The Express.
London, England, 1866-02-05 00:00:00

SOUTH-EASTERN INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION.

South-Eastern London, following in the wake of
the other metropolitan districts, has had its iced atrial
exhibition, with what sums in a pecuniary point of view
is, as yet, doubtful, the amount of total liabilities not having
been made up. As regards its main object, of attracting a
large number of admiring and sympathising visitors, it cer-
tainly carrot be said to hear the slightest emblems to a
failure. On the 28th October et last year the exhibition
was opened by Viscount Sydney, the Lord-Lieutenant of
Had, in the Painted Hall at Greenwich Hospital, &Adduce
then it has been =tinned in the wards below, unfortu-
nately, from went of sufficient publicity, unknown to the
vast numbers who daily resort to Gresawich from
the crowded neighbourhoods of London proper, or
without doubt the receipts at the doors would
have been largely augmented. On Saturday last the
closing ceremony took place in the same noble chamber
which was the loesle of its ieanguraties. Notwithstand-
ing the unfavourable weather the bail was well filled, the
reserved seats being all ooeepied, principally by ladies—.
Greenwich, Blackheath, Lee, and the adjacent fashion►ble
suburban localities, liberally contributing to swell the
euenthk. The band of the Royal Artillery, 98 strong,
under their able conductor, Mr. Smyth, R. A., were is at-
tendant*, and performed in a manlier that could not fail
to sated the most !sandiness musician some of Rossines
and Ildeyerbeer's masterpieces, together with some part-
songs of Meudelsaohn's, in which their vocal training
shone out to advantage. A specialty of this band, which
gives orchestral effect while perhaps it deteriorates from
its military character, is, that it is liberally famished
with stringed instruments. By no means the least attrac-
tive part of the ceremony was the presence among perhaps
whit we may call " the properties," of an old seaman,
dressed in the blue and gold uniform of the hospital,
betokening something of saperiorrauk, who in pointing out
the pictorial repreeentatices in the Painted Hall of
naval battles, and of Nelson's career, from his first entry
late the naval service of his country, to his glorious death
in the cockpit of the Victory, informed those who took
pleasure in the pardonable pride with which be reco.uised
his own services with Nelson at the Nils, at Trafalgar, and
in other desperate engagements in which the honour
of the British flag was maintained, bow having been
taken prisoner by the French he escaped, and had his re-
venge in being one of the crew of the ship which conveyed
the Emperor Napoleon to Elba, and how also he explained
away the hypercriticism of those who like ourselves q uestioned
the taste of the painter who represented a respectably-
dressed gentleman in top-boots, drab smalls, and blue gilt-
buttoned coat supporting Nelson in his dying moments in
the cockpit of the Victory, by the information that the
party so indicated was Mr. Burke, purser of the ship, and
en old personal friend of Nelson's, who as a special favour
was exempted by England's greatest admiral from the role
of naval costume. This aged cicerone, who is wiry, strong
and upright at the age of 82, and promisee to wear the blue
and gold for many years to come, answers to the name of
Lloyd. The Hon. A. Kiaoaird, PLP., presided over Satur-
day'. ceiemordal, and, after the preliminary opening steps,
milled open Mr. Borland, the secretary of the Amalga-
mated Committee, who reported that the total receipts had
been 1,2171., and the expenses, so far as they had been suer-
hiked, were LOOM., but the differer.ce would be swallowed
up by unpaid accounts and existing liabilities that ha
feared you'd leave a deficiency. The number of visitors
had beeu 185,000. Addresses were delivered by the chair-
man, the Rev. C. J. Money, the chairman of the com-
mittee, Deputy.Jndge Payne, and other gentlemen, after
which the rises were distributed.

Esroxx Darursmow To EARL EtrssiLL.—We
learn that a deputation from the National Reform Amu-
cialioe will assemble at the Chasing-crow Hotel, on the
Bth inst., at half-peat eleven io the morning, and at one
o'clock will proceed to the Tressurr-offioe to wait upon
Lord Russell, by appointment. Nearly 100 repiesenta-
tires from venous towns have been appointed, exclusive of
• large number from Manchester and many members of
parliament. It has been arraoged that the depu-
tation appointed at the recent reform meeting at Leeds
to presto% to Earl Russell the memorial then adopted,
will accompany the members of the National Reform
Union.
PARLIANNNTART MNAKTILTS.—We believe that
one of the first measures to be introduced by the govern-
ment will be • bill for substituting one uniform oath to be
taken by members of parliament for those which ere sow
required, and respecting the invidious character of which
so much complaint was made on the discussion on Mr.
Moosell's bill last session. The new oath will be short
and simple, and in substance similar to the oath of
allegiance. The cattle plaque may naturally be ex-
pected to occupy a considerable share of the time
of the house, and between these important subjects
sad the navy and army estimates the comparatively
abort period for work—about six weeks—before Easter will
be mainly taken up. One of the earliest questions to be
broughtby an independent member before the House of
Commons will be that of the relations of the War-office and
the Horse Guards, and the constitutional anomalies and ad-
I inconvenience involved in the present system.
We understand that Captain Vivian, who to former days
did service by procuring the appointment of the important
, committee on military organiestion, will follow up thegood
work by giving notice of a motion upon the subject on the
dust night of the session.-Bunday Gazette.
VACANT PARLIAINENTANT SCATS.—There can be
no new writ moved for in the House of Commons until
fourteen dashall have elapsed from the meeting of par-
liameot on Tuesday next. The reason of this is obvious.
Fondue days are allowed for petitions in the cane of seats
that ate or that may be disputed. In the caeeof anew paths-
' meet this rule extends even to death vacancies, so that the
paragraph that has been going the round of the papers is
entirely incorrect. There are two death vaosecise—that of
Lord Palmentos for Tiverton, sad Colonel Lloyd Watkins
foe &mon. The vacancies on acceptance of office are those
of Mr. Coaches for London, Mr. Fortune for Louth, and
, llr. Ifenvrick for Sunderand. Mr. Childers does not
! vacate, being s pointed by the Treasury booed sad not by
' the Crowe.
Tess aura ColurrAttuLAßT.—The Treasury have
(says the Observer) seat a commkrion of inquiry to Ireland
to investigate the conditional the Irish constabulary, with
• view to iscereed efficieucy, r well as wormy, in the
ransgeateut of that force. The commlisionere will be Sir
Richard Mayne, Sir Darr M'Origor (formerly Inspectoc-
' I Gowen! in Ireland), Mr. Kaatehball Burseen in the
, M.P. (Lord
of the Treasury). W. Law, Br. (Prim:Opal Clerk
Treasury), and Colonel Wood, sow at the bead of the Irish
farm Mr. Ryas, secretary of the Board of Audit, will eat
as eemearry I. the Inquiry.

NXW SACRED DRAMA BY GOUPOD. A
concert of extraordinary interest in a benevo-)
lest se well as an artistic point of view is about to be given
at St. James's-hall, on the evening of Tim-achy, the 13th of
this month. It is to consist of Gunisod's taw sacred drama
Yaw, together with several other works of this celebrated
musician, which will be performed f,r the first time in any
country ; the performance to be in aid of the funds of the
Ueivsesity Wiese Hospital. The great importance of this
object is shown by the following statement, put forth by
the committee, of the grounds on which support is solicited
for the above charity :
"The annual coat of maintaining the hospital in Represent
state is 6,500/. The certain income closista of annual sub-
scriptions, which do sot amount to 1,2001. ; fees paid by
students for anima instruction, which ere relinquished by
the medical staff for the purposes of the charity, and
average about 1,0001. ; and interest of investments, 640/.
These make together 2,8401. A yearly deficit of nearly
4,0001. has to be provided for. Exteneme improvements
have been introduced : warm baths, lavatories have been
added sod additional accommodation fee the owl-palisnt
department has been recently. provided at • coat of 9001.
The recent introduction of an improved rystem of nursing
under the direct superintendence of the Raters of the AU
Sainte Home, who have now charge of it, has been produc-
tive of the most satisfactory respite, bat bes aeosseariXv
ineneeed the ordinary expeoditure. During last sear up-
wards of 1,396 in-patients were Omitted into the hospital ;
10,415 received mailed and trargioal treatment as oat-
patients; nearly 12,000 were attended to as casualties ; sod
relief was administered to upwards of 2,446 ophthalmic
cane ; and 722 women in childbirth were attended at their
spa babitedioes. Is utaistaimag the hospital is its rent
state of efficiency the committee bet been compelled to
incur a debt which has been gradually accumulating during
eeveral years, and sew amounts to nearly 8,0001."
The arreegemeste for the concert are on a complete sad
TNT extensive Facile. The orchestra, sixty strong, will in-
elude our most eminent performers on every instilment ;
the chorus will consist of two huodred voices selected from
the pupils of the Royal Academy of Music, Signor Ran-
degiter's choir, and Mr. Beeedmit's Choral Society ; the prin-
cipal solo parte will be sustained by Madame Lernmens-
Sherriegiee, Madame Ruderetiorff, Miss Wbytock, Mr.
Cummings, Mr. Patsy, and Mr. Sims Reeves ; and the
whole will be under the direction of Mr. Benedict. The
eon art is under the immediate sanction and patronage of
the Queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales, and other
members of the royal family ; and the list of lady patro-
nesses prelate a brilliant array of the female aristocracy.
A performance of such magnitude and composed of such
materials is calculated to excite the highest expectations,
and promises to be a memorable event in the annals of
music in this country.

OPITICIA.L APPOINTmENTs.—MT. St. John, second
secretary of legation at the Hague, has been appointed
second secretary of embassy at Constantinople. Mr. John
Gordon Kennedy has been appointed to Constantinople.
Mr. Freeman has been promoted from Copenhagen to the
Halals. Mr. Milford has been appointed second secretary
at hags. Mr. Phipps has been appointed to Ashes.
Mr. arkby. of the Norfullt Circuit, has, it issaid, been ap-
poioted a judge of the Supreme Court at Bombay, in the
room of Mr. Justice Sanas., resigned.
PROPOSID ABOLITION OP CAPITAL PUNISHMENT
DI Bwitom.—A Brarela letter in the Sitick says —"I
have to 111100111100 to you that a grand reform is now being
prepared in Belgium. lam assured that the government,
on the initiative of M. Bala. Minister of Justice, has de-
termined to propose to the Chambers the abolition of she
penalty of death. For many years past a gnat movement
has beep going on in the country in favonr of the reform in
question. Capital executions, condemned by public opi-
nion, have become very rem. Meetings, in which this
great social problem has been disoussed, have been held
more frequently, and the press has pronounced unasi-
mouldy against the 'scaffold. To the honour of the Bel-
ans it mat be affirmed that the liberty they have en-
jed fee thirty-five years has so safteoed the public mall-
ows that there is, so to speak, but one voice raised
throughout the country to protest against sanguinary exe-
cutions. An association has been formed for toe abolition
of capital punishment, which counts among its members
the most enlightened men is Belgium. and is its :auks
liberals and (aerials join hands together."
COLLEGE or PluturProns.—At • meeting of the
ocruncil of the corporation on the 3rd instant, Dr. K. Adams,
the Rev. T. F. Lee, and the Rev. R. Wall were re-elected
members of the council. Mr. John Reboots, RA., was
elected • Fellow of the college. The diploma of Licentiate
was granted to Miss E. Smith, and that of Associate to Miss
Ruse Aitkes, and Miss A. N. Moorhouse. The following
gentlemen were elected members of the college :—Mr.
James Home, Potion-house School, Bedfordshire • Mr. C.
Naylor, Royal Military Asylum, Chelsea ; and Mr. C.
White, Hill-rise, Richmond.
THE METROPOLITAN GUARDIANS AND THE ROUSE-
LESS Pool—On Saturday • meeting of guardians, convened
by circular, was held at the house of Dr. Brewer, of
George-street, Hanover&quare, to take into consideration
matters connected with the houseless poor. There was •
long conversation as to the working of the act, sod it was
remarkable that the repreemstatives of those parishes where
nothing has been dine to effectually carry out the act, as
Holborn, Whitechapel, &c., were against it in Lao. A re-
solution was passed to hold a general meeting of the London
guardians, and to adopt an address by Dr. Brewer as the
text of the discussios.
ST. PANCRAS CASUALS AND THEIR TREATMENT.
—On Saturday afternoon Dr. Lankester held an inquest at
the Elephant and Castle, Oamden-town, on the body of a
man named Robert Travis, aged forty-eight, a labourer, and
late an inmate of one of the St. Pancras casual wards. The
circumstance of the deceased beiog a "casual," sod an
allegation getting abroad that he bad died from the effects
of his treatment in being compelled to bathe and then to
sleep in a state of nudity, notwithstanding that be was in a
very exhausted and sickly state, created considerable in-
terest in the case, and Mr. Morrison, the master, and other
officials, were present. The evidence went to show that
prior to Saturday, the 27th ult., the deceased had slept for
some nights in the St. Patera■ casual ward, and on the
morning of the 270, after leaviog the workhouse, he went
to his brother's residence in Phoenix-street, Somers-town,
huts abort distance away. He appeared very ill, and although
a doctor was sent for, died before his arrival.
Mr. Chapman, the soperintendent of the male casual ward,
was examined, and stated that be observed nothing parti-
cular in the deceased's appearance either during the time
he was in the ward and when be went out. In answer to
questions put to this witness, It was elicited that the rule
was when the " casual" came in that he should be compelled
to divest himself of all his clothing, and thee take a warm
bath. Having bathed, a rug (two if necessary) wee given
to each casual, and he then went to his mattrara and slept
without a shirt. This was, however, sometimes evaded.
In the wards occupied by the casuals, there were good fires,
gas, and good ventilation. There was a wardaman to each
ward, and in the eveot of any dines or any unusual occur-
rence immediate notice would be given and attendance at
once insured. The object of taking away the clothing of
the casuals was that they should not communicate vermin
to others. The brother of the deceased said be was
genemlly of a very weak condition, and bad for Dome time been
without regular employment. He bad, however, not made
any complaint as to his treatment in the casual ward. The
medical testimony went to show that the deceased had
been suffering from a bronchial affection, but that the
immediate cause of death was from effusion of blood on the
brain, which could in no way be connected with his treat-
ment as an inmate of the casual ward. Several of the
jury expressed themselves very strongly as to the indecency,
to say sothiog of the other evlls resultingfrom the practice,
of taking the shirts, he., away from the casuals, and com-
pelling them to go to thetrbeds in • state of nudity, and were
about to append a resolution exessive' of their opinion,
when the master of the workhouse stated that the atten-
tion of the directors had been called to the subject, sod
they had already given orders for • supply of night shirts.
The jury then returned a verdict in accordance with the
medical testimony.
IRISH RAILWAY RZTOEM.—Tbe meeting for the
promotion of railway reform was held on Saturday at the
Mansion-house, Dublin, under the presidency of the Lord
Mayer, and was most numerously and influentially et.
teoded. Mr. Galt, who is entitled to the credit of being
one of the first persons to bring the subject of railway re-
form prominently before the public, addreseed the meeting
at some length regarding the prisent position of Irish rail-
ways, and the great boon which would be coo:erred on the
people of that country if their management were
amalgamated. Resolutions were uoseimously adopted.
affirming the propositions that a thorough reform of
the management of Irish railways mad a reduction
of the rates were necessary
for the interests of the
shareholders as well as the public, and calling on the go-
vernment to take the evidence on Irish railways into their
isonsideration, with a view of bringing forward • measure
this maim whereby the principles of the Railway Act of
11344 may be applied to the whole group of railways in Ire-
land. The meeting also expressed an opinion that no
measure of railway reform would be complete which did
not provide for a substantial reduction of fares and rates
and uniformity of management open the whole Irish
system ; that whatever play may beg adopted by the
legislature, it should effectually secure the propetty el
eluting proprietors and vested interest of every kind
and that whatever temporary loss the change
might involve shoeld be made up by retiring rail-
roads from local taxation, and by aepemal. proviaims Moh-
r:able to this and
sue to supply the deficiency. Several
able, poetical, and suegestive speeches were delivered by
Colonel K. Gore, Mr. J. Pim ILP.. Mr. E. Fox, the Mar-
quis of Clanricarde. Mr. Cogan, M.P., Mr. Beget, and
others. A memorial embodying Me principles expremed
is the several resolutions is -to be draws up and promoted
to the government, sad the Irish Railway Reform Com-
mittee were requested to continue their labours, and to
esdeavoer so obtain the Hem of the Irish members
of parliament insargyfag m the *josh et Ile seeelhe.