The Sun.
London, England, 1853-04-29 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, APRIL 29, 185 P,

COURT CIRCULAR.

Yesterday morning, at half-past nine o'clock, the cere-
mony of churching the Queen was performed in the pri-
vate chapel, at Buckingham Palace, by the Hon. and
Rev. Gerald Wellesley, her Majesty's domestic chaplain.
His Royal Highness Prince Albert and Lady Caroline
Barrington were present.
W. A. Mathews, Esq., Mayor of Sheffield, accom-
panied by Professor Woodcroft, had an interview with
his Royal Highness Prince Albert yesterday morning,
at Buckingham Palace, to present an address from that
town, praying for the establishment of a national library
and museum of inventions.

His Royal Highness Prince Albert left Buckingham
Palace at half-past twelve o'clock yesterday, for the
Royal Academy, in Trafalgar-square. The Prince was
accompanied by their Royal Highnesses the Prince of
Wales, the Princess Royal, Prince Alfred, and the Prin-
cesses Alice and Helena. The:royal suite included Lady
Caroline Barrington, Lord Byron, Lord George Lennox,
Colonel Wylde, ajor-General Buckley, Lieutenant-
Colonel F. H. Seymour, and Mr. Gibbs.
Sir Charles Locke Eastlake, the President of the
Royal Academy, received his Royal Highness, and con-
ducted the Prince and the royal family through the dif-
ferent rooms of the Exhibition.

Prince Albert and the royal party returned to Buck-
ingham Palace at half-past two o'clock.
His Serene Highness Prince Ernest of Leiningen
arrived at Buckingham Palace about 12 o'clock yester-
day, on a visit to her Majesty.
Her Majesty walked in the garden of Buckingham
Palace yesterday afternoon.
His Royal Highness Prince Albert rode out on horse-
back yesterday afternoon, attended by Lieut.-Colonel F.
H. Seymour.
Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent visited the
Queen yesterday.
The following were presented at the levee, on Wed-
nesday, to his Royal Highness, Prince Albert :—Mr.
Robert Clive, by the Hon. Mr. Clive ' • Lieut. Viscount
Gilford, R.N., on promotion, by Earl Clanwilliam ; and
Mr. Hugh Scott, by Lord Polworth.
Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, her Serene
Highness the Princess Adelaide of Hohenlohe, and his
Serene Highness the Prince Ernest of Leiningen, ned
with her Majesty yesterday.
The Hon. Lucy Kerr and the Hon. Mary Bulteel
have succeeded the Hon. Matilda Paget and the Hon.
Mary Seymour, in their duties as Maids of Honour in
Waiting to her Majesty.
Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, accom-
panied by her Serene Highness the Princess Adelaide of
Hohenlohe, and attended by Lady Anna Maria Dawson
and Sir George Couper, visited the Exhibition of the
Royal Academy yesterday.
A deputation, connected with the hackney carriage
trade, had an interview with Viscount Palmerston on
Wednesday, at the Home-office, respecting the operation
of the orders recently issued for regulating hackney car-
riages at standings. The deputation consisted of
Messrs. Hatterley, Norris, Gamble, Coulter (Harp Cab
Company) ; Messrs. Gillan, Craufurd, Oakley, Baker,
Lewelyn, Willbraham, Williams, Croft, Bendle, Carr,
and Hider.

A deputation of the Magistrates of Glasgow and the
Commissioners of the Houses of Refuge, consisting of
the Lord Provost, Bailie Gourlay, Mr. James Playfair,
Mr. John D. Bryce, Mr. Hugh Moncrieff, John Strang,
LL.D. (City Chamberlain), and Mr. Arthur Forbes
(Town Clerk), accompanied by Mr. Alex. Hastie, M.P.,
Mr. John M‘Gregor' M.P., Sir James Anderson, M.P.,
Mr. Charles Cowan, M.P., and Mr. Alexander M. Dun-
lop, M.P., had also an interview on Wednesday with
the Noble Viscount, at the Home-office.
Dispatches were received at the Colonial-office yester-
day from the Governors of Hong Kong, Labuan, New
South Wales, and Malta.
Dispatches were received on Wednesday from the
Governor of New Zealand.

THE INFANT PRINCE. —lt is understood that the
christening of the infant prince will take place towards
the end of June, when he will receive the names of
" Leopold George Duncan Albert." His Majesty the.
King of Hanover, the Prince of Hoh enlohe-Langen burg,
and the Princess of Prussia, are expected to arrive in
England to be present at the ceremony ; at which, with
her Royal Highness the Princess Mary of Cambridge,
they will stand sponsors to the young prince.
THE COMMAND OF THE WINCHESTER.—The appoint-
ment of Captain Fitzgerald to her Majesty's ship 'Win-
chester, vacant by the lamented death of the brave Cap-
tain Loch in the Burmese war, is confirmed. Captain
Fitzgerald leaves for India in the Ripon mail steamer
on the 4th of next month.
PEMBROKE DOCKYARD.—The officers and non-com-
missioned officers of the depot of the 36th Regiment,
stationed at the fortified barracks, have had considerable
practice with the Minie rifle, and their efforts have been
highly satisfactory, the practice being extremely good. At
a distance of 500 and 600 yards the target has received
six or eight shots out of every ten fired against it ; and
later practice, with the target 1,000 yards off, has prac-
tically proved the increased precision of the marksmen.
The depot of this regiment has received orders to hold
itself in readiness for removal to the north of England,
and to replace it four companies of the Ist Regiment of
Foot, or Royals, has been ordered for Pembroke. The
depot has constantly been exercised, and is in a high
state of discipline.
COST OF COAL TO OCEAN STEAM COMPANIES.—
Owing to the scarcity of shipping and the consequent
rise in freights, the cost of coal to the Royal West India
Mail Packet Company this year is after the rate of
80,0001. per annum more than it was the last year, and
to the Peninsular and Oriental Company above 100,0001.
per annum.
CASINO DE VENISE.—The season at this popular place
of amusement was brought to a close last night with a
bal masque, which was attended by a very numerous
company. Of course the characters assumed were of
the ordinary description adopted on such occasions, but
here and there an elegant dress or a well-maintained
part might be observed. The festivities were kept up
until an advanced hour, and the season, which on the
whole has proved a very profitable one, was thus
brought to a most successful termination.
THE ASYLUM FOR IDIOTS.—The annual general meet-

ing of the friends and supporters of this Charitable in-
stitution, which was founded in 1847, was held yester-
day at the London Tavbrn, for the purpose of receiving
the report, and the election of 20 children from a list of
200 candidates ; Mr. Wilkes in the chair. The report
stated that the numbers reported last April were 141
pupils and patients. There are now 198 in family.
There are 48 attendants and servants, and these, with
the number elected yesterday, make a total of 256 per-
sons. During the year the following legacies have been
bequeathed to the charity :—From Mr. Lester Brown,
500/. ; from Miss Fanny Smith, 2001. ; and from Miss
Vaughan, 1001. After stating that his Royal Highness
Prince Albert had fixed Thursday, June 16, for laying
the foundation-stone of the new asylum at Red-hill,
Surrey, the report concluded by making an appeal for
further support. The balance-sheet showed the total
receipts from all sources (including a balance in hand of
6791. 2s. 10d., annual subscriptions. 2,6931. Bs. 6d., and
life ditto 1,8841.195. 6d.) during the past year to amount
to 8,9351. lls. 9d., and, after all expenses had been de-
frayed, there was left a balance in hand of 5311. 11s. 4d.
The report having been adopted, 20 children from a list
of 200 candidates were elected, after which the meeting
separated.
THE LONDON INSTITIITION.—Last night the annual
general meeting of the proprietors of this institution
was held at the theatre, Finsbury-circus, Thomas Baring,
Esq., M.P., in the chair. The report exressed a feeling
of regret at the death of the late Drs. Pereira and Mantel.
A fourth volume of the library catalogue has been com-
pleted. Lectures have been delivered upon the abstract
and applied sciences, and upon the fine arts. The
receipts for the year were 3,878/. 16s. 7d., and the ex-
penditure was 3,046/. 2s. 11d., leaving a balance of
8881. 13s. Bd. in the hands of the treasurer. The stock
amounts to 37,6301. The adoption of the report having
been proposed, Mr. Gossett proposed, and Mr. Hart-
ridge seconded, an amendment, to the effect that a com-
mittee should be appointed to inquire into the state of
the institution with a view to promoting the original
objects. A long debate took place, in which Mr. Smee,
Mr. Dillon, Mr. Lyell, and Mr. Smith, supported the
original motion, den ied that there was a case made out
for inquiry, and showed that the committee of visitors
appointed by the charter was sufficient. Mr. Barnes,
Mr. -Scott, and otbters supported the amendment, which,
upon a show of hands, was carried by a small majority.
A ballot was then demanded. The proceedings were of
so noisy a character as to draw forth a rebuke from the

choir.
CURIOUS FR.A.UD.-At the beginning of the month a
collecting clen: of MM. Bechet and Dethomas, bankers,
of Paris, was robbed at the Treasury of some inscrip-
tions of rente. On Saturday, the thief, whose name is
Burgot, was tried by the Tribunal of Correctional Police
for robbery. The clerk stated that he bad seen him
standing wits a pen behind his ear, in the outer office of
the Treasury, and believing from his statement that he
was an emplos .1, had got him to write down the numbers
of the inscripi dons for him ; and that he had walked off
with them vd ailst he had gone for a moment to change
some other:, The man attempted no- defence, and tho
tribunal 'oontlemned him to 15 months' imprisonment
and 50f., aue,,,