the atetinfolio.

The Mends of Mrs. Chisholm assembled at the London Tavern on Tuesday, to express their gratitude for her " long, arduous, and success- ful efforts in improving the condition of emigrants to the British Colonies," and "to present her with a testimonial previously to her departure for Aus- tralia." Several Members of Parliament, many merchants, and a number of ladies, including Mrs. Sidney Herbert and Mrs. Robert Lowe, were present ; and Mr. Vernon Smith took the chair. Speeches were made in honour of Mrs. Chisholm. Mr. Vernon Smith described how he had first met her in her native town of Northampton, as one of his strongest opponents ; how her energetic character had impressed him ; and how she had since done so much, actuated alone by motives of benevolence. Mr. .Sidney Herbert pointed out how Mrs. Chisholm had obtained the con- fidence in the working classes—had taught them to rely on themselves, instead of looking for Government assistance—how she had promoted fe- male emigration, and introduced the plan of separating the sexes in emi- grant ships ; and he moved that she deserved the good opinion of the public at large. Mr. Raikes Currie. said, she was one of those women who in olden times would have been crowned in the Capitol—she was a "great and glorious woman." Mr. Lo'we "humbly offered his tri- bute of heroine worship." Sir Lyon Goldamid and others added their praises. A committee to raise a subscription was appointed, and nearly 9001. was subscribed on the spot.

At a meeting of Members of Parliament and others, convened by Mr. Oliveira M.P., and held at Fendall's Hotel, on Wednesday, it was re- solved to appoint a committee for obtaining a reduction of the duty on Foreign and Colonial wines. The committee will sit during the recess, and act as a kind of council to Mr. Oliveira, who manages the wine- duty question in the House of Commons.

The strike of the Dock labourers last week spread—most of the day-labourers of the London and St. Katherine, and the East and West India Docks, turned out. Their pay hitherto has been 2s. Gd. per day of eight hours, and 4d. an hour for over-time ; they demanded 3s. a day and 5d. an hour. The strike caused much temporary inconvenience to the mercanile community ; but it failed, from the great supply of un- skilled labour of the lowest kind always to be obtained in London. It was stated on Monday that the London and the St. Katherine Docks had then obtained as many new hands as they needed; nay, the St. Katherine Dock Company said they could spare 200 men to the East and West India Docks. Dock-labourers are peculiarly ill-fitted for a strike, as they sub- sist on the earnings received day by day : of course their voluntary cessa- tion of work quickly produced absolute want ; and some subscriptions were obtained for their relief. Large numbers of the men on strike have paraded the streets and held meetings at Bonner's Hall Fields ; behaving in an orderly manner. But others have been guilty of outrages : they col- lected round the various dock-gates to abuse or assail the new workmen. In one instance an Irishman assaulted a labourer and struck a Policeman; for which the Thames Police Magistrate has sent him to prison. A worse offence was committed at Lower East Smithfield. Three cellarmen em- ployed at Hoare's brewery were set upon as they passed the London Dock gate ; and before they could be rescued by the Police one became insensible and had to be carried to the hospital. Other assaults are reported ; and doubtless the number would have been greater but for the well-organized Felice arrangements.

On Tuesday, the strike was virtually at an end : the old hands bad been supplanted at the London and St. Katherine Docks, and 300 of the surplus applicants were taken to the East and West India Docks. Most of the turn-outs now sought to be reengaged, but the East and West India Docks were the only ones where their services were needed.

A deputation from the City Police was received by Commissioner Har- vey a few days back. A number of memorials were read, and verbal explanations were given, to show that the present rate of pay is insuffi- cient. A few minor grievances were touched upon. Mr. Harvey re- ceived the men very kindly, and favoured their request for higher wages ; putting it, however, on sounder principles of political economy than the men had done. He is in favour of reducing the number of constables and increasing their pay. He promised to lay the matter before the pay- masters—the Corporation. He asked whether a " strike " was contem- plated if the advance were refused ? The deputation unanimously avowed a belief that the Police would not act so ungracious a part.

The solicitor of the East India Company, acting under instructions, has obtained a summons against Mr. Norman Wilkinson, the brother of Mr. Wilkinson, Member for Lambeth, to answer a charge of misdemeanour for having been concerned in a negotiation for an office in the gift of the East India Company. The readers of the proceedings in Parliament will recollect that Mr. Bright told a story, suppressing the names, of a negotiation for an appointment, for which it was alleged a corrupt consideration was indirectly demanded and refused. They will also recollect that the parties to the trans- action were subsequently stated to be Mr. Norman Wilkinson and a person whose name was not divulged. Mr. Clarkson, on Wednesday, applied to the Lord Mayor for a summons with a view to obtain the name of the per- son who offered to sell the appointment. Mr. W. A. Wilkinson, Member for Lambeth, was called and examined: he stated that he believed his brother had been offered an appointment "in return for something," but that he re- fused when he found he should be obliged to sign a declaration that he had not given any consideration for the appointment. It was also elicited that the transaction took place in the City. As he held himself bound in honour, he declined to give the name of the other party to the transaction. The Lord Mayor granted a summons.

Mr. John Lacy, messenger and assistant relieving-officer of St. George's, Hanover Square, has been committed by the Hammersmith Magistrate for feloniously shooting at two young men, Elliott and Hillyer. Mr. Lacy re- sides at Fulham ; Elliott was in his service. The other day the accused went home in a state of intoxication ; he to k offence at Hillyer's acceptance of his drunken challenge to dance, ab a-rd I Mott, and caused him to leave the stable where he was at work. The two oung men sat down on a bank, whence they refused to move at Lacy's request. He then got a gun, and, while hidden behind a gate, fired at the men : both were wounded by a number of shots. Lacy gave various accounts of his behaviour. At the Police Court he seemed to feel his position very acutely.

Mr. Jardine, the Bow Street Magistrate, has ordered Mr. Shaw to pay a cabman ed. for detaining him a quarter of an hour, 4s. the cost of two sum- monses, and fn. for the man's time. Mr. Shaw thought be had been badly treated because the cabman's word was taken in preference to his : the cab- man said he looked at a church-clock and took time; Mr. Shaw said he

could not have seen it from where he was stopping ; but Mr. Jardine ascer- tained by personal inspection that by going the length of two houses the man could see the clock.

Benjamin Watts, a chimney-sweep of Clerkenwell, surrendered himself to the Police as having killed his wife. The wife was a drunkard; in a state of intoxication she attacked her husband ; in self-defence he pushed her aside ; she fell, her head came in contact with a bed-post, and she soon died. A Policeman informed the Clerkenwell Magistrate that the un- fortunate sweep is a steady and respectable man.

Thomas Clarke, a tall muscular young fellow, has been committed for trial by the Worship Street Magistrate for a most savage assault on Police- man Gibbs. Clarke, being intoxicated, made a great uproar at night in the streets; Gibbs was obliged to take him into custody ; but on the way to the stationhouse was suddenly knocked down, and his head and face were beaten into-a pulpy mass by the prisoner.

A burglar has been cleverly captured at Hoxton, and committed for trial. The house of Mr. Wyles, who is employed at the General Post-office' was left locked up for a time on Sunday week ; Mr. Wyles returned in the after- noon, and entered by unlocking the street-door. He heard some person up. stairs. He ascended softly, and on the landing found a well-dressed young man. Mr. Wyles relates the sequel. " I asked him what he was doing there, and he said very coolly, ' Why, I was told to wait here for a parcel. I asked him who had told him to wait ; and he replied, Well, I really don't know, but it was a young man I have seen before, and he let me in with a key.' I immediately saw that his purpose was robbery ; but would not let him see that I suspected him, and carelessly replied, Perhaps, then, you had better sit down and wait till your friend comes back, sir.' The prisoner accepted my offer ; was shown into the parlour, took a seat, and joined me in conversation for some time. It now became rather an awkward situation ; and, having apologized for the interruption, I left the room, went to the street-door, caught sight of a boy who was passing, and, having told him how matters stood, asked him to run and get me assistance. The boy came back with three of my neighbours, whom I left to watch my house, with directions not to let the prisoner escape ; arid, hastening to the station- house, I procured a constable, came back with him to the house, and gave the prisoner into custody." On searching, it was found that a largo bag had been filled with plunder ready for removal, and other articles were ly- ing about : two pairs of bracelets and a gold watch could not be found at all. It was not apparent how the thief gained admission. At the Worship Street Police Office, he gave the name of James Christie ; the Police did not recognize him.

The Coroner's Jury which has sat on the head of an infant at Wellclose Square returned this open verdict—" That the head of a child was found on a fire-grate, partially consumed, and apparently severed from the body ; but when, how, and by what means it came there, they had no legal evidence to show." The headless body of a new-born infant has been found in a garden at Stamford Hill : it seems probable that this body belonged to the head dis- covered at Mrs. Lipman's.

Dr. John Stokes, an elderly gentleman, formerly of large practice in Dub- lin as a physician, but recently of Herne Bay, has committed suicide, in the chambers of Mr. LeeS, a barrister of the Temple. Dr. Stokes was once in good circumstances, but rash speculations had ruined him; he came to Lon- don respecting an execution which had been issued against him ; and he exhibited great despondency. Mr. Lees related at the inquest the rather remarkable circumstances of the suicide. Dr. Stokes called in the morning, and said be should return to Herne Bay at noon ; but iu the evening he en- tered Mr. Lees's chambers. Mr. Lees was taking tea in company with Mr. Creed, another barrister, and invited the deceased to into them ; but he de- clined. There was a small arm-chair in the room, nto which the deceased threw himself. Mr. Lees asked him if he had been successful in what he had been about; to which he replied, "All right," in a confused sort of way. After being asked to take a cup of tea and a chop, which he declined, he said, " If you please, will you give me a glass of wine ? " Mr. Lees poured him out a glass of sherry. Having sipped it, he opened a carpet-bag which belonged to him, and which lay on a chair by his side, and took out a phial bottle, which he appeared to smell. Mr. Creed said to deceased, " Doctor, is that sal volatile, as you are so depressed ? " Deceased said it was. The other gentlemen had no apprehension that the bottle contained poison, and deceased drank off the contents. He then appeared more confused and Btu- pified than before. When asked to lie down on the sofa, he would not ; and he then drank off the remainder of the sherry. Immediately after his head fell backwards, and he went, apparently, into a deep sleep, accompanied by hard breathing. A surgeon was called in, but on his arrival Dr. Stokes was. quite dead. Ile had swallowed prussic acid. The Jury gave a verdict of

Temporary insanity."

The pianoforte-manufactory of Messrs. Kirkman, in Dufour's Place, near Golden Square, was ravaged by a fire which broke out after twelve o'clock on Tuesday night. A large portion of the buildings and contents, with timber stored in the yard, seems to have been destroyed. Neighbouring pro- perty suffered a great deal—a silversmith's house was completely gutted.