The Week.

defence of prisoners , and to intimiilate witnesses or jurors . The evidence of two of the approvers appears to warrant the decided measures taken by the Irish executive . No doubt is left as to the existence of the Phoenix club , with its machinery of illegal oaths , drilling , and the collection and manufacture of arms . — The disputes between the London General and Saloon Omnibus companies are likely soon to roach a termination . A more amicable spirit has arisen between the representatives of each companyand it has been agreed that the question

, should be referred to Mr . Barstow , of the common law bar , his decision ancl award to be final . The political news of the week in scanty . One of the most noticeable facts in connexion with the progress of the reform question is , that Mr . Bright is , in self-defence , obliged to decline attending any more public meeting ? , with the exception of one at Bradford on the 17 th instant , before Parliament assembles . Ministers are all out of town , but a cabinet council was assembled on Monday last , to-fix the date of the meeting of Parliament .

Report speaks of Lord Derby's desire for an early opening . The graphic description given a few days since in the columns of the Times , of the Field-lane Refuge for the Destitute- of the awful sufferings of the houseless poor—has deservedly created a very considerable amount of excitement among the public , and elicited a corresponding amount of material sympathy in the shape of money contributions towards the funds of the Refuge itself . Mr . Ernest Jones has brought an action for libel against Mr . G . W . M . Reynolds . Mr . Edwin James , Q . C ., has been retained on behalf of Mr . Jones ; and the case is expected to come

on in Hillary term . It is said that the Government purpose to transfer the library and museum at the East India House to the British Museum . ¦ According to the return of the registrar-general , there was not . mnch change in the condition of the health of the metropolis in the past week . The deaths were 1491 ; being 48 above the average rate . The mortality from scarlatina continues at a high rate , being again fatal in 135 cases . There were 11 ) 9-1- births during the week . The general business of the port of London continues inactive . The number of ships reported inward during the past week was 171

, and those cleared outward amounted to 109 , including 23 in ballast . Of those on the berth loading outwards , 55 are for the Australian colonies , !) for China , 2 for San Francisco , and 2 for Vancouver ' s Island . The half-yearly meeting of the proprietors of the Colonial Bank was hold on Wednesday . The business of the half year has been very successful , the net profits amounting to 30 , 320 / ., which allows a dividend of four per cent , to be paid for the six months , ancl leaves 1 0 , 320 / . to he carried to the reserve fund . This fund is consequently

increased to 37 , 035 / . The directors' report was agreed to . The proposed dividend © f the Union Bank of Australia for the past half year is at the rate of 20 per cent , per annum . At an extraordinary meeting of the European and American Steam Shipping Company , held on Thursday , a new hoard was elected , consisting of the following gentlemen , namely : — Colonel Hollo-way , Captain Slmttlevfoith , and Messrs . Lambert , Saward , Donaldson , Dawson , Stebbing ancl Austen . It is understood that arbitration between Messrs . Croskey and Co ., aud the company will be recommended by the new board , as well as the cancelment of the existing agreement .

PUBLIC AMUSEMENTS , ¦ THERE is little novelty to record in the theatrical world this week . At Covent Garden and Drury Lane , the management rely upon the attractions of their Christmas entertainments , without any variation . — -At the Haymarket Theatre , Miss Amy Sedgwick re-appeared on Monday in the " Love Chase . " —Bro . AVebster , at the Adelphi , has produced for Mr . Toole the farce of " The Birthplace o / Podgers , " which was originally played at the Lyceum . — "The Winter ' s Tale " has been again revived at Sadler ' s AVells , with the same classic taste as before . —At the Lyceum , "Marion de l'Orme" appears to flag a little , and a new drama is announced as in preparation ,