4t 31Ittrn1ulis.

The general supporters of the present Government in the House of Commons, called together by circular, met on Monday at the official residence of the First Lord of the Treasury in Downing Street, to the number of 179, including several members of the Administration. Lord John Russell made a statement, telling how he had thought it advisable to call them together in order to consult them on the pre- sent state of affairs, and to remove some misapprehension and mis- understanding upon certain points. The points on which he touched were the Reform Bill,—repeating that he had given it up with the greatest reluctance and regret ; Church-rates,—which he had not de- scribed as bound up with hereditary monarchy, and which he hopes to settle before long; the War Ministry,—upon which he said that the Duke of Newcastle was in every respect the most suitable person for that office, and explained that the Government would be able next year to put the matters connected with this office upon a satis- factory footing, and the war itself. Nothing is certainly known of the ultimate resolution of Prussia and Sweden. Lord Clarendon had told him that there is great probability that Russia will return an evasive answer, and that should she do so, Austria "will at once go with the maritime powers." Next week, he would have occasion to ask for a vote of credit for carrying on the war with vigour. Government must trust to the confidence of the House with respect to this necessity. Lord John did not mean to say that no other Government was possible; he did not know whether Lord Derby and his friends, or any other per- sons, might be able to form a Government ; but so long as himself and his colleagues are responsible for the war, they must of course look to the House of Commons for its confidence and generous support. A conversation ensued. Mr. Vernon Smith and Lord Dudley Stuart complained that Lord Palmerston had not been made War Minister. Mr. Horsman, after remarking that the Government were not agreed on their religious polity, said he expressed the opinions of a large number of Lord John's supporters in observing that it was unfortunate that Lord Aber- deen should be Prime Minister, as they could not anticipate that the war would be conducted with dignity and power while he occupied that post. He said, too, that Lord John had "let his party down" by taking a subordinate office. M. Hume approved of Lord Aberdeen's position in the Government; but complained that Lord John so often went against three-fourths of his own party. The Liberal party, for instance, although nearly unanimous, could not get the newspaper-stamp repealed. Mr. 1 Bright said, he had been so often in opposition that he did not TrieSte whether he WES qualified to be an adviser. Pointing to the speeches of Lord Palmerston on the Ballot and Lord John Russell on Church-rates , and to the fact that the Government had no policyShe said that the die. 1 ferences which arose between them and their supporters could not be I called misapprehensions. No Government can safely disregstrd the wishes of its supporters. As to the Duke of Newcastle since nobed could charge him with incapacity or inattention, he thought it was un- fair to propose that his place should be filled by some one else. Referring to the war, Mr. Bright wished to be informed of the terms upon whits peace would be accepted. If Turkey was cleared of the Russians, and certain treaty guarantees agreed to, would the war be brought to an end ? If it were to be carried on with a view to the dinnemberment of Russia, no man could foresee the end of it, or the calamity in which it would involve both this country and all Europe. He expressed great confidence in Lord Aberdeen and his scorn of the malignant attacks made upon him. Mr. Layard expressed misgiving with regard to the conduct of Austria. In the course of the meeting, Mr. Sidney Herbert, replying to Mr. Vernon Smith, declared that no personal ambition of his should stand in the way of any rearrangement of the office he held ; that as it was reduced in dignity he might have given it up without reproach, but he believed he had taken the best course by retaining it.

The meeting lasted about an hour and a half. It was Understood that no report of it should appear in the newspapers; but the Morning Chronicle of Tuesday published a report from which the above abstract has been compiled.

The Convocation of the Clergy for the Province of Canterbury resumed its sittings on Thursday ; both Houses meeting to receive reports from Committees. In the Upper House, the members present. we're the Bishops of London, Lincoln, Oxford, and Salisbury. The Bishop of London presented a report from the Committee appointed to con- sider what reforms might be needful in the constitution of Convocation to enable it to treat of such matters as the Queen might peimit. This report suggests several changes in the election of the Lower House, with a view to the fuller representation of the clergy ; and recommends that all beneficed clergy, curates, and cheplaina, being in priest's orders and licensed by the bishop, shall have a vote at the election of a praetor. It also sets forth rules and regulations, chiefly founded on inneedlintas for facilitating the transaction of business. The questions of brisrlitgehe Convocations of Canterbury and York to deliberate together,- and of introducing the lay element, are passed over, not as trifling, but because they are questions that can be more prefitahly discussed by the elergySin Convocation. The Bishop of London presented two long reports from Committees appointed to consider what adaptations of the,Ohuroh's rules are needfal to enable her to meet the spiritual neceesities of the increased population. The report suggests the, division of the morning and -evening servioes, under the sanction of the bishop of any dioeese s provided the whole of these services, respectively, be used once on the Sunday. Daily services formed from the Peayer-book, are also recommended. The laity are called upon to cooperate more extensieelyin works of Christian charity; and it is suggested that literate persona should be admitted by the bishops to.deacon's orders ; and that a epeciar body of missionary clergy:should be organized to preach, nnder a bishop's sanction, throughout his diocese.

All these reports were received/ ' Two Committees were appointed, on.the Motion of the Bishop of Lon- don, one "to consider the question of Church-rates," the other.to con- sider and report on what it may be expedient to recommend for the better enforcement of Church discipline.

Dr. Walker, incumbent, of St. Celoneb Major, Cornwall, has made an offer of that advowson, worth 16411. per annum, with a view to the erec- tion of a see of Cornwall. This offer was received and recorded in both Houses.

The Lower House was but thinly attended. The chief business was the postponement of the consideration of the reports from the Committee of Privileges and the Committee of Gravamina, until next session. This was not carried without a discussion, u which some members insisted on the necessity of proceeding at once. The Churoh-rate question also came up, and a schedule of gravamina on the subject was ordered to be referred to the Committee of Gravamina; but the announcement of the appoint- ment of a Joint Committee on the subject,by the Upper House caused it to Stand over. The reports adopted by the Upper House _were read by the Prolocutor. At the termination of. the business, Convocation Wes prorogued until Thursday the 24th August

Belgravia continues to be the seat of a clerical warfare, a sort of Low Countries where the battle against "Puseyism " is to be decided. Last week, "A Belgravian" gave an account in the Times of a visit to St. Barnabas. He described the church as built for the pier, yet filled ex- clusively with well-dressed ladies and gentlemen, listening to the "mu- sical worship of the Almighty " ; while outside the sacred edifice were streets also filled, but with the poor, buying and selling, and lounging.

This attack drew a letter from the Reverend James Skinner Senior Cu- ,

rate of St. Barnabas ; denying that in the congregation there were none of the middle and lower classes ; stating that there are twenty public services in the week, that the evening congregations are almost wholly poor, and that "they dearly love their cheering services" ; and denying that many of the poor are "frightened away by the Popish aspect of the affair." The Belgravian returns to the charge, and invites those who are interested to go to the church and, judge between him and Mr. Skinner.

In his first letter the Belgravian noted the formation of a "Choral De- fence Society," whose avowed object was to insist upon the singing of the service at St. Paul's, the elder of the two Pimlico churches, and who announced, through their secretary, that. they would use their lungs to prevent its being said,—in short, giving some promise of a brawl in the church. In reply to the charges brought against him for giving way, Mr. Liddell addressed a letter to his parishioners, intimating that he had con- ceded the alteration in the service from singing to saying, for the sake of the peace of the church ; that he hoped to offer two plain and two Chord services on the Sunday' to his flock ; and that it would be hard if those who cannot join in a choral service could not find, once a day, a service in which they could join. Whether the Choral Defence Society will now proceed, remains to be seen. Meanwhile, the matter has spread into a general insurrection against " Puseyiem." On Tuesday this week, a most uproarious meeting on the subject was

• held in the lliding School, 'Moteelub: Street, Belgrave Square. It had s... largely advertised, and dui. mantes of the prominent actors were paraded on boards in the streets. Many !sent .letters of apology, but of concur- rence; including Lord ,Combernlere, who had been advertised to take the chair, the Duke. of Montrose, the-JdarquisOf Westminster, Earl Fitzwil- hare, Lord :Marcus Hill, and Mr. Joseph. Napier Kt': However, a geodly.number of ladies andgentlemen,.incinding representatives of save- iet, pushes, met at the. early hour appointed, and Admiral Harcourt took the chair. The Reverend Mr. XdUy opened the_, proceedings with a layer ; at the end of which, some of. the Choral Defence Society, it is alleged chanted the "Amen";, and the meeting, indignant at this pro- ceding,. turned them'out by main force. When the Chairman was di- lating on the awful, errors they had to check, and the Protestant rights they. were to uphold, cries o "Where is the Bishop of London ?" arose. Diving polouel Vereker's speech, which touched on delicate theological doctrines, voices shouted, f' Go it, Vereker !" and when Mr. Dudley Ry- der said be was .ashamed of. the Bishops, there were calls for "three for the ,Bishops,"-n cry that, in Mr..Nicolay's attack on the ishop of London, took the shape of "Turnout . the Bishops!" Mr. Beal, another speaker, announced that- they were prepared to raise a fund of 10,000/. to try the cause in ,every court of law having power to deal with the question, until it be decided. The resolutions bore, that the electing viewed with regret and apprehension the innovations and super- stitious practices introduced of late years into the mode of worship in many parish-churches, and called upon all Christians to aid in suppres- sing them; that they would support Mr. Westerton - and that a com- mittee shouldbe appointed to raise subscriptions and snake a final appeal to the Bishop to stop the objectionable practices. About 1201. was sub-

scribed on the spot. ,

Apublic meeting was held in the Egyptian Hall of the Manaionhouse on Wednesday, for the purpose of assisting' the Society forthe-Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts to increase its funds, for missionary ob- jecte. The Archbishop of Cantarbury, the Bishops of London; Oxford, :New Zealand, and Natal, and other gentlemen, addressed, the meeting. The resolutions set forth the neciessityof raising additional funds, in order to meet the wants arising from the rapid growth Of our Colonial empire. A committee was appointed to raise the money -required ; and a sub- stription was commenced on the spot, by the donation of 1001.; and the promise of 101, a year from Mr. Hubbard, Governor of the Bank of Eng-

land. . •

Mr. Skerrow, one of the Inspectors appointed tinder the Charitable Trusts Act, opened on Wednesday an inquiry into the state' of the Char- terhouse. The object of the investigation would-appear to be to ascertain whether the Poor Brethren are right in thinking that the revenue they now enjoy ought to he increased. The Earl of Devon and Areldeacon Hale were present. The Charterhouse was %Waded by Thomas Sutton, in 1611. There were to be forty Scholars but they had been subsequently increased to forty-four. The Poor Brethren are forty in number. Mr. Keightly, the Registrar and Receiver of the Charterhouse, stated that the total income of the charity for the year from Lady-day 1853 to Lady-day 1854 was 28,9081. The salaries and allowances to offiters were 39_32/. The salary of the Master, Archdeacon Hale, was8001. a year ;' of the Reverend Mr. Peter, 3001.; of the Reverend Dr. Elder, the schtiormaster,'24.41., be- sides an allowance for assistant masters ; Reverend Mr. Walferd, 1401.; the Registrar had received 5001., besides some allowances. The pension of the Poor Brethren:was 2075/..; -which gave 26/. 104. -to each per annum. Under the statute of Charles they were to have 61. 6s. 8d. each:. The in- Crease waemade from•tiineto time' bribe Governors. Theboys are clothed by the charity.; they have two suits every year. The Peer Brethren re- ceive a cloak every two years; the amount of this item forlast year was 148/. 5s. 6d. The furniture item was 6501.; no private furniture was in- cludedin• GAS aunt The exhibitions for Scholars amount to 141301., and there is an item of 4751. for placing boys out. There are nine livings in the gift of the charity. Since 1824, the sum Of 55,129/. has been expended in repairs of the property. On Lady-day there was a balance of 6289/. at the banker's, and 222/. in hand to meet Current expenses. The investigation terminated on -Thursday.- At the close, the. Poor Brethren were heard. One of 'them Said that there was a proneness to find fault, and that fifteen out of twenty grievances were imaginary. The hospital is a brick-and-mortar pruadise ; but he added, that 401. a year is the minimum required to insure cbmfort.

Another Poor Brother said-" This 'gentleman has a small'independence, which makes him better oft' than the rest." FirstPoor Brother-".He meansindependence of mind." • ' The Inspector-" Then if you have independence of mind and independence

of means, you ought to be a hep-pyinan.7 • •

A Third Poor Brother said. he had nothing but what he received from the eharity ; and the' majority of the brethren, like himself, were really pinched. First Poor Brother-"It amounts to this: if a man has nothing it is a paradise, and if he has something more it is hearen."

The Inspector-" Then I take it for granted that you wo.nhl be all happy on 40/. a year ?"

Many Voices-" All; all!" Archdeacon Hale-" Until they wanted 501." An investigation into the management of the College at Dulwich is now in progress before' Mr. Inspector Hare. Mr. Laing M.P., Mr. Geach M.P., and Sir. Joseph Paxtdn, appeared to complain of the con-

duct of the 'Wardens in relation to parcels of land belonging wte the Col-

.

lege and required by the Crystal Palace Company. The ardens had made every opposition to the proceedings of the Company. Dr. Cox, the master of the Grammar School, said that the scholars of the lower divi- sion pay 2e1. a week, and are fifty-six in number. In the upper divi- sion there are sixteen day-scliolars, the sons' of gentlemen; paying half-a- guinea a quarter, and eleven boarders paying 501. a year, the privilege of the Master: They are taught French, Greek, and Latin. In the lower school, writing, arithmetic, grammar, geography, history, and tbe Bible, are taught.' Four Orthe fernier 'Poor scholars' spoke to the inefficienCy of the education; and several ' asaistants," officers appointed by the in- terested parishes to visit the Collegeand audit the accounts, complained of the incompleteness of the audit, for :Want of proper information. They also complained that improper seleetions of trades for the boya about to be apprenticed are often made; and that the Warden and Fellows have impoverished the funds properly belonging to the boys, f,or their own ease and comfort, The indpiry is still pending. Sir Benjamin Hall and Lord DudlerStuart atterided a Meeting of the Vestry of Iltruylebone on Saturday, to explain the new course proposed by Lord Palmerston with reference to the Metropolitan Sewers Commis- sion. Sir Benjamin stated, that it is proposed to introduce into the Con- tinuance Bill, before the House of Commons certain elausee 'infusing the representative principle into the composition of the Commission. The Government are to appoint six members, and the Members of Par- liament for the Metropolitan Boroughs one each. - But in 'order to relieve themselves from the responsibility of selection the Metropolitan Memberts ask their constituents to meet in their perishes and noire three men; from whom the Members can select one. To this 'proposition the meet- ing agreed.

The monument to Thomas Hood in Kensal Green Cemetery-a work of great merit, executed by Mr. Mathew Noble-was inaugurated on Tuesday, in the presence of some of the intimate friends of the lost poet,- and others. The oerernonial was simple, but touching. Mr. Monckten• Milnes delivered an address, characterised by just appreciation, kindly feeling, and good taste. Then the monument was uncovered. It consists of a bronze bust of Thomas Hood, elevated on a lofty pedestal of polished red granite; in front of the bust, wreaths in, bronze, formed of the laurel, the myrtle, and the immortelle ; and an a slab beneath, that well- known line of the poet, which he desired should be used as his epitaph- "He He sang the Song of the Shirt."

Upon the front of the pedestal is carved this inscription-

"in memory of Thomas Hood, born 23d may 1798, dicd 3d May 1845. Erected by public subscription, A.D. 1854." At the base of the pedestal, a lyre and comic mask in bronze are. thrown together, suggesting the mingled character of Hood's writings; ott the sides of the pedestal are bronze medallions illustrating the peems of "The Bridge of Sighs" and "The Dream of Eugene Aram."

The Junior United Service Club having determined to build themselves a new house, met on Tuesday and balloted for plans. Mr. T. M. Nelson's plan was adopted. The new club-house is to occupy the site of the pre- sent house at the corner of Regent Street and Waterloo Place, as well as the St. Alban's Hotel in Charles Street, and the houses forming one side of St. Alban's Place. When finished, it will be one-of the largest club-

houses in London.

The half-yearly meeting of the Crystal Palace Company was held on Thursday, at the Bridge House Hotel ; Mr. Laing in the chair. From his statement and the report we learn, that in addition to•the sum of 1,000,000/. nearly expended already, 300,000/. will be required to com- plete the works in contemplation. With reference to the expected divi- dend, it was calculated that, allowing for thirteen unproductive weeks, the annual income of the Company will be 259,1881.; and, setting the working expenses at 52,000/. a year, there willbe 207,183/. for a dividend. Next year, the fountains will be completed, and form a new attraction. As regards the refreshment department, at present the profit has been 10001.; but much is said against the sale of refreshments, and should it not work well it will be abolished. The report was adopted.

In 1839, Mr. Thomas Slingsby _Buncombe was indebted to the Earl of Chesterfield in the sum of 69,0001., secured on mortgage ; and in the No- vember of that year Lord Chesterfield agreed to take 25001. down and 38,000/. in March following, in full payment The 38,0001. was not tend in the time specified, and another deed was executed in June, reciting that a marriage- contract had been entered into between Mr. Buncombe and Mrs. Slingsby, under which Mrs. Slingsby covenanted to pay the interest on the 38,0001., and Lord Chesterfield, in consideration of 4201. down' agreed to extend tho time of payment of the 38,000/. to June in 1841, stipulating that if the sum were then paid he would forego the whole debt. But neither that sum nor the interest was paid ; the projected marriage was broken off; and Lord Chesterfield had sued Mrs. Slingsby for 10,500/. interest. The ease Was brought before the Rolls Court, on summons from chambers, last Saturday ; and the question submitted was, whether Lord Chesterfield was entitled to the whole of the 69,0001. or only to the 38,0001., and whether Mrs. Slingsby was entitled to be second encumbrancer after papeept of the 38,0001 or the 69,000/. The Master of the Rolle decided that time was the sole considera- tion in the contract ; and that therefore, the payment not having been made within the time, Lord Chesterfield was entitled to the whole amount; and that MS. Slingsby was entitled as second encumbrancer after * 69,000/. was satisfied.

Three eases of garotte robberies have come under the notice. ef the Marl- borough Street Magistrate this week. The robber, coming behidd his victim, takes him unawares and twines an arm round his neck, while an accomplice performs the robbery.

Regent Street is a very public thoroughfare, yet the houses are not safe from burglars. James Anderson and a worthy coadjutor climbed on to the balcony of Messrs. Chappell and Co., the music-sellers, and then broke into the house. They must have been there some time ; for they had broken open desks and packed up property, when the porter's wife, hearing a noise, alarmed her husband. He going down, surprised the thieves ; but they were too quick for him, and bolted by the window. One, however, Ander- son, was intercepted by a policeman, taken before the Marlborough Street Magistrate, and committed for trial.

Mr. Joseph Windus Cole, a merchant, has been remanded by the Lord Mayor, on a charge of obtaining 10,000/. upon a warrant for goods that only, had an imaginary existence. As security for the advance, Mr. Cole deposited a warrant for Banes tin, signed "Maltby and Co.," wharfingers at St. Sa- viour's Dock. The firm, Lang and Campbell, who held the warrant, desired to see the tin ; but Mr. Maltby refused to show it. He has subsequently fled. The Lord Mayor consented to accept bail, 40001. in all.

In England wealth and birth are the ordinary and legitimate passports to credit, and great advantage is taken of the fact by the petty rogues of so- ciety:. One Meade, for instance, formerly a farm labourer, hat been "liv- ing in luxury" for some years, by penionating the gentleman expecting property. To one of his dupes, a Camberwell shopkeeper, he said he was the heir of landed property in France; and from him he extracted 2601. He told a baker of Kingsland, that he was entitled to 300,000/. in the Eastladies ; . arid the believing baker gave him goode and money. He backed up bre out- • rageous statements by forged documents and letters. But at length islereer is arrested ; and on several charges of fraud, he Maude committed hi--

trial by the Winship Street Magistrate.

A commission of lunacy has sat this week, in St. Clement's Inn, under the presidency of Mr. Barlow, to inquire into the state of mind of Captain Jona- than Childe, son of Mr. William Lacon Childe, of Kinlet Hall, Staffordshire. The inquiry was obtained by the Alleged Lunatic's Friend Society, of course with a view to show that Captain Childe is improperly confined. The father has thus been compelled to exhibit to the world the cause of his detention in paylume, From the evidence of Mr. Childe, of his third son, of medical men,

•

and others, it was proved, that in 1838, when Captaiu Chible was in the Twelfth Lancers, he was seized with a delusion that the Queen had an affeetion for him ; after her marriage he persisted in asserting that she loved him only—the marriage with Prince Albert was a "sham," and the Captain had a perfect understanding with Prince Albert Not contented with plant- ing himself opposite the Queen at the opera and theatre, and attracting her attention by making his horse curvet before her carriage in the Parks, he wrote anonymous letters to her Majesty. The writer was discovered by the authorities ; remonstrances were in vain ; and at last an Army Medical Board, sitting at Dublin, pronounced him insane. Since that time he has been an inmate of various asylums. He has employed much of his time in writing letters in cipher, which have been ascertained to be declarations of his continued love for the Queen and abuse of the Horse Guards and the Ministry, mixed up with general rhapsodies, clever writing, and gross im- proprieties. Besides his delusion about the Queen, the patient took a cause- less aversion towards his mother.

Captain Childe was examined by the Jury,. for the first time, on Tuesday,. At the beginning he showed shrewdness in his answers, and said that he had been deceived as to the Queen's partiality for him ; as to the letters in cipher, he knew they were nonsense—merely written to exercise his imagination. Afterwards he said, other people had thought the Queen had shown partiality for him—he would not say who those persons were. The Queen had really shown a "marked manner" towards him before and since her marriage. Be had supposed the Queen's marriage was a sham; but he had got rid of that notion "by proofs that it was not a sham."

Subsequently, Dr. Southey, Dr. Hume, Dr. Conolly, and Dr. Sutherland, gave it as their opinion that Captain Childe was still of unsound mind ; and the Jury returned a verdict to that effect.

The long investigation into the ease of the child Richardson, who died at the Royal Free Hospital after an operation, was brought to a termination on Tuesday. From the evidence of the nurse Faulkner, corroborated by other testimony, it would appear that she did not use the child in the barbarous manner formerly alleged ; that it was properly prepared for the operation; and that Mr. Cooke attended to it immediately after the opera- tion. Mr. John Gay declared that he was actuated by no vindictive feelings ; that he did not instruct Evans to " furridge" out all he could about the case, but admitted that he applied to Evans "to find out all about it." He did not suggest the holding of an inquest. Mr. Weedon Cooke gave a de- tailed account of the operation, not differing substantially from the state- ments of other witnesses. Mr. Wakley junior also gave evidence. His own share in-the operation consisted in the use of the sound and his finger ; he did not use either the forceps or the knife. He spoke most highly of the character of Mr. Cooke. Mr. Wakley the Coroner made a long statement, varied by altercations with Mr. Ballantine ; the gist of which was, that he had offered no impediment to the inquest, nor had anything to do with the payment of the money to suppress it. In the course of the cross-examina- tion, on Tuesday, Mr. Ballantine appealed to the Coroner, saying he had just heard Mr. Wakley junior exclaim, "What a ruffian hem!" Whereupon Mr. Wakley junior retorted, "So you know you are ! "—but he apologized. Great excitement characterized the whole of the proceedings, the audience often hissing and cheering. After deliberating nearly five hours, the Jury returned the following verdict- " We find that the deceased Alfred Richardson died of inflammation, caused by an operation unskilfully performed by Mr. Thomas Weedon Cooke am! Mr. Thomas Wakley junior.

." The Jury finding great difficulty in coming to a satisfactory conclusion respect- ing the other matters deposed to before them, they have resolved to exercise the discretion permitted to them by declining to give any opinion on them."

The Coroner inquired if the Jury! wished to prefer a criminal charge against ay one? Which was replied to in the negative by the foreman.