Aittrnialts.

A Party of the Reform Club, nearly two hundred in number, gave a farewell dinner to Sir Charles Napier on Tuesday, in the coffeeroom of the clubhouse, decorated with British, French, and Turkish ensigns.

Lord Palmerston took the chair ; with Sir Charles Napier on his right' and Musurus Bey, the Turkish Ambassador, on his left ; Lord Dudley Stuart and Sir de Lacy Evans acted as vice-chairmen. Sir James Gra- ham, Sir William Molesworth, Admiral Berkeley, Namick Pasha, Mr. Keogh M.P., and Mr. W. Cowper M.P., were also present.

After the toasts to the Queen, Prince Albert, and the Royal Family, Lord Palmerston proposed the health of the Emperor of the French.

" Gentlemen," he said, " this country is engaged in an alliance of no small magnitude and importance with our neighbours in.France. (Loud and continued cheers.) It has not often happened in the history of the world that these two countries have been so united for purposes of such energetic action. We have had to do, during now more than twelve months of most difficult and complicated negotiations, with the Sovereign of France. We have met on his part with the greatest straightforwardness, with the most perfect good faith, with the most singluninded sincerity, and with an energy of purpose and a community of determination which inspire in our minds that full confidence in him which, I am proud to say, lie has always expressed in us. (Prolonged cheering.) I therefore trust, gentlemen, that you will receive with satisfaction a toast which I wish to propose to you—the health of the Emperor and Empress of the French. If, gentlemen, any words spoken by the subject of a toast could render that toast more pecu- liarly acceptable to Englishmen at one moment than another, I may refer you to those memorable words in the speech lately delivered by the Emperor of the French,—words which, I trust, will create an epoch in the history of Europe,—words which, coming from the lips of the Sovereign of a country which has not always practised the maxim they inculcate, may carry with them double weight,—I mean the memorable expression that the age of conquest is past, never to return again.' That, gentlemen, is a sentiment no less honourable to the mind of the man who uttered it than reassuring to the destinies of .Europe,—a sentiment which, I trust, will not fail to produce an effect in another country more remote than that in which it was uttered. Gentlemen, I trust that the age of conquest having past, we, who must take an interest in the welfare and prosperity of our neighbours, whom, I hope, we shall long continue to call our friends as well as our neighbours,—the age of conquest having passed, I trust we may hope, for the welfare of France, that its Augustan age is about to commence. I now beg to propose to you the health of the Emperor and Empress of the French." (Prolonged cheering.)

The next toast—" the health of his Imperial Majesty Sultan Abd-ul- Medjid "—was rapturously received. Lord Palmerston described the Sultan as inspiring interest alike for his own good deeds and because he is "the object of the most abominable injustice on the part of others; an injustice which is only equalled by that described in the old fable of the wolf and the lamb. This time, however, the wolf has been mistaken, for it is no lamb that he has had to deal with." Lord Palmerston repeated the opinion he has so often expressed, that the Sultan has made greater improvements of all sorts in his wide dominions than it has fallen to the lot of any other sovereign to make in a corresponding period of time.

After great cheering, M. Musurus made a graceful acknowledgment, in the French language. The next toast was announced as something " entirely new," comme- morative of an occurrence that had not been paralleled since the days of the Crusaders : " I propose to you to drink the allied English and French fleets and armies."

"It is a new thing for any man to be able to propose that toast, and it is a gratifying thing that the day has come when the toast can be proposed. It is a glorious sight, and one that it does a man's heart good to look upon, to witness the union of two of the greatest and most civilized countries in the world, whose rivalship and differences have for centuries disturbed the peace of mankind—to find them at length united in cordial and generous alliance—tghting, not for conquest, not for selfish advantages, but for the liberties of oppressed nations, and for the establishment, I may say, of the freedom and independence of Europe. I trust, gentlemen, that that union will last as long as the differences which preceded it; and I am well as- sured that the spirit of cordial friendship and of disinterested confidence by which both nations have been inspired in entering into this league, gives an earnest that that wish may be and will be fulfilled." (Cheers.) Admiral Berkeley for the allied fleets, and Sir de Lacy Evans for the allied armies, returned thanks.

In a strain of mingled eulogy and humour, Lord Palmerston then pro- ceeded to the great toast of the day. This was the commencement— "There was a remarkable entertainer of dinner companies, called Sir Robert Preston, who, when he gave a dinner at Greenwich, alter gorging his company with turtle, used to turn round to the waiters, and say, 'Now bring in the dinner.' We have gone through the toasts which correspond to the turtle ; let us now go to dinner. Let us now go to the toast which is the real occasion of our assembling here this evening—I mean the health of my gallant friend Sir Charles Napier, who now sits beside me. If I were to address myself to a Hampshire audience, composed of the country gentlemen of that county, to which my gallant friend and I both belong, I would have introduced to your notice an eminent agriculturist. (Great cheo:ing and laughter.) For when it was any good fortune to enjoy his hospitality et Merehiston House, he gave me most valuable instruction as to farming, the state of feeding cattle, the growth of turnips, wire fences, under-draining, and the like. My gallant friend is a match for everything, and whatever he gives his mind to he generally succeeds in it ; but, however, he like Cincinnatus, now leaves his plough and puts on his armour, and is prepared to do the same good service to the country which he has always per- formed when an opportunity offered. My gallant friend has Indeed' made himself conspicuous on every occasion and in every place where• he had an opportunity of distinguishing himself." Lord Palmerston went on with au account of Sir Charles's exploits and adventures. For example—When, in 1833, he attacked the fleet of .Dora Miguel, he boarded a line-of-battle ship, and a Portuguese officer ran at him. with a drawn sword; but, parrying the thrust, Sir Charles merely gave Ina as- sailant a kick, and sent him down the hatchway. Another anecdote— The late Lord William Russell one day heard that Sir Charles Napier was in the neighbourhood of Valenza, a Portuguese fortress, at some distance from the squadron. "Lord William Russell and Colonel Hare went to see my gallant friend, and Lord William told me that they met a man dressed in it very easy way—(Great laughter, in which Sir Charles Napier heartily joinea)—followed by a fellow with two muskets on his shoulders. They- took him at first for Robinson Crime; but who should these men prove to• be, but the gallant Admiral on my right, and a marine behind him. WO, Napier,' said Lord William Russell, ' what are you doing here ?" Why,' said my gallant friend, am waiting to take Valenza." But,' said Lord William, ' Valenza is a fortified town ; and you must know that we soldiers understand how fortified towns are taken. You must open trenches; you must make approaches ; you must establish a battery in breach ; and all this takes a good deal of time, and must be done according to rule.' Oh,' said my gallant friend, ' I have no time for all that. (Cheers and laughter.) I have got some of my blue-jackets up here and a few of nay ship's guns, and I mean to take the town with a letter.' (Laughter.) And so he did. He sent the governor a letter to tell him he had much better surrender at dis- cretion. The governor was a very sensible man, and so surrender he did. (Cheers.) So the trenches and the approaches, the battery, breach, and all that, were saved, and the town of Valenza was handed over to the Queen of Portugal."

Lord Palmerston repeated the well-known story of the Syrian war ; and added the testimony of a calm-minded friend who had been much in the East about that time—that Sir Charles was not only daring, but a man who calculated his moves beforehand.

It needs not be told how this toast was received. In replying, Sir Charles Napier said, as he had been successful in Portugal and in Syria, so he hoped to be successful in the coming expedition. "I cannot say we are at war, because we are still at peace—(Great laugh- ter)—but I suppose we are very nearly at war, and probably when I get into the Baltic I'll have an opportunity of declaring war. (Cheers, laugh- ter, and erg of "Bravo, Charley ! ") Certainly, if I have that opportu- nity, 1 hope it will end in a prosperous war ; for I may safely say that this country never sent out such a splendid fleet as will sail for the Baltic in a very few days. And I think that my right honourable friend, Sir James Gra- ham, deserves the greatest credit for having, after such a long peace, when we had no seamen, or very few, been able to fit out such a magnificent fleet. Nor must I forget the services of my honourable friend the Surveyor of the Navy, who has corrected all the faults of his predecessors, which for a num- ber of years I was imprudent enough to point to. But since he came, I do not think it is possible to point out a single fault in the construction of the ships. He, in conjunction with the First Lord of the Admiralty,—and with his predecessors too, for I must not forget to give the preceding Board of Admiralty their meed of praise,—the Surveyor of the Navy has changed the whole style of building ships : instead of the small ships which were for- merly built, he substituted enormous ships of the line with the screw ; which has altered the character of naval warfare. We have now a fleet well ad- vanced—I do not say the fleet is yet iu perfect order—but which, I believe, considering the officers that have been appointed, very soon will be. And here I have to thank the First Lord of the Admiralty that he has seldom— no, I ought not to say seldom—that he has never refused me the appoint- ment of a single officer that I have asked of him." (Cheers.) Sir Charles proposed the health of "the First Lord of the Admiralty." In his reply, Sir James Graham said that he looked upon Sir Charles not only as a gallant but as a discreet commander : he possessed Sir James's entire confidence.

"Re does not go forth under any hypocritical pretence of conducting a religious war ; but to assert the independence of Europe, to maintain the balance of power, and to resist—and, I hope, successfully to resist—as lawless a spirit of aggression and of reckless aggrandizement as ever disgraced any country. My gallant friend says, when he goes into the Baltic he will de- clare war : I, as First Lord of the Admiralty, give him my free consent so to do. I hope that the war may be short, and that it may be sharp." (Much cheering.)

Among the other toasts proposed, Sir William Molesworth gave "the Turkish Minister" : his speech was serious, but animated ; containing a rapid but comprehensive description of the actual position of affairs.

At a Court of Directors of the East India Company, held on Wednes- day,. the following gentlemen were appointed to be Directors under the act 16th and 17th Victoria, chap. 95—Mr. C. Mills, Mr. Russell Ellice, Mr. W. Butterworth Bayley, Mr. J. Shepherd, Mr. M. T. Smith M.P., Sir H. Willock, K.L.S., Sir J. W. Hogg M.P., Lieutenant-Colonel W. H. Sykes, Mr. Elliot Macnaghten, Major J. Oliphant, the Hon. W. H. Leslie Melvill, Mr. It. D. Mangles M.P., Mr. W. J. Eastwick, Mr. J.

Astell, and Mr. H. T. Prinsep.

Headed by Sir John Dodson, a deputation of the practitioners in the Prerogative Court waited upon the Lord Chancellor, on Monday, and presented a memorial, stating that the proposal to transfer the testamen- tary jurisdiction from the existing Courts of Probate to the Court of Chancery fills them with alarm and dismay, and deprecating the adoption of any such plan. They further allege that the proposal to continue to the proctors only for ten years the exclusive practice in common form business, coupled with the limitation of the right to cases in which pro- perty is administered under 15001., will be prejudicial to them, and a de- triment to the public ; and that the establishment of district registries will entail an annual expense of 30,0001. or 40,0001., without securing ju- dicial supervision. The Lord Chancellor stated that he could not aban- don the bill; but if the deputation could point out a mode in which it could be carried into effect with greater benefit to the practitioners, it should have his best consideration. In consequence of representations from the country that sufficient time has not been allowed to consider the bill, the Lord Chancellor said he had postponed the second reading to the 14th instant.

At a meeting of the Managing Committee of the Sailors' Homes' In- stitution, Craven Street, Mr. Montague Gore was elected Chairman, and the Honourable James Byng Vice-Chairman. Mr. Gore stated that he had visited the Sailors' Home at Portsmouth, a few days ago, and was informed that 1268 men had been lodged there the previous, and 750 during the present week. The thanks of the meeting were given to the Messrs. Somes, brothers, for the support and liberal donations they have given to the Poplar new Sailors' Home. A house has been taken for a home at Sheerness.

An interesting meeting took place on Tuesday, at Willis's Rooms, to consider what steps should be taken for the relief of the wives and children of the soldiers ordered to the East. Sir Peregrine Maitland occupied the vshair ; and the resolutions, framed to accomplish the benevolent object, were moved and seconded by Lord Shaftesbury, Mr. Hume, Lord St. Leonards,

I. Lord Robert Grosvenor, Lord Ingestre, ,ord Mandeville, and Dr. Cum- ming.

At a meeting of the Royal Geographical Society, on Monday, papers were read on the successful exploration of the river Murray by Captain Cadell and Sir Charles Young ; and on the proposed exploration of North Australia, by Captain Stokes. Captain Stokes insisted on the necessity of a marine as well as a land expedition, in order that a point of retreat might be afforded to the explorers. He thinks the Victoria River offers great facilities for penetrating that part of the interior, and that the im- mediate views of the colonists will be directed to the opening up of a route from the country South-east of the Gulf of Carpentaria to the set- tled districts.

At a Court of Common Council, on Thursday, Mr. Whiteside moved that the Court should petition Parliament in favour of Mr. Baines's Bill. Mr. Lott moved an amendment, that the Court view the bill with dis. trust, as likely to lead to a national rate, or to charge the poor-relief on the Consolidated Fund; which would lead to reckless administration and vagrancy, and weaken the interest which men take in local affairs. This amendment was carried, by 46 to 42.

Some additional revelations have been made in the ease of "the Belgian girl." The house in Denbigh Street is magnificently furnished. M. Denis professed to be a wine-merchant. The real name of Madame Denis is Laura Laboucher." Her father, calling himself Alexandre Desaux, is in custody on a charge of sharing in the foul proceedings against Alice Le- roy. It appears that he had charge of the house. On the morning when the poor girl escaped, he had relaxed his vigilance, because all her clothes had been taken away. More evidenCe has been given, clearly showing that Alice Leroy was under duresse. At an examination of Desaux, a stout Irish girl was brought forward as a witness. She had lived three weeks with Ma- dame Denis, and had left the place because she found that the house was a bad house. "I told Madame that I should leave, because I did not think it aproper house for me to live in. She said nothing but that I could go when I liked. She said afterwards, in the kitchen, that she would give me some silk dresses and plenty of money if I would come up and sit in the Parlour with her.' I said, I would sooner go into the workhouse' ; and she called me ' a fool.' Sometimes Harrison, who was in the house, • blowed me up.' It appears that the mother of Feichtal formerly kept the house in which Eliza Grimwood was murdered. A reward has been offered for the appre- hension of M. and Madame Denis.

Frederick de Molyns, formerly Member for an Irish county, and Lucia de Molyns, his wife, have been committed at the Mausionhouse, on a charge of uttering a forfed power of attorney to transfer the share and interest of Richard Annes ey Simpson in Stock and Annuities for 15201. 1 ls. 5d., with intent to defraud the Governor and Company of the Bank of England. Mr. W. S. Kay, stock-broker, detailed the steps taken by the prisoner to obtain the money, including the sending of a burial-certificate of one of the parties in whose name money stood, and the power of attorney with the forged sig- nature of Simpson the survivor. Witnesses proved that the signature was not Simpson's. The policeman who arrested De Molyns deposed that the prisoner denied his name. The money was found on him. In his defence, De Molyns said the money belonged to him, and be did not intend to com- mit such an act. His whole proceedings, he added, were not those of a man conscious of guilt.

Cab offences give rise to as many police cases as ever. On Saturday, Mr. William Ashley, brother to Lord Shaftesbury, summoned John Castles, a cab- man, before the Lambeth Magistrates. Mr. Ashley's complaint was, that he had hired the cab on arriving at the London Bridge terminus ; and while he went to fetch two ladies who had been with him to the Crystal Palace, Castles bad engaged himself to another fare. He was insolent, and refused to show his badge. The officer at the station said that Castles should not enter the yard again, but that promise had not been kept. The defence was, that while Mr. Ashley was away, a railway porter had put a trunk in the cab, and the driver thought he was bound to take that fare. The Inspector of cabs said he did not think Castles was to blame. Mr. Nor- ton, however, said it was clear Mr. Ashley had hired the cab ; and he fined the driver a guinea lea not showing his badge.

A fire broke out on Thursday night in the papier-mache works of Messrs. Bielefield, in Wellington Street North. It was first seen on tae upper floor. Fortunately, Mr. Bielefield and his children, who were asleep, were roused and saved. There was a want of water at first ; when it was obtained, it was diffieult to forge it up to the upper-story, eighty feet high ; and it was not until the flames gutted the second floor also that the fire was extin- guished. During the night the crowd in the streets sang war-songs at the pumps until_a late hour.

A firework-manufactory in the Westminster Road, belonging to a Mr. Colon, was the scene of several explosions on Monday. Coton and a boy were killed. Rockets, Roman candles, and other projectile fireworks, leaped out among the crowd, driving them back. The fire and the fireworks were at length extinguished by the engines. Mrs. Colon, her sister, and twomen, escaped. Cause of the explosion unknown.

At the last weekly meeting of the Guardians of Marylebone, Ellen Tolle- =ache, describing herself as Lady Huntingtower, applied for relief for her- self and three children. Lord Huntingtower has allowed her nothing for the last six years. She got occasional support. Mr. Sparks, the Inspector, said it has been decided that the marriage is not legal, and he recommended that she should be sent to her maiden parish. The rota of the Board imme- diately offered Lady Huntingtower and her family shelter in the workhouse.