The Express.
London, England, 1851-11-20 00:00:00

THE GREAT EXHIBITION.

The advent of the let of December, when the
superintendence and control of the Crystal Palace is to re-
vert to the contractors, seems to have a moat salutary effect
in stimulating the muscular capabilities of the workmen
employed in the remo'al of the goods. The exhibitors are in-
formed in bills liberally posted through the building, that
the aids heretofore so kindly provided by the commissioners
fur the purpose of expediting the dissolving process can no
longer be relied upon, as far as they are concerned; and
that those whose goods continue iu the building after that
date, must make their arrangements with the new autho•
rities. It is felt, no doubt, by the foreign exhibitors that
there would be great inconvenience and perhaps some
uncertainty in having to act under an untried government.
They have accordingly made great exertions within the last
two days, and a larger area has been cleared during that
time than on any previous occasion. The colossal cast of
the hero of the crusades was yesterday taken to pieces. Some
of the other artistic treasures in the foreign nave have been
more kindly treated, but the preparations for their exile
are quite at far advanced. The beautiful and spirited
bronze statue of Libussa, the famous sorceress and queen of
Bohemia, modelled by Schwanthalcr, has been considerately
and emblematically covered over with the purest of white.
Each day uow subtracts one or more well known work of
art from the longing vision, SO that we should not be at all
surprised if we had to record even before the let of De-
cember that not a vestige remained of this once glorious
gallery of art.

CESSATION OP MARRIAGES AT TTIE PARISH CHURCH
OP LEloll.—Most of our readers are aware that some time
ago the Vicar of Leigh instituted a number of obstacles in
the hitherto smooth course of matrimony in Leigh. He
will not marry any one who cannot say the catechism off
very well, or who has not been confirmed, or become a re-
' ohm sammanicant. The result is, that marriages have
Mina ft be solemnised at the ancient parish church.
Them difficulties in the road to matrimony have turned
dm antra to other channels. At the last meeting of the
Maid of guardians the usual returns were read over, from
which it appeared that not a single marriage had taken
place at Leigh church during the quarter (June to Sept.)—
an unparalleled circumstance in the history of Leigh. It
appears that the marriages formerly solemnised at church
are now taking place before the registrars, and at the
various dissenting chapels licensed for the purpose. Belem
the vicar's new arrangement nearly, 200 mamagea per am•
num were solemnised at the parish church. l times are
now driven away to other places. Before the new IMO*.
tration Act a still greater number were solemnised at the
parish church. At the last meeting of guardians no less
than eighteen " askings" were read before the meeting by
the superintendent registrar. So much for the successful
working of high church principles and the renewing of
church discipline.—llanchester Guardian.
TILE CANTERBURY ASSOCIATION.—Yesterday
meeting of members and friends of this association took
place at the offices, Adelphi-terrace, for the purpose of re-
ceiving information upon the subject of the settlement, and
discussing such matters relative thereto as might be brought
forward on the occasion. Mr. Selfe, one of the committee
of management, occupied the chair, and observed that they
were not in a position to communicate any particular news,but
a large packet of documents had been received, which were
now in the possession of a member of the committee, and
would be brought forward on a future occasion. In answer
to a question, the chairman said it was almost certain that
Dr. Jackson would not return to New Zealand ; but he
might observe, that no time would be lost in applying
to the ecclesiastical authorities to appoint a new
bishop, possessing those qualifications which were so much
admired in Dr. Jeckson. The chairman then read the fol-
lowing extract from a letter which had been received from
Dr. Jackson on the subject of the coleny : " I find that an
impression has gained currency at 11 ellington that I am,
un the whole, disappointed with New Zealand. The origin
of such a notion I am utterly at • loss to guess. On the
contrary, I am daily more and more convinced that our j
adopted country must become one of the most valuable de-
pendencies of the British crown. I have now travelled
some distance into the interior of this part of the country, !
in two directions ; while one cannot help being enchanted
with its MagnifiCeat scenery of woodland, mountain, har-
bour, lake, and valley, one feels at every step its inferiority
to the Canterbury plains in the agricultural and pastoral
reserves, which are so necessary to the foundation of a great
settlement. My communications with the best informed.
persona lead me to expect a similar condition of the soil in
New South Wales. I return to England with the most
thorough conviction that Canterbury must become to New
Zealand what New Zealand is to the Australasian Colonies.
I shall feel obliged if you will kindly convey these my senti-
ments to the Society of Land Purchamrs." Some conver-
sation having taken place, the business terminated.
Sr. PAUL'S COVENT GIARDEN.—A ogee of come inte-
rest to the public, and particularly to this district, has lately
been submitted to Sir Fitzroy Kelly for his opinion. It
appears that the pariah boundary is completely encircled by
that of St. Martin's-in-the-fields, and consequently there
have been presumed encroachments, perhaps accidental, on
the precincts of the former. Bedford-house and grounds,
the mansion of former Earls of Bedford ran into the Strand,
and every map of moment confirms that feet, and makes
the parish boundary mesewbere in the pathway of the
street; the question, therefore, has arisen by what =anal
the parish of St. Martin's has been able to area two or '
three houses on either side of Southampton-street, approxi-
mating the Strand. The subject was agitated by the parish
authorities in the early part of the 18th century, and so
stands reseeded in the parish book. Since that time the
subject has slumbered and would have done so still, but for
a research whisk has been made, and new matter has pro-
vided an important cue for the opinion of counsel.