The Week.

waited upon on the 21 st mst ., the one at Lambeth Palace , and the other at Queen Anne's Bounty Office , Dean ' s-yard , AVestminster , by deputations of lay and clerical members of the Church , who are anxious that action should be taken to put down what they describe as " the present Romanising innovations TH the Ritual of the Caurch . " In both cases the answer was highly

favourable to the interests of the Low Church party . The Archbishop of Canterbury expressed his strong disapproval of the introduction of novel vestments , incense , and other Romish observances , while the Archbishop of York , in an elaborate argument , endeai'oured to prove that these practices " were not only bad in law but inexpedient for the interests of the Church .

Both dignitaries promised to take measures to suppress the matters complained of . One of the most painful , but at the same time most interesting , gatherings annually held is that at the Idiot Asylum , Earlswood , ivhen every summer the inmates have a field-day , and the friends of the institution are invited to be present . The fete came off on the

21 st inst ., and was favoured with glorious weather . The spectacle presented by the unfortunate inmates of the institution , though touching in the extreme , was deeply interesting , They showed by their conduct how much philanthrophy , care " ful training , and great self-denial on the part of teachers can accomplish in fanning into a brighter light the flickering spark

of reason which in almost every imbecile is to be found . Surely if there be a good work it is this , and if there be an institution deserving of public sympathy and support ifc is one in which so good a work is so well done . The first public meeting of a society to improve the temporal condition of curates in the Church of England was held on the 22 nd inst ., at AVillis's Rooms , under the presidency of the Archbishop of Canterbury . The curate , after fifteen years' service , is fco be ensured an income

of . £ 200 . Already subscriptions and donations to the amount of £ 12 , 000 have been promised . The society may , therefore , be considered now as fairly afloat , and ifc is to be hoped thafc it will succeed in removing what has universally been denounced as a scandal and a shame on the Establishment . A very handsome presentation was made to Viscount Halifax

on the 23 d inst . His old constituents at Halifax have presented him with a splendid dinner service in silver . The presentation was made at his lordship ' s own house in Belgrave-square . Mr . John Crossley , Air . Stansfield , M . P . ; and Mr . Michael Stocks were the speakers on behalf of the people of Halifax . His lordship ' s reply was marked by strong feoling and hearty

manliness . After a good many changes of arrangement the volunteer review in Hyde Park took place on the 23 rd inst . The Duke of Cambridge reviewed the men , of whom over 15 , 000 ivere present . There would have been more but for the uncertainty which has prevailed as to the arrangements . The various corps exhibited fine soldierly bearing , and

everything passed oft' well . Lord Elchojwas mobbed as he left the park at tbe head of his regiment—the people suggesting to his lordship the desirability of retiring again to the cave . The nomination of Sheriffs for London and Middlesex took place on the 25 th inst . Mr . Alderman AA-aterlow , Mr . F . Lycett , and Mr . John Bennett were nominated . Mr . Bennett declined to go

to the poll , and therefore Messrs . AVaterlow and Lycett were declared elected . The Valentin case is on again . In the Court of Queen ' s Bench , on the 25 th instant , the trial of an action was commenced in ivhich Madame Valentin hopes to recover from Mr . Hall , the attorney , certain coupons in French companies , French bank-notes , and other

securities . The facts have been often stated . The trial is likely to last several days . A shocking murder was committed in Sosemarylane , AVhitechapel , on the 24 th inst . A man named

Peter Nunn was quarrelling with his wife , when the father of the latter , Patrick Harrington , seventy years of age , interfered and without a word stabbed his son-in-law in the breast . Nunn died soon afterwards . Harrington ivas brought up afc the Thames Police-court , and committed for trial . Convocation met on the 26 th inst ., ) and ivas occupied most of the day with the question of Ritualism . A committee presented a report on the

subject , which was discussed at great length . The discussibu was adjourned . A dreadful collision has taken place in the Channel . A screw steamer ran into a schooner , sinking it with all hands . In the Court of Chancery Vice-Chancellor AVood pronounced judgment in favour of the voluntary ivinding-up of the Imperial Mercantile Credit Association . Such a

meeting as London has not seen in these later days was held on the 27 th inst . in Trafalgar-square . The resignation of Ministers and the temporary defeat of Reform were the topics of discussion . Probably nearly 20 , 000 men had gathered in the great square , and listened to and cheered speeches which ivere delivered from the pedestal of the Nelson Column . Mr . Lucraft ,

a working man , piesided . Only one feeling animated the meeting—that of profound regret that the Government had not dissolved Parliament rather than resign their offices . The names of Mr . Gladstone and Mr . Bright were cheered loudly . Afc the close of the meeting a large proportion of those assembled proceeded to the house of Mr . Gladstone , in

Carltongardens , and cheered vociferously . Mr . Gladstone Avas not at home , but some members of his family appeared at the balcony of the house , and bowed their acknowledgments of the cheering . From thence the crowd proceeded to the residence of Mr . Bright , in Hanover-street , and cheered again and again . Mr . Bright was not at home , and therefore could . nofc acknowledge the congratulations thus bestowed upon him . It was announced

that there would be another meeting on the 2 nd proximo in AVhitehall-gardens . These meetings cannot be held too frequently . At a Privy Council held on the 26 fch inst ., the usual proclamation of neutrality wai agreed to . Convocation was engaged all day in discussing the Ritualistic question . The debate was adjourned . There are some indication ! that the strike of seamen in the port of London is about to termi .

nate . The owners of vessels have a plethora of men , and the disaffected find that they can gain nothing by further rssistance . FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE . —A despatch has been received at the Foreign Office from Madrid , which states that it has been officially announced there that the campaign of the Pacific is ended . One part of the Spanish fleet proceeds to the

Phillippine Islands and the other to Rio de Janeiro . The Saxon army has , a Berlin telegram informs us , altogether evacuated Saxony , and the Prussians bave advanced to the frontiers of Bohemia . The real struggle dees not seem as yet to have begun —or else the breach of continuity in the telegraph wires prevents us from receiving news of ifc . AVe publish this morning

a document said to be a general order addressed to his army b y Field Marshal Von Benedek - It is dated from Olmiitz on . Saturday last , Since the famous "Sharpen your cutlasses " order of Admiral Sir Charles Napier , there has been no military or naval document so full of confidence—to call it by a mild name—as this . Field Marshall Benedek declares the Prussian

troops to be good for nothing , and promises his men an easy victory . AVe are very much inclined to doubt the authenticity of the order . In one place the Field Marshal speaks of Palesfcro as a place where Austrian arms triumphed . The belief of the world is very different . The Italians and most of us believe thafc at Palestro the Austrians had much the worst of it . ——The war news to hand up to the time we write is exceedingly scanty , though there are rumours of battles imminent . Very