June 15,] 



THE NEWSPAPER. 



issued from the Home Office for the opening of every letter. 

 Were such warrants issued in the cases of the petitioners?— Mr 

 J. Graham said he had acted in strict conformity with the 

 powers entrusted to him by the constitution, and he could not 

 give any further explanation.— Mr. Roebuck thought that some 

 restrictions ought to be placed on the power now exercised by 

 the Secretary of State on the subject of opening suspected let- 

 ters.— Mr. Hums was of opinion that the power ought to be 

 taken away altogether. It was disgraceful to the country tnac 

 the Secretary of State should exercise such authority. He 

 wished the right hon. baronet to give some explanation oinis 

 conduct on the occasion referred to by the petitioners. 11 ne 

 did not, he might depend upon it this was not_thc last occasion 

 he would hear of it.— Mr. Frknch was of opinion that the i rai 

 Office authorities had acted illegally in openiDg letters without 

 any express warrant from one of theprincipal Secretaries of State. 

 It appeared that had been done ; and, if so, it was »"*&«■ - 

 ilr. Watson said the Post Office authorities could not legally 

 open a single letter without an express warrant under the 

 hand and seal of her Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State. 

 In the case referred to by the petitioners he was of opinion the 

 Post Office had exceeded its authority .-After a few words 

 from Mr. Christib, Mr. T. S. Duncombk said it was a 

 scandalous and nefarious transaction j and as the right hon. 

 Secretary for the Home Depaitment refused to enter into any 

 further explanation, he would divide on the motion that the 

 house do now adjourn. -Strangers were ordered to withdraw, 

 but no divi>ion took place. The motion was negatived, on the 

 Understanding that Mr. T. S. Duncombe would bring the 

 subject forward again on the first supply night.— The house 

 having gone into committee on the Sugar Duties Bill, Mr. 

 Grkene in the chair, Mr. P. Miles rose, pursuant to notice, 

 and moved his proposed amendment, reducing the duty upon 

 sugar, the produce upon British possessions, to 20s. the hundred 

 weight ; and the duties on sugar, certified to be the growth of 

 China, Java, or Manilla, or of any foreign country declared to 

 be admissable, as not being the produce of slave labour to 30s. 

 and 343. the cwt. After a long debate, at 2 o'clock this morn- 

 ing, the House divided on the Government proposition, which 

 they rejected, leaving Ministers in a minority of 241 to 221. 

 —When they had subsided Sir R. Peel arose, and with great 

 agitation of manner stated that the first business on Monday 

 should be the resumption of the proceedings on the subject of 

 the sugar duties.— The Chairman reported progress and asked 

 leave to sit again. 



Money 

 closed at 

 half Red. 



CITY. 



Market, Friday. — Consols for the opening, 



97 1 , Red. Three per Cents. OV, J. Three-and- 



at 101$. Exchequer Bills have improved a 



small shade, and are 73 75 pm., whilst Bank Stock has 



declined to 197J. 



BANKRUPTCY ANNULLED— S. Wiucckk-k, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, 

 Linrndraper. 



GAZETTE OF THE WEEK BANKRUPTS.— J. Heward, Hendon, 



Widdlrstx, hay salesman— D. Rots, Little Lcve-lane, warehouseman— F. 

 Rf orbs, Cooknoe, otherwise Cogenhoe, Northamptonshire, miller— J. Heal- 

 thy, Burslem, grocer— G. Ghovb, Wick and Abson, Gloucestershire, miller 

 — H. Lakk, Cheltenham, printer— D. Macfari.anb, Berners-strert, Oxford- 

 street, wine-merchant— A. Thompson, Southampton, (Jrocer — H. Wood, 

 Basinghall-street, woollen factor— R Musohove. Biimingham, woollen-draper 

 — T- Johnson, the elder, W. Johnson, and C. Mann, Romford, Bankers— J. 

 Taylor, Liverpool, commission agent. 



SCOTCH SEOUE>TRATIONS.— J. Low, Dundee, merchant— R. Bower, 

 JVIeathie, near Forfar, farmer— A. Merckr, Glasgow, merchant. 



JWttropolts an* its Vttfnftg* 



The Polish Ball— This ball went off on Monday night 

 with all the eclat that its most enthusiastic promoters 

 could have wished for. Both the numbers and distinc- 

 tion of the visitors present exceeded expectation, 

 although it was generally anticipated that the ball would 

 sustain no detriment by a recent event, which had given 

 rise to apprehension on that point. The ladies patron- 

 esses were present in strong numbers — many of them 

 dressed in the costumes worn on the occasion of Her 

 Majesty's ball two years since. The full dress uniforms 

 of the army and navy, and the fancy attire of the ladies 

 and gentlemen who personated Greeks, Turks, Chinese, 

 and other Orientals, all combined to give the room a 

 gorgeous appearance, although by far the majority of the 

 company attended in full dress. From the crowded 

 state of the room, however, very little comfort was ex- 

 perienced during the early part of the evening. The 

 number present was estimated at 1000, or 1100 ; and the 

 amount realised by the ball, it is expected, will be up- 

 wards of 700/. There has been a statement in circula- 

 tion, that the Emperor of Russia sent 500/. for a ticket. 

 It is true that his Imperial Majesty offered a munificent 

 donation, but, according to the Morning Chronicle^ the 

 offer was declined, the society preferring to be dependent 

 on public rather than private generosity. 



Hospital for Consumption and Diseases of the Chest. 

 — H.U.II. Prince Albert laid the foundation stone of the 

 new Hospital for Consumption and Diseases of the 

 Chest on Tuesday, on a spot at the north side of the 

 Fulham-road. The ceremony took place in a pavilion 

 erected for the purpose, Mr. Frances, the architect, 

 handing the adjusting instruments to the Duke of Nor- 

 folk and Lord Arundel, who presented them to the 

 Prince. The Bishop of Worcester read the prayers, and 

 a large body of clergymen attended. The most effective 

 part of the whole ceremony was the chanted response of 

 the charity children. His Royal Highness retired on 

 the conclusion of the ceremony, and having mounted his 

 horse, proceeded at a walking pace to the bazaar at 

 Chelsea Hospital, accompanied by the committee on 

 foot. On his arrival at the grounds the Prince dis- 

 mounted and walked round the range of tents in which 

 the stands were placed, at each of which he purchased 

 some article from the ladies patronesses in attendance. 

 The Prince left after a short visit, but the great body of 

 the company remained for several hours enjoying the 

 icene, and promenading in the grounds of the College. 

 Society of Arts. — Tiie fifty-seventh anniversary of the 

 Society of Arts was held on Monday in the great hall of 

 the Society, in the Adelphi, for the purpose of distri- 

 buting the various rewards adjudged daring the present 

 session. Prince Albert, President of the Society, took 

 the chair and presented the prizes to the respective 

 candidates, and the hall was consequently filled to over- 

 flowing by a numerous assembly. After the prizes had 





been distributed, the Duke of Sutherland moved that a 

 vote of thanks be presented to his Royal Highness, 

 "the greatest patron of art," his grace remarked, "in 

 Great Britain, who had manifested such cordial satis- 

 faction at the efforts of the candidates, and took so great 

 an interest in their progress." The Marquess of North- 

 ampton seconded the motion, remarking that it was 

 extremely satisfactory to see the beloved consort of her 

 Majesty present, and taking part on such an interesting 

 occasion. His Royal Highness, in returning thanks, 

 expressed his great satisfaction at the flourishing state 

 of the Society, and his hope that it would continue to 

 prosper, as long as the Society was necessary. 



Merchant Tailors' School.— The annual examination 

 of the head scholars of this foundation took place on 

 Tuesday in the presence of a large number of visitors. 

 This year it has happened that not a single vacancy has 

 occurred either in the fellowships of St. John's, Oxford, 

 or in any of the exhibitions at the gift of the Company 

 in either of the Universities ; but though the reward of a 

 fellowship or of an exhibition did not on the present oc- 

 casion fall to the lot of Mr. Edwards, the head scholar, 

 and the other successful candidates, the ordinary custom 

 was maintained ; and the Rev. Dr. Wynter, Vice-Chan- 

 cellor of Oxford and President of St. John's, and the two 

 senior fellows, attended at the school, and commenced 

 the proceedings of the day by examining the scholars. 

 After the examination the orations were delivered. In 

 the evening the annual dinner was given in Merchant 

 Tailors' Hall, which was attended by several peers, 

 judges, clergymen, and others ; but the Cabinet Minis- 

 ters and several Members of Parliament, who are in the 

 habit of dining with the Company on these occasions, 

 were prevented from attending by Parliamentary business. 



Metropolitan Improvements. — The greater portion of 

 the houses between Charlotte-street, Bloomsbury, and 

 Oxford-street, to be removed for the formation of the 

 new street, have been taken down to the foundation. 

 Between Bedford Chapel and High-street, St. Giles's, 

 which was a short time ago the parish stone-yard, poles 

 are erected to form the line of the new houses, the cel- 

 lars of which are now forming. In Belton-street, leading 

 from High-street to Long Acre, the new church of Christ 

 Church, the foundation stone of which was laid a few 

 weeks ago, on the east side of the street, is in a state of 

 forwardness ; and but few houses remain between that 

 street and Long Acre to be demolished. In Cranbourn- 

 street, Leicester Square, an entirely new pavement has 

 been laid down, giving the public thoroughfare all the 

 appearance of a street ; and in a short time the new 

 houses will be erected. 



The Will Forgeries. — Since the discovery of the late 

 will forgeries, the Bank of England has adopted new re- 

 gulations with reference to the granting powers of attor- 

 ney for the sale or transfer of stock. When an applica- 

 tion is made for a power of attorney, a letter is forwarded 

 to the party or parties in whose name the stock stands, 

 of which the following is a copy: — "Application has 

 been made for a power of attorney for the transfer of 

 stock standing in your name ; I request you will sign 

 and return the letter attached to this, stating the amount 

 of stock to be transferred, and the name of the party to 

 be your attorney." On the off sheet is the following 

 letter, on the outside of which a postage stamp is also 

 affixed : — "I wish to give a power of attorney for the 

 transfer of stock." The Bank will not in any in- 

 stance grant a power of attorney until answers have been 

 received from the parties to whom the above letters have 

 been forwarded. 



Temperance Society. — On Tuesday evening, the anni- 

 versary meeting of this body was held at the Music-hall, 

 Store-street; Lord Teign mouth in the chair, supported 

 by the Bishop of Norwich, and other friends of the tem- 

 perance cause. The meeting was at intervals of a most 

 uproarious character, owing to the interruption of a 

 large body of teetotalers, who congregated in great num- 

 bers in the Hall. The chairman opened the proceedings 

 in a brief address. The secretary read letters from Lord 

 Ashley, the Bishop of London, the Dean of Salisbury, 

 the Hon. W. Cowper, Sir E. Parry, and others, expres- 

 sive of the interest they felt in the Society's operations. 

 The Report gave a detailed statement of the proceedings 

 of the Society. The Bishop of Norwich briefly moved 

 the adoption of the Report. He said he was always 

 happy to support the cause of temperance, and regretted 

 that he had not been able to attend the meeting of the 

 teetotallers lately held at Exeter-hall, the motto of whose 

 Society was, u Touch not— taste not— handle not." 

 (Loud cheers from the teetotallers). The motto of the 

 British and Foreign Temperance Society was, " Let us 

 so use the things of the world as not to abuse them." 

 (Cheers and hisses). He did not agree with the sentiment 

 of the teetotallers ; he was for temperate exercise in all 

 things. — The Rev. D. Ruell seconded the motion, and at 

 this stage of the proceedings the teetotallers urged one of 

 their representatives, a man named Miller, to get on the 

 platform. He did so, and endeavoured to address the 

 meeting, but was received with mingled cheers and hisses. 

 Great wrangling ensued, with much noise and clamour, 

 which the chairman endeavoured, but ineffectually, to 

 quell. The Bishop of Norwich advanced, and vehe- 

 mently addressing Miller, said — "Sir, I am a Christian 

 man, and stand among Christian people ; I appeal to you, 

 sir, with your hand upon your heart, and unknown to me 

 and the meeting as you are, to say whether your in- 

 trusion here is dictated by that Christian feeling and that 

 principle of conciliation which ought to be the character- 

 istic of this great cause (cheers and uproar, during which 

 Miller retreated several paces on the platform, followed 

 by the bishop, who continued) — Is it, sir, your intention 





[184j 



to cast a firebrand into this meeting ? (Rene^vea r con, 

 fusion.) I can interpret that smile and nod (alluding to 

 motions to that effect from Mider) into nothing but a 

 belligerent and unworthy attempt to blunt the edge of 

 this assembly's benevolence." The Right Rev. Prelate, 

 shaking his hand and stamping -violently on the floor 

 said he should indeed lament to hear if this object 

 should be effected, and hastily left the platform, amid the 

 disorder of the meeting. An attempt was subsequently 

 made to renew the business of the meeting, but such was 

 the determined resistance offered by the teetotallers that 

 the noble chairman, after several ineffectual attempts to 

 restore order, declared the proceedings adjourned, when 

 the lights were extinguished, and the disturbers made 

 their retreat. 



Iron Lighthouse for Bermuda. — A guiding light is 

 about to be thrown over the waters of the "still- vexed 

 Bermuthes," from the lantern of a cast-iron lighthouse 

 which has just been constructed at the foundry of Messrs. 

 Cottam and H alien, Cornwall-road, Lambeth. The 

 lighthouse is put together, with the exception of the 

 lantern, and was last week shown to several scientific 

 gentlemen. It is at present 180 ft. high, and when sur- 

 mounted with the lantern its height will be increased 

 30 feet. The structure is composed of plates of cast-iron 

 which are fastened together by iron bolts and screws, and 

 it is ascended by an internal circular staircase. The 

 diameter of the lighthouse at the bottom is 24 ft., which 

 gradually diminishes to 15 ft. at the top, where the 

 lantern is to be fixed. The weight of the whole is about 

 250 tons. It will occupy about six weeks to take the 

 structure to pieces and pack it; and it is expected that 

 after the foundation has been made for its reception, the 

 lighthouse may be erected on the place of its final desti- 

 nation in two months. 



Waterloo-bridge. — The half-yearly meeting of the pro- 

 prietors of this bridge was held last week. A dividend 

 of 12s. on each annuity was declared, and Mr. Romeo 

 Coates brought forward a proposal to dispose of the 

 bridge by lottery. His plan was as follows : — To issue 

 a million of tickets, at 21s. each, and that the prizes 

 should be limited to fifty ; the fortunate holders should, 

 by the terms of the lottery, make the best bargain they 

 could, and sell the bridge to Government, on the condi- 

 tion that it should be thrown open to the public. The 

 proposition was well received, and a special meeting will 

 be called to consider the propriety of applying for an Act 

 of Parliament to authorise its adoption. 



City of London Conservative Dinner. — The festival 

 of the City Association took place on Wednesday, in 

 Covent Garden Theatre, the pit being floored over and 

 raised to a level with the stage. Mr. Alderman 

 Thompson presided, supported by several members of 

 Parliament, and about 500 gentlemen. 



Missions of the Free Church.— On Wednesday even- 

 ing the first general meeting of the supporters of the 

 Indian, Jewish, and Colonial Missions, in connection 

 with the Free Church of Scotland, was held in Exeter 

 Hall. P. M. Stewart Esq., M.P., was in the chair, 

 supported by Sir J. Pirie, the Hon. and Rev. B. Noel, 

 Dr. Cooke, of Belfast, &c. The Report stated that all 

 the missionaries, formerly connected with the Esta- 

 blished Church of Scotland, had joined the Free Church, 

 except one, and that missionaries had been established 

 in the capitals of the three Presidencies of India. In 

 Calcutta the schools contained 1000 pupils, and in 

 Poonah, Bombay, and Madras the number was consider- 

 able. Multitudes of heathen youth had entered the 

 Christian church. Satisfactory accounts were given ol 

 the state of the missions to the Jews in Palestine, and to 

 the Scotch population in the British colonies. Lhe 

 adoption of the Report was moved by the Rev. Mr. 

 Sherman and carried unanimously. , 



Library of the Late Duke of Sussex.— It is at lengtu 

 arranged by the executors of his late Royal Highness, 

 that the library, at Kensington Palace, shall besubmittea 

 to public auction by Messrs. Evans of Pall-mall, me 

 first portion of the library, the sale of which will com- 

 mence during the present month, includes his late Koyai 

 Highness's extraordinary collection of Bibles, and a large 

 number of theological works. The Duke ordered tnw 

 the library should remain untouched for twelve moniu» 

 after his decease, to give Government the option or m 

 ing the purchase, and if not completed by that time, 

 collection was to be sold by auction. The V rt f CT \ tn 

 period has now passed, and Sir R. Peel has declmea 

 recommend the purchase. , 



The Duke of York's Column.— For these last few days 

 some attention has been excited by the erection ot sea - 

 folding and ladders on the summit of this column, so 

 to be above the statue. It appears that it is ,n ! entle . 

 cleanse and beautify the figure, for the first time s in 

 its erection, and to protect it by the addition of lignum^ 



conductors. . ,„. :« 



Hungerford Suspension Bridge.-This structure" 

 at length progressing rapidly towards completion , 

 eight lengths of patent wire rope have been carried or 

 and on Wednesday several of the directors were pre s . 

 and witnessed the successful suspension of the tirs t 

 of the massive chains which are to form the chiei v 



port of the bridge. oW ,.ninz 



Firing of Ifampslead Heath.— On Sunday even '* 

 the neighbourhood «f Hampstead was much alarm ^ 

 consequence of a report that the heath had been se ^ 

 fire. This statement proved true, and on a °°*J 

 police arriving on the heath, they discovered the » 



at the rear of the Spaniards Tavern, and facing toe 

 of Mansfield's, in flames, to the extent of between J_ 



and forty yards, and it was with considerable dimcu j 



Shoitly before the fire broke out, a 





was extinguished. 



