The Express.
London, England, 1866-09-21 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, FRIDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 21, 1866.

These are only two of several canes in which
Mr. PANIZZI, then Principal Librarian, questions
the decisions of the Civil Service Commissioners.

While making some unfounded charges against
them and the Examiners, he succeeds in pointing
out occasional errors and negligence on their part.
If his object had been to make the examination
tests more effective and more germane to the
future employment of the candidates, the public
would be his debtor. But his wish is
scarcely concealed to discredit the system
of examination altogether, and to promote
a return to the old method of unchecked
patronage. For this end he appears to
have put himself into communication with the
unsuccessful candidates, and to have made himself
the organ of their accusations and complaints—
most of which are unproved, and some of which
have been refuted. The spirit and tone of
his communications with the Commissioners of the
Civil Service, which they justly resented, must
render cordial understanding between the two de-
partments difficult ; and Mr. Patrizzes resigna-
tion has possibly removed some of the obstacles
which have hitherto stood in the way of cordial
co-operation for the public service. That there is
room for improvement, and necessity for it, is
abundantly clear on the face of the correspon-
dence. The first of the two cases to which we
have referred makes it plain that such a know-
ledge of Latin as can be gained by cram or is
sufficient for teaching it after a fashion by rote,
and such colloquial acquaintance with French as
can be picked up in six months at a
Brussels school may serve well enough, when
mastery of them has as little bearing on the
future business of the candidate as a knowledge
of the outlines of English literature upon the
classification of insects ; but are insufficient
when Latin and French are the instruments and
objects of future work. The facts, however,
afford an argument, not for abolishing the exami-
nation teat, but for making it stricter ; not for
doing away with any standard save the discretion
of a patron, but for fixing a higher standard than
before. In such a case as the second of those
which we have mentioned, in which the candidate
does not seem to have possessed the faculty of
displaying in examination the knowledge which
he had exhibited in work, the evil has
been met by doing away with the necessity of
re-examination on promotion for good service.
Mr. PANIZZI proposes other changes of a more
questionable kind. He suggests that an officer of
the Museum should waist in preparing the ex-
amination papers, and in estimating the fitness of
the candidate. The Commissioners' reply takes
the fo7m of a question :—" Supposing that the
" Commission could exist, when thus shorn of the
" independence which alone gives value to its
" decisions, would the public gain in security
" against improper appointments t Would
" there not be an inevitable tendency to
" adapt the acquiremerts of the office to
" the capacity of the individual candi-
" date f The Commissioners," they add, have

" had ample experience of the existence of
" this tendency." Some indication of this
disposition may, perhaps, be found in the
fact that of five gentlemen nominated and
rejected on examination as assistants in the
Museum, three were the sons of former, or
present employs in the Museum. Could an
officer of the Museum, entrusted with the eoub'e
task of drawing up questions and deciding on the
answers to them, trust his impartiality in dispos-
ing of the fate of the sons of his colleagues Y It
behoves the public to guard against any covert
reversion to the jobbing of the old system of
pezonage, which many official and political per-
sons would be glad to restore.

THE exhumation of a body nine months after
its interment, for the purpose of investigating the
cause of death, is an uncommon occurrence in
this country. The inquest on RICHARD GOLDING,
who died last December, and was buried in High-
gate Cemetery, was concluded yesterday, when
the jury returned a verdict to the effect that the
deceased died from natural causes : and although
it does not appear how, after the evidence given
by Dr. ROGERS, they could have come to any other
conclusion, it will probably be thought that there
were sufficient reasons for holding the in-
quest. The motives which actuated the
original promoters of the disinterment were
indeed sordid enough. If the SOeTHGATES had felt
any strong regard for the old man, and believed they
had reason to suspect that he had been improperly
treated, an inquest might have been held before
the intermert. But their suspicions appear to
have originated in pecuniary disappointment,
and to have grown as their hopes of benefiting
by Mr. GOLDING'S death diminished. Wiien it
was found that the mother and daughter tool only
1001. instead of 7001. each, the only conclusion
they cou'd come to was that Dr. PART, who got
the larger legacy, had poisoned the testator.
It was shown on the inquest by the so'i-
citor who drew the will that the deceased was per-
fectly sensible and composed at the time of its exe-
cution. The whole of it was read over to him in
the absence of Dr. Pan; when he declared that it
was according to his wishes, and spoke of his
friendly feeling for the doctor as originating in his
connexion with the Artists' Fund, the testator
having been an engraver. There seems no reason
why Dr. Pear should have desired to hasten
the old man's death after this will had
been made, and, in fact, it does not
appc.lr that he afterwards prescribed for him.
The one circumstance on which some further
light is desirable is the presence of arsenic in the
stomach. But it was only a trace, and there was
none at all in the liver. Dr. Rooms is convinced
that this almost inappreciable quantity of arsenic
did not accelerate, much less cause, death. He
believes that Mr. GOLDING died of bronchitis, and
of nothing else. The great mistake Dr. PART
made was that of consenting to stand to the
solitary old man in the threefold relation of phy-
sician, legatee, and executor. These are offices
w rich should never be united. In some countries
such a will as Mr. GOLDING signed would be void,
from the very fact that it was made in the last
hours of life in favour of one who has so great op-
portunities of influencing the mind of the testator
as a medical attendant. If Dr. PART had secured the
attendance of some other physician upon his
patient as soon as he knew that a will was about
to be made in his favour, it is probable that this
inquiry would never have been heard of. Under
the circumstances we cannot regret that it has
taken place, and Dr. PART may ascribe to his own
, imprudence the very unpleasant position in which
he has been placed.

From present appearances, it is most likely that
the representation of Tipperary will be hotly contested.
The papers, at least, mention several new candidates ; at
the head of the list stand. Mr. Waldron, formerly member
for the county. Nert comes Mr. Pope•Hennessy, and then
Mr. Irdliam Maloolmson, of Waterford. Mr. W. T. Fits.
patrick, brother-in-law of Mr. Moore, M.P., is likewise
mentioned, as well u Oaptaia Otway, a eonserrative pot-
acmes of local inflames.

writt frourt.

BALMORAL, 5,,. 19.
The Queen, accompanied by Princess Louimand
Princess SOIMMO, went out yesterday morning, and in
the afternoon, with Prinoess Christian, and attended by
Lady Churchill, drove to the residence of Sir James Clark.
Her Majesty also honoured Dr. Robertson with a visit
at Indigo.
Majoreeneral Sir Thomas Biddulph and Dr. M'Leod
left the Castle yesterday.

Despatches were reeeived yesterday at the Colonial-oflioe
from the Governor of Malta. Despatches ware sent to
the Governor of Canada.

INAUGURATION OF THE QUEEN'S STATUE

AT ABERDEEN.

ABERDEEN, THURSDAY NIGHT.

A public statue of the Queen in Sicilian marble
was inaugurated here to-day by the Prince of
Wales.

On the arrival of his royal highness from Aber-
geldie, he was met at the railway station by the
Lord Provost and town council, and presented
with the freedom of the city. The Prince was at-
tended by General Knollys and Colonel Keppel.
Lord Derby, who had just arrived on his way to
Balmoral, was also present, and accompanied the
procession to the site of the statue, which is the
work of Alexander Brodie, Aberdeen, and an admi-
rable likeness. An address was presented to the
I Prince, who replied in hearty terms, and was loudly
cheered.
His Royal Highness said :

Gentlemen,—lt has afforded me the greatest satisfaction
ia attending here this day by wish of her Majesty and at
your invitation for the purpose of inaugurating the statue
of the Queen, my dear mother. Her Majesty has desired
me to express how much she appreciates the motives
which have led the people of Aberdeen to give this lasting
evidence of their attachment and loyalty to her person, of
which she has had so many proofs, and whose sympathy
in her great sorrow has touched her so deeply. Her
Majesty's satisfaction is much enhanced by the cordial
unanimity which has pervaded all classes in your gill
and county in the erection of a work so grateful to her
Majesty's feelings, and so satisfactory as a work of art.
On my part, I have to thank you, gentlemen, for the ex-
pressions of attachment you have been good enough to
make use of towards myself and the Princess of Wales and
other members of the royal family, and I heartily desire to
join in your prayers that her Majesty may long be spared
to reign over a happy, devoted people. (Cheers.)

After taking luncheon with the Lord Provost
the Prince returned to Abergeldie by special train.
The statue represents the Queen with a highland
plaid, by her own suggestion.

There has been some little doubt whether the
Prince and Princess of Wales would be able to fulfil their
promise to attend the next musical festival at Norwich,
which has been postponed till the end of October, to admit
of their royal highnesses being present. It has now been
ascertained, however, that the Prince and Princess will
adhere to their original intention, and honour the festival
with their presence. A suite of rooms at St. Andrew's
Hall (where the festival will be held) will be handsomely
fitted up for their royal highnesses, who will be the guests,
during the festival week, of Lord and Lady Stafford, at
Costessey Hall, near Norwich.

Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess
of Wales will, it is said, visit Lord and Lady Londe,-
borough at Grimston Park, near Tadaurter, where the
Duke of Cambridge, and the duchess his mother, at pre-
sent residing at Londesborough Lodge, Scarborough,
together with a distinguished company, will meet the
Prince and Princess.

The Duke and Duchess of Argyll have left
Inverary Castle for a short visit to Campbeltown, his
grace's estate in Kintyre. Lord Archibald Campbell left
for Dnnrobin Castle.

Lord and Lady Wharncliffe's party last week at
Wortley Hall during the Doncaster races included the
Duke of Rutland, the Marquis and Marchioness of
Drogheda, Maria Marchioness of Ailesbury, tho Earl of
Wilton. Viscount and Viscountess Royston, Viscount
Newport, Lord and Lady Cecilia Bingham, the Right
Hon. Sir Robert Peel, Hon. R. and Mrs. Curzon, Hon.
Oliver Montagu, Hon. James F. Stuart Wortley, Captain
Clarke, R.E., Captain B. Seymour, ke. _ _ _

. . .
The Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone, M.P., and
Mrs. Gladstone leave town to-day on a visit to the Duchess
(Dowager) of Sutherland, at Cliefden, near Maidenhead. _

Mr. Bright was in Edinburgh yesterday, and
visited the new General Poet-office and other public places
in the city.

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kean are about to open
short engagement at the Glasgow Theatre Royal.
A curious circumstance occurred at the Limerick
races on Wednesday. For the Limerick Tradesmen's
Plate of 250 f. nineteen competitors went to the post, but,
unfortunately, there was a false start, in which the entire
field ran the course once round, when the stewards stopped
the horses, but three went on and finished. After this
failure several refused to try again, and only seven ven-
tured, some few being late, owing to the hasty manner in
which they were started. The favourite, Mr. M'Grsuae's
Dahlgren, won easily.

CHRISM HOSPITAL.

ANNUAL SPEECH DAY AND VISIT OF THE
CORPORATION.-(THIS DAY.)

This being St. Matthew's Day it was observed
with all the honours which are usually associated with it
by the president and authorities of Christ's Hospital, and
by the corporation of the City of London who favour by
their presence the proceedings of the anniversary festival.
There wai no lack this morning of the enthusiasm which
usually exhibits itself on St. Matthew's Day. Many of
the old students were present—indeed more than the
usual number, for not a few c►me specially to congratulate
an old muter who after many years hard service has been
promoted to one of the hospital livings, that gentleman
being the appointed preacher of the day. He met on all
hands with a hearty and deserved welcome on his brief
return to college walls.

The corporation of London attended in state, the alder-
men, sheriffs, under-sheriffs, and others being attired in
their gorgeous robes of office. They went in procession to
Christ Church, Newgateritreet, where prayers were read
by the Rev. Michael Gibbs, M.A., prebendary of St. Paul's,
and an appropriate sermon preached by the Rev. William
;
Webster, M.A., of Trinity College, Cambridge, late head
mathematical master of the Hospital.
At the close of the service the corporation proceeded to
the great ball, where they were received by the Rev. Dr.
G.A. Jacob, the head master, the Rev. T. J. Potter, M.A.,
head mathematical master, the Rev. Dr. J. T. White, the
Rev. Robert South, the Rev. Samuel Gall, the Rev. J. T.
Peckover, and other masters and authorities, by whom
they were conducted to a raised dais at the western end of
the large room.
Mr. William Kepner, Ist Grecian, Thompson, classical
medallist ; and Richards, medallist, 1866, scholar of Pem-
broke College, Cambridge, delivered the Eaglish oration..
Mr. Sidney Simpson Allen, 2nd Grecian, scholar of
St. Peter's College, Cambridge, delivered a Greek oration
on the benefits of the Royal Hospitals, and was followed
by • Latin oration on the same subject by Mr. Samuel
Sheppard Oakley Morris, sth Grecian, who is proceeding
to JIM'S College Oxford, and a French oration also on the
same subject by Mr. Augustus Lawrence Francis, 3rd
Grecian, French prizeman,lB66, who is proceeding to Jesus
College Cambridge.
Mr. W. Keymer, the Ist Grecian, then delivered the
Richards' prise composition, Latin hexameters, " Nuutii
per Vim electricam mirsi." The speaker hit off in ex-
cellent verse many of the leading advantages which are
likely to result from this great last scientific success.
The following were then delivered in their order :
Greek hexameters, translation from " Childs Harold,"
Mr. Seymour John Sharpley, 6th Grecian, who
is proceeding to Magdalen College, Oxford ; Latin
Alcamo, translation of The Last Man " (Camp-
bell), by Mr. John Thorns,' Bell, Bth Grecian ; Greek
lambics, translation from Richard 111., by Mr. Richard
Appleton, 7th Grecian ; Latin Sapphic's, translation of
"Casablanca" (Mrs. Hemans), by Mr. Eustace Fyfe
Gilbard4 12th Grecian ; Greek Elegises, translation of
" Death and the Warrior" (Mrs. Hemans), by Mr. John
Bowen, 9th Grecian ; Latin Elegiacs, translation of " The
Slave's Dream" (Longfellow), by Mr. Joseph Blades
Palmer," 10th Grecian.
All the recitations were good, and all were consequently
well applauded.
At the close of the business • collection was made
towards the support of the Grecians who are about pro-
ceeding to the universities, the emporati•n liberally con-
tributing.
The National Anthem was sung, after which the civic
party and the general company .ed from the hail.