The Express.
London, England, 1847-12-27 00:00:00

Mt Court.

SUNDAY.—Her Majesty and Prince Al-
bert. the Lscliss and Gentlemen in Waiting, and the Do.
mestic Household, attended divine service yesterday, in the
private chapel of the Castle. The lion. and Rev. C. L.
Courtenay officiated. The royal dinner party yesterday in-
cluded the Duchess of Keat, Viscountess Canning, Lady in
Waiting of the Duchess of Kent, the Dowager Lady and the
Hon. Miss Lyn. Iton, Baroness de Speth, Lady A. Bruce,
Mr. G. E. and the Hon. Mrs. Anson, Col. Hon. C. B. and
Mrs. Phipps, Sir G. and Lady Conner, Gen. Wemyss, Dr.
Meyer, and Mr. Glover. Capt. the Hon. A. Gordon had the
honour of joining the royal circle after dinner. At the con-
clusion of the banquet, her Majesty and her royal and dis-
tinguished guests retired to the Green Drawing-room, where
there were tire trees, between 7 and 8 leet in height, placed
in ornamental stands ; the trees beiag in imitation of lir, and
the leaves Wilted to resemble saw. Suspended from the
branches were hundreds of elaborately ornamented baskets,
boxes, &c., for presentation as Christmas gifts by her Ma-
jesty, Prince Albert, the Duchess of Kent, and the royal
Lenity. Each sf these mimic trees was illuminated with
upwards of eighty wax lights.
The finished proof from Mr. Edwin Landseer's
picture of" The Stag at Bay," engraved by Mr. T. Land-
seer, was submitted on Thursday, by Mr. M'Lean, to her
Majesty and Prince Albert, who were graciously pleased to
express their approbation.

Hie Excellency the Duke de Broglie left the French
embassy, in Manchester-square, last evening, for Paris, in
order to be present at the opening of the French chambers, and
the debate en the aJdrus. His excellency is likely to be
detained some weeks in the French capital. Count de
Jarnac, daring the absence of his excellency, is to discharge
the diplomatic functions of the embassy, with the rank of
minister plenipotentiary, as when the Count de St. Aulaire
was absent en cony;., just prior to his final resignation as
ambassador.

DEATH OP ADMIRAL SIR GEORGE PARKER,
K.C.B.—Our obituary records the death of Admiral Sir
George Parker, K.C.8., which took place at an early hoar
on Friday morning, at his seat at Great Yarmouth, front an
attack of influenza. The gallant admiral was in the 81st
year of his age, having been born in 1767. Sir George was
second sun of Mr. George Parker, of Wexford, who was
third son of the late Admiral Christopher Parker (brother of
the celebrated Admiral Sir Peter Parker, Bart., who so
eminently distinguished himself during the American war),
by Miss Gore, a connexion of the Arran family. He entered
the navy at a very early age under his gallant uncle, Sr
Peter Parker, and served on board the Pheenix on the Ma-
labar coast, and took part at the capture of the Cannanon;
wu senior lieutenant of the Phrenix at the capture of
La Rrsolue, French frigate, and of the Crescent in
her gallant action and capture of the Reunion
in 1793, previous to which he brought to England
Admiral Cornwallis's despatches. He was then ap-
pointed to serve with the squadron under Lord Duncan
in the North Seas. In 1803, when commanding the Stately, in
company with the Nassau. he destroyed, after a running fight
of two hours, a Danish line of-battle ship of 74 guns. He
was appointed in 1808 to the command of a squadron in the'
Baltic. On his return to England he was appointed to the
Aboukir (74), which he commanded in the Walcbcren ex-
pedition. The gallant deetased had distinguished himself
in several minor engagements, and his services bad on nume-
rous occasions called forth the approbation of the naval
authorities at the Admiralty. He married in the prime of
life Miss Butt, daughter of the late Mr. Peter Butt, private
secretary to the Duke of Cumberland. In June, 1833, he
was nominated a Knight Commander of the Meet Honour-
able Order of the Bath. The date of his commission was
se follows: Lieutenant, March 13, 1782 ; Commander, Nov.
4, 1793 ; Captain. April 7, 1795 ; Rear-Admiral, June 4,
1814; Yice.Admiral, July 19; Admiral, Jan. 10. 1837; and
in Nov., 1841, attained the rank of Admiral of the Red.
Up to his recent attack of the prevailing epidemic, the de-
ceased limiest had enjoyed excellent health, so that the
melancholy event wu a severe shock to his family.

ELECTION OF THE BISHOP OF HEREFORD.
In reference to the exciting event which is to take
place in the Hereford Chapter-house to-morrow, a corre-
spondent, who dates his letter "Hereford, Friday night,"
says t
" The all-absorbing topic is the forthcoming event of Tnes•
day neat, namely, the election of Dr. Hampden. The dean
(Dr. Merewetber) having issued his manifesto of disapproval
of the appointment, it is the general opinion that a warm
discussio:i will take place. Some say the dean will absent
himself. Othen believe that the very rev. gentleman will,
albeit steut language has been uttered by him, be the very
man to carry the election, and plead his very delicate situa-
tion as excuse. Should an opposition to the Queen's rongi
d'ilire be attempted, the following will, 1 believe, be the
result: five, including Dr. Zderewether, will rots against
Dr. Hampden, so that if it were a question of number', the
election would be certain. It appears, however, that should
the dean command three supporters, the chapter must risk
the pains and penalties of a premunire. It has been asserted
that the protesting bishop. have been tampering with cer-
tain members of the chapter. If this be true, the threatened
opposition will probably be offered. The clergy of the dio-
cese of Hereford have manifested great interest in the goes
tion, and have abused one another sorely in their discussion.
The choir of the cathedral has been fitted: up for the elec-
tion."
Another correspondent writes as follows :
HEREFORD' SUNDAT.—The forthcoming election of a
bishop for this diocese, creates a moat lively interest here,
which has been materially increased during the lut few
days, in consequence of the determination of the Rev. Dr.
Merewether, the dean, to summon to the election proceed-
ings not only the canons residentiary (in whom the election
is generally vested), but also the non-resident canons and
prebendaries, most of whom have expressed their hostility to
Dr. Hampden in the most unqualified terms. The following
is a copy of the citatory letter, calling upon the canons to
attend :
Chapter. house, Hereford, Dec. 22.—T0 the Kew. You are re-
quired to attend on Tuesday next, Dec. 24,in the quire of our cathedral
church of Hereford, for the purpose of then and there proceeding to
the election of a bishop of the aid we of Hereford, the same having
theme vacant by the translation of the flight Rev. Thomas Mus-
grave, D.D., to the archbishopric of York, end at the same time and
place (eleven o'clock in the forenoon) to proceed to the whole hued-
ness of the said election, with all its I.d.thts, emergencies, and do-
pendeocies whatsoever, until the anal despatch of the Bald election,
fiad willing, we ought to proceed.
For some days past meetings of the canons residentiary

end seek et the yrebeadevile ee milt fa the immediate
aelahlmeetheed have boa held he the ponies of deeweiler
lag the anew it wadi be whiratie raleid W the 1,416-
waft eleteila voter the pewileety dotal elewaremma
Thew Niewitatime love, ler etwiew messae, beta beld
with lined Own, awl the esedwila le wltiatbat waseabie
holy bia amid °mew therefore he oeeld with an, degree
et ealberity. A renew has been very paerally circulated
that k lathe intention et Dr. klemerether is absent himself
hem the eathedrel ea the day of the ehmtlese and leave on
the Ample the ty of the eleelisa m rejection of
Dr. Rmayess.liar bewever, is totally unfounded. Dr.
lierewedher b knows te be oppOsed to the appointment of
Dr. Hampden, mid therefore there is not the slightest doubt
that he will appose in his stall on Tuesday as Our head of
the chapter, and record his vats aginst the regius professor
should it be deemed advisable by the chapter to come to a
" decision " ea the mildect. Judging from circumstances
which have already treaspired, it epees» more than probable
that no vote will be taken, but that when the congi d'elire and
the letter missivehave been read the canons will retire with-
out making anp election, thus leaving it in the hands of the
Queen to exercise her royal prerogative. The proceedings
connected with the election will take place immediately
after the first lemon of the morning service, in the open
spice in the Lady Chapel. The proceedings will be com-
menced by the dean reading the following letter missive :
To the Very Rev. the Deam and the Rev. the Chapter of the Odle-
dm! :Morels of Hereford.—Trusty and well-beloved, we greet you
welt—Whereas the bishopric, of Hereford Is at preterit void, by the
translation of the Right Rev. Father in Ood Thomas Musgrave, D.D.,
to the archblehoprie of York, late bishop there, we let you knots
that for certain onneklerations mat this peeeent moving, we of osix
princely disposition and real beam derlroue to prefer unto the same
see a perms meet thereunto, and coniddertsg the virtue, learning,
wisdom, sod other the good gifts wherewith the Rev. Rees Dickson
Hampden. D.D., Is endued, we breve been phased, by there our let-
ters, to name and recommend him unto yea, to be elected and chosen
to the said bishopric of Hereford. Whereupon we rreeqquire you, upon
the receipt thereof, to proceed to your election aeevdlag to the laws
of this our realm, and our cow Oen, herewith sent unto you, and
the same election so made to certify unto as, under your common
ant—Dived under oar sign,
The dean will then read the rouge d'aire. There can be
little doubt but that the interest in this matter will increase
as the day of election approaches. All the vacant apart-
ments in the city have bier secured, and letters from all
parts of the country, addresaed to the principal innkeepers,
have been received, requesting that accommodation may be
secured. Amongst the parties so applying are several eminent
dignitaries of the church.

LORD GEORGE BENTINCK ON THE FINALITY OP
TRa REroast BILL.—Lord G. Bentinck has made the fol-
lowing reply to • request made that he would allow his
same to be placed on the list of vice-presidents of one of the
committees established for the purpose of poocurine the
' bender of the right of representation removed from Sudbury
W the western districts of the metropolis:
blz,-1 am very sony I cannot isomer in sour views. I voted for " the
MD, the whole hill, and nothing hut the bill " Asa anal settlement,
Lvsith Lord John Russell, that " the country cannot afford to
• revolution once a year," or I would say once even in twenty
years. 1 am, therefore, for teasing the Reform Act alone, looking
open It as a measure calculated to fulfil all the rational wants of the
country for at legal half a century from the date of its enactment.
With these views, I anent agree to have my name placed on the net
of your vice-presidents.-1 have the honour to be, sir, your humble
Servant, G. Bearfetha.
SIR It. PEEL AND THE DUTIES ON FRENCH WINE.
—M. Leland., Secretary of the Free-trade Association, of
Bordeaux, states, in Naturday's Economia, that he has re-
ceived a communication from Sir R. Peel, in which that
statesman "manifests his intention of attentively consider-
ing the subject of the duties on French wine, with a view, it
is presumed, to their abolition." " There is not as English
yeoman," remarks Dr. 'fiowring, in a recent number of the
IVestnainster Review, or good shopkeeper, that ought not
to drink his pint of claret daily, it he likes it, if the com-
merce between the two countries was free."
MR. OAK ELEY.—Five individuals have come for-
ward with 1,0001. each, in order to build a chapel for Mr.
Oakeley, in New Oxford-street—Churcit and State Gazette.
TESTIMONIAL TO MR. GEORGE CRUIKSLIANK.—A
testienonal to our eminent comic artist bas been set on foot
in Liverpool, and the movement is spreading to the
metropolis.
A SHAKSPEARE FANCY BALL.—We Yarn from
the Literary Gazette that • fancy ball is contemplated,
under high and favourable auspices, to aid the Shakspeare
Fund, which is still minus. "The ball in aid of Scott's monu-
ment realised 1,2001. or 1,4001.; and when we imagine hose
brilliant such an entertainment would be inShakapenan cha-
racters and costumes, we cannot doubt, at least, a similar
result. Meanwhile we trust the contributors will not lan.
guish ; for as a national memorial for ever, there is much
desirable to be done at Stratford-upon-Avon."
MR. GEORGE JONES AND THE CITY STATUE TO
SAAKIIPZARIL—There has been a " Shakapeetre Memorial
Night" at the Leeds theatre, under the direction, as the bill
sets forth, " of the People's Central Committee of London."
Who the People's Central Committee could be, puzzled us
on first hearing of the announcement; but we were willing
to think it might be a manager's puff to fill the house for so
good a purpose. It appears, however, that • certain Mr.
George Jones was the chairman of the so-called People's
Committee—zed that the ultimate object of that committee
was to erect in London a public statue of the poet, It is
important we ohould state this—and that the London and
Stratford committees have nothing to do with a statue to
Shakspeare ; because there cannot be a übt that the two
objects have been confounded. Mr. Prichard, who gave the
theatre at Leeds for the Shekspeare Memorial Night, has
written to the London and Stratford committees expressing
his surprise that the produce of the benefit is sot included in
the list of subscription" advertised by the committees "for
the purchase of the house:" and he expresses his further
surprise that his own subscription of 101., and the produce
duo of the benefit at Hull, are not included in the same list
of subscriptions ! A statue in London is Sir Peter Laurie's
pet project; but we rather think he will decline recognising
Mr. George Jones as his travelling agent and collector.—
Atheneum.
WHOLESALE DESERTION OF WIVES AND FAMILIES.
—On Friday, the parochial authorities of St. Luke's, Chel-
sea, and St. Leonard's, Shoreditch, issued descriptions and
rewards for the apprehension of 64 men, charged with de-
serting their wives and families, leaving no fewer then 217
individuals • burthen to those parishes. The men are de.
scribed as good mechanics, and able to earn from 234. to 30e.
per week.
CARLYLE'S CROMWELL'S LETTERS.—Sig,—Can you
spare room in your columns for • few remarks on the letters
which Mr. Cathie has lately given to the world sa genuine
productions of Oliver Cromwell? My first impression on
reading them was, that they were forgeries, and the more I
examine their strange history the more I feel convinced that
they are so. As you have already noticed the principal cir-
cumstances which throw doubt on their genuineness, I will
merely adduce the internal evidence of two or three pee-
wees, which seem to me to betray a modern pen. In No.
XV. Oliver commissions a friend to buy him "a new
Naval." This article of dress was, we believe, first intro-
duced into England at the restoration. No. XXXV.,
"stand no nonsense " is modern slang. I doubt whether
such a phrase can be found in any writing of the 17th cen-
tury. Scrap 2 contains a list of men's names, and among
them I find • " Kesiah Donnell." Now Job's daughter was
called KeziaA, and this word is still in use as a woman's
christian name; but I never heard of any mare being so
named, and Puritans were, of all persons, the least likely to
fall into • mistake in matters of this kind.LJ.D.—Dce. 23.
A FRENCH CLUB has just been established in
London, for the use of the French nobility, gentry, and pro-
fessional men. Its rules are similar to those of the English
clubs, including the ballot for the admission of members.
The inauguration supper took place on Thursday at Du-
hourg's Hotel, the Marquis Bouffet de Montauban presiding.
It is to be called the " Cercle Francais."
THE JEWISH MISSION CHURCH, in Halkin-street,
Soignee-square, established in coanexien with the Church
of Scotland, for converted Jews, was opened on Christmas-
day, with the ceremonies used in the church of Scotland, in
the presence of a crowded congregation. The preliminary
!services were performed by the Rev. J. Cumming and the
Rev. H. Douglas, the Rev. .1. Tod Brown preaching the
inauguration sermon.
FIRES.—IN DRURY-LANE.—A fire broke out lent
evening, at No 2, Drury-lane, in the occupation of Mr.
Smith. A lodger, in the first floor, leR her two children, one
three years, and the other a few months' old, alone for a few
minutes, and during her absence screams were heard pro.
melting from the room where the children had been 144 t.
The door was found to be locked, and no assistance could be
readered until the arrival of the police, who broke open the
door, and found the furniture in a general blue • and in one
corner was the eldest child completely enveloped in names,
which were not extinguished until life was extinct. The
infant was saved.—Ix BISILOPSOATE4IIIIZT.—A fire brake
out, yesterday morning, on the premier a of Mr. H. Lmky,
cigar importer, No. 9, Bishopsgate-street Without. The in-
mates had a narrow nape, being rescued by one of the ma-
chines of the Society for the Protection of Life from Fite:
two of them, the shopman and a lad, in their hurry to get
into the escape, fell over the aide, but were caught in the
police jumping-sheet, which was held below. All the upper
portion of Mr. Losky's premises was destroyed, and the
adjoining houses on either side were week damaged.