At this moment a cry was raised for the demolition of the altar, which was elaborately decorated, and the threat would have been carried out had not the altar-gate been gallantly defended by Mr. Stutfield, one of the choristers. Over the apse, or quasi-altar, is a beautiful candelabrum, and this at once became an object of attack. Hassocks were collected from the pews and hurled at it. Many of them struck it, and every moment it was expected that it would come down. As it was, it was seriously damaged. Another object of attack was the large cross over the altar, at which hassocks and cushions were thrown from the gallery. All this time there was fighting, shouting, and singing in all parts of the church, with no one in authority to repress it. The scene at this time was perfectly frightful, and would, in all probability, have ended in bloodshed, had not Inspector Alison, upon his own authority, entered the church with a dozen policemen and ordered it to be cleared. Turned out of the church, the rioters suggested an attack on Mr. King’s house, and many persons who went there were very roughly handled. In the course of an hour Inspector Alison had got the whole of the disorderly mob into the street. A considerable amount of church furniture has been destroyed, the cushions in the galleries were torn up, and thrown into the body of the church, Bibles and Prayer-Books flew about in all directions, and many of the altar decorations were injured. CHINESE WAR: CAPTURE OF PEKIN (1860). =Source.=--_The Times_, December, 1860. REUTER’S TELEGRAMS. PEKIN, _October 13_. Pekin surrendered to the Allies this day, yielding to all demands. Thirteen soldiers have also been released. The Emperor and the Tartar army have fled, and none of the enemy are to be seen at Pekin. The Emperor’s Summer Palace was taken and looted on the 6th of October. The quantity of spoil was enormous. The Pekin gates have been given up to the troops, who are all healthy and encamped on the wall. The Allied Army will winter in the North. Lord Elgin and Baron Gros are at Pekin. Indemnity ready when demanded. THE FIRST BRITISH IRONCLAD FRIGATE (1860). =Source.=--_The Times_, December 29, 1860.