The Express.
London, England, 1860-04-23 00:00:00

REPORT OF THE PARLIAMENTARY COMIGTFEE.

-- - -
This morning was issued the report of the select
committee appointed to inquire whether it is in the power
of parliament to provide, or of the house to recommend,
further facilities for promoting the healthful recreation and
improvement of the people, by placing institutions sup-
ported by general taxation within reach of the largest sec-
tion of the tax-payers, at hears on week days when, by the
ordinary customs of trade, such persons are free from toil.
The report is as follows
Your committee have considered the question submitted
to them under the two following aspects:
First. Whether facilities can be afforded to the people at
large for visiting public institutions on weekday evenings,
without injury to the buildings or their contents; the
evenings being ordinarily the only time when they could in
any numbers find leisure to do so.
Secondly. Whether, provided such facilities were afforded
they would avail themselves of them in sufficient numbers
to justify the increased expenditure that would be incurred
thereby!
With reference to the first point, your committee would
submit that, from the evidence brought before them, the
National Gallery, and portions of the British and other
public museums could safely be visited in the evening, if
proper precautions againat fire can be taken. It has been
stated 111 the evidence that, provided the ventilation be
pictures and other works of art are not injured by the
burning of gas. The experiment has already been tried in
one insteece that of the Museum at Kensington, with the
moatsuc,ewfrul reads.: not the shoes... complaint having
been made, either as to the effects of the lighting or the
labaviour of the visitors.
With respect to the British Museum, the Geological
Museum, and the Museum of the East India Company,
youreommittee find that although many of the objects they
contain could not be so well inspected by artificial light as
by daylight, yet that a large portion of the collections could
be seen in the evening, and would afford much interest and
instruction to the people ; while a desire for a more intimate
knowledge of such objects would no doubt be created, and
could occasionally be gratified in the day-time, on general
holidays, and in the summer evenings.
Your committee also find that clear, legible labels in
English, placed against specimens' and simple cataloguessold
at a small cost, as well as occasional short popular lectures,
are much appreciated by the working classes, and very much
tend to awaken a love for useful knowledge and natural
history, as well as works of art.
With regard to the second point, your committee are
assured, that although the Kensington 11115.11111 is, from
its distance, the modt difficult of access to the working
classes of all the public institutions, yet that during the
last three years, in which it has been opened for three
evenings in the week, upwards of half a million of persons
have visited it in the evening ; and the general superinteu-
dent stated in his evidence, that "on Monday nights the
majority of visitors are certainly from among the working
classes.
But from the extent of the metropolis, even the moat
central institutions must necessarily be at a great distance
from those districts which are peculiarly the residence of
working men, and therefore to visit them would
demand too great a sacrifice of time and of
money to make them generally available to the majority
of the people ; and yet, from the numbers even of work-
ing men and their families who have at night visited the
Kensington Museum, there cannot be a doubt that., were
they open in the evening quite as many would frequent
the British Museum aM'the National Gallery as could be
safely accommodated.
Your committee are therefor. impressed with the convic-
tion, that the same course should Ge followed with surplus
works of art and duplicate specimens at the museums,
that has been tried with so much success ill the government
schools of design throughout the country—namely, that
there should be loans of such works of art and objects of
curioaity, under proper regulations, wherever responsible
parties would provide suitable premi 4es for their exhibition.
Thus, instead of our vast national collections being virtually
entombed as at present, or becoming so vast es to bewilder,
and yet so crowded as to be hidden, profitable recreation
would be provided in the various crowded diltricts of the
metropolis, which would successfully compete with places
of demoralising amusement.
It appears that the hours of business are still so late in
some cases as to make it difficult for mechanics, artisans,
and others, occupied in trade to go to any distance for pur-
poses of recreation or instruction ; yet your committee are
glad to learn that there is a gradual and steady improve-
ment in this respect, by the earlier closing of shops, the
earlier payment of wages, end the extension of the Salueley
half holiday. In any case the majority of working men
leave their employments before seven in the evening ; and
all the meetings at Mechanics' Institutes and People's
Colleges, and all classes for mutual Unprovemeut, are held
in the evening. The evening seems likewise the time when
the wives are meetly in the habit of going out with their

husbands.
Your committee have also received evidence of various
movements among working men themselves in order
to obtain access to public institutions in the evening. It
appears that the council of the Society of Arts has pre•
aented two memorials from Mechanics' Institutes to her I
Majesty's government, one of them signed by the repre-
sentatives of 300 such institutions, praying that the
National Gallery and the British Museum may be
opened in the evening, in the Caine way as the Kensing-
ton Museum is opened. Petitions have likewise been for-
warded from heed largest eogineering establishments in the
metropolis, sign in each case by all the mechanics be-
longing to them, praying that they might be allowed on
Saturday evenings to visit the collectiou of machinery in
the Kensington Museum. Moreover, your ournmitte: have
found throughout their inquiry, that whenever lectures or
interesting exhibitions have been available for workinged. men
in the evening, they have invariably been well attend
Your committee would therefore submit, that institutions
such as the British Museum and the National Gallery shod
be opened on week day evenip to the public, and thatul as
the plity thus afforded of bringing the instruction
and to be derived from visiting them within the
row of those who are occupied during ordinary working
hours would be appreciate,' by them, it is desirable that
they should be thus opened, under due regulations, between
the hours of seven and ten in the evening, at least three
days in the week. Monday and Saturday appear to be the
met convenient days to the public at largo.

BM:IUD HAILIKARO SOCINIT, Ex ETER- Ft ALL.
Bandite 'sea is *rig will be performed on Friday next,
April 27. Principal not:align, 211 g Pare Pas How-
land, Madame Santo's Dolby, Mr. Sims Reeves, Mr. Sant-
lay, mid Savor Balletti.

THE RELIGIOUS DISSENSIONS IN ST. ozomes
EAST.

Yesterday evening the riots in the pariah church
of S'. George's.imthe.Vsat were brought to a close by means
which were entirely unexpected, and which had the effect
of cutting off the service soon after the first lesson had been
mad. The church was thrown into • stater, darkness, and
although many attempts were made to light it up swain they
all proved failures. At first it was supposed that the cir-
cumstance was attributable to malice on the part of some
wbo were opposed to the Rector's services, bet Mr.
Williams, • Plumber end gas-fitter residing opposite, having
been called on to examine the meters, made it pretty cer-
tain to the authorities that the darkness into which the
church was thrown was simply the result of an accident.
Fortunately, it being only 20 minutes peat 7 o'clock, some
little light streatnedthrough the windows, enabling the people
just to see each other. Had it been perfectly dark the con-
sequence would probably have been serious. As it was, the
women and girls, who were present in great numbers, set up
• simultaneous scream from all parte of the church, while
from the galleries there was a 'treed movement, and every
now and then fresh screams from those who were rushing
frantically down the narrow staircases. Meanwhile, men with
loud voices called to the people to keep their seats; others
began to sing the Doxology, while the organist endeavoured
to drown all voices by playing at the highest pitch of which
his instrument was capable. All this time there was yelling,
bowling, shouting, and slamming of pew doors. Attempts
were several times nude to light the gas, and in some
eases the attempt' were summed, but only for • moment,
and then the church was again in darkness. By means of
tapers and lucifermatches, of which many of the boys in
the galleries appeared to bare • plentiful stock, there
,cievtay now and then • glimmer of light, by which Yr.
wee seen still standing in the desk, and
Mr. Idawdesr• one of the parochial (pirates running
up to him from amidst the chorastent at the
altar, unavailingly persuading him to come down.
In the midst of this terrific uproar Mr. King left the desk,
and his choristers retired from the altar with him to the
vestry. Yr. Cook, the parish clerk, shortly afterwards
made his way into the church with • lighted taper, end
annoueced that the service would not be continued. Mr.
Inspector Alison at the same time entered the church with
a body of police and commenced clearing the place—a dila-
cal: proems, it may be imagined, the church being by this
time an tonal darkness and densely crowded. In about half
an hoer the mob was got out into the street, and her, again
the favourite amusement of singing the Doxology up and
down Cannon-street was resorted to.
. The =quintet:dyke was attended by a large number of
strangsre—usavetlaP• than have been present on any pre-
views oscaskaa. service was performed by the Rev. .
Thomas Dove, end there were many interruptions during
the Litany service especially on the clause "From all false
doctrine, heresy, and schism," and in that, "That it may
please to illuminate all bishop', priests, and deacons.
The rector preached from the 10th chapter of St. John,
verse 11, " am the good shepherd. The good shepherd
giveth his life for the sheep." There was a slight titter at
the text, and the usual slamming of doors and coughing, but
the sermon was uninterrupted.
lualitilluishioners have subscribed, and paid the pen shy
upon Mr. Rosier by Dr. Twigs, the judge of the
Consistcry Court, on Tuesday last.

GREAT FIRS LW THE CITY. FIYS BOUM

DASTROYED.

Yesterday morning, shortly after two o'clock,
one of the most disastrous fuss, although happily un-
attended by loss of life, with which the City has- for many
years pun been visited broke out in the premises in the
occupation of Messrs. Johnson and Co., hoot and shoe
warehousemen, No. 2, Rodcross.stroet, Barbican, and
spread with extraordinary rapidity to the adjoining houses,
ending in the total destruction of the premises in question,
of the four buildings adjoining and damage to a less extent
to other property. adjacent. The entire range of buildings
are of a very ancient date, and to the fact of a large pro-
portion of woodwork having been used in their construction
may be attributed the disastrous nature of the calamity. It
appear* that the fire originated, although the cane has not
yet been ascertained, in the back portion of the basement
of Meters. Johnson's premises,
. and the flames rapidly com-
municated to the upper stones. Fortunately the alarm
was given soon after its occurrence, and the inmates of all
the houses were removed. In • short spice of time the
next house (No. 1), in the occupation of Mr. Hoare, to-
bacconist, the house on the other side (an empty one), for-
merly occupied by Mr. Fitch, jeweller, and the next .
(No. 4), occupied by Messrs. Boswell and Son,
were enveloped In flames. The fire then attacked the
house of Mr. Fowler, ironmonger, and also a portion
of the ,back premises of Mr. Fontaine eii. ware; •.
houseman, when its course was eventhrilly arrested.
Mr. Braidwood and a strong body of the Fire Brigade sr-
rived soon after the alarm was given, and commences! opera.
Lions, but some time elapsed before any progress was made
in subduing the fiamea. Shortly after three o'clock the
whole range of buildings referred to presented one blazing
mass. Great fears were entertained for the safety of the
premises adjoining No. 1, which are occupied by Messrs.
Mannar, Pearce, rind Son, distillers, there being also
another distillery belonging to Messrs. Vickers and Co. be-
hind that of Messrs. Harmar. The efforts of the firemen
were therefore strenuously directed to diverting the pro-
gram of the fire from that quarter. Shortly before four
o'clock the roof of No. 2 (Messrs. Johnson e) fell in, and
about four the houseof Mr. Hoare (No. l)fellto theground.
The exertions of the firemen to save the distillery were hap-
pily successful, triroprr part of the dwelling-fugue being
only partially da In the meantime, the other houses
continued to burn uriously. At the time of the sudden
disappearance of Mr. Hoare's premises a portion of the wall
appertaining to No. 2, and surmounted by a tall stack of
chimneys, had remained standing, without any other sup-
port. At about 5 o'clock it toppled over, carrying with it
what little remained of the interior portion of the next
house. These :a:cumulations of debris tended in a great
measure to choke the flames, and from this time they gra-
dually decreased in intensity, succumbing to the increasing
power of the antagonistic element, and about 7 o'clock all
further danger was over, the engines, however, continuing
to play upon the smoking ruins for some considerable time.
The houses 1,2, 3,4, and 5 are completely destroyed, in
addition to • portion of the back part of No. 6, and the
loss in stock must be very considerable.
It is difficult to form an estimate of the value of the pro-
perty destroyed, but it must amount to a very considerable
rum, the greater portion, however, being covered by in-
surance.

ROBBERY OP A CASHBOX AND NEARLY
TWO HUNDRED SOVEREIGNS.

A very adroit and extensive robbery was com-
mitted but Friday evening at the well-known horse repo-
@Bay, in Barbican, known as "Dixon's Rep airy," but
which has for several years belonged to Mr. Gower. It ap-
pears that Friday is tie sale day, and upwards of one hun-
dred horses were put up for auction, the clerk receiving the
deposits as the several lots were knocked down. The sale
was brought to a close shortly after 4 o'clock. Mr. Gower,
the proprietor, left shortly afterwards, and tie clerk, who
had been attending to the sale, took the cash-box, which
contained lsOf. in gold, and some cheques and memoranda.,
to the meanie, office, where he locked it up in a desk to
which there was a Bnimah lock. He then, it appears,went
to get his dinner, leaving the office in the charge of another
clerk, who would in ordinary course hove remained until his
fellow-clerk returned. It appears that there were some homes
to be sent to Ireland by the railway, by a particular
train, and that the clothing which had beet' entered for
them had not arrived, Ma the clerk who had been left in
the office, ran dosnedairs to make some inquiries upon the
SUbject. He was only gone • very short time, and ipso his
return he found that the desk had been forced open, and the
cash-box and its contents abstracted. There is no doubt
that the robbery had been "put up," as it is termed, for a
considerable time, and there is every reason to believe that
it was committed by wonle of the hone chaunting fraternity
whn infest places of this description, in spite of the efforts
made by the proprietors to keep them away, and that being
aware of the usual course of the business, they had been
on the watch for a great many sale days for the, opportunity
of committing a robbery, which wee at length afforded
them by the almost momentary absence of the clerk,
under the circumstances above stated. Information
of the robbery was speedily given to the police, but as
yet no clue has been obtained likely to lead to the appre-
hension of the offenders, although a very strong suspicion
attaches to certain parties. On the same evening the rob-
bery was committed, a small parcel was picked up on the
area of the Spital-square polioe-station, which upon be'
fond ng
opened was fnd to contain the memoranda that bad
been in the stolen cash-box, and a piece of paper, on which
TM written in pencil the following:—" Give these to your
betters, Mr. Gower, and thank them for me." In addition
to the gold, the cash-box contained an Irish Bank bill at
ten days sight for 120/., but as this was not endorsed, the
1 thieves are not likely to make it available, but the fact
may as well be stated, in order that the public owl bankers
may be on their guard in case such an instrument should be
presented or offered for discount.

We gave last Monday a summary of a portion of
all address by Cardinal Wiseman to the Roman catholic
laity of the metropolis, calling for a collection in aid of
his Holiness the Pope, in which the past owl present
phases of the papal question were eaten"' into at some length.
Thu concluding portion of the document was read yesterday
in the various churches and chapels.
EPPS'S HOMIKOPATHIC COCOA. Its delicious
aroma, grateful seinotheres, and invigormlng power have pro-
cured its genend adoption as a breakfast beverage. I lb.. lb..
sad 1 111. packets. at Is. &I. per lip., by the plineliaaarva.
Labelled -James gyps, Itorooopathlc Mead*