The Express.
London, England, 1860-07-19 00:00:00

THE FLORAL HALL.

A grand floral exhibition was opened yesterday
afternoon at the Floral Hall, Covent-garden, and visited by
a considerable number of persons. It consists chiefly d
roses, fuchsias, and cacti, all of which are in great ohm.
dance. The roses are especially profuse, of great variety,
and for the most part of rare excellence. A gigantic reen
mound has been formed in the centre of the building. Many
of the exhibitors reside at a considerable distance from the
metropolis, and it is evident that the suitability of the
Floral Hall for such a purpose is being increasingly rues.
nised. The exhibition will be again open this afternoon.
The following is a list of the first prizes awarded in cask
cuss:
Roam—Class 1, open to amateurs, gardeners, aid
growers, for male, 81. (Messrs. Paul), for the best collcctioa
of roses in pots ; the size of the pots unlimited.
CU? 13Goosa.--Clase 2, open to growers, for sale, 81.
(Messrs. Paul), for one hundred varieties of moss, three
trusses of each variety ;71. (Messrs. Paul), for fifty varieties
of roses, three trusses in each variety ; 61. (Mr. Keynes),
for thirty varieties of roses, three trusses of each variety.
Class 3, open to amateurs and gardeners, U. (J. T. Hedge,
Esq.), for forty varieties of roses, not exceeding three
trusses of each variety ; 71. (J. T. Hedge, Esq.), for
twentylve varieties of roses, not exceeding three trustees et
each va•Sety ; 6/. (J. T. Hedge, Enq.), for fifteen varieties
of T, not exceeding three trusses of each variety.

New Vann= OP Roars NOT INNIBITTD PRiVIOUHLt
TO 1858.—Class 4, open to amateurs,. gardeners. and nursery.
men, Si. (Mr. Keynes and Messrs. Paul, equal).
FlTtisl.ol. —Clau 6, open to amateurs, gardeners, sad
growers, for sale, 81. (Mr. Oubridge), for the best twelve
specimen plants of fuchsias ; St (Mr. Todman), for the
best collection of fuchsias ; 101. (Mr. Gilbert), for the beat
collection of pyramid and standard fuchsias.
CAM—Clam 6, open to amateurs, gardeners, sad
growers, for sale, 6/. (Dr. Waggettl, for the best collection of
cacti ; Si. (Mr. Green) for the au best specimen plants of
cacti. Class 7 open to amateurs, gardeners, and growers.
for sale, 201. (Mr. Whitbread), for the best collection of
twelve stove and greenhouse plants ; 10/. (Mr. Whitbread).
for the best collection of six stove and greenhouse plants.
Rosso.—Extra prizes, added since the first announoe.
ment. —Claes 8, open to growens, for sale, 4/. (Mr. Kowa).
for fifty varieties of roses, one truss of each variety ; 41.
(Mr. Keynes), for twenty varieties of roses, one truss of
each variety.

THE Diodes of ROCHESTER —The newly•op-
pointed Bishop of Rochester has solicited the counsel and
advice of his clergy on the following points—l. The best
mode of rendering the intercourse between the bishop and
clergy at the general visitation more profitable. 2. The
diocesan inspection of schools. 3. The re-adjustment el
rural deaneries. 4. The promotion and extension of lay
agency in the work of the church. 5. The relief of desti-
tute clergymen and their families. 6. The fees payable to
diocesan officers. As regards the fifth subject, it is stated
the value of one-third of the livings in the diocese is km
than 1501. per annun.
OPENING OF THE EXETER AND YEOVIL RAILWAY.
Wanimanay.—The line from this city to Yeovil,
which is an extension of the London and South Western
Railway, was opened by the chairman and directors this
afternoon. The line from Exeter to Yeovil is 49 mile, it
length, 1111 the terminus is in Queen-street, Exeter, from
I whence it is intended to carry on the line to the
St. David's station of the Bristol and Exetee
Railway, and ultimately a mixed gauge will be
laid down from this station to Crediton and on'to Bideford.
An unbroken gauge from London to Exeter and the North
of Devon will thus be laid down. The citizens of Exeter
celebrated the opening by public rejoicings. Bands of musks
paraded the streets, tradesmen closed their shops, and dis-
played flags and bunting of a varied character. A similar
festive spirit prevailed In the various towns along the line.
and at Yeovil. Axminster, Colyton, and Moulton. congratu-
tory addresses were presented to the chairman and directors
of the line, as they passed by the stations.
At Exeter, the mayor, Mr. Drake, presented no address to
the directors, in which they wore heartily commtulated on
the opening of a line which would he the means of re-
opening to the citizens the communication with the metro-
polis by a direct road through a populous district for many
years past almost unapproachable, sal which led to the
connexion of our great national arsenals, by which a great
public benefit wee conferred. On the arrival of the direc-
tors at the Queeirstreet station, early in the afternoon, the
Mayor invited them, in the name of his fellow-titizens, to
a grand banquet, which took place on Northernhey.
SIT/INGROURNE AND SIIEERNES.,I RAILWAY.—The
opening of the Sittingbourne and Sheerness Railway, which
is connected with, and will be worked by, the London.
Chatham, and Dover Railway, took place yesterday, the
day being observed as a holiday at Sheerness. At 10.15
a.m., a special train left the London.l.ridge Station of the
South Eastern Company, conveying the principal directors
of the oompaoy and a large number of their friends to
Sheerness, which was reached 'alertly before one (Moa-
ns line from Sittinghourne to Sheerness is about eight
miles in length, and passes through important distncta
connecting the great naval arsenals of Sheerness, Chatham,
sad Woolwich. The works have been moat substantially coo-
structed by Mr. Wythes, the contractor, the bridge over the
Swale, connecting the island of Sheppv with the mainland,
being a triumph of engineering skill. burin; the run from
L',ndon the train was frequently stopped to allow the di-
rectors end shareholders an opportunity of inspecting the
works, which were all found to be in a most satisfactory
condition. The line is a single one, but the bridges and em-
bankments have all been made of sufficient width to
admit of another line of rails being laid down when-
ever the requirements of the public necessitate it.
On the arrival of the special train at Sheerness, the public
who crowded the station evinced considerable satisfaction,
the whole town appearing to have turned out to do honour
to the occasion. The station was al.o gaily decorated witk
flags, triumphal ruches and flowery, and the 4th Kent Ar-
tillery Volunteers, under the commend of Captain Magnus,
fired a salute from the batteries. banquet afterwards
took place in the large waitinz-mom of the terminus, to
shareholders,in,4aL The
mew to the public for ma-
d misers and goods traffic.
thwnehewielhe.liladinennu:
iinehrFebsaitantPartontawYoldothipetheetidileclien,tow"ere,