250 
THE FIELD. 
[Saturday, 
mcnt published by the SI. Petersburg Journal, and neither directly nor 
indirectly had he the remote t coi ceptlon of their origin. Ho was 
perfectly Ignorant of the source (Vom which they were derived. 
Tho Earl of Mlenborough said that the l niperor of Russia was in 
communication w ith Sir Itohert l'ccl ns well ns tho Duke of Wellington 
in 1844 
The Marquis of Clanrlcnrdc considered the reply of the noble curl at 
the head of the Government perfectly satisfactory. lie hoped, however, 
that all the recorded conversations of the Emperor of Russia with Sir 
H. Seymour would be laid before Parliament. 
The' Knrl of Malmesbury Intimated his intention to consider whether 
it w-onld not be his doty as a peer to move that a searching Inquiry 
be made, with tho view of discovering who it was that betrayed Cabinet 
secrets. 
Earl Hrcy complained of official Information having been published 
through the newspapers before being communlcnted to Parliament. 
After n few words from the Earl of Elio '.borough, Earl ITtzwilllam, 
and the Earl of Glengall, the subject dropped. 
Lord Monteaglc moved for a copy of the instructions given to the 
commissioners who hnve reported on the state of the Civil Service, 
and of the evidence taken before them, and complained that tho com- 
missioners’ report had been printed In the newspapers on the 9th of 
February, although it was not presented to Parliament until tho 24th. 
Earl Granville said there was no ol(Ject*on to produce the Instruc- 
tions, but the evidc eo could not I c given, ns no short-hand writer had 
been admitted during the inquiry. When the Government should 
bring their measure forward. It would be found free from the slightest 
selfish feeling, and to have been prepared solely with tho object Of 
improving the Civil Service. 
After a brief debate, in which Lord Brougham, the Earl of Harrowhy, 
the Marquis of Clanricnrde, and tho Duke of Argylo engnged, Lord 
Montcngle replied, and the motion was agreed to. Their lordships 
then adjourned. 
Commons —Mr. French alluded to the report of the dinner to Admiral 
Sir Charles Napier, which appeared In Hie Timet of Wednesday, the 
8th Inst , attributing to Sir James Graham u statement to the effect 
that he then and there gave pow er to Sir C. Napier to declare war on 
entering the Baltic w ith the fleet He wished to know first by what 
authority the right lion, baronet could give such a power, and next, 
if ho meant that it should be acted upon in anticipation of the arrival 
in this country of the Czar's reply to the late overture for pence ? 
Sir James Graham, intimating that minute criticism of after-dinner 
speeches was hardly warrantable, said Hint what he stated on the 
occasion in question was, Iliac he Imped when Sir Charles entered the 
Baltic no difficulties would be found that he would not speedily 
surmount. In the meantime, the fleet had not yet been ordered to tho 
Baltic, nor had w ar been declared- When it was, a proper notification 
of It would l»e given. 
Some animated conversation relalive to the proceedings at tho dinner 
in question followed. In which Mr. Bright, Viscount Palmerston, Mr. 
Disraeli, and Sir W. Molcswortb took part, but no point of Importance 
was elicited. 
Mr. Disraeli alluded to the statement mode In a Into article of the 
journal < It St Pettrtburg, as the Earl of Derby hod done In the Lords. 
(See report above). 
Lord John Bussell said, with regard to tho corrosi ondenco of 
Inst year, since Its existence had been divulged by tho Journal ile St. 
Petersburg, there could no longer be any scruple ns to producing It. 
The order of the day for Committee oi Ways and Means having been 
moved, 
Mr. Monckton Mllncs called tho attention of tho House to the cir- 
cumstances of the Greek insurrection In Turkey, and expressed 
apprehensions Hint the most disastrous consequences would fullow 
if it were permitted to be suppressed with umcstraloed cruelty and 
violence. 
Lord John Russell said, the British Government must discourage 
the Insurrection, even whilst sympathising with the snfferings to which 
the Christian population of Turkey was often exposed. Such an insur- 
rection could not be successful. 
Mr. ltirli held it to be unquestionable that the succour we were giving 
to Turkey against the unjust aggressions of Russia, entitled us to make 
conditions In favour of the Christian popu'ntlon. 
After some observations from Lord I.ovitino, Lord D Stuart, Lord C. 
Hamilton, Mr, Lnyard, and Mr. E. Ball, 
Yiscouot Palmerston said he was nol disposed to rate too highly the 
danger to be apprehended from the Greek insurrection, which wax well 
known to owe its origin rather to excitement and Instigations from 
without than to national or religious enthusiasm. 
Mr. Gibson called for tho production of the convention said to havo 
been coii'luded between Great Britain, France, and Turkey. 
Sir R. Peel declared Ills entire approval of the policy of Ministers, and 
hoped that the voice of Parliament and public opinion would be cffica- 
clous in dcleiring the Greeks from Insurrection. 
The House then wont into Committee of Ways and Means, and 
the Chancellor of the Exchequer submitted the incomc-tux^resolution, 
to be taken into consideration on St. Patrick’s day. 
The House then resumed, and the remaining business was gone 
through. 
TUESDAY Loans — The Earl of Malmesbury, in reference to a 
charge made by the Earl of Aberdeen against a clerk in the Foreign 
Office, of having betrayed the official trust reposed In him, called on 
the noble lord to retract the charge, ns lie had offered no proof. 
The Earl of Aberdeen said the charge liad originated in expressions 
used by the party alluded to himself 
The Earl of Malmesbury thought the course pursued was neither 
creditable to the Government nor respectful to the House. 
The Lord Chancellor moved tho second reading of the Testamentary 
Jurisdiction Bill. 
After u short discussion, In which Lord Brougham, the Bishop of St. 
Asnph, tl'C Earl of Harrowhy, and Lord Feverslinm took part, the bill 
was read a second time, and referred to a select committee. Their 
lordships then adjourned. 
Commons — Mr. Heywood moved an address for a ropy of the altera- 
tions in the Book of Common Prayer, proposed by the royal com- 
missioners for Hie revision of the Liturgy in 1(189. 
Mr. Goulburn said the document was private property In the hands 
of the Archbishop of Canterbury, and there was no sufficient public 
grounds alleged for such an Invasion of private property, more parti 
cularly as the Information was already before the public. 
After a short discussion, In which Mr. Lubouclicre, the Chancellor Of 
the Exchequer, Mr. Henley, and Mr. Her Seymer joined, 
Tho House divided, and the motion was cut ried by it minority of 132 
to 83. 
Mr. A Pcllatt nearly obtained leave to bring In a bill to substitute 
declarations for oaths, but Mr. Ii Drummond called for n division, 
upon which tho motion was carried by tho narrow majority of 109 
to 108. 
Mr. Whiteside obtained leavo to bring in a bill to assimilate Hie law 
and practice existing in cases of h gh treason in Ireland to the law 
and practice existing in eases of high treason in England 
Mr. Whiteside then moved for leave to brim; In a bill to secure to 
persons under religious vows the 'rcc exercise of their lawful rights in 
the disposal of their property, parties more than ordinarily subject to the 
most powerful of all Influences, lie instanced cases in which two nuns 
had been Influenced to commence proceedings at law, contrary to their 
wishes, to deprive their relatives of large amounts of money with a view to 
giving it to their convents- their vows of poverty and obedience being 
held up ns imposing on them the necessity, whatever might be their 
inclinations, to enable the convent to obtain It. 
After speeches from Mr. (». Moore, Mr. Iiowyer, Mr. J. O'Connell, 
Mr. Malius, and Mr. Lucas, Lord Palmerston thought It would bo 
better to postpone any specific measure until nftcr Hie report of the 
committee on conventual establishments should be presented to the 
House. 
The Attorney-General said lie did not think tho bill would have the 
effect which the lion, and learned gentlemen contemplated, while it 
would lead to an Immense amount of litigation. 
The House divided, and the motion was carried by a majority of C8to 
40. The House then udjourned, 
WEDNESDAY.— Commons. — The second reading of Hie Payment of 
Wages Bill was opposed by Mr Hume, who contended that tiic legis- 
lature had no right to interfere between masters and men. 
Mr. Craufurd urged that any attempt at legislation should bo pre- 
ceded by an inquiry Into the existing relationship between employers 
and employed, und moved the appointment of a select committee ior 
that purpose. 
The amendment was seconded by Mr. lleyward, and opposed by 
Mr. If. Drummond, 
Sir J. Walmsley believed that serious abuses existed which the bill 
might remove. 
Mr. Booker and Mr. Bruce also supported the bill. 
Mr. Bright feared that the measure would only aggravate ill-feeling in 
the manufacturing districts, and generate a multitude of infor- 
mer*. 
Mr. Forrester hoped tho house would rend the bill, which was in Ills 
gharge, a second flu. e,— offering afterwards to submit its provisions to 
a select committee. 
After a few remarks from Lord Stanley and Mr. Moffatt against tho 
measure, and from Mr. Bourerie, Mr. I'acke, Sir B. Hall, Sir G. Grey, 
nd Cot Blair in its favour, the house divided — 
For the second reading 166 
Against 66—110 
The bill was then read a second time, and ordered to p? referred to 
a select committee. 
The Friendly Societies Bill pawed tt c second reading. 
The Exchequer Bills i £ 1,760,000.) Bill was read a third time and 
passed. 
On the motion of Sir. G. Berkeley, the committee on Expiring Law s 
was nominated. 
The House rose at a quarter past 3 p. m. 
THE METROPOLIS. 
LORD CHAMBERLAIN'S OFFICE, March 10. 
(From the London date He.) 
NOTICR if* II HUBBY OIVEX, that Her Majesty will hold a Levee 
at St. James’s l’nlacc, on Wednesday, the 22nd instant, at two 
o’clock. 
LORD CHAMBERLAIN’S OFFICE, March 10. 
NoticB is rbrkby given, that Her Majesty will hold n 
Drawing-room at St. James's Palace, on Thursday, tho 30th 
instant, at two o'clock. 
Metropolitan Police.— Prom n return it appears 
that the total number of persons belonging to this force 
on the 1st of January, 1854, w as 5,571. Of these there 
were 1 inspecting superintendent, 18 superintendents, 127 
inspectors, 613 sergeants, mid 4,812 constables. 
Longevity. — There died on Thursday, the 9th instant, 
in one of the infirm wards of the Bethnal -green Union, 
Jane Green, a widow woman, for upwards of 20 years nil 
inmate of tlmt establishment, at the very advanced age of 
104. She had been three times married, and leaves some 
grand-children now upwards of 60 years of age. She w as 
able to read without the nid of glasses, and retained her 
faculties to the very last moment of her existence. 
The Government Offices. — A volume hns been laid 
before Parliament- containing a series of reports on the 
state of the Government offices, and tho arrangements for 
the conduct of business in them, with n paper by Sir S. 
Nortlicotc and Sir C. Trevelyan (also published separately) 
on the proposed re-organisation of the civil service, sketch- 
ing n scheme fur throwing open the public offices to tho 
youth of the whole country, the selection of clerks to he 
made from those who succeed nt a competing literary 
examination held periodically. This paper is tho most 
important of the scries, but the others arc not without in- 
terest. In the report on the Board of Trade, a plan is stated 
for rc-modelling that establishment, on which additional 
duties have been thrown from time to time, in regard to 
railways, the School of Design, the registration of designs, 
joint-stock companies, and shipping, further provision 
having been made on each addition for supplying the 
machinery necessary to deal with it, without such a general 
recasting of the office ns would render it efficient Tor the 
discharge of all its functions. In the case of the Privy 
Council-office, it is proposed that the education depart- 
ment, being quite of a distinct nature from tho general 
business of the office, be separated from it. It is suggested 
tlmt £1,000 a year may be saved nt the Poor-Law Board, 
as a Parliamentary secretary is not necessary with the 
President always in Parliament, and it is found tlmt the 
ordinary business of the office may be efficiently discharged 
by one secretary. The salary of the Poor Law inspectors, 
12 in number, is £700 n veer, hut they have always had, 
besides their actual travelling expenses, an allowance for 
personal expenses ; nt one time it was a guinea a- day 
while actually employed, but afterwards it was reduced to 
a guinea a-night wlnle absent from homo on duty. It is 
proposed in future to allow £300 a year, making the 
salary, in fact, £1,000 a-yenr. Most persons arc aware 
tlmt several of the smaller Government departments have 
their offices in private houses rented for the purpose, owing 
to there being no public building to accommodate them ; 
and it is stated in this volume tlmt the sum now paid for 
the rent of offices represents the annual interest of a capital 
of more than £500 000. It is considered that a much less 
sum would suffice (o erect a range of offices capable of 
containing the whole of these departments, and having the 
advantage of bringing them together. The volume is of 
a satisfactory character, ns affording proof that the state 
of the public offices 1ms been examined with a vi w to 
ascertain where there can be greater economy practised. 
The minuteness of detail, in the instance of the report 
on the Irish offices especially, is at times rather amusing. 
Shocking Occur hence in Lambeth. — O n Tuesday 
morning, between four and five o’clock, a painful degree of 
excitement prevailed in the immediate vicinity of the Lower- 
marsh, I.ambeth, in consequence or the following occurrence, 
which will no doubt terminate fatally: — from careful in- 
quiries made, it uppours that a master tradesman, named 
Spilcns, living at No. 22, in the Marsh, had from time to 
timo missed sundry pairs of boots, shoes, and other property 
from bis bouse, but lie was unable to tell who was the thief 
until yesterday morning. In order to catch the party Mr. 
Spilen was recommended by tho police to secrete himself in 
some part of the bouse, so tlmt lie might keep a good look- 
out. This ho did for two nights in succession without find- 
ing any one attempting to commit a felony 5 but yesterday, 
nt the hour above named, lie noticed a lodger, named Jones, 
descend tho stairs, and having taken two or tlm 0 pairs ofshoes 
off llie hooks he run up stairs to his lodgings with them. 
Mr. Spilcns nt onco followed Jones to his room anrl was ex- 
postulating with him respecting his dishonesty, when he ran 
to the mantelpiece, seized hold of a razor, and cut his throat 
almost from ear to ear. Mr. Spilens at. once called for the 
assistance oflhe police, and then went off' fir Dr. 0‘Sheo, in 
the Westminster-read, who promptly attended, but such 
were the serious injuries the unfortunate man hud inflicted 
upon himself that there appears not the least chance of his 
recovery. He was removed on a stretcher to the Westmin- 
ster Hospital. 
SOCIETIES AND INSTITUTIONS. 
The British Institution. — The present exhibition is 
anything but satisfactory. Instead of being in advance 
of former ones, it is sadly inferior to many. Not only in 
the absence of works upon which an artist would build bis 
reputation, but its general character is essentially weak. 
There are many pictures which havo been exhibited 
elsew here ; some sketches for pictures or parts of pictures 
previously exhibited ; and several which, if not positive 
copies, arc certainly most painful plagiarisms. 
Few works stand out from the mass as worthy of special 
notice; of these, two by J. Sant arc beautifully painted ; 
but unless No. 68 is a study for part of Mother work, it 
can scarcely be said to illustrate tNe text — “And Jesus j 
was left alone, and the woman standing in tho midst.’' It i 
is the half-length of a female figure, partially removing . 
the drapery which veils a lovely face, full of shame and I 
sorrow; the head is fore-shortened and in shadow^u 
warm tones of the hands and arms, which are fincl 
draw n, powerfully contrasting w ith the rich but cool colour 
pervading the rest of the picture. 148. The young Artivt 
is eqifiilly beautiful, with perhaps a slight’ tendency to 
overstrained expression. It is evidently painted from the 
kmiiic model as the Young Samuel, exhibited by Mr. Sant 
at the Itoyal Academy ; nor can the taste which re-pro- 
duces such a head be questioned. 1 
K. Ansdell hns three pictures — 137, 158, and 5G4. Tim 
first named is n study on Lytham Common, with donkeys 
and sheep most carefully painted. 1 58, his most important 
picture in this exhibition, he lias drawn for “The Field •” 
it was given in our last number, and well sustains his 
reputation. [Vide p. 217.] 
Of other works which merit attention, we may mention 
No. I, “The Kingfisher’s Haunt,” by T. Creswick, R. A 
a delicious little landscape, in his best style. No. 5 
“ Ophelia,” and 24 L’Allegro, by W. E. Frost, A.RA, 
charming little sketches, but not of sufficient importance 
for exhibition ; the latter being a very slight study for a 
picture exhibited nt the Academy. 29 “ Seller cling Shore,” 
low water. “ l'inks preparing for Sea,” by E. W, 
Cooke, A. HA. 46 “Feeding the Swans,” F. Goodnll" 
A. II. A., a repetition of the Queen’s children and black at- 
tendant, in bis academy picture of last year, which, if we 
remember rightly, was called “ A Happy Episode in the 
Life of Charles the 1st.” 50 “A Harvest Home,” a very 
grand landscape by J.Linnell, and 165 “ The Refuge, "by the 
same artist. (14“ A Summer Evening in N. Wales,” by 
Danby. 73 “Tho Arrest ol Cardinal Wolsey for High 
Treason," by Sir G. Hay ter, M.A.S.L, in which aveenrcful 
studies or costume ; but Wolsey looks if caught in soma 
net of petty larceny. 79 “ A Sunny Afternoon, late in 
Autumn," by C. Bramvhilc, very clever, fresh, and bright. 
85 “Laban,’’ a finely-coloured head, by H. W. Pickcrsgill, 
11 A. ]57 “ TI10 Favoured Knight,” a work by the 
same artist, but like so many others, previously exhibited 
nt the Academy. 89 By Linton, possessing all those qua- 
lities necessary to represent the sunny South. 101 “Min 
Cnrissimn,” by C. Broekv, beautiful in colour. 123 “A 
Highland Interior," by A. Cooper, 11 A , in which there is 
a ' beautifully painted grey horse. 123 “ Melanchtbon,” 
another Academy picture, by A Johnston. 153 A beau- 
tiful Landscape, with remarkably fine middle distance, by 
II. Jutsum. 189 A lovely Venetian Head, by II. W. Phil- 
lips 205 A clever little picture by Miss II. Solomon, 
called “A Curious Page on St. Valentine’s Day.” 233 By 
R. Buckner, a fine Portrait of a Boy dressed as n Highland 
Piper. 247 One of G. Smith’s beautiful little pictures. 
280 An equally clever work by F. I). Hardy. 295 A 
Sylvan Dell, perhaps II. Jutsum's best w ork. 304 “ Adam 
and Eve,” a literal copy from one of Stothnrd’s pictures, 
by J Andrews. 308 By II. C. Selons, possessing all the 
faults of the prc-Raffaelitc School, with none of their 
good qualities. 316 By H. Hall; a capital little sporting 
picture. 339 By G. Stanfield 355 By T. Brooks. 
360 “Rustic Favourites,” T. F. Marshall; very charming 
and truthful. 393 By W. Hemsley. 407 By J. 
Denman. 429 By J. Danby. 441 By J. R. Percy. 
447 An ambitious work, by J. Holland. 458 “ Li- 
sette,” by J. IC. Collins, — very charming. 489 “Peggy 
and Jenny,” by A. Johnston; painted in bis best manner, 
beautifully drawn, and exquisitely coloured. 498 by 
II. J. Boddington; and 542 “Her Majesty taking the 
Coronation Oath," Sir G. I-lay ter, well known by the en- 
graving, which has the rare quality of being infinitely bet- 
ter than the picture from which it is taken. 
Of the Sculpture we would mention 573 by P. Park, 
R.S.A. 575 Model of a Sleeping Child and Dog, by II. 
Wcckes, A.R.A. 583 “Mason and Lottery,” (steeple- 
chasers), by C. M'Cnrthy; and 586 by E. G. Physick. 
SCOTLAND. 
Bntr.s for Donnie Scotland. — 1 Ten brigejof-war will 
form 11 cruising squadron for the coast of Scotlund. — 
Hampshire A drcrliser. 
Coast Defences. — We afo very happy to learn that 
the movement lor the formation of u body of volunteers for 
do'ence of the Scottish coast iu tho event of war, which was 
so auspiciously commenced a few weeks ago by Captain 
Craigio, is meeting with tho success which it deserves, and 
pariicularly gratifying is it for us to hear that t he fishermen 
in the villages along ilie const in this quarter are likely to 
act In a manlier worthy of tho patriotic spirit which actuated 
them in times when there was more danger to dread. Cap- 
tain M ‘Gregor, inspecting Commander of the Coastguard 
for this district, who is at presont enrolling men, has, wo 
understand, good reason to be sutisfied with his success. All 
the villages between Stonehaven and Aberdeen (Cowie, 
Muchals, Skateruw, Downics, Portlethen, Findon, and Cove) 
have come forward with excellent spirit, and upwurdsof 200 
volunteers have given in their names during the last fortnight. 
The villages north of Aberdeen to Peterhead (Collieston, 
Slants, Cruden, Boddam, Burnhuven, and Buchanhavon) 
will no doubt quickly emulate an example redounding so 
much to the credit of their comrades in the south, who have 
shown that they now understand what their own interest as 
well ns duty points out as the right course to adopt. — Aber- 
deen Herald » 
IRELAND. 
Dreadful Affray at Ballymena. — F or some months 
1 past a largo number of “ navvies,” chiefly natives of tho 
south of Ireland, have been located in the neighbourhood of 
this town, consequent on the railway works now in progress 
for the line between Ballymena and Portrush, known 
as the Ballymena, Coleraine, and Portrush Railway. 
It appears pretty certain that these navvies belong to 
t he murderous confederation, Illbbonism, and, beyond 
all doubt, Ballymena, is about tho most unfavourable 
port of the country in which iliey could attempt with im- 
punity to prosecute their fell designs, the town and country 
about being thoroughly Protestant. Not more than a week 
ugo, ihc men composing what is called Smith’s gang made 
on onslaught on u few Protestant labourers, with a view of 
“ driving all that religion from amongst us.’’ The Protestants 
received a thrashing on this occasion, which led to retalia- 
tion. Encounters followed pn a small scale, which alter- 
nately told in fuvour of the rival combatants. Ou Monday 
last, about 2 o’clock p.m., a general stir might bo ob- 
served along the line towards Cullybackny, aud prepara- 
tions seemed to be going on pretty actively from the fact o 
knots of navvies gathering here and there wdth then 
implements In their hands. At the samo time vast numbers 
of the peasantry from the surrounding country— 
