31liortIlautuus.

The Ministerial white-bait dinner is fixed to take place on Wednesday next, at the Trafalgar, Greenwich.

There have been many rumours lately in circulation of the recall of the present Commander-in-chief of the English army in the Crimea. These rumours, we are able to state, are without foundation, as not only has General Simpson not been recalled, but there is no reason to suspect the slightest intention of recalling him. At the same time, it is proper to state that General Sim peon's health is not of the strongest, and that there- fore it will excite but little surprise if he find himself unable to cope for a protracted period with the vast labours and incessant anxieties of the chief command. It is not probable, in the event of General Simpson's Wag% home, that a new Commander-in-chief will be sent out from England, as Lord Raglan was almost the only one of the veterans of our last great war that was really fit for service.—Morning Post, August 12.

Some weeks ago, a letter appeared in the Times from a surgeon at the General Hospital established just out of range of shot in the camp before Sebastopol. The writer described in indignant terms the almost utter want of water, drinking-cups, food, comforts, medical appliances, and the shaky and wretched character of the beds and bedding in the ward given over to him on the morning of the 18th June. The letter created considerable sensation and anxiety, and questions were asked in Parliament, and in- quiry demanded. On Thursday, the Times republished the letter, and followed it by another from "George H. B. Macleod, Surgeon to the Civil Hospital at Smyrna and now attached to the Staff in the Crimea," and "Henry J. L. Hooke, Civil Surgeon attached to the Staff of the Army." These gentlemen, "prompted by a feeling of justice," tell us that many of the statements" of the informant of the Times "are without foundation, others so exaggerated as to bear on their surface a mere shadow of truth." And, proceeding to particulars, they make good their assertion. The hospital is " well and fully found" in all the requisites of a temporary establishment intended to receive the wounded on their way to the larger and better-provided establishments which exist further from the field of action. They allege that if the complaining surgeon did not get his ward supplied, it was his own fault, for all that he wanted ex- isted near at hand—such as water in ample supplies at the door of each hut ; beef-tea, and arrowroot, in constant readiness ; an unlimited supply of lemonade tea, and barley-water at hand, to be had without a requisi- tion ; a sufficiency of splints, three carpenters and plenty of wood on the premises; convenient drinking-cups in the preserved-meat tins, and can- teens. In conclusion, they assure the people of England that they need feel no anxiety about their suffering countrymen, so far as the comforts supplied to them in the General Hospital are concerned.

Major-General Chesney has written to the journals to correct mis- statements made in the House of Commons recently with regard to him. He never applied for employment in the Turkish Contingent. He was appointed to organize the Foreign Legion. "On the 27th of January, I was most unexpectedly requested by the Duke of Newcastle to undertake the organization of the Foreign Legion, with such staff, position, and assistance, as would be commensurate with the importance of the duties.' I accepted this service; and I had every hope that, with a little exertion I should be able to place 10,000 efficient men in the field by the middle of May ; when, on the 12th of February, I was informed by Colonel Mundy, without any other reason being assigned, that Lord Panmure having other views, he was unable to confirm the intentions of his predecessor."

It is confidently reported that the Government intend to build a fortress on Heligoland; and that the plans have been prepared.

Count Zamoyski arrived in London on Sunday. We understand that his visit is the result of a special invitation from the British Government. The Count's talents and abilities, and his practical knowledge of military and diplomatic affairs, are well known ; and as he comes direct from the East, he will be able to give important information respecting the real state of matters in that quarter. It is evident that Count Zamoyski can only have been invited to England at the present crisis with a view to enable Government to arrive at some final decision on the Polish ques- tion.—.Daily News.

The agreement between England and France relative to the payment of the interest on the Turkish loan, in the event of Turkey's default, has been published. "It is agreed between the Governments of Great Britain and of France: That in the event of the Turkish Government failing, in whole or in part, so to remit the amount of the half-year's interest, the British Government shall advance the amount which may be necessary to enable the Bank of England to pay the said interest at the appointed time ; that the British Go- vernment shall then transmit to the French Government an account of the amount so advanced ; and that the French Government, on its part, shall immediately remit to the British Government the half of such account ; it being understood that any sums so advanced by the British and French Go- vernments shall be proportionally repaid to them out of any funds which may be remitted by the Turkish Government to the British Government."

Prince Albert has suggested to the Society of Arts a visit to the Paris Exhibition of "the Society in a body, and if possible, together with the delegates from the four hundred associated institutions." He thinks that great benefit would arise from the comparison of the Exhibition of 1851 with this Exhibition, and from the discussion of the question—By what means may the progress of science and art be best promoted in this country ? The Society of Arts is making arrangements to carry out the Prince's suggestion.

The management of the National Gallery has been reconstituted by a Treasury minute published this week. A Board of Trustees is to be con- tinued, but the number is to be diminished as vacancies occur. No man is to be trustee ex officio ; and the Treasury is to have the appointment. The office of Keeper is not abolished, but amalgamated with that of Se- cretary. A Director is created, with a salary of 10001. and a five years' tenure of office. The Trustees are continued, not to share the responsi- bility of the Director, but to keep up a connexion between the cultivated lovers of art and the Institution, and to invest the management with social influence. A fixed sum is to be voted in the estimates every year for the purchase of pictures. The Director will recommend in writing the pictures to be purchased to the Board of Trustees. The Director is also charged with the care of the pictures and the construction of a cor- rect history of every picture in the collection, its vicissitudes and re- pairs—the history to be posted up from time to time. A travelling agent will be appointed, with a salary of 3001 a year, for surveying private collections abroad and collecting information of probable sales. The Director newly appointed is Sir Charles Eastlake ; the Keeper and Secretary, Mr. Ralph Wcrritum, with a salary of 7501.; and the travel- ling agent is Mr. Otto Miindler, with a salary of 3001.

The Committee on Adulteration proceeds with its inquiry : the general character of the evidence is like that which we have already noticed; but there have been some interesting points showing that the total effect of deterioration is loss to everybody. Mr. Thomas Herring, for example, says that the drug scammony which, when pure, is worth 408. a pound, he has purchased at Garraway's for 3s. When pure it is aperient, wheu adulterated an astringent. Mr. Simmons calculates that on the articles of tea, coffee, cocoa, and sugar alone the loss to the revenue in one year is equivalent to nearly a million sterling; and the proportionate loss is not less in wines, spirits, spices, and condiments. "The revenue," says Mr. Simmons, "suffers, because, were the adulteration not permitted, so much larger a quantity of the pure substance would he required by the con- sumer." [If the revenue loses a million on the four articles named, the consumer loses much more than a million—just in the proportion of the duty to the price.] Mr. Redwood, Professor of Chemistry to the Phar- maceutical Society in Bloomsbury Square, objected to any restrictions prohibiting the manufacture of cheaper drugs and chemicals : the pre- vious witnesses did not draw proper distinctions between impurity and adulteration—absolute purity is seldom required, and is excessively costly.

The Quarterly Return of the Registrar-General, made up to the end of March last, shows some curious results. The marriages for the first quarter in 1854 were 33,144; in the first quarter of this year they were only 29,131—a result ascribed in the return to the combined operation of high prices, diminished employment in some districts, severity of weather, and the withdrawal of an increased number of men for the services of the Army and Navy. The number of births in the first quarter of 1854 was 165,950; the number in the first quarter this year 165,260; a decrease of 700 on 1854, but still an increase of 7000 on 1852 and 1853. The na- tural increase of the population on the quarter is set down at 58,000. The average rate of mortality in the quarter was higher than that of the corresponding period last year.

Lord Palmerston had a dinner-party on Saturday; and Lady Palmerston afterwards held an assembly.

The Hereditary Grand Duke and Duchess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, and Prince Adolphus of Mecklenburg, dined with Sir Benjamin Hall on Saturday.

The Duke of Cambridge has been on a visit to the Duke of Richmond, at Goodwood, during the "race-week."

Lord John Russell has taken a shooting-box in the Highlands for the season. The Duke of Newcastle left Constantinople for the Crimea on the 21st July.

The marriage of Prince Adalbert of Bavaria with a daughter of Don Fran- cisco de Paula is reported to be broken off, on account of "religious dif- ferences."

General Totleben, the skilful engineer officer of Sebastopol, has shared the honours of many notables of late—we don't know whether he is alive or dead, so many and various are the rumours about the result of a wound which he received.

The Emperor of Russia has made Prince Gortschakoff a Knight of the Or- der of St. Alexander Newsky, in recompense for his extraordinary labours and zealous and useful service at the Conferences at Vienna.

A letter from Warsaw states that the marriage of the Grand Duke Ni- cholas, brother of the Emperor of Russia, to the Princess of Oldenburg, daughter of Prince Peter of Oldenburg, has been positively decided on, and will take place very shortly.

Mademoiselle Cruvelli is about to leave the stage—for a matrimonial en- gagement.

Miss Catherine Hayes has left Calcutta for Australia, where she is a great favourite, and wins something more substantial than "golden opin- ions."

The Earl of Sefton, after a long and painful illness, died on Thursday, at his house in Belgrave Square. He was born in 1796; sat in the House of Commons as Viscount Molyneux for South Lancashire in 1832, but was de- feated by Lord Francis Egerton in 1835; in 1838 he succeeded to the Earl- dom. He is succeeded by his son, Lord Molyneux, a Lieutenant in the Grenadier Guards.

A venerable lawyer died last week—Mr. Selwyn, Q.C. He had attained his eighty-first year. " Selwyn's Nisi Prius " is one of the standard legal authorities. Prince Albert read constitutional history with Mr. Selwyn. The deceased leaves two sons, one an eminent member of the Chancery bar, the other Bishop of New Zealand.

Result of the Registrar-General's return of mortality in the Metropolis for the week ending on Saturday last.

Zymotle Diseases Dropsy, Cancer, and other diseases of uncertain or variable ,eat Tubercular Diseases Diseases of the Brain, Spinal Marrow, Nerves, and Senses Diseases of the Heart and Blood-vessels 0(1845.54. 969.3 39.9 190.3 114.7 31.4 .... .... . • • • .... •••• of 1833.

285 48 204 121 26 Diseases of the Lungs, and of the other Organs of Respiration 82.3 .... 82 Diseases of the Stomach, Liver, and other Organs of Digestion 68.8 .... 71 Diseases of the Kidneys, &c. 12.1 • ... 13 Childbirth, diseases of the Uterus, &c 8.7 • • • • 7 Rheumatism, diseases of the Itones, Joints, &c. .. 5.9 • • • .

120

Diseases of the Skin, Cellular Tissue, &c. 1.6 ....

Malformations. 3.5 •••• 3 Premature Birth 26.6 ...., 33 Atrophy 34.3 ..• • 37 Age 36.2 .... 29 Sudden 4.9

11•411

e

Violence,Privation, Cold, and Intemperance 31.0 .... 33 Total (including unspecilied causes)

— 1,036 1,086.9

Rear-Admiral Sir William Carroll, K.C.B., has just been appointed to succeed the late Admiral Parry in the Lieutenant-tiovernorship of Green- wich Hospital. The appointment is worth 800/. a year, with a suite of apartments, the gallant officer being, in addition, entitled to retain his half- pay.

A meeting of subscribers to a "Raglan Testimonial" will be held at the Duke of Richmond's house, in Portland Place, next Tuesday.

It is intended to give Dr. Southwood Smith 3001. a year by way of com- pensation for the loss of his office as a member of the late Board of Health, instead of a gratuity of 1000/. as originally proposed.

A Parliamentary return shows that since the commencement of the war the regulation value of the commissions of the officers who have died on ac- tive service amounts on the whole to 377,3301.

A new war projectile, invented by Captain Disney, has been tried in the grounds near Chelsea Hospital. The invention consists in fitting shells with a bursting charge of powder contained in a metal cylinder, and filling the rest of their space with a highly combustible fluid, which upon exposure to the SIX ignites everything with which it is brought into contact.

In order to effectually guard the entrance to the Solent Sea, an attempt has been made to fortify the outer Needles rock, at the South-western point of the Isle of Wight, but it has been found impracticable.

Ten Weeks Week

In consequence of representations made by Count de Persignv, the French Government and the Boards of French Railways have given Orders that all British soldiers and officers passing through France shall, in future, be al- lowed to travel at the very reduced fares for which the French military are conveyed. In order to avail themselves of this great advantage, English officers or soldiers will only have to produce their 'routes;' as a means of veri- fication.—Morning Post.

The Austrian Gazette denies the existence of the despatch purporting to be from Count Nesselrode, dated July 5, and described by M. Be Sacy in the Journal des Debats.

The reports from the agricultural districts do not as yet tell of any serious results generally from the recent heavy falls of rain. In some parts, the crops have been laid, and in others floods have washed them away ; but these are disasters confined to a few localities. The rain has been beneficial to the green crops. Some blight among the potatoes has been observed in Devonshire, and more in Dorsetshire. The Leeds Mercury gives a valuable account of the state of the crops in Yorkshire, derived from the report of thirty correspondents. The grain promises well ; even where beaten down by rain, it is expected to recover with fine weather. Other crops are pro- gressing favourably.

The agricultural report from the Carse of Gowrie is, on the whole, en- couraging; during July the fall of rain was under the average, and the tem- perature of the air was two degrees above the average of the month. The 11.ondee Courier complains of dry weather during most part of July ; but the South-western district of Forfar still promises an average harvest.

In Ireland the grain crops do not appear to have suffered as yet ; others have benefited by the wet. There is hardly a whisper about disease among the potatoes; and the price in the markets is low.

From Sussex and Kent there are very favourable accounts of hops ; those from Worcestershire are not so satisfactory.

In the South of Italy the grain harvest has proved abundant. In Lom- bardy and Piedmont the rice crop has a most luxuriant appearance. There has been a fine harvest in Algeria.

In the Southern part of the United States the harvest has been satisfac- torily completed ; and the yield is expected to be abundant in all parts of the country : the amount of wheat cultivation is enormous. In Canada, if no unforeseen disaster occur, the grain crops will be the largest ever gathered.

There is a prospect of a better and more abundant vintage in France than last year. From Italy the reports are checkered : in Savoy, the vines are almost free from disease, in Lombardy and Piedmont it is not extensive, and in Tuscany and Naples "same hopes still remain " ; but in the Roman States a general failure is threatened. The produce of oil in Italy promises to be good.

A letter from Athens states that the currants appear to have escaped this year the disease which has preyed on them for the past three years.

It is said that the Sultan has ordered magnificent necklaces in brilliants to be made, as presents for Queen Victoria and the Empress Eugenie, and saddles, also embroidered in brilliants, to be made for the Emperor, the King of Sardinia, and Prince Albert. The value of these presents will be about 2,000,000 francs.

It is reported that Mademoiselle Rachel and her troupe are to receive 100,000/. for a twelvemonth's services in America, the tragedian taking the lion's share-50,0001.

The Marquis of Clanricarde, while driving near Galway, was upset out of his chaise, by its coming into contact with a drunken man who was lying in the road. The Marquis only suffered "a temporary inconvenience" from bruises : there is no report as to the amount of inconvenience suffered.by the drunkard.

The whole of the East of France, Switzerland, and part of Italy and Ger- many, felt a shock of earthquake on the 25th of last month. In some places it was of sufficient violence to damage buildings.

An Imperial ukase has removed the prohibition to export grain front Poland to Cracow and Austria.

St. Petersburg has suffered a good deal from thunder-storms ; a number of persons have been killed, and houses and other buildings have been damaged, while several large warehouses were set on lire by the lightning and burnt down.

The electric light is now used in all the lighthouses along the Russian coast.

Le Nord reports from Vienna that the Austrians are buying great bar- gains in wheat in the Principalities. The purchases are on a large scale, and the prices so low that it pays well to carry the grain to Bohemia.

CRYSTAL RALACE.—Return of admissions for six days ending Friday, August 3d, including season-ticket-holders, 51,673.