g4t Aittrupoliff. •

The question of preserving Hampstead Heath for purposes of public recreation was lately brought under the notice of the Metropolitan Board of Works by deputations from Hampstead and several other, parishes interested in the matter_ They ask the Board to take qtepe for securing the Heath for the public. A debate arose on the question. whether it is within the authority of the Board to go to- Parliament and ask for powers- to deal with Hampstead Heath ; the majority-holding that it is not.. The formal motion was that the memorial be referred to the Committee of Works and Improvements. After a debate on two oeeasions, the Board negativedthe motion, last week, by a large majority. At a meeting of the Bmrd on Wednesday, it was resolved, by 27 to 9, " That it be referred to the Committee. of Works and Improvements to take into consideration and report upon a comprehensive plan for making, widening, and improving streets, roads, and ways for facilitating the passage and traffic between different parts of the metropolis."

A deputation from the Literary Association of the Friends of Poland waited upon Lord Palmerston on Saturday, at his house in. Piccadilly. They were introduced by the Marquis of 33resdalbane ; who read a long memorial to the Premier setting forth the claims of Poland, as the "natural ally " of Turkey and the "bulwark " of Europe against Russia. The prayer of the memorial was that Lord Clarendon should be specially instructed "not to let the negotiations conclude without taking into con- sideration the situation and claims of Poland, with a view to the intro- duction of some positive stipulation in her favour in any-treaty of peace to be signed with Russia." Mr. Beales and Mr. Birkbeck supported the prayer of the memorial. If it were found too difficult or too complex a question to restore Poland to the state in which she was before the first partition in 1772, at least it is the bounden duty of France and England to insist on the observance of the stipulations in her favour contained in the treaty of Vienna. Lord Palmerston promised that the question. should receive the " eameet consideration " of the Government.

A deputation waited on Sir George Grey on .Monday, to present me- morials from Birmingham and other towns, asking the Government to support a renewed inquiry into the sale of intoxicating liquors on. Sun- day. The principal reason for demanding a fresh inquiry was, that the last inquiry; under the guidance of Mr. H. Berkeley, was defective. Sir George Grey, although he professed anxiety to diminish drunkenness, declined to give a promise. If the evidence taken before Mr. Berkeley's Committee was defective, it is open to any Member of Parliament to make a motion on the subject, with a statement of the reasons for the- dissatisfaction which prevailed. The deputation were " pleased with the courtesy shown in their reception, and the interest displayed by Sir George Grey in the object of their visit."

The forty-first anniversary of the Artists' General Benevolent Institu-. tion was celebrated on Saturday by a dinner at the Freemasons' Tavern ; Lord Stanley in the chair. The proceedings were of the ordinary dia- meter, but relieved by a special announcement of literary and political interest. The Chairman, in making a financial statement, pointed to the encouraging fact that the funds of the institution have risen from 26001. in 1820 to 17,3001. in 1855. The. actual income of the past year was 1513/. ; and the expenditure, including relief to 68 applicants, (10111.,) only amounted to 1181/. The "special announcement" alluded to above was made by Earl Stanhope, as one of the literary executors of the late Sir Robert Peel, Mr. Cardwell being the other— They had arranged and examined his papers with great care and they were shortly about to give to the world, as the results of the first part of their labours t the memoirs of Sir Robert during the eventful years of 1828' and 1829, written by himself, with such other papers as would elucidate the position he then took and the policy he pursued. By the will of Sir Robert, they were enjoined to give the profits arising from the publication of any of his papers-for the relief of deserving men who had devoted themselves to the pursuit of literature, art, or science. The last public meeting which Sir Robert ever presided over was the anniversary festival of this interesting- institution—only a few days before his death. Lord Stanhope was there- fore about to dedicate the first fruits of the publication of his late lamented friend's papers to this society ; on which account he would now hand to their treasurer a draft for one hundred guineas.

The Benevolent. Society of St. Patrick kept its seventy-third anniver- sary on Monday—St. Patricics Day. Lord Dufferin occupied the chan.' , and duly eulogized the Irish people. Among the early toasts after dinner was " the health of the Heir Imperial to the throne of France,"— drunk with three times three. The donations reeeived in the course of the evening amounted to 6501.

The eleventh annual dinner of the"Royal General Theatrical Fund " took place on Monday, at the London Tavern - Lord Tenterden- in the chair. The prominent speakers were the Clutinnan, Mr. Buckstone, and Mr. Charles Dickens.

Attempts are continually in progress to bring back the Wesleyans to the fold of the Church of England. Several meetings have been held within the last few weeks at the Reotory House of St. James's, Picca- dilly; which have been attended by Lord C.A. Harvey, Mr. T. Chum-. bens M.P., Mr. Henry Hoare the banker, the Reverend J. E. Kempe Rector of St. James's, the Reverend Dr. Burgess Rector of Upper Chel- sea, the Reverend Prebendary Hawkins, and other clergymen and lay- menthe object being, to consider " what measures it may be expedient to take for promoting union with the Church of gland on the part of Christians not at present in active communion with her ." They directed their attention especially to the Wesleyan ; and they have embodied the results of their deliberations in a petition which will be presented to the Convocation of Canterbury in April. The Committee express an opinion that the retention by the Wesleyan of their system of class meetings need not be an insuperable obstacle to their union with the Church ; that the usual probationary course shall be reduced, no longer time being re-, quilled than may be necessary to enable the Bishop to satisfy himself as to the qualifications of the candidate ; that the property and patrondge

of the Wesleyan body shall remain intact ; and that, if possible, the Wes- leyans be induced to revert to the principles of their founder by receiving the sacrament of the Lord's supper in the parish-church only. The pe- tition, after setting forth the advantages which would result from Wes- 'era' ministers receiving episcopal ordination, calls upon both Houses of Convocation to take the matter into serious consideration.

In the Court of the Lords-Justices, on Saturday, a conversation of some interest arose on law reports, authorized and unauthorized. The case of " Evans v. Saunders" was cited by the Solicitor-General. Lord Justice Knight Bruce—" That case is, I believe, reported before Vice-Chancellor Kinderaley." The Solicitor-General—" Oh, yes, my Lord, and before your Lordships. It is reported in the Common Law and Equity Reports, page 633, and also in a part of the Law Journal." Mr. Osborne—" In the 24th volume of the Law Journal Reports, New Series." Lord Justice Knight Bruce—" Do the students read all the reports now ? What do the practising barristers do ? Those who have time perhaps do. We must soon come to a crisis. No powers at present existing can, I think, master all the reports." The Solicitor-General—" We must very,soon have an index expurea tonus, cancelling many large parts of volumes.' Lord Justice Knight Bruce—" I have heard that the House of Lords laid down a rule proscribing certain re- ports, but that nevertheless those reports are daily cited before their Lord- ships." The Solicitor-General—" There is this case : A counsel hears a judgment delivered, of which an accurate short-hand note is taken ; then, when the authorized report comes out, a judgment appears, from which much of what is found in the short-hand note-is omitted, and what remains differs materially in expression : the controversy is, whether what is publicly de- livered in court to the suitors is not the proper judgment to be contained in he reports."

On Saturday afternoon, five men, servants of a common carrier, were con- veying some of the Queen's plate from Buckingham Palace to the Padding- ton station for transmission to Windsor; all five went into a public-house on their route ; when they emerged, one of the chests, containing plate worth 5001., had been carried off from the wanon. Three of the men in charge of the plate were arrested, and held to bail. On Monday morning, the plate- chest, marked " V. R. " was found in Bonner's Hall Field, near Victoria Park : all the plate had been removed—silver handles had been wrenched from knives • some female apparel, stockings, chemises, flannel, belonging to domestics, had been left. It seems probable that robbers followed the plate-waggon in a cab ; took the opportunity of its unguarded exposure to abstract the box, placed it in the cab, and drove towards Bethnal Green ; that on the journey they opened the box, selected the silver articles, and final- ly pitched the chest into the field. [There is a regular establishment whose duty it is to look after the " Silver Pantry," yet not one of these officials

i was in charge of the plate 9

Some time since, the London and County Bank brought an action against Mr. Noldwritt,. a Customhouse-agent, for 5001., the amount of a bill which they had discounted for Mr. Brooks, a provision-salesman, who had failed : the bill purported to be indorsed by Mr. Noldwritt. At the trial, Mr. Mold- writt swore that he had not indorsed the bill, and evidence was adduced to show that the signature was not his. Mr. Brooks swore that Noldwritt wrote it. The Jury found a verdict for the defendant ; which was tanta- mount to imputing both perjury and forgery to Brooks. In consequence, Brooks has commenced a prosecution for perjury-against Noldwritt. The Lambeth Magistrate has repeatedly. received evidence in the matter, and has resolved to send it for trial by a jury : he thoughtbe would not be doing justice to Brooks if he did not give him an opportunity for a full investiga- tion of the case. Mr. Noldwritt is admitted to bail.

One of those cases which give a glimpse of the atrocities that go on around us, almost unchecked, has recently been under the notice of the City Police. On the 5th of last month, one Deans applied to Sir Robert Carden for as- sistance in a most distressing case. His daughter, Susannah, had been in- veigled on board a steamer by a Belgian. Jewess and transported to Ham- burg. It appears that the girl, in company with an acquaintance, met the Jewess in the street, and reluctantly accompanied her friend in following the Jewess to a house in Goodman's Fields. There they saw three other young girls, who told their visitors that they were going to Hamburg, "to get splendid situations, live in style, wear gold watches, and be able to supply their parents with the luxuries as well as the necessaries of life." Susannah, not liking the place, tried to get away, but was prevented ; that night she slept in the house, and next day was hurried- on board a steamer. Her companion, however, escaped, and gave information to Susannah's parents. Sir Robert Carden immediately authorized an officer to go to Ham- burg and bring the girl back. A telegraphic message was instantly for- warded directing that the vessel might be searched on its arrival and the girl detained. 'When Smith, the officer, arrived, he found the Belgian woman on good terms with the police. She told them, and they believed her, that the girl was a willing victim, under a regular engagement ; and to strengthen the case, alleged that she had robbed her parents of five pounds. Smith found every. difficulty in his way, but he succeeded in rescuing the girl and bringing her home. On Tuesday last, Susannah Evans, with her father and mother, waited on Sir Robert.Carden, and, with tearful eyes, thanked him for his prompt and effectual aid.

It further appears, that .English girls are systematically entrapped in England, transferred to dens of infamy in Hamburg, and detained under pretext of debt. Smith the_police-officer communicated with Colonel 11' odges, the British Consul at Hamburg, who was " perfectly aware of the atrocious traffic," but powerless to prevent it. Colonel Hodges said he should be delighted to check the monstrous evil, but nothing could be done without the immediate interference of Lord Clarendon.

A clergyman in difficulties. The Reverend Mr. Harris, whose "livings are in Wales, or close to it," resides at 98 York Road, Lambeth, with a Miss Jane Oakford, who passes as his wife. Believing that he had been robbed, he called in a policeman, on Wednesday, to arrest Miss Oakford on a charge of stealing his watch. 'The lady asked permission to put on her bonnet; and, gaining the back-parlour, dropped, by means of a rope, into the street. She drove to Mr. Lewis, solicitor, and directed him to inform Mr. Harris that Mr. Lewis would meet the charge at the Lambeth Police Court. Mr. Lewis presented himself; the officer was in attendance; but Mr. Harris did not appear. Mr. Norton, the Magistrate, sent Oaks the constable to 98 York ReactOaks warn Mr. Harris that a solicitor was in wait- ing to meet the charge. accordingly started on his mission; • and on his return reported that he saw both the reverend gentleman and the lady at the house, and apparently on the most friendly terms; and that the cler- gyman said it was not his intention to pursue the matte; further.

On the morning of the 17th February, burglars entered the premises of Mr. West, a jeweller in Marchmont Street, and carried off property worth 20001. To get into the place, from the rear, they bad to pass over a chevaux- de-friae : on the spikes was found a squab or pillow ; part of the stuffing was a bonnet-curtain. The police have traced this to have belonged to a certain. woman ; this woman had been connected with Frederick Stapelton Ste,- pelton has been arrested on suspicion, and remanded by the Clerkenwel magistrate.

The inquiry into the destruction of Covent Garden Theatre was closed on. Wednesday. The evidence tendered threw no light on the matter : we have said the Coroner, no evidence to show how the fire originated. Mr. Braidwood remarked, " that at least one of the firemen had been on duty for forty hours. I do not Fay the man drank : I do not suppose he did : but any man who has been watching for forty hours cannot be supposed to watch at all, and therefore the whole thing was neglected I should be very much inclined to refer it to spontaneous ignition of some kind or i other. Masses of stuff get about these places. My impression above all is, that the people about were all so thoroughly worn out that they did not know what they were doing. We find, when men are very hard pressed, that buildings are much more liable to fires than they are when those em- ployed are engaged during the ordinary periods of laboiff." The conclusion come to by the Jury was that suggested by the Coroner—" No evidence to show how or by what means the fire originated." Mr. Anderson has written to thejournals correcting the statement that a theatre in America had been burnt down while in his possession. He state* that the only theatre burnt while in his possession was the Glasgow Theatre —built by himself at a cost of 15,000/., and burnt down during the perform- ance of " Der Freischutz." The whole of the insurance-money-65001.- was expended towards the satisfaction of his liabilities. Mr. Anderson says he lost all he had in the world by that fire.

Mr. Robert Orridge, an old gentleman, formerly Governor of Cambridge County. Gaol, has been accidentally killed in Gracechurch Street. Ho dropped his stick in the road ; in stooping to pick it up, he fell forward, and a passing coal-waggon went over his neck. Mr. Onidge was infirm,. and had recently been subject to dizziness. No blame is attached to the carman.

Francois Honore, a young Frenchman, head cook at a restaurant in Cran- bourn Street, has committed self-murder by throwing himself from the top of the house. He had been annoyed by the other domestics, who laughed at him because he was going to be married, and this is the only reason sug- gested to account for the suicide.

The "University Boat-race" on the Thames came off on Saturday morn- ing. Nine Cambridge men rowed against nine Oxford men, from Mortlake to Putney. The struggle was of the most gallant description, with varying success at different points ; but eventually the Cantabs won by more than half a length. Both crews afterwards dined together at the Albion in Al- der‘ente Street.