the Chairman and three of the Commissioners arrived. Her Majesty’s Commissioners for enquiring into the state and condition of Rotten Row, Hyde Park, did not commence business immediately; but began an ardent gossip about things in general. The noble President was in the midst of a discussion with his colleagues respecting the exact circumference of Carlotta Grisi’s ancle, when there came from the chimney an enormous volume of smoke. With prompt alacrity, Mr. Aigulet rose from behind the despatch box, rang the bell, summoned the clerk to his presence, and desired him to poke the fire. This was done; but the result was overwhelming. The smoke was so dense, that the noble chairman could scarcely find his way to the chair; but having succeeded, and a board having been formed, he addressed the secretary. “These rooms” he said, “are excessively ill-ventilated; the air is positively pestilential; we must at once draw up a minute to the Treasury for alteration.” “A minute, my Lord?” “Yes, Sir; a minute.” Mr. Aigulet took a sheet of paper, folded it lengthways, to make a margin; and proceeded to write as his superior instructed him. ROTTEN ROW COMMISSION. [Such a date.] [Sidenote: Minute No. 1. ] 1, 6, 4—. Her Majesty’s Commissioners represent to my Lords, that with a view to a complete and satisfactory discharge of the important duties devolved upon them opportunity is necessary for calm consideration of the varied subjects into which it is committed to them to inquire:—That such opportunity is totally denied them in the apartments assigned by my Lords, in which no suitable provision exists for ventilation, and in which the Smoke appears to come down the Chimney, instead of ascending in conformity with custom. In order to the due performance of their duties to the public Her Majesty’s Commissioners, therefore, request that my Lords will make an order for the attendance and inspection of the Ventilator-General, with instructions to consider and report upon a plan for improving the ingress of air, and egress of smoke, to and from the said apartments of Her Majesty’s Commissioners. By order of the Board. (Signed) AUGUSTUS AIGULET. The document was then handed to Mr. Slaney, who made a fine copy thereof, on an extremely large and thick sheet of cream-coloured foolscap, enclosed it in a ditto envelope, sealed it with an enormous official signet, rang the bell for the messenger, and dispatched the document to the Assistant Secretary of the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty’s Treasury.