The Sun.
London, England, 1857-05-09 00:00:00

rHE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, MAY 9, 18 5 7

be, by a vigorous leader, brought before the Le
gislature, and disposed of honestly in no great

First and foremost, of necessity, Mr. GLAD-
STONE begins at the beginning—" Gentlemen—
You who represent one-thirteenth of the popula-
tion, and one-seventh of the male adults." That
is enough. No sin so inexcusable as that of
raising a ferment about the state of representa-
tion, when the unfortunate Premier is surrounded
by his huge majority, too ready to effervesce on
that subject. Not that the hon. members them•
selves would not perhaps, most of them, prefer to
take Reform rather easy, but certain of themselves
are alive and awake, and the influence of the late
contact with constituencies is yet rather strong.
Mr. GLADSTONE, moreover, does not forget that
not only is the vast majority of the adult popula-
tion of Britain entirely unrepresented, but that
through the smallness of many of the constitu-
encies, and the mode of voting, not half, perhaps,
of those who have votes hold them for themselves.
Well, and why should not Mr. GLADSTONE tell
the hundred majority of this 3 Has it not been
said many a hundred times at the elections ? Yes,
but why can't it drop with the hustings? Like
the boards which comprise those erections, all that
sort of thing was meant to be taken back to the
contractors for a seat, as soon as the seat was

secure.

Mr. GLADSTONE, however, is very discursive
He publishes a kind of vade mecum for a do-
something member. A long list of gravamina,
corrigenda, and agenda, is furnished to all who
are willing to use it. Tax-payers with no voice in
the imposition of taxes—subjects without a vote
on the laws which they must obey—parliaments
without power on the great question of peace or
war—secret diplomacy—oligarchy under pretence
of Constitutional Government—Ministers voting
on their own delinquencies (in a really reformed
house, however, they would have a right to do so)
—the loss of parliamentary control over the public
purse—the neglect of audit of the public accounts
till too late to be of the least service—the land tax
and the present incidence of_taxation—the jobbery
and waste of the Government acting as manufac-
turers—the Bank of England is not forgotten, nor
even the Hudson's Bay Company—law reform in
two important aspects—the dowry talked of for the
Princess Royal, i.e., for the avaricious Prussian
family—the accumulated revenues of the Duchy
of Cornwall—lastly, Parliament itself doing its
work after instead of before dinner, and forbidding
discussion on the presentation of public petitions.
This certainly seems a large list of things to be
amended or to be done.
Yet Mr. GLADSTONE may fairly ask, Why
should any of these be neglected even for this pre-
sent session ? What in the world do gentlemen
go to the House of Commons for but to do,
not to sigh or to smile over the work of
the nation ? With a majority of one hundred
to settle questions in the national interest, why
should not reforms in the matters indicated be
pushed through as rapidly as when gentlemen
want to get away into the country ? With such
a majority debates need not be indefinitely pro-
tracted ; by all means let the Opposition be
treated respectfully, let real objections be fairly
canvassed, and real improvements candidly ac-
cepted, but there is no need whatever for five
hour speeches, and five hour replies. It must be
a rare case indeed when the hour, or two hours
at most, should be exceeded.
The real hindrance, however, is want of heart.
By commencing the measures for Law Reform in
the Lords at the beginning of the Session, and
showing a real willingness to work at public busi-
ness in the Commons, the Houses would soon
catch the spirit of their leaders, and Members
would emulate each other in facilitating rather than
in obstructing the progress of national measures.
We only hope the House will have ROBERTSON
GLADSTONE 3 in every borough. They are just
what it needs. Points of exception may be
taken, of course, in any long address, but the
points in which all Reformers agree will prove
ten to oire compared with those on which they
differ. Let each borough send its own exhorta-
tion to its own Members, for petitions are now
to have half their utility destroyed, and in every
way let the constituencies watch to keep their
Members alive to their duty. Let them see that
the electoral audit is not neglected, whether
Government attends to its own or not.

FALL OF THREE HOUSES, AND LOSS
OF LIFE.

This morning, shortly atter 7 o'clock, one of those
dreadful calamities—viz., the fall of houses—took place
in Tottenham-court-road, and we regret to say that, in
this instance, loss of life has also occurred. The pre-

. -
mises in question, Nos. 145, 146, and 147, were in the
occupation of Mr. Maples, furniture dealer, and
familiarly known as the " Hen and Chickens." Of

course, at the present time, it would be impassible to
state with positive certainty the causes which led to the
accident, but as far as we have been able to ascertain,
they are as follows :—The adjoining premises, Nos.

148 and 149, in the occupation of Mr. Hunter,
also a furniture and carpet dealer, a few months
ago were seriously damaged by fire, and ever since
that accident they have been in course of repair, and at
the present time it is supposed that the premises of Mr.
Maples were damaged either by the conflagration or by
the building operations that have been going on there.
At the hour above stated the three houses in the

pation of Mr. Maple fell to the ground with a tremendous
crash, burying the several unfortunate persons who re-
sided therein. Ot course the g►eatest consternation pre-
vailed in the neighbourhood, and in the shortest time
possible the police arrived at the spot, and it was with
the greatest difficulty that they prevented a number of
persons exposing themselves to danger by approaching
too near the spot. Immediately it became known that
a number of persons were on the premises at the
moment they fell, the most active measures were
taken for their release, and in a short time a
young man who was in bed when the calamity
occurred was rescued. As he was not seriouslrinjured
he went into one of the adjoining houses, and, having
dressed himself, returned to the spot and gave such in-
formation as enabled the police to direct their search in
the proper quarter. Another man was afterwards
taken from the ruins very severely injured. This per-
son, we were informed, was the son of a builder, who
was engaged is improving the shop fronts of Mr.
Maples' houses. He was conveyed to the Univer-
sity Hospital, and there received the utmost attention,
The police next succeeded in rescuing another man,
but it was discovered that, from the shocking nature o
the injuries he had received, he had ceased to exist
The lifeless body of another unfortunate individual was
next taken from the debris. Toe name of this person
was said to be Byng, a workman in the employ of
Mr. Maples. Up to the time of writing this ac-
count no other persons had been rescued, although
it was known that there were several unfortunate in-
dividuals beside those taken from the ruins upon the
premises at the time of the accident.
The greatest excitement prevails in the neighbourhood,
and the most intense interest is manifested by the
immense body of persons assembled in the operations
at present going on under the direction of the police.

INDIA HOUSE.—A. deputation from the Madras Irri-
gation and Canal Company, consisting of the Hon.
Philip Pleydell Bouverie, M.P., Colonel Philip An-
struther, C. 8., Lieut.-Colonel. Onslow and Jas. Thomson,
_ _

Esq., directors, accompanied by John Mackrell, Esq.,
the solicitor, and John Westwood, Esq., the secretary of

- -
the company, had an interview yester lay with Ross
Donnelly Mangles, Esq., M.P., the chairman of the
East India Company, and Sir Frederick Currie, the
deputy-chairman.
APOTHECARIES'-HALL.—The following are the names
of gentlemen who passed their examination in the science
and practice of medicine, and received certificates to
practise, on Thursday, May 7 :—Wm. Wood, Sidding-
ton, Glocestersbire ; Robert Matthews Inman, Carlisle,
Cumberland; Henry Stilwell, Uxbridge ; John Mar-
shall Clark, London ; John Moses Bateson, Kirkby-
Lonedale, Westmoreland ; Wm. Theophilus Girdlestone,
Wordsley, Staffordshire.
THE STAFF OF THE POSr•OFFIOE.—The number of
officers and servants of the Post-office department, ex-
clusive of 118 in the colonies, of 55 agents in foreign
countries, and of 8 marine mail officers, is 23,130, of
which 10,667 are postmasters, 1,693 clerks, &c., and 40
secretaries, surveyors, superior officers, heads of depart-
ments, and chief officers, Of this staff about 1,700 are
attached to the chief-office in London, and (inc siding
this number) about 3,200 are employed in the London
district.—Civil Service gazette.
THE COLONIAL POSTAGE SERVICE.—In most of the
colonies the Post-office is at present conducted at a loss,
and the loss seems hi lerto to have been increased gene-
rally by the reductions that have been made in the rates
of postage. In thirteen colonies postage-stamps have
been introduced, and in five—viz., New South Wales,
Victoria, Tasmania, Western Australia, and Trinidad—

prepayment is compulsory. In India, South Australia,
Mauritius, and Barbadoes prepayment is not compul-
sory, but an increased charge is made when the payment
is delayed.—Civil Service Gazette.
THE COLONIAL POSTAGE SERVIOE.—In most of the
colonies the Post-office is at present conducted at a loss,
and the loss seems hitherto to have been increased gene-
rally by the reductions that have been made in the rates
of postage. In 13 colonies postage stamps have been
introducd, and in five—New South \Vales, Victoria,
Tasmania, Western Australia, and Trinidad, prepay-
ment is compulsory. In India, South Australia, Mau-
ritius, and Barbadoes, prepayment is not compulsory,
but an increased charge is made when the payment is
delayed.—Civil Service Gazette.

THE MARYLEEONE BOARD OF GUARDIANS AND THE
POOR.LAW Boattp.—Yesterday, at a fa ly attended
meeting of the Marylebone Board of Directors and
Guardians, it was resolved by a large majority to make
answer to the letter of the poor-law board requiring
them to admit a poor-law inspector to take hie place
among them :—" That they could perceive no new fea-
ture affecting the question at issue in the letter under
reply, and therefore most respectfully, yet firmly,
begged to intimate their intention to adhere to and
carry into effect the resolution of the 24th, to which
they have been referred." That is to say, the guardians
refuse to admit the poor-law inspector to take his place
at their board. This reply, it is understood, is definitive.
THE COUNTY OF MAYO ELEOTION.—The petition
against the return of Mr. Moore for the county of Mayo,
which was the first presented to the House of Commons
at its assembling on Thursday evening, contains most
serious allegations respecting the conduct of the Catholic
priests at the election. Colonel Higgins, the petitioner,
asserts that he was defeated by a combination of
the bishops and working Catholic clergy ; tbat
they instigated the people to acts of the grossest
violence and terrorism ; that voters dared not
freely exsrcise their franchise ; and that he and
his supporters were publicly denounced at the altars of
many chapels in the county. The subject excites much
interest in the house and abroad, and the petition will
probably be the first tried. A Speaker's warrant has
been issued for the attendance and examination of Dr.
M`Hale, the archbishop of the diocese. Mr. Edwin
James, Q C., will conduct the case for the petitioner,
and in his bands we feel confident that a most searching
investigation into priestly misconduct and spiritual in-
timidation will be ascomplishi I—Advertiser.
DRAINAGE OF THE METROPOLIS.—The referees to
whom the plans for the main drainage of the metropolis
were referred by the Chief Commissioner of Works, have
addressed the surveyors of the several districts and
parishes in the metropolis for information on the subject
of the drainage of the several localities, and inquire :
The length of covered sewers in the district or parish.
2. The length of open sewers, and the estimated cost of
re-constructieg and covering the same. 3. The length
of streets and places, irrespective of uncovered sewers,
which require to be drained ; and the estimated cost of the
sewer works thereon. This information is required ex-
clusive of the principal lines of sewers which are pro-
posed to be carried out by the Metropolitan Board of
Works. Inquiry is also made whether the plan pro-
posed for the main drainage by the Metropolitan Board
of Works, as described in Mr. Bazalgette's reports, dated
May 22 and Dec.l, 1856, will, in their opinion, be suffi
cient for the district or parish, and whether there will
be any sewer at such a low level as not to be miscep+ible
of drainage by the proposed works ; also the addition
of any general information as to -the state of the local
drainage, with a description of any fiocelings which may
have occurred from defects of the main drainage. From
the information received in answer to these inquiries, a
vast body of information respecting the drainage of the
metropolis ie being received which could be obtained in
no other way, and which will materially affect the de-
cision of the referees.
METROPOLITAN BOARD OF WORKS.—Yesterday at
its weekly meeting', this board discussed the appro-
priation of the vacant space of ground at the south-
eastern angle of St. Paul's churchyard, and also received
a deputation from the Royal Institute of British Archi-
tects, who were anxious that it should not be occupied
as a building site, but preserved for public use and en-
joyment. A deputation on the same subject was also
received from the Improvement Committee of the City
Corporation. From remarks made by the members of
the deputation it appeared that it had been in contem-
plation by the corporation to build on one-fifth of the
ground, and to leave the remainder unoccupied. There
was a willingness to give up the whole plot if the board
would aid in the contribution. The value of the whole
of the area would be 75,000 i. The ground bad been
purchased by the corporation for the improvements in
Cannon-street, and would involve a serious loss on the
City if the coal-tax ceased in 1862. After some dis-
cussion the whole subject was referred to the Committee
of Works and Improvements. A number of miscella-
neous resolutions were then passed. Among other
things it was resolved that the several houses and pre-
mises in Maddox-street, Hanover-square,be re-num-
bered ; and that, subject to the approval f the Commis-
sioners of her Majesty's Works, &c., the several names
of Ciark'a place, Hedge-row, York-buildings, Gloucester-
place, Oddy's-row, Islington-green, Frederick's-place,
Commerce-row, Barnsbury-place, Trinity-row, Hopkin's-
buildings, San's buildings, Sebbon's buildings, and
Wells-row, oa the west side of Upper street, be
abolished ; that the whole of the west side of such street,
from the Liverpool-road to the Holloway-road, be called
Upper street, Islington, and that the houses be num-
bered coneecutivsly ; also that, subject to the same
approval. the line of buildings at present callled Great
Cumberland-street, Great Cumberland-place, and Cum-
berland street, be called Great Cumberland-place ; and
further that application be made to her Majesty's Com-
missioners of Works and Puolic Buildings for their
approval of the alteration of the names at present exist-
ing in the New-road, between the Edgeware-road and
the Angel Inn at Islington, to those of Marylebone-
road, Easton-road, and Pentonville-road.

LATEST NEWS.

THE GRAND DUKE CONSTANTINE.
The .Nord, of Brussels, publishes the following
:elegraphic despatch :

" PARIS, May 7, 4 P.M.

"In consequence of a gracious invitation from
her Majesty Queen Victoria given to his Imperial
Highness by Lord Cowley, when he had the honour
of being presented to him, the Grand Duke Con-
stantine, after visiting Cherbourg, will embark at
Ostend for Osborne, on a visit to ber Majesty the
Queen of England."
We learn (says Ga/ignani of to-day), that a
gracious invitation from her Majesty Queen Vic.
toria, transmitted to the Grand Duke Constantine
by Lord Cowley, has been accepted.

BERLIN, FRIDAY.
Prince Napoleon arrived here at half-pa-t five

this morning. He was received at the station by
Prince George of Prussia, Prince Augustus of
Wurtemburg, Prince William of Baden, Baron
Moustier, and a staff of generals. He was con-
ducted to the Palace.

The Upper Chamber yesterday rejected the
clause (No. 1) of the bill for imposing a tax on
manufactured goods. This day it has passed the
whole measure, with the exception of the modifi-
cation above-mentioned.

The Journal des Dresden states, " upon autho-
rity," that the ratification of the Treaty between
ingland and Persia has been made by the Shah.

FRANCE.
PARIS, FRIDAY EVENING.

A Paris letter in the Independence of Brussels
says :—" Count de Morny is expected at Paris on
the 24th with the young Countess, bis wife. It
will be too late for him to resume the duties of his
post of President of the Chamber ; but it is said he
will offer himself as a candidate for re election to
the chamber, and that he desires to be again nomi-
nated president next year."
The Patric says that the object of Prince Napo-
leon's visit to Berlin is hymeneal, as he has gone to
negotiate a marriage with a German Princess—a
mai riage which will add to the prestige of the reign-
ing dynasty.
The Duke Constantine is extremely courteous to
the Marquis Tillamarina, the Sardinian Ambas-
sador, whoua he has thanked cordially for the at-
tention paid to his mother by the King of Sardinia.
This kindness, he says, he can never forget.
A. telegraphic wire, corresponding with the
electric telegraph from Paris to St. Petersburg, has
been placed the Palace of the Tuileries, and the
apparatus is arranged in the very apartment of the
Grand Duke Constantine, who is thus enabled at
any moment to communicate with his brother, the
Emperor Alexander.
In consequence of the high price of every article
of fo3d, a credit of three millions was, by Imperial
decree of the 11th February last, placed at the
disposal of the Minister of War to increase the or-
dinary pay of the soldier, with the exception of the
Imperial Guard, which is placed under exceptional
circumstances, and the gendarmery, whose pay was
increased on the 16th May, 1855.
BOURSE, May B.—The following were the last
quotations :

End of Month.
—fr. —c...
69 30

Cash. Pr. c
44 per Cents
3 per Cents 69 20
Bank Shares 4,300
Credit Mobilier 1,307 50 Roman
Do. Account 1,:307 50 Austrian
Belgian 41
Piodmontese (5) 9O 75 Home Debt
RAILWAYS—FOR CASH.

Orleans 1,485 Western
Northern
Lyons 1,485 New Ditto
Mediterranean 2,010 Grand Central t—
Geneva A—
Midi