The Week.

The deaths were 1129 , being an increase of 01 over the previous week , and of about 100 over the average rate . The births during tho week numbered 1830 . A deputation from the Sunday league have had an interview with the Bishop of London , with a view to obtain his support to the proposed opening of the various national institutions on Sundays . The bishop received the deputation with great courtesy , and talked about tho question in a very friendly way , without apparently committing himself to any definite opinion . The result of the poll

on the motion for rescinding the resolution authorising the admission of shareholders to the Crystal Palace and grounds on Sunday afternoons showed a majority against rescinding the resolution of 17 , 021 . The death of the venerable Henry Hallam , the distinguished historian of the English constitution , is announced . He died on Saturday , at the age of eighty-one .

CRYSTAL PALACE . THE Burns centenary was celebrated at the Crystal Palace , yesterday , when ten or twelve thousand persons were present . At twelve o ' clock , a colossal bust of Burns by Calder Marshall was unveiled , being surrounded by the busts of contemporary poets and very many interesting relics of Burns . After this , there was a concert of Scottish songsprincipally selected from the works of the poeta

, , new song in memory of Burns , by Oliphant , being beautifully rendered by Miss Dolby . A poem , for which a prize of £ 50 had been awarded out of six hundred and twenty-one sent in for competition , was then recited by Mr . Phelps , aud announced to be tho production of a lady , Isa Craig . A further Scottish concert took place and a recitation of "Tarn O'Shanter , " illustrated by dissolving views . The fete' went off with great eclat .

Public Amusements.

PUBLIC AMUSEMENTS .

MR . E . T . Smith has issued a preliminary announcement of the forthcoming Italian opera season at Drury Lane Theatre ; and if all his promised arrangements are carried out the lessees of C ' ovent Garden and Her Majesty ' s Theatres will find that they have a most formidable rival to contend with . Mr . Smith declares that the experiment last season was so successful as to warrant his increasing the attractions of his programme for 1859 ; he thinks that the good taste of the English music-loving public will fill the walls of old Drury nightly , when the opportunity is given of hearing the finest works of the Italian school given by

singers of acknowledged superiority , and an orchestra selected from the most celebrated instrumentalists in Europe . Among the company engaged wo find the names of many who are new to the English stage , but who are well-known and admired abroad ; while several have established their reputation in this country . Signor Graziani , we may mention , has been detached from the C'ovent Garden troupe to join that of Mr . Smith—a loss which there will be , some difficulty in replacing at the former establishment . Mr . Benedict is the general who is to lead

this , formidable array into action , and a more accomplished conductor does not exist . Altogether , tho undertaking contains the elements of success , and we trust the liberality of Mr . Smith's management will prove remunerative . At the Lyceum a new drama was produced on Thursday , entitled " The Sister ' s Sacrifice , or the Orphans of Valneige , " with the view of bringing prominently forward the unrivalled talents of Madame Celeste , and was received as it well deservedwith possible mark of favour . The other characters were

, every ¦ well sustained by Mesdames ICeeley , AA cston , and Julia St . George ; Messrs . Emery , Barrett , and Rogers . AVith the exception of the third act , which has something about it weak and awkward , the " Sister ' s Sacrifice" is a , powerful melodrama . In the various situations giving scope for the exercise of her peculiar gift of expression , Madame Celeste was quite herself and was rapturously applauded by great and small , young and old , critical and uncritical . The parts of a Pro-