61 C 
THE FIELD 
THE METROPOLIS. 
THE CRYSTAL PALACE. 
Metropolitan Association for Improv- 
ing the Dwellings op the Working 
Classes. — This association has just held its an- 
nual meeting, when the tenth report of the direct- 
ors was submitted to the shareholders. It states 
that there has been a steady extension of the 
operations of the association, both in the metro- 
polis and the provinces. In the latter, branches 
have been formed, with an aggregate capital of 
nearly £30.000, viz., at Brighton, Dudley, Rams- 
gate, Southampton, Torquay, 8nd Newcnstle-on- 
Tyne. At Liverpool a provisional committee of 
between 80 and 00 of the principal merchants, 
brokers, and bankers, has been appointed, who 
propose to mako the capital of that branch 
£50,000 or £100,000. Applications to be affili- 
ated are also expected from Bristol, Coventry, 
Derby, Exeter, Gloucester, Plymouth, Wolver- 
hampton, &c. Shares have been taken during 
the last year to the extent of £20.475, and the 
year’s profits are £1,351 Gs. 5d. The directors 
intend to increase Uie capital of the association. 
The Early Movement. — A movement, 
which promises to become general, for closing 
business at an early hour every Saturday, was 
commenced on Saturday last in some of the 
principal City warehouses. In several instances 
the closing took place at One nnd in others Two 
o’clock, and among the firms by whom it was 
adopted were Messrs. Morison and Co., Pawson 
and Co., Brettle and Co., &c. — a favourable feel- 
ing being manifested with regard to it in almost 
all quarters. The plun has been pursued by the 
Stock Exchange and the principal firms in tho 
East India trade fora long period, nnd there seems 
now to be a very strong disposition to facilitate 
te uniform introduction. 
METROPOLITAN IMPROVEMENTS. 
In compliance with tho wishes of many of our 
country subscribers, we shall occasionally give 
views of such metropolitan improvements, either 
of a public or commercial character, as may tend 
to social advancement. We this week give ex- 
terior and interior views of tho premises occu- 
pied by the Messrs. Nicoll and Co., one of those 
gigantic and splendid establishments which givo 
character to the finest street in Europe — Regent- 
street. As will be seen by our illustrations, they 
are of great extent, and replete with every luxury 
and refinement to decorate the “ outward man’’ 
or woman. 
DAILY RETURNS. 
Monday, June 26. — Shilling Day. — Num- 
ber of season tickets sold to this date, 20,220; 
admission At the doors, 10,728; admission by 
season tickets, 907. Total, 11,635. 
Tuesday, June 27. — Shilling Day. The 
following is tho official return : — Admission at tho 
doors, 13,136 ; admission by season tickets, 
1,218; total, 14,354. 
Wednesday, June 28. — Shilling Day. — 
I Number ofseason tickets sold to this date, 20,352 ; 
admission at the doors, 15,825; admission by 
season tickets, 1,424. Total, 17,249. 
Thursday, June 29. — Shilling Day. — 
Number of season tickets sold to this date, 20,352; 
admission at tho doors, 15,851 ; admission by 
season tickets, 1,470. Total, 17,321. 
Friday, June 30. — Half-crown Day. — 
Number of season tickets sold to this date, 20,352. 
Admission at the doors, 3,588 ; admission by sea- 
son tickets, 1,380. Total, 4,968. 
Tho following loiter has beun addressed by Lord 
Pulmerston to the Secretary of the Crystal Palaco 
Company: — “Whitehall, June 20. Gentlemen, 
— It is with much satisfaction I inform you that 
I have received the Queen’s commands to convey 
to you tho high approbation of Her Majesty' 
and of His Royal Highness Prince Albert ol the 
admirable manner in which everything wus ar- 
ranged and conducted on the occasion of tho 
opening of the Crystal Palace at Sydenham, on 
Saturday, the 10th inst. The Queen has been 
pleased to express the especial gratification sho 
derived from the vory magnificent music which 
was performed, nnd has graciously signified her 
opinion tlmt it had tho finest effect which llor 
Majesty had ever hoard. I have tho honour to 
be, Gentlemen, your obodieut servant, 
Palmerston.” 
General Morin, who was sent with sora# 
other gentlemen, on tho part of tho imperial com- 
mission of the Exhibition of 1855, to be present 
on the part of Franco, at the opening of the 
Crystal Palace at Sydenham, has just addressed 
a long report on the subject to the Minister of 
State. 
Call. — The directors of tho Crystal Palace 
Company have given notice that it is intended 
to call up the £l 10s. still unpaid on the second 
series of shares (50,000), upon which £3 10s. 
only has been paid. 
Enormous Pensions drawn from the 
Post-office Revenue.— From a return to the 
House of Commons it appears, in the year ended 
the 5th of January, the following payments were 
made: — To His Grace the Duke of Marlborough, 
£4,000 ; to His Grace the Duke of Grafton, 
£3,407 10s. ; and to the heirs of His Grace the 
Duke of Schomberg, £2,900. 
Rackets.— Belvedere Tavern, Pentcn- 
tille. On Monday next, several grand matches 
will be played between four of the finest profes- 
sionals and Amateurs in the kingdom. Admission 
free. A second elegant billiard room, and the 
American Bowling Saloon, re-decorated, are now 
open. Gratuitous instruction in Rackets given 
daily, by George Erwood, racket master. 
Rackets. — Belvedere Tavern, Penton- 
yille. — The grand match which was to have 
been played at this court on Monday last, was 
postponed in consequence of untoward events 
having occurred to two of the gentlemen en- 
gaged. The match will, however, come off in a 
few days. The Public, although they had not the 
entertainment they anticipated, had a fine even- 
ing’s amusement in witnessing an cxttnrpore 
match, between tho London Amateur and Bull, 
against George Erwood end the veteran Sandon. 
The two former gentlemen won eleven out of the 
twelve gam** played. On the following day 
some admirable play took place between the Lon- 
don Amateur and a highly skilful player, aguinst 
George Erwood and an Amateur of great talent. 
party wen three games, the fuilure of the 
daylight preventing the conquering game being 
contested for. 
N J COLL S E • T A DLISIIMEN J\ 
Fire at the Palace.— On Sunday a fire 
broke out in the “ kitchen department ” of the 
/■rystnl Palace at Sydenham. A large body of 
policemen were near tho spot, by whoso exertions 
the fire was quickly subdued. An escopo of gac 
was said to havo had something to do with this 
accident. 
Masters and Workmen.— Upwards of 40 
mechanics, lately employed at the Crystal Palace, 
under Mr. Myers, in Belvedere-road, attended nt 
Lambeth Police office in the presont wook,to hear 
tho decision in a cate in which I hey w ore all 
equally interested. Tho cose wus that of one of 
the men who summoned Mr. Myers for 6s. 6d. 
for two half-days’ wages. The defence to tho 
claim was this— that the complainant had been 
paid for five hours on the day of the oponing 
of the Crystal Palace, and five hours on tho 
Monday following, and that being knocked off at 
the end of the five hours, and only working fiv# 
hours on the second day, ho (complainant) wo« 
not entitled to the sum claimed. It wus als# 
shown tliut the general pructlce ut such jobs wn. 
tliut of paying by the hour, and that the work- 
men were at liberty to leave oft’, or tho employer 
to knock them off work, whenover they pleased, 
without notice; and Mr. Elliot, under tho cir- 
cumstances, dismissed the complaint. 
The receipts in the refreshment department of 
the Crystal Palaco contlnuo to increase, and the 
arrangements appear to give general satisfaction. 
A time-table has been issued for the sturting of 
trains to and from the Palace, which prevents 
unnecessary delay. In other respects the working 
of tho establishment steadily improves, and there 
