The Brecon Reporter and South Wales General Advertiser

In the House of Lords, on Friday, his Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, introduced by the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge, took his seat on his creation, with the usual ceremonial. The adjourned debate on the Issue of Commissions of In- quiry into Corrupt Practices at Lancaster and other Boroughs, and m which Earl Grey had moved an amend- ment to the sheet that a royal commission to inquire gene- into corrupt practices at elections should issue, was renewed; and atter a discussion On a division the motion was agreed to by 77 to 17. Re%^te%n1 TotZ! W61'e to 111 reSard to Yarmouth, and AStDStrtoS8 co«ee on the Exchequer Lord Belper complained that the changes proposed by the bill would impair the independence and efficiency of the audit of public accounts, and moved that it be referred to a select committee. After a discussion the motion was withdrawn, and the bill passed through committee. Several other bills were advanced a stage, and the House adjourned shortly after eight o clock. In the House of Commons, in answer to Mr. O'Beirne Mr T G. Baring said that, it had been decided to test the strength of the cupola system by firing at one of the turrets of the Royal Sovereign. In answer to Mr. Gilpin, Mr Cardwell said that the report ol the Jamaica Commis- sion would probably be ready the week after next Mr. Disraeli said that m a recent debate he had said that the representative of England at the Conference of Paris, in 1855, had entered into a conspiracy a.gamst the freedom of the press in Europe. He had founded his observation on documents on the table of the House. It was said that his statements could not be correct, because the records of the Conference showed that our plenipotentiary stated that, as representing a country where the press was free indeed, he could not take any step to repress that insti- tution; but that, he had expressed an opinion that the license of the Belgian press was likely to lead to great evils in regard to the friendly relations of nations. It was the fact* that all the other ministers I denounced the press of Belgium, and advocated coercive measures; and, finally, a paragraph was added t@ the pro- tocol embodying that opinion as that of the whole Confer- ence, and signed by all the plenipotentiaries, including that of England. He was therefore jnstified in the obser- vation that that functionary was a party to a combination vation that that functionary was a party to a combination against the press. Mr. Layard said that Mr. Disraeli had made three accusa- tions against Lord Clarendonthat he had entered into' conspiracy against the press, had agreed to a disadvan- tageous arrangement of the boundaries of Turkey, and had not pressed the establishment of Circassia, as a free State. Having denied the correctness of each of these accusations, the hon. gentleman proceeded to read from the protocols of the Conference extracts which he contended entirely proved that denial. On going into committee of supply, Mr. Yerner called attention to the grave irregularities in the management of certain City Prisons in Ireland, as shown in the reports ot the Inspectors General. specters General. Mr. C. Fortescue was glad to hear that no fault was found wtth the Inspectors General, and while admitting that irre- ] nties had existed, stated care had been taken to improve the state of things complained of. Sir W. Stirling-Maxwell called attention to the condition of the office of Lord Lyon, King-at-Arms in Scotland, and asked whether before filling up that vacant office the recom- mendations of the commissioners for inquiring into courts i Scotland would be considered, and steps taken for placing Ie Lyon Court under improved regulations. III I Mr. Childers said tha,t it was true that a commission had recommended that the officers of the Lord Lyon Court should be paid by salary instead of fees. That had not been done, and the function of Lord Lyon had become a sinecure: and as the office was now vacant, it was under consideration to make it an honorary and unpaid one. Mr. B. Hope called attention to a report that the Royal Academy has refused a site at Burlington-house, and has preferred to remove to South Kensington. Mr. Cowper said that in consequence of a scheme for ex- tending its operations, and itself as a body, by the Royal Academy, it had been found that the site offered to them at Burlington-house was too small for them, and he believed that they had decided on rejecting it. The discussion was continued by Mr. Powell, Lor(3 J. Manners, Lord Elcho, Mr. Ayrton, Mr. Gregory, Mr. Caven- dish Bentinck, and Sir Gsorge Bowyer. Mr. Layard, as a trustee of the National Gmllery, wished to state that all the trustees were of opinion that the House should reconsider the determination it came to two years ago, and permit a new National Gallery to be built on a site at Burlington-house, and give up the present building to the Royal Academy. Mr. Hubbard, observing on this statement and the decla- rations of many members in the debate, urged that the Government should again take the opinion of the House on the question of retaining or not of the National Gallery on its'present site. Lord Cranborne said that the art discussions of the House were most depressing to the uninitiated, for the difference of opinion which prevailed was not too minutely illustrated. He argued in favour of a central position for the national art collections. The report of the resolution relating to the annuity of the; Princess Mary was brought up. The Representation iof the People Bill being the next order, The Chancellor of the Exchequer said he could not go on with it at that hour (eleven o'clock), and postponed it to Monday; and, in answer to Mr. Bovill said the Government had no further statistical information in reference to the franchise, except such as had been specially moved for by members. Several bills were advanced a stage, and the other business was disposed of, and the House adjourned at five minutes to one o'clock. In the House of Lords, on Monday, Lord Ebury moved that an. humble address be presented to her Majesty for the appointment of a commission to revise the lectionary of the Established Church, and also to consider what steps should be taken to obviate the evils complained of asatisillg ..1 from the compulsory and almost indiscriminate use of the burial service. The Archbishop of Canterbury objected to the motion, on the ground that it would open a subject, the settlement of which was. surrounded with difficulties scarcely capable of solution. „ After a discussion of some length, in the coarse of which Lord Russell objected to the commission, on the ground that matters of this kind had better be left to the ecclesias-' tical authorities, as they were only calculated to lead to I irritating controversies if otherwise considered, On a division, the motion was negatived by 66 to 20. Several bills (amongst them the Exchequer and Audit c Department Bill, which was read a third time and passed) "I were advanced a stage; and „ The House adjourned J; 20 minutes pastuine o'clock. In the House of Commons, Mr. Kinglake, in reference to the state of continental Europe, said that it was possible that war had already broken out; for it appeared^ that the Austrian commander had convoked the States ofHolsteini at Altona, and probably the Prussian commander would' interfere to prevent the choice of the Duke of Augnsten- berg. There was an uiiveiled desire on the part of Prussia to obtain the Elbe Duchies, and of Italy to obtain Venetia.. Watching her opportunity, Italy had entered into a treaty with Prussia against Austria, without there being a qua.rrel between her and Austria. He did not blame- Italy for seizing this opportunity, but that was a very different thing from approving the conduct of other Powers which' had tempted her to take a course likely to disturb the peace of Europe. He alleged that England had given indirect encouragement to Italy as to her claim on Venetia, and pointed out that the position now held by Austria was justifiable, and that it was not possible to en- courage the notion of change of territory. He put a ques- tion as to the negotiations which had been going on, and the I part that England had taken in them. The Chancellor of the Exchequer said that as far as her1 Majesty's Government's information went, it was not easy to have settled the German question but for the Italian question, for the duchies were as much a 'matter in disjoate as Italy. It was the revocation of the question of the duchies to the Diet and the conven- tion of the State of Holstein were the immediate causes of quarrel. It was not easy to assume that Italy had quarrel. It was not easy to assume that Italy had adopted the position of a disturbing Power. As to encourage- ment to Italy by England, none had been given to her by I her Majesty's Government, nor had the Government, as a Government, given any advice to Austria as to the cession of Venetia; and as to indirect influence usedto that end, there was no doubt, that that was tiie long-expressed opinion of j successive Governments in this country, end especially of the present Government, and from that opinion they ware not prepared to recede, however painful and undesirable it might be to express such an opinion at this moment. While refrain- ing from going further into the questions raised, he would say t hat Italy could only be entitled to Venetia on the ground of the wishes and feelings of that province itself, lie feared there was no hope that peace would be secured. After the preliminary objections of Austria there could have been no practical benefit in pressing on a conference, and as to advice to the disputing Powers, it was given generally, if not alto- gether, in conjunction with other Powers. After some remarks by Mr. D. Griffith, Mr. B. Cochrane, and Mr. Sandford, Sir G. Bowyer wished to know if her Majesty's Govern- ment, besides expressing, an opinion to Austria as to the advisability of ceding Venetia, had given any advice on that point to the Court of Florence. The King of Sardinia (he still called him so) had no more right to Venetia than he had to Middlesex; and he should be advised ts give up the kingdom of the Two Sicilies which he had usurped. Sir R. Peel said the point of advice having been given to Austria to cede Venetia had been evaded by Mr. Gladstone; and he was mistaken when he said that any right of Italy to Venetia was founded on traditions of the past; for there was no tradition which connected that province with the King of Sardinia. After some observations from Lord R. Montagu, Mr. Laing, Mr. D. Seymour, Major Walker, and Lord Cran- borne, Mr. Layard said no advice had been given by her Majesty's Government to Italy to go to war with Austria, but exactly the contrary. He contended that the greatest improve- ment had taken place in Italy, and expressions of discontent which were publicly uttered proved the freedom of that country. The debate was continued by Colonel Percy Herbert, Mr. C. Bentinck, Mr. Powell, Lord C. Hamilton, and several other hon. members, and the subject then dropped. The House went into committee on the Representation of the People Bill, resuming at clause 4. Mr. Hunt moved an amendment, the effect of which was that the county franchise should be estimated at the rate- able and not the rental value. After some discussion, The Chancellor of the Exchequer said before the Govern- ment was fully informed they were inclined to a rating franchise, but it was found that a rental possessed all the advantages and none of the disadvantages of a rating fran- chise. If the system was established in counties it must be I adopted in towns, and the effect would be thai;, owing to the inequality of rating in 'unions, there might be actually dif- ferent franchises in one borough. The true test was the capacity of the occupier to pay, a certain rent, while the rateable value was the value as it had to do with the landlord. After debate for some time, Colonel Gilpin moved that the chairman report progress. Colonel Gilpin moved that the chairman report progress. On a division the motion was rejected by 303 to 251, being 40 for the Government. Colonel S. Knox moved that the chairman do leave the chair." An animated conversational debate followed. On a division the motion was negatived by 254 to 212. A motion was then made to "report progress," which was not resented, and the House resumed. The other business was disposed of, and the House ad- journed at a quarter to two o'clock.

A. ililaa ot Letters James Thomas, a young man, was charged at the Londan Mansion-house with stealing seven letters, the property of Messrs. Collis and Co., merchants, from a letter-box at No. 17, St. Dunstan-hill. The prosecutors had for some time past received complaints of letters being stolen from the letter-boxes at offices in different parts of the City, through which great loss and inconvenience had been caused. A watch was set near the office in ques- tion. The prisoner—who was seen to go in and open the box, and walk off—was apprehended, and seven letters were found in his pocket. Remanded for a week.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. In ihe House of Lords on Thursday, on the motion^ Earl Russell, an address to the crown, in answer to her Majesty's message in reference to ihe m^na^e of the Prin- cess Mary of Cambridge, assuring!Majest;r dtt* £ lordships' readiness to concur with the other blouse in making provision for her royal highness, was agreed to. The Law of Capital Punishments Amendment Bill passed through committee pro forma. ,,w Jreferred The Crown Lands Bill was read a second time and reterrea to a select committee. The Nuisances Be-«v|l f11 was read a second time, as was the Life Insurance iireidnu; 3 The Burials in Burghs (Scotland) Bill passed through committee.. r^mnanies Act, 1882. On going into committee on the Companies ioo^, Sa^KBS S'-g ssisi'-??Sisa many of d contributed to the results which gambling, f,d,habd,Xuptov and winding'up, and a had been lately seen-b.m^ P He lloped that the Housb wTuTda not°nencourage, by any further legislation, such a SyEari Grey having moved the rejection of the bill, On a division it was thrown out by 17 to 14. The House adjourned at 20 minutes to eight o'clock. In the House of Commons, in committee of the whole HTvf«ei hancellor of the Exchequer moved that the Queen's messaged relation to the marriage of the Princess Mary of Cambndee be considered, and submitted a proposal for a further provision for her Boyal Highness. He said that £ ?000 a year, which her Royal Highness at present enjoyed, would not be adequate for her married life, and proposed t.Kc pnlaraement of it to £ 5,000. Mr. Disraeli seconded the motion in' a few-'words expres- sive of his hope that happiness would be the result of the marriage of her Royal Highness. The motion was agreed to. The House then went into committee on the Representa- tion of the People and Redistribution ot Sellts Bill, and 0toC"ci™.3r-MS"»«.» occ„„»ti«fc»chi,.o1 in reference to the right of householders in boroughs to vote for counties, said that the county franchise being founded on property ran through the whole county, and even into cities and boroughs. The Reform Act took away from the county freeholder his right to vote when his qualification was in a borough; and another innovation on the county franchise. was the £50 occupation clause. In reducing this occupation franchise' the Government thought it right to see if there was any class or proprietary interest who would have been entitled, on the ancient principle, to vote for counties; and this was found in the leaseholders of the bill. This having been objected to, it was intended to withdraw it. Speaking of Mr. Waloole's amendment—to put the county franchise at R20-he said that the House had repeatedly affirmed the principle of a m0 county franchise; and it had been delibe- rately proposed by the Government of Lord Derby, and this in the most extended form in which it had ever been brought forward. The present proposition was devised, with the view of bringing about a compr inise of opinion. The change of the 214 to a 220 franchise would cause a diminution of 56,000 persons in the number of those whom it was sought to enfranchise by the bill, and the proposed alteration would be opposed by the Government with all its power. Lord Stanley made a suggestion that the portion of the bill relating to the redistribution of seats should be taken; first. He moved an amendment, which would have the effect of carrying out his suggestion, namely, the postponement of the 4th clause. Mr. E. Egerton seconded the amendment. Mr. Bright pointed out that the Government had, except in matters vital to their intentions, made many conces- sions to the wishes of the Opposition. It had been said by Lord Stanley that the franchise clauses might be got through in three nights, and therefore if the House were permitted to get rid of that part of the bill, the consideration of the Redistribution Bill might be entered upon in due time. He contended that the proposition of the noble lord was in. tended only for obstruction delay, and the prevention1 of the passing of any measure ttiis year. Mr. Newdegate argued that redistribution of seats was the most important part of Reform, and ought to be first °°The Chancellor of the Sxchequerwng^ sition on their perfect master,-ofthe did not, however, complain of T,liesuaae „a n!mt of the noble l?rd but; would f^^ £ thSTt when a dlfinit!issue was arrived^ ati to start a stratagem th^obfectof which was plain and obvious? He supposed th^t the word of the Government, that they would abide the pleasure of the House m regard to the Distribution Bill, was no pledge that they would not revert to their original plan. But the Government would not consent to have the conduct of their measure taken out of their hands, and manipulated by a hostile opposition, which to that hour had not stated its intentions. He thanked the noble lord for having put the matter OJol a definite issue, which the Government accepted without reserve. On a division the amendment was rejected by 287 to 26fr. Mr. Walpole then proceeded to move that t20 rating occupation should be substituted for £ 14 as the county qualification. The debate was continued bv Mr. Yilliers, who replied to Mr. Walpole; by Mr. Hunt, Sir E. Boiler, Mr. Beresterd Hope, Sir F. Crossley, and Mr. Liddell. Mr. Pease supported the clause. Mr. Adderley declined to vote for a £ 14 franchise until he knew more of the distribution of seats and the re-arrange- ment of boundaries. Mr. J. B. Stanhope contended against the proposition Of the Government, on the ground that it was calculated to swamp the county constituencies by urban voters. Sir G. Grey contended that there was no reason for the assertion that the £ 14 franchise would enable urban popu- lations to swamp rural constituencies. Mr. Disraeli said that what he wanted was, that before it was settled what the county franchise was to be, it should be defined what the county constituencies were. It was necessary to ascertain what the county population was. The question of the boundaries of towns ought to be fairly met and settled. He was prepared to support a £10 county franchise if it was a bona fide one, and was enjoyed by a genuine rural constituency. The Chancellor of the Exchequer said that the question being the fitness of those who should have the franchise under discussion extended to them, it could not be denied that that fitness existed. The right hon. gentlemm in detail examined and replied to the arguments of the different opponents of the clause. Mr. Henley supported the amendment. On a division, the amendment was rejected by 297 to 283. The debate was adjourned till next day, and the House was counted out at one o'clock.

I EXTRAORDINARY ACCIDENT ON 'l1HEi GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY. The Great Northern has hitherto been regarded aa; baing one ot the best-managed railway systems in the j .kingdom; but on Siiisday that system wa3 almost I entirely blocked by a disaster the magnitude as well' as the character of which is entirely without precedent in the history of railway aeoideuts in this country, and can only find its parallel in calamities which may soinetimes have been heard of on the other side of the Atlantic. That three heavily laden' train of merchandise' si Quid a-JBh into each other in the middle of a tunnel-1 aitnoat aimultaheously littla more than 20 miles from London, that such trains should have become ignited' by the fire from the furnace's of their' overthrown -And shattered engines, and that the tunnel, which is more than half a mile in length, should be converted into oae httge- furnace and its air shafts into a species of burning5 crater, is a calamity so-' astounding as to be almost incredible were it not that it is undeniably true. true. The' scene of this extraordinary occurrence is the Welwyn Tunnel, about five miles beyond Hatfield, and between the Welwyn Jxtnotion, and Stevenage, and the it r of the circumstances-celieoted on the spot is thia:-Sliort-ly before eleven o'clock a train of goods "esxipties started-on Saturday night from King's- cross goods station for Hitchin. On reaching the' centre of the Welwyn-Tunnel'; either from the burst- ing of a tube, or some other cause, the engine broke dawn, and the train was1 brought to a stand. In this1 era&rgehcy it would Mave been the duty of Bay, the guardj who was in the hraak t the rear of the train, to have gone back out of the tunnel, and given tha stopping signal. This precaution from a cause Hot explained, and which, in all proba- bility, never will be explained, as Ray, with his companion, was subsequently found in the break van dead, it is quite clear they did not take. This occurred about half-past twelve on Sunday ■naorning, and had scarcely taken plaee when the down Midla.sdgooda train, the driver of the engine of which had received no signal1 of dauger on the London side, ran into the tunnel and dashed into the rear of the already broken down train of empties. The violence of the shook was such as to throw the Midland engine: and the heavy train of goods which it was drawing-, and which, among other merchandise, was known to contain several wagons laden with casks of oil and other materials of a combustible character, over on to the up line, piling them eueupon the other in heaps reaching to the crown of the arch, and completely- blocking the tunnel. Whether from consternation or from neglect, no signal of the mishap was given to the signalman at the northern end towards' Stevenage, and in an incredibly short space or; time the Scotch meat train came up, bringing up tha dead meat from the north for the supply of the Monday's Newgate-market, with other goods. This, which was a Great Northern train, entered the tunnel, and dashed into the ruins of the already capsized Midland goods. In a few moments it waa discovered that the engine of the Great; Northern train had turned over, and that the goods- and wagons of the Midland train had become ignited from tha burning coal and cinders of the engine fur- naces scattered about. Singular, to relate, both drivers and firemen of all the engines had escaped either un- hurt or with bat slight injuries, and having signalled to the nearest stations, both up and down, what had happened, the first step taken was to look after the' guard of the Northern train of empties, Hay, who was found in the midst of the ruins of his break, frightfully crushedand quibe dead, and with him another mas, afire- man in the employ of the Metropolitan Railway, whom it appears he was conveying surreptitiously down the line to his home, who, although not quite dead, was in a dying condition and was not expected to survive many hours. The guard of the Northern up-train, Lacey, was also found lying on the line near his break, most severely injured about the head. He was in the first instance removed to Welwyn, but sub- sequently was taken to town and placed under the care of Mr. J. Templeton Kirkwood, of the Easton-road, surgeon to the Great Northern and Midland Companies. Lacey, although suffering from a severe scalp wound, and other head injuries, it is hoped, may receiver. In- formation of the occurrence was at once telegraphed to Mr. Seymour Clarke, the general manager of the line, who resides at Hatfield, and also to the authorities on the northern side; at Knebworth, large bodies of men were employed to get out what wagons they could, but the suffocating character of the smoke and the heat of the fire from the ignited ruins of the carriages and merchandise prevented their efforts being very effective, with the exception of the Scotch train. Further telegrams having been for- warded to London, about two o'clock on Sunday morning, Mr. Superintendent Williams, with a gang of some 200 men, reached the scene of the disaster. By this time, however, it was known that there were 36 carriages or trucks, 13 of which belonged to the down Midland, all in a blaze. The repeated explo- sions rendered any attempt, even if the heat and smoke had not prevented it, to enter the tunnel abortive. From the air-shaft smoke and at intervals flame, although some 50 or 60 feet in height from the roadway to the summit of the shaft, together with sounds resembling the roaring of a mighty cataract or river, indicated the character of the conflagration that was raging underneath. The authorities having taken counsel, in the absence of water and inability to approach the seat of conflagra- tion it was deemed advisable to let it expend itself, and be prepared with aid to enter the tunnel and clear the line of the rains so soon as it should have done so. The fire continued to rage throughout the whole of the day, and it was not until six p.m. that it had be- come sufficiently reduced to enable any one to enter the tunnel. At this time a body of men arrived, under command of Mr. Superintendent Williams, with the Hatfield engine, lent to tha company by the Marquis of Salisbury; and a supply of water hav- ing been obtained the engine was set to work, but the ruins were still burning. Hundreds of navvies had now arrived, and it was hoped during the night to get the line clear. In the meantime the whole of the traffic has been carried on along the Hertford branch, via Royston and Hitchin, and the Cambridge branch of the Great Eastern Railway. It is a fortunate circum- stance that the Great Northern Railway traffic on Sundays is trivial as compared with that on week days, otherwise it is doubtful if the Great Eastern could have taken it as well as the Midland, which is also stopped. The exertions for clearing the tunnel for traffic were carried on with vigour during the whole of Sun- day and through the night, and with such success that by nine o'clock on Monday evening the entire wreck of the catastrophe had been removed. These opera- tions were carried on under the direction of Mr. John. son, the engineer of the line, with a force of about 450 navvies and fitters, and labourers working in relays. The scene of ruin was confined to a space of about 100 yards in the centre of the northern tunnel. The men attacked this at either end, working away with picks, and crowbars, and trolleys, and wheeling off large portions of the ruins as they separated them from I the general wreck. As they made their way towards the centre of the mass they foand the fire still smouldering, and as this was immediately under a shaft the draughts of air which it supplied ever and anon fanned the dying embers into a fla.me. Then was brought into play the Marquis of Salisbury's powerful fire-engine from Hatfield, worked by 14 sturdy navvies at a time; and supplied with water from tenders brought to the spot by cautiously-guided engines, whistling and as they approached the scene of the calamity. These were dragged up by other engines and two powerful 10 or 12 ton cranes—one at either end. To them, by chains and tackling, were made fast such heavy gear as men without machinery would be powerless to move, and then the ponderous maBs was slowly dragged out of the tunnel. In this way, after hours of well-directed labour, the line was at length cleared; the engines and tenders were set upon their wheels once more; the remains of the hundred trucks, of which, however, some 18' or 20 had fallen victims to the flames, were safely got out; the remnants of springs, of bolts, of nuts, of twisted rails, of telegraph wire, of wheels, and screws and crowbars, and coke and coal, and baked wheat and Hour were all by degrees removed, and such a collection perhaps it never fell to the lot of man before to behold. Pending the clearing of the line the stooping trains were forwarded by Hertford, Cambridge, Royston, and Hitchin: and the express tiains by Hertford, Cam- bridge, March, and Peterborough.

THE BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. The foundation-stone of the new building to be prected for this society on a site lying to the eastward of St. Andrew's Church, Upper Thames-street, was formally laid on Monday morning by his Royal High- ness the Prince of Wales. Seats for the accommoda- tion of nearly 2,500 spectators had been ereoted, and these were covered by a large and tastefully decorated awning. By half-pass eleven the greater portion of the visitors had assembled, and they awaited bhe arrival of the Prince with admirable patience. Shortly after twelve o'clock the band outside' gave notice that the Royal party had arrived; but it was immediately evident that the Princess of Wales was not to be present. His Royal Highness was received by the Earl of Shaftesbury, who is president of the society, the Lord Mayor, and a number of other gentlemen, who accompanied him to the spot at which the foundation'stone was to be laid. When his Royal Highness reached the platform which' had been erected for him, the Rev. Mr. Jackson ga,ve out a psalm, which was sung by the vast assemblage, and thereafter the Rev. T. Binney read suitable pas- sages from the Old and New Testament. The Rev. Mr. Bergne then read a brief statement of the object, and' operations of the society, from which it appeared that the receipts of the society in the first year of its exist. ence amounted to £ 5,592. Last year the reüeipts; .1 rom all sources had reached the noble sum of i2171,375. The society, during the 62 years that have elapsed since its formation, has expended nearly six millions of money in the furtherance of its object; and the large resources placed at its disposal maybe regarded in some degree as a national recognition of the value of the Holy Scriptures and the Christian duty of giving them the utmost difrasion. The Earl of Shaftesbury then formally requested his Royal' Highness to lay the stone, and hoped that every year of the existence of the illustrious dynasty to which his Royal Highness belonged would be marked by the increased circulation of the Word of God, and greater triumph of the Christian religion in every natioa of the earth. The Prince of Wales, after laying the foundation- stone and declaring the ceremony duly performed, said he had to thank them for the very interesting ad- dress which had been read to him, and which set forth the object and operations of the noble in- stitution in support of which they had that day as- sembled. It was now 63 years since Wilbur- force, father of the able prelate who now occupied so respected a position in the Church of England with a few friends, resolved to establish the British and Foreign Bible Society, the ceremony connected with which to-day would awaken an interest not alone in England, but in every nation of Europe. Such oc. casions like the present were always gratifying, but especially so when it was one like the present, in which all Christiana could join, the object being the diffusion of the Word of God. He had hereditary claims to taking part in the proceedings of that day,. as his grandfather, the late Duke of Kent, was a warm advocate of the claims of the society. It was gratifying^ to him to recollect that the two modern versions of the Scriptures—the German and English— were both in their origin cemented with his family. It was his hope and trust that under Divine guidance a wider diffusion and a deeper study of the Scriptures would continue to result from the operations of the society to the extension of truth and the progress of mankind. After again thanking the Lord Mayor, vice- presidents, and committee, and the other distinguished ,u persons present, for tha gratifying spectacle that had been afforded, and expressing the interest he felt in the society, his Royal Highness resumed his seat amid I loud applause. The Archbishop of York then offered up prayer, and immediately afterwards the Lord Bishop of Win- chester returned thanks to the Prince for his atten- dance. Two verses of the National Anthem were then sung, and the benediction was pronounced. On the conclusion of the ceremony his Royal High- ness was conducted to his carriage by the same gentle- men who had received him on his arrival, the band of the Royal Artillery Company meanwhile play- ing the Danish National Anthem. The guard of honour, furnished by the Hon. Artillery Company, and under the command of Captain Biden, having pre- sented arms, his Royal Highaess entered the carriage and drove off; while the mass of people within tha temporary enclosure shortly thereafter followed. The weather during the forenoon was bright and cheerful, and a considerable portion of Thames-street was gaily decorated with flags.

CHARGE OB' WILFUL AND CORRUPT PERJURY. Harriet Ellen Allen, aged 35. who said she was a milliner, and gave the address 20, Cumberland-street, a Pimlico, was brought up on Friday at the Marylebone Police-court on a warrant in the custody of detective- Hwrgeant Palmer, the charge being that she did, on the 30th of May, 1886, commit wilful and corrupt per- jury in the hearing of a certain charge of misdemeanor preferred by har against Mr. Alexander Moselv. Mr. George Lewis, jun., of Ely-place, appeared for the prosecutor; and Mr. Wilding for the defence. Mr. Alexander Moseiy said I reaide at 16, Sander- land-terrace, Bayswater. I am a member of the Royal College of Surgeons, and practise as a surgeon- dentist. I was 29 last May. I am married. I was at Watford on the 29th of last month on my profes- I sional duties. I went to meet the six o'clock up- train to London. On the platform the prisoner spoke to me, and asked me if the approaching train was the one for London. I simply said "Yes." She then asked me if I was going to London, and I said Yes." The train came to the platform, and I walked to a second-class car- riage. I got in, and she followed me. I sat on the furthest corner of the carriage. I was seating myself when she came in, and sat opposite to me. She had a large bouquet in her hand. She first said that she was I fatigued through rambling in the fields with her children; then that she had been to Watford to see j her three children, who were at school. After the train had gone a few yards I aaked her if she had any objection to my smoking. I don't remember the exact words she said in answer; but she led me to infer that j she liked it rather than otherwise. I lighted my pipe. < She was talking about the aspect of the country. She said her youngest child was a fine little fellow, and aa fine-looking as she was. I objected to that style of j conversation, and took out a book which I read till just I before we came to Camden-town. When we arrived at the first station I looked the door with a key which I had. This was at Pinner. I did this to prevent any one getting in, as I was smoking, and I said to fcei that some one might get in who objected to smoking. I think I unlocked the door just before we I came to Camden-town. Ai, Camden-towa she askec me if tickets were collected there, and nothing tran. spired till we arrived at Euston. I left the train before it had quite stopped, and I did so in order to catch the train at Gower-street, which Would tsko me I to Paddington. I am in the habit of coming from Watford, and if I make haste I can always catch the train at Gower-street. Whilst walking along the platform a porter or guard called to me, and I went back to the prisoner. She asked me for my card, and said I had grossly insulted her. I was very indignant, and refused to give her my card. When I was first asked my name I did give the name of Jackson," as upon such a charge I wished to avoid publicity. She persisted in the charge, and I wished at once to go before a magistrate. I taken to Albany- street police-station, where I gave my true name and address. I was locked up all night, and brought here in the morning before tho magistratei and was di3(3harg-(i&. Daring the to Camden-town I J did not take the least liberty with her. I did not U"i(1 indelicate language. I did not misoonduct myself in any way. I heard all that she stated upon the last I oceaaion, and I say there is not a word of trath I" her statement. She had a large nosegay in her hand the whole of the time we were on our journey to town. When we arrived in London the nosegay was not at all injured. She had a light white bonnet on at the time. There were no marks of violence on her bonnet nor on her dress. Up to the time of my going tOl he railway station she was an absolute stranger to The witness was cross-exammed, and stated that the prisoner accosted him at Watford, on the platform. He went into a oompartment of the first second-class carriage he came to, and she folloved him, and entered just as he was sitting down. When witness looked the door he did not ask the prisoner whether she objected to be locked iR. The train was still in motion when he got out, and witness admitted that he was so taken aback when prisoner accused him of having insulted her, that he gave her a false name. He was running when called to by the porter, but only to catch the train at Gower-street. Witness had since heard that money had been offered to the prisoner not to come into court; but the offer came from his father, without witness's sanction or knowledge. The offer, he believed, was made in the prisoner's room at this court. Francis Seagar, 20, Cumberland-street, Pimlico, stated that she let her house in lodgings, and that the prisoner had lived in her house a week ago; she had lived with her for four weeks. Prisoner had given the name of Villiers, stating that she was a married lacsv. with a young family, and had introduced a man as Mr. YiHiera. This man witsess now knew by the name @f Wiilans. They had two rooms, which com. munipated by fcilding doors, and there was only one sleeping room. She conducted herself as any respect- able woman would have done. Witness did not see the prisoner on the night of the assault, but saw her next morning, and she then made no complaint. Elizabeth Jackson Harding: I am a widow, and have resided at 112, Warwick-street, Pimlico, for five years. On the 30th of May the prisoner did not live in my house. Montague Dyer, who said he resided at 24, Leader- street, Chelsea, was next called, and swore he had known the prisoner for two years and a half, and for two years of that time she had cohabited with him aa his wife. Mr. Lewis remarked that he was not prepared to finish the case that day. Mr. Mansfield thea granted a remand, and refused to take bail for the prisoner.

A SUCCESSCL Ul, FIRE AND LIFE OFFICE. It is something in these days of panic and mistrust to point to a successful company which can stand the teat of a period like tho present. Irrespective of the monetary panic, there was during the past year more fires and more heavy draws upon insurance companies than ever was known. We are pleased, however, to point to the twelfth annual meeting of the share- holders of the" Emperor" Fire and Life Insurance Society, which was held last week at the Guildhall Coffee-house, Greaham-street, E.C., at which Ebenezer Clarke, Esq., the chairman, presided, and the follow- ing is an extract from his opening speech:— He said he could not but feel happy at the success which had attended the operations of the Emperor Insurance Company during the past year, the latter part of which had been attended with a great deal of trial and anxiety in the monetary world. Fortunately, however, that did not appear to have affeoted their success. The course he and his colleagues thought it their duty to adopt was that which prudent bnsiness men had felt it safe to follow, and not to under- take a speculative business, the result of which no one couid foresee (hear, hear). It would not have been difficult to adopt the plan which some assurance offices had adopted, and made a great show as regarded premiums, while probably the profits would not have been at all proportionate. So far as human judgment could be brought to bear they had adopted those means generally which, on investigation, they thought it would be wise and proper to adopt, so that, in the event of any unforeseen misfortune, they could not be blamed for recklessness or want of care. The policy they had acted upon from the outset had proved a successful and prudent one, and though it was not right for any man to boast or divine, yet he had every reason to believe that in future years they would be as successful, if. not more so, than they had been hitherto (hear, hear). It was well-known in assurance offices that when they got to a certain status the business increased in an accelerated ratio, inas- much as the length of their standing and the position they attained served to increase public confidence in their operations. Dr. Pearoe, one of the directors, who seconded the resolution of the chairman, that the report and balance-sheet be received and adopted, observed that the shareholders were to receive a dividend of operoent. and a bonus of 1 per cent. He had from time to tima been in oammuuication with the secretary, and had heard with great pleasure of the success the society had met with in a commercial point of view. When, z they reviewed the past year, and particularly events of recent occurrence, they ought to be thankful they were in a position to declare a dividend of 6 per cent., and they ought to be well satisfied with it. He was quite certain there was no cooking of accounts in this office, and that everything was done in a perfect! etraightfoiward way. The retiring directors, N. J. Powell, EiÔq., Richard Harris, Esq., Rev. F. Txestrail, and F. Straker, Esq., were unanimously re-elected. The following are some of the principal items of the report as read by the mach-reepected secretary, Mr, E. Clarke, jun. Life Department. During the past year 725 additional proposals had been received at the Emperor for the sum of .<892,153 14s. 6d., and 647 new policies had been issaed for assurances amounting to .870,373 18s. 101., thus increasing the total number of proposals to 12,627 for X833,330 8s. 6d., and the policies to 10,742 for < £ 647,778 8s. 6d. The bonus appropriated, as shown in a tabular statement appended to the report, from 22 to 48 per cent, on the premiums p%id, had given general satisfaction, and several (f the assured had in consequence increased the amount of their policies, and urged upon their friends to assure in order that they might also participate in the future profits of the society. The claims by death, endowments, and sur- render of policies during the year amounted to < £ 3,831, These had all been paid, in accordance with the prac- tice of the society, wichin 14 days after bhe receipt of the necessary proofs. The plan adopted of accepting doubtful or second-class lives on a probationary term without extra premium had been attended with benefi- cial results to the assured as well as to the society,. Many who could not otherwise have effected as- surances had secured policies which each year be- came of more value. In consequence of the increase of business the directors had found it nee.. rj to enlarge the present offices, and had aho aea the lease of their own the adjoining e in order to retain a site which was daily be 01«» valuable in consequence of the improve x- .11 the immediate neighbourhood. Additional advances. of the fuads of the society had been profitably made OH freehold and leasehold securities. Fire Department. In this branch the report stated that the Emperor during the year 1865-66, had received 852 proposals, for < £ 265,548, and 755 policies had been issued for X247,199, increasing the total proposals to 6,913, for X2,352,019 and the policies issued to 6,125 for < £ 2,002,006, whilst the claims for the year only amounted to X632. The reduction of duty on fire insurances from 3s. to Is. 6d. per cent. had had a beneficial effect in extending the business, and the further reduction of tha stamp duty had enabled the directors to issue all policies without charge for the policy stamp. Altogether, the Emperor Life and Fire Insurftc.se Company may be reekoned. amongst one of the successes of the day; progressing firmly.and steadily, without incurring extra risk, to take rank with the oldest companies of the day