The Express.
London, England, 1861-02-22 00:00:00

VENTILATION OF METALLIC MINES.

Mr. EIWKAIRD asked the Secretary of State for the
HMO Department how soon the inquiry promised last
swoon into the state of ventil etion, and the great loss of
life consequent on labouring in tin, iron, copper, and other
metallic mines, would be made.
Sir G. C. LEWIS mid it was true, as elated, that during
the discussion which took place last more In reference to
the bill for regulating coal mines, a promise was made on
behalf of the government that en inquiry should take place
within some reasonable time into the ventilation and labour
of and in metallic mines. He had not yet made any an.
rangemente for the purpose of such inquiry, but if it were
the general wish of persons in that branch of industry
to have such an inquiry, and if it should to lead to
beneficial result., he should be prepared to recommend
steps being taken for the purpose.
THE BANKRUPTCY AND INSOLVENCY BILL
The house went into committee on this bill, Mr. MASS=
in the chair.
On reaching the 81st clause, which abolished the die.
Unction between trader and non.treder,
Sir G. BOW YER moved that the clause be postponed.
This motion was supported by Sir L Palk, Lord J. Mu-
er" end Colonel Dunes, opposed by the Attorney-General,
and negatived. The dun we. agreed to without further
discussion.
The question as to the principle of assiasilating the law
applicable to the two classes of debtors we., however, dis-
cussed at much length on the next clause, which set forth
the eats that would constitute severally an act of bank-
ru..ATTORNEY-GENERAL, in replying to objections,
entered very fully into the reasons for the assimilation,
which, be observed, would bring the law into conformity
with the moral character and reputation of the country.
Mr. WALPOLE thought the clause did not sufficiently
protect the non-trader, who ought to have ampler oppor-
tunity to pay the debt before the stigma of bankruptcy
was affixed to him, and suggested that the court, before it
ordered a copy of the petition for adjudication of bankruptcy
to be served upon him, should have satisfactoty evidence
that the creditor had demanded or used due diligence to
obtain payment of the debt, but had been defeated by an
act of bankruptcy committed by the debtor.
The clause, however, was agreed to without amendment.
Oa claws 88,
Mr. JAMES moved to leave out " whether he be a trader
or "noloatid to insert " or not being a trailer at the end of
e mouth."
or
ATTORNEY-GENERAL accepted the amendment,
and the clans. was agreed to, as were clauses up to 118.
He proposed to add at the end of this clause the words that
" such persons should not be entitled to their discharge by
petition in forma jeuperis."
The clause as lUnC0(114 was then agreed to, as was also
clause 117.
The CHAUSVAN then reported progress, and obtained
lean to sit again on Monday next.
MARKETS AND FAIRS (IRELAND) BILL.
I upon the motion for the second reading of this bill,
Lord NAAS objected, not in a spirit hostile to the bill,
to the maw a which the inquiries were to be conducted ;
that there were so provisions for a uniformity of weights
and and to fairs being included in the bill.
Mr. SCI 7 Y urged the postponement of the second
reading.
After a abort disunion, in which Mr. Oserownix replied
to objections, the bill was reed a leered time.
THE BANK OF ENGLAND PAYMENTS BILL.
On the order for going into committee upon the Bank of
ErdßPAlrerenmtlioded the house that they were going
y to surrender to the Bank of England for twenty-
re years the control of our monetary affairs, and be ad-
verted to matters in relation to the conduct of the Bank,
which, in his opinieo, did not justify the giving so large a
power for so lose a period to an irresponsible body.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER observed
that, till -the most time, there had been a great
doubt whether parliament was at liberty, in honour
end good faith, to interfere with the remuneration
of the Bank as spot for the nenagennet of the public
debt ; but by this bill the matter was brought under the
control of parliament, arid there would he no inch ern-
branglement as Mr. Bans apprehended. As to the present
state of the money market and the conduct and policy of
the Bank, he did not think that a fit meekoe to enter into

If the Crochets the Pere Martin had not been no
cleverly adapted by Mr. Oxenford, and so admirably rear
dared by Mr. Robson, as the Porter's Knot, the new and
original drama, The Chimney Corner, produced last night at
the Olympic Theatre, would have come with greater
novelty and greater originality ; but nevertheless it is an ex-
cellent piece, and achieved ■ very decided success. It is,
indeed, seldom that so much melodramatic effect has been
produced with such mild and rational means—seldom that
each every-day erperiences, such human probabilities have
been wrought up,.without the least attempt at high-flown
writing or intensified situation, into the highest interest.
Peter Probity (Mr. F. Robson) is the keeper of a chand-
ler's shop ; he is thoroughly happy with his wife Patty
(Mrs. Leigh Murray), and his old father, Solomon (Mr. H.
Wigan); and though he has apparently loot all his merge in
a bad mining investment, he has been appointed sole exe-
cutor to his old friend Emery, whose daughter Grace (Mir'
Hughes) is his wad. This young lady is really in love with
the chandler's son, John Probity (Mr. W. Gordon), but a
codicil to her father's will forbids her marrying him, and
virtually sepses her to a young lawyer, Mr. Charles
Chatty (Mr. G. Murray). Unless she complies with the ecia-
dition within a month her inheritance is forfeit. In this law.
yer'soffloe John Probity is a clerk, and his father's happier,
o'ershadowed by the discovery that this codicil to the will
was dictated by a suspicion that the young man had forged
a cheque on the firm. This intelligence comes upon the
chandler just as be has sold out Grace's fortune, and has
deposited the money for safety in a desk in his sittieg-
room. The old grandfather, a nonagenarian, half-witted.
but cunning even in his imbecility, sees the money depo-
sited in this desk, and, with a dread of thieves, retires it,
and deposits it for safety in a hole in the chimney. No
sooner has he done this, unseen by all, than his grandson
eaten. Unable to bear the loss of Grace, he determines to
fly from home and seek his fortune elsewhere ; accordingly,
he gives to the old man a letter explanatory of his deter-
mination, takes a few pounds which he has saved from the
desk, and departs. 71e chandler returns, and proceeds to
the desk to get the money, finds it gone, reads the letter,
and connecting its information with the babble of the old
man, is convinced that his son has stolen the girl's fortune,
and is heartbroken.

A fortnight la supposed to elapse, and misery reigns in
the chandler's family. The lawyer comes for the money, and
the chandler is compelled to confess that he has it not. The
lawyer threatens to bring him to a criminal bar; but here
the young lady interposes, and by signing the cent:set of
marriage with the lawyer becomes virtually the possessor of
the inheritance, and declares she has authorised the old
chandler to do with it as he pleases. Meanwhile John Pro-
bity is found to be innocent of the crime of which he was
originally suspected, forging the cheque. The grandfather,
in a moment of extra lucidity, reveals that (he had hidden
Grace's fortune in the chimney-corner, and all ends happily,
with a prospect of the marriage of the two young people.
This little piece is very well written, purely, honestly,
and with but one slight defect, an obvious straining after
facetious point. It is neatly put together, and, as we have be-
fore said, is effective, without any preposterous incoherence.
Of the acting it is impossible to speak in too high terms.
Mr. Robson is thoroughly suited with one of those aerie-
comic characters which ho portrays better than any
other living actor, and listening to which our
laughter at his quaintness is checked by tears at
his pathos. A more refined and heart-touching per-
formance
it is impossible to conceive. Most admirably is I
he supported by Mrs. Leigh Murray, full of sweet, womanly
pathos; by Miss Hughes, earnest, quiet, and ladylike; and
by Mr. Gordon, gentlemanly and effective. Mr. H. Wigan
merits a special word of praise. Hu portraiture of senility,
in look, voice, and gesture, was perfection.
The piece was thoroughly and deservedly successful. Mr.
Hobson was called at the end of the first act and at the fall
of the curtain, when a similar compliment was paid to the
others:tors sod to the author.

STRAND.

---
Last night Miss Marie Wilton made her rentrir
at this theatre, after a long and severe illness, the traces of
which are still painfully apparent.

Tux MADRIGAL Socrerv. Yesterday evening
this society held its one buodred and twentieth anniversary
meeting in Freemasons' Sill. About sixty members and
visitors at down to dinner; Sir George Clerk, Bert.,
the president of the society, occupying the chair.
THE ANNUAL MOTION FOR THE BALLOT.—MT.
Berkeley has given notice for Tuesday, the sth of March.
of his intention to move for leave to bring in a bill for the
protection of electors in voting for members to serve in
parliament. We believe the honourable member has been
re glisated to postpone the motion for a few days later.
Tme FRENCH TARIIT AND THE LOCK TRADE.—
Several French lock manufacturers have been visiting Wil-
Loh& and other parte of South Staffordshire, in the pest
few days, and they have displayed no small amount of
inquisitiveness as to the pricess adopted iu the manufac-
turer carried on in the district. A very liberal amount of
facility was afforded to them by the proprietors of the
work* that they visited ; certain of them were evidently
prepared to do business. They brought with them samples
of French locks, and desired quotations from the Willenhall
manufacturers. These locks were of a first class quality.
and were finished in a style to which the mass of the South
Staffordshire makers are quite unaceuatomed. The goods
in question were manufactured entirely of metal, chiefly
of iron and steel, and a few of brass, and they were intended
for the greater part fur room door locks. The boxes were
fixed to the neatness of a die, and their almost brilliant
surfaces were embellished with scroll-work which seemed
to have been fretted by a chemical agent. Such
a style of getting up the Willenhall manufacturers know
nothing of, and their quotations were such se gave the
French makers a marked advantage. The Frenchmen, how-
ever, were deficient in a process of key manufacturing
which is largely practiced in Willenhall and other parts of
South Staffordshire, namely, stamping. The Frenchmen
seem to adopt only the casting process, and are desirous of
purchasing blanks " from the Willenhall makers. These
bleak, are the keys as they leave the dies, and before they
are passed to the workmen to file and planish. The French
makers seem deficient also in their ability to japan their
common locks, and other similar wares requiring to be
varnished. Their efforts in this direction are a melancholy
travesty on the almost jet enamel in which the Birmingham
and South StaffordAire japanner encases the wares which
are submitted to the operation of his brush and oven. From
the description of article which the French people require,
it evident that the English manufacturer of hardwares in
particular will have to pay an attention to the artist-
aspect of manufacture in bard metals to an extent to which
he bin hitherto been an entire stranger; if indeed he intends
to miter foe the cultivated tastes of the French.
Tu BANK CHARTER Acs.—The Liverpool Chain-
bit of Commerce, at their adjourned &urinal meeting pater-
day, on the motion of Mr. Macfie, passed a resolution r
questing the new council to ask the legislature to revue
and eased the bank and currency system in accordance with
the Imam Horded by experience of its working.

Accounts from ()revalued state that the rough weather
experienced few about one to two yesterday morning was
the most terrific keoirrn for years past. Several boata, and
semi movie, were driven from their stations, and in some
instances boats were found keel upwards below the town.
All down the river much havoc has been made among the
•
shipping and small craft.
DANAOZ TO nag CRYSTAL. PALACE.—The gale :in 'the
neighbourhood of Sydeabam last nicht. has Sn9Yed imurr
to a peat deal of property. But far more serious than a is
the injury done to the north wing of the' Pilsen, whit Is
Lama as a store, and in which the exhibitions of gpultni.
rabbits, tie., are held. This wing stood almost oppoifiteihe
railway entrance, and it was the dearest edit from the Pee
!fajta filidenham. The queen's private dfftratices4ll4
Bo is adjacent to it, • abutting, moors
residence of Sir Joseph Paxton. About seven o'cl 'a •
loud crash was heard by the entptoin's of the Crystal
'Printing Cempany, whose office iarcounecierbirith.the wing.
Several of ten ran out, and to their astitart found
half of the wing lying a heap of ruinsnod ; but
the hurricane, which raged with all poisifileif denetelf,
thataheir Say was dangerous, and their intro:tad. .41F.
formation was sent to the authentic", .whewiur ipet=
Maly on the spot. It was feared at the time o
=hed that further damage would be catieedlto the
g unless the gale should speedily abs W.,,,
;Ati=lL Ave LOSS or Lira IN I'LPNW
patt 10 on Wednesday eversion,
ne weleiris •
rialedition of the Western Morning Ne, the captain
French vessel, which had arrived from Nantes with a
cargo of grain, found that Nis' anchors were dragging, and in
' a quarter of an hair his brig was dashed with terrific vie-
lermeagainst the rocks at Mount Batten. The vessel broke
up in two or three minutes, but the captain and crew were
enabldd to get safely into their boat ; unfortunately they
had no Sooner done so than the mast of the vessel fell over
upon them, brathingthe boat to pieces and turning the
men out upon the 'Wild waves. The poor fellows clunk to
the mast, and raised their emcee for help, lage Ph*
wind roared 'louder than, they:: and, all ofr them
would wholly have been left, to perish but fog tlik
fortunate circumstance that fivelisheitnen, returning about
hilf-pastaleeeo o'clock fro& the theatre; 'took shalt at
the Barbican to enable them to reach their own vasseL
They beard the cries of the shipwrecked crew, but it ' was
some time before they could in the darkness ascertain their
position, and when this was discovered, it was a work of no
small danger to approach the wreck. The brave men did
not, however, shrink from their duties, and they suc-
ceeded in rescuing the captain, the chief mate,
and one sailor. The remainder of the crew, three in
number, have perished in this melancholy catastrophe.
The unfortunate vessel proved to be the French brig
Augustin, Captain Gautier, which came into the Sound
in the course of the afternoon from Nantes, with a
cargo of grain for Plymouth. The names of the saved are
Captain Gautier, Bigot, the mate, and Dimes, seaman.
The drowned are Dian, Paequian, and Julian. The brig
was the property of M. Theodore Dubigeon, of Nantes, and
ber cargo of wheat was consigned to Mews. J. Bowden and
00., of Plymouth. The rescued men were taken to the
Admiral M'Bride Inn, and Mr. Eccles, surgeon was sent
for, who immediately attended. He found them in an
exhausted condition and suffering from bruises, but they do
not appear to nave sustained serious injuries. The shore at
Mount Batten point is now strewn with pieces of the wreck,
but nothing of value or importance has been discovered.
The hurricane which caused this disaster was of short
duration ; but for a few minutes on Wednesday the wind
was more terrific than wo have noticed on any previous
occasion during the present winter.
Yesterday morning the schooner Tantivy, Captain Down-
ing, of Yarmouth, from Venice, with a cargo of wheat, mo-
signed to Falmouth, for orders, put into Plymouth, having
lost her starboard bulwarks and sustained other damages
during the gale.
The hurricane on Wednesday night blew down the tele-
graphic wires near Bristol station, and the down mail train
ran into and became entangled in the wires. The pawn-
gees walked on to the Bristol station and were forwarded by
special train. The mails were delayed about four hours,
and did not reach Plymouth until half-past eight.
A heavy gale from the westward blew over Southampton
the whole of Wednesday eight, and was at its height
between two and four yesterday morning. A Jersey vessel,
at the quay, was damaged during the night. The whole
of the window shutters of a shop in the High-street, and
some garden walla at Freemuntle, were blown down. The
'gale came on fiercely again at about 12 o'clock yesterday.
The mail steamer Alhambra was blown up the lichen
river, and came into collision with the Irish steamer
Temorah, lying at the dock head, both snipe receiving some
damage. At 7 p.m. the gale increased in intensity, and
serious damage, it was expected, would be dune.
In Worcestershire and Gloucestershire the gale appears to
have raged with extraordinary violence for a midland dis-
trict. At Worcester a tree fell upon one of the toll-houses
outside the city, completely crushing in the roof. A woman
in bed narrowly escaped. A house took fire near St. Paul's.
church, and was completely gutted, but no one was injured.
Trees in hundreds were blown down, and a great number of
chimney stack' ant walls have been blown down. At
Eversham a stack of chimnies fell upon a house, crushing
through the roof into a room where a woman was sleeping,
but who escaped with • fright. At Gloucester the Great
Western and South Wales station was almost entirely
destroyed, and • good deal of damage was done to the ship-
ping in the dock and Gloucester and Berkeley canal.

A solid ink is bring sold for use in ordinary
pencil-cases instead of leads. It does not admit of blots,
and appease to be fully as indelible as the ink fluid.
LORD SHAPTVIBURY AND THE SHORBLACE SO-
ctETTED.—The annual winter treat of the Ragged School
Shoeblack Societies took place last evening at Exeter Hall ;
Lord Shaftesbury presided. The boys belonging to the
various societies entered the ball at six o'clock, and were
liberally provided with tea, Ith. The following societies
were present : Ragged School Shoeblack Society, 72 boys ;
earnings during the year, 1,744/. East London, 104 boys ;
earnings, 1,073/. South London, 38 boys ; earnings, 0331.
South West London, 36 boys ; earnings, 228/. West Lon.
don, 17 boys; earnittes, 2081. Islington and North London,
28 boys ; earnings, 270/. Notting-hill, 30 boys; earnings,
184/. Union Jack (Limehouse), 18 boys ; earnings, 1841.
Total, 335 boys ; total earnings, 4.1471. Mr. Ware, the
secretary, said in • few weeks it would be ten years since •
few boys were first sent out of • little miserable court in
the Strand to try the experiment of blacking shoes. The
idea originated with • few gentlemen who were anxious to
provide for destitute boys who had behaved themselves well
In ragged schools. The present meeting showed how very
beneficially the shoe-black societies had proved to be. the
havieorinegtyand'uriounrirdthe
4eamro7ines
Aollthtteugbohytshdeuyribogudthleostyear.
year, the number of boys had increased as well as the
receipts. lie concluded by asking the public to help
them in getting places for the boys, and funds to carry
on the societies. Mr. Fowler thew attention to the
great evil of the opposition boys, who were fast becoming
• nuisance. They did not wish their boys to have a com-
plete monopoly ; but only wanted steps to be taken to
prevent the opposition boys from extinguishing the trade
altogether. During the ten years the society had been es-
tablished the surr. of 13,153/. had been earned by 1,356 boys
The boys who had distinguished themselves during the past
year were then preowned with medals and prizes by the
chairman, who afterwards addressed them.
MANCHENTIR UNITY or ODD FHLLOWIi.—The
Pride of bilieltee and Northampton lodges having
to take • benefit at the Islington Philharmonic Hall -
on
Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, there was • large
attendance of members d the North:Loodon district
sad their friends, the varied entertainments, including
adiations from Norma and the Rose of Castik, appearing to
give universal satisfaction, and the lodges have realised
tandems profit for their benevolent funds.

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