[Correspondence of the N. V. Times.]
LONDON, July 1,1859.
Mr. Cobden has refused office, and taken
his seat below the gangway, as one of the in
dependent Liberal party. He hud a long in
terview this morning with Lord Palmerston,
in tho course of which ho stated the reasons
why he felt that he could not consistently
make one of the present combination. These
tunity of communicating to his constituents
and the public. Great disappointment will
be unquestionably manifested by many of
the tneroautile and manufacturing Whigs at
this decision but by the Radioal party it will
be bailed with enthusiasm. I am told that
Mr. Roebuck exclaimed, when he heard it,
"1 did not think ho would have declined, but
having damit is ti*e beginning of the
end.»
A Fcnrfttl Psrfernmnre.
On Saturday night, at a little after eleven,
subsequent to the play, the curtain rose at
the Metropolitan, and exhibited M. Blondin,
stsoding on the lower part of the rope which
led from the baok part of the stage of the
Metropolitan up to tho roof of the theater
in the third tier, at an angle of forty-four de
grees, with Col. Lum Smith soundly and
firmly perched upon his shoulders. M. Blon
din had his heaviest balance-pole and com
menced his perilous walk without the slight
est hesitation, treading (irmly and oonfidently
on the rope, as though be had no extra weight
to bear.
