The Express.
London, England, 1868-03-07 00:00:00

TO Tel ZDITOR OF TUB KiTian.

f3m,—lt would seem from the great falling off of
contributions to the societies at present engaged in re-
lieving the distress in the east of London, that the public
axe under the Impression that the advent of spring and
spring weather has bad the effect of causing a diminution
in the destitution which was so intense daring the winter
months. Might I ask you kindly to insert this letter,
which I write for the purpose of stating that, with the ex-
ception of one or two districts, there is as yet but little
abatement in the distress. Our society has 52 sewing
classes, now at work in the east, giving employment, on
an average, to about 3,500 women daily, ninetieths of
whom are married women, whose husbands are out of
work, the remainder being widows and single women.
Should more liberal oottributions not come in during the
next few days, we shall be obliged to reduce the number
by one-half, and in the course of another week diecon-
thine altogether the work which has been pronounced by
clergy of all Christian denominations, and by the laity
residing on the spot, one of the most important ever
carried on among the poor. We are already obliged to
turn away hundreds of deserving mass for want of fund..
—I am, be.,
SOMERSET B. SAUNDERSON,
Hon. See. to Committee.
East London MIAMI and Relief Society,
7, Adam-street, Adeiphi.

The death is announced of Sir Henry Floyd,
Bart, the grandfather of the Right Hon. Sir Robert Peel,
Bart. The deceased, wbo was a major-general in the army,
served with distinction in the Peninsula and at Waterloo.
He is strooseded by his sow, Captain John Floyd, late of the
3rd Foot. The first baronet was colonel of the Bth Light
Dragoons, and distinguished himself in India, notably at
the siege of Seringapatam. His daughter married the illus-
trious statesman Sir Robert Peel. _

Tux RITUAL COIIMISSION.—We hear on good
authority that the labours of the Ritual Commission are
now drawing to • close. There has been oonsidenble
difference of opinion which bu resulted in several
divisions, at recent meetings, respecting the re-
solutions upon which the report is to be
based. If we are oorrectl y Informed the oommiasionen
have already decided by • majority on four clause
of their report. The first suites that since the first report
in relation to the vestments the 00•1131i1160111E1 have pro-

oeeded to consider the question of altar-lights and incase.
With regard to the first point they state that having taken
evidence and examined the arguments in the came of
`Martin v. Mackonochie," and "Maua v. Simpson,'
they come to the conclusion that the use of lighted
candles at the celebration of Holy Communion has only
been introduced into certain churches within the last 95
years. The consideration of • rider to the effect that
no information ham been laid Wore the commission
proving altar lights to have been mod in churches fee H*
years previous tothe time shove-named, has been pulped
on the motion of the Bishop of London. An alternative
proposition, moved by Mr. Hubbard, rendering admissible
the nee of chasubles, alba, and copse, provided they be
made of white linen, was, although it declared the emloy-
ment of incense inadmissible rejected on a division.- lite
turning point of the report will, we are informed, come on
for discussion on the 12th inst., when Sir Joseph Napier
will propose • resolution to restrain all veriatbse from
established usage in the matter of lights and incense, in
the same manner in which the nee of vestments wee dis-
couraged in the first report. The commissioners have
almost completed their revision of those rubrics which
have given rise to varying usages in the °Mee for Holy
Communion.—Herold.

Tee Co-ornurm Morrms,rr. —At the close of
the meeting of the louden radealers end grooms held
at the Hanover-square Rooms on Wednesday night Let a
very larp number of persons gave in their mines end paid
their subewiptions a. members. The perment is 10s. 6d.
per bruin, or 5/. le. fora life membership. The malt of
the meeting was considered highlyeatisfactory,and it is in-
tended to establish a very strong Eon, committer
to be sprinted in every postal 'at throughout the
metropolis. Thegeneralocuninittee at present consists of the
following :—Aron Brothers, ihtebridg• ; Aldermen
and Beckford, Cuson.etrast, Magabr • C. Barber, Bick-
erer, Greenwich ; J. D. Bett, Oiford-ilrest ; R. Bantry,
Crawford•street ; Cave and Sons, Riehniend ; G. Close,
High-street, St. Jokes-wood ; G. T. Co:, Goedgretrest,
Tettenharcoulred ; J. Dere, Charchntresti
Edg-
ware-road; Dearly and Co., Proadilly ; R.
lligh-street, llsrylebone • B. Griot, Erulnglen ; J.
Grow, Cambridgerreet, Hydwpark ; Heresy and Sons,
Notting-hill Xing, Paddington; J. Nicer, New.
gate-stmt; Novell and Sens, Ecerren-street, Pimlico;
Payne and Sao, Regentoreet ; J. ParridrOr :ford.
street; W. Rayner, Leinder.te s nsee, Hk ; 0.
Sergeant. Grafton-street, &he ; Sellers and Cowley, Bays-
water ; T. Smith, Cambeidge.street ; and Sternal and
Co., Edgware road. Although the meeting of Wednesday
was called primarily to devise means for opposing op-opera-
tion as far as it is affecting the tes&akrs sad ►
poems,
sense nimnbers of the trade fail to see hew the ropier
susestation can berth them by preveiring their onstemers
traneferring their orders to a car/motive society.

CONIOITT AL OT THE LICTLIIIII, DUCKER . —Yea-
!erday, at the Rochdale police-court, George Mackey
anti-Poway lecturer," was placed in the dock
with shooting, on Thursday night, at PolicwoonsTal;
Halstead and Wood, with intent to do bodily harm.
Halstead stated that on Thursday night he was
on duty in Acker-street, when the prisoner came
up with about 300 men. They were ordered to leave, bat
they refused. and endeavoured to tweak open the Public
Hall door. Superintendent Pickering then ordered the
constables to charge, and he and others drove the
prisoner and about 20 nen behind • cart. Mackey then
drew a revolver end shot at whams. The ballet went
though his belt and topcoat, and lodged in the lining of
his coat. The prisoner next fired at Poliosoliesr Wood.
Polies-constable Kenny stated that he too wss present
and heard *swimmer may. "Where is Your coeraliereelw
and megistrates. Why are they not here 1" at some
time painZilerrevolver at Mr. Superintendent Pielooft,
when the and his followers were driven
Mr. Hodgkinson, son, chief constable of Oldhaaave evi-
dence to searching the prisoner at the
station, and finding upon him a revolver, with two =
berm discharged and four loaded. Mr. Superintemist
Pickering corroborated the previous witness's irriamme.
The prisoner wee committed for trial at the swan. b
being refused. Arthur Holemmeth, cotto•
was next charged with shooting Michael Glum, Vag
4e-the-Lane, but as there appeared to be • 'babe in the
sad
mse,i• the me=segr the prisoner the benefit of it,
was