Cht 3littropalto.
The Court of Aldermen have adopted a resolution ordering the Town- Clerk—" to make such inquiries as may be necessary to ascertain whether any member of this Court or of the Court of Common Council have become disqualified under the 9th section of the 12th and 13th Victoria, cap. 94, sec. 9, and that he do from time to time forthwith lay the names of such members before this Court." It was remarked in court, that several members would be found to come within the operation of the act. Among those was mentioned Alderman Cubitt, who has been exposed to an indictment for creating a "nuisance " at Greenwich ; but it was at once explained that the nuisance was a new pier erected by the Alderman at his own cost, to the great convenience of the public.
The Court of Common Council, on Thursday, passed a resolution con- gratulating the Lord Mayor on the marriage of his daughter, Miss Ada Blanche Carden, to Mr. Frederick Brodie.
The anniversary festival in aid of the funds of the Hospital for Dis- eases of the Chest was held on Wednesday, the Duke of Cambridge in the chair. Since its foundation in 1848, the institution has relieved 40,750 out-patients ; and since wards for in-patients were opened in 1855, it has provided for 660 of these. The receipts for the last year amounted to 6278/. ; the expenditure to 47001. Part of the money has been applied to liquidate the building debt, but 60001. remains to be paid. The contribution of the evening amounted to 30001. In pro- posing the "Army and Navy," the Chairman went out of the usual course, and made some remarks on matters affecting himself. He denied the imputation that he had not supported Sir Cohn Campbell ; on the contrary, the greatest cordiality and attachment existed between him and Sir Colin. Then again, he was told that the cause of all the incon- veniences and want of comfort to the Army was the want of attention on the part of the Horse Guards. No statement could be more incorrect.
If there was anything which occupied his attention more than another from day to day and from hour to hour, it was the deep interest which ho took in all that related to the permanent advantage and wellbeing of the Bri- tish soldier. He took every opportunity whenever his more important duties allowed him to leave London, even for a few hours, to go and inspect the various barracks and hospitals throughout the country. On his return from such visits, he always found that in the barracks many things:were wanted which it was his duty to represent, and which he had represented accord- ingly. But what was the result ? He did not hold the purse-strings of the nation ; and though he might represent a certain state of facts, which-gene- rally were admitted, he was met by the answer that it might be all very true and very desirable, 'but the Government had no money.-Well, he could not coin money ; and if the feeling of the country was that much should and much ought to be done, it was for the country to give the money, or other- wise the desire to improve the condition of the Army could not be carried out. He felt very strongly on this point, and, as he had not had an earlier opportunity of giving utterance to the sentiments that impressed him, he trusted that they would excuse him if he gave vent to remarks which were not in strict accordance with charitable meetings of this description. All he could say was, that the very improvements which had been introduced.into the Army had caused the barrack-accommodation of the Army to be cur- tailed. They had had libraries and reading-rooms, but it was a great mis- take to suppose that they had added to, because in truth they had been taken out of, the barrack-accommodation of the soldier. That bad been done because it was a cheaper method, apparently., and the men had been crowded up in their rooms—all to meet the feeling of the age. He was quite sure that what he said would be believed.
The road over the new bridge at Chelsea is now complete. The Prince Consort and the Prince of Wales rode over it on Thursday. They were received by Mr. Page and Professor Faraday.
The final examination of Simon Bernard took place on Saturday. Several other witnesses were called to support previous testimony, and there was also new evidence. Mr. Joseph -Taylor, a manufacturer of Birmingham, stated that he had made the grenades ; he was employed by Mr. Thomas Allem, of London. Mr. Allsop was a man about8iti, tall, stout, and deaf. M. Wich, Vice-Consul of Belgium in London, de that he had vised an adl import for Thomaa Allsop—a tall, stout gentleman, little deaf. An had first presented the passport, but was told that Allsop must come himself. He came : "he was an Engfishman—I may say a thomugh spe- cimen of John Bull, because the first thing he did was to grumble.' Mr. Ilodkin-put in the-following letter-addressed brAllsop to Bernard.
" Riverhead, gent, Jan. 1.
" My dear Doctor—Many thanks for the two slips enclosed, which I now return. I have not yet received any communication in reply to my appeal to the friends of
Italy, but I hope seine answers have been received in London. I am glad to hear that all difference of opinion is confined to a single point. Differences exist in every army, but unity of action is necessary for success. However, I have every confi- dence in the future. The abominable miscreant of the 2d of December seems to have reached his culminating point. Have you seen the withering contempt with which Smith O'Brien alludes to-the Queen's kissing this unconvicted felon 1 He is not likely to give much more-trouble, even if he escapes the retribution hew richly merits. If I was in California now I would double the sum offered by Lander to the man who should perform an act of justice to that most wretched caitiff, and so end the existing system. He must be killed. It is some consolation to know that he is obliged to drink before going abroad to drown his fears. I shall be glad to hear whatever you may know as to Orsini'e progress, or of any other matter in which we are interested. Be kind enough to assure Orsini of my warmest sympathy and affectionate regard. " Tours fraternally, THOMAS Amnoe. " P.S. I hope this year will see the first-instalment of justice done towards a new dawn of life for the peoples."
[Many of the passages of this letter were too obscurely written to be per- fectly intelligible.]
Mr. Bodkin having now closed his evidence, he asked the Magistrate to commit the prisoner on two charges. The first offence alleged, misdemean- our, was very clear—the cases of Peltier, Lord George Gordon, Azzopares, and others, supported his view. The second charge was that of being an accessory before the fact to a murder in a foreign land. The 9th Geo. Thea, c. 31, governed this case, inflicting punishment on any of the Queen's sub- jects accessory. to a murder in a foreign land. There had been murders com- mitted in Parts, to which Bernard was an accessory; France is at amity with England, and therefore Bernard owed local allegiance to the Sovereign of these realms—he is one of " the Queen's subjects." Mr. Sleigh, for the prisoner, said he would not argue the legal points! as the Magistrate intended to commit ; but he contended that the proceedings against his client were in opposition to the principles of English law.
Mr. Jardine, after adverting to the importance of the inquiry, committed Bernard on both charges. The prisoner seemed to be quite indifferent as to the result of the investigation.
Mr. William John Aitchison, a young man, son of an architect who is a Common Councillor, and Mrs. Hill, wife of an architect living in Great James Street, have been charged before the Bow Street Magistrate with stealing a purse from Mrs. Harvey, wife of a coachman. Mrs. Harvey said, that in the evening, near Russell Square, they stopped her to ask questions about the neighbourhood, which appeared to have no object : Mrs. Hill pressed against Mrs. Harvey ; soon after, Mrs. Harvey missed her purse; she followed the accused, and gave them into custody, The purse was not found on either, nor a half-sovereign which was in the purse. It was satis- factorily explained why the accused were walking together in the evening : Mr. Aitchison received the highest character •, but the Magistrate said that there were circumstances of suspicion -which were unexplained—he could
not discharge the accused and say they left without a reproach their character. On hearing this, Mr. Aitchison preferred that the case should proceed; and Mr. Henry committed the accused, but accepted bail.
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