The Express.
London, England, 1868-05-25 00:00:00

CRYSTAL PALACE. PLOWER SHOW.

The directors of the Crystal Palace do not exag-
gerate when they term their great annual flower show one
of the most prominent features of the London season.
Anything more Arming than the ileiral display of Satur-
day last it would be impossible to Luis/rine. ?Ninon:4
satisfactory as have been previous shows of this character,
to the one of Saturday must be awarded the highest place,
not only for the extent and variety of the plants and
flowers exhibited, but for the rare excellence of most of
the specimens sent in for competition. The early spring
I had a most beneficial effect upon the display
this season, and some of the stove and green-
house plants and the azaleas and roses were
the perfection of rural culture. The flowers were ar-
ranged on both sides of the nave, extending from the tro-
pical department at one end to the fountain at the other,
and over this apace a pretty fight coloured awning had been
erected. Where for the most part all the plants exhibited
were so beautiful, the difficulty which the judges had to
contend with in awarding the prizes was of no light cha-
racter. In spite of the high charge for admission,
and the unpropitious state of the weather outdoors. the
attendance was extremely large, and for several hours a
continuous stream of ladies and gentlemen wended their
way down one aide of the nave and up the othe►. By the
admirable regulations which were laid down and enforced,
there were few difficulties as regarded locomotion, and all
the flowers could be seen without some of those difficulties
and inconveniences which attend floral display■ held in
leas commodious building!. In addition to the attrac-
tions of the show there were some musical selections in the
Handel orchestra by the band and chorus of her Majesty's
Opera, the Coldstream Guards band, and the musicians
connected with the palate ; and the shades of evening
were fast approaching before most of those who had been
attracted to the show could be prevailed upon to quit the
scene. The success of the exhibition was ucquestionable,
and it speaks well for the increasing popularity of these
gatherings.

The collection of pictures and water-colour drawings
formed by Mr. James Follows, deceosed, removed from his
late residence Sunny Bonk, Loogsight, Manchester, was
on Saturday last brought under the hammer of Messrs.
Christie, Hanson, and Woods, at their rooms, in King-
street, St. James's. The beauty of this collection drew
together an overwhelming audience, ard the prices realised
were very high. The whole realised the large sum of
X 2,1501.
WEir: HTS AND MEASURES (METRIC SYSTEM)
BILL—At a meeting of the Casten of the British
branch of the International Decimal Association, Earl
Forteacue, president, in the chair, the result of the
recent discussion on the Weights and Measures (Mettle
System) Bill, brought in by Mr. Swart, Mr. Barley, Mr.
Baines, Mr. J. B. Smith, and Mr. Grave., was reported
as quite in accordance with former decisions of the house.
The second reading of the Compulsory Bill was carded
in 1863 by 110 to 75,1 majority 35. The second reading of
the Permissive Bill in 1864 was carried by 90 to 52,
majority 38, and the second reading of the Compulsory
Bill in 1861 was carried by 217 to 65,
. majority 152.
Whereupon, on the motion of Sir J. Bowling, seconded bg
Mr. Yates, it was resolved as follows :—" The council
have seen with great satisfaction the affirmation of the
principle of the introduction of the metric system in this
country by the passing of Mr. Ewort's bill by so large a
ma city of the House of Commons."
GREAT NORTHERN HOSPITAL, CALEDONIAN-ROAD,
N.—Number of patients for the week ending May 23,
1,119 ; of which 353 were new eases. The Ancient Order
of Foresters have kindly promised a grand fête at the Mid-
dlesex County Grounds in aid of the funds of the new
buildings to provide treble the number of free beds for
the sick poor.

•
- - -
The prices of Horaiman's Teas are greatly re
dosed their well-known superiority ban attracted a beet of gm-
rionehnitations; therefore notice all Rename Packets are ebined
lion:Moan and Co,. London, Original Importers of the Pure
Tea." 200 confectioners agenta in Landon, 0,300 rleenlits fa
the Prereinosa.-lAdvertisenleaLl