the arts 31111 seicnctv, such specimens to be
deposited therein not fur absolute sale on the spot, but
simply as samplss, trim whirl, traders may see what can
be hail, and where they ran best *only tacit wants In
such a place would he seen oomph* new and old of the beat
of everything, by evorybuoly ; an advantage which now it
La impassilac to obtain, and is only partially attainable by
travelling about Irma inanufactur, r to ma. 'acturvr, and
from one merchant to another at moat loss of time, mid in
tbe end perhaps without beina able to kiwi what is wonted.
lily opinion is that inventors, manufacturers and merchants,
would gladly pay such a trifling ',tillage rent as would be
amply sufficient to maintaiu ouch a depot.-1 ant, Sir, yours
obliged, SOLOMON SCIFOLK.

TILE CITY OF PART,: has already sent 90 foremen
and workuon to Loudon to visit the Exhibition; and about
30 Chambers of Commerce of the chief manufaeturing towns
of Fromm, awl 20 Cliambree Consultative., have acceded to
the wishes of the government, and presented list. uf first-
Tats workmen of all trades, ainsountiole collectiaely to about
110, who are also to be eent to London; to them are to be
added 12 foremen of the national manufaetories of Beau.
genie' %sees, and Gobelins, and of the professional schuole
of Chaloone. Aix, and Anger.. The (unlit required fur the
journey of these men to London and back have hen raised
partly by soloseriiitioto. and partly by municipal subsidies,
not forgetting the .10,0011 fr. granted for the purpose by the
state. In addition to Porta, several large towns hare al-
ready wut off workmen. Lyons, for example, has scot
Si. Etienne, .koniene. and Limoges, from ti to 8 each ;
next Mallow Rheims, Roubaix, St. Quentin, Tureoing,
Se-
date, Louvien, Nancy, Strasbourg, Nimes, Avig-
non, Tou'ouno, Thiere, Gray, Orleans, Name., &c.
&WU VA I. OF INIII.tB WITII ARTICLEs
non rue GUT SI lIINITIOV. —A party of four Indian
chiefs have arrived in the metropolis ries Liverpool by the
of amer Africa, from New York. They have brought with
them several pat:kat:es, sontainirog articles worked by them-
selves .11111 tit it t tmilirs, whleli it &poen:. are intended for
the Great Kehillitim of the Work, of Industry of All
Nations in Hyde Turk, when arrangements arc made fur
their reception into the Exhibition for the desired purpose.
Ottaltteself AND TUE GREAT EAIIIIIITION—The
Guernsey Nor ',take that since the e'rystal Palace has
been opened nearly 3,000 penbunx from Guernsey have vi-
site .l it already. At a moderate computation the Star esti-
mates that they have spent nearly 11,0001. in England.
The population of Guernsey is 25,000.
A MANI.V7 AT TIIE INITIBITION.—AbOnt 0 p.m.
on Tuesday the visitors of the Crystal Palace were alarmed at
Cu extraordinary conduct of a respectably dressed man,
who, brandishing a sickle that lie had ss toed, threateucel
some 'mimeo assault on a gentleman near him, and, hut for
the immediate assistance of a policeman, would have jumped
from the gallery. lie made a desperate resistance, and
was so powerful as to he with difficulty restrained and TO-
M-Wed into the court adjoining—the superintendent'. office.
A board having been carried about, intimating that a medi-
al man was wanted in the south transept. Dr. Hatleley, of
Chelmsford, who happened to he there with his family,
stepped forward, rind was conducted to the patient, and at
once pronounced that he was suffering from a violent
paroxyism of mania, and required to be carefully watched,
and restrained from doing any injury to himself' or others.
On searching him four sovereigns and a half, with some
silver and pence, were found on him, and a small memoran-
dum book, but as it contained nothing that indicated his
name or address, Dr. Itadeley advised that he should be re-
moved under a proper escort to St. George's Hospital. which
was done accordingly, hut where, on visiting him at 7 o'clock
Dr. Badeley found him still very violent, and narrowly es-
caped having his front teeth knocked out by him ; indeed,
so strong was hr that it was with difficulty five or six polire•
men could control his struggles. Ile appeared, from his
memoranda, to have been recently admitted into the com-
pany of Foresters, and he ejaculated " The Foresters for
ever" in the gallery when he was taken.
INTERN ECONOMT OF TUE EXIIIDITION.—The
number of person.; that are daily in attendance in the body
of the building, augrnyntinpt.the stream of its contents, is
-.ono considerable. - - - •

. ,
iwiiiii7iiisiiiie--- ' -- ii«ieiii- -
more «,...._ ____..,, , public Id are - ISay and Night ..__ Day go by
To the endless tune of these.
aware. In addition to the legular police force and the sap-
pers and miners, there are upwards of three hundred per- Or when, as winds and waters keep
eons in the pay of the essussionen, and 2,000 exhibitors A hush more dead than any sleep,
and exhibitor 'a assistants in daily attendance. With such a Still morns to stiller evenings creep,
multitude of people engaged in the interior, and the infinite And Day and Night and Day go by;
variety of risks which may arise from carelessness and a Here the silence is most deep. ROYAL YACHT SaII:ADRON.—The present season
thousand other causes, the reader may be curious to learn bids fair to outvie all previous attractions since the forma-
The chapel-ruins, lamed again lion of the Royal Yacht Club. At the yams of all the
what precautions are taken to provide against accidents.
Into Nature's wide domain,
Like eminent builders on the south-western coast the fittings
everything else connected with this great work, they Sow themselves with seed and grain
are extremely simple. In the first place, every exhibitor and refitting, of the yachts of the Royal Squadron (more
As Day and Night and Day go by;
is left to take rare of his own goods in the best way especially induced by the expected amval of the America
And hoard June', sun and April's rain.
he can ; which, undoubtedly, affords the best guarantee schooner yacht as a competitor for the championship of the
for the general security. The most complete pram- Here fresh funeral tears were shed; world) afford extensive and highly beneficial employment
tics against fire is organised all over the interior, eon- And now, the graves are also dead ; both to mechanics and blue jackets. The champion yacht
simile of sixteen hydrants, several fire-engines, and a And suckers from the ash-tree spread, Alarm has returned to her moorings here, after a short
Imp_ supply of fire:buckets and iron reservoirs, all of While Day and Night and Day go by ; cruise as a yawl, to alter her rig to a cutter, with a new
wMils can be brought into play at a few unseats' notice. And stars move calmly overhead. mainsail by Eversfield, of Gravesend, and a new bowsprit,
The West the neessary labours are over (sad as little as from a smr that has been obtained from Portsmouth Dock-
Now, the simplicity and completeness of this poem yard. The honour of accepting the American challenge
pea& is done after dark), all lights are pat ant, and the
rawstion of dto hoadin A, she ow, ~,,,,,,, to ti are, if we don't much err, very noticeable. It is so devolves on Mr. Joseph Weld, of Lulworth Castle, in right
pillungesn, twenty-four maps swd wawa end Mn firemen, natural and perfect that it seems as if everybody of his championship of the Royal Yacht Squadron. Di,
champion yacht, the Alarm, is is
tons old messurement.
who**, upon the m,n But law is Mt extensive could have written it, if they had once seen that
The newspaper reports of the dipper whooner America
arealregt is repair, &duds awl eillowd I Xs systematic chapel ! Yet, alas, reviewers knew only too well state her tonnage to be 164 toss and it is expected that
t equilly eine* and efeelim. bean, from what the general run of "bards" would have made the grand mete of the season will be a contest for 5,000
ilguerliller morning till ter
_ere
fendiestsdlo them purposes, of • ,
it . And the music has a fan in it which is de- dollan, or I,OOW. starling, between these vessels. The
mad lare found amply fient. be=ga, the only
instance on record of a great public wide& hes litiatful to the ear: the proper music of the place. America will have an opportunity afforded for trying her
rate of sailing in the race of yachts of all nations, to take place
roctived troops of visite= the a period of them swaths .. y and night and day go by"—yes, to genuine
i4Vii,ej:lL,or Wight Regatta
o during the ensuing month.
without having been closed up for a Oagb day to he re- sphere moms ; and so beautiful mit that the solemn
paired or refreshed. This latibitien is indaparlent of awed sadness of the place is lightened delightfully
and
.7.. Pre nary !Ile grand match with the Alarm,
d to increase the interest so generally felt on
such necessities, for which it is pertirduashoderhesi Isles Mem-
I, is, gm and iby the recurrence of the simple words, and the per- the coast 101 to the rates of sailing of all the first-class sailing
turf, being a self-acting duster and
manent effect is not sorrowful. We call this a good yachts.—Nampuiirelnd.7oulent.
toot—Fl Maga:int.

wit admire the spectacle of a great man lending
wonderful energies to a cast and noble work, should
raid this " Life of Gacazzi."

FINE ARTS.

TILE MILANESE SCULPTURE AT TILE
EXHIBITION.

The Milanese sculptures;;Unt to upwards of
halt a hundred specimens, the most part evincing
the efforts of a talented school, with no slight alloy
of a purely decorative value. Many have relied on
one statue to establish their fame ; others, more nu.
merous, have made up tbr means by number. Beyond
those muelt-belauded groups known as the " veiled
statues," the single figure of Ishmael by Struimu, and
a few others, it would be difficult to deter-
mine whether the remainder more properly
belong, strictly speaking, to high art or decora-
tive manufacture. Those who have ventured
into this over-crowded compartment on the first days

execution of such a task. The manner in which this,
has been accomplished reflects great eredit on the spirit
and skill of those who at once foresaw its importance,
and successfully osercame its obstacles. The illus- ,
trated catalogue is separately paged, so as to be
easily detached front the Art-Anneal, and may sub-,
sequentiv be bound in one volume.
The de.signs are accompanied by essays on the
" Science of the Exhibition," by Mr. Robert Hunt; ,
on the " Vegetable world," by Professor Forbes. :
These are to be followed by an essay from Professor ;
Gordon, on the Machinery of the Exhibition.'
The last number, that of August, contains the " liar-
muny of colours," as exemplified in the different de- ,
partments of the Exhibition, with less immediate
reference to the decorations of the Crystal Palace, l
than to the general taste evinced by individuaC
arrangements. This analysis was as difficult to carry I
'out as its results were obvious. It is needless
to add that Mrs. Merrifield has performed the I
'somewhat invidious task gracefully, and with all
• the discrimination which might have been expected
by those who have perused her works. We can
only take one exception to the essay, which is the
implicit reliance placed in the work of Chevreul. I
Ills book, which had long lain unread, has in a 1
mysterious manner been taken up of late, and consi- '
dered an oracle on topics of harmony of colours.
That his experience at the Gobelins manufactory is
of some value cannot be denied ; hut it is question-
able
whether the laws of contrast which apply to !
woven fabrics must in consequence hold good I
throughout every branch of decorative art; his 1
theory as well ns his diagrams are somewhat faded.
T I
The wood engravings which have been produced
by Messrs. Datziel, Nicholls, and other eminent en-
gravers, are printed by hand. They are neatly de-
signed, graceful in contour, and not over•labourisl in I
execution. They principally serve to bring out into i
bolder relief the merits of the originals, though in
rarer instances makin,,,, one alive to errors which arc
often unperceived in the originals. There has been no
further partiality shown to one nation over the other
than that warranted by superiority of manufacture.
England, France, Germany, and Belgium scam to I
reign paramount; and as the works of each are brought
under review, one finds the salient and prevalent
tastes of each nation very pleasantly contrasted.
In all are to be found a most striking feature,''
namely, the adoption of more natural and truthful
designs. It is as evident that festoons, fruits, and
flowers, are in the ascendant, as that allegorical and
classical patterns are at a discount. Cupids, too,
are at a premium, and seem sooner or later destined
to become as permanent features in tuniiture as they
were formerly in Watteau's pictures. In some do%
partments of decorative art—wool carving. for
example—there is evidently no slight leaning to re-
vive former lost style. (Inc might almost fancy
thinling Gilibons had carved some of the poultry-
pieces and fruit-scenes admitted into the present

of the week, can with difficulty form an accurate es-
timate of the value of the worts. A fairer opportu-
nity was afforded on Saturday, and as the prizes
are, it is said, already awarded in the tine arts
section, we have no longer any hesitation in disbar-
awning our minds and consciences. The Milanese
sculptors have evidently clung with marked rever-
ence to the methods of Canova, his manifest pre-
ference fur feminine form to the masculine ; the
latter being a trifle less easily mastered. As was
foreseen in Canova's lifetime, the delicate charm of
his chisel has blinded his followers to the dangerous
njection of the neuters of antiquity, and to the dis-
advantages accruing from an uncompromising adop-
tion of nature as the sole guide of the sculptor.
Thus, while one pardoned the introduction of curls
and ringlets to such a man as Canova, the same for-
bearance cannot be expected towards ;hose who lack
his genius. In the " Veiled Vestal" of Itathel
Monti, and all veiled effigies whatever, can only be
recognised either an unpardonable ignorance of the
first laws of sculpture, or a still more reprehensible
desire to substitute fashion and novelty to the avowed
purposes of sculpture. If the accurate delineation be
commendable in marble, why not has o bonnet,
boots and shoes, and all other aceompaniments ?
None need despir—evidently that is what the Mi-
Linea° are fast coining to; not to mention the yard of
ribbon encircling the waist of the " Veiled Vestal ;"
the group next to it may be pointed out as a triumph
of the new style, the " First Steps," by P. Magni.
Every one must allow this composition to be a pretty
little picture of Italian motherhood ; but a picture it
is, and nothing more. It is a faithful portrait of the
well-known and much-admired " Chiaruceia ;" every
one that attends exhibitions is perfectly acquainted
with even- fuld of her Roman dress. That fact
alone speaks volumes; when viewing the statue one
thinks of the picture~ that have gone Mitre, and how
admirably the texture of the dress, the details of the
lave, how the complexion even was rendered. The
marble is not a substance that will lend itself to these
tricks in which lie the secret power of the painter.
Perhaps the only part of the " Veiled Vestal" that
can he viewed with entire satisfaction are the hands,
which are modelled with exquisite finesse; one is
provoked that the head whtch directs the hands
to feed the flame they hold should be hidden
from view ; no one can conjecture what that head
might have been, had it received proper attention.
The other works by the same hand scarcely afford
the means of solving the mystery. His portraits of
"Sisters," represented in the act of fishing, are sue
ecasful in every part, with the unfortunate excep-
tion of the countenances, which are as feeble in
design as they are timid in execution. It would
be unfair to argue front this that the ar-
tist, in his " Veiled Vestal," preferred to solve
the '.lculty of representing transparent muslin
in marble to the more palpable obstacles to be
surmounted in giving the inspired expression of the
Roman vestal. lie that as it may, the artist has had
the merit of carrying his crotchet, getting a surpris-
ing look of reality at the expense of that which
might have been looked fur in a work of loftier aim
—u more useful and more graceful disposition of the
folds. Signor Demoedto Gandolti has exhibited
group, of which the principal figure is veiled. It is
entitled " The Bashful Beggar," a subjoc,. if we mis-
take not, founded on a historical episode of the
Vendeatt wars, in which a once wealthy Royal-
ist mother is driven, a sickly and help-
less widow, on the Dover coast. The children
Allaying at her feet, uncial's( us of misfortune, are
as damningly finished as their disconsolate parent
is the reverie. The sculptor has placed not only the
head, bat the hand also under a linen covering. Its
effect is that of a clay figure, with the garb of moist
cloth over it, so familiar to those who frequent the
sculptor's studio.
It would not be difficult to point out the utter heresy
of this novel practice, which is sanctioned neither by
precedent nor common sense. As every one knows
the old masters invariably eschewed the delineation
in sculpture of all that is transient, and avoided re-
presenting features, which tend to perplex the specta-
tor as to the possibility of their stability. The statue
of " Eve after the Fall," also here, is the object of in-
tense admiration, until the minute combining of the
hair is discovered; the fallen fruit has also evidently
been entrusted to an assistant chisel.
It is with pleasure that the " Ishmael," by
Strazza, is timid free limn any sign of these affecta-
tions. It was formerly, we believe, the custom of
the Milanese government to send a few young stu-
dents, on a moderate stipend, to study ut Rome:
this figure was produced there souse five or six years
since by Strazza, and sent as a specimen of his abili-
ties. With the exception of the " Boy extracting
Hai thorn from his foot." in the capitol, we know of
no statue in which undefined forms of boyhood have
been so skilfully seized. The expression of the face,
and the anatomy of the limbs, stamp this production
as a masterpiece. " Susanna at the Bath," by A.
Galli, is pleasing and natural ; the difficult passage
of the neck and shoulders might with advantage be
refined.
A classical bust of the poet Monti attracts notice,
both by its size and its truthful characteristics of the
man who sang the downfall of Louis XVI. A sort
of covert pride seems to lurk in his countenance, as
he contemplates the works around him.
Amongst the minor works previously alluded to
are a host of diminutive infants in cradles, and
cupids nestling bird-fashion. Heathen mythology,
poetry and romance have alike been tasked by the
sculptor, especially in those passages in wh ieh sentiment
is the uppermost feeling. The theme of osculation has
been varied almost ad rummeata—a theme be it said
rendered ever unapproachable by the antique group of
('upid and I'syehc. Neither the maudlin Atala and
Chuctas embrace, nor the rugged clasp of Syrinx by
Pan can interest anyone uow.a-days. Such feeble
sources of inspiration make one rather lament that
the name of " Austria" which hangs suspended over
the entrance doorway should not be a promising
guarantee of a healthier future for Milanese art. But
any thought of any improvement being promoted
from that quarter is at once silenced by the speci-
mens of casts forwarded from Viennese, which flank
the doorway on both sides. Neither the figure of
Itadeuki on the left, nor the candelabrum on the
right, are symptomatic of a sound or tasteful school.
Neither of these fulfil the twofold qualities of metallic
art, which combine the ornamental with the endur-
able. False and tasteless in design, the rough grain
of the metal casting seems fitted to shelter rain and
corrosion.

THE ART-JOURNAL ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE.

to get at the roots. Proceed determinedly with the
destruction of mildew or en 7 other pest upon your trees, iur
which purpose we find Lpps's milplturutor exceedingly
useful.

KITCHEN OARI)TtN.

....
If our advice relative to the making of new strawberry-
bell+ very early in the season has been attend s] to, a portion
of the old tows may be destroyed. Such grr.und, having
been several years almost undisturbed, should be deeply
trenched, dinged according to it. requirements, sad planted
or sown with some useful winter or spring crop. Tripoli
. onions tor future transplanting should now be sown, and
endive for a late crop. Continue to make successional
sowings of Cos lettuce, and make the first sowing of Ham-
mersmith cabbage lettuce to transplant into warns lxirtlers
for late autumn use. The last sowing of early stone and
,s bite globe turnips should be made this week. A. con-
' siderable share of intention should now be directed towards
securing an adequate supply of a dads and other small
matters for winter use. Encourage the growth of the
chicory already planted, by hoeing and loosening the soil.
The liner the roots, the greater the produce of the leaves
when forced in spring.

TI[E LONDON AND NORTH-WESTERN

RAILWAY.

lIALF-YEAULY STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS.
The half-yearly statement of accounts has been

It appears from the "statement of the joint-stock capital"
that the total joint-stock capital upon which dividend is
payable is 22,467,281/. Of this amount 16,000,1961.
is entitled to full dividend; 1,295,3101. (6,476 London
and Birmingham 20/. shares, on which 121. have
been paid) to full dividend, less 3 per cent. on amount
not called • 692,120/. (09,212 Manchester and Birming-
ham C 101. shares on which ,1/. has been paid) also
entitled to full dividend, less 5 per cent. en amount
not called; 4,209,6251. (168.385 London and North-Wes-
tern 25/. shares on which 17/. have been paid) entitled to
4 per rent. upon :omelet called until July, 1812, after which
time full dividend • and 270,000'. (20,000 Coventry and
Nuneaton 131. 104. ;harem, on which 101. have been paid)
entitled to 5 per cent. on the amount called awl half-surplus
profits beyond that rate.
'rho general statement of the capital account to the 30th
of June shows that 29,291,8141. had been expended, of
which 22,198.0171. had lawn expended on the main line and
branches, 2,097,5391. on carrying atonc, 251,1183/. on lands
and buildings yielding rent, 4,105,5141. on lines open in
which the company have an interest, mid 1W11,6901. on linen
nut completed in which the campany have an interest. The
receipts amounted to 29,105,1761., including 19,276,1561. ee-
-1 esived on stock and shares, 194,4191. calls paid in advance,
and 9,011,1111. by loans on debentures, leas ing a balance
iveiinst the company of 186,6381. The amount received on
capital account during the half-year was 187,43.1/.. and ex-
pended 211,1131., of which 121,636/. was on the mama line and
branches, and 71,356/. on carrying stack, 18,11161/. on lines
not completed in which the company have an interest, and
53,712/. on linen open in which the company have an in-
terest- The debenture account shows that 3,139,0211. is
borrowed at 5 per cent., 317,900'. at -11 per c. it., 1,824,9901.
at 4 per cent., 116,100/. at n per cent. ; 1,111,550/. at 31 per
' cent., and 95,7011/. et 3 per cent. ; together, 9,631,i61/.
During the half-year, 1,8.5i,5751. was paid off or trans-
ferred ; of which, 1,218,575/. seas form'rly bor-
rowed ut 5 per colt. The amount borrowed or
renewed was 1,927,7051., of which 1,010,1)80/. was
borrowed at 4 per cent. ; 111,400/. at 31 per cent. ; and
147,225/. at 31 per cent. Of the sum sraised on debentures,
4,871,3801, was for the main line and brunches; and
4,760,17 for lines opened and lines not completed in which
the company have an interest. It is stet. .l that interest or
dividend un the whole of the 29,291,611/. expended is charged
to revenue. The number of miles of railway worked by the
company is 8631, and the enrage cost of working stock is
stets dto lie 2,130/. per mile. The mileage worked out the
30th of June, 1850, was 7911. On the 31st of December,
1650, 371 wiles addition thereto, were worked, viz. :—Buck-
inghainsiiire, 18' ; Coventry and Nuneaton, 10; and East
and Weat India Dock line, 91 miles. On ths• 31 of June,
, 1851, 311 miles were added to the mileage, vie.:—Bucking-
hamshire. 21 ' • Rugby and Stamford, 131 ; and Rugby and
Leamington, 15 miles; making together at the latter date
8631 miles worked by the company.
The return of working stock shows that it ennsiated of
563 engines, .562 tenders, 1 state carriage, .151 first-class,
mail, and composite carriages, .1149 becond-claas, 315 third-
class, 21 travelling post-offices and tenders, 259 horse-boxes,
21:1 carriage-trucks, 208 plan& break and parcel vans, 41
parcel carts and trucks, 8,052 wugguns, 203 sheep-vans, 14
trucks, 1,111 crib-rails, 5,150 sheets, and 162 horses. The
increase in the number of engine-, during the half-year was
10. in the tenders 9, in the first-claw, mail, and compalite
carriages 61, in the second-class carriages toO, in the third-
class 3' in the waggons 667, and in the sheep-vans 71. Tho
cost of additions to the working stuck was, in the half-year
ending the 31st of December, 1850, 36,28.1'., and for the
half-year ending the 30th of June last, 100,6571.: together,
136,913'. ; of which 41,1811. was debited to revenue. On
the estimates sanctioned by the proprietors on the 22nd of
February, 18111, for the completion of the main line,
brioches, &c., amounting to 1,170,11351., the sum of
1,132,031/. hail been expended, leaving 469,728/. unex-
pended; on the estimates sanctioned on the 10th of .august,
1850, for waggons and shed., amounting to 95,000!.,
911,035/. had been expended, leaving 5,218/. unexpended.
01 the estimated assets, amounting to 510,1251. for surplus
land and advaitess repayable toy other companies, 160,7811.
had been realised, leaving 389,3101. to be realised.

Catalogue.
As it would be impossible to enumerate even a
tithe of the contents of the Illustrated Catalogue,
we shall briefly enumerate a few of the contents of
the number fur August.
The first portion is devoted to the Exhibition
essays, printed in close type ; the remaining portion
consisting of upwards of fifty pages of designs with
explanatory text. Tfle poreelam of SCvres is nume-
rously exemplified by vases, lamps, tazzas, cup, and j
baptismal fonts, alike novel, severe, and tasteful ;
their general composition is as correct as their detail
is to the purpose. Both the classical and the cirque-
eento seem to have made way for what may not in-
aptly be called the early Christian style. This may
be iteeminted a novel trait in the ever fluctuating
fashion in porcelain manufacture.
Messrs. Poussielgueltusand, ecclesiastical orna-
ment manufacturers, show how far they can compete
with Mr. l'ugin, with their salvers, chalices, mon-
stranees, and ewers; there is little, however, here
that will eclipse those lodged in the Waimea Hall.
The glass-works of Apslcy Pellatt, and the suite
of furniture by Leistler, occupy the next pages, the
first as bright as the latter are gloomy; both effects
well rendered in the drawings. The porcelain of
Ihesden having been previously noticed, that of
Copenhagen is brought into view. Then, again,
British glass manufactures, statuary, filagree,
Beauvais-ware, cloth•patterns, clucks, carpets, and
casts, razors, and 'pistols.
Already people are looking dimly forward to the
time, not far distant, when all the contents of the
I Crystal Palace will be dispersed, and possibly the
whole may melt away from the sight like vast dis-
solving views; it is satisfactory to reflect that the
appearance of the most valuable objects will remain
lung after the reality has disappeared.

The revenue account for the half-year ending the 30th of
June shows that 1,234,3581. had been received, of which
723,862/. was for passenger traffic, and 453,317/. for mer-
chandise, coal, and live stock. The expenditure amounted
'to 463,397/., including 21,591/. Mr rates and taxes, and
24,0821. fur duty on passenger-traffic, leavity, a balance of
772,961 t, out of which 210,9261. is thslucteefor interest on
loans, 1,196/. chief rents, 2,000/. expense, of Peterbomugh
station ; 6,601. loss on North Colon guarantee; 1,1001. loss
on Preston and Wyre guarantee; 13,339/. un Shropshire
iency, and 10,910. estiumt.l dividend to the
Stour Valley proprietors; leaving a balance of 520,0931.
From this sum is deducted 14,992/. for renewal of rails,
works, and stock, leaving 5111,101/. Ti this sum is added
131,2911., the balance front the last account, making to-
gether a disposable balance of 412,3921., out of which it is
proposed to deduct 528,3151. for dividend, leaving 111,0771.
to be carried to the next account. The dividend on the con-
solidated stock of the company, at the rate of 3'. per cent.
per annum, will amount to 101,1051., and the dividends on
theother shares will amount to 119,101.

GARDENING OPERATIONS FOR TILE

ENSUINU WEEK.

Prom the Gardener's Chronicle.
1.1.A.NT DEPARTMI:ST.
As in spring, a progressise increase of heat Kul moisture
to keep pace with the advancing season, was the course
punned, to now an opposite or retrogressive one must be
adopted. The healthy state of the plants during their
winter or season of rest, depends very =eh on their
management during the autumn. They must be gradually
hardened by exposing them to an increased circulation of
air, and a lower temperature, admitting all the light possi-
ble. We have frequently urged the necessity of thoroughly
watering plants when they need it, in preference to giving
a little and often, according to the too common practice.
Let it be the rule then only to give water when it is re-
quired, and then to give plenty. These remarks apply more
particularly to hard wooded plants, which, to ripen their
growth, require a longer season than those of a more her-
baceous character, which will continue to grow and flower
some time longer. Remember the value of liquid manure
for pants which are flowering freely, and others which it
is desirable to invigorate to the utmost. We have scarcely
a more beao•iful or more elegant plant for conservatory
decoration in April and May than the Schizalithus ; for this
purpose the seeds should now be sown, and at the same time
the diWerent species of Lisianthus for next autumn's
and Neapolitan and tree violets should now be lifted,
potted in 4or 5-inch pots for winter flowering. As
this is a flower which everybody loves, nothing can be more
acceptable at that comparatively flowerless season.

The following is the r•port of the auditors to the proprie-
tors of the London and North Wrstern Railway Company :
" In presenting to the proprietors their half-yearly re-
port the auditors have to state that the accounts have un-
dergone a very searching examination on the part of Mr.
' Coleman, who has maintained a continuous audit, entirely
distinct from that carried on by the officers of the company.
The debenture account shows an increase of 70,00/1.; this
is, however, explained by the fact, that while during the
last six months no call has been made, the expenditure upon
capital account has been upwards of 240,000/. A favourable
change in the rate of the interest will also be observed ; this
in some measure may be attributed to the existence of tho
reserve fund, which strengthens the position of the company,
and enables the directors to negotiate for the renewal of the
debentures on the most advantageous terms. The auditors
wish to explain, that although there does not appear upon the
face of the accounts to be any interest accruing upon the sum
forming the reserve fund; yet, by the active employment of
the money, the amount of debentures is Nero Goole diminished,
and a corresponding reduction in the revenue account,
under the head of interest on 103111 L is consequently effected.
It will be seen that revenue account is only charged with
the loss on the Shropshire Union liability, up to the 31st
December last, as the result of the past half-year cannot yet
be ascertained ; the auditors are, however, satisfied that this
liability is fully met by the dividend due to the company on
the Chester and Holyhead preference shares, which in the
accounts is only credited up to the Myth June, Iftso. The
determination of the proprietors to close the capital account,
and to provide out of revenue the additional works and
stock required to most the constantly enlarging business of
the company, has increased the charge on the works, stock,
and estate account to 68,5581., one-tenth part of which, it
will be observed, has been debited to the revenue account
of the pant halfyear. By this arrangement the actual
value of the stock of the company is becoming yearly
enhanced at the cost of revenue.
Auditors.
ABEL PEYTON.
lIENEV CSOEFIELD,
Euston Station, 7th August, 1851.

- -
FORUM/ DEPARTMENT.
Peach-houses: As soon as the crop is entirely removed,
any of the trues which exhibit too gross a tendency in their
tops should be partially root-pruned, by forking down, at a
safe distance of from two to three feet, according to the age
of the tree, and shortening some of the strongest roots. Any
tree which is very gross should be carefully undermined, to
ascertain if airy roots have descended into the subsoil. If
such is found to be the ease, they should of course be cut
away; and, to prevent a recurrence of the same,the tree
should be lifted out entirely, and the bottom of he border
made impervious, by MCAlis of concrete. The trees should
be frequently examined, to prevent the establishment of
scale, red spider, or other insects. Melons: Keep up a good
bottom-heat, or shanking and canket will be a natural con-
sequence. We aro very careful that the proper temperature
is maintained, and by this means disease is prevented
amongst the latest crops. Keep the plants sufficiently thin
to allow the air to circulate freely amongst the leaves, end '1
to act upon the surface of the sod. Thin the weak shoots,
and let all the fruits be properly supported upon some hard
dry substance, as a tile or smooth piece of board.
FLOWER ()ARDEN AND tiRRVIDIERIEd.

. -......-
The roots of the iris, narcissus, Mlles, and other spring _ _ . .
flowering bulbs, with few exceptions, succeed best if not taken
up too often; and except for the purpose ofdivitling them to ROYAL ASSENT TO RAILW Btt.t.'.—Thc royal
increase the stock, or to plant them in a new situation, they assent has been reported to the following hills :--Shrewsbury
had better remain undisturbed. When any are taken up and Chester Railway, Caledonian ltaileuy (Glasgow, Gam.
for the above purposes, they should be replanted again as soon kirk and Coatbridge, l'olloc and Guyon, &c., amendment
as possible, that they may firmly establish themselves be- and continuation), Waterford and Kilkenny, St. Andrews
fore winter, as they remain a very short time in a dormant and Quebec Railway, Companies of Railways Act Repeal
state, before they begin to form new roots. These are all Bill.
deep-rooting plants, and require that the beds should be
deeply trenched. The manure should be placed in the ESSEX PROVIDENT SOCIETY.—On Thursday', a
bottom of the trench to encourage the downward progress meeting of the executive committee of the Essex Provident
of the roots, and thereby render them more independent of Society was held at the clerk's office, Duke-street, Chelms.
the watering-pot during the scorching months of June and ford, for the purpose of carrying out the rules passed at the
July. The tiger-lily is very ornamental at this season ;it general inviting held at Braintree on the 26th of July last.
is very showy, when planted in straight lines, or amongst George. Wood, Esq. in the chair. Thu meeting, which
the promiscuous masses of large clumps. In the aid's of lasted two hours, was principally occupied in discussing the
the leaves, if the plants are now examined, small bulbs will legality or illegality of the rules passed at the late general
be found, which should be carefully collected and planted, meeting, which having been adjourned, it was contended
about an inch asunder, in boxes of light soil. Many an- the rules could not be carried out. Messrs. Choat, Wilson,
muds and perennials have now ripened their seed, which Young, Martin, flu gas, Stokes, anentding took part in
should be gathered immediately in fine dry weather, and the proceedings, and it as subsntly thought desirable
spread out in a cool airy shed. that the case should be submitted to the consideration of
HARDY rattli OARDILN. Mr. Tidd Pratt. Mr. Martin prsposed, and Mr. Stokes
Let the young and advancing shoots of peach and nee- seconded, " That the chairman be requested to write out
tarine trees be regularly laid in every ten days or a fort- the state of the case in which they were now supposed to
night, taking care not to crowd the foliage, and leaving be, and that the clerk be instructed to apply to the chair-
a space between the shoots, that the rays of the sun may man of the general meeting for their minutes on the rules
reach some portion of the wall. It is impossible that the passed at such meeting." The meeting was then adjourned
fruit buds ran be strong and capable of resisting early spring until Friday, August 22.—ChelmsforeleAronicle.
frosts, when light and air are excluded from them during THE PEOPLE'S CARRIAGE.—We lately noticed an
the summer and autumn. The shoots of pears, plums, and omnibus, equal to its name, which has begun to run
cherries, should now be regulated and neatly tied in, both between Glasgow and Paisley with fifty-six passengers—
for the sake of the wood ripening better by contact with first, second, and third class. With a handy vehicle of this
the wall, and to let the present crop have the benefit of free calibre, combined with the penny system at Liverpool, to
exposure to light, without which it must be deficient in enjoy the advantages of which it appears there is now a
flavour. Standard fruit-trees and those on trelenes must complete scramble, we would have something like a people's
also be gone over, the useless wood shortened, and that ; carriage for suburban traffic whereby the pent-op working
required for extending the trees sad filling up empty spaces classes of this great metropolis might daily have a mouthful
fled neatly in. Fruit trees having no crop upon them may of fresh air in the country for twopence. As for the town
still be root pruned; and if the soil around them is very traffic, with less lumhenome carriates, the experiment at
dry it should be well watered, first to prevent check to Liverpool is certain, as the local Times remarks, to lead le
the tree, and facilitate the operation of opening the trench the extension of the clusapaYstent•—Th. Listsfd r.

The Art-Journal has more than doubled its habi-
tual size, ever since the opening day of the Paxto.
nian Palace, by its monthly instalments of the illus-
trated catalogue. This catalogue is to be completed
in six parts, four of which are already before the
public. Objects great and small have been engraved
on a common scale; a method, however conducive to
uniformity, perhaps not quite fair to subjects of large,
dimensions. This slight discrepancy is, however,
amply compensated for by the careful and accurate
designs of minor treasures, by the unlimited variety
of the designs, and the judicious selection of the
most striking features contained in the Crystal
Palace.

-
So unprecedented has been the amount of illus-
tration devoted to the external and internal views
of tho Exhibition, that one cannot but be thankful
to the journal which rigorously confines itself to
giving pictures of its several contents and its pages
to all the arts by turns. The range is sufficiently
inviting and extensive, whether one looks at the
silver-work, the wood-carving, the glass-staining,
metal-casting, book-binding, porcelain painting, or
tapestry embellishing. In &ct, the great difficulty
must have lain just as much in selection as in the