The Express.
London, England, 1862-11-05 00:00:00

POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION.

In au age of revolutions it is not surprising to
find the Polytechnic following the example of more el.
tended realms, and introducing an " entire change of kc.
taros and entertainments" for the long winter evenings.

Happily, however, Mr. Pepper, who presides over the
Polytechnic domain with so much judgment and ability,
has effected his revolution not only without the least dn.
turbance, but his subjects—the numerous visitors of the
institution—will bail with satisfaction the new order of
things. In the first place, with • view of responding to
the strong current in favour of musical entertainments,
an engagement has been made with the London Vocal
Quiritett Union, which was established last June
for the performance of operatic selections, classical
and modern concerted music, part songs, g,
During their engagement at the Polytechnic the Quintett
Union will especially devote themselves to the performance
of new part music. Miss Rose Hersee, Miss Leffler, Mr,
Carter. Mr. Osborne Williams, and Mr. De Fontainer are
the artiste engaged to carry out this portion of the new
programme, which, judging from the manner of its reception
on the Last two nights, is likely to be very popular. la the
next portion of the evening's entertainment, the visitors are
invited to view the " Seven Ages of a Great City," illus.
tasted by dissolving views and diorsmic effects. Mr.
G. A. Cooper presides over this department of the
institution, and is quite successful in entertaining he
audience. Herr Winkler, as an exhibitor of power in
mental calculation, and Master Hamilton, as
an exponent of Scottish song, afford very
acceptable additions of surprise and pleasure ; and after
some interesting experiments by Mr. J. L. King, illus.
tasting "submarine warfare" on the large tank of the in.
stitution, Mr. Pepper himself delivers one of those lectures
so familiar to Polytechnic visitors, of which it is difficult to
say whether the instruction or the entertainment is the
predominant feature. The subject of the present lecture is,
at this moment the all-absorbing one of Cotton, and much as
has been recently written and spoken on this matter, no one
can listen to Mr. Pepper's comparatively short lecture
without feeling that he (the bearer) has a firmer and a
clearer grasp of it than before. The qualities of zostera
marina, fax, jute, and other proposed fibrous
substitute. for the cotton plant, are discussed; the
difference between Sea Island, Indian, and other cotton ex.
plained ; the statistics of the cotton trade condensed, and
the modes of transit to England illustrated. The canine
herniae of the lecture is much facilitated by the aid of the
oxyhydrogen microscope and a series of new diosolving
views designed and painted by Mr. Benwell, wbo resided in
India for some time. Mr. Pepper was mach applauded at
the close of his valuable lecture, sad still more so when he
announced that the profits of one night's entertainment (on
which the charge would be halts-crown) would be devoted
to the relief of the distressed workmen in Lancashire. Mr.
Pepper has unquestionably produced an extremely in.
Wresting evening's entertainment, and we congratulate him
on the SUOCOW of hie revolution.

TRANSFER OF LICENSES unnvlivoron
(THIS DAY.)

This morning a special session was held at the
Sessions-house, Newington, for the transfer of victualler
licenses, AL The magistrates present were J. IlLioDoo,ngt.
(chairman), J. G. Dormer, Esq., Captain Charles
J. Phillips, Ben., and Colonel Ntionald. The following
were the transfers made :
Sr.Gnoames.—DoverOartle, Little Sunny-street. George
Sutton to Samuel Charles Waller ; Crown, Westminster.
road, R. W. Johnson's assignees to Samuel Howe ; Bird-in-
Hand, Garden-row, S. S. Townsend to George Wohlman;
Star, Blackman-street, to the executors of Job Gnat.
Sr. JOHN.B. —Riming Sun, Fair-street, Horselydown,
George Hyde to William George Abbott.
Nsvinerron.—Two Brewers, George-street, C. Renwick
to William Weide ; White Hart, Walworth-road, .1. W.
Collyer to Robert Thomas West ; Sir William Walwaetk,
Walworth-road, A. Gorse/ to James Pearl.
CAMBERWILL. Head,lieeting.howee-lane, Richard
Woolgoing to William Reetrix ; Carlton Arms, Caritas.
road, Asylum-road, H. R. Read to William Jewitt.
Lansrre.—Antelope, Lower-road, Brixton, G. F. Puke
to William Allen ; George IV., Russell-street, Brixton, L
Stones to Edwin Davis ; Tower, Stockwell, Samuel aerate
George Colville ; Ironmongers' Arms, Bleekhall-lane. J. G.
Biotin to Robert Rearrely Starling ; Horse and Groom.
Hount-etreet, James Belcher to N‘, illiam Frederick Wit.
hams ; George and Dragon, High-skeet, Daniel May to
Remy Carnet ; Royal Victoria, Waterloo-road. the &ripe
of Frank Towers to John Murray ; Waterloo's Arms, Bd.
videre-road, Henry Wilson to John Palmer ; Globe, Gray's.
walk, Elizabeth Turner to James Ward ;
nington-lane, William Ratcliffe to John Ellis ; Royal Oak,
Granby-street: Crown, College-street, John Brows to
George Bureharn.
CHRISTCHCICH. —Brunswick Arms, Bramswickelreet,
George Patching to William Knight.

THE FEMALE BLONDIN.

LAW INTELLIGENCE.
(THIS DAY.)

COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH.

Sittings in Banco.—(Before Chief Justice Cockburn, and
Justicesffightman, Blackburn, and Mellor).
THOMAS V. SHTILLIT.—BREACH or PROMISE.

Mr. Serjeant Shea said this was an action for breach of
promise, tried at the last Lewes assizes before Mr.
Baron Bramwell and a common jury, when a verdict
was returned for the defendant. The plaintiff was
Miss Anne Thomas, a young lady 23 years of age,
who had filled respectable situations as a governor
in several private families, and the defendant is General
Shirley, a gentleman of considerable position and
fortune, residing at Brookside Lodge, near Rugby. The
phiintiff, it will be recollected, entered the general's
service as a lady housekeeper (she having advertised
for such a situation), and afterwards, as represented by her,
passed as his wife. Under a promise of marriage she
Melded to Ma solicitations, and was delivered of a
child in March, 1962 The general, it appeared,
was a married man, though separated from bin wits,
and it was urged on the part of the plaintiff that
she was not aware of that fact until some time after the
promise and seduction. The learned serjeant moved for a
rule calling on the defendant to show cause why there
should not be a new trial on the ground that the verdict
was against the weight of evidence.
Rule refused.