The Sun.
London, England, 1865-05-20 00:00:00

BILLINGSGATE.

Salmon, is 6d to 2s Od ; trout, Os Od to Os Od ; eels, Os 8d
to 18 Od ; prawns, Os Od ; pike, skate, sturgeon, and hali-
but, 6d per lb ; turbots, 2s 6d to 15s Od ; cod, 2s 6d to
108 Od ; brills, 2s Od to 8s Od ; doreys, 3s Od to 9s Od ; mul-
lets, is Od to 1s 6d ; lobsters, is Od to 3s Od ; crabs, Os 6d
to 2s 6d ; plaice and gurnets, Os Od to Os Od each ; soles,
Os 6d to 2s 6d per pair ; common oysters, 12s Od to 608 Od;
natives, 84s Oct to 90s Od per bushel ; whitings, 4s Od to
10s Od ;. haddocks, 5s Od to 21s Od ; smelts Os Od to Os Od ;
flounders, Os Od per dozen; mackerel, —s Od to Os Od per
120 ; fresh herrings, Os Od to Os Od per 120 ; bloaters, Os Od
tot& Od per 100 ; carp and tench, Os Od to Os Od per brace.

Health and its Enemies in the Metropolis

TO THE EDITOR OP THE SUN.

SlR,—Whilst Parliament and the local authorities of
almost all the considerable towns in the kingdom are lay-
ing out immense sums of money in deference to the recog-
nised importance of improving their sanitary condition,
and removing, or as far as possible diminishing, dangerous
or unhealthy nuisances of every kind, it seems a most ano-
malous and inconsistent proceeding to sanction the unne-
cessary and enormous enlargement of one of the most
noxious of all annoyances in well-inhabited places, namely,
the manufacture of gas, which ,(on the overwhelming
weight of medical and scientific testimony, and the pain-
ful experience of those' who live near such works) it is
impossible to carry on without the discharge of effluvia
and exhalations offensive enough to the sense, but infinitely.
more pernicious in their effects upon life and property.

Yet this mischievous violation of sound principle and
public interests is in course of preparation, and has actually
made some progress in the Legislature. A bill has passed
the House of Commons, I perceive, which would empower
the Imperial Gas and Coke Company to increase its vast
capital by 100 per cent., and to hold three times its very
large area, chiefly for the purpose of so enlarging the com-
pany's present very injurious works in Fulham and Chelsea,
as to convert them into, many times over, the most gigantic
gas factory ever known, the effect of which would be, to
quote the language used at public meetings, and in memo-
rials and petitions to the House of Lords against the bill),
"to render an extensive district almost uninhabitable by
persons regardful of their health, and to destroy the value
of their house and otter property to a great extent.'a
It is only just to the Lower House to say that the pass-
ing of this hurtful measure appears to have arisen from in-
advertence. . Nearly 500 private bills were to have come
before the committees this session. The vestries and local
communities that would be so grievously affected by the
bill under notice seem not to have had any knowledge of
the matter until it had made some way ; and it was in a
moment huddled through the House in the absence of any
proper representation of its bearing upon health and pro-
perty. But there is to be an organised opposition on the
part of the parishioners in the House of Lords ; petitions
from the vestries, the district board of works, and the in-
habitants will be presented and supported by the Bishop of
London ; and it is hoped that, with the political aid of the
influential public journals, the public will be protected
from this great wrong, the error committed .through haste
and carelessness in the house of Commons corrected, and
the company compelled to erect their additional works—if
additional works aro required—in some thinly-populated
locality some miles from town ; in short, in a spot where

it could manufacture its gas and transmit it to the con-
sumers at the smallest possible amount of injury and
annoyance to the public. The facility with which this
could be done is exemplified by the fact that the gas made
by the company in Fulham is not consumed in the neigh-
bourhood, but in places miles distant.
Gas works, large or small, would never have been
permitted in the neighbourhood of towns had as
much been known fifty years ago as is known now
respecting their unavoidably deleterious effects. h e
removal of . the existing ones is simply a question
of time and money. The consideration of that de-
sideratum was before the Metropolitan Board of Works
at a recent meeting, of which I find the Main Drainage
Committee reporting " that they did not consider the pre-
sent time a favourable one to apply to Parliament for
power to purchase up the gas companies of the metro-
polis." The principle, the necessity is admitted, and the
only point in discussion is, when and how to give effect to
it ? The proposition for increasing a gas factory in a
populous metropolitan neighbourhood to dimensions of un-
paralleled magitude is, therefore, very surprising, and but for
the astounding fact of its having been passed through the
Commons, the idea that it could bo entertained for a
moment would have been scouted as absurd. With that
fact, however, looking us in the face, there is just a possi-
bility that, unless there be energetic movement and re-
monstrance, the bill in question may become law. I,
therefore, venture to bring the subject before you, in the
earnest hope that it will be noticed in your able and inde-
pendent journal.

I remain, Mr. Editor, your very obedient servant,
HAUD IGNORUS.

May 6, 1865.

PARLIAMENTARY DIVISION.

DEFEAT OF THE GOVERNMENT.
HOUSE OF COMMONS—MAY 19. •
THE TAX ON ATTORNEYS, SOLICITORS, &c.
Order for committee of supply read. Motion made and
question proposed, " That Mr. Speaker do now leave the
chair." Amendment proposed, to leave out from the
word " That" to the end of the question, in order to add
the words "in the opinion of this house, it is just and
expedient that the annual duty payable upon certificates
taken out by attorneys, solicitors, and proctors in Eng-
land and Ireland, and by writers to the signet, solicitors,
agents, attorneys, and procurators in Scotland, should be
abolished," instead thereof. Question put, " That the
words proposed to be left out stand part of the question."
The house divided—Ayes, 143; Noes, 146.
AYES —143.
Acland, T. D. Finch, C. W. Paget, Lord C.
Adam, W. P. Fitzwilliam, C. W. Palmer, Sir R.
Adeane, H. J. Ferrer, J. Palmerston, Visot.
Agnew, Sir A. Foley, H. W. Peel, Sir R.
Athlumney, Lord Foljambe, F. J. S. Peel, F.
Aytoun. R. S. Foster, W. 0. Percy, Earl
Bailey, C. Fortescue F. D. Pollard Urquhart W
Baring, A. H. Fortescue, C. S. Portman, W. H. B.
Baring, T. Galway, Viscount Potter, E.
Baring, T. G. Gibson, T. M. Po..ter, T. B.
Beaumont, W. B. Gilpin, C. Proby, Lord
Bentinck, G. C. Gladstone, W. E. Pugh, D.
Blackburn, P Gower, F. L. Robartes, T. J. A.
Bonham-Carter, J. Gower, G. W. L. Rothschild,Baron M
Booth, Sir R. G. Greenwood, J. - Russell, H.
Bouverie, E. P. Grey, Sir G. Russell, A.
Bouverie P. P. Grosvenor, Earl Russell, Sir W.
Briscoe, J. I. Grosvenor, Lordßd. Salomong,Aiderman
Bromley, W. D. Hamilton, Lord C. Scourfielo, J. IL
Browne, Lord J. T. Hankey, T. Selwyn, C. J.
Bruce, Lord C. Hartington,Marquis Seymour, Denby
Bruce, H. A. Hervey, Lord A H. Shafto, It. D.
Buckley, Gen. Hayter, Sir W. Smith, Augustus
Bury, Viscount Headlam, T. E. Smith, M. T.
Butler, C. S. Heathcote, G. H. Stanley, 0.
Cardwell, E. Henley, Lord Stansteld, J.
Castlerosse, Vist. Holland, E. Steel, J.
Childers, H. C. E. Horstall, T. B. Stewart, Sir M. R.
Colebrooke, Sir T.E. Howard, C. W. G. Talbot, C. R. M.
Collier, Sir R. P. Hunt, G. W. Tracy, C. IL D.
Corry, H. L. Jervoise, Sir J. Trelawny, Sir J. S.
Cowper, W. F. Kinglake, Serj. J. Villiers, C. P.
Crawford, R. W. Knatclibull-Hugess Vivian, H. H.
Crossley, Sir F. Layard, A. H. Walcott, Admiral
Dalglish, R. Lawson, W. Waldegrave-Leslie
Davey, le. Lefevre, G. J. S. Walter, J.
Davie, Sir H. R F. Lee, W. Watlington, J.
Dent, J. D. Leighton, Sir B. White, J.
Disraeli, B. Locke, J. Wickham, H. W.
Duff, M. E. Lowe, R. Willoughby, Sir H.
Duff, R. W. Mackinnon,W. A. Winnington, Sir T.
Dundee, Sir D. Marjoribanks, D. C. Wood, Sir C.
Dunkellin, Lord Marsh, M. H. Wyndham, H.
Egerton, E. C. Merry, J. Wyvill, M.
Elcho, Lord Moncreiff, J.
Enfield, Viscount Moor, H.
Farquhar, Sir M. Morrison, W.
Fenwick, H. Packe, Col.
Fermoy, Lord Paget, C.
NOES-146.
Adair, H. E. Gard, R. S. O'Donoghue, The
Agar-Ellis, L. G. Gavin, Major OFilvy, Sir J.
Astell, J. H. George, J. 0 Loghlen, Sir C.
Baring, IL B. Gore, J. R. 0. O'Neill, E.
Barnes, T. _ Gore, W. R. 0. Padmore, R.
Bateson, Sir T. Greenall. G. Parker, Major W.
Baxter. W. E. Gray, Lieut.-Col. Phillips, G. L.
Beamish, F. B. Grey deWilton,Lord Pilkington, J.
Beecroft, G. S. Griffith, C. D. Powell, F. S.
Benyon, R. Hadfield, G. Powell, J. J.
Berkeley, H. F. Hamilton, I. T. Pritchard, J.
Black, A. Handiey. J. Redmond, J. E.
Blake, J. Hardy, G. Repton, G. W. J.
Brady, Dr Hardy, J. Rogers, J. J.
Bramley-Moore, J. Hassard, M. Russell, F. W.
Bremridge, R. Hay, Sir J. Scholeficid, W.
Bridges, Sir B. W. Henderson, J. Seymour, A.
Brooks, R. Hodgkinson, G. Smollett, P. B.
Bruce, Lord E. A. Hurunerston, P. S. Somes, J.
Bruce, Major C. Ingham, R. Stanhope, Lord
Burrell, Sir P. Jolliffe, Sir W. Staniland, M.
Butt, I. Jones, D. Strawy, Sir H.
Caird, J. Kendall, N. Stronge, Sir J. M.
Cairns, Sir H. Kennedy, 2. Stuart, Col. C.
Carnegie, C. King, P. J. L. Stunt, H. G.
Clay, J. Kinnaird, A. F. Sullivan. M.
Clifton, Sir R. Laird, J. Surtees, H. E.
Cole, H. Lanigan, J. Taylor, Col.
Cole, J. L. Leader, N. P. Tollemache, F. J.
Colthurst, Sir G. Lefroy, A. Torrens, R.
Corbally, M. E. Leslie, C. P. Trollope, Sir J.
Courtney, Lord Lever, J. 0. Vandeleur, Col.
Cox, W. Lewis. H. Verner, Sir W.
Craufurd, E. 11, J. Lon field, R. Verner, E. W.
Dawson, 11. P. MacEvoy, E. Vyner, R A.
Dickson, Col. Mackie, J. Waldron, L.
Du Cane, C. M`Mahon, P. Walker, J. R.
Duncombe, A. Maguire, J. F. Waterhouse, S.
Dunlop, A. M. Mamwaring, T. Whalley, G. H.
Edwards, CoL Malcolm, J. W. Whiteside, J.
Elphinstone, Sir T. Martin, J. Williams, F. M.
Ennis, J. Miller, T. J. Woodd, B. T.
Fane, Col. Miller, W. Wrightson, W. 13.
Ferrer, J. Mills, A. Wyld, J.
Fenwick, E. M. Moore, C.
Ferrand, W. Morris, W.
Fleming, T. W. Mowbray, J. R. NWVyynnnISN:Vr;WRI:... 3•
Forde, Col. Murray, W.
French, Col.
Gallwey, Sir W. P. °o:l3Corincon; S
Don,irP P.
I)Vaennmcca, I'S. G.

TELLERS.

Brand, H.
White, L.

and ThtheeirPßrinoyceasls Hmiagrhy noef ssceasratbhrei
dDg
eulcohf
loft
ss of
Cambridgest.
James's
Palace
yesterday for Kew. •
MR. FECHTER AND Mr. I3CUCICA ULT —lt is eon-
iatnweii
thatll j join i
then M
trw. Fo ec! te
r
ffind
the
etly
management
of M
the Lyceum,
l 3 ucicau
direc-
tors will occupy the theatre time about, the one partner
assertedt o
running his pieces in the provinces while the other plays
his in town .—The Orchestra.
MR. DAVIS'S TREASURE.—The New York Tribune
understands that Mr. Jefferson Davis is penniless.
Colonel Clark, of the Southern army, who was captured
by one of the Union scouting parties while endeavouring
to escape from Richmond on one of the last trains from the
doomed city, asserts that he was in charge of all the specie
which was removed from Richmond ; that when his train
broke down, and he found it impossible to got it on the
track and off again, seeing the Union forces approaching,
he ordered it to be set on fire, and that all his efforts to
save the specie were unavailing ; that the soldiers broke
open the kegs, and amid the excitement and tumult soldiers
and citizens appropriated all there was. He asserts that he
knows that no other amounts of specie not in the pockets
of its owners were taken from Richmond. He states,
further, that the amount has been vastly over-estimated,
and confirms the statement heretofore made by General
Grant, that it amounted only to about $200,000.

THE INTERNATIONAL REFORMATORY

EXHIBITION.

OPENING CEREMONIAL.

The ceremony of opening this exhibition, at the Agri-
cultural Hall, Islington, took place yesterday by his Royal
Highness the Prince of Wales.

The articles of exhibition were arranged on. stalls erected
on either side of the hall, and on innumerable stalls in the
centre, and consisted principally of articles of wearing
apparel—plain and ornamental—iron and tin ware, mats,
carpets, rugs, furniture, and embroidery, sent from all
parts of the world : from Baden, Switzerla,nd, Portugal,
Hanover, the Netherlands, Belgium, the" United States,
Prussia, Italy, France, Wurtemburg, Saxony, Ghent, Bel-
gium, Austria, St. Hubert's, and all the reformatory insti-
tutions in Great Britain.

At the end of the hall a chair of state was placed on a
raised dais for his Royal Highness, surrounded by others
for the more distinguished visitors, and a choice display of
flowers placed at the back of the chairs gave a very beau-
tiful appearance to the spot. On either side of the Great
Exhibition organ the'boys and girls from the English re-
formatories were ranged, forming a choir of upwards of
1,000 voices.

The galleries were all occupied by stalls, the names of
the institutions or countries, contributing the articles,
being well displayed in white letters on a red ground.
The appearance of the hall, filled with a brilliant company,
principally of ladies, was very imposing. Amongst those
present were the Earl of Shaftesbury, Miss Burdet
Coutts, the Hon. W. Cowper, Mr. J. A. Smith, M.P., Mr.
Tite, Mr. Cave, M.P., Hon. Mr. Kinnaird,
Sir C. Fox, &c.

A very excellent selection of music, occupying the time
until the hour fixed for the arrival of his Royal Highness
(four o'clock), was executed by the band of the corps of
Commissionaires, and on the grand organ by the Rev. Mr.
J. Kempthorne, M.A., and precisely at the appointed hour,
just as the last sounds of the magnificent Hallelujah
Chorus were dying away, a flourish of trumpets an-
nounced the arrival within the building of his Royal
Highness and suite. The majority of the committee were
in attendance to receive his Royal Highness, and he was
then conducted to the dais, the Archbishop of Canterbury
walking on the Prince's right, the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs
following on the left.
On the arrival of his Royal Highness at the dais in front
of the orchestra the vast assemblage of children sang the
National Anthem, and then the Earl of Shaftesbury ad-
vanced to the front, and presentedto the Prince an address,
who handed it to Gen. Knollys, on behalf of the Reformatory
and Refuge Union. The dress entered at length into
the great benefits that haM•esulted to the industrious poor
by the founding of these institutions, and it expressed the
greatest pleasure that kindred establishments now existed
all over the world. It then went on to say, the boys and
girls, seei,...tuaily .t work around-Vs in some thirty dif-
ferent handicrafts, are chiefly from institutions in our
busy towns, while there are many country schools
and asylums, occupied in gardening or agriculture,
which cannot so well exhibit the fruits of their
labour now in the spring time of the year. The
committee of the union believe that your Royal
Highness, as patron of our society, which is the centre of
300 British institutions, will graciously welcome these
numerous representatives from abroad, who, responding to
our invitation, have brought here from almost every part
of Europe, and from Africa and America, the evidences of
their interest in this peculiar field of Christian work.
The noble lord, on concluding the reading of the address,
handed it to the Prince, and,
His ROYAL HIGIINESS replied as follows :

" Your Grace, your Excellency, my Lords, Ladies, and
Gentlemen,—l have gladly taken a part in the proceeding,
of this day, and have complied with your request that I
should attend, as the patron of this society, with the
greatest satisfaction. The benevolent purpose of this
exhibition cannot fail to be followed by the desired suc-
cess, and claims the co-operation of every one who has the
interests of the industrious poor at heart, and who desire to
forward the object which the Reformatory and Refuge
Union has in view, viz., industrial with moral training.
" The committee do me justice in believing that I cor-.
dially sympathise in the welcome this society offers to
the representatives of foreign countries who have responded
to the invitations they have received by their presents and
contributions.

"In doing so they have borne testimony, in common
with ourselves, to the value of those international exhibi-
tions in promoting the growth of those Christian and kind
feelings towards each other which we ought to pray should
animate the whole of the nations of the world."

The children then sang the Old Hundredth Psalm, and
his Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury then offered up
a prayer, at the conclusion of which the children sang a
piece of music entitled " Gotha," the music being the com-
position of his late Royal Highness the Prince Consort.
This portion of the ceremony having concluded, his
Royal Highness then advanced to the front of the dais and
exclaimed, in a loud voice, " I declare this Exhibition
open." The announcement was received with vociferous
cheering.

His Royal Highness then descended the dais, and was
conducted by the committee round the hall to inspect the
articles of which the exhibition was comprised. The works
from Wurtemburg attracted his royal highnesses attention,
and so did the extremely beautiful embroidery sent from
the British Syrian Industrial School. This contribution
consisted of cushions, purses, table-covers, and ladies' girdles
of velvet, upon which was worked devices of the most ex-
quisite design in gold thread. When the fearful massacres
in the Lebanon, and other parts of Syria, in 1860, placed
thousands of widows and orphans within the reach of
Christian sympathy, and an English lady, Mrs. Bowen
Thompson, hastened to raise the unhappy creatures
in their social position by instructing them in needle
work and other useful occupations, • the benevolent ob-
ject prospered, and now a very remunerative return is
made, as Messrs. Howell and James, of Regent-street, have
undertaken the sale of the articles for the committee. A
contribution from a prison in Ghent excited much curiosity,
as did the straw manufactures from Austria. The contri-
butions from the English reformatories were quite worthy
of the country—the various articles of useful wearing
apparel being made in a manner that distanced all compe-
tition. ;There were some very excellent specimens o
Cabinet work, all of which reflected great credit on the
institutions sending them for exhibition.
The prince, having made a circuit of the building, took
leave of the committee, and on entering his carriage in the
Liverpool-road he was received with loud and great
cheering, amidst which the Prince and suite drove off to
Marlborough-house.