Tilttrupglin.
A very large deputation of English and Irish Roman Catholics, including many Peers and Members of Parliament, waited on Lord Palmerston on Monday, to urge on him the propriety of including Catholics in the relief from the objectionable passages in the oaths now taken by members of the Legislature. The Duke of Norfolk headed the deputation; and at a meeting held at the Stafford Street Club on its return from Cambridge House, he stated what had taken place. "Re had laid before his Lordship the objections which the Catholic body entertained to being excluded from the operation of his Lordship's bill. In reply to his statement, Lord Palmerston said that he himself did not care to exclude Catholics, but that he thought including them in the bill would have the effect of endangering its adoption. He also considered that there was nothing in the oath at present required of Catholic Members which the strictest of that communion could not subscribe to without any compromise of his religious principles. Lord Palmerston was then asked whether he would support the amendment of which notice had been given ; and though he promised that he would give it his consideration, he would not pledge himself; assigning as a reason that there were Scotch Members, Dissenters and others who might be opposed to it, and who if it were pressed might be induced vote against the measure."
Some difficulty was experienced in deciding what course should be pursued. Some were for pledging the Members of Parliament present to support an amendment of which Mr. Deasy has given notice. Mr. Esmonde, Mr. Maguire, and Mr. Wallis were foremost among these. But others were opposed to this course, Lord Camoys and Mr. de Yore especially. At length it was agreed, that an amendment embodying the views of the Duke of Norfolk should be proposed, and supported by the Catholic Members ; that a petition should be drawn up ; and that the meeting should be adjourned until after the House of Commons have decided on the amendment. It seemed to be understood that if Lord Palmerston support the amendment, whether it be carried or not, the Roman Catholics should vote for the Oaths Bill.
A special general meeting of the proprietors of University College, Gower Street, was held on Wednesday, to discuss an important question— the proposed alterations in the constitution of the University of London, intended to dispense with the necessity of candidates for degrees in arts and laws being educated in any college affiliated to the University. Lord Brougham presided. •Mr. Martineau` Moved, and Mr. G. Jesse' seconded, the following resolution " That this meeting, regarding with great satisfaction the intention of the Government to grant to the University of London a new charter which will incorporate the graduates, but understanding that the Senate propose that collegiate education shall no longer be necessary for candidates for degrees in arts and laws, desires to express its disapproval of the proposed change, as one likely to be injurious to the cause of regular and systematic education, and as not only lowering the value, but altering the very meaning, of an English University degree."
The resolution was supported on the ground that an university degree implied an university training ; and it was contended that even if a person who had not received an university education possessed a greater amount of knowledge than a member of an university, got the benefit of such a degree without having had the benefit of the training, he would pass in the world like spurious metal passed for silver by having the Hall mark upon it. Mr. Grote opposed these views. This is not the time for University College to resort to the prohibitory system—the more so when the spirit of exclusion is going out of fashion even at Oxford. Dr. Williamson took the same line. But the motion was carried by a large majority. The Council of the College was requested to communicate with the Senate of the University and the Home Office, "and to take such steps as will, in their opinion, give the greatest weight to the views of the meeting as expressed in the above resolution."
A deputation, introduced by Lord Shaftesbury, waited on Lord Palmerston on Wednesday, to call his attention to the increase of the slavetrade, and to make suggestions for the suppression of the traffic. They propose that Cuba should be watched by an adequate force of gun-boats ; that by emigration-treaties with France, Spain and Portugal, an emirgration of free Blacks should be permitted to the colonies of those countries, but not -M Spain until she has emancipated her slaves ; and that the Mixed Commission, now fixed at Havannah, should be transferred to Jamaica. Lord Palmerston promised that the Government would do all in their power to crush the slave-trade; and he seemed disposed to place a -naval force around Cuba.
At a special General Court held on Trinity Monday, Prince Albert was again elected Master, and Captain John Shepherd Deputy-Master of the Trinity House Corporation.
The annual dinner in behalf of the funds of the Metropolitan Free Hospital was held on Wednesday; Lord John Russell presiding. In the course of the proceedings, the chairman proposed "the Health of Captain Sandes and the Officers of the American Frigate Susquehanna." Lord John said he had always found, that whenever there was a diplomatic difference between England and America, it was immediately smoothed away if so fortunate as to be placed in the hands of an English and American naval officer. For instance, Sir George Seymour and the American Commodore had in a very short time settled the long-protracted dispute of the fishery question. Captain Sondes in reply, said he had come to this country to lay a cable, not to make a speech ; and he trusted that that cable would become a perpetual bond of amity between the two countries.
The annual dinner which follows the election of fellows from among the scholars of Merchant Taylor's School to St. John's College, Oxford, took place in the hall of the company an Thursday ; Mr. Bonus, the Master, in the chair. The distinguished company included the Princes of Oude, Lord Eversley, Lord Wensleydale, the .Bishop of Oxford, Mr. Walpole, Mr. Henley, Sir John Burgoyne, Sir William Codrington, and Sir Fenwick "Williruns.
At a meeting of the Royal Geographical Society, on Monday, General Jochmus read some interesting papers, which he had written while serving in Greece in 1830, on the battles of Marathon, Se/leeia, and Thermus. The next meeting is fixed for the 22d instant.
At a meeting of the Paddington Vestry, on Monday, it was resolved "that the equalization of the poor-rates throughout the Metropolis is inexpedient, inasmuch as it would diminish the stimulus to economy in the respective parishes, and also tend to impair the principle of local self-government."
Vice-Chancellor Kindersley gave judgment on Saturday in a 01180 arising out of the working of the Succession Act. The principle he laid down was, that the Succession Act does apply to the case where a succession has taken place by the estate of a remainder-man, whose estate was, prior to the passing of the act, 4 vested estate in remainder, becoming, through the eath of the tenant for life, and after the act came into force, an estate in possession.
During the lute election at Worcester, one Allgood printed and distributed a handbill containing libellous statements aftboting the character of Alderman Sidney. A person named Ash, in the interest of Alderman Sidney, procured, by a false representation, a few copies of the bill from the printer a boy. He then accompanied the Alderman to the printer's, and Sidney demanded the mune of the author of the handbill. It was given up. Alderman Sidney sought to proceed criminally against Allgood, and obtained a rule in the Court of Queen's Bench. After hearing the affidavits and arguments on both sides, the Court dismissed the rule ; because Alderman Sidney had not acted with propriety. Material statements of fact were omitted in the affidavits for the prosecution ; the evidence of publication had been obtained by stratagem ; and Mr. Sidney had not proceeded against the author of the libel.
It may be recollected that a Mr. Evans obtained a verdict for 6001. damages in an action for criminal conversation against a Mr. Robinson. The evidence adduced on the occasion was of an unusual character—that of spies hired by ex-Inspector Field. One of these witnesses bored a hole in a door, and deposed that through this hole she saw the adultery committed. Mr. Evans prosecuted a suit for divorce in the Arches Court, and the same evidence was adduced. In delivering judgment on Tuesday, Sir John Dodson commented in strong language on the character of the witnesses hired to collect evidence, and showed that they directly contradicted each other. Upon such evidence he could not pronounce Mrs. Evans guilty ; and he therefore dismissed the suit.
The Attorney-General has taken prompt measures to bring the delinquents of the British Bank before a criminal court. On Tuesday lust week warrants were issued for the arrest of the Directors and the Managers. Mr. Owen, the first Director apprehended, was allowed to but in bail-40001. personal recognizances, and two sureties of 20001. each. Preparations have been made to apprehend two or three of the parties who are in Paris : Inspector Field has the affair in hand. On Monday advertisements appeared offering a reward of WO/. for the apprehension of Humphrey Brown, who had absconded. Messrs. Linklater and Ilackwood are the solicitors for the prosecution.
Brown surrendered on Thursday. Therewere two warrants against him ; so that sureties for 80001., besides his own recognizanoes to that amount, will be required before he be liberated. Mr. Stapleton M.P. and other Directors who were arrested have put in the required bail, and are now at liberty.
The great warehouses of Messrs. Pickford at the Camden Town station of the North-Western Railway were swept away by a fire on Tuesday night. Messrs. Pickford's portion of the station consisted of a building covering five acres of ground, all under one roof, supported by iron columns. Within the premises were stables for a large number of horses. The work of the warehouse was carried on day and night, by relays of workmen and clerks. Soon after ten o'clock on Tuesday night, while everybody in the place was busy, fire was discovered in the North-eastern corner of the building, near the engine-house. The flames spread with great rapidity, and the terrified clerks fled, leaving their books and papers on their desks. A dozen Carmen gallantly rescued the horses—they saved souse hundreds, only one having perished. The fire rapidly travelled through the warehouse ; and the utmost that the firemen could effect was to prevent the flames from laying hold of any other building—Collard's pianoforte-manufactory was in some danger, only a narrow road separating it from the blazing building. Messrs. Pickford's premises were entirely ruined ; and a vast quantity of valuable property of all kinds, stored within the warehouses or just received or about to be despatched, was burnt : some pigs, goats, and poultry, were also destroyed. After the fire had been reduced, the North wall of the warehouse fell into the Regent's Canal, burying two barges and almost blocking up the canal. The premises of Messrs. Pickford were not actually within the gates of the railway, but communication with the line was obtained by a bridge crossing the canal. When the hundreds of horses were driven out of the stable they were turned loose into the roads, and running about in terror they caused some danger to the crowds hastening to the spot : Mr. Inspector Fidge, galloping down Highgate Hill to the scene of the fire, rushed into the midst of a number of the horses who were hurrying up the hill ; his horse and himself had a narrow escape from being thrown down and trampled on. The property destroyed by the fire is valued at nearly a quarter of a million sterling : 40,000 quarters of corn were consumed. It is understood that the buildings and contents were to a great extent insured.