C4t aittrafulio.

An influential deputation, chiefly composed of Members of both Houses of Parliament, waited on Lord Palmerston on Wednesday, to lay before him certain statements respecting church-rates. They estimate the loss to the Church by the abolition of this rate at 350,000/. They state, that in 9672 parishes, rates were granted by 8280; that in 544 there is other provision ; that in 440 opinion is not decided with respect

to the rate and that in 408 only have the rates been refused. It appears, therefore, that the parishes which grant the rate amount to more than 95 per cent of the whole." The Marquis of Blandford, Sir John Pakington' Lord Redesdale and Lord John Manners, were the chief speakers. Lord Palmerston ;Linked them for the information with which they had supplied him.

The English and Irish Roman Catholics met again on Tuesday at the Stafford Club. They passed a resolution expressing their opinion that the fifth clause of the Oaths Bill reenacte the Catholic oath, which is acknowledged to be offensive in its terms'even by Protestant gentlemen," and agreed to petition against the retention of this "invidious distinction.' The practical effect of the resolution, it is understood, will be seen in Parliament, where the Roman Catholics will oppose the further progress of the bill.

The Lord Mayor entertained the Archbishop of Canterbury and the clergy at the Mansionhouse on Tuesday. The characteristic of the gathering was the largenumber of the inferior clergy. In the course of the evening the Bishop of London made some remarks on this fact. One of the most remarkable signs of the times was that of those who held office in the Church, the lowest should be as acceptable at the feast as the highest. Formerly, he was told, it was the custom of the Lord Mayor to receive the bishops alone. The great work of the Church could not succeed without the hearty cooperation of the whole body of the clergy ; and further, he believed that it could not succeed without the cooperation of the great body of the laity, who, he was happy to see, supported the Lord Mayor so numerously on the present occasion. This was the real union of Church and State, and such a union could not fail to be beneficial to the country and to Christianity.

The annual meeting of the National Education Society was held on Thursday. The Archbishop of Canterbury, presided. In the course of his speech he remarked with satisfaction, that the subject of education had at length arrested the attention of the ablest and most exalted in the land, and that a conference on the subject would be held next week. Approval was expressed by succeeding speakers of the withdrawal of the Queen's letter' because it had shown that the voluntary principle was much more valuable, and one much more to be relied upon than the principle of compulsion which was in a degree involved in the Queen's letters.

The annual meeting of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts was held at the Mansionhouse on Thursday ; the Lord Mayor presiding. The Bishops of Chichester and Oxford, Mr. Hankey, Sir Page Wood, and Dr. Hook, addressed the meeting ; and resolutions ceiling for increased efforts to sustain missionary operations, and for an immediate increase of missionary labourers, were adopted by acclamation.

The Evangelical Alliance is to hold a Conference at Berlin in September next. To prepare the way, a deputation recently visited Berlin and travelled through Germany. On Saturday last, a number of members of the Alliance met in the guard-room of Lambeth Palace to hear a report from the deputation. The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Bishops of London, Ripon, Manchester, St. David's and Rupert's Land, Lord Calthorp, Count Bernstorff, and Sir Culling F:ardley, attended the meeting. The Reverend J. Carr Glynn and the Reverend Dr. Stearne, members of the deputation, made a report. It stated that the King of Prussia had appeared to be deeply impressed with the feeling that the meeting of the allienee at Berlin would be most useful to his kingdom' and that it would assist him in his efforts to put down any views of church-government which were not of a universal Christian spirit, and at the same time aid him in promoting evangelical teaching in the schools of his kin m.

When the deputation arrived at Potsdain, "they were honoured with an audience and were invited to dine with his Majesty. While waiting in the antechamber, the guests arrived, and Count TKellu told the deputation it would be exceedingly improper that they should detain the King. The deputation said they would put the memorial into his Majesty's hands, and not trouble him with hearing it read' but his Majesty replied,—' No ; read the whole of it. I am extremely desirous to hear it all.' After dinner his Majesty, in a very marked manner, singled out the deputation in the presence of the splendid party there assembled, and, as none of them

had been previously apprised of the arrival of the deputation, it was easily perceived that the circumstance excited no small degree of astonishment in their minds. When the King spoke of the Evangelical Alliance he said, 'I think that the idea of the Evangelical Alliance and a union of all true believers is the sublimest and most Christian conception which has entered into the human mind ; and from the moment I apprehended its fundamental principle—not as a combination of churches and of ecclesiastical bodies, but of individual and loving Christians, on the basis of a common faith in Christ and common love to Him—I enthusiastically embraced it, and I regard it as an idea after which all true Christians should aim.' His Majesty expressed great satisfaction at the Archbishop of Canterbury and many of the Bishops of the Christian church having evinced an interest in the approaching Berlin Conference, and he said it would highly gratify him to see his Grace at the September meeting." The Conference is to meet on the 9th September, and sit in the Garrison Church, placed at its disposal by the King. Its business will be, first, the discussion of great and important subjects which were to be prepared and elaborated by persons particularly nominated for that purpose ; secondly, the reception of reports as to the existing state of evangelical religion in the various countries of Christendom.

The second annual meeting of the National Reformatory Union was hold at Willis's Rooms on Saturday ; Lord Brougham in the chair. In opening the proceedings, he expressed himself as favourable to tho retention of transportation as a mode of punishing incorrigible offenders. On that point there are differences of opinion, but not at all on the great importance of the reformatory system, except as to how far it is applicable. The report submitted to the meeting and adopted showed that the Union has been "a decided success" ; that there is a branch association at Liverpool, another at Bristol ; and that since the passing of the Reform atory Act no fewer than fifty-five reformatory schools have been certi fied by the Secretary of State. Mr. Hastings read a letter from M. do Metz, regretting that he could not attend the meeting ; warning them not to be discouraged, since it is less difficult to found than to consolidate; and giving some information on the subject of an " ecolo preparatoire " which had been founded at Mettray to qualify teachers. "We have refrained from giving to this establishment the name of a normal school, an expression which in France suggests the idea of se in

stitution for youne' men aiming rather at the increase of knowledge than at

influence over theheart ; and it has been our flret, endeavour to surround ourselves with persons of good disposition and high principle, over whom

the sentiment of duty, and, above all, religious feeling, may exercise a powerful sway. Many a these have failed in the examination for obtaining the certificate of instrueteur primaire.' We have not been alarmed by this failure, and have admitted them with pleasure among our pupils, if we. felt assured that, though wanting in the degree of instruction prescribed by

the regulations as necessary ' for a schoolmaster's acquisition they offered real guarantees for possessing the right qualities of heart. Proceeding in this way, we have the advantage of obtaining as many pupils as we wish; we are only embarrassed by the number of each class which we have to choose from—a happy embarrassment, which enables us to recruit our numbers with persons worthy of our conthlence, and to whom we hesitate not to proclaim that we owe the success of Mettray and of the other institutions at the head of which they have been placed." Mr. Monokton Milnes, Mr. Adderley, Mr. Miles, and other Members of Parliament, addressed the meeting. It was resolved that the Industrial Schools Bill ought to be passed ; that it is desirable to have corresponding committees in the Colonies ; and that "the great increase of reformatory schools makes the training of properly-qualified reformatory: teachers an urgent necessity."

The "Handel Festival" at the Crystal Palace has drawn great numbers to Sydenham this week. Fortunately, the weather, though sharpened by the East wind, has been very fine and sunny. The first performance, on Monday, drew an audience of 11,129 persons, and afforded a brilliant spectacle. On Wednesday, when the Queen and her distinguished guests attended the celebration, the number of persons within tho Palace, 11,649, did not much exceed that of the first day ; but the number outside was much greater. The lanes and woods betWeen Dulwich and the Palace were at an early hour lined and occupied by ranks of well-dressed persons four or five deep, the ladies predominating. Within the Palace, the effect of such a large assemblage of the gentle sex was very striking. Viewed upon the level, they looked like a flower-covered prairie ; but when seen from a high gallery, they took the form and regularity, of a garden, the blocks being all separated by. well-marked divisions, allowing free ingress and egress, but each block closely packed with fashionable occupants. The Queen arrived at the Palace a little before one o'clock. With her were the Archduke Maximilian of Austria, Prince Albert, the Princess Royal and Prince Frederick William of Prussia, the Princess Alice, and the Prince of Wales.... The reception of her Majesty, by the people, followed by the national anthem, was very stirring. As soon as the audience had settled themselves for the concert, a photograph of the whole scene, with the royal box as a centre, was rapidly taken ; and before the first part of tho oratorio was over, well-finished copies, framed and glazed, were laid before her Majesty and her guests. It was observed that the Queen beat time with her fan, and Prince Albert with a roll of music. An obstinate demand was made for a repetition of "See the conquering hero comes" : Mr. Costa hesitated, and looked towards the Queen, who bending forward, sided with her people against the dictator of the day. Before the Royal party left Sydenham, Prince Albert conducted the Archduke through the grounds. They were dogged by mobs of visitors. A'body of police, acting in military fashion as a corps of observation, moved from place to place, and occupied positions that would have enabled them easily to interpose between the Princes and the crowd had it been expedient. The Queen did not reach Buckingham Palace on her return until six o'clock.

At the last performance, which took place yesterday, the numbers were greater than ever. The Times describes the scene on the roads leading to Sydenham as something extraordinary.

"Not since the great day when her Majesty and the Emperor of the French paid a state visit to Norwood have the roads presented such an appearance. From Dulwich, Sydenham, and Vauxhall, the stream of carriages was incessant; and as each separate avenue poured its tide of vehicles into the one general road up to the building, the numbers became almost unmanageable. The interminable hill which leads to the Downs ens Derbyday is considered as affording an unique spectacle in this respect, but yesterday it was for a time quite outdone, and it will probably be long ere the pub

lie again witness such an assemblage of carriages as during the morning, thronged through the Dulwich road. ' Much credit is due to the managers of the Crystal Palace Company both for the railway and the interior arrangements. Not only were visitors directed to their places without trouble to themselves, but they found refreshments, both light and solid, more easily attainable than at many private parties.

The artisans discharged from Woolwich arsenal and dockyard appealed to the public and to the Government for aid to enable them to emigrate; subscriptions flowed in, Government granted 3000/., and a fund has been created sufficient to convey all the persons who desire to emigrate to Sydney or to Canada—some 750 men, women, and children. The first detachment left Gravesend for Quebec, in the Midlothian, on Saturday.

An action, brought by Henry Wait Hall, formerly an attorney, against Mr. Revans, the Honorary Secretary of the Administrative Reform Association, for the sum of 151/. 18a. as balance of salary, was tried in the Court of Queen's Bench on Tuesday. In his evidence, Mr. Hall said that he had been engaged by Mr. Reverie to fill the post of "legal officer" for a year ; that his salary was to be 2/. 2e. per week ; but that he was to conduct and eppese election petitions, and thereby increase his income. To assist. himself, he took his son from the Customs. He was appointed in August 1856, an in October he was dismissed, because the Council did not approve of "his mode of working the franchise department." Mr. Ravens denied that Mr. Hall had been engaged for a year : "as the funds of the Association were entirely derived from subscriptions, which might fail at any moment, it was impossible to enter into longer than weekly engagements.' Neither was he engaged to attend to election petitions, nor authorized to employ a clerk. Mr. Hall occupied much of his time in writing a pamphlet. The Council dismissed him because his views were not in harmony with those of' the Association. Lord Campbell said the question for the Jury was, did they believe Mr. Reverts, or Mr. Hall ? The Jury found a verdict for the defendant.

An abduction ease, which has excited some interest, was tried in the Court of Queen's Bench on Wednesday. Joshua Edam, formerly a captain in one of the Middlesex militia regiments, was indicted for the abduction of Rose Goodman, a Jewess, aged fourteen years and ten months. Erlam was a married man, but long separated from his wife. He met the girl at Hammersmith in July 1856, and spoke to her—she nothing loath. She afterwards met him by appointment in London and at Brighton all the time being unaware that Erlam was a married man. On the 23d of August last she met him in the Haymarket, and went with him to Boulogne. Her father followed to the Continent, but could not find them. They travelled to Brussels and Mayenee, and in this last town Erlam admitted that he was married. Here he left the girl for a few days; and she wrote to her father, who directed her to meet him at Ostend. Erlam accompanied her to Ostend, and there the trio took dinner together in Miss Rose's bedroom. Under cross-examination, the young lady admitted that she had told Erlam that she was sixteen years of age. There was no evidence to show previous consent on the part of the father. The Jury found a verdict of " Guilty " ; and Lord Campbell, finding in the conduct of the girl and her father some "circumstances of mitigation," sent Erlam to prison for three months only.

We mentioned some time since that a large seizure of malt had been suede by the officers of Inland Revenue at Worthing, and that it had been discovered that the revenue had been defrauded to a large amount. The matter came before the Court of Exchequer on Tuesday ; when penalties to the amount of 375,0001. were sought for the Crown. Alfred Allen had carried on a malting business for many years at Worthing, Mulaey, and Horsham. Something irregular was observed at Worthing; a narrow search was made, and the officers discovered a trap-door opening into an underground passage, at the end of which were two vaults completely fitted up with malting-cisterns and couch-frames of a capacity nearly equal to those above which had been regularly entered. It further appeared that the ,cisterns bore marks of having been recently and continuously used, the means of supplying them with barley and water being afforded by secret shoots and pipes communicating with the upper premises. No sooner was this discovery made at Worthing than the officers visited the premises at Mulsey and Horsham, in each of which precisely, similar contrivances were speedily found out. It was ascertained that between the 3d of July last year and the 3d of April this year Allen sold 7000 bushels of malt more than he had paid duty on. Of course all the malt and barley on the various premises was seized. There could be no defence to the action in the main ; but Mr. Collier represented that the penalties sought were excessive, and that his client was a ruined man. The Chief Baron commented severely on the flagrant nature of the case. The Jury found that the illegal premises had been used ninety days—penalties incurred 216,000/. ; but the SolicitorGeneral consented to a verdict for 100,000/. only.

On Wednesday, Rebecca Rose Hamilton, was tried before the Central Criminal Court for sending a threatening letter to Mr. Allingharn, a surgeon in Moorgate Street. The writer threatened to accuse Mr. Ailingham of infamous conduct unless he sent money to a certain address : he knew nothing of the writer. For some time past, it appears, hundreds of similar letters have been sent to gentlemen in the City, and it is alleged that Hamilton was the writer. She was found guilty in Mr. Allingham's ease; and Mr. Baron Watson sentenced her to transportation for life. On Thursday, Robert Robinson Tripp, a strange-looking old man, was tried for the murder of James Scott. The particulars of this homicide have been already noted. It occurred in a lodging-house belonging to Scott in Islington; Tripp was a lodger, in arrear with his rent ; landlord and lodger quarrelled ; Scott went to Tripp's room in the middle of the night, apparently intending to stop there tall the morning, and then put in an execution; there was a squabble, Tripp stabbed his landlord with a word, and death ensued. The prisoner's counsel urged that this was not a murder. Mr. Baron Watson said that Scott's conduct in distraining for rent in the middle of the night was illegal, and Tripp would have been justified in resisting his entrance, but not in using a deadly weapon. The Jury convicted of "Manslaughter" only ; and the prisoner was sentenced to eight years of penal servitude.

John Brett was convicted of throwing vitriol on Thomas Robinson. Sentence, transportation for fifteen years.

It the Surrey Sessions, on Tuesday, Mr. Theodore Dupuis, one of the English masters in St. Olave's School, Southwark, was tried for beating a boy with undue severity. The case broke down, it not appearing that the boy was cruelly beaten, and certainly not wantonly, for he had behaved very badly. The jury declined to hear witnesses for the defence and acquitted

Mr. Dupuis. The Chairman observed that if they had found gentleman guilty no personal chastisement could in future be inflicted in sehoole.

Humphrey Brown is now in the Queen's Bench Prison, having failed to obtain sureties for 8000/.

The Law-officers of the Crown do not intend to make any charge against Kr. Apsley rellatt, one of the original directors Of the British Biluk, His ■ examination at the Bankruptcy Court showed that he was a party to improper proceedings at the outset ; but he left the bank in 1850, and he was not concerned in plundering its funds.

According to a statement sent to the journals by Mr. Huish, the general manager of the North-Western-Railway, the accounts published last week of the fire at Pickford's warehouse greatly exaggerated thesize of the building, the number of horses in the stables, sad the amount and value of the goods destroyed : apparently, the insurance will pretty well cover the loss.