The Sun.
London, England, 1859-08-26 00:00:00

THE SUN., LONDON, FRIIDAt EVENING, AUGUST 26, 185 S

As curious an instance as we have ever met with
of the tenacity of the monopolists and the incon-
sistency of Whig free-traders now lies before us.
We refer to the " Report of the Select Committee
on the QUEEN'S Printer's Patent," which gives him
the exclusive privilege of printing the Bible in
England, except that the two Universities enjoy
the right, by charter, to print them also. Our
readers will remember that when Mr. BAINES, the
member for Leeds, appealed to the Home Secretary
as to the intention of the Government to advise
her MAJESTY on the renewal of the patent, the
free-trader, Sir G. C. LEWIS, met him with all
sorts of excuses for evading the subject ; he did not
know that Bibles could be printed cheaper, and he
must have guarantees for their accuracy, and so
forth ; till our Whig free-trader drove Mr. BAINES
to accept a select committee to ascertain what he
ought to have known without a thought--whether
unrestricted competition were or were not the best
securities for quality and cheapness in regard to
Bibles as well as to everything else. Had Mr.
WALPOLE and the Tories taken such a course, it
might almost have been respected as consistent—
certainly forgiven ; but Sir G. LEWIS fell very
much in our estimate of his soundness when he
could palter with what, to a free-trader, ought to
have been so plain a matter.
Well, here we have the evidence of the first wit-
nesses examined, and very amusing it is. It is due
to Mr. BAINES, the chairman, to mention that he
appears to fulfil his duty most admirably. He
is evidently thoroughly up iu the subject,
shows considerable acuteness in detecting the
evasions of the monopolists, and in leading
them to self-refuting answers, yet all his questions
ere those of a man of business notions, and all of
th,Tm expressed in the most urbane phraseology.
Mr. ,SYOTTISWOODE himself was the first examined;
but ev.cvz' his ability, and the respect of all parties
for his I.t,erary and social position, cannot give a
monopolist- the best of the case in a free-trade con-
troversy. on the question of cheapness, for in-
stance, he wants to prove that restricted competi-
tion is the best plan : his proof is that the Bible
is now printed cheaper than any other book of its
size, which Mr. CJIILDS, of Bungay, who has
printed a large numiser for Scotland and for the
Tract Society, proves aught to be the case. But
Mr. SPOTTISWOODE wane to prove that the CO7ll-
- of the three has produced this cheapness.
Two price lists of his own aref however, put into
his herds, and he is asked to compare them. It
appears that in the space of three months his own
prices fell more then 50 per cent.—the total of prices
in November being £l9 12s. 6d., and in February L 9
is. 6d.! and it turns out that just in that time the
Scottish monopoly was abolished, and Scottish
Bibles were published at free-trade prices ! All
kinds of excuses are resorted to, both by Mr. SPOT-
TISWOODE and Mr. F. COMBE, another witness, the
superintendent of the Oxford Bible press, but all
in vain. Changes in the price of ink and piper,
and the introduction of machinery and the like,
were mentioned ; but the obstinate fact would re-
main that such changes were small and gradual,
and the fall in price was immense and sudden. The
three competitors had cheapened nothing, till the
Scotch competition had alarmed them. At fifty
per cent. profit nothing could have prevented the
smuggling of Bibles Across the border. The Inqui-
sition itself would have been defied. The three
monopolists, therefore, who till that time had com-
bined to charge us double prices for our Bibles, at
once improved their management and sought a
profit out of a larger sale.
Judiciously enough the monopolist witnesses, and
their fri ands in the committee, tried hard to prove
that the competition of thirty printers would not
serve the p-üblic better than the competition of
three. The rule of three did not apply to Bible
printing and monopoly ; if three competitors and
five or six Scotch ones have reduced the price of
Bibles by one half, how much will ten times that
number reduce them ? is no fair example for
COCKER. Well, it is no doubt true that the pro-
position will not hold, or we should next have Bibles
for nothing ; but it came out clearly in
.evidence
that there was abundant scope for trade znventive-
ness in the quality, and character, and getting up
of Bibles as of other things ; and that, if they could
not be much cheaper, they might be greatly im-
proved. Of course the real question is—what
right have three printers to ask Parliament and
the QUEEN that Bible printing should be limited
to their workshops ?
Here it is that the question of accuracy is raised.
The monopolists profess that they secure a degree
of accuracy not to be attained by competition.
Now we should, of course, deny that the
Government has any more to do with the accuracy
of our Bibles than of our BACONS and MTLTONS.
The very demand proves the ignorance of those
who make it, of the first principles of religion as
well as of commerce. Do we want a Pope in
Downing-street to sanction the present version, as
the POPE of Rome sanctions the Vulgate or the
Douay versions? Do we, in this sense, recognise
the QUEEN as Defender of the Faith ? But,
first, numerous instances of inaccuracies in
the Bibles printed before the monopoly was
,roduced. Secondly, the pa-

threatened, were p:

ciya Q

tent, and the charters of the universities,
do not bind the monopolists to accuracy. Thirdly,
Mr. CHILDS, of Bungay, has already printed largely,
and with perfect accuracy, both for the Tract So-
ciety, and for Scotland, and for the Roman Catholics
also. .Fourthly, The sufficient guarantee for accu-
racy is, that Bible printing could be undertaken
only by printers of large capital, persons who had
a character to maintain ; and the vigilance of all
denominations, of all readers, and of all the large
societies, through whom the great bulk of Bibles
are sold, is the true commercial guarantee, and the
all-sufficient one. Much stress was laid on the
correct punctuation—the fact is this, both in the
Old and New Testament it is a matter of taste.
There is no inspired punctuation—none whatever
n the earliest manuscripts.

The sale of English Bibles in America was ad.
verted to, but we cannot perceive what it has to
do with the right or wrong of monopoly. Ameri-
cans, as Dr. CAsWALL gave evidence, would never
tolerate a Government patent or even guarantee.
Mr. CHlLDS—whose evidence was worth more than
that of all the rest—showed that the price of Ame-
rican skilled labour was so high that their Bibles
might well cost them as much as ours ; and the
mononpolists pay no duty for paper.
We advise Mr. BAINES to keep a sharp look out
lest we be saddled with another job like that of the
Scottish Board. If one be created let it be a self-
supporting one. Let those who want Bibles authen-
ticated by a board pay for the authentication, just
as persons do who have their gold coined at the
mint. We should be content with the accuracy
produced by unrestricted competition ; if the Bible
Society, or the Christian Knowledge Society, or
tradesmen want a Government guarantee, then let
them pay for it by a fee to the Board which grants
it. The evidence is much of it very interesting.
The straightforward answers of Mr. BESLEY, Mr.
CHILDS, and the free-trade witnesses, compared
with the obstinate and evasive fencing of the
I monopolists, is itself enough to settle the question.

CITY OF LONDON LYING-IN
B OSPITAL.

The City of London boasts that it is fond of
publicity in its doings. Its accounts are, in some
fashion, made public now. Its Common Council
debates are public ; its Lord Mayor has a grand
public show on his inauguration, and it has given,
and will give " public receptions" to statesmen, to
generals, and even to Sovereigns. We used often
to wonder, however, that it should proclaim its
readiness to give " public receptions" to a class of
persons who do not usually covet that honour.
We almost thought the announcement must be the
painter's mistake. It is not so, however. The
City of London Lying-in Hospital has been new
painted, and still the announcement is that it is for
the " Public Reception of Pregnant Women," and
that these public receptions of such " interesting"
persons, and in whom the public take such inte-
rest is—" according to Act of Parliament."

LATEST NEWS.

The follolNlag telegrans have been received at
Mr. Reuter's a ffice

MAISEILLES, AUG. 25.
The steamer from Alelandria brings the sub-

oined advices

ALEXANDRIA, Aug. 18,—The Viceroy is increas-
ing his army con siderably
CANTON, July .s.—The het, composed of nine-
teen vessels, proceeds in advance of the three Am-
bassadors of England, 'ranee, and America, in
order, should it be necesary, to force the passage
of the Peiho. Negotiatiols of peace are expected
per Touranne (?)
BATAVIA, May 24.—/, general massacre of
Christians in two towns if a district in Borneo is
reported to have taken place. Pilgrims from
Mecca (?), it is supposed gave the signal to the
outbreak.

TRIESTE, AUG. 25.
The Austrian Lloyd's steamer, just arrived, brings
•dvices from Constantincple to the 20th inst.
The Sultan has been taken. ill.
Musurus Pacha has been empowered to settle the
question of the Danubian Principalities.
The Papal Charge d'Affaires was expected there.
The Prince Vogorides is dead.
Mohamed Pacha has been appointed Governor-
General of Smyrna.
The Sultan has presented the Dragoman to the
Russian Ambassador with a country seat.

ZURICH, AUG. 25.
Yesterday the French and Sardinian Plenipoten-
tiaries held .a conference.
M. de Bourqueney has received a courier from
the Cabinet of Paris.
Count Colloredo had a slight attack of apoplexy
yesterday evening, but is better to-day.

FRANCE.

PARIS, THURSDAY.

This day is hotter even than yesterday. The
thermometer marked 92 deg. Fahrenheit at 2 to-
day in the shade.
It is said that there is a party in Tuscany, though
not numerically strong, yet most active, now work-
ing Heaven and earth in favour of Prince Napolean
as a candidate for a kingdom or principality in Cen-
tral Italy. In the meantime nothing can be stronger
than the denial in official quarters of any partici-

pation in or approval of these maneouvres by the
Emperor and the personage for whom they are
carried on. This, however, proves little. If mat-

ters take the turn they deny they expect or wish
for, the Emperor and his cousin would probably
yield to a little gentle violence.
The last ships of war of the French squadron in
the Adriatic have quitted that sea under the orders
of the captain of the steam frigate Isly. It was at
the moment of their departure on the 17th inst.,
that the boiler of the large gun-brig Aigrette burst,
and the boat foundered. The full particulars of
the accident have not yet been received by the
Minister of Marine, but it is known that the offi-
cers and the greater part of the crew were saved.
The crews of the Isly and the Monge afforded
every assistance to the sufferers.
" A rumour propagated by some foreign jour-
nals," says Galignani, " that the visit of the Grand
Duke Constantine to England has a political ob-
ject is contradicted with some energy in Russia.
The Grand Duke, the St. Petersburg journals as-
sert, is a sailor before all things, and he has gone
into England to study the progress of the navy,
just as last year he visited France with the same
object."
The following nre the dates of the births of the
Marshals of France now vm active service :—De
Castellano, 1788 ; Vaillant, 1790 ; Magnan, 1791 ;
Pelissier, 1794 ; Regnault de Saint Jean d'Angely,
94 ; Baraguay d'Hilliers, 1795 ; Randon, 1795;

Niel, 1802 ; de MacMahon, 1807 ; Canrobert, 1809 ;
and Bosquet, 1809. The oldest of these dignitaries
is consequently 71 and the youngest 50.
The steam advice boat Ariel has left Brest with
an electric cable, destined to place the isles of
Ushant, Conquel, and Malec in telegraphic commu-
nication with that port.
BOURSE, Aug. 25.—The prices have slightly im-
proved, but the market still continues dull. Threes
opened at 69f. 25c., and are now at 69f. 35c. Mo-
bilier varied from 830 f. to 835 f. ; Austrian, 560 f.
to 562 f. 50c. ; Lombard, 562 f. 50c. to 565 f. ; Orleans,
1,365 f. to 1,367 f. 50c. ; Lyons, 870 f. to 871 f. 25c. ;
Southern, 510 f. to 512 f. 50c. ; Northern, 930 f. to
932 f. 50c. The following were the last quotations :-
4t per Cents. .... 98 05 Credit Fonder 665
Do. end month .. 98 15 I Belgian 4f
98 75
3 per Cent 5....... 69 30 Piedmonteso (5)
_B5
_5O
Do. end month.... 69 20 Roman B6
Bank Shams. . . ... 2800 Austrian
Credit Mobilier .. 830 --Spanish Threes
Do. Account ..... 827 50 Home Debt 42 25

—manifestations which the most sever .e

ment ought to have considered excusable, and
which the enemy the least acquainted with
noble sentiments and with the intoxication of vic-
tories would have regarded as an additional
charm in unhoped for success—the functionaries of
Austria in Venice on the 17th July responded by
menaces which were at once puerile and cruel.
We mention another fact :—ln tb e prisons of ,
Josephstadt are inhabitants of Venetia, peaceable
men, dear to the nation by their talents and their
character, who have been arrested without trial, as
a simple measure of precaution, and with the official
remark that though it was true they had not dis-
turbed order it was possible that they would
trouble it, and that consequently their im-
prisonment was useful to themselves and desirable
to those who loved them. Was it not right to ex-
pect that after the peace of Villafranca these men
would be restored to their afflicted families ? But
they are still in prison !"
The address concludes as follows :
" On the whole, Austria cannot govern Italy.
Even an Austrian prince, alone and without
foreigners around him, would be de trop, and his
presence would not only awake painful reminiscences
but would create dangers for the Austrian empire,
for the dignity of France, and for the tranquillity
of Europe. The hopes solemnly given to Venetia
ought not to be eluded. Was it then to see the
enfranchisement of Italy left incomplete that
200,000 French mothers lived during ten weeks in
agony, awaiting every moment the news that their
children had been torn to pieces by Austrian grape-
shot ? Was it to leave the enfranchisement of Italy
incomplete that Napoleon 111. placed in jeopardy
his destiny and his life—and what is dearer to him,
the life, the honour of France, and the heritage of
a great name, which weighs on him like a heavy,
though splendid, burden ? Let Europe, grateful
for the peace he has assured her, aid him to throw
off the yoke of such a burden ; by so doing she will
obtain from this land of noble ideas and great mis-
fortunes blessings which will be to her a favour-
able augury."

The following letter has been received from
Milan, dated 31st August :
" The league of the States of Central Italy is a
fact which may now be said to be accomplished.
A resolution was unanimously passed at Modena
yesterday, as it was at Florence a few days since)
declaring the forfeiture of their title by the houses
of Este and Lorraine. The greatest order prevailed
during the proceedings, which were conducted
with a dignity that would have done honour to the
oldest assembly in Europe. Italy has truly
made great progress within six years. The
progress consists in the quiet determina-
tion substituted for that imaginative impulse
which caused our destruction in 1848. In fact,
the firmness of the resolution might have been mis-
taken for indifference. It is a remarkable fact, that
during the late agitation there has been no disturb-
ance, nor none of those puerile demonstrations so
frequent in Italy. Strangers have paid no attention
to this fact, but history will record it as a great event.
It was well understood that the relations of the
European States with each other would prevent any
of them from interfering separately with force of
arms; and it was said, if we can accomplish our
destiny without giving any of them a pretence to
impose their will on us in the name of order, they
will suffer us to accomplish what was done in
Belgium in 1830, or what France did since in call-
ing the Napoleonian dynasty to the throne. The
King of Naples served as an example to us. Eng-
land and France, not being able to come to an un-
derstanding with each other, caused him no fear by
their threats, because he comprehended that each
was strong enough to prevent the other from
adopting measures of coercion. He continued his
course, he permitted the Ministers of the great
Powers to withdraw without making any concession.
Central Italy has only to imitate King Ferdinand.
in order to leave Europe in suspense until a con
gress shall have become inevitable. France finds
herself in a delicate position, inasmuch as Napoleon

111. is aware that the Italian people were aban-
doned by their sovereigns who were either the
concealed or open enemies of Italy."

" We regret to announce," says the Malta Times,

" that since the 15th the Corfu cable has been out
of working order, as no answers can be obtained to
signals made from the office in Malta, and it is
feared that a rupture has taken place. With regard
to the Cagliari cable, we are informed that a tele-
gram was received on the 16th inst., at 4.45 p m.,
from Marsala, stating that the Malta end, which
was lost soon after it was picked up, had been again
recovered and carried to Marsala, and found to be
in excellent communication with Malta. The
Cagliari portion, as far as Marsala, is considered to
be irrecoverably lost."

THE BOMBAY MAIL.

FATAL COLLISION OFF THE SOUTH
FORELAND.

DOVER, AVG. 25.
An inquiry was held yesterday, before Mr.
Thompson, the borough coroner, on view of the
body of Jeremiah Hammond, a Dover pilot, who,
with three others, lost his life by the schooner
Robert Garden being run down by the Ondine
screw steamship, off the South Foreland, early on
the morning of the 7th inst.
Mr. Cattarns, of Mark-lane, London, appeared
for the owners of the Ondine ; and Mr. Sharland
for the schooner.

The evidence was most conflicting. The schooner
Robert Garden was from Hartlepool to Dover,
with coals, and, according to her master's testimony,
it appeared that on the morning of the 7th, about
two o'clock, she was off the South Foreland, mak-
ing for Dover Bay, under all canvas, the wind
S.S.W., when the Ondine was seen coming up Chan-
nel, two points on the schooner's port bow, half a
mile off. Her green (starboard) and white lights
were observed. The steamer continued her course
and crossed the bows of the schooner, her helm was
then suddenly ported, and she came into the Robert
Garden between the bowsprit and starboard cat-
head, causing her to sink in three or four minutes.
The deceased was crushed and killed at the moment
of the collision, his body falling overboard. It was
averred that the schooner had her proper lights up,
and her helm was put hard aport before the vessels
came in contact. It was stated also that the On-
dine was going at the rate of 10 or 11 miles an
hour, and that her crew evinced some delay in
rescuing those of the schooner.
On the part of the steamer it was shown, that as
soon as the red light of the schooner was seen the
helm of the Ondine was ported in accordance with
the Admiralty regulations, that her speed was re-
duced, and her engines reversed, and that the acci-
dent arose from the helm of the schooner having
been starboarded. Every exertion was made to save
the crew of the schooner, and there was no delay
in lowering a boat.
Mr. Cattarns said Captain Hunt, th• master of
the steamer, was in attendance to give evidence.
The Coroner said he would take any statement
he might wish to make, but he would not examine
him on oath.

Mr. Cattarns said if his evidence was not to be
received on oath, he should not advise him to make
any statement.
The Coroner then summed up, and
The Jury returned the followed verdict :—" From
the circumstances stated in the evidence before us

we find that the death of Jeremiah Hammond was
caused, on the morning of the 7th instant, by the
Ondine screw steamer coming into collision with
the schooner Robert Garden, on board of which the
deceased was pilot. We are also of opinion that
the said collision and loss of life on board the
Robert Garden is attributable to James Hunt, the
master of the Ondine, neglecting to port his helm
in time to pass astern of the schooner."
The Coroner said the verdict amounted to one of
manslaughter, and it was arranged that Captain
Hunt should put in bail to answer the charge at
the next assizes.

Mr. Charles Edward Coleridge, of the South
Wales Circuit, has been appointed secretary to the com-
missioners appointed to inquire into the existence of corrupt
practices at the last election for the city of Gloucester; and
Mr. Dew, of the House of Commons, has been appointed
secretary to the commissioners appointed to inquire into
the existence of corrupt practices at the last election for the
borough of Wakefield.
The Peninsular and Oriental steamer Orissa, to
sail on Saturday, will take 21,000 sovereigns for Alexan-
dria, and. £20,700 in gold and £204,360 in silver for Bom-
bay. In the latter amount is included a Government re-
mittance of £172,000.
In accordance with Admiralty instructions,
certain alterations, with a view to an extension of Deptford
Dockyard, are to be carried into effect, the requisite portion
of land having been obtained. The building slips at Wool-
wich, upon which the Repulse and Barossa are now con-
structing, are also ordered to be improved.
DEATH OF TIIE SENIOR COMMANDER, ROYAL
NAVY, AND VACANCY ON THE OUT-PENSION, GREEN-
WICH HosPITAL.—We last week announced the death of
Commander William Kelly, the then senior commander;
we regret now to have to record that of Commander Charles
Seward, 1814, the next senior on the list. This officer
entered the service in 1793, and was promoted to the rank
of lieutenant in 1801; was midshipman of the Majestie at
the battle of the Nile, and lieutenant of the Orpheus at the
reduction of Gaudaloupe, in 1810 ; and was officially noticed
in the " Gazette" in 1798. Commander Robert Forster,
1815, an officer who has served with great distinction, and
is one of the few surviving heroes of the landing in Egypt,
is now the senior commander. .
FATAL RIVER ACCIDENT.—(THIS DAY).—
Shortly after ten o'clock this forenoon a very painful acci-
dent occurred at Battersea-bridge pier. The River Queen
and the Matrimony were both in motion abreast of the
pier, and the call boy of the former, while in the act of
passing to the latter, miscalculated the distance, and fell
into the river. Unfortunately both boats backed, the one
up and the other down stream, nearly suffocating the boy
with back water. Life buoys and boat hooks were then
thrown towards him • but, falling short, he disappeared,
after striking out ineffectually for a short time. Deceased
is only 12 years of age.
REDUCTION OF DUTY ON LACE.—OUT readers
will be gratified to learn that our worthy representative, Mr.
Chas. Paget, has been successful in his repeated applica-
tion to the late as well as the present Government to effect
an alteration in the Sardinian tariff upon crotchet tulle,
which, through their representations, and the exertions of
Sir James Hudson (our Minister at Turin), has been altered
from 6f. the kilog. (21bs. English) to 2f. 50c. ; and, consi-
dering the additional territory acquired by the King of Sar-
dinia, this great reduction must prove very beneficial to the
lacer trade.—Nottingham Review.
M. FELIX PYAT AND THE AMNESTY.—M. Felix
Pyat writes from London to the lndependance lelge teo eoar7
rect a statement in that paper to the effect that
lb;
ID/lards
taken advantage of the amnesty, and
on his way to Vierzon, to visit his mother M Y
o'od intentions, and
" I thank your correspondent for his g
passed th. rragt
says_i
suchta
1 revisit my country ;
fortien, e
But,p iou pioussentalasimentvteone whichreas
ohne
ita t tyr
lout
mt
ey
hper
nc i
a hurry. I can, no doubt, if Ih
but
and I
whose cannotey
esfind I therewas who died in her grief,
EEN LIVER-
gh the line of telegraph
POOL AND HOLYHEAD.—
unnaatlenitot close."
THE
k be managed and worked by
THE ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH BETWEEN
along the Liverpoolthdeoc_
dock board retaining certain exclu-
a public company,
t the working of the telegraph
tided to keep for the re 9
plisoinhoad in their own hands. It
sive privileges, the board at their meeting yesterday
between Liverpool Liverpool and y
of several of the semaphore stations would
was stated yesterday that the saving which will effected
by the abolition f
in
equal the amount hoe crest
per annum upon the expendi-
tureTheletters from St. Petersburg state, that as the
involved by the new means of communication
• large local
'themselves have entered intospeculations prices of produce are much too high for exporters, the Rus-
siansin tallow, and are keeping back the supplies which ought
to be now in course of shipment. The accounts from the
Nishni fair are favourable. It is also mentioned that a
considerable portion of the subscriptions to the recent loan
were on Russian account-----a circumstance which nullifies
its effects on the exchanges, and even in some degree ren-
ders them for the moment more unfavourable for Russia,
since remittances are made thence to provide the deposits
on this side.
TERRIFIC THUNDERSTORM.—Last night one of
the most severe thunderstorms with which we have been
visited for some time passed over the metropolis. The atmo-
sphere during the day was close and oppressive, and soon
after sunset vivid and incessant flashes of sheet lightning
played around the horizon. At ten o'clock the flashes were
intensely and awfully brilliant, followed by crashing peals
of thunder, the rain falling in torrents, which in a very few
moments inundated the carriage roads, and in many places
overflowed the foot pavements. The accumulated waters
rushing into the basements and cellars, flooded them to
some depth, occasioning considerable damage to the con-
tents. At half-past ten o'clock a frightfully vivid flash
illuminated the hemisphere from the zenith to the horison,
and almost simultaneously a heavy crashing peal shook the
houses on the south side of the river to the foundations.
BARON CHAZAL.—The following is a short bio-
graphical sketch of General Baron Chazal, Minister of War
in Belgium, who so strongly defended the Antwerp Forti-
fication Bill during the late discussion :—He is the son of a
member the of French Convention who voted the death of
Louis XVI., but:subject to respite. He was born in 1808 at
Tarbes, where his father was residing as Prefect of the
Hates-Pyrenees. In 1816, the father was proscribed, and
took up his residence at Brussels, with his family. Young
Chazal was educated in Brussels for commercial pursuits,
and he embarked in business as a cloth dealer. But when
the revolution of 1830 broke forth he took an active part in the
proceedings, and having entered the-army, became succes-
sively intendant-general, commander of a regiment of in-
fantry, general of brigade, and general of division. In 1844
the chambers by law accorded him complete naturalisation,
and in 1847 he became Minister of War in the Frere-Rogior
cabinet. In 1850 he retired from the ministry, in conse
quence of some offence given to the national guard. The
title of baron was conferred on him some time back by the
King, in whose confidence he is believed to be highly
placed. In 1856 he was sent on an extraordinary mission
to St. Petersburg, to congratulate the Emperor Alexan-
der on his Majesty's accession to the throne.
CRYSTAL PALACE.—The number of visitors to the
Crystal Palace on Tuesday, at the Foresters' Fete, 63,181,
was by far the largest which has ever been collected there,
and exceeded by more than 17,000 the number on the same
occasion last year. The conduct of this immense mass
throughout the day was in every respect admirable ; hardly
a single case of drunkenness was observed, and the greatest
order and good humour prevailed. The visitors spread
themselves over the whole of the grounds, as they have
never done on any former occasion, and the result was that
not more than the most temporary pressure or inconvenience
was at any time felt in the building. It will hardly be
believed that no damage whatever was done to the property
of the company within or without the Palace. Fully two-
thirds of the visitors came by rail, and the arrangements by
which this enormous throng of more than 40,000 were
broughtto the Palace and conveyed back reflects the greatest
credit on the officers of the Railway Company. For some
hours during the morning the passengers delivered at the
manag of the
minutes. Measures were adopted by
Palace exceeded 12,000 an hour—i.e., I,theooo in e
ersvery e
Palace by which the excursionists from the country, wl
formed a large proportion of the visitors, were enabled to
reach their return trains with very trifling delay. The
management of the refreshment department, by which the
creature comforts of this great multitude were supplied,
seems to have given universal satisfaction,and though the
to
Foresters make no professions be a "temperance society,"
the free drinking fountains lately erected in the Palace were
literally besieged by thirsty visitors throughout the whole
day. The annual demonstrations of the Foresters have
steadily increased in opularity since the first year that
they attempted one, and have now assumed an importance
possessed by those of no other society of the day. If these
gatherings continue to be condneted with the same admir-
able order and good feeling that was so abundautly 111€111i,
fested on Tuesday, we can only say that we think they are
worthy of the most strenuous support,