31irtrapolio.

The Convocation of the Bishops and Clergy of the Province of Cantor. bury met on Wednesday, in the Jerusalem Chamber. In the Upper House, where the Archbishop of Canterbury presided, there were the Bishop of Winchester, the Bishop of London, the Bishop of St. David's, the Bishop of Oxford, the Bishop of Bath and Wells, the Bishop of Gloucester and Bristol, the Bishop of Chichester, the Bishop of Exeter, the Bishop of Llandaff, and the Bishop of Salisbury. The chief subject here discussed arose on a petition presented by the Bishop of Chichester calling attention to the "indiscriminate use" of the burial-service in cases where persons have died unbaptized, excommunicate, or by their own hands. The Bishop of Oxford was almost sure that the Bishop has power to protect a clergyman who refuses to read the burial-service over such as die manifestly in the commission of deadly sin. In one ease, a clergyman in his diocese who refused to read the burial-service was threatened with legal proceedings ; but they were stayed when it was known that the clergyman had acted under the directions of his diocesan. Other Bishops expressed similar opinions. The Archbishop of Canterbury said that he felt the difficulty of the remedy is greater than the difficulty of the evil, but ho was sure the clergy would derive satisfaction from the statements of his reverend brethren.

In the Lower House a debate ensued on the formation of a Court of Appeal in matters of doctrine. Archdeacon Randall moved, that in all questions of doctrine or ritual the final appeal should ho to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council ; that the Privy Council should refer a statement of the doctrine or ritual in dispute to the Archbishop of Canterbury, who having assembled the Archbishops and Bishops of England and taken their opinion should transmit it to the Judicial Committee for a final decision. 'Professor Selwyn moved an amendment, making, in effect, the Synod of the Province the court of appeal. This was negatived without a division. Chancellor Martin proposed, that whether in conjunction with the Privy Council or not, the Court of final Appeal should consist of two Archbishops, three Bishops, the Regius and Margaret Professors of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, the Divinity Professors of Dublin and Durham, the Lord Chancellor, the Master of the Rolls, and five Ecclesiastical and Civil Judges, being members of the Church of England. Negatived by 36 to 14.

The debate was resumed at the sitting of Thursday. Archdeacon Denison moved an amendment, to the effect that the House had no sug.gestions to make other than those already before the Upper House. This was negatived by 24 to 21. But Archdeacon Harrison then moved and carried a similar amendment, stating that the House would "earnestly commend to the consideration of the Upper House the principles embodied in the report already presented to their Lordships, as those which

the judgment of this House are to be carefully kept in view with regard to the subject of appeaL" The Reverend Canon Seymour submitted a motion intended to secure "the counsel and cooperation of the faithful laity in the proceedings of Convocation." Archdeacon Denison objected that such a motion was not in order: but the Prolocutor ruled otherwise; and Canon Seymour argued in behalf of his proposal at great length, citing authorities from the early and medireval times of church history. The motion was seconded by the...Honourable and Reverend S. Best ; but before it could be discussed the House adjourned.

The Bishop of London opened, on Saturday, a "school-church" in Essex Street, St. Peter's, Stepney. The parish of Stepney contains a population of 80,000; and throughout the whole parish there is only church-accommodation for 6000. The district of St. Peter's contains 13,000 inhabitants, and its endowment is 12/. a year. The schoolchurch in Essex Street has been built by the Reverend Thomas Rowsell. it is intended for use as a school-room and lecture-room during the week, and as a church on Sunday, when there are to be several short services. The Bishop of London took the chair. The way in which the room

would be used, he said, seemed a departure from the ordinary principles of the Church; but we must now call the people together for worship however

and wherever we can get them. There are peculiar but real difficulties with regard to the poor—they feel the difference of dress; they know not when they enter a church where to place themselves. These difficulties must be overcome by opening up places of worship in which they

pear.

e thought they were right in gathering the poor wherever they could get them, and in such a place as the building in which they were then as sembled everything unfitting or inappropriate for the worship of God could be easily removed, while upon other occasions it could be devoted to purposes&secular instruction and amusement. They were often met With the

observation that the churches which exist are not full ; but he believed the

more the working classes could be brought together in places like the present, the more reason would there be to hope that, in the course of time, they

would be brought to the public worship of God in their own church. The rich must learn to love the poor, and look upon them as of themselves. It is a great evil that the "two nations" should be constantly diverging from

cue another. Where would society be without the brawny arms and stout manly hearts of the poor ? The rich could not assist the poor better than by helping to erect schools like these.

Mr. Rowsell said he had been alisisted in his endeavours by many of the principal manufacturers of the district ; but the alienation of the rich from the poor had thrown great difficulties in his way. Mr. Gladstone M.P., in proposing a resolution, treated at length of the duties of the rich to the poor ; of the dangers of permitting the poor to be out of mind as well as out of sight; and urging those who dwell in the West to give some acknowledgment of the obligation they owe to those who dwell the East, lest they should live to deplore the consequences of their neglect. The Reverend F. D. Maurice also said there is a burden on the West it cannot shake off. The rich need far more contact with the poor than the poor with the rich—needing, as the latter do, to be refreshed with the manly strength of the strong and brave classes who form the working millions of the land.

The following resolutions were carried

' " That separation of rich and poor by their several residences at the East and West of London demands the active interchange of love and cooperation to sustain real church membership ; and that every work of the Church of England in educating and teaching the poor and crowded population has a claim upon the assistance of the richer members; that the vitality of church memberships should be expressed by active brotherhood ; and the labouring classes, while they so largely contribute to the strength and happiness of the country, need the sympathies and efforts of those who have received a higher education than themselves : and that the efforts which are being made in this district, consisting of 13,600 persons, mostly of the poorer classes, deserve confidence and help."

To A deputation from the Association for Promoting the Repeal of Taxes on Knowledge waited on the Chancellor of the Exchequer, at his office, on Wednesday. They were led by Mr. Milner Gibson and their object was to press on the Chancellor "the necessity of repealing the Exciseduty on paper." Alderman Baldwin and others made a variety of statements showing the effect of the duty in limiting production. The Chancellor of the Exchequer answered, that all he could say at present -was, that this moment is not a very favourable one for entertaining the question of a reduction of duty, so far as that is likely to entail a diminution of revenue.

A deputation of gentlemen connected with Western Australia waited on Mr. Labouohere on Saturday, and presented a statement giving reasons to show that Western Australia is "peculiarly adapted for a penal settlement." The reasons are—that the colonists are willing to receive convicts, employ them, and pay them great wages ; that the said convicts can not only be employed in producing the necessaries of life, but in making roads and bridges ; that the climate is fine, and escape, except by sea, impossible as the natives would bring back all who might seek refuge in the bush; and that Rottenest Island, fourteen miles from Fremantle, is well adapted for refractory convicts.

The Metropolitan Board of Works held a special meeting on Tuesday, to consider the report of a Committee on Public Parks. The first motion submitted to the Board was that measures should be taken for forming two parks, one in the Solith-eastern, and one in the Northern parts of the metropolis—the expense to be equally assessed on the whole metropolis. There was considerable opposition, and it was held by the City members that these parks should be obtained without throwing burdens on the ratepayers. But on a division, the motion was carried by 20 to B. A second motion, directing that the Government should be asked to join the Board in the purchase of Hampstead Heath, was carried by 13 to 5.

A number of persons met at the Hanover Square Rooms on Saturday to hear a new project explained. It is proposed to form an institution, to be called the Empono Italiano," for very comprehensive purposes. There is to be a museum of Italian art, a theatre, a club-room, a lectureroom, a library, a primary school, prizes for Italian authors of new inventions, relief for Italians in distress, a scientific congress every year and an Art Journal published in three languages by the Emporio. The originator of this project is Count Montemerli. He has met with an expositor in Professor Vera, and a caperator in the Marquis of Downshire. There are to be a committee in London, and assistant committees in Italy. Politics and religion are excluded. An appeal is made not to the self-interest but the zeal of Englishmen for the cause of Italy, which it is to be hoped will be benefited by the execution of the project.

Adolphus Harrison alias Adolphus Harrison Feistal, the person who was imprisoned for two years for kidnapping the Belgian girl, Alice Leroy, brought several actions against noblemen—the Marquis of Bath, Lord Batemen, Lord Somerton. The first action was tried in the Court of Queen's Bench on Wednesday. Harrison sought to recover 78/. for wine supplied at the house of Madame Denis in 1853-'64 by the orders of the Marquis of Bath. Harrison was a witness. He said he bad seen Lord Bath at Madame Denis's several times ; that he had opened the door to him; that he had taken orders for wine ; that he had carried letters from him to Paris addressed to Mademoiselle Adele and Madame Gabriel Dubois; that he had carried a letter from him to Mademoiselle Lamoreux, of the ballet. He had charged for these services. He had seen the Duke of Cambridge at Madame Denis's. [The Duke was on the bench.) Asked whether that was the Duke he saw at Madame Denis's he said—" I won't be positive. Lord Bateman called him 'Cambridge.' A gentleman represented hinaself a.sthe Duke of Cambridge who Was exceedingly like bins; but, at the same time I won't swear he was the Duke of Cambridge." After leaving prison, Harrison called on Lord Bath, made his claim, and received Si. "When I came out of prison, I found the visiting-book in a carpet-bag, among some letters. All these noblemen promised to get me a Government situation if I would not betray them; and when I came out of prison they laughed at me." Lord Campbell—" In what department of the Goveniment ?" Witness—" They promised to send me to one of the islands." Lord Campbell" To Norfolk Island?" Witness—" Not Norfolk Island, but some place near Monte Video."

The Marquis of Bath was a witness. He admitted having visited at the house of Madame Denis in 1853, but not in 1854. He had ordered wine, and paid for it, but not in Harrison's presence. Harrison bad never carried letters for him to Paris. "I occasionally made Madame Denis presents. She used to ask me to order up wines. She also suggested that there should be some supper, as the women looked for it. When she asked me to order wine, Harrison was not present. He was not the man I would have allowed to be in the drawingroom when I was talking to her there. I don't recollect his presence on any occasion except when he opened the door, and when he acted in the capacity of servant.' When Harrison called on him, he gave him Si. for some of his letters addressed to Madame Denis, not on account of a bill for wine. It was proposed to call Lord Somerton and the Duke of Cambridge, Mr. Edwin James saying they were prepared to show that the statements respecting them were wholly false : but Lord Campbell said they could not be called. The Jury found a verdict for the defendant.

Lord Campbell said—"That being your verdict, gentlemen, I must say it appears to me that this is a most unfounded and infamous demand, and I think the Marquis of Bath has done well in resisting it." Here there was an unsuppressed burst of applause. When it subsided, the Lord Chief Justice further said, that the plaintiff had not only been contradicted by the Marquis of Bath, but he had been contradicted by his own evidence and his own conduct—thus showing him to be a most dangerous member of society. It was afterwards stated in Court that the other actions had been 'withdrawn.

The Court of Quiln's Bench gave a decision last week with respect to one branch of the Roy British Bank litigation—the liability of "new shareholders" to credit Ors. The decision is that of all the Judges, the whole bench having been conferred with. Lord Campbell pronounced the decision. Mr. Henderson, a creditor, having obtained a judgment against the bank, which was not satisfied, he applied for leave to issue execution against an individual shareholder, Dr. Goddard ; Dr. Goddard resisted, on the ground that he, a " new shareholder," had been induced to take shares by the fraudulent representations of the directors. The Judges decided, that as Dr_ Goddard remained a shareholder and took dividends till the bank stopped, he was liable as a shareholder to the creditors of the bank. As to Dr: Goddard's position with respect to other shareholders who might have been privy to the fraud, that was a matter not at present before the Court.

At the Central Criminal Court on Wednesday, Henry Edwards pleaded guilty to forging a power of attorney, with intent to sell Consols belonging to Mrs. 'Midmer, his cousin, who lives at Bath. Edwards had a proper power of attorney for receiving dividends for Mrs. Midmer; he was in pecuniary difficulties ; he deposited a power of attorney at the Bank, purporting to the signed by Mrs. Midmer, authorizing him to transfer 350/. of Consols. The fraud was prevented by a very simple precaution recently adopted by the Bank—an inquiry is addressed to the person whose name is attached to a power of attorney, to know if the transaction is correct. In this ease the forgery was at once detected when Mrs. Midmer received the letter from the Bank. Sentence, four years' penal servitude.

On Thursday, John Paul, lately clerk to the City of London Union, was convicted of stealing a check for 378/. The sentence was transportation for fourteen years.

Joseph Burroughs assistant to a druggist at Brompton, was tried for the manslaughter of Mi. Marcooley, a master tailor. The deceased sent.for some castor-oil ; by accident or neglect, Burroughs put prussic acid into the phial with the oil—at the time he was engaged in preparing a lotion which was to contain prussic acid. The question for the Turywas, did this lamentable affair occur through negligence, or was it a simple accident ? The Jury inclined to the latter view, and acquitted the prisoner; but they expressed their strong reprobation of the careless manner in which poisons are generally dispensed. Mr. Baron Martin has directed that the Turkish Bonds found in the possession of Pierce shall be delivered to Mr. Rees, the solicitor to the SouthEastern Railway, in trust for the benefit of Fanny Kay and her child.

A great deal of the Magistrates' time was occupied on Monday by crowds of labourers seeking their aid to get relief from the workhouses. Applicalions were made at the Bow Street, Marylebone, Thames, and Lambeth Courts. The Thames Police Magistrate ordered M. to be distributed among the most distressed of the men; • though he complained that on a former oc,casion the very. men relieved during a frost, when they got work soon figured before him among the "drunk and disorderly." In many eases stated on Monday, it was explained that the applicants resisted the rules of the workhouse—some refused to become inmates of the house : crowds be

sieged the doors and demanded relief without inquiry. A number of men were produced at the Thames Office who had marched about in a body, with Shovels in their hands, asking arms—the timid would call it extorting money. Mr. imprisonment. warned them, that any repetition of such conduct would be visited with mprisonment.

On subsequent days fresh crowds besieged the Police Courts ; many complaints were made that relief was not given without the applicants working at stone-breaking,—an employment quite unsuitable for some of the men, whose hands were blistered, rendering them unable to work at their usual trade if they should get a job. The Magistrates explained that they could not control the rules of the Poor-law Board.

Sixteen ablebodied paupers, eleven considerably under forty years of age, were brought before the Southwark Magistrate for refusing to labour in Christchurch Workhouse. The accused said they could not work on the food allowed them. The Clerk of the Guardians explained, that formerly the inmates of the workhouse had meat three times a week' but latterly, as that fare was better than many of the • ■rer ratepayers could get, an application had been made to the Poor-law t rd to alter the dietary, and now meat is given only twice a week. The paupers said they would go to prison rather than work on such scanty allowance. The Magistrate sent them to prison for fourteen days. It seems that they had expected better food in the prison • and they were rather surprised when they were told they would get only hived and gruel during their imprisonment.

Bacon and his wife were reexamined by the Lambeth Magistrate on Wednesday. The evidence of Inspector Young and Sergeant Broad as to the conduct of Bacon—his prevarication and lying, and his general behaviour— after the discovery of the murder, and that of some other witnesses, all tended to increase the strength of the belief that the husband rather than the wife was the murderer of the two children. Both the accused were again remanded.

Anderson and Seward were finally examined before the Lord Mayor on Thursday ; they will be brought up again for the reading of the depositions, and will then he committed.

Mr. William Xing Norman, secretary to the Reform Club, has lost his life byan over-dose of laudanum taken to allay pain.