The Express.
London, England, 1867-07-11 00:00:00

THE FLEET AT SPITHEAD.

(non one owls COIIII3PONDZIfT.)
PORTSMOUTH, JULY 10.
The grand rehearsal preparatory to the review
of the British fleet by the Queen and Sultan took place
to-day, and it was an event that can only be surpassed in
interest by the demonstration which is to take place on •
the 17th inst. Admiral Sir Thomas Purley, Bart., trans-
ferred his flag from the Victory, the grand and ever-
interesting relic of Trafalgar, to the Victoria screw three- .
decker on Monday, and signal was made yesterday for the
whole of the fleet to prepare to get under weigh this
morning. There has been no great naval demonstration
in British waters beyond the celebration of the entente
oureliale between the fleets of England and France--sines
1856, and then it was, as upon this occasion, a demon-
stration with which the history and interests of the
"Ottosega Porte were closely identified. At that time
• treaty of peace was concluded with Russia
which had for its object the maintenance of
the integrity of the Turkish empire, and the
ships of the British navy were at that time fully equipped
for the continuation of a struggle in which the fleet bad,
by its moral influence, if not by the reality of actual war-
fare, played an impatient part. In point of numbers
there is no comparison between the fleet of 11136 and the
fleet which has assembled at Spithead in a timeof profound
peace, so far as England is concerned, to do honour to the
Sultan. The imposing array of force at Spithead eleven
years ago included 22 line-of-battle ships carrying from
131 to 60 guns ; 16 screw frigates and ;loops, of from
51 to 8 guns ; 26 paddle frigates, of from 28 gunsto one
gun ; nine royal yachts and tenders, seven screw mortar
vessels and tenders, lax screw troop-ships, seven sailing
ships, and no lean then 160 gunboats. This tre-
mendous force was moored in two principal
lines, the port division being headed by the Duke
of Wellington, 1:11 guns, screw three-decker,
bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Dundee ; and the star-
board division by the Royal George, 162 guns, the paddle
frigate Retribution being the flagship of this division,
which was under the command of Rear-Admiral Baynes.
Then there were three divisions of gunboats, the red being
under the command of Captain Codrington, C. 8., in the
Algiers ; the white under the command of Captain Keppel,
C.S. (now commander-in-chief of the China fleet) ; the
blue, under the command of Captain Yelverton, in
the Brunswick ; and the light division under the command
of Captain Key, in the Sansparell. In numerical strength
the fleet of to-day is scarcely more than a fifth of the
fleet of 1856 ; but with respect both to the power of
offence as well as of defence, • mightier force never
assembled at Spithead than has now assembled to do
honour to a patentor,' whose empire was threatened with
extinction eleven years ago. In that comparatively
short period science has done a great deal towards
the development of the most powerful instru-
ments of warfare, and the fleet at Spithead is
fairly representative of every class of fighting
ships in the British navy. The result is certainly incon-
gruous, but it marks the changes which have taken place
in the short period of time characterised by such rapid and
apparently inconsistent transitions. The old schoolof naval
architecture is now represented by the Victoria, the Dun-
can, and the Revenge, which in the course of a few years
will only be known as things of the post; and yet to the
eye of the lay, as well as of the professional observer,
they seem to be the perfection of nautical beauty. Then
we have the long dark lines of the Minotaur, the Warrior,
and the Black l'rinoe, which are undoubtedly formidable
ships of war, presenting a striking contrast with the un-
wieldy, immobile vessels that represent our early experi-
ments in the construction of ironclad ships, which to •
considerable extent have sacrificed the power of quick
menwuvre for great speed. Next come ships of the Belle-
rophon class, designed to combine these two qualities,
and in which, so far at least as regards this par-
ticular vessel, the attempt has been successful.
Another representative vessel is the Pallas, which has
concentrated all her fighting power amidships, by enclosing
her guns in a sort of iron box. And then we have the
Royal Sovereign, the turret ship of Captain Cowper Coles,
winch is so insignificant in appearance as scarcely to
attract the attention of the spectator on the shore, but
which has been the subject of as much official equivocation
as any ship in the whole fleet. There she lays, or at least
did lay at an early hour this morning, to the westward of
thestarboard division, unimposing in appearance, but none
the less powerful because her heavy guns, and the great
range given to them by the circular motion of her turrets,
are hidden from view by the bulwarks, which are con-
structed to fall back over the broadsides of the vessel
when she is in action. Then we have the little
Viper and the little Vixen, two small vessels
built with twin screw propellers, designed to
turn by their own power as upon p pivot, and thus
obtain the same advantages that ax obtained by the
mechanical agency of the turret. And then there is that
little oddity, the Waterwiteh, as unsightly a craft as ever
nautical eyes gazed upon. Ms is propelled by hydraulic
power, has a little insignificant funnel abaft the main-
mast, and, if she reminds us of anything created at all, it
is of Mr. Bright's political skye-terrier, which is so curious
a production that it is almost impossible to distinguish
the head from the tail, or the stem from the stern. She
him • prominent ram bow, and an equally prominent ram
stern, and, but for the rake of her masts, it would be the
easiest thing in the world to mistake the one for the other.
There is no graceful sheer about her, and one has an un-
pleasant belief that • heavy tumbling sea over her fore-
quarter would send her to the bottom like a stone.
Last of all come the wooden screw gunboats, and
these do little more than remind us of a
gigantic administrative folly. They are, for the
most part, the remains of that host of gunboats
which were built of green timber towards the close of the
Russian war, sad which have been chiefly remarkable for
being only lows rapid in the process of destruction by na-
twat decay than in the process of construction by over-
zealous contractor,. They are, for the most pert, now
used astenders to guardships, and it is not very likely
that they will ever be employed in any reorelacible occupa.
lion. However, they form the most insignificant portion
of the fleet, and it remains to be seen what important part
they may be required to play in the presence of the Queen
and the Sultan.

The fleet at anchor this morning consisted of the Vic-
toria, 102 guns, bearing the deg of Admiral Sir Thorims
Polley ; the Duncan' 81, Captain G. Hancock ; the Do-
negal, 81, Captain E. N. Turnout ; the Revenge, 73, Cap-
tain G. Le G. Bowyer; the St. George, 72, Captain M. S.
Nolloth ; the Royal George, 72, Captain T. Miller ; the
Irreaistible, 00, Captain Bothnia ; and the Lion, 60, Cap-
tain J. M. Hayes. These were the wooden
line-of-battle ships. The iron ships were repre-
sented by the Minotaur, 26, Captain J. G. Goodenough,
bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral F. Warden, C.B. ; the
Achilles, 26, Captain K V. Vausittart ; the Warrior, 40,
Captain J. Corbett; the Black Prince, 40, Captain C.
Fellowes ; the Lord Clyde, 24, Captain Roderick Dew;
the Bellerophon, 14, Captain R. J. J. G. Macdonald; the
Path., 6, Captain M. Connolly ; the Valiant, 24, Com-
mander C. H. Stirling; the Prince Albert, 5, Captain the
lion. Fitzgerald A. Foley ; the Wivern, 4, Captain Hugh
but-goyim, V.C. ; the Viper, 2, Commander H. E. Crosier;
the Vixen, 4 ; and the Waterwitch, Commander P. It.
Sharpe. The wooden frigates and sloops are represented
by the Kersey 40, Captain H. S. Hilly*: ; the Liffey, 3.1,
Captain G. J. Napier; the Sutlej, 35, Captain T. P.
Cuude ; the Dauntless, 31. Captain E. P. von Donop ; the
Terrible, 19, Captain J. E. Commerell, V.C. ,• the Gla-
diator, 6, Captain It D'A. Aplin ; the Nympbe, 4, '
Commander Barnardiston ; the Daphne, 4, Commander
G. L. Sulivan ; and a number of gunboat..

It was understood that the movements of the fleet to-
day were to be an exact counterpart of the programme to
be observed on the day of the review, with this exception,
viz., that on the present occasion no guns were to be fired
and there was to be nodisplay of cocked hats and epaulettes.
The rehearsal, however, would perhaps be more correctly
described if it were simply t,i be called a grand parade of
the fleet, for there was no attempt to perform any com-
plicated evolutions. But the movementa of the ships were
of the simplest and most intelligible character. There
was HO enemy to attack or to resist, and the operations
of this great force were something like those of the French
army which "first marched up the bill and then marched
down again." The ships were moored in two lines, the
first division under the command of Admiral Sir Thomas
Palley, con/gating of the Victoria, Irresistible, Done.
gal, Revenge, St. George, Royal George, Duncan, Lion,
Mersey, Liffey, tiutlej, and Dauntless, in the order named;
while the starboard division was composed of the
Minotaur (hearing the flag of Rear• Admiral Frederick
Warden), the Achilles, Warrior, Black Prince, Bellero-
phon, Lord Clyde, Valiant, Pallas, Royal Sovereign,
Prince Albert, Wivern, Research, Viper, Vixen, and
Watery/itch. The Gladiator held a position on the star-
board bow of the outer line, while the Terrible held a
corresponding position on the port bow of the in-shore
line, these being the look-out vessels, while the Nymphs
and the Daphne occupied positions near the centre of each
line for the purpose of repeating the signals made from
the flag-ship.
Sir Thomas Palsy, accompanied by Admiral Sir Charles
Talbot, arrived at Spithesd on board the Fire Queen steam
vesael, Staff Commander Paul, about 10 o'clock, and he
immediately prooseded ea board she Victoria. Tie signal

VERSES

SUPPOSED TO AL WRITTEN BY COMMISIGNIS ROEBUCK
DOURO HIS SOLITARY ABODE IN THE REGION OP Szur-
CONCEIT. -

(From the Ora.)
I'd be monarch of all I survey,
My right there'd be none to dispute,
If only I had my own way,
And—was not oonsider'd a brute.
Ob. CONOLLY, where is the use
Of insulting a statesman like me?
ERIE can't do without me—►nd thus

The consequence of it you see.
I am out of false modesty's reach,
I am perfectly happy alone ;
I hate other's " music of speech,"
But much love the sound of my own.
While this is convincingly plain,
I can't with indifference see
A " mason" discussing my reign
At Sheffield, and laughing at me.
Ye Trades, that have made me your sport,
Convey to your murderous shore
That " by the command of the Court"
He won the let in any more.
Let this be a lesson to all
Low varlets and others who dam
In question my wisdom to call,
Or think public comment is fair.

ROYAL AGRICULTURE', SOCIETY.—The annual
summer meeting of this society may be said to have com-
menced yesterday at Bury St. Edmund's, the implement
trials having been begun. The implements for trial consist
of steam-engines, fixed and portable ; threshing, finishing,
and hand dressing machines; barley hommellers chaff-
cutters, mills, crushers, oilcake beakers, bone-mills,
turnip cutters, lex. More than 700 truckloads of goods
have been delivered by the Great Eastern Railway Com-
pany at a temporary platform and dockyard adjacent to
the show-yard ; and it is worthy of note that the entries
of implements exhibit a very large increase as compared
with the last meeting of the society, which was held at
Plymouth. Indeed, the long lines of sheds which have
been erected would, if placed end to end. extend over a
distance of nearly four miles. These sheds have been
erected, it should be noted, by Mr. Peuny, of Taunton.
The implement exhibitors comprise Messrs. Howard, of
Bedford • Messrs. Ransomes and Sims, Ipswich ; Messrs.
Wood* and Cocksedge, Stowniarlet ; Messrs. Garrett,
Leiston ; Mr. Roby, Bury St. Edmund's ; Mr. C. Burrell,
Thetford • Mmes. Whitmore and Sous, Wickham Market;
Messrs. iurner, Ipswich ; Messrs. Page and Girling, Wood-
bridge ; Messrs. Ward and Silver, Melford ; Messrs.
Smyth and Sons, Peasenhall ; Messrs. Clayton,
Shuttleworth, and Co., Lincoln ; Messrs. Fowler
and Co., Leeds ; Messrs. Samuelson and Co.. Banbury;
Messrs. Ruston, Proctor, and Co., Lincoln ; Messrs. Tux-
ford and Sons, Boston ; Messrs. Avefing and Porter,
Rochester; Messrs. Richmond and Chandler, Salford ;
Messrs. Turner and Pardon, Leighton Bmiud Messrs.
Tssker and Son, Andover ; Messrs. Porter and Co., Lin-
coln ; Messrs. Burgess and Key, London ; Messrs. Ashley
and Jeffery. Stamford ; Messrs. Robey and Co. (Limited),
Lincoln ' • Messrs. Picksley, 5i,.., and Co.. Manchester ;
Messrs. Croshill and Sons, Beverley ; Messrs. Oldham
and Booth, Hull ; Messrs. Hornsby and Sons, Grantham ;
Messrs. Owens and Co., London ; Messrs. Gibbons, Wan-
tage ; Messrs. Riches and Watts, Norwich ; Messrs. Bar-
nard, Bishop, end Barnard, Norwich ; Messrs. Holmes
end Son, Norwich ; Messrs. Faldington, Chelmsford, &c.
The Viceroy of Egypt is expected to visit the show on
Monday, and possibly his Highness the Sultan may also
be induced to come down. Lord G. Manners, 31. P.,
endeavoured to secure the presence at the meeting of his
Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, but the Prince was
under the necessity of declining the invitation, in conse-
quence of other pressing engagements.
REPREsENTATIoN or TUE UNIVERSITY Or LON-
DON.—A largely-attended meeting of the liberal graduates
of the London University was held at Freemasons' Tavern
on the 11th inst., at which it was unanimously resolved
that in case of a conservative coming forward for the ex-
pected seat, the liberal candidates should submit them-
selves to a preliminary ballot to prevent any possibility of
a division of the liberal interest.. Local liberal committees
are in process of formation throughout the country.
Tile REPRESENTATION Or BIRMINGHAM.—Our
Birmingham correspondent, writing yesterday, rye :
" A feeling of profound sorrow has been produced
here by the sudden death of Mr. Scholefield. t would
be impossible for any man to gain more completely
the esteem, and in a measure the iittections, of all classes
of his constituents than did the late member; his high '
personal qualities charmed all who came into contact with
him. Ate meeting of the committee of the Liberal Aseocia-
tion,held this afternoon, Mr. Ald. Hawkes in the chair, the
following resolution was passed :—Moved by the Chairman,
and seconded by the Mayor (Mr. George Dixon), • That '
this association learn with profound sorrow the death of
Mr. William Seholefield. M.P., who for twenty years
has represented this borough in the House of Commons
with great ability, laborious activity, and undeviating
consiateng, end especially desires to express its admire.
tion of his enlightened political convictions which have
rendered him a true exponent of the views of his great
constituency, and rank his name among the roost honoured
champions of civil and religious liberty.' In reference to
the vacancy in the representation, a resolution was unani-
mously passed to invite Mr. George Dixon (of the firm of
Rabone -Brothers, merchant+) to come forward as • can.
didate. Mr. Dixon fill 4 the office of mayor this year, but
as he will accept the invitation now mote to bin, he will '
resign the mayoralty in a few days. Mr. Thomas Lloyd,
some time member for Bsaastsple, will set se chairman of
Mr. Dixon's committee."

throughout the day, the headquar•
moorings, being quickly followed by the other ships yestorday,
of the fleet. Shortly before eleven o'clock the Elfin, royal tars of the executive of the Central Belgian Committee, St.
Martin's-place, was the scene of considerable excitement,
yacht, steamed out of Portsmouth harbour under the com-
resulting from the continuous assemblage of large numbers
mend of Captain his Serene H ighness the Prince of Leiningen,
of Belgian officer in their uniforms, who are already m-
end took up her position at the head of the fleet as the re•
presentative of the queen. The Vivid, paddle yacht, also rived as a sort of advanced guard in London. Among the
other gentlemen already arrived were M. D. Auspar, Bur-
steamed out to Spithead, and had and board the First Lord
of the Admiralty IMr. Corry), Vice-Amiral Sir Alexander of Bruseels ; M. Daily, President of the Blgian
Whirr, Vice-Admiral Sir Sydney Dames, Captain Bran- National; N.
D. Vanderpeerbroom, and some other
members of the Belgian government ; Major Stoefs, of the
dreth, secretary to the First Lord ; and Rear Admiral G.
Brussels Guard Civic, and M. Charles Be Grille, the Bel-
l). Wellesley, superintendent of Portsmouth Dockyard.
The line-of-battle ships and frigates, which had °my fiall consul, and other officials. Colonel Loyd Lindsay was
in the chair, and Lord Bury, who made his first appearance
the up in half their boilers, then shaped their course
cc
since his recent severe accident, also attended during the
in the direction of the Nab mo
wer going at only half
morning, and was most cordially greeted by his colleagues.
The business was that of settling the details of the pro-
the 'peed of their half boiler po bat even under these
conditions the smaller vessels were left considerably in
the rear, and the hydraulic gunboat Waterwitch seemed gramme, and receiving reports as to the augmentation of
to be conspicuous for her sluggishness, although when
the subscription list, which since the last appeal has been
fairly under weigh, she contrived to keep her ground with of the moat notinf _
actory character. Amongst ad-
theditional subscriptions announced were the Hon.
two twin-screw vessels which were immediately
lin advance of her. The fleet, however, steamed away Artillery Company, 90/. ; Mr. C. Buxton, M.P., 50/. t
, majestically, two ships abreast, at pretty nearly equal dis- the Gr.., Company., lox. Earl Spencer, 501. ;
Mews. Gunter, 25/7; 'Sir D. learjoribanks, M.P., 20/. ;
! tames apart, and proceeded in a south-easterly direction
Ist Cheshire, 20/. 17s. 641. • Mr,
I NI far as a shoal known as the Bullock Patch, DIMINO, opal Service as& 6,.. ;
standing out prominently on the starboard hand, and
H. Poole, 50/ ; andWareick, 221. Si. ;South Middlesex,
ester
28/. lls. fill.• 37th Middlesex, 47/. • Ensign Milaceu Bath,
Chich on the rt. At this poi nt th eEI fin and Vivid
shut off their steam,po and the leading ships of each diva 3rd List, 29i. Ila ; and • considerable number of other
sion, followed by the others in succeesion, wheeled round smaller sums. During the afternoon the distribution of
a supposed pivot abreast of the royal yacht, the port divi- this English medals to be presented to each Belgian visitor
by the Prince of Wales, on parade at Wimbledon on `in-
board,don turning to port and the starboard division to star-
turday, took place to those members of the general com-
and in this order they shaped their mune book
towards the Nab, but before reaching it they again re- mittee who applied for them, with the understanding that
they are not to be worn by the English $ll after the the town tnw• of Bognor sentation to the Belgians shall have c
anplace. 'The
versed their positions, and stood out to sea for some di.- they
attached to them consists of the Belgi colours, to
Mace in a south-easterly direction,
clearly opening out to view beyond Selsey Bill. his
distinguish them from those of the Belgians which will
movement was executed with admirable precision, and as
the sunse each
anthero in double lines. with • have a ribbon of the colour of the English 'garter (dark
blue) attached to them. The details of the programme for
the present week was settled to take place in the following
bright overhead calm sea beneath, the
appearance of the fleet was magnificent. At •a quarter to
order : Today the general oommittee will embark on board
2 o'clock the order was given for the ships to draw up in
the Swift steamboat at Westminster-pier at 9 a.m., call at
closer order: and shortly afterwards signal was made for
Swan-pier at 9.10 a.m. andproceed to Gaiveirend, where,
them again to change course and steer towards the Nab
or within a short distance, it is expected her Majesty's
Light ; and this order was also obeyed with splendid pre-
the lamest ship in the royal navy,
milieu, each ship following in the wake of her predecessor tramaart sorara_,_
with scarcely any deviation from the lines o curvature trill have arrireci, or wiTi be
en its
way
up
the
river. The visitors will then be taken on boad a number
described by the leaders of the fleet. The Royal George
and St. George, however, now dropped astern ot the Dun- of small river steamboats, which have been chartered to
receive them. The whole flotilla will then come up the
river, with colours flying and bands on board. To-tror-
can, apparently owing to defective steaming power ; and
from some cause, which was not obvious, the Mersey was
headed by the Liffey. At half-rat 2 o'clock the order
wasrow, row the rendezvous of the Belgians is the parade of the
was gym for the ships to make all plain sail. and imme- wohiagtoc barrack., Birdcago_oalk, St. Jame...part, at
10.30 a.m., and they will march to Guildhall to partake of
diateiy there was a crowd of men in the rigging of every
ship, and sail was set from courses to royals. In this or- the hospitality of the City. There will be • lite at the
the •hientY gardens of the Horticultural Society at 4.30 p.m., and •
rawitthionwthhiethVbiecttotld.istwintoguissphreaeddh;e
mutif
then eunreranzione at the South Kensington Museum at 8.30
L manned with a thoroughly practised crew, and bas
but by
the Victoria
p.m. On Saturday, the Belgian parade will be in the
quadrangle of Somerset-house, at 10 a.m.; thence they
will march to Waterloo station for trains leaving for
expect that she should: eclipse the other ships in this
incalihejMutdicotenteesined tsehetlfiatuilitteZ oofnlyherreasocnamlreioton
Wimbledon at 11.15,11.2.5, 11.35, and 11.45, and return
from Wimbledon in trains commencing to run at 9 p.m.
to. l
tot It
studdingonl y fair,
oils, however,
as too
gu.
t,yd
second,that e Achilles,
sadthat
The railway arrangements for the visit to Windsor on
Tuesday next were also finally arranged yesterday. The
there ware but few th
ongexcepti. The fleet passed the
toreswhtrliche general smartness which
Theis
order was obeyed
trains to Windsor with half the force will go by Waterloo
at 10.15 and 10.30 a.m., reaching Windsor at 11.15 and
lPtzteilioith onsb thee p.odfinal rutnhotoNSapbithaboesiodt &boo
quarter
elooct
an
11.30 a.m. • the second half from Victoria at 11.30 and
and Bd
i thepc k
1L45, and 'Great Western at 12.30 and 12.45 ; the divi-
tosteaoomoitwtihtehiotboethw. wind
sion going down by the South Western to return by the
vh:ryur lliagWhtr'apnrced cadwimegg under
rd
measorey
Great Western station at Windsor at 6 p.m., and those by
toxin ter
fhalfor
theipas sit
itohoreetooto',cAlo:hk sillgnes, a
Bthe Great Western to return by the South Western at
and Pallas to part company and proceed up Channel to
romthcelyVdoic:
6.30 p.m. The other arrangements are not definitely set.
signal
was made
f,
Lord
Dover, to form part of the escort of the Sultan on his tied. During the afternoon the executive committee, con-
Majesty's voyage across the Channel ; and these ships im- misting of the Duke and Duchess of Manchester, Colonel
mediately reefed sails, put about, and steamed up Channel. and Lady Loyd Lindsay, Viscount and Viscountess Bury,
The other vessels of the fleet shortly afterwards also took Colonel the Hon. C. H. Lindsay, the Earl and Countess of
in sail, and continued their course to the anchorage, where Barwick, and a number of other ladies and gentlemen,
they arrived shortly after four o'clock, each ship taking up visited the Agricultural-hall, to witness the progress which
the berth she left in the morning. lie being made for the ball and concert to take place there
The fleet is now anchored in two lines, stretching away on the evenings of the 18th and 19th instant,
from the flagship in • north-westerly direction as far as and expressed their high gratification at the manner
Stokes Bay. The smaller sloops and gunboats will be in which Messrs. I)efrics are carrying out the undertaking
moored inside both lines, or nearest the Portsmouth with which they have been entrusted. Amongst other
shore. The moorings of the squadron detached on escort matters the progmmme of the concert was submitted, which
I duty will, of course, be reserved for them. I will, it appears, be upon an equal seals of magnitude end
. , grandeur with that of the ball. With regard to the ball,
in oonsequence of the number of applications the committee
have received it has been determined to appropriate •
space in the western gallery to reserved seats at two
guineas each, entitling the owners of the tickets to retain
them at option the whole evening, with supper, refresh-
menus, wine, A°. The small book containing the entire
programme of the fates, together with every species of in-
formation required by the Belgian visitors, was yesterday
issued, and • copy will be presented to every Belgian,
whilst they will be obtainable by the English volunteers
and the public at la each. The book has been produced
under the superviaion of the executive committee.

THE MANCHESTER BELOIAN REIT.PTION COM-
mrrrzr..—At a meeting of the committtee held yesterday it
was resolved, " That the Manchester Belgian Reception
Committee, being very anxious to carry out the wishes of
the inhabitants of Manchester and Salford as exed at
the public meeting held in the Town-hall, Manchester, on
the 7th June, 184i7, desire to express the pleasure they will
have in entertaining Belgian Volunteers, and would be
glad to know bow many may be expected to visit Ilanchea-
ter and its neivhbourhood, and that it be an instruction
to the Honorary Secretary to forward a copy of this reso-
lution to the Belgian committee."
THE Itevonst LEAOCE.—The ordinary meeting of
the executive council of the Reform League was held last
night at the offices, No. 8, Adelphi-terrace ; Mr. Edmond
Beales, the president, in the chair. Mr. G. Odger called
attention to a report of the proceedings of the previous
meeting which appeared in the riblia, and in which Mr.
Lucraft was stated to have imputed trickery and political
dishonesty to Mr. Gladstone and Mr. Bright. He believed
no member of the council would desire to apply such terms
to either of those gentlemen, and be hoped Mr. Lucraft
would mike an explanation which would clear the council
from the imputation of ingratitude, which was justified by
the use of the expressions in question. Mr. Lucraft, in
the course of some remarks, explained th.d be did not
intend to apply the terms complained of to Mr. Gladstone
and Mr. Bright. The chairman, Mr. Cooper, Mr. B.
Langley, Colonel Dickson, Mr. Creir.er, and other members
of the council repudiated sentiments antagonistic to Mr.
Bright aoil Mr. Gladstone, nod to the Manchester reformers.
Eventually a resolution harmonising with the feeling of
the council on the subject, was proposed by Mr. Odger,
and unanimously agreed to. The chairman said the
Holborn branch of the League had intended to hold a
meeting next Sunday in Trafalgar-square, but he had the
greatest possible pleasure in stating that they had aban-
doned the idea in deference to the wish of the executive
committee, expressed in a resolution muumil by that body
on Monday last. The following resolution was adopted ;
—"That the council sincerely congratulates the Trades
Unionist Political Association and the northern depart-
ment of the Reform League in Manchester upon their
having selected Mr. Ernest Jones as the most fitting man
to represent the city of Manchester as its third member in
the House of Commons, and trusts that every effort will
be made to secure ',o a reformed parliament the services of
so eminent a jotriot and true friend of the people." It
was also proposed and agreed to "That the council of the
Reform League expresses its deep regret that Birmingham
reformers should have lost the able services of Mr. Sehole-
field, and expresses at the mane time the sincere hope that
an advanced reformer, holding the ideas of the Reform
League, may he selected in thereon of their late respected
representative."
Alumina IN WALES.—A dreadful murder was
committed at Dowlida on Sunday morning, about one
o'clock. the name of the victim being Saunders Henderson,
38 years of age, and that of the murderer Thomas Wat-
kin... aged 40. Both men were unmarried, and lodged at
the house of an old woman named Murphy, whose husband,
nearly 70 years of age, works as a watchman in the Dow.
leis works. On Saturday night he was on duty. About
eleven o'clock Henderson and Watkins came home and
sat down to supper together. Mrs. Murphy then left
the house, and when she returned, an hour afterwards, she
found that Watkins had gone upstairs, leaving Hen-
derson apparently sleeping on a chair. She went into her
own bedroom, which is on the ground floor, and got into
bed. A few minutes afterwards she was followed by Hen.
demon, who got into bed with her. him then cried out,
I and cot up in the bed. While sitting in the bed she heard
Watkins coming downstairs, and she jumped out of bed
leaving Henderson there. She went towaids the kitchen,
but was met at the door by Watkins, who knocked her
senseless with a poker, and then advanced into the room.
What he did there the old woman could not say, since the
heanl neither voices nor blows ; but presently he canto
out and went for a Mrs. Rees. This woman Cann'. and
then Watkins said he thought he bail .lone for Hen-
derson. Upon that there was great excitement.
Two or three persons went into the room and found
Henderson lying in a great pool of blood, Quite dead,
with blood still flowing from wounds in the head. The
skull was fractured in two or three places. Mrs. Rees
came out and said, " Thomas has killed the man," and
Watkins then said, " he had caught the —at last." A
policeman just then arrived on the scene, sod baying Peen
that Henderson had been killed, took Watkins in custody
on the charge of causing his death. On Monday Watkins
was brought before the magistrates at Merthyr, and bean!
with indifference the whole of the evidence against him.
He denied that he struck Henderson with a poker. The
• uchcommitted him for trial, on the capital charge, at
the next assigns.
HEALTH RESTORED SY Du BARRY'S FOOD TO TEI
81.01(011, serves, lunge and liver of old and young. curing
dyspepsia tindigestion,, , acidity, head-
ache, neuralgia, hysteria,mmdgsat"itatioo, sleeplessness, debility.
wasting, cough, asthma, fevers, consumption, low spirits. Stine,
annual cures which had restated all medicines, ineluding that id
his Hollows the Toye.—llaa, at la. Ilb re. : Balls., Tta. :
11th sea.—De Bony and Co., 77, Regent-street„ London : also at
el Gracechurcheireet ; 4, Chapel& ; Cl and MO, Oztowleitneet:
and an gr,,„,„ end chemists.- ifidvertiaessent