The Week.

THE WEEK .

THE COURT . —Her Majesty and Royal family still continue at Windsor , though on Tuesday her Majesty visited the metropolis , and held a court at Buckingham Palace . The anniversary of her Majesty's accession was celebrated on Monday in the usual manner—with flag-displays , bell-ringings , and / eicr dejoie . On Tuesday , the Princess Beatrice paid a visit to Westminster Abbey , after inspecting which she lunched with Dean Stanley .

The Prince of Wales does not confine his patronage of the national sports of England to those that pass on land . Yachting comes in for its share of his countenance . Last week , he and his Royal brother , Prince Alfred , proceeded down the liver to Tilbury , where they embarked on board Lord Alfred Pagefc's yacht , to witness the great sailing match of the Royal

Thames Yacht Club . The day was fine throughout , and afforded the Princes a beautiful view of the race ancl all the tackings of the schooner . On Monday , the Prince and Princess visited the Adelphi Theatre . On Wednesday , the Prince held a levee on behalf of her Majesty , which was numerously attended : IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT . —In the HOUSE OE LORDS on Thursday , the 16 th inst ., in reply to a question from Lord Derby , Lord Granville promised to lay on the tables the papers relating to the Ashanfcee war . —Several bills were advanced a

stage . On Friday , the Queen's reply to the address respecting the West Riding Assizes was read . The reply was to the effect that all thafc arrangements had been made for holding the assizes afc Leeds in August ; but that , if such a step should hereafter been deemed desirable , the question could be referred to the Privy Council for re-consideration . —Lord Ellenborough called attention to the dispute between Denmark and Germany ,

and appeared to take a favourable view of Lord Russell ' s proposition for the division of Schleswig . He trusted that the other Neutral Powers would give their assent to that plan for the settlement of the war , and urged that no further concessions should be made to German rapacity . He concluded by askin ° - whether the fleet was in a state to proceed at once to blockade

the German ports in case such a measure were found necessary . Lord Russell said the fleet " was ready to go anywhere . " He complained ofthe mis-statements which had appeared in forei gn journals respecting the policy of her Majesty ' s Government on the Dano-German question , and said no one could be more anxious than himself for the time when circumstances would permit him to enter into a full explanation of the course which they had pursued . Lord Derby said that he had acted , and would continue to act , with a desire not to embarrass the

Government in tins matter ; hut , afc the same time , if the Conference adjourned time after time without any result , ifc would become the duty of Parliament to demand an explanation of the course which the Government had pursued . Lord Russell said that in a few days it would be known whether the war was to go on , or peace was to be re-established . ——Monday being the anniversary of the Queen ' s accession , the

Lords did not meet . On Tuesday , Lord Derby called attention to the arrest at Boston of Mr . Levy , a Montreal merchant , who , after an imprisonment of ten days , was set at liberty , but without having received any explanation as to the grounds on . which he was detained . Lord Russell said Lord Lyons had not mentioned the case , but an inquiry would be made into the

matter . —The Attorneys' and Solicitors' Remuneration Bill was , after some discussion , read a second time , and ordered to be referred to a select committee . —Lord Berncrs called attention to the recent outbreak at the Mount St . Bernard Reformatory , and asked whether the Government intended to revoke the license granted to that institution . Lord Granville replied

iliac it was not intended to withdraw the licence , but no moreboys would be sent to the Reformatory . After some remarks from Lord Arundell of Wardour and Lord Derby , the subject dropped . In the HOUSE OE COMMONS on Thursday , the 16 th inst , in answer to Mr . Horsfall , Mr . Milner Gibson stated that ifc was not intended to blast Daunt's Rock , on which the City of New York was lost , or to erect a lighthouse on that reef . A bell

buoy would , however , be placed upon the rock , and the light-house at Roche's Point would be improved . —The Marquis of Hartingion stated , in repl y to a question , that ifc was intended to take a number of the Armstrong guns originally intended for breech-loaders , and complete them on the shunt principle . The exigencies of the service rendered this course necessary , as ifc

was impossible that the War Department could wait for the result of the competitive trials now going on at Shoeburyness . —Several questions were put to the Government relative to the Ashantee war . From the replies given by Lord C . Paget ancl Lord Hartingfcon , we gather that a transport and one of her-Majesty ' s ships have been ordered to take off the troops employed against our sable enemy ; and that , although there had been a large amount of sickness aud mortality , our losses had been somewhat exaggerated . —Mr . Ferrand renewed his attack

on the Charity Commission , and moved for a Select Committee to inquire into the constitution , cost , and proceedings of the Board . The hon . gentleman denounced the office as a Whig job , and called upon the House to order an investigation into "this robbery of tho public purse . " Mr . Bruce , on the part of tbe Government , declined to accede to a proposition brought forward in such a spirit , and protested against the charges

levelled afc the Commissioners by the member for Devonport . A long and angry debate followed , resulting in the motion being negative by a large majority . On Friday the House held another morning sitting , which was entirely devoted to the consideration of the Factory Act Extension Bill . —At the evening sitting , Lord Palmerston , in answer to a question from Mr . Darby

Griffith said that the Government had not decided to take " active measures" if the Conference did not , within a few clays , arrive at some satisfactory conclusion . —Sir John Hay moved "That Government , in landing forces on the Gold Coast for the purpose of waging war against tho King of Ashantee , without making any sufficient provision for preserving the health ofthe troops , have incurred a grave responsibility , and that this House laments the want of foresight which has caused so largo a loss of life . " The hon . Baronet contended thafc the Government and not

Governor Pine , or the officer commanding the troops on the Gold Coast , were to blame for what had occurred . The Marquis of Hartingfcon replied afc some length to this charge . He pointed out that the amount of sickness ancl mortality had been exaggerated , ancl contended that the War Department could not , with justice , be accused of neglect of duty . —After a long discussion , in which it was distinctly stated that the vote must be

regarded as a want of confidence in the Government , the motion was negatived by 233 to 226 , thus giving a majority of 7 . On Monday , Mr . Gladstone stated , in reply to a question from Lord Elcho , that it was not intended this year to grant a subsidy to the " Company of African Traders , " a limited liability undertaking . —In answer to a question , Mr . Milner Gibson said

the Government intended to bring in a bill for amending the the law of partnership . —Sir George Grey moved the second reading of the Gaols Bill , a measure providing for uniformity in prison discipline , diet , and labour . Mr . Newdegate , who objected to some of the provisions of the bill , as striking at the root of local self-government , moved the usual " this day three months" amendment , which was seconded by Mr . Barrow . — A good deal of anxiety was manifested to obtain from the