tht 311ttropulis.

The members of the Ballot Society dined together on Wednesday at the Albion Tavern. Mr. Henry Berkeley of course presided, and was supported by eleven Members of Parliament. Among those who sent apologies were Lord Stanley, Mr. Milner Gibson and Mr. Bright. In the speeches they made on behalf of the Army and Navy General Thompson and Admiral Napier both dilated on the defenceless condition of England. The chief speech, of the evening was given by the chairman in pro- posing " the Ballot," and in the course of it he referred to a rumour current in political society. Of Mr. Bright's Bill he need not, of course, say anything, for he had been always a stanch and steadfast supporter of the ballot ; but there were other Reform Bills,—Lord Derby's, for instance, which was to come on on the 28th instant, and with regard to the details of which there were many ru- mours afloat. He had heard some people say that they were to have a per- ifissive ballot, but he could only say, as regarded a permissive ballot, that, although it was a most objectionable form in which to give such a measure, yet, if they would accompany the permission by the test of the ballot—if they would ballot for the ballot, then he thought, speaking, of course, with submission to those around him, that that was a proposition which they ought to accept. (Cheers.) Sir John Shelley said he, for one, did not believe in the promise of a permissive ballot, and thought all their expectations on that head would end in some mere dodge in the way of voting papers, or some such pal- try excuse.

St. Pancras, like Paddington, desires to be specially represented. At a meeting held on Monday, resolutions were passed demanding the suf- frage for all resident occupiers of houses or parts of houses, for the bal- lot, for triennial Parliaments, and four Members for St. Pancras. There were few persons present. Sir Benjamin Hall made a short speech, in the course of which he announced that Lord Ebrington would shortly resign his seat for Marylebone. Ill health is the cause assigned for this step.

Lord Ebrington having resigned, as foreseen, two candidates have come into the field—Colonel Romilly, one of the parties to the famous " cock pheasant " duel near Weybridge ; and Mr. Edwin James Q.C. Both of course are liberals.

Colonel Romilly addressed a large meeting on Thursday, answered questions, and was rewarded with a vote of confidence.

A very crowded meeting of the Royal Geographical Society was held i on Monday, Sir Roderick Murchison in the chair. The most interesting paper read related to the discoveries made by Captain Palliser in the Far West of British North America. One of these is a practicable pass through the Rocky Mountains, connecting the rich prairies of the Sas- katchewan with British Columbia. The facilities for crossing the moun- tains arc so great as to leave little doubt in his mind onthe practicability of constructing even a railroad, connecting the plains of the Saskatchewan

with the opposite side of the main chain of the Rocky Mountains. The President congratulated the Society on the result of an investigation they had been the first to initiate.

Miss Burdett Coutts, with thoughtful kindness, has given orders for the erection of a block of dwellings for families in Nova Scotia Gardens, Shoreditch, one of the eyesores of even that neglected quarter of the metropolis. Four stories, with an attic story to be used as laundries, &c., club-rooms, and covered areas for the exercise of the children of the in- habitants in wet weather, will make up an imposing building, 176 feet long, and nearly 60 feet high.

The case of Lieutenant-Colonel Dickson versus the Earl of Wilton did not terminate until Tuesday. It is an extremely complicated story. The plaintiff, as Lieutenant-Colonel of the Tower Hamlets Militia, was in the early part of last year called upon to resign, and steadily refused, demand- ing an investigation. It turned out that his removal had been suggested by the Earl of Wilton, who, in a letter to Field-Marshal Viscount Combermere, dated May last, accused the plaintiff of embezzling the regimental funds. It was stated in this letter that some of the men of the regiment having been injured in the sham taking of Sebastopol at Cremorne Gardens, Lieu- tenant-Colonel Dickson received 1191. from the Wellington College, (for the benefit of which the display took place,) to compensate the men, but omit- ted to disburse 211. 2s. 11d. of the amount ; also, that he had "misapplied" the regimental funds to the amount of 1521., that he had repeatedly refused to call a meeting of the mess to examine accounts, and that he had em- bezzled a third sum of 1321. In a second letter, written after the War Office had ordered an inquiry into the case, the Earl added a charge of the embezzlement of another 251. A count for slander was added, in respect of Lord Wilton having repeated these charges verbally to Mr. T. Duncombe, at a private interview after that gentleman had given notice he would bring the case before the House of Commons. Lieutenant-Colonel Dickson was ultimately dismissed, in consequence of the report of the Court of Inquiry, a report not yet published, and he now brought this action against the Earl of Wilton to clear his character. It was suggested that the noble defendant had been an- noyed by being sued and having to pay 6801., a debt of the mess, after the regiment was disembodied, at the suggestionas he said, of the plain- tiff. Mr. Edwin James, Q.C., Mr. Hawkins, Q.C.C, and Mr. Coleridge ap- peared for the plaintiff; and the Attorney-General, Mr. Collier, Q.C., Vilward, and Mr. West for the defendant. Mr. Welsby attended to watch the proofs, on behalf of the Secretary for War. Mr. James having opened the case, Colonel Dickson was called as a witness in his own behalf. He alleged that he had distributed the whole of the amount given for the sol- diers who were injured at ;" the taking of Sebastopol " ; that he never re- fused to call a mess meeting to examine accounts ; he never said he had a " little bird " who told him all about what went on in the regiment, though he had caused an officer to be removed for gambling.; and in respect of the other sums he was charged with embezzling, he paid away, he said, more than he received. He certainly had money of Lord Wilton's in his hands, but Lord Wilton was aware of it. On examination of the receipts produced by Colonel Dickson, for the sums paid as compensation to injured soldiers, they did not embrace the whole sum claimed to be paid ; the Colonel, being asked to explain, said he had no doubt he had paid sums without getting re- ceipts in some cases. He "lid not keep the money distinct from his own." The second witness was Ifr. T. Duncombe, M.P., who had brought the matter before Parliament last year. He proved the alleged slander, as uttered to him by Lord Wilton. A partner from the firm which sued Lord Wilton was called and stated that Colonel Dickson bad not instigated the suit.

The Attorney-General, in opening the case for the noble defendant, dwelt upon the state of confusion in which Colonel Dickson had got the ac- counts, and urged that the Earl had only done his duty in writing the let- ters he did to the War-office. Lieutenant-Colonel Walker, Colonel Dick- son's successor, was the first witness called for the defence. He deposed that he had often asked Colonel Dickson to call a mess to examine accounts, but that he seldom gave any . answer. He also heard him say that he had a " little bird " in the regiment. Major Cooper, another of the officers, had also, he said, applied for account meetings. A ihird witness, Captain Foley, had heard the expression about the " little bird." Captain Dixon, another officer, had applied for mess account meetings, and been refused. These two officers showed an animus against Colonel Dickson. An accountant being called to give his report on the vouchers produced by Colonel Dickson for sums paid as compensation to the soldiers, deposed that there was 201. ls. 10d. for which there were no vouchers. Lord Combermere was examined on Saturday. Great amusement was created by the manner in which the old Peninsular officer gave his evidence. He was extremely deaf,. but spoke with great energy, and often went on talking, quite unconscious of the questions which were being put to him by Lord Campbell and the Attorney- General. Speaking of a much more recent auspicious event, his lordship said, "I had come up to London to the Princess Charlotte's marriage." Great laughter ensued at this instance of obliviousness, in which the veteran joined, though apparently unconscious that he had fallen into any mistake. He added- " I recollect Lieutenant-Colonel Dickson calling upon me. There was a volume of papers lying before me, and I recollect saying I could not make head nor tail of theca. (Laughter.) I do not think anybody could. (Laughter.) Lieutenant- Colonel Dickson admitted that he had received the Wellington College money, but he did not say what be had done with it, and I was of opinion that that and the breach of the regulations was ground for his removal. I acted on the Queen's re- gulations not being obeyed, and allowing the regiment to be disembodied without paying the debts. Lord Wilton told me about the bills not being paid ; and they were not paid—(laughter)—and he had to pay them afterwards." Mr. James—" Did you not say to Lieutenant-Colonel Dickson, ' Why, sir, your Colonel has been sued ; you must resign?' " Lord Combermere—" Did I ? I dare say I did. (Laughter.) I was acting on Lord Wilton's statements. It is the business of the Lieutenant-Colonel to see that the bills are paid. I could not make head or tail of the regimental report. (Laugh- ter.) I could not get through it, but I tried. When he called upon me he asked for justice ; and this is the mode in which I administered it on the 4th of May."

(Convulsive laughter.)

Lord Wilton and the Duke of Cambridge were examined on Monday. The former said-

" I first heard of the difficulties of the regimental accounts soon after the dis- embodiment of the regiment in 1856 by the receipt of a letter from Messrs. Shar- pus, enclosing their account without any remark for 5801. 1 received a long letter from Captain Dixon, complaining of Colonel Dixon and the state of his accounts. I consulted Colonel North upon it, and I thought it right to appoint a Regimental Board. It was never intended as a trial of Colonel Dickson, but for an examination of the accounts. I believed Colonel Dickson would come out unscathed, and that Captain Dixon's charges would turn out unfounded. I never was more hurt or surprised in my life when I found from the report he had placed a false account in my hands ; I never had an unkind feeling towards him before then, and for a long time afterwards ; the Board was appointed on Colonel North's recom- mendation, and not with a desire to replace Colonel Dickson. I believe it would have been a great dereliction of duty if I had not communicated this information to the War-office. Mr. T. Duncombe is one of my oldest friends ; before that I had never mentioned Colonel Dickson's case to any officer or any other person, not even to my brother (Lord Ebury) sitting there, who enjoys my full confidence—ask

him—did I ever breathe a single sentence about it ; but yet I am accused of being a libeller and a slanderer. (Witness shedding tears.) 1 believed my conversation with Mr. Duncombe was to be considered as sacred and confidential as anything could be this side the grave. The removal of„Cohniel Dickson is only from the mili- tia, and not from the army ; it involved no loss of commission."

The Commander-in-chief was examined by the Attorney-General. Ile was called chiefly to deny a statement of Colonel Dickson's that he suspected Lord Wilton had had a hand in choosing the officers who were appointed to inquire into his (Colonel Dickson's) conduct, and had had interviews with the Duke on the subject. His Royal Highness said-

" I was requested to appoint the Board by the Minister for War. All the com- munications on the subject were official. I never had any communication with Lord Wilton, directly or indirectly, on the appointment of the Board." Lord Campbell- " Nor would your Royal Highness have permitted it." The Duke of Cambridge- " Certainly not." After a speech from Mr. James on behalf of the plaintiff, Lord Campbell summed up. He told the Jury that the letters containing the libel and the words spoken to Mr. Duncombe were privileged communications if they were wntten and spoken bona fide in the execution of a duty. It would be for the Jury to say whether the privilege had been abused. The Jury, after two hours' consideration, returned a verdict for Colonel Dickson, with da- mages of 2001. for the slander spoken to Mr. Duncombe, in which the Earl charged the Colonel with having instigated the creditors of the regiment to take legal proceedings against himself; and 51. each for the two letters charging the Colonel with misappropriation of the mess funds.

Griffin, a tenant farmer, was bathing near Sandgate ; and Jeffreys, his friend, was waiting for him on the beach. A constable came up, and ex- hibiting handcuffs, talked of arresting Griffin, but Jeffreys remonstrating with him, words provoked blows and the constable was worsted. He returned with two persons to effect the arrest ; but Griffin and Jeffreys said they had a charge to prefer against him. On reaching the stationhouse Griffin and Jeffreys were thrust into a cell, searched and handcuffed, by order of In- spector Colman. The next day the Magistrates of Hythe dismissed the case, and Griffin bringing his action against Colman for false imprison- ment got 101. damages in the County Court. Colman appealed. The; Judges of the Court of Exchequer held that Colman had exceeded hie dulydis taking the charge without making inquiries, and in treating Griffin and. Jeffreys with severity, that the arrest was illegal, and all the parties to it trespassers, and they dismissed the appeal with costs. Any man," said Baron Martin, " who interferes with the liberty of the subject must act at his peril." The appellant's counsel remarked, that " a man is bound to assist an officer if called upon to do so." The Chief replied—" not at all If a man does not see the assault ho has no right to interfere. I have yet to learn that the mere word of a policeman can turn all her Majesty's sub - jects into thieftakers." A young man, arrested in the act of committing suicide, was brought be- fore the Lord Mayor on Saturday. In court he made a most painful state- ment. " I killed my father by giving him poison some days before he died, and I did so by my mother's command. She told me to give it him. I did not know what it was. I did it innocently. Just before she died she con- fessed to me that it was poison, and she begged of me, in God's name, not to mention it to any living being till after she was no more. I kept it a secret up to this time, but it has made me so miserable that I got tired of life." The young fellow had made two previous attempts at suicide. He was re- manded that the chaplain might talk to him ; as the Lord Mayor, confirmed in his impression by the statement of the prisoner's brother, thought him la- bouring under a delusion.

A fire at Whiteehapel, on Saturday morning, imperilled the lives of eight persons. By the daring and prompt exertions of Samuel Wood, a fire- escape conductor, no less than six were saved. A Jury which inquired into the case gave special thanks to Wood. He is well known for bravery and skill, and has saved lives before, on one occasion carrying a woman in his arms and her child between his teeth.