The Sun.
London, England, 1862-05-26 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, MOND4 Y EVENING, MAY 26, 1862.

generally." His Lordship said he was not very
sanguine about the probability of obtaining fund;
from Government for the restoration of the build-
ing, and he did not think that Parliament would be
very ready to second their views. He thought, on
the contrary, that it should be done by private sub-
scription, in the same way that the Salisbury Chap-
ter-house was renewed.
Mr. DASENT seconded the resolution, and sug-
gested that the Ecclesiastical Commissioners might
be applied to for funds. He thought it desirable
that Mr. Scott should give them some idea of the
cost of this undertaking.
Mr. SCOTT said he should suppose it might be
done for about £20,000.
The Bishop of OXFORD, in supporting the resolu-
tion, said he supposed the object of this meeting was
to feel the pulse of the public as to whether the
object they had in view was likely to be approved.
At present the ownership of the building was in
the Government, and it would be necessary in the
first place to get an Act of Parliament, conveying
the fee to the Dean and Chapter, before any outlay
could be decided upon. With respect to the Ecclesi-
astical Commissioners, they seemed to be looked
upon in the light of a mulch cow, who was to be
squeezed upon all occasions, but it really was not an
object for which the Commissioners had any power
to advance funds. Ho wished this to be known,
because it would be wrong to hold out a
paying fund from which it was not likely
that any money could be obtained. This build-
ing, from long use, had become the property of
the nation, and he could not doubt, when he
looked upon the enormous sums that had been
squandered upon the new Houses of Parliament,
and the feeling which existed so generally of link-
ing the old with the modern times, that if the pub-
lic would come forward and show a readiness to
contribute by private subscriptions the Government
would then assist in carrying out this very de-
sirable undertaking. It should be distinctly under-
stood that by this meeting there was no intention of
laying claim to the building, but only to suggest to
Government what would be the best course to adopt
respecting it. The place was evidently unfit for
the custody of public documents, and in its present
state it could contain nothing but rubbish, therefore
something should be done to make it worthy of the
country. He could not help recurring to the death
of the lamented Prince Consort. If he had been

alive, he would have given force to the spirit of the
public?, and would have led them on to carry out the
object they had to view.
Mr. HUBBARD asked the meeting to pause before
it sanctioned an appeal to Parliament, and suggested
an alteration in the wording of the resolution, by
striking out the words following " Her Majesty's
Govern m en t."
The sense of the meeting was taken upon this
proposal, and the resolution was altered in the man-
ner suggested, and it was then passed.
Mr. B. HOPE moved " the appointment of a

committee for the purpose of forming a deputation
to wait upon the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and
otherwise to promote the objects of the meeting,"

and in doing so he said it was immaterial to him
whether the Dean and Chapter got the building, or
the public, so long as it was restored to its original
beauty. He thought it might be converted very
advantageously into a receptacle for some of the
great and unique historical records of the country,
where they might be exhibited to the public, who
would at the same time have the opportunity of
inspecting the renovated Chapter house. It was
the Government who had originally mutilated and
destroyed the building, and he did not see any
reason why they should not be called upon to put
the place in good tenantable repair. There had
been large sums of money spent upon objects of
much less beauty and importance.
Mr. SALA seconded the appointment of a com-
mittee, and the motion was carried.

Mr. REEVE suggested, as a fit purpose to which
the building might be devoted, that it should be
occupied by the statues of some of their great men
or by some of the monuments from Westminster
Abbey.

The Dean of WESTMINSTER then read a memorial
which had been drawn up, embodying the resolu-
tions already passed at the meeting, and which he
said would be ready for signature by those who felt
an interest in the proposed restoration at Mr.
Vacher's, in Parliament-street, Messrs. Colnaghi's,
in Pall-mall, and Mr. J. H. Parker's, in the Strand.
Lord TALBOT of MALAIIIDE proposed a vote of
thanks to the chairman, which was carried unani-
mously, and the meeting separated.
The committee comprised the following names:—
The Duke of Buceleuch, Lord Ashburton, Lord
Stanhope, Mr. Cockerel!, Mr. Tite, Lord Taunton,
Mr. Dasent, Mr. Hubbard, Mr. Beresford Hope, Mr.
Sala, Mr. Reeve, Mr. M. Manes, Mr, Akroyd, Mr.
Cochrane, and the Dean of Westminster.

SOCIETY FOR RELIEF OF DISTRESS.

The second annual meeting of this society took
place on Friday last at Willis's Rooms. The chair
was taken by the Bishop of London at three o'clock,
at which hour about 300 ladies and gentlemen, in-
eluding a large number of the metropolitan clergy,
were assembled. The chairman first called upon
one of the honorary secretaries to read the report,
by which it appeared that the most satisfactory
results had attended the operations of the society-
since last year. The only doubt that had ever in-
truded itself on the minds of the committee—whe-
ther the almoners would not find their duties too
irksome and relax in their exertions—had passed
away and given place to a firm conviction that the
movement has taken deep root and that its success
will be permanent. The number of these almoners
(each of whom has charge of a district) has been
nearly doubled since last year, and now amounts to
68, exclusive of a large number of ladies and gen-
tlemen who investigate special cases when required.
The great object of the society—to make the
wealthier classes more personally acquainted with
the real condition of the poor—is therefore rapidly
becoming more attainable. Although the contribu-
tions of the public in the year 1861-62 have, in con-
sequence of the mildness of the winter and other
causes, only amounted to £2,862, whereas in 1800-
61 they amounted to £3,306, being a decrease of
nearly £1,500; yet during the year 1861-62 the
grants to the poor have been £3,600, while the
same grants in 1860.61 only reached the sum of
£3,109, being an increase in expenditure of nearly
£5OO. This result shown the increased machinery
for relief which the society now possesses. The
balance in the hands of the society was £496 7s 73,
and the total expenses of management for the year
(defrayed by the guarantee committees) amounted to
£2OO 8s 3d. To account for the increased expen•
diture during the milder winter it should be observed
that every variety of fever, and especially typhus,
was rife in the poorer districts. When the" bread-
winner" of the family was attacked great distress
followed. Many families also had never quite re-
covered the severe pinching of the previous winter.
In an indirect and collateral manner much good
had been effected. The "East London Weavers'
Association" or " Emigration to Queensland," and
the Needlewomen's Society had received most im-
portant help, both personally and pecuniarly. The
committee especially tendered their thanks to the
Mendicity Society, whose assistance in detecting
cases of imposition had been of the greatest service.
The report concluded with the expression of a hope
that the number of almoners would be greatly in

creased next winter. The right rev, chairman then
stated that he had felt bound, as president of an
older institution, entitled the "Metropolitan Dis-
trict Visiting Association," which had been for some
time established, and had done good service for the
1 relief of the poor in the metropolis, to wait and
see how the new society worked, and whether
it injured the elder institution, before he took any
step towards a public recognition of its services.
int s
for operations.
both s oee t ile's.
He was happy to say that from all quarters, and es-
pecially from the clergy in the poorest districts in the
inp ra
tisoinndgo
h
East of London, he had received accounts highly
ere
IThe one respect succeeded 17:sp
newlenstoy ofciet roomy
ihad
where the old had failed.
It had certainly contrived, by what means he knew
not, to interest and employ a class whose attention
a short time ago had never been drawn to such
matters. In the list of the society's almoners were.

to be seen many names which nobody would have
expected to find there. It was a good, a happy
s'gn for a country, when such men and women, with
all the means of this world's enjoyment at their
disposal, turned their attention personally to, and
gave up, perhaps, some of their pleasures for the
sake of, their poorer and suffering fellow creatures.
Lord Wharncliffe, in moving the adoption of the
report, regretted that his share in the society's work
had been restricted to paying his subscription. He
had, however, practically proved the efficiency of
its operation by referring cases to the office, which
had always been promptly and closely investigated.
He pointed to the smallness of the expenses of
management, and to the fact that even that small
sum was not taken from the subscriptions of the
public, but was defrayed by the managers of the
society themselves. He considered the principle a
sound and good one. Many men and women in
London had not lung to do ; they could not do bet-
ter than to join this society, which would give them
a day's occupation and a comfortable feeling after
it—that, unlike Titus, they had not " lost a day."—
The Rev. W. H. Brookfield seconded the motion,
and pointed out by humorous descriptions of his
personal experience how the distress that appears
before the public eye is almost invariably false, and
:mei that true suffering hides unseen, and must be
sought out in its wretched home. The Hon. A.
Egerton, M.P., in moving the second resolution,
pointed out that the almoners were not merely dis-
trict visitors, but heads of districts, superintending in
conjunction with the clergy the local visitors of the
poor, and accountable to the central committee for
proper distribution of the grants allotted to their
districts. From his experience of the pre-
sent Lancashire distress he was convinced
that the society's mode of supplementing the
Poor Law was a good one, by which cases were
reached which it was not advisable that the Poor
Law should touch.—Major Wm. Lyon, in second-
ing the resolution, said he must do penance before
the meeting, for he had, though wishing well to the
society, predicted its failure. He owned that he
was surprised at its success, and thought its inde-
fatigable promoters entitled to every credit.--The
Rev. G. H. M'Gill and the Rev. A. B. Suter moved
and seconded a vote of thanks to the rev, chairman,
and called attention to the excellent working of
the ".-Hast London Weavers' Aid Association," or
Queensland emigration, which had owed so much
of its success to the powerful support of the Society
for the Relief of Distress. The proceedings then
terminated.

THE FLOWZR 81-10 ff, A 7' THE CRYSTAL
PALACE.

The show of flowers and fruits at the Crystal Pa-
ace on Saturday was in every respect one of the
most brilliant for some time past. Notwithstanding
the rival attractions of the Great Exhibition the
beautiful day tempted out crowds of visitors, and
the display of plants has scarcely ever been sur-
passed, either in extent or general excellence. Our
foreign critics who are just now so severe on our
climate, semi-barbarous tastes, and our joyless mode
of life generally, must be rather puzzled by the two
great shows which they have had an opportunity of
seeing during the past week. Their ingenuity will
be sorely tried to account for the production of these
marvels of the horticultural art which were set in
such endless variety, and for the enthusiasm which
the sight of them excites in such large numbers of
the people. If any of them visited the Crystal Pa-
lace on Saturday some of the very extraordinary
ideas which they seem to have formed of English
habits and character must have undergone consi-
derable modification. It would be odd if a building
the first germ of which was a conservatory, could
not be admirably adapted for a flower show, and
the arrangements of Saturday certainly displayed
its capabilities in this respect to the fullest degree.
Reverting to an old idea of Sir J, Paxton, which
was put into practice at the very first flower show
held here, the plants were arranged on each side of
the nave, with a wide promenade between them.
The stands of fruits, cut flowers, and new plants,
eked out by occasional statues, cut this in two, and
divided the promenaders into equal streams moving
east and west. In the centre transept, opposite the
orchestra, were placed the choicest stove and green-'
house plants on a sort of semicircular bank, which
was decidedly the most iffective part of the show.
As seen from the galleries it is impossible to con-
ceive anything more beautiful than the radiant mass
of colours thus presented to the eye. Though the
azaleas with their pyramids of bloom of every hue,
from deep crimson to pure white, as clear as new-
fallen snow, perhaps attracted most admiration, the
finest part of the display was the stove and green-
house plants, which equalled the most successful of
former years. It wouie be impossible to enumerate
all the varieties of plants exhibited, but among the
most beautiful were the delicate lined pimelias, the
sparkling chorozemas, and the elegant transciceas.
There were two or three good specimens of the cu-
rious acrophythem and of the aphelexis, which, in
all but its exquisite hue, seems to have a great re-
semblance to the thistle; there were many varieties.
There was a constant crowd round the cacti—and
one flower in particular of the most delicate hue—
something between white and faint yellow, was
very warmly praised. The orchids in all their
quaint fantastic shapes were very well represented,
and some of the specimens were of great beauty.
In bignonias and other fine foliaged and variegated
plants the show was particularly rich. There was
no more admirable contrast to the great masses of
the azaleas than the delicate, wax-flowers of the
Cape heaths, of which always every variety was
shown, and in the very large show of roses the
most admired, perhaps, was the deep-hued Lord
Raglan. Of pelargoniums, calceolarias, and eine-
raries there was also a very fair show. The show
of fruit was not very large, but the strawberries
and grapes were unusually good for the time of
year. In addition to the attractions of the flower
show there were two or three concerts given in the 1
course of the day ; and in the programme Auber's
" March" and Meyerbeer's " Overture," composed
for the opening of the International Exhibition,
were played. The new roof to the orchestra has
just been completed and was tried for the first time
on Saturday. It certainly is a-great improvement;
but it is hardly possible to judge of its full value
until it has been tried on a larger scale. On Sa-
turday the company's band and the band of the
Coldstteams combined were virtually lost in that
great expanse ; but at the Handel Festival, when
the orchestra will be completely filled, no doubt
this alteration will add greatly to its acoustic effects.
In the afternoon the whole series of fountains,great
and small, were set at work for the first time this

season, and there was also a performance on the

organ by Mr. Coward. The whole number of visi-
tors was 13,907, of whom 5,500 were season-ticket
holders, and 8,407 paid for admission.
The following is a list of the principal prizes
awarded :

FLOWERS.
Class 1-15 Stove and Greenhouse Plants, in flower—
first prize, £2O, Mr. W. May, gardener to Mr. J. Spode,
Hawksyald-park, Rugoley ; second prize, £l5, Mr. T,
Whitehead, gardener to Mr. H. Colyer, Dartford, Kent.
Class 2-12 Stove and Greenhouse Plants, in flower—
first prize, Mr. B. Peed, gardener to Mrs. Tredwell, St.
John's-lodge, Lower. Norwood ; second prize, £lO, Mr. J.
Green, gardener to Sir E. Antrobus, Lower Cheam.
Class 3-8 Stove and Greenhouse Plants, in flower—
first prize, £lO, Mr. Chilman, gardener to Mrs. Smith,
Ashtead.house, Epsom ; second prize, £7, Mr. T. Page,
gardener to Mr. W. Leaf, Park-hill, Streatham.
Class 4-6 Stove and Greenhouse Plants, in flower—first
prize, £7, Mr. Charles Smith, gardener to Mr. A. Anderson,
Norwood-grove, Norwood ; second prize, £5, Mr. S. M.
Carson, gardener to Mr. J. C. Sim, Nonsuch-park ; equal
second prize, £5, Mr. James May, gardener to Mr. 11. Mi-
cholls, Grove-house, Oxford road, Manchester.
Class 5-12 Fino Foliaged and Variegated Plants-Ist
prize, £7, Mr. G. Young, gardener to Mr. W. H. Stones,
Leigh-park, Havant, Hants ; 2d prise, £5, Mr. C. Hutts,
gardener to Miss Burdett Coutts, Holly-lodgo,-Highgate.
Class 6 - 16 Orchids of Exotic species, in flower—first
prize, £2O, Mr, W. Milford, gardener to Mr. E. M'Morland,
58, Adelaide-read, Haverstock-hill ; second prize, £l5, Mr.
S. Woolley, Cheshunt, Herts.
Class 7-10 Orchids, of Exotic species, in flower—first
prize, £l5, Mr.W.Wilford, gardener to Mr. E. M'Morland
58, Adelaide-road, Raverstock-hill ; second prize, £lO, Mr.
F. Lovell, gardener to Mr. H. E. Gurney, Nutfleld, Surrey.
Class B—G Orchids of Exotic species in flower—first
prize, £7, Mr. VT. Milford, gardener to Mr. E. M'Morland,
53, Adelaide-road, Haverstock-hill ; second prize, £5, Mr.
John Green, gardener to Sir E. Antrobus, Lower Cheam.
Class 9-10 Oreouhouso Azaleas—first prize, £l2, Mr, C,

Turner, Royal Nurseries, Slough; second prize, £B, Mr, T,
Page, gardener to Mr. IV. Leaf, Park-hill, Streatham.
Class 10-6 Greenhouse Azaleas—first prize, £7, Mr. C.
Turner, Royal Nurseries, Slough; second prize, £5, Mr.
John Green, gardener to Sir E. Antrobus, Lower Cheam ;
third prize, £4, Mr. Page, gardener to Mr. W. Leaf, Park-
hill, Streatham.
Class 11-8 Greenhouse Azaleas, new kinds—first prize.
£4, Mr. C. Turner, Royal Nurseries, Slough; second prize,
£3, Messrs. J. Ivory and Son, nurserymen, Dorking and
Reigate.
Class 12-6 Cape Heaths—first prize, £B, Mr, B. Peed,
gardener to Mrs. Tredwell, St. John's-lodge, Lower Nor-
wood ; second prize, £5, Mr. T. Page, gardener to Mr. W.
Leaf, Park-hill, Streatham.

Class 13—G Tall Cacti, species or varieties of, in flower,
large plants—first prize, £l, Mr. John Green, gardener to
Sir E. Antrobus, Lower Cheam.

Class 14-10 Roses, distinct kinds, in pots—first prize,
£l3, Messrs. Lane and Son, nurserymen, Great Berkhamp-
stead.

Class 1.5-10 Roses, distinct kinds, in pots not exceeding
8 inches in diameter—first prize withheld.
Class 16-10 Pelargoniums, distinct varieties, in pots not
exceeding 8 inches in diameter—first prize, £lO, Mr. C.
Turner, Royal Nurseries, Slough.
Class 17-6 Pelargoniums, distinct varieties, in pots not
exceeding 8 inches in diameter (amateurs only)—first prize,
£5, Mr. T. Bailey, gardener to Mr. T. T. Drake, Sharde-
Ices, Amersham.
Class 18-6 Fancy Pelargoniums, distinct varieties, in
pots not exceeding 8 inches in diameter—first prize, £b,
Mr. C. Turner, Royal Nurseries, Slough.
Class 19—Seedling Pelargoniums, 1861—first prize, £l,
Mr. C. Turner, Royal Nurseries, Slough, Royal Albert.
Class 20—Single Specimens ©f newly-introduced, ex-
tremely rare, or beautiful Plants, in or out of flower, hardy
or exotic—first prize, £5, Mr. B. S. Williams, Paradise
Nurseries, Holloway.

Class 21-6 Plants of Cinerarias, in pots not exceeding
11 inches in diameter—first prize, £3, Messrs. J. Dobson
and Son, Woodlands Nursery, Isleworth.
Class 22-6 Plants of Calceolarias, in pots not exceeding
11 inches in diameter—first prize, £2 108., Mr. J. Burley,
nurseryman, Limpsfield, Surrey.
Class 23—Miscellaneous—first prize, £2, Mr. B. S.
Williams, Paradise Nursery, Holloway (ferns).