int ,firtetropolis.
A public distribution of prizes took place at the Government School of Design, in Somerset House, on Monday. Prince Albert came from Windsor on purpose to preside on the occasion. Upwards of three hundred ladies and gentlemen were spectators of the distribution: among them were, Viscount Duncannon, Mr. Labouchere, Mr. Fox Manle, Mr. E. J. Stanley, Mr. Tufnell, Mr. Wyse, the Marquis of Conyngham, Lord Sydney, Lord Colborne, Lord Portman, the Bishop of Norwich, Sir R. H. Inglis, M.P., Mr. B. Hawes, M.P., Mr.
W. Williams, Mr. Gaily Knight, M.P., Mr. Ewart, M.P., Mr. Baring Wall, M.P., Mr. R. Hodgson, DLP., Mr. W. E. Gladstone, M.P., Mr. W. D. Gillon, Sir Augustus Callcott, R.A., Mr. Samuel Rogers, Mr. Basil Montague, Mr. C. R. Cotterell, R.A., Mr. Etty, R.A., and Mr. B. Hayden. The great room, in which the ceremony took place, was hung round with the works of the students. Prince Albert arrived at twelve o'clock, was received by Mr. Dyce, M.A., the Director of the institution. A paper was read by Mr. Dyce, which described the school as having this year attained a more complete stage in its progress ; the students were no longer engaged in the merely elementary branches of study which had in the earlier years of the school's formation necessarily occupied their attention. Nine prizes were distributed by Prince Albert—one for the best painting of fruit or flowers from nature, one for the best model in plaster from flowers or leaves, two for original designs of a similar kind in outline, two for designs of patterns for calico-printing or paper-staining, two for designs for glass-staining or painting in arabesque, and one for specimens of lithography. Mr. Cotterell, R.A., bore testimony to the utility of the institution, and looked forward to the time when branches of the school should be established throughout England, for female as well as male scholars. Mr. Labouchere, who moved the thanks of the meeting to Prince Albert, for his attendance, stated that the number of pupils in the school is now 135, and in a branch school at Spitalfields 60. Sir Robert Inglis seconded Mr. Labonchere's motion ; which was carried amidst loud cheering. Prince Albert replied—" Before leaving the room, I beg to thank you for your kindness. It gives me great pleasure to see the prosperity of this institution, and I trust that that prosperity will be always increasing." After inspecting the prize drawings, Prince Albert took his departure, and the company separated.
A fracas took place on Wednesday afternoon, in one of the streets, between Mr. Sheppard and Captain Fitzroy, the Member for Durham. Mr. Sheppard is the gentleman who "bolted" from Durham because the Marquis of Londonderry withdrew his support. Captain Fitzroy, who was to have been Mr. Sheppard's colleague, mentioned the circum- stances at the election, in a way that rather surprised and offended his friend. It now appears, that Mr. Sheppard demanded a denial of the report of Captain Fitzroy's speech, or " satisfaction." After this there leas a good deal of playing at cross-purposes, many marchuigs and
counter-marchings, which it is not very easy to comprehend. Suffice it to say, that Captain Fitzroy's friends seem to consider that Mr. Sher pard broke an appointment at York, and that a friend of the Captain concluded an explanation with a friend of Mr. Sheppard, whose acts have since been disavowed ; and that Mr. Sheppard has therefore lost his claim to satisfaction. On the other side, the allegation is, that Cap- tain Fitzroy shrouds himself in technicalities to avoid rendering satis- faction ; and that the friend who accepted the explanation is inexpes rienced. Mr. Sheppard renewed his demand on Monday ; and receiv- ing no answer, on Wednesday he shook a whip over Captain Fitzroy, in front of the United Service Club. One side says that the Captain knocked him down, the other side denies it ; but at all events the by- standers interfered ; and now the parties are advertising correspond- ences against each other in the daily papers.
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