16 JUNE 1855, Page 5

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The annual dinner of the Trinity House Corporation, given on Satur- day, and attended by many distinguished men, was rendered remarkable, in the history of these times, by a speech, in which the Master of the Corporation, president of the feast, proposed the health of her Majesty's Ministers. As our readers will see, the toast was elevated far above routine, by the mode in which Prince Albert proposed it to the company.

"Gentlemen—The toast which I have now to propose to you is that of her Majesty's Ministers. (Uieere.) If there was ever a time at which her Ma- jesty's Government, by whomsoever conducted, required the support, aye, not the support alone, but the confidence, good-will, and sympathy of their fellow countrymen, it is surely the present. (Loud cheers.) "It is not the way to success in war, to support it, however ardently and enthusiastically, but at the same time to run down and weaken the hands of those who have to conduct it. (Cheers.) We are engaged with a mighty enemy, who is using against us all those wonderful powers which have sprung up under the generating influence of our Liberty and our civilization. You find him with alt that force which unity of purpose and action, impene- trable secrecy-, and uncontrolled despotic power, have given; while we have to meet him under a state of things intended for peace, and for the promo- tive of that very civilization, the offspring of public discussion, of the fric- tion of parties, -mid of the popular control"( the Government and the State. (" Hear, hear.!"") The Queen bas no power to levy troops, nor has she zany at her command, but suck as offer their voluntary services. ("Hear, ! ") Her Government can take no measures for the prosecution of the war whioh it lias not beforehand to -explain in Parliament. Her armies and fleets can make no movements, nor even prepare for any, without their being publicly announced in the ,papers. No mistake, however trifling, .can occur, no want or weakness exist, which is not at once denounced and .even sometimes exaggerated with a kind of morbid satisfaction. (Loud and -continued cheering.) The Queen's Ambassadors can enter into no negotia- tions without the Government having to defend them by entering into all the arguments which a negotiator, to be successful, ought to be able to shut up in the innermost recesses of his 'heart. (Loud cheers.) Nay, at the most critical moment, when the•aomplicationa of military operations and of diplo- matic negotiations may be:at their height, en adverse vote in Parliament may at a moment deprive the Queen of the whole of her confidential ser- vants. ("Ifser, hear !") Gentlemen, our constitutional government is undergoing a heavy trial, and we shall -not get successfully through it unless the country will grant its canfidence—apatriotic, indulgent, and self-denying confidence—to ther Majesty's Government. (Loud Ch881.4.) "Gentlemen, I propose to you to drink the health of Viscount Palmerston -and her Majeets'a Ministers.' (The toast was drunk wit& great cheering.) Lord Palmerston, in his reply, compared the duties of the Government to those of the Trinity kLeuse, and declared that the vessel of the state which had been intrusted to himself and his colleagues was never in bet- -ter trim, never better found, never manned by a nobler crew, than it is -now.

" His Royal Highness has been pleased to say that a Government, es- pecially in such periods as the present, ought to receive the generous confi- dence and support of the nation. I am bound to say that we have received that support, honourably and generously., from the country, and that the unanimous feeling of the nation supports us in the course which we feel it our duty to pursue; and we should indeed he unworthy of that support, we should be little deserving the high position in which it has pleased her Ma- Psty. to place us, and in whit* we are supported by the confidence of the Parliament nod by the support of the whole British nation, we should be un- worthy of that confidence and support if we were not determined to exert our best energies, and to direct the best energies of the country, towards ob- taining that victorious result of the conflict in which we are engaged, which alone can be consistent, I will not say with the honour and glory, but with the safety of the British nation."

The ceremonial of opening the new Metropolitan Cattle Market in Copenhagen Fields took place on Wednesday, under the immediate aus- pices of Prince Albert. The buildings constructed as a substitute for Smithfield are as much superior in accommodation as they are in position to that old nuisance; and the arrangements are highly spoken of on all sides. The following description is from the Tones. "The market is situated close to the North-London Railway, and therefore stands very conveniently for stook forwarded from the Eastern Counties, and from the districts traversed by the Great Northern and the North- Western lines. From the Great Western, also, animals can be conveyed here more readily than to Smithfield ; and these, of course, are the principal sources of supply, the quantity of stock coming to town by the. South-Eastern and South-Western Railways being comparatively small. Again, the site is airy, open, and well-adapted for the observance of sanitary rules; rather exposed, perhaps, to Easterly winds, but otherwise unobjectionable,, and so far in the country as to command rather a striking view of London. Altogether, the Corporation have purchased 75 acres of land in connexion with the scheme of the market; but for the strict objects of the market itself they do not at pre- sent require more than 151 acres, and for subsidiary uses about the same quan- tity; so that in round figures their property is twice as large as thus far it need be. The 151 acres fitted up for the strict purpose of the market form a square area of 800 feet, paved throughout with granite, capable of being flushed with water from every part, surrounded by a very handsome railing, and having in the centre a clock-tower 150 feet high. The space is therefore larger by nine acres than that of Smithfield ; and is capable of containing 36,000 sheep, 6400 bullocks, 1400 calves, and 900 pigs. This is considerably beyond the present supply of stock on the most crowded market-days, and is quite enough to meet the present requirements. When more accommo- dation is wanted it can readily be provided. Dividing the market from North to South into two equal portions, the Eastern half is devoted to cattle, and that on the West side to sheep, pigs, and calves. The two last-men-

tioned classes have excellent sheds provided for them, with an inclined plane down the centre of each, so that the animals may be taken in carts to

the spot where they are to be exhibited for sale, and the cruelties at present practised in bringing them to Smithfield and removing them can be entirely avoided. It may be considered worthy of notice at this

point, that the architect, Mr. Bunning, while carefully providing fea- tures in his plan by which unnecessary torture may be dispensed with, has not neglected to consult the fancies of sellers. For instance,

the pig-salesmen like to show their stook in sloping pens, and this notion of theirs has been strictly attended to. Mr. Bunning also de- serves great credit for the convenient arrangement of the sheep-pens, the cattle alleys, and the numerous entrances to the market. The plan of the sheep-pens is so devised that the whole space can be filled or cleared without any of that obstruction, waste of time, and uproar, which those who have visited Smithfield on Monday morning will not readily forget. The cattle- alleys are also wider than at Smithfield ; and each bullock has two feet space, instead of a foot-and-a-half. This is considered sufficient to permit of their being properly seen and handled by buyers without giving them room to lie down, which would be deemed objectionable. Another great improvement which the new market presents is the central position of the clock-tower, which has not only market-bells and an illuminated clock for marking time in the dark winter mornings, but which has round its base the banking- houses for the pecuniary transactions of the market; the office of the market superintendent, where twice in the day the amount of cattle on sale will be exhibited ; and an electric telegraph station for the transmission of messages. At each of the four corners of the enclosed quadrangular space, public urinals and water-closets have been constructed ; and both there and in the market provision has been made for the preservation of sewage manure, should any of the schemes afloat for doing so be eventually realized. The railing which encloses the area of the mar- ket is well and ornamentally set off by standards' bearing in relief, according to the part where they are placed, the heads of bullocks, sheep, calves, or pigs. There is an abundant supply of water, in tanks close at hand ; and, though the advocates of old Smithfield persist in saying that it will not be used, still they have shown their deference to public opinion in the matter by having it provided. Altogether, the arrangements of the quadrangle where the soles are to be effected are as good and complete as could fairly be desired or expected ; and the largo body of eminent agriculturist,' who were present at the opening yesterday appeared to be thoroughly well satisfied with them."

The ceremonial of the opening was of a simple description. Prince Albert, arriving soon after one o'clock, was received by the Lord Mayor ; whom he took into his carriage. After a drive round the market-place, the party assembled in a great tent ; and Prince Albert, sitting on a raised platform, received an address, read by the Recorder ; to which the Prince made an appropriate reply.

" My Lord Mayor and Gentlemen—Accept the expression of my hearty thanks for your kind welcome, and for the gratifying assurance of your loyal and affectionate attachment to the Queen and her family. I have been much pleased by the opportunity which your kind invitation has afforded me, of seeing and admiring the great work which you this day open to the public ; a work which not only deserves all admiration in itself, on account of the excellence of the arrangements and the magnificence of the design, but which will, I trust, be found eminently conducive to the comfort ant.1 health of the city of London. That its success will be commensurate with the spirit in which it has been undertaken and carried out, I cannot doubt. A certain dislocation of habits and interests must inevitably attend the re- moval of the great City market from the site it has occupied for so many centuries; and this may possibly retard for the moment the fullest develop- ment of the undertaking : but any opposition arising from such causes will soon cease, and the farmers will doubtless soon learn to appreciate the boon thus conferred upon them by the London Corporation, in the increased faci- lity which will be afforded to them for the transaction of their business, and the comparative security with which they will be enabled to bring up and display their valuable stock in the Great Metropolitan Cattle-market."

After this there was a luncheon, at which a host of distinguished per- sons, Ministers, Peers, Commoners, eminent agriculturists, and Mayors assisted. Prince Albert made another speech-

" My Lord Mayor, I have to thank you for the manner in which you have proposed my health, and you, gentlemen, for the very kind reception you have given to the toast. It has given me very great pleasure to have been able to accept the invitation of the Lord Mayor to be present at. the opening of this splendid and useful market. I beg to assure him, that the oftener Ike will invite me to be present on similar occasions, the better I shall be pleased. (Cheers.) Enterprises of the kind can only be undertaken by public bodies—only carried to success by public spirit. I hail the present instance as an earnest of your determination to accept the duties which your position has imposed on you, and as a proof that success will meet at all times a bold and conscientious execution of them. (Great cheering.) I be to propose the health of the Lord Mayor and Corporation of London, and prosperity to the Metropolitan Cattle-market.'"

This terminated the proceedings.

The Master and Warden of the Merchant Tailors Company enter- tained a large company on Monday, the day of the annual election

of scholars to St. John's College, Oxford. The Duke of Cambridge, Lord Hardinge, Sir George Pollock, Lord Cardigan, the Bishop of Oxford, several Members of Parliament, Judges, and City notables, were among the guests. In returning thanks for the Royal Family, the Duke of Cambridge gave his opinion on the question of peace or war— He hoped to see the day when the Russians would be altogether driven out of the Crimea ; as until then he did not think we shall be in a position to discuss the question of peace or war. Ho could assure the company, it was a great mistake to suppose that military men are fond of war. W hen war comes, they are ever determined to do their duty ; but those who have seen and experienced its horrors would be the first to wish for a safe and hon- ourable peace. He hoped that when this country has vindicated its honour and displayed its power in the Crimea, it will be prepared to act the generous and noble part of conquerors, and not endeavour to obtain too much from their foes, but give to them an opportunity of concluding a peace, honourable, just, and satisfactory to all parties. Such, he felt, this country had a right to expect ; and less, he trusted, they would never agree to. (Cheers.) The long-talked-of meeting of the Administrative Reform Association at Drury Lane Theatre was held on Wednesday evening. The admission was by ticket. Authorities differ as to the numbers present, but it may be assumed that the house was well filled. According to a "corrected list" supplied to the journals, there were thirty-three Members of Parliament on the platform,—namely, the Honourable F. H. F. Berke- ley, Mr. James Bell, Mr. R. P. Collier, the Honourable H. B. Brand, Mr. B. Oliveira, Mr. W. Michell, Mr. E.-Mull Mr. F. French, Mr. A. Follett, Mr. R. Swift, Mr. G. Bowyer, Mr. D. Jones, Mr. J. F. Maguire, Sir G. Goodman, Mr. W. Jackson, Major Reed, Mr. B. J. Follett, Mr. R. Currie, Mr. H. A. Layard, Mr. W. S. Lindsay, Mr. W. Tite, Mr. 0. I. Otway, Mr. F. C. H. Russell, Captain R. Kingscote, Sir E. H. K.

Lacon, Mr. T. Alcock, Mr. G. Dundas, Colonel Watkins, Mr. T. Greene, Colonel Freestun, the Honourable C. W. Howard, Mr. Roche, and Mr. Butler.* Two Peers were also said to be present, the Earl of Milltown and the Earl of Lindsay; and beside these, a number of gentlemen who have identified themselves with the Association from its commencement.

Mr. Samuel Morley, as chairman, in opening the proceedings, an- nounced that no resolutions, and therefore no amendments, could be moved ; and that no other persons could speak except those whose names were set down. The whole proceedings, in fact, were to consist of ad- dresses, to hear which the public had been invited. In answer to those who said the Committee were slow in going to work, be stated, that they had at present prepared a pamphlet entitled The Devising Heads and Executive Hands of the English Government; which, on the evidence of men living and mixing among the abominations complained of, from Lord John Russell and Lord Lansdowne down to some of the working men in the public departments, would show what this Association was now de- manding, and which could not be read by thoughtful men without leading to the determination that this reform ought to be carried into effect. The Association, it would be seen, know what is wanted ; and in this pamphlet would be found a cut and dried plan which would remedy the evils com- plained of. Mr. Morley insisted that the root of the evil lay with the people themselves ; and he called upon them to determine that the pre- sent state of things should no longer continue. A member of one of the noble families had said "if this movement goes on, what will become of us younger sons ? " but he would say, if this system goes on, what would root become of the younger sons ? He disclaimed all design of at- tacking the aristocracy : if they will render themselves efficient, they may take the lion's share of the public service. The object of the Asso- ciation is to lay open to the public gaze every department of the state ; and if a hundred men in the House of Commons would take a stand, in- dependent of party, the work would be done. The other speakers "set down" on the bill were Mr. Layard, Mr. Lindsay, Mr. Otway, and Mr. Tite ; the two latter gentlemen speaking very briefly, the two former at copious length. Mr. Layard made a de- elamatory speech; his text being the "grievous misgovernment" of the country, tied the necessity of agitation as a corrective of existing evils. On his own aide he placed all men of common sense, and those who hope to raise a name for themselves or do good to their country ; while on the other, he said, there is "only a small party, who live and grow fat and vegetate upon those corruptions" which he is there to destroy. Starting from this basis, he denounced " the mismanagement of the war," bring- ing in aid the evidence given before Mr. Roebuck's Committee ;_ declared

that recent successes were not due to the Commander and his Staff, but 4otheregimervta1 officers and the men ; denounced the system of purchase; warned his hearers against secret diplomacy ; commented in terms of disparagement on the recent appointments in the Ordnance Department;

fuyejeyed against the House of Commons. Mr. Lindsay stated a variety of cases of mismanagement in the trans- port department. Sir De Lacy Evans desired to send out 3000 horses

for his division ; the Government said there were no steamers : now the Government had been actually offered a fleet of ships capable of carrying -out 2200 horses, at the low rate of 17 shillings per ton ; to which they teplied,-that the offer was " under consideration." The Government engaged a steamer, of the value of 50,000/., lying at Deptford ; and, having twelve tons of goods at Newcastle to be conveyed to

the Crimea, the owner received orders to go to Portsmouth to take on board troops for the Crimea, and on his way to call at Newcastle. The owner wrote to the Secretary of the Admiralty, stating that the goods could be brought -from Newcastle for 81., but that it would cost 20001. to send the steamer for them. An apgry letter was sent from the Admiralty, ordering the owner to

go to-Newcastle; he remonstrated ; and then a letter was sent from the se-

-cretary of Sir James Graham, still ordering the owner to proceed to New- cootie to take on board twelve tons of combustibles for the Crimea. The owner said be could not see 20001. of his country's money wasted, and refused

to go, be the consequences what they might. (Cheers, and cries of."Name!") Ile would give the name to any one who might in confidence desire it. After

hie led remonstrance, the Admiralty, not liking themselves to send contra-

dictory Orders, did so through another department; and the owner was told slot to proceed to Newcastle, as the goods would be brought to Woolwich. Ile would cite one more caw. There was a steamer lying at Deptford of the value of 50,0001., and before it could be finally engaged it was necessary it should

be examined by the Government engineer, who resided at Woolwich : the Go- vernment ordered the owner of this steamer to proceed from Deptford to Wool- wich, so that the engineer might walk on board. (Laughter.) The owner refused, as it would cost the surveyor only 4d. to go to the ship, but would cost 2001. to take the ship to him.

Mr. Otway dilated upon and censured the Staff and Diplomatic appoint- ments. This should have terminated the proceedings ; but the audience .spied Sir Charles Napier, and insisted upon a speech. It was permitted ; and Sir Charles, stating that he had been undeservedly censured by the Government, gave in his adhesion to the Association.

• [This "corrected list" of names, it seems, is extremely incorrect. Colonel Freestun, indignant at finding his name set down, informed the 77n1P8 next day that he was not present. "Several other honourable Members," he writes, " are also named as having been present who were not among them; among others—Mr. Col- lier, the Ron. D. B. Brand, the Hon. C. W. Howard, Mr. D. Jones, Captain Rings- cote, who is with his regiment in the Crimea : Colonel Lloyd Watkins; Mr. Roche, now Lord Fernley; Sir George Goodman, &c.")

The anniversary of the dedication of the Church and College of St. Barnabas, Pimlico, was kept on Monday, by festive rejoicings in the school-room adjoining the church. Flowers decked the room, and the church was gay with green boughs. The figure of St. Barnabas presided over a large plum-pudding ; while a portrait of Mr. Bennett looked down from the walls crowned with a chaplet of white flowers. Four hundred poor persons dined at a long table ; in the presence of some fifty guests of the Rector, who sat high-raised apart upon a platform. Mr. Liddell, Mr. Bereefold Hope, and the Reverend Mr. Skinner, made speeches after dinner, testifying to their abounding faith in St. Barnabas and in each other.

At the Central Criminal Court, on Monday, Louisa Harrison was tried for perjury. The case was :a singular one. Mrs. Harrison was found one even- mg in her house, Bull Yard, Aldgate, lying on the floor, her hands tied tightly together, and serious wounds on her head. She alleged that a man had assailed her, and robbed the house ; and she pointed out Charles Mullett as the man. Ile was convicted, and sentenced to be transported. lie bad

persisted in asserting his innocence, and had attempted to prove an alibi. Some time afterwards, Mrs. Harrison raised an alarm—she had been again robbed and ill-used, she said ; but the Police at once perceived that this was a mere invention. In consequence, a belief arose that Mrs. Harrison's for- mer accusation was false; and a pardon was granted to Mallett. The charge on Monday was for falsely swearing at Mallett's trial. But after many wit- nesses had been heard, the Recorder expressed an opinion that the Jury might believe that the prisoner really had been robbed and beaten ; that Mal- lett probably was not the offender, and that Mrs. Harrison had made a mis- take in regard to identity. So a verdict of "Not guilty" was taken.

Henry Griffiths, the boy of eleven, who was apprehended at the Baptist chapel in the Regent's Park for picking pockets, has been convicted at the Middlesex Sessions of four offences. The Assistant-Judge sentenced him to two years' hard labour, with a view to his admission into the Reformatory Institution at Redhill.

From a statement made by Sir Robert Carden on Saturday, and from let- ters which he read, it would seem that a main object with "Mr. R. V. Fynn" or "Captain Fynn" in decoying young ladies abroad is to rob them of the money which they are especially directed to provide for travelling ex- penses. In some cases, ladies and their relatives have been swindled of 1501., 1201., 751. In one instance he got possession of 601. by telling a young lady be would "take charge of it to pay her travelling expenses." He proposed marriage to this lady, when his wife should die—in two months, as his me- dical man told him !

Three children were burnt to death in the absence of their parents on Sa- turday, in Henrietta Street, Hackney Road. The father had left a box of lucifer matches within their reach.