Ortraintio.

The City Commission sat on Friday the 9th, but, for some cause un- explained, it did not meet on Tuesday.

The evidence taken last week was of a miscellaneous and uninteresting character ; chiefly relating to points already touched upon, and mainly corroborative of previous evidence. The exceptions were—a deputation from Southwark, headed by Mr. Pritchard, the High Bailiff; who said that Southwark desired complete incorporation with the City, or failing that, a distinct municipality of her own ; and Mr. Billett, one of the Churchwardens of St. Pancras, who expressed the wishes of a Vestry meeting of that parish in favour of municipal institutions.

At a special meeting of the Court of Aldermen, on Saturday, the Lord Mayor called the attention of the Court to the state of the City Police. That body is 80 deficient in number, and there is a question pending as to the rank and pay of the force. The Police Committee had referred the matter, by the casting-vote of its chairman to the Court of Aldermen ;

but the Lord Mayor thought the Court of chairman, Council were com- petent to deal with it in all its bearings. Mr. Alderman Lawrence cor- rected two errors in the Lord Mayor's statement. His casting-vote, as chairman of the Police Committee, had been given with reference to the report of a Sub-Committee referring to the Court of Aldermen the ques- tion of an increase of pay demanded by the force ; and the number of men deficient was not 80 but 56: the City was authorized to raise 567—they had only 511. Alderman Lawrenoe said the standard should be lowered : there is a difficulty in getting men 5 feet 8 inches in height—men of 5 feet 7 inches would do just as well, if not better. "Bonaparte declared that men of 6 feet 1 inch could bear fatigue better than any others." Mr. Alderman Wire said, the difficulty of getting men arose from the super- abundance of employment everywhere. On the motion of Mr. Alderman Thompson, the question was referred to the General Purposes Committee to examine and report, on the understanding that the Lord Mayor should call a special Court to consider the decision of the Committee.

At a meeting of the Court of Common Council, on Thursday, a report from the Coal and Corn Finance Committee was brought up and adopted. The report stated that certain persons had been examined last session be- fore the Select Committee of the House of Commons on the Coal-duties; and that the Committee were unable to agree to the report brought up by their Chairman, but recommended the continuation of the inquiry next session.

Mr. Alderman Hooper asked the Lord Mayor, whether he knew of his own knowledge, or had the means of ascertaining, that Sir William Molesworth, on a recent occasion, stated that "great changes must take place in the constitution of the Corporation." The Lord Mayor said, he did not believe that Sir William Molesworth could have been so indis- creet as to use the words imputed to him ; and he had come to the con- clusion therefore that Sir William did not use those expressions.

Lord Palmerston has issued the following regulations, to be observed in the new burial-grounds about to be established, and which will be en- forced in all the burial-grounds established under the Metropolitan Burials Act.

"1. No interment shall take place within ten yards of any part of the boundary of the cemetery ; and the space of ground intervening between the boundary and the ten-yard limit above described shall be planted with shrubs, evergreens, and trees, in such a manner as, while it will promote the absorption of any deleterious emanations, shall not interfere with a free circulation of air.

"'2 The area of the cemetery shall be under-drained to such depth and hi such effectual manner as shall be sufficient to prevent the accumulation in any vault or grave therein. here shad be a sufficiency of roads and pathways within the burial- to afford every access to the several graves without walking over yes; and such roads and pathways shall be constructed of bard

materials, and be properly guttered and drained, in such manner its to carry away surface-water. "4. The whole area of the cemetery, which mat from time to time be used for intermentoodsall be divided into grave-spacesin auch manner that the position of every grave-space may be readily distinguished. "k. A plan of the cemetery shall be provided, on which every gravespeee shall be marked.

"6. A register of graves shall also be presided, in which shall be registered every grave-space, together with the name, the age, and the date of inter. Jnent of every occupant of such grave.

"7. Every grave-space in the cemetery shall be designated by letters or numerals, or by some other convenient mark, which shall correspond to idea& ler marks designating such grave-space in the plan of the cemetery and in the register of graves.

"8. The grave-space allotted to each person of the age of sixteen and upwards shall be at the least 9 feet 6 inches long and 4 feet 6 inches wide. 9. The grave-space allotted to each young person from seven to sixteen years of age shall be at least 7 feet 6 inches long and 3 feet 7 inches wide.

"10. For children under seven years of age the grave-space shall be at the least 5 feet 9 inches long by 2 feet 9 inches wide.

"11. Each grave shall be dug as near as may be in the middle of the grave-space.

"12. With the exception of purchased vaults and graves, interments shall take place in every alternate grave-space until the whole area of the cuing. tery devoted to interments shall have been buried in ; and thereafter the alternate grave-spaces, which have thus in the first instance been left vacant, are to be buried in till they shall all have been used.

" 13. No more than one body shall be buried in any grave, except in par. chased vaults and graves, under conditions hereafter stated. "14. The depths of graves, excepting purchased vaults and graves, shell be as follows—For persona of sixteen years of age and upwards, the depth shall not exceed 6 feet ; and in no case shall the coffin have a covering of earth of less depth than si feet, measured from the upper surface of the coffin to the level of the ground. For persons between seven and sixteen years of age, the depth shall not exceed 4 feet 6 inches; and the covering of earth over the coffin shall in no case be less than 3 feet, measured from the upper surface of the coffin to the level of the grouncL For children under seven years of age, the depth shall be 3 feet 9 inches, as near as may be. "16. No grave in which a burial has taken place, excepting purchased vaults and graves, shall be reopened for another burial until after the lapse of the following periods of time' that is to my—No grave in. which a person of sixteen years of age and upwards has been buried shall be reopened for another burial until after the lapse of twenty-four years from the time when such person was buried. No grave in which any young person between the ages of seven and sixteen years has been buried shall be reopened for a second burial until after the lapse of fifteen years from the tiroe when such young person was buried. No grave in which a child under seven years of age has been buried shall be reopened for burial within a shorter period than ten years from the time when such child was buried.

"16. Purchased vaults and graves are excepted from the preceding regu- lations; but when more than one body is to be buried in such graves and vaults, each body must be enclosed in an air-tight leaden coffin.; and no coffin is to be deposited in any such vault or grave nearer the surface than four feet six inches, measuring from the upper surface of the eoffin to the level of the ground. "17. Whenever a burial has taken place (except in a private vault) the grave shall be forthwith filled up with earth ; and the surface shall be im- mediately covered, either with a suitable stone, if ouch shall have been pro- vided, or with fresh turf, or the surface shall be suitably planted; but inns case shall the bare earth be left exposed. "18. Care shall be taken that the grave-spaces, monuments, walk!, build- ings, &c., and the whole surface of the cemetery be kept in a proper state of neatness. PArmanerox."

The Royal Agricultural Society of England held its December meeting on Saturday, at its rooms in Hanover Square ; Mr. Pusey, the President, in the chair. From the report we learn, that during the past half-year the Society has lost by death or resignation 43 members, but has enrolled on its list 166 new members: it now consists of 88 life governors, 148 annual governors, 760 life members, 4073 annual members, and 20 honorary members. Lord Ashburton succeeds to the vacancy in the Vice-Presidents caused by the death of Lord Dude; and Mr. Leslie Mel- ville of Lincolnshire, and Mr. Barthropp of Suffolk, succeed Lord Ash- burton and Professor Sewell as members of the General Coin:mil The balance-sheet of the Society shows that on the 30th June last there was a balance of 22491. in hand. In reply to a question, Mr. Pusey stated that the Council had adopted a memorial to Lord Clarendon in reference to throwing open the guano trade; and that Lord Clarendon. had con- sented to receive a deputation consisting of the Duke of Richmond, Lord Bernera, and Mr. Pusey.

At the close of the proceedings, Mr. Pulley mentioned that the next meeting of the Society will be at Lincoln.

At a meeting of the Royal Geographical Society, on Monday,—Sir Roderick Murchison in the eliair,—Mr. Thomas Baines, draughtsman to the forces under General Somerset, exhibited a number of very elaborate paintings of "scenery and events in South. Africa." The paper read was the second portion, of an account of the "Passes of the Balkan," by Lieutenant-General Iochmus, communicated by Sir Roderick Murchison. Among the donations to the library since the previous meeting, were a number of charts of Russian and Turkish ports in the Black Sea, re- cently published, and presented to the Society by the Hydrographic Office ; and a folio volume of very valuable and very beautiful illustrations of "Scenes in Ethiopia," drawn and described by John Martin Bematz, artist to the late British Mission to the Court of Shea, and presented by the author.

The "Poor Brothers" of the Charterhouse have addressed a memorial for an increase in the pension of 251, allotted to them. They represent that the revenues of the hospital have greedy increased since the hospital was founded. On Friday sennight, the Governors of the institution met, and having considered the memorial, replied that they could not con- sistently with their duty make any increase in the pension of the brother- hood. The increase in the revenues alluded to is from six thousand to thirty thousand per annum. The Governors present on Friday were the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Bishop of London, Lord Panmure, Mr. Justice Cresswell, and, Archdeacon Hale.

A special ease, framed by the mutual agreement of the parties, was de- cided by the Lord Chancellor on Saturday. The plaintiff was Mr. Christopher Temple , Chancellor of the County Palatine of Durkam • the defendants were the Ecclesiastical Commissioners. The Court was called to decide whether me Chancellor was entitled to a fee of 1001. in addition to the ancient salary of vs, 7s. 4d. It appears that the fee of 100/. was regularly paid from me down to 1836, when by an act of Parliament the Crown assumed the jurisdiction over the Palatinate, originally exercised by the Bishop as lord, d provided that the stipends and fees of all officers should be paid out of the surplus revenues of the see of Durham paid over to the Ecclesiastical commissioners. Among these was the fee paid for fifty years to the Chan- cellor. For the defence it was contended, that the word " stipend " in the act must be construed to mean" lawful stipend "; whereas this fee of 1001. could not be enforced against the Bishop in a court of law. It was a volun- tary payment on the part of the Bishop, and in no way. binding on the Com- mimioners. The Lord Chancellor held, that the act of 1836, when it charged the surplue revenues of the see with all the stipends, did not mean to limit it, only to those stipends which were recoverable in a court of law, but in- cluded those that the Bishop had been in the habit of paying for half a cen- tury. The object that the Lord of the Palatinate had in view in first giving the extra fee of 100/. was to induce eminent men to accept the office of Chancellor ; and that it had that effect was manifest from the names of the subsequent Chancellors,—Lord Eldon, Lord Redesdale, Lord Mansfield, Sir sonuel Hominy, and Sir Charles Wetherell. The Court decided that the Commissioners should pay the fee of 100/. for each sitting of the court.

Vice-Chancellor landersley assented, on Thursday, to a scheme for the application of a sum of 20,000/. which had been bequeathed by a testator named Faraday to found Fellowships in Magdalene College, Oxford. The testator provided, that in the event of a refusal by Magdalene College, then that the legacy might be offered to some other College in the same Univer- sity; and that in the choice of Fellows preference should be given to the testator's next of kin, and his relatives. The bequest had been refused by tragdalene College on the terms provided, but it was accepted by St. John's College. The case having been sent to the Master for the approval of a scheme, the Court suggested, that as the teatator's intention was clearly in favour of Magdalene College, another offer might as well be made to that body. This was done ; but their original refusal was adhered to, and there- fore it was determined that the bequest must go to St. John's.

Mr. James Arthur Cox, the commander of the unfortunate Melbourne in her first voyage, has sued the Australian Royal Mail Steam Navigation Com- pany to recover damages from them for wrongfully dismissing him from his office as captain of that steamer. The action came on for trial in the Queen's Bench on Wednesday. But before the Attorney-General, who appeared for Mr. Cox, had completed his case, it was announced that the Company, finding their plea ofjustafication could not be sustained by evidence, had agreed to settle the action by paying the whole amount of salary demanded in the name of damages-4001. Lord Campbell said that Mr. Cox left the Court with the reputation of being "a skilful, attentive, and stout-hearted sea- man."

At the Central Criminal Court, on Monday, William Morton was indicted, with Frederick Rosenthal Cruchley, for a conspiracy to defraud Mrs. Burton : Cruchley, who had been bailed, did not surrender. Mrs. Burton was formerly the widow of the Reverend Arthur Onslow : she had money ; Cruchley told her he could find her a means of getting good interest for it. He pretended that William Charles Wright, Esq. of 'Whitley Court in Northumberland, a man of substance, wanted to borrow money ; but that Mr. Wright did not wish to see the lady lender. To satisfy her that Wright was what he represented him, Cruchley introduced Mrs. Onslow to Morton, at a West-end hotel. The in- terview was well got up to deceive. Morton was seated at a table, with papers before him, to look like a professional man. He said he was a neigh- bour of Wright ; who, he stated, was a gentleman of fortune. Mrs. Onslow was entrapped. At first she lent a small sum to "Mr. Wright" on the strength of his acceptance ; but ultimately, by means of more acceptances and bonds, she was defrauded of upwards of 50001. Wright of Whitley Court turned out to be Wright of Whiteeross Street Prison, an adventurer and bankrupt This man at one time had appeared willing to give evidence against his accomplices; but he failed to appear at the trial, and his reoog- nazances were estreated : he will probably be indicted as particeps criminis. Mrs. Onslow, since she was cheated, has become Mrs. Burton, having married a person who was introduced to her by Cruchley. Morton was found guilty : sentence deferred. Cruohley is now in custody, but his trial has boon post- poned.

Flynn, a lalaouring man, was taken into custody for desperately cutting his wife's arm with an adze. The woman was conveyed to the London Hos- pital: on Tuesday, Mr. Yardley, the Thames Police Magistrate, was informed that she was dying, and be went to the Hospital to take her statement. She was very composed. She accused herself of drinking deeply and pawning her husband's goods : she was chopping wood while rather intoxicated ; her husband pulled at the adze, and she fell upon it and cut her arm. The sur- geon here said the arm was cut right through, as if it had been done with a saw. Mr. Yardley exhorted the woman to speak the truth in her dying moments. She declared she had spoken the truth : her husband did not strike her—she fell on the adze; he was too good a husband for her. Mr. Yardley said, after such a statement he must liberate Flynn, merely binding him over to appear again.

Three men are in custody for the burglary at Leighton Buzzard. They were apprehended in Southwark.

James Mullins, formerly a detective officer, who has a pension from the Police establishment, and who was lately in the service of the South-Eastern Railway Company, is in custody for stealing packages from the Bricklayers' Arms goods-depot Some of the stolen property was found at his house.

In a fracas which occurred in a coffeehouse in Hatton Garden, Eames an Irishman knocked down-Bnurvino an Italian. The Italian died. It was shown on the inquest that he was not killed by the blow : he was much dis- eased. The Jury returned a verdict of "Died by misadventure." Mr. Reddin, dust-contractor, has been summoned by the authorities of St. Saviour's for allowing an accumulation of deleterious refuse in his yard. It was admitted that the business was "carefully carried on." For the defence, Dr. Letheby, Mr. Pepper, lecturer on chemistry, and Mr. Way, consulting chemist to the Agricultural!. Society? deposed that there was nothing in Mr. Reddin's method of conducting business injurious to the public health. those matters which would emit hurtful fumes were rendered innoxious by being mixed with other substances, such as road-sweepings. The Southwark Magistrate dismissed the summons.

Mr- Thomas Boulton, the Income-tax collector for St. Clement Danes, is a defaulter So the amount of 3600/. His property has been seized by the Com- n!issisesers: he had four sureties, who of course are anawerable for any defi- smugly Coals and bread have both fallen in price this week. In some parts the second quality of-bread can be obtained at 8d. the quartern loaf. Coals, which had been retailed as high as 40s. atom to the bumble purchaser, fell sereNtl shillings in consequence of the immense arrivals of colliers. On Thursday and Friday last week no fewer than 556 vessels were entered inwards at the Customhouse, of which 335 were coal-laden. By a fire in the house of a baker in Grafton Street, Fitzroy Square, on Saturday morning, a man was burnt to death. The Coronet's jury could not ascertain the origin of the fire.