'r 3littropotio.

Easter festivities have not been so brilliant as they would have been, perhaps, had peace been proclaimed last week in the metropolis. In- deed, they do not step from the well-trodden paths of routine.

On Monday, the Lord Mayor gave his usual entertainment at the Mansionhouse. It was doubtless in consequence of the pressure of public business that her Majesty's Ministers were represented by none higher in office than Lord Wodehouse and Lord Duncan. The Opposition was represented by Sir John Pakington and the Earl of Lucan ; while Mr. Gladstone, a host in himself, may be considered as doing duty for the independent Members. The chief guest, however, was the Duke of Cambridge. After the "loving cup," the Duke spoke twice ; once in reply to a toast in his honour, once for the Army. and. Navy. He trusted that we are on the eve of peace. That might sound strangely from the lips of a military officer ; but it is a mistake to suppose that the Army and Navy wish for war, for war's sake. Both services are now in amore efficient state than they had been during many previous years ; and he trusted that, if peas were restored,. the country will profit by the lesson of the war, and not revert to an inefficient peace establishment. Lord Wodehouse, acknowledging "her Majesty's Ministers," paid a compli- ment to the country for its generous support. of the Government. "The aspect of England—one of calm dignity, waiting for the result of the ne- gotiations—has been such as to inspire great confidence in the Govern- ment and great respect for this country throughout Europe." Sir John Pakington trusted, that when the sufferings of war are exchanged for the blessings of peace, " the Legislature will deligently address themselves to those domestic improvements and social reforms which are essential to the welfare and happiness of this great country." To one reform—that of the Corporation of London—their attention had already been invited : that reform would be carried out with the utmost caution and -the greatest prospect of success ; but there was one point on which they would be unanimous—namely, that it should be so guarded as to offer no undue encroachment on those agreeable hospitalities for which the first magistrates of the City of London had long been distinguished. This remark elicited cheers and laughter; and it was followed by an assn. ranee from the Lord Mayor that his fellow citizens look "with the ut. most confidence: to any discussion which may take place with respect to the Corporation." Mr. Gladstone carried off the palm of oratory, in returning thanks on behalf of " the House of Commons " : an institution, he said, which " has this indubitable characteristic, that, whatever are its virtues, or whatever are its faults, both in its virtues and in its faults it is pre- eminently English ; and while it represents the weaknesses and perhaps the defects of the national character, it is likewise inseparably associated with everything which now constitutes, which has constituted in the past, and which, he trusted, would constitute in the future, the strength and glory of this country." The House of Commons had been called upon within the last two years to discharge arduous and painful duties ; for, to those who know their func- tions as representatives of the people, it must ever be a painful duty to be called on to add weight to the burdens of the people : but he trusted and believed the whole country is of opinion that the House of Commons was justified in voting freely and liberally those large sums of money which have been required for a war undertaken with no purpose of aggrandize- ment, but to serve the ends of a policy of humanity and justice. With re- ference to the course of the great operations of the last two years, although, being marked by scenes of bloodshed, they must suggest mixed feelings, he thought they might look back upon them with as much satisfaction as had ever been experienced by those engaged in directing the public affairs of any country when it was their duty to take a retrospect of the operations of war. He would not decline to follow the example of those who had al- luded to the war as being no longer a present war, but almost the late war ; and who regarded the peace to which all now look forward as no longer a subject of serious consideration, but as an object which, in a humble de- pendence on the Great Disposer of events, they might consider substantially attained. And if that were so, he did not think he went beyond.what the truth of tthe case would justify, when he stated that this war, which they now trusted was happily concluded, would stand in no small degree con- spicuous in history for the purity of the motives from which it originated, for the fidelity and honour of the great alliances by which it has-been carried on, and he ventured to add, also, for the rapidity with which the political and moral objects in view 'have been achieved. But, as far as regards the functions of Parliament, and as far as -regards the duties of the taxing body, he felt that the period of returning peace is only secondary, if indeed it is secondary, in its difficulties, to the period of entering into war, with respect to the nature of the duties which are in- volved. He trusted that the Members of the House of Commons would be at once cheered and warned by the interest taken in this subject by a com- pany like the- present—that they would be warned by the gravity of the charge imposed upon them, and that they would be cheered on m their at- tempts to arrive at a satisfactory solution of the question. There is one task to which it appeared to him that it is the duty of the House of Com- mons to address itself more than to any other on the return of peace, and that is the reestablishment of the equilibrium of the public finances. It would be the duty of that House to consider how the heavy burdens im- posed upon the people could be wisely alleviated ; to institute a thorough, systematic, and searching investigation into the state of the public esta- blishments ; and to make wise, circumspect, cautious, but at the same time bold and vigorous efforts, to bring them back into the state in which they ought to be ; so that during peace, while making adequate provision for the security of the country, Members of Parliament may be able to grant to the labouring population that relief which they have a right to expect, and at the game tune, if unhappily they should live to seethe day when it would again be necessary for England to buckle on her armour and to draw the sword, her establishments might be found in a condition thoroughly fitted for the work they are expected to perform, and the heart of the country might not again be wounded and torn by calamities which could not be re- lieved, but which it was felt might in great part have been avoided. They would agree with hint that this was a function and a task which lay before the Rouse of Commons, and one which it would not be justifiable to neglect for any other object. To that task and function he trusted the House of Commons would address itself; and that if it did so address itself, it would discharge its duty in a manner becoming a British Legislature. (Frequent cheers.) The humbler classes also took their pleasure on Monday, although the fashion was somewhat different from that of the great folks at the Man- sionhouse. The theatrical novelty was the production of an English translation of Verdi's Troeatore at Drury Lane • the theatre was " inconveniently filled to the roof." The Spanish dancers reappeared at the Haymarket ; Wright once more made his bow at the Adelphi • and the Princess's signalized the day by producing a new farce. For the day sight-seers there were the usual attractions of the various exhibitions ; .Barfard'a Panorama, the Polytechnic, the Panopticon, the Great Globe, -sad the youth-delighting wax-works in Baker Street. Greenwich fair -sustained its well-known reputation, and was as uproarious and -scandalous as ever.

The Corporation of London could scarcely be laggards in congratulating the French Emperor, after the scene in the Guildhall in April 1855. At a special Court of Common Council, held en Monday, on the motion of Mr. Deputy Lott, seconded by Alderman and Sheriff Kennedy, it was re- -solved that an address of congratulation should lia-presented to the Em- peror and Empress " on the auspicious birth of a Prince ; an event of momentous importance to the general interests of France,. and-oanducive to the domestic happiness of their Imperial Majesties."

The Administrative Reformers met with another check from the Chart- ists, on Tuesday. At the instigation of Mr. Jacob Bell and others, the .High Bailiff of Westminster tailed and presided over a public meeting in St. Martin's Hall. Very-few.persons attended, and nearly one half were Chartists. Mr. Bell moved a resolution denounoingthe evils of patron- age, and declaring the Administrative Reform Association worthy of support for its efforts to remedy those evils. Sir Jolla ,Shelley moved an amendment, to the effect that Parliamentary Reform and the llallot were alone likely-to remove -existing abuses. So far all was well'; but here a Chartist interposed another amendment, embodying the " five points." There was a good deal of uproar in the small assembly, Mr. Bell incor- porated Sir John Shelley's amendment with his resolution. The High Bailiff put the Chartist's amendment twice, and each. time it was lost. He then put the original resolution, as amended ; and said, amid much laughter, " I now decide that neither the original motion nor the amend- Meat is carried."

The annual Vestry meetings of the Metropolis present very little of 'other than local interest ; but for some years now a standing attraction has been furnished by'the proceedings of the parish of-St. Paul's Knights- bridge, because the question involved is not only of local but of general interest. This year, Mr. Westerton, the Churchwarden wile-headed the :opposition to the Reverend Mr. Liddell with regard to the services at St. Paul and St. Barnabas, was threatened with an opposition; but it 'ended in the retreat of his antagonist. The Vestry assembled on Tam- day, in the parochial school-room, Wilton Place. Such numbers crowded into the room that several gentlemen declared the building unsafe, Ind advised Mr. Liddell, who presided, to adjourn . to another place. 'Mr. Liddell declined to adjourn. "Then, if an accident occur, the responsibility will rest with you,: Xr. Liddell," exclanned a late church- warden. " I cannot help it," replied the Rector : "vie niust proceed according to law." Mr. Beal; in order to test the miestion, moved That the meeting should adjourn into the open air. Mr. Tuck, florist and coal-merchant, said the gentlemen who were to prOpese him "would have nothing to do with an open-air meeting." However, the motion was carried ; and Mr. Liddell took the chair in a large yard in the rear of the school. He nominated Mr. W. Jackson as his churchwarden. On -the motion of Dr. Baring, seconded by Mr. D. Jones M.P., Mr. Wester- ton was then elected without opposition ; Mr. Tuck having retired. After the election, an opportunitybeing afforded by some friendly remarks from Mr. Divett M.P. and Lord Marcus Hill, Mr. Westerton defended him- self from certain 'calumnies circulated to his injury—as that he was a Chartist, and a bankrupt. He explained that his political views were those of Grote, Hume, and Molesvrorth : if these were dangerous, Why 'did her Majesty intrust Sir William Molesworth with the seals of the Colonial Office ? Mr. Westerton explained his private' affairs, to show that he was not a bankrupt. ' "In answer to a question put to him in reference be an alleged offer of .6000/. and a seat in Parliament that had been made to him on condition that he would abandon the proceedings against Mr. Liddell, he stated, that, although it had been denied in print by the man who had made him the -offer, and who now signed himself VeriMs, he would, after -the contest was over, lay a full statement before the public,' which would unmask and annihilate the Jesuit."

On the motion of Mr. Westerton, seconded by Mr. Beal, thanks were :voted to Mr. Liddell for his conduct in the chair. Mr. Beal expressed a thope that the Rector would hereafter rely upon such popular expressions of good-will, rather than on the meretricious trumpery upon which he -had hitherto depended. Mr. Liddell briefly acknowledged the compli- 'tient, and the proceedings terminated.

M. Kossuth has appeared as a lecturer. He delivered, on Wednesday, in the Spa-fields School-room, Exmouth Street, the first of two lectures on the Austro-Roman Concordat. He said that the Concordat is, on the part of the Pope, a daring and dangerous manifestation of aspiration to universal supremacy, and on the part of the Austrian Emperor a shame- ful surrender of the most sacred rights of the crown, the clergy, and the people. To Hungary the consequences would be very serious. That country had always displayed a bold opposition to Papal pretensions, both before and after the Reformation. No nation has rendered greater services to the cause of Protestantism.

There was •an• unusual muster of the members of Lloyd's on Wed- nesday, to take into consideration the condition of the underwriting busi- ness. Mr. F. Baring M.P. occupied the chair. The grievances of the

underwriters were stated by Mr. Watts, as the preface to a motion in- tended to lead to their correction. His allegations were, that enormous and premeditated frauds- are practised on the underwriters by shippers " in the guise of claims for particular average, for damages by sea- water "; that the risks of the underwriters have greatly increased in con- sequence of the great change made in the size of mercantile vessels, the use of iron, the clipper nuisance and danger, the difficulty of procuring competent masters and mates, and the impossibility of obtaining able- bodied seamen, " thanks to legislative tinkering-of the laws by ignorant statesmen "—above all, the risk of collisions by the introduction of • steam and the sacrifice of safety to speed. " It is impossible to write goods to any port in the world without having a claim made for alleged sea-damage. 'The extent and audacity of this system indicate a condition of commercial morality perfectly appalling. Shippers and manufacturers look not to the profit of the markets so much as to the profit they can extract from the pockets of underwriters by manufac- tured claims for pretended sea-damage. It was necessary to check this ne- farious business. The proposition he had to make was for the meeting to agree to establish a board of investigation, to which all doubtful and ffis- puted claims should be referred. The decision of this board should be bindi- ng, either for the claim to be paid or resisted out of a common fund. He also proposed that a register of claims, the names of parties, and the nature- of the claims, be kept for the use of the members.

Mr. Hopper seconded the motion. It was put and negatived ; but it is understood that the discussion will be revived on another motion next Wednesday.

At a special meeting of the Middlesex Magistrates, on Thursday, it was resolved, on the motion of Sir Alexander Spearman, that the report of the Committee of Visitors of the Hanwell Asylum, recommending that additional accommodation' should be provided for 600 patients at Han- well, should'he approved, and referred back to the committee with diree- thintrtb obtain the sanction of the Home Secretary to the proposal.

'Mr. H. S. Selfe, of the Oxford Circuit, has been appointed Metropolitan Police Magistrate, in the place of Mr. Hardwick, resigned. kr. Beaton is transferred from Hammersmith to Marlborough Street ; Mr. Ingham, from the Thames Police Court, goes to Hammersmith, and Mr. Selfe -takes the Thames Court.

The Police records of the week present more intelligence respecting the nefarious trade in young girls between the Eastern ports and Germany ; a heartless case of bigamy ; another of ingratitude ; a new smashing dodge ; and an-escape from Pentonville Prison.

Further communications have been made to Sir Robert Carden with re- gard to the atrocious system of kidnapping English girls for importation into Germany. Mr. Marks, the Chief Minister of the West London Syna- gogue forwarded on Tuesday a letter to Sir Robert, enclosing another ad- dressed to himself : from this it appeared that the trade is systematic ; that it goes on both ways ; that one of the chief agents is a woman who lives at Liverpool; that Hull is the great depot for the supply of German girls to Liverpool and Manchester; and that in Germany there exists a regular system of correspondence between the depot at Hamburg and the great German towns. On the same day, "John Barge" informed the Magistrate by letter, that his daughter " Zelpha Barge" was sent with a parcel to the 'oreign Office on the 7th•Febrnary.; that from inquiry it was found that she -had delivered the parcel, but that she had mysteriously disappeared. " Her age is fifteen ; she is a steady serious girl."

David Williams or Daniel Wilson, eiockbroker, refused to support his wife and children; pleading that the, woman was not his wife, and throw* them for support on the parish. An inquiry was instituted, and evi- dence adduced to show that the man had really married twice. The case came before the Worship Street Magistrate, and Williams was committed far trial.

" The case of ingratitude is painful. Daniel Clifford, a cooper, brought his brother over from Ireland, gave him the ordinary education of his clan, -and-set him up in the world. Lately Daniel Clifford fell ill ; and he drew 1301. from the savings-bank, under the impression that his wife would net be able to obtain it if he died. The scoundrel brother stole 1101. of these hard-earned savings, and squandered the whole in debauchery. Ointinding that he had been robbed, Daniel caused his brother to be arrested, and the Thames Police Magistrate has remanded hint.

Smashers play a new tricky They try to pass what appears to be sixpence.. If challenged., it is found that the counterfeit is not an imitation coin, but " medal." But one of them has been defeated in this attempt to evade punishment. TheWorship Street Magistrate sent him to prison for" ob- taining goods under false pretences."

Two convicts, who had been sentenced to transportation have made an extraordinary escape from the Model Prison at Pentonvilie. During the night, they-opened their cell-door—or it was left open for theni : appearances seem to point to the latter conclusion • and it is stated that a warder has been suspended. After leaving the cell, they forced' up a very heavy trap- door, and got on to the roof of a low building. Thence they scaled a lofty wall, by the aid of a ladder made of wax-ends, which brought them to the roof of the prison ; where they must have encountered several difficulties, for they descended and ascended at least six times before they could have reached the outside of the gaol. The ladder was found hanging upon the lofty well of the exterior part of the prig= loft/must have taken the eel/wide a long time to construct it. One of therpideimerrifirata ahoemaker, and the other a bricklayer. • Ibw.1

There was a sad accident on Wednesday in a warehouse of theLondon Doelts.

A party weroviewing the.place ; some had ascended " hydraulic lift," while others remained on a lower floor to follow them presently • two young ladies incautiously leant over a low rail to look down the well ; at that moment the lift happened to descend, and the edge of the dap struck•the young ladies' heads against the rail—one was instantly killed, the other ap- pears to have escaped with a scalp-wound.