The Express. — London, England, 1852-03-22 00:00:00

ghe erinieWS. TO CORIIIISPONDEBTO. • weer& Ultimo of "7b Espreee" lee ee Noe eearire'e .. Oemeom" le palellideel emery Talegey sad y eight. la time tor pee. Admumemestelaiewhol toe " TIIB Ilapteem" Leedom Ernes( perm. masa be at the °Ts*, lU, Eoaeatl►etre.y )y Two e'elosk es the day of pablieeke. MOH WATER *t Ld41150:11 BRID GE. Tins Dal—Manias. 111. ::......kfteesses, SI. $l.. to.redurvir—licasima U. IS. LONDON, MONDAY, M.4IICH 22. TIME was when Mr. Diehattt thundered against an " organised hypocrisy r and when his party were virtuously indignant cutout could wish at that ter rible thing an "organised h •." Yet Mr. DISRAELI and his party listen with perfect equa nimity and approbation, on Friday night, to ono of their number, Mr. W. Mu.sa, arguing that Lord DERBY ought not to dissolve parliament immediately, became "if a dissolution were to take place at once the country would be thrown into con fus ion." Mr. W. Mass, Mr. litsnara.t, all of them know that the country is being thrown into the greatest con fusion, and that because Lord DERBYbns made up his mind to dissolve parliament. Lord DERBY, indeed, would fain put off the day of dissolution as long as he can, and he would keep the coming of that day a secret from his unfriends, but only in order to steal a march upon them. AU his supporters who have or seek seats in the House of Commons are already canvassing as for bare life. Every county and borough are filled with their agents; election promises and election gold are coming into circula tion. The opponents of Lord DERBY arc, of course, obliged to be on the alert also, to begin can vassing lest they should come too late. From one end of the country to the other it is "thrown into confusion" by the coining event of tin. Mass dissolution that " casts its shadow before." To dissolve at once would not create a con fusion which already exists. but it would abridge the' time of that contusion's existence. For this reason among others, it is the interest of the country that the dewolution should take plate at once ; but then it is for the interest of Lord DERRY and his col leagues that it should be put off, in order that they mar have time to put forth all the Immures of minis terial influence and corruptiou, In order that they may secure promises of votes before the gnat mass of the electors arc ay.are that the imams' has If to throw the country into confusable and keep Ii confusion, and yet to affect that it ludo est bow dome. to proem that the parties who act thus, while reck lessly promoting their own selfish and sinister end% are animated solely by 'wishes for the public good, be sot an " organised h • ," it would be dial , * to say what deserves this name. 'Time was when Mr. DISRAELI mad. his party merry by mimicking Sir ROBERT PEEL'S sententious utterance of—what was with that statesman a fa vourite phrase and perhaps rather too often repeated three courses were open to nee." But Mr. DI , RAELI and all his Mende sate grave as judges, and nodded pleased applause, when Mr. CaTLEY, on Friday night, with infinite command of countenance, declared that government have " three or four Courses open to them." Toss Moons long ago taunted Lord CASTLEREAGH with having" two strings to his bow ;" Mr.Dtsasul and his fricuds when in opposi tion thought it sin and shame in S:r ROBERT PEEL to have three ; but now in office they think no shame to let it be known that they themselves have " three or four." Of the three or four courses spoken of by Mr. CATLET, that gentlemen enumerated only three. Go- I ernment, he said, might " beat free-trade," or they might" establish reciprocity—real free-trade; or they might make '• a complete revision of taxation." 'flee fourth course open to them, of which Mr. CATLIT did not deem it expedient to speak, was, we presume, to support free-trade—unreal free-trade as he would probably call it. Now, this is naught else than saying that government may do what they think is right anti honest, or may do what they think is wrong and dishonest, or may do something between both, or may do neither, but turn their attention to quite different matters. If this be not an unblushingly avowed " organised hYPectillY , " it would be dificuit to say what deserves the name. It is curious to observe how the consciousness of ministers and their party that they are pay ing $ hollow, equivong, dishonest part, tinges all their figures of speech whenever they have to speak of the course ew courses they are pursuing. Little more than a week ago ono of their organs in the press thought it had sadatactorily . defended Lord DERRY for not attempting to restore in its integrity the protective system winch ho. once declared essen tial to national prosperity, by reminding his oppo nents that protection was .broken up by the whigs and Peelites, and that thegrest Wizard of the North only undertakes to restore to their owners, safe and uninjured, such watches as he has broken with his own hands. On Friday night, Mr. CATLIT declared that government will " play their cards" in their own way, not as the free-traders wish them to do. The very metaphors of governiuent and their sup porters smack of their conscious insincerity ; they cannot open their mouths 'without betraying that they are trying to do one thiog and appear to be doing an other; they talk of themselves as dealers in legerdemain (conjurers nobody will call them), mani pulators of cards, and other juggling professions They are conscious and avowed thimble-riggers; they have their protection sop and their free-trade cup, their reciprocity cup, and their taxation-revi sion cup, and they defy any bystander to tell in which the pea will be found. But they are not quits' so clever as they flatter themselves. Their elaborate reserve and equivoca tion betrays that they have something under their cloaks winch they would fain hide, but do not con ceal what that something is. Whether they speak of protection, or of reciprocity, or of a moderate fixed duty for revenue alone, or of revision of taxation, it is one and the same thing that they mean by all these names. Their object is to pat money, which honestly belongs to other people, into the pockets of tke . stpurearchy. If they can accomplish this, by M ailing a "direct," as they call it, that is an avowed, duty on foreign corn, they will do it ; if by imposing a duty nominally, for purposes of revenue, they will do it; if by exempting agriculturists from taxes that other people pay, they will do it. They are not par ticular as to the mesas, provided their end be attained. They have come into office to do the dirty wok of the squirearchy ; they will do it if they can, thnigh they confess that rather than go out of ofha, now that they have got in, they will remain in doing nothing—allowing matters to stand as they ars, their object is to do as mach mischief as they can ; the country is net safe from their tricks as long as they are not driven out. Not a measeM's unnecessary delay ought to be allowed them; they must be compelled to choose between resignation and an appeal to the coxitry as soon as the votes of supply and the Mutiny Bill have been pamsd lord Beaus indeed 6ediaa to see that the call for an immediate dissolution' too reasonable, too con stitutional to be resisted. On Friday he gave a kind of promise--caiitiotisty worded, and craftily qualified, it is trine—in' phieses full of parenthetical qualifications—but still a promise, that " the next teatime shall not be allowed to puss over, not only without the country having had the opportnnity of coming to a decision, but without parliament also having had the opportunity of expressing definitely and finally its opinion and its judgment upon the course of policy which may be proposed on the part of leer Majesty s government. For this concession no thanks are due es Lord Bestir. It hos been wrung from him by the imposing array of strength arrayed against him in both houses of parliament on Monday and Friday last. He feels that he cannot hope to soaks head against the combined forces of He -seat" GRAHAM, BMW, GLADSTONE, VILLIEIOe, (20BDEN, CARDWELL., Oeauaiel in the ono house, of . Cut Doke of NEWCASTLE, Earl ORLY, Lord BEAU RION rin the other. lie backs out, therefsre, of his haughty refusal to tell when he will dissolve, and promises to do so " before the next autumn passes over." In this he resembles ono of Mounties ••• her" who, having promised, after a 11100114 M ei UT! : ore ss: wplinansce endg,'lled, with a request which he re ndrileed, adds : " People may got mos lode anything, if they only set about in preptr manner.' Not, boomer, that too much reli ease aught to he placed iwLeed Kith tartly and rshietast promise. Extorted in the way it has been, it clearly belongs to the clue of "vows made in pale, as violent as void." lie will wrigglaArallif it, if be can: and the language used by himself aryl ,his colr leagues shows that they are pre-determinist to mai vocatc, if possible. Lord DERBY said at first *it next autumn should not passipvcr, without parlia. meet being asked for a vote oireonfideneei but tn a few minutes he amended his 'phrase and said this should be done so soon as " not to interfere with the ordinary and current business of next erosion." Again, he only described the question upon which he is to take the opinion of parliament as the course of policy proposed on the part of her MAJINTT'a ministers "—which may mean anything or nothing. The studiously vague end vacillating manner in which Lord DERBT has sp ken, shows that he must be closely watched, and sternly held to his promises. This, however, is easily within the power of the opposition by which he is confronted in parliament, if the members are true to themselves. They can compel Lord Daisy to confine his operations in this session to the money votes and Mutiny Bill; to carry these through without tergiversation or undue delay, and to dissolve as soon as they have passed. To niAlit will doubtless see something done for advancing this good work. For all practical purposes, therefore, the country knows that a dissolution is coming, and when it will come, as well as if it had already taken place. If the electors are taken by surprise, it will be their own fault. Tho question submitted to the electors is, " Shall we have free-trade or protection r About this there can be no mistake. file electors must not allow themselvts to be thrown off their guard by the affected moderation of the Derbyitos. When Lord Ilene/maul say s that " a great deal tee much importance is attached to this question of free-trade;" and when Mr. CAYLET says that " the farmers are less anxious than they wore for protec tion," they only seek to lull the free-traders into unwise and indolent security. Lord MARCH spoke more truly when ho defined a "protectionist" as "a warm and cordial supporter of that government of which the Earl of DERBY is the head." The terms are indeed convertible; they mean the same thing. The one end and aim of the whole band is to get' back protection in any shape. as much protection as they can. There aro three surviving protectionist cliques or coteries in the country—the landlords, the shipowners, and the West Indians: the Ikrbyites will serve all three if they can, but failing this, they will throw overboard first the shipowners, next the West Indiana, and take their last stand on the de fence of the landlords. The Dertitea pretend that they will be satisfied with a low, a little more than nominal, fixed duty on corn. And so they will (for the present) if they can get no more; but if it were possible for them to get • as. duty this year, the next they will come and tell you, that having conceded the principle of ,pro tection, you must give them real protection, which means a h i gher duty. Failing to get any protective duty, the Derbyites will propose to exempt landlords and farmers from taxation, under the pretence of revising the taxes; this would be protection in dis guise. Against protection in all these varying shapes, and to all these varying amounts, a resolute stand must be made at the coming elections. The free-traders can beat the Derb)ites and protectionists if they are watchful and active; and if beaten now these worthies are beaten for ever. It is " the last time of asking." FRANCE. PARIS, SATCIDAT EVIIIING. I I You will observe that the Bourse is a little better to-day. This is traceable in part to a cun u nunique is the Muniteur, which is calculated greatly to reassure the renders who apply to the Treasury for reim bursement. If tho reimbursement is to be effected by series such renticrs are, in fact, promised 3 per cent up to the moment of their being paid off. But it is important to giro this notice textually. It is as follows: Doubts appear to have arisen as to the interpretation to be gives to Article 4 of the decree of the Minister of Finance, fm carrying into effect the decree relative to the oevivenies. It suMees, in order to explain the real sew' . of that article, to remark that the receipts delivered is ex change for the inscriptions form a negneiable security. These receipts am, moreover, merely temporary, and ne cessarily cease alter the 3rd of April. At that period they will be immediately reimbursed, or, if the reimbursement is to be effected by series, they will be replaced by new securities at the same interest, and possessing all the ordi nary facilities of transfer. _ I remarked yesterday that such an assurance would unquestionably give great satisfaction to the bondholders, but that the tendency would be to cre ate a run upon the treasury, as every rentier wili prefer getting his 5 per cent. as long a 4 possible in stead of accepting the Four-and-a-Half per Cent. I Bonds offered him in exchange. To continue to enjoy his 3 per cent. ho will only have to demand reimbursement; for the state being at present unable to pay off oven a tenth of the whole debt, can only undert Ate the operation by series, and in proportion to the disposable means of the treasury. It is therefore clear that if all the holders of the Five per Cents. were to de mand reimbursement from time to time a small fraction of the beads would be extinguished by lot, while the holders of the remainder continued to re ceive their S per cents. as before the conversion ; for the receipts, spoken of in the Communiquf, , are to all intents and purposes nothing but the old Five per Cent: Bence still surviving after their pretended con version. The communicated note in the Moniteur must b, thesollsre, regarded as a decided reculade, which elloos onegistely the whole measure. This is che nille** d the government of Louis Napoleon,:who hi Si the boldness of his advances is swi ft is • entreat when the verdict of public o itself decidedly against him. A eirceinstaoce seems to have operated in pg.... giving a lift to the Bourse. It is reported that Fould is going to return to office. Another report is, that the Bank has offered to lend the Treasury a hundred millions of francs at 41 per cent. I have already observed that the crumbs thrown to the petits rentiers by the dearer enabling certain of them to receive 5 per cent. by lageelting their capi tal in the Caine des Rettaites will lame lea a small fraction of that comelaini ag closet Ihestatescreditors. The Assernldie, in a judicious wade on this subject, observes that the es e6tell apheee d this lama ran hardly be regretted. w the owitowgd theommeides weela be lost to the geweaseeee he growths to the eowier of rentims owilke _llmemein of the dame. T he Mob , as the Mier Meal, attempts Si prove ad the phew ale applied's to one-third of the Wiwi of the live per Oats. This inostrous =adon sins from the hitter jeowel Ime 7 ng te perceive that the alma is spraseble only to Wit es we above 10 pew if age. Aeolleer m eantime which will tend te roue, the ember of deeniters of renter in the Cahn. des Retraitee is, thetupital so deposited cannot be withdrawn during the 111 ... t: ii &lf . =, which forms, in fact, the for the state, and enables it to gese est* of interest than it could Ward foe NOM vet es fixed. Te-day these bee been much talk about the damage inflicted on tandeeeecieties by the decree of COLIVer. okra. All seek esegooles are obliged to invest the (metal contribelei in a cent. stock. M. Becher bee to the Court of Cessation visa the ...Mena of the Osert of Appeal. The SW* if yomemby evening says : " Reports hive home is circulation relative to the creation of a I raw system of tasaiiem but they are templet an iliesied. The budget has been made out a nd pub lished, and it contains all the measures of this kind which the government thinks necessary to adopt. Beyond what is there expressed there will be no innovation " Notwithstanding this semi-official denial, a ru mour prevailed to-day that it was intended to pro pose in the budget of 1853 a tax of 23 per cent. on all property left out of the direct line of succession from father to son. The saw- of the amalgamation of the Bordeaux, Nantes, Central, and Orleans lines was unfavourably received at the Bourse yesterday, and the fall iu the ',hares of those companies was in a great measure attributed to it. lhe general opinion seemed to be that the creation of 96,000 new sharer by the Orleans company was not very compatible with the present high price of 1200. It was thought, also, notwithstanding etatements to the contrary, that fur ther calls would necessarily be made upon the Bordeaux shareholders to make up the requisite capital for all the work.' propust,l to be undertaken. It lie, been asked what arrangement is to be entered into to meet the difficulty of the difference existing between the length of the concessions granted to these various THE EXPRESS, MONDAY companies. The coaecesion of the Orleans line is foe 99 yokre, of which 8 huff aliteady elntbed I that et the Illernon lice ill SO years I, mathat ef the Nantes and Illorcleau.t lines 60 yeersluth. It wodi evidently be neeereary, la order ant the ainkialkiland of the old and new capital &Add be •Dead on uniform conditions, to have this easeisione of three latter lines raised to 99 year like that of the Orleans line. Although it was positively stated yesterday in a eemi-ufficial joureal,theOonstindiumnel, that the amal gamation had been decided upon, it does not yet ap pear certain that it will be carried into efibet, for the Patric has been instructed, possibly on accunt of the fall at the Bourse yesterday, to my that the arrange ment contemplated by tho companies cannot ho effected without the sanction of the government, and that no official communication respecting it has hitherto been made. The Council General of the department of the Eure has just voted a sum of two millions of francs for the railway from Paris to Cherbourg, of which 1,800,000 fr. aro to be appropriated to the direct line from Paris to Caen, and 300,000 fr. to the branch line from Serquigny to Tourville when it shall be executed. The railway from Paris to Caen is not postponed, as has been incorrectly reported, it is only the branch line above alluded to, the execution of which has been deferred. Several tenders for the railway from Saint-Dizier to Gray have been within the last few days presented to the Minister of Public Works. There are four companies who have come forward as competitors : the company Grimaldi; another at the head of which is M. de Vandenl; • third called the company of Engineer Officers, at the head of which is General Daulle, formerly president of the consultative com mittee on fortifications at the war department ; and, lastly, the Paris to Strasburg Company. Tho esti- ' mated expense is from 40 to 45 millions. The first named company has already deposited its caution money at the Caisse des Depots et Consignations, but the probabilities are, notwithstanding, considered to be in favour of the Strasburg . Compan Prince Louis Napoleon received on Thursday a numerous deputation from the departments of the Centre, praying for a prompt execution of the rail way from Chateauroux to Limoges. Amongst the gentlemen who thus attended were M. Michel Che valier, M. Sallandrouxe, M. Delamarre, Baron de Jouvenel, and M. Louis Ardent, mayor of Limoges. M. Michel Chevalier explained to the President the wants of the central departments, and the great ad vantage which the line in question would confer on them. The President listened attentively to the statement, and promised that the case should be taken into consideration. The Public states that since the promulgation of the decree relative to the mortgage banks, a company has been formed, under the name of M. Thibeau, to establish a bank of that description. The Thibeau Bank has now formed a fusion with another company of the saute kind. Amongst the founders ol the two companies are included the houses of Rothschild and Fould, M. Bartholony, M. Benoist d'Ary, &c. The capital at present disposable is stated to be 40 mil lions of francs. The examination and approbation &the statutes by the government will not, tt is said, be long delayed. The Esiescipation of Brooch says: M. Emile de Oirardin is on the point of returning to France. It may be remembered that his mother in-law, Madame Sophia Gay, died at the beginning of this month. A short time alter that event, M. de Oirardin wu informed by one of his friends, that the President of the Republic, considering that his presence might be useful to his family, wu disposed to allow him to return if be made a direct request to that effect. On hearing this, IL de Girardia wrote from Brusaels a few days since a letter to the follow ing effect :—" Monsieur le F'resident,—A decree of the month of January banished me from France. Cousidera tionsof property render my presence in Paris !actuary at this moment. I beg you, therefore, to suspend the decree which ha. condemned me to exilic Accept my salutations, dte." Jo reply to this letter M. Emile de Oita:din received his pasol.nrt for Paris. Our letters from the south state that the secret societies are endeavouring to reconstitute themselves, and that a directing committee excites them to do so by propagating a report that an insurrectional move ment is to take place in the southern departments. Lyons appears to be the central point, to which the orders coming from London, Pans, and Geneva con verge. The most stringent orders have been given from the ministry of police to prevent these societies from collecting together their scattered remains. A search effected at the residence of a demagogical leader at Caen ha. placed the minister of police on the trace of a depot of gunpowder and ball. Severe measures have been ordered against the person in criminated and his accomplices. General Pacheco-y-Obes, the Minister Plenipo tentiary of the Republic of Uruguay, has just sent 200 fr. to each of the mayors of Paris, to be distri bated to the poor on the occasion of the downfall of Rams. The general's national vanity appears to have been hurt by the accounts of the defeat of Roses, published by the English papers. He has written to the Sic& to deny that there was any Holstein cavalry in Urquixa's army. Ho also asserts that the flower of Roses' cavalry deserted t > Urquisa. At the Bourse the Five per Cents. rose 46e. clewing at 100.03 ; the Throe per Cents. rose 86e., and closed at 70.15. Bank of France Shares rose 2.50. ltailvrays were bet•er. Meeseilles rose 17.50; Northern and Bordeaux, 7.30 each; Central, Tours and Nantes, 0.26 each. SUNDAY ETZNINO. To-day tho President proceeded, soon after mid day, to hold a review in the court of the Tuileries. The troops passed in review consisted of one bat talion of gendarmerie mobile, two battalions of foot oriasseurs, which were on the point of quitting Paris, and two regiments of lancers. The Prince was ac companied by General de St. Arnaud, minister of war, General Magnan, commander-in-chief of the army of Paris, and by the generals and officers of his military household. Followed by these and by a numerous and brilliant staff, the President rode along the front of the troops to the music of the bands. Then, at a signal given by the drums, several officers, non commissioned officers, and privates, stepped from the ranks to receive the Cross of the Legion of Honour, ' or the new decoration, consisting of a medal enti tling the wearer to receive a pension of 100 fr. for life. You will remember that the establishment of this last decoration was one of the purposes indicated in the spoliatory decree of January 22nd ea the ob jects of the confiscation of the Orleans property. After the distribution of the decorations the troops fib d off and retired to their barracks. I understand that within the last few days Lord Cowley, accompanied by the Belgian minister, M. Firmin Hagler, paid a visit to Count Turgot, the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The object of this diplomatic interview seems to have been two-fold. In the first place, explanations were, as I understand, demanded with regard to the attitude and intentions of France towards Belgium, and, secondly, with re gard to the reported design of effecting a change in the form of the government, as it was said that preparations were making, not only for holding a vast review, but actua ll y for proclaiming the empire on the 3th of May, anniversary of the Emperor's death. On the first point the answers of Count Target were considered satisfactory. The Minister of Foreign Affairs repeated once more the same assurances of a pacific policy, which the govern ment of Louis Napoleon has not ceased to avow since the coup d'etat of December. As to the other subject of demand, Count Turgot was more reserved. Ho said that France was the only proper judge of what government suited her best; that the President had reserved to himself the right of appealing to the nation on questions touching changes in the form of government; and that expe rience had proved that such appeals would be an swered by the universal assent of France. That tribunal was the only one to which the Prince was responsible on such matters, and the government could not admit the pretensions of any foreign power to meddle with such questions. Such is the outline given of the result of this conference. The discussion of the new budget has set some of the leading papers to day on the scent of free trade. The frank adoption of this principle is advocated by the Journa. des Aquas as the surest way to establish • sound financial position, and to put a stop to the ruinous accumulation of annual deficits. M. Ameddo de Cesena, in the Palk, observes that the greatest obstacle to fa rie 6 bon nonrehe is the prohibitive spirit of the French tariff. If, says he, tho fifty four prohibitions in the custom-house code were replaced by moderate duties, and if the present tariff were reasonably reduced, the treasury would find a source of increased revt.nue, which it could turn to the relief of the tax payer. M. de Cesena holds that the introduction of raw produce and alimentary substances ought to receive great-additional facilities; and affirms that it F t, MARCH 22, 1852. , is indi4ssissbh to' sY as soon as possible the axe of mien to ptemot tariff, in the intetent of the treasum glf people, of industry, and aviculture. To this e4 Pea& will publish &series of articles, indicating changes to be desired. The 1 Debate calls attention to the confessions of the I tory ministers in England as decisive of the definitive establishment of free trade in England,and points out the signal success which has attended this great experiment as an urgent inducement for the French government to alnico without delay into the I same path. The tone of the ministerial papers shows I that this question is at last on the point of being seriously discussed in the councils of the government ; and probably Louis Napoleon will seek to repair by some important concessions in the sense of free trade the popularity which he has so grievously compro- mised by the precipitate conversion of the Five per Cent. Itento and the increased tax on retailed wine. The Moniteur contains a decree assigning various state lands in the neighbourhood of Cherbourg to the marine department, for the purpose of facilitating the improvements of the port. There are also decrees consolidating and amending various old and modern laws and ordinances relating to ships' registers, the painting of vessels, clandestine freights, and other shipping regulations. M. Persigny has written a circular to the prefects, directing them to proceed as soon as possible to the formation of new tribunals of commerce, pursuant to the recent decree. The judges of these tribunals are in future to be elected by assemblies of notables, such as were created in 1807. The notables are to be chosen by the prefects. The circular recommends them to select the notables from among merchants enjoying an extended commercial reputation, giving a preference to the heads of the oldest houses. No one is eligible who is not either a Frenchman by birth or naturalisation. Frenchmen in the service of fweign powers as consular agents are disqualified. It is essential to a notable that he should pay patente." It is confidently reported that the Marseilles and Avignon Company are upon the point of obtaining from the state an extension of their concession from 3. to 99 years, and a guarantee of 4 per cent. A treaty s between this company and that of Lyons and Avignon is also talked of, in virtue of which the Mar seilles Company will undertake to make a branch line to Toulon. I I The Council-General of La Manche has voted a million of francs towards the completion of the rail way to Cherbourg. It appears that the contract for the amalga mation of the Orleans and Bordeaux, Central, and Tours and Nantes lines, was actually signed on be half of the companies on Thursday last. The hesi. tation of the government to santion the arrange meet is attributed in some quarters to the fear of creating a too gigantic monopoly. The idea of the advantages of amalgamation, as producing unity and economy in management, is just now a favourite one among the companies. It is said that the Paris and Lyons and Lyons and Avignon are hoping to obtain a fusion of their interests, although this is the very thing which the National Assembly thought fit, in the interest of the public, expressly to prohibit. It is under stood that the powerful Orleans company does not limit its ambition to the amalgamation for the moment in question, but is negotiating for an alliance with the lines from Paris to Marseilles, so as to extend its influence from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, as well as throughout_ the western districts of France. _ _ _ The company of which Messrs. Ricardo, Joseph Locke, and Ardouin, are the leading members has laid a proposal before the minister of public works for the concession of a line from Bordeaux to Tou louse with a branch to Cette. ITALY. -- PIEDMONT. Mr. blather, the young Englishman who was cut down by an Austrian officer at Florence, was at Genoa on the lath. The Genoa Casette states that his face is marked with a large scar. TURIN, MARCH 18. The news of the conversion of the French Rentcs was well received at the Bourse here, and produced a rise of 3.60 upon the Five per Cents., which closed at 96.60. The New Loan rose 4fr. TUSCANY. Prince Schwarzenberg's answer to M. Buldoase roni's note has been received, and the Austrian army of occupation is to be reduced to 3,300 men,—a dimi nution of 2,000. The Tuscan government is about to organise a regiment, which will be placed under the orders of a French officer, Colonel Rousselot. An other French officer, an engineer, has arrived at Leghorn, at the request of the Grand Duke, to sur vey and re port upon the state of the port of L eghorn, in which it is proposed to make extensive improve ments. ROME. MARCH 12. On Tuesday afternoon bis Holiness was indulg. ing in a drive beyond the city walls, and had left the precincts of the Vatican by the Porta Angelica, when, tempted by the beauty of the day, he ordered his cortege to halt, and alighted to walk, followed by his major domo and two dismounted noble guards. In the vicinity of the Milvian Bridge, close to the criteria which tempts the Romans so frequently to saunter out and imbibe a flask of Orvieto wine, a person in the garb of a print observed the papal equipage, and was suddenly seized with an irresiat able impulse to approach the person of his sovereign, which he did in so rapid and unceremonious a manner that Pio Nono was alarmed, and the noble guards considered it to be their duty to collar the Intruder, and prevent his actually throwing himself at the feet of the Pope. Irritated by this opposition, the priest insisted in a loud voice upon being allowed to carry out his intention, and pro ceeded to give utterance to most unorthodox asser tions respecting the equality of priests and of the hu man race in general, winding up his diatribe by shouting at the top of his lungs to the reluctant cars of the retreating Pope, that he was sorry to see the vicar of Christ surrounded by such a herd of knaves and scoundrels. Imagine thu effect produced by these awful and fearless denunciations. When his Holiness had got out of his unceremo nious visitor's immediate neighbourhood, he gave orders that ho should be released from tke gripe of his captors, but strictly kept in sight by two gendarmes, and his dwelling and avo cations ascertained, in order that • report of the whole affair might bo drawn up for Car din al Auto • penes perusal. This was done, and the unasked and unwelcome adviser of his Holiness turned out to he a Dalmatian of known eccentric habits, who had probably felt more eccentric than ever on the day in question, from the discussion of • couple of flasks of the before mentioned Orvieto wine, in the potation of which ho was disturbed by Pio Nono's arrival. His subse quent attack on the Pope's advisers may therefore be explained on the principle, in vino mans. However this may be, be is now paying the penalty of his temerity by a penitentiary sojourn in prison. GERM ANY. PRUSSIA. • BERLIN, MAILCII 18. Dr. Hock, 'o whom the Austrian government ha hitherto confided the active management of its pro jects of commercial policy, is to go to Frankfort and lay before the Diet the results of the Vienna conference.. It is a chief object with Austria to establish for the Federal Diet the right of taking into its hands the arrangement of commercial policy in German states. The official Dresden journal declares for the pro longation of the Zollverein, but is of opinion that, as soon as that object is effected, the realisation of Aus -1 tries plans, though difficuit, will receive the cordial co operation even of those who seem least to favour them. An official journal in East Prussia notifies that lug° supplies of rye are lying . on the banks of the blench, from Komi° to Itusinan Oeorgebourg, and will soon come to the relief of the districts where dearth is felt. In the Berlin corn market there has been a great fall of prices since the thaw, which has opened the canals and facilitated the transport of supplies. Olod rye, which lately stood as high as GO thalers per wiuspel, was sold to-d iy at 48 'haters, snaking :Ws. per quarter. Wheat bee sunk from 60s. to 40a. per qr. These prices will however, scarcely last long; there must be a partial rise again in a few weeks. ,` The empnittos "[finance has reduced the proposed "newipiPer @Wrap duty by one-half; the highest rate for a daily sheet of more than 800 a9nare blokes, would bei7s. 6d. a year, or about one-third of a penny per number. AUSTRIA. The Prague Gazette of the 13th contains a procla mation by Clam-Gallas, which shows that tho pepulat:an of Bohemia is still in a state far from tranquil. Secret societies, the commandant says, yet exist in rent numbers; and unlawful and unantho rimed writings, such as revolutionary proclamations, addresses, and comments upon public affairs, circu late, chiefly in manuscript, among the people. The public is reminded that the mere possession of such documents is a crime punishable by the courts martial with imprisonment and hard labour for a year. The Vienna courts-martial are still sitting, and, in the week ending March 15, sentenced twenty persons, convicted of petty offences deemed political, to various imprisonments of from seven days to four' months, diversified with blows with a rod, blows with a stick, fasts, and irons. In Dalmatia a coal mine has been discovered near the town of Poniquie, in the district of Spalato. This is the fifth discovery of the same kind made within the last three years in the Austrian states. The Count and Countess of Chambord have arrived at Venice. The conflict which threatened to arisebetween the executive power and the Chambers of Wurtemberg, on the subject of the fundamental right proclaimed at Frankfort for all Germans, has been averted. The Second Chamber, in its sitting of the 15th, adopted by a majority of 53 aguinst 33 the government bill declaring the fundamental rights then and henceforth abolished as concerned Wartemberg. The second clause of the bill, tending to re-establish the restric tions on the Jews which existed before 1848, was re jected by a strong majority. The government ac cepted the vote, and promised to submit to the legis lature propositions conceived in a spirit of liberality towarda the Hebrew population. BAVARIA. Letters from Munich or the 16th represent the ministerial crisis as still protracted. The demands of the Bishops and the part to be taken in the ap proaching Zollverein Congress, are the two difficulties of the government. Royal audiences and ministerial couneils take place almost daily. TURKEY. Consequent upon the return of Resehid Paeha to the post of Grand Vizier, Fuad Effendi has been ap pointed Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Mustaphe Pacha (formerly governor of Candle), President of the Imperial Council. A letter from Constantinople, of March 0, in the Constitution, states that the French frigate Pandora, commanded by Admiral I)eefoescs, was expected, the necessary firman for passing the Dardanelles having been granted. M. Lavalcttte is about to leave for Perim, and it is not thought that he will return. The departure of M. Titoff is looked upon as an im portant circumstance in the present position of affairs. CALLING OUT THE MILITIA. TO THE ZDITOY OH THE MIMS. do not like to call names, otherwise I should say that "weathercock the London Pima" has changed again, and is now with Earl Derby, all for the militia. If the people do not wish to be plagued to death with marching and countermarching—if they do not wish to be taxed in purse and person—when they already pay upwards of 16,000,0001.—if they do not wish a great sham to be perpetrated—if they do not wish the military spirit of the country to be excited uselessly, and worse than use lessly—they must lose no time in getting up . meetings, not peace congress meetings, hut meetings against calling out i the militia. Men n power, who see the patronage an un. necessarily increased army will give them, laugh in their sleeves at John Bull, and carry out thers tore what they know to be wrong. I am aware that the people in general think they will easily get rid of the present ministry. lamof • different opinion; but be that as it may, they will remain in long enough to pass a militia bill, unless strenuously opposed, and we all know how difficult it is to get any act repealed. I trust, therefore, sir, that you will keep on the alert, and not allow the poor people, who are not repre sented, to be taken from their daily bread, demoralised, made idle, and discontented, and all this to save a more minute examination into the great question, why, with 16,000,0001. expenditure, the country is defenceless? We pay already for an ample force. Where is that force ? If not in its proper position, why not put it there? YOUR CONSTANT READER. RIFLE CLUBS. TO VIZ EDITOR. OP Till EXPRESS. am a member, and was one of the first promoters of the " Metropolitan Rifle Club," whose meet ing was reported in your paper on Friday last. The meet ing expressed regret that the government should have re fused ea offer to form ourselves—at our own expense—into • rile regiment of a thousand gentlemen. lam sorry that we hale a government f 0 unwise as to refuse such an offer, bat them fads m 7 regret. lam exceedingly glad to know tholtotaimmegoomw of Lord Salisbury's communication, we doll be eoesoffied, for the present at least, to continue to call onesehres• "club," and that we are thus left to deve lop our resources and vitality by ourselves, instead of be sieging what a very young friend of mine who has not yet loaned French, calls • corpse, under the, to Engffielanes s seer chilling and energy-checking patronage end guidance id government. We had no intention of being anything more than a club OMB the appearance of the communication from the Home dint to the Newcastle Rifle. Club some weeks ago, whereby It was rendered plain that no facilities would be given to each associations, unless they should choose to become regular volunteers, at a large commencing expense to each individual, and the inconvenience of compulsory discipline. I was of the number of those who thought that no facilities and privileges which government could offer would pay us for the sacrifice of our free action and powers of expansion, hut I was in the minority ; and it was determined that, government permitting, we should become a regular rifle regiment of one thousand gentlemen, providing our own arms and accoutrements, and submitting to the usual course of obligatory discipline. Upon the announcement of this determination, a luge number of our earliest members fell off, and the business of Vomiting, which went on very fast up to that time, has Moe been very slow work. Now, however, I rejoice to shad that the metropolitan and the other clubs throughout the country—with the exception of two or three which were eseepted as corps by the late government just before it went sat—are restored to their old position and advantages. It is my deep conviction, end one which has been sup ported by the opinion of excellent judges in such matters, , SW the institution of clubs of gentlemen, associated for the simple purpose of making themselves expert in the use of the new long range rifles, sill be of far more real value to the country than the premature formation of corps. The large expense and compulsory discipline of regular corps will always give them a dilettanti and exclusive character except in time of imminent and obvious danger; but rifle clubs are things which do not necessarily require their members to go to any expense beyond a small annual sub scription and the price of the ammunition consumed; the members, moreover are always free to practise as seldom or as often as they like ; and, should danger arise, to em ploy their skill in the service of their country or not as they see reason. Here, then, are the elements of • most exten sive development of force—of force which might be or ganieed, it necessary, at one week's notice—for six days, as I have learned from high military authorities, is quite time enough to convert a good rifle-shot into an efficient member of a ride brigade. Rifle practice, at • target, in the open air, and at long ranges, if once set fairly going by a few associated club, throughout the country, as quite sure to become extremely popular as an amusing and wholesome exercise ; and it is in this character alone that rifle practice can ever become sufficiently extensive to be of any serious use to the country in time of need. Rifle corps would no doubt form them selves is great numbers at the prospect of immediate na- Waal danger—or, at least, great numbers of persons would mho the attempt. But it would be a vain one, unless the =of rifle clubs had been long in existence; for the reason that all the guomskers in England could not, addition to their usual work, produce, in the course of a year, the number of rifles, say 100,000, which might thee be required, at a mouth's or week's notice. Innumerable clubs, then, having the immediate induce ment of manly amusement and wholesome exercise, together with a vast prospective national utility, are what we ought by our example and aid to endeavour to set on foot, and I hope that you will forward this good work by bringing the contents of this letter before the numerous other clubs which have been " snubbed" by a government whose de signation of " protectionist" seems, as far as regards the true protection of the country, , to be an eminent instance of the incur o non /timid°. C. K. P. MAIDENHEAD, BERKS. The neighbourhood of Boyn-bill, a little village near Maidenhead, was thrown into great consternation on Tuesday last, by the discovery of one of those shocking occurrences which tills ths neigh bourhoo-I with horror. A labouring man, named John Cannon, residing at Boyn-hill, hes for the last two years taken as a lodger a relative of his wife, named Isaac UV, who has always ehuwn certain indications of weak Intellect. On Tuesday morning, hiving been left in the house with a little girl about four years of age, a granddaughter of John Cannon's, he cruelly murdered the poor child, it is supposed by knocking its head against the floor, and afterwards it about the roam. Lee was taki n before the magisaates for the borough of Maidenhead, Mr. C. Cooper, mayor, Mr. J. G. Ilishoe, and Mr. J. Higgs, on the 19th, and committed to take his trial at the nest assizes for the county of Berke for murder. Clic Court. Her Majesty and Prinoe Albert, with the Prince of Wales, the Prins:ten Royal, Prince Alfred, the Princesses Alice, Helena, and Louisa, and Prince Arthur, left Os borne at two o'clock on Saturday afternoon, attended by the Countess of Mount Edgcumbe, the Hon. Caroline Ca vendish, Colonel Hon. Charles Grey, Major-General Buck ' ley, Colonel Bouverie, and the Master of the Household, and embarked in the Fairy, royal steam yacht, crooned to Southampton, and travelled to London by a special train on the London and South Western Railway. At the Niue Elms station, her Majesty and Prince Albert, and Ito august party entered six of the Queen's carriages and pro ceeded (escorted by •detachment of the 7th Hussars) to Buckingham Palace, where they arrived at 21 minutes be fore six o'clock. The Queen and Prince Albert were re ceived at the Palace by Lady Caroline Barrington, lion. Flora Macdonald, the Duke of Montrose, the Marquis of Exeter, the Earl of Jersey, Viscount Newport, the Earl of Morton, Lord George Lennox, Major-General Berkeley Drummond, and Col. Wylde. Her Majesty and Prince Albert walked yesterday morn ing in the garden of Buckingham Palace, and the royal family took their usual exercise. The Queen and Prince Albert, with the Prince of Wales and the Princess Royal, the ladies and gentlemen of the court, and the domestic household, attended divine service yesterday morning in the private chapel of Buckingham Palace. The Hon. and liev. Gerald Wellesley officiated. The Earl of Derby had an audience of her Majesty yes terday at Buckingham Palace. Senor Isturis, the Spanish minister, transacted busini , s on Saturday ■t the Eon ign-office, Downing-street. Mr. E. Wollehouse, M.P., had an interview with the Right lion. J. W. Ilenley on Saturday, at the Board ut Trade. . _ A deputation from the Local Board of Health of South ampton had an interview with the General Board of Health, at their offices in Whitehall, on Saturday. The deputation consisted of the Mayor of Southampton (Mr. It. Andrews), and Messrs. George Laishley, Joseph Laukister, J. IL Ste,l)- bing, and Charles Davis. 1 hey were attended by Mr. Chas. E. Deacon, the town clerk of Southampton. Mr. E. J. Hughes, of Manchester, bad an interview on asturday with Lord Colchester, at the Board of Trade, on the subject of the Patent Law Amendment Bill. A deputation on the subject of the Stockton Extension, &c., Improvement Bill, had an interview with Mr. Secretary Walpole, at the Itome.office, on Saturday. The deputation consisted of Lord llarry Vane, M.P., Mr. J. Earrer, M.P., Mr. Wilson, town clerk of Stockton, and Mr. Clubun, agent. Mr. (leach, M.P., transacted business with the railway department of the Board of Trade, on Saturday. A deputation, consisting of the Earl of ilarrowby, Lord R. Grosvenor, Mr. B. B. Cabbell, M.P., the Rev. C. Hume, Mr. 11 Fox, Messrs. F. 0. Ward, G. It. Godwin, Lewis Hume, Dr. Milroy, Messrs. It. Roberts, C. P. J. Lord, Thomas Abraham, W. D. Brace, W. Cotton, C. Nelson, W. Wildbore, and the Rev. M. W. Lusignan. Dr. Baruett and Mr. C. R. Walsh, Honorary Secretaries of the Metro politan Sanitary Association, had an interview on Saturday, with Lord John Manner., at the office of the Commissioners of Works and Public Building', in Whitehall-place. The Duke of Wellington attended the early service yes. terday, in the Chapel Royal, St. James's. fhe Rev. Dr. Wesley officiated and preached the sermon. At the daily service, the sermon was preached by the Bishop of Chichester. THE SPEAKER'S DINNER. The Right Hon. the Speaker's fifth parliamentary dinner took place on Saturday, when the following at tended : Lord George Manners. Viscount Somerton, Lord Claude Hamilton, Lord Ilotham, Hon. C. S. Hardinge, lion. Octavius Buncombe. Sir Philip Egerton, Sir Wm. Codrington, Sir Henry Ilalford, Sir John Duckworth, Sir Emerson Tennent, Mr. Gould, Mr. liana Hamilton, Mr. Grace, Mr. Walter Lung, Mr. Thomas Baring. Cobbold, Mr. Masterman, Mr. Primo, Mr. Robert Palmer, Mr. loner, Colonel Sibthorp, Mr. Frestifield, Mr. Portal, Mr. Roundel' Palmer, Mr. Compton, Mr. Plowden. Tho Hon. Francis Baring and Mr. Conolli were prevented from being present. The right hon. genUernan afterwards held a levee. THE QUEEN AT SOUTHAMPTON DOCKS. While the Indian mail was being shipped for the Alexandrian steamer Bcntinck, the dock authorities re ceived intelligence that the Fairy steam yacht, having on board her Majesty and royal family and suite (who were leaving Osborne for town), was on its way to Southampton. This announcement caused considerable excitement, as her Majesty had never landed at or embarked from the South ampton Docks. Captain Peacock and Mr. John Levy, the chief resident dock officials, were immediately on the alert to make preparations for the landing of the august party. A number of men were set to work to form a temporary barricade around the landing place, so that the royal personages should not be incommoded, and in lining the dock steps and pathway with scarlet cloth. Almost immediately after the receipt of the telegraph announce ment in the docks, the royal train of carriage*, 12 in num ber, arrived there on a tramway, close to where her Majesty would land. About half-put two the Fairy, commanded by Lord Adolphus Fittelarence, entered the dock. The deck of the Fairy was crowded with the royal party and suite, who noticed with evident interest the monster West ladle steamer the Parana, and the beautiful new screw steamer Madras, belonging to the Oriental Company, which were lying there. Her :Majesty and Prince Albert, with their family and the dis tinguished members of their retinue, were received on landing by Admiral Ward, a dock director; Captain Austen, the superintendent of mail packets; Thomas Powell, Em., the collector of customs at the port; Captain Chappell, the secretary to the West India Mail Company; Captain Peacock and Mr. Levy, the principal officers of the docks; and Mr. Watkins, the superintendent of the Southampton Railway station. A large concourse of persons outside the barricading testified their loyalty and respect by repeated cheering. The Royal party cousisted of her Majesty, Prince Albert, the Prince of %Vales, the Prin cess Royal, Princesses Alice, Helena, and Louisa, and Prince Arthur. They were attended by the Countess of Mount-Edgcumbe, tl.e Hon. Caroline Cavendish, Co lonel the Hon. Charles Grey, Major-General Buck ley, Colonel Bouverie, and a large number of pages and servants. lier Majesty, who looked exceedingly well, and Prince Albert, when they landed waited on the landing-place until the royal children were safely ashore. The royal family and suite were then escorted to the rail way train, which was awe by. The Quceu, Prince Albert, the Prince of Wales, and Princess Royal occupied the royal carriage. Tho royal family and attendants occupied about seven carriages out of the twelve, which formed the train. The other five carriages were placed immediately alter the engine, and at the end of the trail. Mr. Stet in. the general manager of traffic on the South-Western Rail way, acted as guard to the train, and Mr. Beattie, the chief engineer on the line, superintended the driving of the engine. Previous to her Majesty leaving the docks she thanked Captain Peacock and Mr. Levy fur the prompt and admirable arrangements they had made for her landing. It is expected that her ?deputy will land at Southampton from i Osborne when she visits Winchester in June next. THE ANTI-CORN LAW MOVEMENT. The first business of the revived League has been, of course, to take steps for collecting the funds necessary to give lifo and motion to all their other movements. The council, however, appear to hare felt that time, as will so money, is valuable, and are suffering as little as possible of it to slip by before getting their machinery into play. No one can doubt how powerful that machinmy had become when it was taken to pieces and laid by in 1846. The moat doubtful question for solution now, has been whether it could be put together again and mode to work as perfectly as before 1 'lO this question the answer indicated by the great meeting of the 2nd March, at which 27,0001. was put down in twenty-five minutes, may be taken as applying in every other respect. The largest amount, we believe, ever put down on a previous occasion of the kind was 16,0001.; and it is not too much to say, that in all the appeals which the council have yet made to the public feeling, the indication of sympathy towards the movement, so far, is at least in the proportion of 27 to 16. The fund has reached 63,0001. without a public meeting, except that at Manchester, having been held to test the sympathies of the people ; but no sooner have the League begun to send forth their lecturers and agents than public feeling begins to be very strongly manifested. A me, t ing at Burnley—a place not yet represented in parliament a few days since subscribed nearly 1,0001. in a very sl e et time. Mr. Dixon, of Carlisle, writes on the 16th to say that they shall be rejoiced to see an agent of the League there. lle continues: "1 am rejoiced to say he will find the work begun. Last night we had a magnificent mit big, to revive the branch of the League beer, all the work ing men joining us most cordially. The requisition for getting back the lint seat (fur this borough) is going on so well that we feel confident in returning Sir James Graham and Mr. Ferguson." Successful meetings have been held at Dublin, and also at Drogheda. An excellent meeting was held at Kirkby Lousdale, the centre of an agricultural dis trict on the Westmoreland boundary of Lancashire, on Thursday, and no room being large enough to hold the Nmple, they were addressed in the market-place. Mr. l'homption of Wray presided, and the speakers included Mr. Rumney of Manchester and Mr. Hawke' of Kendall. Meetings are also about to be held during the next few days in several of the leading towns in the northern anti midland counties which will be attended by lecturers ap pointed by the League, and it is confidently anticipate!, from the great display of interest the leading inhabitants have manifested in the revival of the League, that this powerful organisation will 4:serene a more important influ ence on the forthcoming elections than at any former pena l of , its history. The appeal for subseriptio us to tie working classes is only now being made, hut a couple of returns had come in yesterday, one from the workpeople of Messrs. C. lie and E. Putter, of Darwen, amounting to 371. Ms., and the other from the brewers of Messrs. Gang& and SO% i Brookside, rear Aslitoo-under.Lyne, to 2il. The work people of Mr. P. R. Arrowstnith, at Bolton, have intimated that they will raise a sulacription amongst theneselees of Pl 'l. A pre Ihninary ineetin4 sus to he held at , Thursday, nutter the presidency of Walter Buchanan, Lek ` an old and well-tried free-trader, to make arrangeinetits for a large meeting there ty merganisc the Glasgow br.nish of the League,