The Express.
London, England, 1861-06-25 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, TUESDAY .EVENING, JUNE' ,25, 1861.

Last year Parliament resolved to defer the re-
vision it had been specially named to abet in the
national representation until the facts and figures
of 1861 should be before it. Well, it has got
them now ; what will it do with them t Par
front serving to abate in any sense the demands
of urban industry and intelligence for a greater
share in the future allotment of electoral power,
they greatly strengthen the case previously made
on behalf of the towns, and significantly suggest
the imperative necessity of a large and sweeping
readjustment in their favour. Instead of a left-
handed transfer of representation from the
smaller boroughs to agricultural districts, the
tables of the Census irrefutably point to an ex-
tensive supplemental enfranchisement of the large
cities and towns. There are already twenty great
cities and towns in England alone whose in-
habitants exceed 100,000 ; there were little
more than hall that number in 1831. When
Earl (;Rev's Reform Bill was proposed,
the rural population vastly outnumbered the
urban ; and this is the historical justification of
the largo concessions then made of new seats to
counties. But the tide has turned, and now
runs steadily in another direction. Agriculture,
far from declining, is scientifically and practically
improved, during the last fifteen years especially,
beyond all that its friends could have hoped for;
and the aggregate of the various classes, proprie-
tors, farmers, and labourers, who live by the cul-
-1 tivation of the soil, has not, upon the whose,
diminished. But they have lost the right to pre-
ponderance in the scales of imperial power. The
progress of the nation since 1831 has been em-
phatically the progress of its towns. Therein has
the magic of its inventive skill been displayed ;
therein have the designs of • world-embracing

commerce been matured ; therein have the
means and resources of the State been
doubled ; and therein lies the multitudinous
increase of a busy, loyal, and educated peop'e.
Will Government look these facts in the face,
and venture any longer to trifle with the great
question of the redistribution of representative
rights 1 They were content last Session to let the
matter be treated as a party football fur weeks
and months, until at last one of their confidential
supporters interposed the pretext for a postpone-
ment, that there would be a Census taken in 1861,
and that they had better wait to hear what its
returns would say. They would appeal to this
statistical emsAit, and before its tribunal they
must go.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

An interesting, although strictly private, cere-
monial took place yesterday morning at the modem of the
society, South Kensington, which we hail with unfeigned
satisfaction, u a symptom that her Majesty's interest in the
feelings and occupations of her people is again reviving.
She had intended to honour the inauguration of the
society by planting a tree with her own hand on the sth of
June. Her unavoidable absence ow that occasion prevented,
this being dote. Hie Royal Highness the Prince Consort
then planted one ; but her Majesty, in fulfilment of her
royal intention. yesterday visited the gardens for the
express purpose of planting a Iris herself. She was attended
by his Royal Highness the Prince Consort and .Princess
Helena, the Count de Flandres, Lady Brune, &c. She ar.
rivod a little before ten o'clock, and was received by the
following members of the council, viz. :—The Earl of Dude,
the Lord Bishop of Winchester, Mr. C. Wentworth Mks,
Dr. Lindley, Mr. John Clutton, Mr. J. Lee, Mr. H. T.
Hope, Mr. H. Pownall, Mr. J. Veitcb, and Mr. Wrench.
Mr. Shindy, one of the viee•presidenta, Mr. Wilson &wi-
den, treasurer, and Idr. Godson, one of the members of the
council, were unavoidably absent.

- -
In passing through the council-room her Majesty passed
to examine sours statues which were placed there ; theses
she passed up the long eastern &reside, and then crossed to
the north.western corner, exactly opposite to the spot
when his Royal Highness the Prince Consort planted the
tree on the former occasion. A beautiful Wellingtolds,
presented by Messrs. James Veitch and Sons, was ready
placed there ; a handsome spade wee handed to bet Majesty
by Mr. Nike, and she proceeded to shovel in several sped*.
full of earth, much to the interest and delight of the mall
circle surrounding the spot. She then looked round, appa-
rently with sores hesitation as to whom she should hand
the epode, and after • eicauelit's oueoldeaatioti. with •
gracious smile, presented it to Mr. James Veitch, jun.
The party then proceeded to the oonservatory, where her
Majesty seemed much pleased with the elegance and pro-
portions of the building. Her Majesty there honoured
Lady Ducie with an interview, having observed her
ladyship among the company present, continued some time
in conversation with her, and took special notice of Lord
Moreton, a tine boy about eight years of age, her ladyship's
eldest son.

On leaving the conservatory the royal party proceeded
down the centre walk, and entered the ground" where the
new Great Exhibition building is in course of erection.
After a short time spent there, during which Captain
Fowke and Mr. Cole, the architects of that building, gave
explanation', her Majesty returned to the gardens, whence
she took her departure. In consequence of her lfajestrs
mourning the visit was strictly private, there being not
more than 100 persons present.
After her Majesty's departure, his Royal Highness the
Prince Consort remained a considerable time io conference
with several members of the council upon the various works
still in progress.

THE CLAIM OP CHELSEA TO REPRBSSN•

ra TION.

A public meeting of the inhabitants of the
parishes of Chelsea sal Kensington was held yesterday
eve-mug to discuss their claim to one or more of the vacan-
cies in the representation caused by the disfrachisement of
Sudbury and St. Albans, and to protest against the rejec-
tion by the House of Commons of the clause in Sir G. C.
Lewis's bill which proposed to form them into a parlia•
mastery torou7h. Dr. Innamt, one of the churchwardens,
took the chair.

The CHAIRMAN briefly explained the object which bad
brought them together. He held that the district was en-
titled to direct representation, and was surprised as well as
disappointed at the rejection of the measure by which it was
ir.ended to confer on them that right.
Mr. NEWTON FINCH moved a resolution to tho effect
"That in the opinion of this meeting the denial by •
majority of the House of Commons of the paramount
ctaams of Chelsea and Kensington to direct parliamentary
representation is an insult to the population, wealth,
and intelligence of this dairies, and this 'meet-
ing calls upon ministers to withdraw the present bill."
Mr. AECHBUT seconded the motion, charag the failure
of their hops to the faithlessness of Lord Palmerston and
Sir G. C. Lewis, who, after professions of support, aban-
doned them ; and of Mr. Bright and his friends, who bad,
in writing, previously admitted the justice of their claims.
The resolution was iarri:d.
Mr. T. M'Cul.t.Aus moved the following resolution " That the vast and growing increase of the great towns of
the kingdom in prosperity, intelligence, and population, as
shown by the recent census and income tax returns, con-
treated with the gradual decline of many of the smaller
boroughs, renders the concession of additional representa-
tion to the former a measure of policy and justice which
ongbt not to be further delayed." Ile believed they had
early to persevere in their demand to secure success, and
that was an opinion of • member of parliament who was
one of the most active in the corn.law ag:tation, who had
written to him to that effect He remind:d then, that per-
ieverence had brought about the repeal of the corn-laws, re-
form, tad many other great measures. Ile had been asked
to become a candidate Aoul,l the opportunity arise, and, so
Long as ho thought their claims were life, he felt no im-
propriety in accepting the honour offered him. But circum-
stances were now charged, and his duty was clear. They
had now to clear the decks for action, and he utterly
and entirely withdrew all claims of candidature from that
time. Be was ready to fall back into the ranks, and would
do so—((hear)—and lie hoped they would not think of dis-
posing of their rights and franchises until they had them
safe. _

Mr. G. A. WALICEIt, chairman of the board of guar-
dians, atom:led the motion. _ _

A hENTLEMAN thought it a false position to seek the
assistance of the other great towns, which were perhaps
competing with them for the franchise, at a time when they
had .11 but achieved their object.
The resolution was carried, as were the following :
"That the enfranchisement committees of Chelsea and
Keosin"tou be requested to consider themselves permanent,
and that they be empowered to take such measures as they
may think fit from time to time to secure the commit= of
our representative rights, and that Tureens M'C,allagh, Esq.,
be requeitel to act as chairman thereof."
"The meeting records its thanks to the 200 members of
the House of Common who voted for the enfranchisement
of the two parishes."
The usual compliment to the chair concluded the proceed.
ings.

The day fixed far the speeches at Harrow School
Is Thursday, July 4. Leumsdistely after the speeches the
first stone of the " Vaughan Library" will be laid by Lord
Palmerston. This building, intended to commemorate the
lewd mastership of Dr. Vaughan, will be erected from •
design furnished by Mr. G. Gilbert Scott, who was also the
architect of the chapel. The subscription to the library
fund amounts to 4,6001., and the whole of the ground be-
tween the chapel and the bead master's house has been
secured for the site.

The Bill to Amend the Law of Church Rates
prepared by Mr. Croak Mr. Banks Stanhope, Mr. Heneage,
and Mr. Portnuus, has been printed. The proposed notice
of an objection to be rated to goy church rates is u fol-
lows :—" I, —, of —, hereby give notice that I
desire not to be rated to the church rtes of the parish
of —." Such notices may be withdrawn. Persons not
liable to be rated are to have no voice is appointing chinch_
wardens, or touching church rated.

The estimate fur the Post-office packet service for
the year 1061-2 wits 991,4118/. A parliamentary return
issued this morning states the sum required to be voted on
account is 2110,0001.

A blue-book was issued this morning containing
the general report of the eximmissioners appointed for im-
proving the sanitary coalition of barracks and hospitals.
The report, which is dated in April, ooeopisesupwards of
200 pages, and the appendix is more than 100 pages
long.

the Bond of Berne 'dates that a mansion and
estate, in the vicinity of Lucerne, have just been purchased
for the King of Naples for the sum of 40,000 fr.
CRYSTAL PALACE, —The great annual dinner on
behalf of the Licensed Victuallers School will be held, by
wscial permisidon of the directors, in the Centre Transept
of the Crystal Pslaoe, to-morrow (Wednesday) ; M, Bass,
Ital., M.P., in the chair. The tables, 1$ in cornier, and
168 feet long, extend across the entire width of the tran-
sept, with a top table fur the chairman and prineipid wip-
=e( the institution, on a platform 120 feet long and
wide. The children of the schools, with the mili-
tary hand, will occupy a few meets on the front of the great
Handel orchestra, the rest of it will be open to the public.
Upwards of 3,000 dinner tickets are already issued. The
doors of the palace will be open at 10 o'clock. and the
dinner will take place at half-pang 3. Biondin's eighth
assent will take piece on Monday post.

Ertacorat. RIIIIID6NCII3.—The total coat of the
" Bishops' Pekoes" which the Foelesiastleal Commias;oners
have bought or improved is as follows :—Sses : Ripon,
14,724/. ; Lincoln, 52.194/. ; Gloucester and Bristol,
21,9001. ; Rochester. 34,157/. ; Oxford. 1,4119? • Worcester,
7.0031. • Exeter. :OWL ; Hereford.l"l..2._.• • Ll4adafr,9,°M;
Yartehester, 19,0.371. • Norwich, s,uour. • total
169,8431. Of the above corn. 57,702/. has been paid oat of
the revenues of the commission, the remainder bas been
obtained from the sale or mortgage of property belonging
to the sees, the rents and proceeds of which would other-
wise have been applied in the augmentation of small
livings, or to the diminution of spiritual destitution.—The
Errieriageral ; or, the ltirthvo ae Church
Beforsiers.