t4t Verupulis.
A Common Hall was held in the Guildhall on Tuesday, to consider the provisions of Sir George Grey's bill for the better regulation of the Cor- poration of London. It was a large assemblage, and the opponents of the measure mustered in overwhelming numbers. The Lord Mayor of course presided. The first resolution, moved by Mr. Laurence, described the bill as destructive of the privileges of the Livery ; as extinguishing the municipal existence of that body ; and as being subversive of the ancient sigh ,ts privileges, and liberties of the Corporation, ,under the pretext of aholishing customs and privileges that injuriously affect trade. In his speech he remarked, that when Sir George Grey said that the measure would make the Corporation more powerful and influential, he either uttered a deliberate falsehood or he was deficient.in understanding. Let him select which horn of the dilemma he might, he would remain ex- posed to the reproach or pity of those who deplored the position in which such a man had placed himself by the introduction of this bill into Parliament. The bill is part of a great system of centralization. The Government has adopted the principle of confiscation as exemplified in the Local Dues on Shipping Bill. A county-rate of three shillings in the pound would be imposed if the bill passed, to keep up the courts of jus- tice; and the Magistrates would be placed in a position of subserviency to the tome Office. Mr. Finden seconded the resolution. Mr. Bennoch moved an amendment, to the effect that the bill was "a wise and mo- derate measure," and that the Common Hall would earnestly support it. The speech by which he supported his amendment was so little accept- able to the Hall that the Lord Mayor was obliged to beg a hearing for the speaker. The bill, Mr. Bennoch said, would change and reduce, but would not destroy a single privilege. If it destroyed the Corporation, it would save the Livery. If passed into law, the bill would destroy for ever the unseemly, indecent, and extravagant system now in existence. The City of London has a population of 128,000. How much money did they suppose is expended in the administration of the affairs of the Corpo- ration itself? It costs the taxpayers, through the Corporation, 114,000/. in the mere administration. The revenue of London i rather under 400000l. - and it costs those who live in London and pay taxes 114,000/. to administer that sum of money,. (Cries of "Shame 8haMe ") In Liverpool, with a population of 376,000, a fund is annually administered of close upon 600,0001.; the cost of the administration being under 30,0001. In Ranches- te.r, which has a population of 320,000, a revenue is expended of 485,0001.; the cost of the administration being 87501.
Mr. Bateman seconded the amendment. It was opposed by Alderman Sidney and Mr. Clark ; and when put to the vote, it was negatived by all the meeting but three, and the original resolution was carried by ac- clamation. Here opposition ceased. Among the other speakers were Mr. Ball M.P., Mr. Stuart, Mr. Gresham, and Mr. Potter. The resolu- tions adopted condemned the bill for sweeping away the long-established right of the Livery, and directed that a petition against the measure should be intrusted to Mr. Masterman for presentation.
The new American Minister Mr. Dallas, made his first appearance at the Mansionhouse on Thursday. The Lord Mayor gave him a banquet of welcome, and invited to meet him, Lord St nley, Mr. Walpole, Mr. Roebuck, Mr. Cardwell, Mr. Milner Gibson, Mr. Black and many other Members of the House of Commons. After dinner, the Lord Mayor in- vited the company to drink "the health of Mr. Dallas, and prosperity to the great Republic to which he has the honour to belong" ; because Mr. Dallas is "the representative of a kindred nation, to whom the people of Great Britain are united by considerations of a common origin and a common language." All they desired with respect to the American peo- ple was, that the most intimate social relations should exist between the two countries ; and he could hardly understand how any question could arise the settlement of which could render it necessary to have recourse to the dreadful alternative of war.
Mr. Dallas, in reply, said he was almost bankrupt in the language of thanks ; for since he had landed in England he had "met with nothing but a series of the most flattering demonstrations of welcome hospita- lity ; " manifestations that were "the profuse and generous tribute to the nation whose messenger he was." He did not know what subjects would be most acceptable to them.
"I dare say, however, I shall incur but little hazard if I venture, accord- ing to a provincialism natural to a Western tongue, to 'guess' that the spirit and purpose of a new coiner may have excited at least sonic little cu- riosity. Well, my Lord, let me say that I am not authorized to feel, and do not feel, any desire other than that of giving my exertions and energies un- reservedly to the restoration of the most harmonious sentiments and friendly relations. Animated by this spirit, and aiming at such a purpose, if I fail— and I may fail—it will be because of sonic inexorable' overruling state po- licy, or some foregone conclusion, not to be undone by uniform, steady, per- severing, frank, and honourable conciliation." He congratulated them on the restoration of peace ; and expressed an opinion that the vast powers of this empire would find more genial and more fruitful employment in those channels, agricultural, commercial,. and manufacturing, .and those pursuits which have hitherto so signally illustrated the exertions of her people. (Much cheering.)
The other speakers were Lord Stanley, who stood sponsor for "the House of Lords"; ; and Mr. Cardwell, who acted in the same capacity for the Commons. Both expressed their sympathy with the language of Mr. Dallas and their desire for the continuance of peace.
Mr. Dallas proposed the health of the Lady Mayoress; and Lord Mayor Salomons replied in courtly terms, that if the diplomacy of Mx. Dallas was equal to his gallantry, he should have no fear for the success of his mission.
The Lord Mayor presided over a large meeting held on Monday at the London Tavern, to consider the best means of immediately reestablishing our postal steam relations with Australia. In opening the business, the Lord Mayor commented on the great loss incurred by the commercial community in consequence of the detention at sea of vessels bringing the Australian mails. The first resolution was moved by Mr. Wentworth, formerly a distinguished leader in New South Wales. He said that on this question there is but one feeling of indignation and disgust from one end of the Australian Colonies to the other. Steam communication, promised in 1846, was not realized until 1852. Then it lasted only two years ; the steamers were taken away on the pretext of war, and a clipper line was substituted. The steam mail service was bad, but the clipper service was worse. Although the colonists are the parties moving in the matter, it is more of an Imperial than a Colonial question. The resolution moved by Mr. Wentworth, and passed with unanimity, represented that while the long-continued interruption of all postal steam communication with Australia has been injurious to the Colonies, it has been still more injurious to the commerce and finances of the United Kingdom. The Earl of lIardwicke, discoursing on the advantages of a certain communication, and arguing for a direct route from Aden, moved that " immediate " steps should be taken to establish a steam postal ser- vice with Australia. This resolution seconded by Mr. Ker Seymer, was also carried unanimously. Lord Stanley contended that the steam com- munication was superseded without necessity ; without necessity, he repeated, because the China line, the West Indian and South American lines, were maintained during the war ; that no pains were taken to restore it; and that the Australian Colonies alone were called upon to pay a share of the expense. Lord Stanley gave a political turn to his speech by incidental allusions. Thus, he spoke of the Duke of New- castle "as a gentleman eminently fitted for private life" ; and, referring to the steamers impressed for the war and the absence of any attempt to supply their place, he said it was a fact that could only be explained by a reference to that inveterate habit of politicians of the old school, of giving a disproportionate share of attention to questions affecting foreign courts'or questions of diplomacy, and overlooking the more important interests. of the British Colonies. The resolution he moved stated, that by a speed of ten knots an hour letters might be transmitted from London to Melbourne in forty-four days. Mr. Edward Stephens of South Australia, said he did not believe it possible to get to Australia in forty- four days. As to route, Diego Garcia is a terra incognita to the British sailor, and one ship out of four would be lost if sent by that route. The resolution was modified, and simply expressed an opinion that letters could be transmitted at an average speed of ten knots an hour, and that this should be done by the most eligible route and in the shortest possible time.
On Wednesday, the Court of Queen's Bench, on the application of the Attorney-General, granted a rule to show cause why the indictments and inquisitions in the ease of William Palmer should not be tried next sessions at the Central Criminal Court. Lord Campbell, at the same sitting, refused an application made by Mr. Gray on behalf of the prisoner, to the effect that
the Soliator of the Treasury should be ordered to show cause "why he should not deliver to the prisoner or to his attorney copies of the intended evidence of all additional witnesses not examined before the Coroner; also, a statement in writing of the evidence of Dr. Alfred Taylor, showing what tests he applied to detect strychnine in the body of John Parsons Cook, arid the mode of their application; also, what teats he employed to detect antimony and arsenic in the stomach of the body of Ann Palmer, and the mode of applying such tests, and whether the same means were employed in experimenting on the organs and tissue ; also, what quantity the said Dr. AlliW Taylor designates as a medicinal dose of antimony ; also, why a certain part of the body of the said Ann Palmer called ovary' should not be produced M the witnesses for the said William Palmer for inspection and examination.'' There is a French and Italian restaurant in Rupert Street, kept by one Louis Stuochi. Here, among other foreigners, Francesco Rossi, Carlo De Radio, and Pietro Chiesa, were wont to pass their evenings. Of late they had admitted One Fosehini to their society, and he frequently came to Ru- pert Street. On Thursday evening about eight, he entered, and producing cards, asked them to play. They declined ; he offered to fetch beer as an inducement. The beer he brought his companions found fault with; whereupon he fetched some more. But before the party began to play cards, Fesehini complained that he was unwell, and asked Rossi to help him to a chemist's. Rossi complied. As they were walking down Rupert Street, Rossi, joking his companion about his illness, felt a poniard in Foschini's pocket, and challenged him with the fact. Rossi turned back ; Fosebini followed him, and at Stucchi's door he stabbed Rossi from behind. " Assassin ! what are you doing ? " cried the wounded man ; another stab was the answer ; and Foschini, following his -victim into the house, rushed upon De Rudio, Chiesa, anti Ronelli, the waiter at the restaurant, dealing blows at them indiscriminately. Ronelli and Rudio were soon disabled ; and Chiesa, following the assassin, was struck down in the street. There Foschini stood poniard in hand, and twenty people looking on ; none of whom had the courage to interfere. The assassin escaped without molestation. The wounded men were carried to Charing Cross Hospital. Ronelli, whose wound is thought to be mortal, has made a deposition against Foschini. The others are going on fa- vourably.
The Vauxhall railway station was entirely destroyed by fire on Sunday evening. The line at this spot traverses a lofty viaduct ; the booking-office, the waiting-rooms, the roof, and the platforms, were all constructed of wood. About a quarter-past eight in the evening, the fire—supposed to have been caused by an escape of gas—commenced in the clerk's room adjoining the booking-office, and rapidly spread : at the time of the outbreak passengers had assembled, but happily every one got safely from the place. While the flames were spreading, two up-trains passed through the station, one depo- siting passengers. From the nature of the structure the flames made short work of it ; soon the whole station was blazing, and then the roof fell in. The great heat damaged the rails, but the brick-work remained sound. -Of course traffic was stopped for a time; for the rest of the evening passen- gers were taken up and deposited at the old station at Nine Elms, and the mails were despatched thence : but large numbers of workmen quickly cleared away the ruins and reinstated the rails, so that the mail-train to London on Monday morning passed through to the Waterloo terminus, and the general traffic resumed its usual course. On Tuesday, new platforms were ready, and the Vauxhall traffic recommenced.
Drury-Lane Theatre seems to have been in danger of burning soon after midnight on Saturday, from trying experiments to prevent ouch a disaster! The Committee of the theatre-were witnessing some trials with " fire-anni- ibilators," when one of the machines exploded, sending forth a body of flame that fastened on some wood-work : the Committee ran out in alarm, and engines were fetched ; but the firemen of the theatre had already made all safe.
The hackney-carriage proprietors propose to work a number of their cabs as "one-horse stage-carriages"; expecting to make more profit that way than by the present system, which, it seems, does not pay.
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