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Roger Vaughan's U.K. History Pages
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The British Almanac of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge
CHRONICLE OF OCCURRENCES.
From November, 1854, to November, 1855.
Nov. 3. 1854. Desperate riot at Cambridge between the police and the undergraduates, who interrupted a lecture against the use of tobacco, given by a gentleman at the Town Hall.
5. Battle of lnkermann.
8. The Queen of Spain opens the constituent Cortes of the kingdom. - M.Soule, a French refugee, and United States ambassador to Spain, obtains a permis-de-voyager through France for Calais, en route to Madrid. The French Government had previously refused him liberty of residence in France.
14. A dreadful hurricane in the Black Sea, during which above thirty ships belonging to the Allies were totally destroyed, and a great number of other vessels were seriously injured.
17. Lord Palmerston visits Paris.
20. Motion made in Court of Queen's Bench by Sir F. Thesiger for a prohibition to the Archbishop of Canterbury from proceeding in a case of alleged erroneous doctrine against Archdeacon Denison, who was charged with advocating in certain sermons the doctrine of the real presence in the Holy Eucharist.
21. Lord Raglan gazetted Field-Marshal of the British Army; his commission was dated from the Battle of Inkermann.
23. The Spanish, French, English, and Peruvian representatives at Quito, protest against the cession of the Gallipagos Islands by Ecuador to the United States.
27. Generals Espartero and O'Donnell elected President and Vice-President of the Spanish Constituent Cortes.
29. Meeting held in St. Martin's Hall, Long-acre, London, to commemorate the twenty-fourth anniversary of the Polish insurrection. Herr Kossuth was the principal orator. - The French government prohibit the exportation of corn and floor from France till July 31, 1855. - Fatal riots at the Ballarat gold diggings in Australia, in consequence of the miners refusing to renew their licenses.
30. The Viceroy of Egypt authorises M. Lesseps to form a company for constructing a navigable canal across the isthmus of Suez.
Dec. 1.1854. The Constituent Cortes decides by 206 votes against 21, that the throne of Isabella II. and her dynasty, shall form the basis of the political edifice in Spain.
2. A treaty of alliance signed in Vienna by the representatives of Austria, England, and France.
5. The treaty of the United States with the Dominican Republic unanimously rejected by the Dominican Congress. The object of the treaty was to give to the United States a lodgment on the Bay of Samana.
6. Mr. Beattie, civil engineer, proceeds to the Crimea with a corps of miners, quarrymen, platelayers, smiths, and navvies, to construct a railway from Balakiava to the British camp before Sebastopol.
12. The Horse Guards issues a command from the Queen to Lord Raglan, to recommend one sergeant from every regiment under his command to a cornetcy or ensigncy; the commissions to date from the Battle of Inkermann.
13. The Emperor Nicholas orders a new levy of 10 men out of every 1000 of the population of Russia.
22. Admiral Dundas takes leave of the Black Sea fleet, and is succeeded by Admiral Lyons.
23. Terrible earthquake in Japan, by which the city of Ohasaca in Japan, and Simoda, in Niphon, were destroyed, and Jeddo was much injured. A Russian frigate, with Admiral Pontiaten on board, went down off Simoda on the 24th, in consequence of damages received in the violent eddies and convulsive motion of the sea during the earthquake; all on board were saved in Japanese boats.
28. The Governor of Prussian Posen threatens stringent execution of the penal laws against agents for foreign enlistment. About this time offices were opened on the Continent for enlisting men for the British service. - A sharp shock of earthquake at Marseilles.
29. The French Chambers unanimously pass a Bill for a loan of 500,000,000 of francs.
Jan. 1. 1855. More than half of Hamburg inundated by the Elbe, the waters of which were driven back by a violent north-west wind.
2. Omer Pasha embarks at Varna for the Crimea.
3. A commission appointed by the Archbishop of Canterbury sits at the Royal Hotel, Clevedon, to inquire into the charges made by the Vicar of South Brent against Archdeacon Denison for his sermons on the doctrine of the Real Presence in the Holy Eucharist.
6. Opening of the Vienna conferences between plenipotentiaries of Russia, Austria, England, and France.
10. Sardinia adheres to the Western Powers, and undertakes to send 15,000 men to the Crimea. "The American Mail," published this day, announces that the United States had purchased of Ecuador, the sovereignty of the Gallipagos Islands: those islands contain guano. The commissioners on the case of Archdeacon Denison return a verdict that the doctrines set forth by him in two sermons on the Holy Eucharist are contrary to the teaching of the Church of England.
12. Death of the Queen Dowager of Sardinia.
14. The subscription to the French loan of 500,000,000 of francs closes on the tenth day, and amounts to 2,175,000,000 of francs.
17. Mr. Cobden addresses his constituents at Leeds on the subject of the war with Russia. A resolution was carried against the speaker to prosecute the war with vigour.
20. Death of the Queen of Sardinia.
29. Mr. Roebuck's motion for a Committee on the State of the Army before Sebastopol carried in the House of Commons against the Aberdeen ministry by 305 to 148.
30. The Island of Aves taken possession of by the Americans.
31. The weekly returns of deaths in this month were 1404, 1466, 1549, and 1630. The average deaths for the corresponding weeks of the decennial period 1845-54 was 1102, or corrected for increase of population, 1212.
February 1.1855. The Paraguayans fire upon a United States steamer exploring the River Paraguay. -The electors of Westminster present an address to General Evans on his return from the Crimea.
5. A monition, issued out of the Consistory Court of the Bishop of London, citing the Hon. and Rev. Robert Liddell, perpetual curate of St. Paul's, Knightsbridge, to show cause why a licence should not be granted to Charles Westerton, churchwarden, to remove the altar, cross, candles, credence-table, and certain cloths from said church.
6. At a dinner given by the Lord Mayor of London in the Mansion House, Sir C. Napier makes a statement of what he did in the Baltic, and the Earl of Cardigan recounts his services at Balaklava. - At a meeting of convocation of the Church of England resolutions were carried for a modification of the services.
8. The Palmerston ministry sworn into office at a Privy Council held in Windsor Castle.
10. Death of the Duke of Genoa, brother to the King of Sardinia.
11. The 'France-et-Bretagne,' three-masted sailing-vessel, anchors in the Seine opposite the Louvre, in Paris, having made the voyage from Rio Janeiro. This was the first time that a ship which had crossed the Atlantic made her way to Paris. The event was celebrated by firing 101 guns.
12. An imperial ukase orders the organization and arming of all the militia of the Russian empire for the defence of the "orthodox faith."
17. The Russians attack Eupatoria, and are repulsed by the Turks.
20. Lord J. Russell leaves London for the Vienna Conferences.
20. Death of Joseph Hume, Esq., M.P. for Montrose Burghs, at Burnley Hall, Norfolk. He was born in Montrose, in January, 1777.
22. Bread-riots in the east end of London, in which large numbers of people thrown out of employment by the long frost were concerned.
28. The city of Brussa, in Asia-Minor, destroyed by an earthquake.
March 2. 1855. Death of the Emperor of Russia; he is succeeded by his eldest son, Alexander 11. - The Emperor of the French visits the camp at Boulogne. - The Sardinian Chamber of Deputies passes a Bill for the suppression of convents and ecclesiastical corporations by 117 votes against 36.
6. The Chinese rebels defeated by the imperialists at Canton, and Shanghai retaken from the insurgents. In both places frightful atrocities were committed by the victors, who put great numbers to death by cruel tortures.
10. Death of Don Carlos, Infante of Spain, at Trieste, in his 67th year.
13. The Earl of Carlisle installed as Lord-Lieutenant in Dublin Castle by his predecessor in office the Earl of St. Germains.
20. Cardinal Wiseman lectures on the war with Russia in St. Martin's Hall, Long Acre.
April 4. The British fleet sails from Spithead for the Baltic under command of Rear-Admiral Dundas
5. Mr. Layard installed Rector of Marischal College, Aberdeen.
9. Bombardment of Sebastopol commenced.
13. The laying down of 300 miles of submarine electric telegraph cable from Cape Kalakria, in Bulgaria, to the monastery of St. George, in the Crimea, completed.
17, The Emperor and Empress of the French arrive at Windsor Castle on a visit to her Majesty the Queen of England. - The Prefect of the Seine, accompanied by members of the University of Paris, visits the Lord Mayor of London. - Interview between the chief members of the London money-market and the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the subject of a loan of £16,000,000,
19. The Russian garrison of Petropaulovski escapes to the Amoor in two ships of war, accompanied by three American whalers, which conveyed their stores and a part of the troops.
19. The Emperor and Empress of the French go in state to Guildhall, London, where they are addressed and feted by the Corporation. - The Baltic coast of Russia blockaded by the British fleet.
20. Queen Victoria and her illustrious guests the Emperor and Empress of the French visit the Crystal Palace at Sydenham. - The Government loan of £16,000,000 subscribed for by file firm of Rothschild.
21. The Emperor and Empress of the French take leave of Queen Victoria, and, accompanied by Prince Albert, return to Dover en route for Paris. - The Vienna Conferences terminate.
23. The Lord Mayor of London raised to the baronetcy as Sir Francis Graham Moon. - Lord J. Russell leaves Vienna for London.
28. An imperial decree postpones the opening of the Paris Universal Exhibition from May 1 to May 15. - The Emperor Napoleon III. whilst riding in the Champs Elysees, near the Château des Fleurs was attacked by a well-dressed assassin (Pianori) who fired two shots at his Majesty without effect. - The bombardment of Sebastopol suspended after continuing from the 9th without much important effect.
May 1.1855. Mount Vesuvius in a state of violent eruption for three weeks from this day.
6. Great meeting for Administrative Reform, held in the London Tavern: a supplemental meeting held at the same time in the Guildhall. - Captain Collinson returns in the ' Enterprise' from the Arctic Regions.
14. The assassin Pianori suffers death by the guillotine.
15. The Paris Universal Exhibition of Industry opened by the Emperor and Empress of the French. The Emperor in his address, said, 'In inviting all nations hither, I have desired to open a Temple of Concord.'
16. General Canrobert resigns the chief command of the Crimean army to General Pelissier, but continues to serve as a general of division.
18. Queen Victoria distributes the Crimean Medal to a number of soldiers and seamen on the St. James's Parade. - The Governor of Gibraltar issues a proclamation against 'unlicensed printing,' within his jurisdiction.
20. The King of Hanover issues a decree annulling the constitution of September 5, 1848 and also the provincial electoral law of August 1, 1850, thereby diminishing the popular rights to the measure of the constitution of the late King Ernest. This measure was adopted in obedience to a degree of the Federal Diet (April 12, 1855) requiring the governments of Germany to bring the State Constitutions more in harmony with the monarchic principle.
22. A British force, sent from Sierra Leone to enforce payment of some 1000 dollars indemnity from the King of Mallaghea, is repulsed with great loss, more than half the party sent being slain.
24. Kertch occupied by the Allies, and the Sea of Azof swept by the Anglo-French fleet. Yenikali was captured on the same day, is fortified, and garrisoned by the Allies.
31. Since the Allied Squadron entered the Sea of Azof, four Russian war-steamers and 240 sailing-vessels carrying supplies to the enemy had been destroyed.
June 3-6.1855. Taganrog, Mariapol, and Gheisk bombarded by the Allies, and the public buildings, government magazines, and provision stores in them destroyed.
4. The Lord Mayor of London leaves London for Paris on the invitation of the Prefect of the Seine.
7. The French before Sebastopol capture the Mamelon, two redoubts, and 62 guns, and take 130 officers and 400 men prisoners.
8. Advices from Mexico of this date announce a decree of Santa Anna, suspending payments of all kinds in Mexico.
11. Old Smithfield Market, London, closed as a market for cattle, horses, and sheep.
13. The new cattle market and slaughter-houses in Copenhagen Fields, North London, opened.
14. The town of Kertch destroyed by fire.
15. The "Know-Nothing" Council in the United States issues its "Platform of Principles," which document contains a broad avowal in favour of slavery, and an expression of decided hostility to the Roman Catholic Church.
18. The Allies before Sebastopol attack the Malakoff Tower and Redan, and are repulsed by the Russians with considerable loss.
20. Austria reduces her army.
24. A demonstration against Lord R. Grosvenor's Sunday-Trading Bill takes place in Hyde Park; many thousands of persons of the working and middle classes assembled along the "Drive," shouting and jeering the fashionable and titled promenaders, in carriages or on horseback.
25. The King of Portugal, after visiting the French Emperor in Paris, leaves Toulon for Civita-Vecchia and Rome.
28. Death of Field Marshal Lord Raglan at Sebastopol from cholera. He was born Sept. 30, 1788. - A marauding expedition against Nicaragua, under the American Filibuster Walker, put to total rout by the Nicaragua troops near San Juan del Sur. - At a full attendance of Convocation of the province of Canterbury, an address was carried praying the Crown to grant powers for enforcing discipline among the clergy, for a modification of the Liturgy, and the reform of the representation of the clergy in synod.
July 1.1855. The exasperation of the Londoners against Lord R. Grosvenor's Sunday-Trading Bill drew together a vast crowd, estimated at 100,000 persons, in Hyde Park on this day. Very few carriages appeared in the Drive. Several partial encounters took place between the police and the crowd. A meeting of above 10,000 persons met in Greenwich Park also to denounce the obnoxous measure.
2. Lord R. Grosvenor, in consequence of the monster assemblies in Hyde Park, withdraws his Sunday-Trading Bill in the House of Commons. - An extraordinary session of the French Legislature opened by the Emperor Napoleon III.
3. The King of the Belgians, accompanied by the Princess Charlotte and the Count of Flanders, arrives at Buckingham Palace.
8. This, the third demonstration in Hyde Park against Sabbatarian legislation, terminates in indiscriminate attacks upon the windows of the houses in Belgrave Square, Eaton Square, and the adjoining streets.
9. The French legislature passes unanimously a bill authorising the government to raise a loan of 750,000,000 francs, and another bill for fixing the conscription for 1855 at 140,000 men.
10. The workmen on strike in Barcelona, with bands of peasants, encamp in the open fields near the town.
11. The 'Udine,' United States barque, 898 tons, Capt. R. Merryman, sails up the Elbe to Hamburg, after refusing to deliver up papers at Stade, or to pay the usual tolls. - News of the insurrection of the Santals in Rajmahal, arrives by the overland mail of this date. - Bombardment of Sweaborg by the allied fleets of France and England.
12. Revolt of the Arabs of Tripoli, who, headed by a chief named Gourmah, repulse a Turkish force sent against them, with a loss of 2,000 men, and all their guns.
13. Lord J. Russell resigns the office of Colonial Secretary.
16. The Mandingoes of Sabbagee in Gambia repulse with great loss a small British force sent to arrest a slave-dealer of that town, who had sold a British subject. Governor O'Connor, aided by a French force from Goree, returned next day against Sabbagee, which was taken, razed to the ground, and about 1,500 Mandingoes slain. - The King of
Portugal visits the city of Turin.
17. The Commission of Inquiry into the conduct of the police in the Hyde Park riots, commences its sittings in the Court of Exchequer.
20, Sir W. Molesworth appointed Colonial Secretary.
21. A statue of Sir R. Peel recently set up at the west end of Cheapside, London, uncovered. The statue, the work of Mr. Behnes, is 11 feet high, and stands on a pedestal of Peterhead granite 12 feet high.
24. The 'Caradoc' steamer arrives in Bristol Harbour with the body of Lord Raglan.
25. A smart shock of earthquake felt about 1 p.m. all along the east of France from Valence to Metz, and also in Italy, Switzerland, and Germany. At several places the oscillation was strong enough to shake windows, ring bells, and stop clocks; at several places in the department of Doubs, houses rocked, chimneys were thrown down, and walls cracked.
26. Renewed and more violent shocks of earthquake in the Valais, in Switzerland; the villages of St. Nicolas, Viege, and Stalden destroyed, and masses of rock rolled down from the hills. - Lord Raglan's remains deposited in the family vault in Badminton Park. - Allocution of Pope Pius IX. on the state of the Church in Sardinia, Spain, and Switzerland.
30. The returns, relative to the subscription for the French loan of 750,000,000 francs, give a total capital subscribed of 3,652,591,985 francs, or nearly five times the amount required by the Government. The total number of subscribers was 316,864, of whom 236,577 in the departments subscribed for 1,118,703,535 francs. The remaining 2,533,888,450 francs subscribed in Paris, included about 600,000,000 francs subscribed for in foreign countries. No less than 231,920,155 francs were made up of subscriptions of 50 francs and under. A tenth of the subscription (365,259,198 francs) deposited in the hands of Government, was temporarily withdrawn from the circulation of France.
31. The Emperor and Empress of the French arrive in Paris from Biarritz, a watering-place in the Basses-Pyrenees. - The launch of the 'Marlborough,' screw war ship of 131 guns, in Portsmouth Dockyard, in presence of the Royal Family.
August 1.1855. Viscount Canning entertained at a public banquet at the London Tavern by the East India Company, on his appointment as Governor-General of India.
2. The inquiry into the Hyde Park disturbances terminates, but no report is issued.
5. A royal proclamation issued in Hanover reinstating the aristocracy in the rights which they possessed before 1848, in obedience to a decree of the Frankfurt Diet of April 12, 1855.
6. The King of Portugal arrives in the 'Mendillo' war-steamer in Southampton Water, and visits Queen Victoria at Osborne.
9. The Foreign Legion reviewed by Queen Victoria at Shornecliffe.---Santa Anna abdicates the Dictatorship of Mexico.
16. Defeat of the Russians on the Tchernaya by the French and Sardinians.
18. General Canrobert created a senator of the French empire.- The Queen of England and Prince Albert arrive in Paris on a visit to the
Emperor of the French. - Concordat between Austria and the Holy See signed at Vienna.
20. The house of Rothschild contracts for the Turkish loan of £5,000, 000.
23. A magnificent fete and ball given by the Municipality of Paris in honour of Queen Victoria.
24. A French army of 50,000 men reviewed in the Champ de Mars, in Paris, by the Queen of England and the Emperor Napoleon III.; next day the Queen was entertained at an imperial ball at the Palace at Versailles; in the evening the gardens were illuminated with magnificent fireworks.
26. On this day (Sunday) a total number of 61.458 persons visited Kensington Gardens, where the band of the Guards are ordered to play for the public.
27. The Queen of England embarks at Boulogne for England after her visit to the Emperor of the French, who accompanies her to the seaside.
29. A public meeting, held in the Sheffield Council Hall under the presidency of the mayor, to promote subscriptions to a proposed testimonial to Mr. Roebuck, M.P. for the borough.
September 6.1855. Queen Victoria leaves Buckingham Palace for Balmoral.
8. The French take the Malakoff. The English are repulsed from the Redan. In the night of this day the Russians evacuate the south side of Sebastopol after sinking their ships and blowing up all the defences of the place. - An assassin fires two pistol-shots at an imperial carriage approaching the Theatre Italien in Paris. The carriage contained the Empress's maids of honour, but no one was hurt.
16. Inauguration of the reign of Don Pedro V. King of Portugal.
20. The Czar Alexander II. visits Moscow en route for Southern Russia.
22. The "Revolutionary International Committee" of the democratic and social republicans meet in the Scientific Hall, John-street, London (which was hung with red flags beating suitable mottoes), to commemorate the anniversary of the proclamation of the First French Revolution in 1792. The speeches at the meeting, which were extremely violent, were published in a Jersey newspaper called "L'Homme," as was also an Address to the Queen, signed by the '' Committee of the Revolutionary Society, Pyat, Rougee, Jourdain." Rebellion and assassination were openly advocated, both in the address and in the speeches. All the persons connected with the paper, and all the refugees who advocated their principles, were soon after driven from the island. - An Address of Mazzini to the Neapolitans to rise in rebellion against their king appears in this day's Times.
24. The Allies take possession of Taman and Fanagoria, at the entrance of the sea of Azoff.
25. The Emperor Alexander II. arrives at Nicolaieff.
27. Bombardment of the forts of Dunamunde in the Gulf of Riga.
29. General Allonville, at the head of the French cavalry, defeats the Russian cavalry under General Korf, at Koughil, five leagues N.E. from Eupatoria. - The Russians, under General Mouravieff assault Kars for eight hours, and are repulsed with great loss by the Turkish garrison. -Alderman David Salomons, a Jew, elected Lord Mayor of London.
10. Thanksgiving in all the churches of the Establishment for the fall of Sebastopol.
October 1. 1855. The King and Queen of Prussia visit Aix-la-Chapelle. The Danish Government proposes a political congress of representatives of states interested in the Sound Duties.
3. A testimonial of esteem for his parliamentary services presented to Mr. Sharman Crawford by his late constituents the electors of Rochdale. - A public meeting held by the "United Kingdom Alliance Association for the Immediate and Total Suppression of the Traffic in Liquors." - The King of Prussia lays the foundation-stone of the great railway-bridge across the Rhine between Cologne and Deutz.
4. The new constitution of Denmark promulgated at Copenhagen.
5. A banquet in the Glasgow City Hall in celebration of the victories
of the Allies in the Crimea. -
6. The Times of this day publishes a " war manifesto," signed by Kossuth, Ledru Rollin, and Mazzini.
7. The Kerry Militia stationed in Limerick refuses to march to mass unaccompanied by the band, which had been forbidden to attend by a newly-appointed major of the regiment.
10. The Duke of Cambridge entertained at a public banquet on the Town Hall of Liverpool by the mayor of that borough. The town was illuminated in the evening. - A band of Montenegrins make an incursion into Herzegovina.
11. The 'Moniteur' announces the pregnancy of the Empress Eugenic.
12. Mr. Gladstone lectures on the colonial policy of Great Britain at Hawarden.
13. An "Indignation Meeting," held in the town of St. Helier, Jersey, to effect the suppression of the Red Republican newspaper, L'Homme, the organ of a band of exiled socialists and republicans for the publication of a scurrilous libel on the Queen. A resolution to the effect was carried.
14. Tumultuous meetings in Hyde Park on this and the succeeding Sundays ostensibly to protest against the high price of bread.
5. The house of Rothschild undertakes to establish a Bank of Credit Mobilier in Vienna, with a capital of 60.000,000 forms. - Fete given to Prince Napoleon in the Hotel de Louvre in Paris by the exhibitors at the Palace of industry.
17. Queen Victoria reaches London from Balmoral. - Kinburn forts capitulate to the Allies. Next day the Russians blew up the fortress of Oczakoff on the opposite side of the embouchure of the Dnieper.
I8. Mr. Curtis, British consul at Cologne, with two other persons, were sentenced to three months' imprisonment for being accessory to recruiting agents for the British Foreign Legion.
22. Death of Sir W. Molesworth, Secretary of State for the Colonies; he was born in 1810. - Death of Lord Wharncliffe; born April 20, 1801.
23. A Royal warrant issued under this date, giving to widows of deceased officers of the army the alternative of receiving a fixed sum of money, in lieu of the pension or other allowances to which they would be entitled. The amount given in such case to be the regulation price of the commission held by the deceased officer, but not to exceed the regulation price actually paid by him.
24. Death of Frederic Lucas, Esq., M.P. for Meath, at Staines, in his 43rd year. - Mutiny and riot at Horfield Barracks near Bristol, occasioned by the dissatisfaction of the recruits for the Land Transport Corps, at a deduction being made of the cost of their outfit from the bounty promised. - The Lord Mayor of London, accompanied by Aldermen Carter, Wire, and Salomons (Lord Mayor Elect), with other members and officials of the Corporation, proceeded in state to Windsor to present to her Majesty a congratulatory address in reference to the fall of Sebastopol.
27. Sir John Dean Paul, William Strahan, and Robert Makin Bates, London bankers, tried at Old Bailey on the prosecution of the Rev. Dr. Griffiths, are found guilty of selling the securities of their customers for their own use, and sentenced to 14 years' transportation. - The Times of this day contains an account of Dr. Kane's Arctic Expedition in search of Sir J. Franklin. This intrepid explorer, who started May 31, 1853, was obliged to leave his brig frozen sip May 17, 1855. In the interval, new land, named Washington, was discovered to the north of Greenland, from which it is separated by Peabody Bay, but to which it is joined by a vast glacier or barrier of ice, the largest yet discovered. Farther north was discovered an open Polar Sea, reached by an open channel (Kennedy Channel). Grinnel Land to the north and west of the channel was charted as high as 82° 30' north lat. The cold experienced during the expedition was the greatest on record. Whiskey froze in November and continued frozen for four months. Mercury was solid daily during that time. The mean annual temperature was 5° below zero, which was the temperature also on the day the brig was abandoned. In March, 1854, when the ineffectual search for Franklin was commenced, the temperature was 57° below zero. Scurvy and lockjaw were prevalent; the latter chiefly among the dogs, of which 57 out of 60 died. Only three men died during the expedition. - The Commercial Travellers' Schools at Pinner, near Harrow, were inaugurated by a ceremony at which Prince Albert presided. The building, which will accommodate 300 children of both sexes, cost about £20,000. About £2,000. was collected on the occasion.
28. Numerous assemblages in Hyde Park, ostensibly to protest against the high price of bread. The proceedings assumed the form of a riot, requiring the interference of the police. Many windows were broken in mansions in the vicinity. - In the 'Ballarat,' Jones, which arrived from Melbourne, after a passage of 69 days, there was bronglet 110,000 ounces of gold, value £440,000.
29. In the Court of Common Council of the City of London, a motion in favour of corporation reform was met by an amendment, which was carried, staying discussion till the Government Bill was before the Court; and a Committee was appointed to confer with the Government on the subject.
November 2.1855. Lord Stanley, M.P., invited to accept the office of Colonial Secretary in Lord Palmerston's Government, but declined. - The Gazette of this day contains a General Order, conferring on Brevet Colonel Williams, C.B., of the Royal Artillery, the rank of Major-General in the Army, for his distinguished conduct in the defence of Kars, and of the position in front of that town when attacked on the 29th of September last, by a large Russian army, which on that occasion sustained a signal defeat by the Turkish troops.
3. The newspapers of to-day contain a copy of the ukase of the Emperor of Russia, dated at the town of Nicolaieff, October 3 (15), ordering a general levy for military service, at the rate of ten for every thousand souls, the levy to commence on November 15 (27), and to close on December 15 (27). The Jews are included in this conscription. There has been no levy so extensive as this since the year 1836.
5. A public meeting of time rate-payers of London, called by the Lord Mayor, and held at the Mansion-house, refused, by a large majority, to take any steps to carry into effect the Act for establishing Fee Libraries and Museum. The conduct of the great majority of the meeting, in putting down by the most brutal clamour every person who attempted to speak in favour of the proposition, was a sufficient proof of the necessity of education in the Boeotia of the metropolis.
Note: some monetary symbols 'L' changed to £. for clarity.
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