The Express. — London, England, 1853-08-09 00:00:00

Cite eriaress. TO CORIALSPONDENTB. & •Ntel 111011:1 .. 1118 UMW.. Metatiki&l I tie MY ',tuber ty.giva:47ol...ubeel *ray Tuoodoy cal troloy sight, aa Woe Ur 1 1 . 4 . lit..twomoratolutrr.to.l for , ' ribs twos," Lot los nrerklog paw, ,„; mix..., 10, booverloAreat. by Two o'slook as the .fi &lf of pubalouJa. 141011 WATIIK AT LONDON BRIDOIL T. •t• Ptt 47% 7s. 1,-s.aukor-7iwraiag. 11. 2:r.. 47.. LONDON, TUESDAY, AUGUST 9. yt:4rKiinie, a ray of new and cheerful light was let in upon the question of " Peace or War ?" and instantly the funds, both in London and Paris, went op with a perfect bound. Seldom has a more pro:apt illustration been given of the instant sym paths• between public feeling and the breeches pocket of the bourse. The long days of warlike g l oo m that have recently cast a shadow over this season of other wise unparallelid prosperity, are met by just a gleam of promised peace, and up at once go prices of Consols a' d liesites, taking with them the quota tions of all other securities. 'Phis proof of the value and desire for peace is most agreeable and encou raging—so far as it goes. It shows once more how couiplet.ly the civilising operations of commerce are checked by tho mere likelihood of war and encou ra•pd by the prospects of peace. What we want is, that this cheerful preliminary gleam should be fol- lovred by a permanent sunshine. We want a cer tainty of peace that it may be enjoyed to its fullest and most bentficent extent. For this it is needful that ham be real, sincere, sulid,—and as nearly akin to permanence as may be. The funds, that, on the appearance of a favourable Telegraphic Despatch (like that published in our columns yester day), Went up full ono per cent., must not be liable to a fall, equally sudden and decided, _ upon subsequent intelligence from St. Petersburg or the Danube. In short, we want—not an armed truce, but an honest and reliable settlement of these Esstern difficulties. On such a settlement alone— at on notbieg short of it —may we rely with confi dence for future freedom from disturbance in the settled relations of Europe. The despatches w•e published yesterday morning stated that, according to advice. dated the 3rd of August (the date is important), the Cz AR is ready "to adhere to the note sent to him from Vienna ;" and further, that if the Porte accepts this note without alteration, " the Ambassador of the SULTAN will be ..... accepted by the Emperor NICHOLAS." It was natu ral that the publication of this statement should gi•:e rise to questions in the two Houses of Parliament ; and accordingly we find last night Lord CLARE DON and Lord JOHN Ilrs.sta.t. were both induced to say something on the subject. As usual the information they gave was of the most infinitesimal character. The leader of the House of Commons said," A telegraphic message has been received from her MAJESTY'S Minister at Vienna, which is of a satisfactory nature." In 'what way satisfactory Lord JOHN itt.7SNELL did not in any way explain ; and when we remember that this message was sent by the _ _ _ Austrian Lord WESTMORELAND, the lack of explena. tion is much to be regretted. Lord JOHN went on to add, " I should say, in reference to the answer expected in reply to the first proposal agreed to in Vienna, that the messenger who was to go to Con- stantinap!e, who I stated was to leave Vienna on the 31st ult., and who it was intended should leave on that day, did not leave until the 2nd of August, so that the reply from Constantinople cannot be expected to be received so soon." Here, then, we have, apparently, a sanction given et St Peters berg, on the 3rd, to arrangements not sent to Constantinople before the 2nd. The news hitherto spoken of as likely to give definite information on the 10th inst.—that is to say, tomorrow—"cannot be expected to be received so soon." The Minister again, also, deprecated the discussion of the Turkish and Russian question in the House of Commons. The Cabinet, he promised, shall say some/tiny before the House rises for the recess, but that something is to be uttered on a day so close to the prorogation that debate will be next to impossible. 7he Coalition do not like free speech on the matter; they will govern as they think best, and the Commons shall be mute. Such is the decree. In the Peers the subject was opened somewhat vigorously, and many portions of the questioner's speech brought down loud cheers. The proceedings of Russia against the Porte were declared by Lord CLANRIC %RIM to be "either war er piracy." " Whilst we are passing notes and sending couriers (said he), we have not only the occupation of the Principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia, but the invasion of Bul garia, and the whole of that great river—the Danube —the most important to the commerce of Europe, in the possession, on both sides, of a Russian force." And what is the state of t►ings told by the tumors we have received from the government in either House of Per Basest ? That we have sent notes. Ay, bat you have sent other notes, and we were told there was another Dote to be sent !torn Vienna last Sunday or Monday ; bet whip you are sending rates, the Russian forces en eskreseciliy, and, beyond t►e Principalities I have named, are tablas emission of another territory. It may be said, "deed sews has been received, which appears is the papas of to-day," and I shall be told probably if that saws is true, that the proposal which has been seat from llamas km been received favourably at St. Petersburg. Bid we do not item Mat that proposal is, mad before you can expect that the feet of its acceptance ems give merivalified satisfaction, we most know what ie the nature of the pro- posal which has bees made. Lord CLANBICAZDE has hit precisely the right points. While we are sending notes the Russians are advancing; and our present satisfaction is based upon ignorance of the nature of the proposal " re ceived favourably at St. Petersburg." We want real peace—sound, permanent, honest, and honourable peace. We want no armed truce: no - . resting of our prosperity upon the temporary whims or humours—the fitful seasons of reason or of honesty —of any irresponsible despot. That it is in our power to secure such permanent and solid peace is certain. Let us then have it. The mere temporary assertion of the CZAR'S readiness to accept any note prepared by the other Powers proves one of two things. Either he is merely finessing to gain more time far the planting his troops on the Danube—or he is satisfied that public opinion is so strongly against him in England and France that it is prudent to halt. If he is finessing, we should tell him so, and stop him as we can. If he is alarmed by the demon strations of England and France, we should profit by the feeling, and insist upon an honest withdrawal from the Principalities. One way only exists by which the sincerity of the CZAR'S professions may be tested. He has invaded his neighbour's territoties —let him withdraw his troops from a position they should never have occupied. Without the evacuation of the Principalities, all professions of a desire for peace are shams. The subjects of the SULTAN must be permitted to return to their allegiance; the monies of the SULTAN no longer be seized for the pur poses of the Russian military chest; the bi 'waders must retire within their own fron tiers. This is the way for :the Auto crat to prove his sincerity, and to place upon a real and permanent foundation that peace which is so needful for the interests of humanity, and so full of encouragement to the commerce, and lilac to the happinesv, of the civilised world. The alleged readiness of the CZAE to listen to the fair proposals of the four Powers has assuredly been none the less prompt for the displ..y of armed union on the part of England and France. This humour of the Autocrat must bo improved upon. We must have the guarantees we ask. We must not be led into sham negotiations for wasting time. The winds of autumn will soon render insecure the anchorage in Besika Bay, and if Russia agrees to evacuate the Principalities there, can be no harm in the friendly presence of the combined fleets in the Sea of Marmora until that military evolution is com plete. The Cossacks must retire within their own frontiers, and their retreat will be none the less re.dy for the exhibition of a little friendly pressure from without. Once let the Muscovites recross the Prnth without the concession of any unsafe terms on the part of the SULTAN, and the cheerful hopes of yesterday will be amply justified. A permanent tranquillitywill then replace those mischievous doubts and gloomy uncertainties of peace or war begotten of tho dishonest aggressions of Russia. exportation at Havre at the very time when large quantities brought from abroad were being en tered for home consumption at Marseilles ; yet the hungry people of Provence were compelled to pay a considerable duty on the latter, while the hungry people of Yorkshire and Middlesex were by our own sliding scale obliged to pay a heavy tax on the former. Happily both nations are growing wiser ; and while we refused to exclude French flour when it was superabundant in 18J0, so now we do not grudge the purchase of corn by French merchants in our markets in 1833, though the breadth of wheat sown is said to have been less in England than usual, and though the yield may in some degree fall below the average. For we have faith in Free Trade, and believe that when legislative quacks will let us alone the instincts of industry will always find food enough in the world for us all. RUSSIA AND TURKEY. VIENNA, AUGUST 8. The reply of Count Nesselrode to the Austrian note informing the St. Petersburg cabinet of the nature of the arrangement agreed to at the Vienna conferences has just reached the capital. The good offices of the Austrian government arc accepted, and no objection is raised by the Czar to the main proposi tions. As no formal demand was made, however, for the immediate withdrawal of his troops from the Danubian Principalities, he enters on no specific en gagement in that respect. He is willing to receive an embassy from the Sultan, and protests that he is animated by the desire to effect a pacific and amicable arrangement. Tee temperate and discriminating tone in which the policy of Free Trade has been discussed of late in several of the leading French journals is calculated to awaken feelings of no little interest and satisfac tion in every country where the worth of that policy is being tried. The very essence of the philosophy of free competition consists in the mutuality of benefits. If Free Trade be true, no na tion can thoroughly benefit itself without at the same time, and by the same process, benefiting its neighbours. In the confraternity, therefore, of civilised states every step that is made towards the uuiversality of unrestricted intercourse in say particular quarter is directly and necessarily a subject of gratulation for all ; and as England or l America could not lower the duties on French silks or gloves without benefiting the workmen and capi-1 talists of hlullhouse and Lyons, so France cannot re lax her sliding scale of duties on corn, or her fixed duties by weight on iron without stimulating agricultural production in Ohio, and mining activity in Staffordshire and Wales. But let us be frank and confess, unreservedly, that in our own commercial changes the governing motive was simply and solely that of self-interest. Reciprocity treaties accom plish comparatively little. Diplomatic dissertations on the moral and political benefits of Free Trade were, no doubt, very amusing and edifying at the time; but for the most part they may be said to have ended just where they began. However protracted. they seldom amounted to more than a formal flirta tion in which each party suspected the other, and from which there could come no fruit. It was only, in short, when nations had pretty well abandoned the task of trying to persuade one another to do by concert that which, if worth doing at all, it was the interest of each to do at once, and unconditionally, that the huge and cumbrous systems of protective tariffs really began to give way. These antiquated defences of native industry resembled in this respect the obsolete masonry of high turreted fortifications, which, if a neighbour or stranger suggested the wis dom of pulling down, national pride and suspicion would have kept standing for ever, but whose mani fest uselessness became apparent as soon as all in trusive advice regarding it ceased. France appears to be now arriving at the safe and wholesome state of self-taught conviction regarding commercial policy which England and the United States, Holland and Belgium, Piedmont and Switzer land, have successively attained. As long as we continued to bore the Cabinet of the Tuileries about projects of reciprocity treaties, Fringe wrapped closer around her the timo - worn folds of her exclusive and preventive code. But now, when we have practically abandoned that mode of proceeding, and by abrogating nearly all protective duties which limited the import of French products into the United Kingdom have proved the sincerity of our faith in unconditional Free Trade I —now France, left to herself, begins to believe that she also might do herself more good by doing what would be good for her neighbours, than by trying to owe herself at their expense. We unaffectedly *sin at the development of such a condition of public sentiment amongst our neighbours, because we know that in it alone can be laid the solid foundations of a free commercial system. A decree appeared some days ago in the Mondesir suspending altogether, until further notice, the French Corn-law, which, like that abolished in England in 1846, consists of a curious array,- meat of progressive duties depending on the average of prices fora certain number of weeks preceding. This law, like our own, was devised for the purpose of stimulating agriculture to provide sufficient food for the nation. and at the same time to secure to the cultivators of the soil a steadily remunerative price for their produce. But, like our own, it has signally Yid in both these objects. In 1847, the French government were obliged not only to suspend its operation, but to resort to the most mostly and gigantic expedients, in order to procure from abroad something like adequate supplies of food for the people. There is nothing which the governments of France, whatever their origin or form, have such an instinctive dread of as popular hunger; and that of Louts PHILIPPE spared neither pains nor money to mitigate the pressure of scarcity during that terrible year. Bat to a great extent it was found impos sible to accomplish the benevolent and prudeotial purpose in view. The ORLEANS dynasty, like that of the elder BOURBONS, had debarred the industry and invention of France from buying corn, in ordinary years, in the open market of the world, and when unexpected dearth suddenly came upon them they found that market scantily sup- Iliad. Throughout the panio-stricken winter of 1647 hunger and discontent were brooding smog the half-employed populations of the great cities. The Government tried to exonerate itself by pointing to the opened ports, but the despairing artisan gazed upon his perishing family and muttered to himself the ominous words, " It is too late r' Ere the spring returned these accents were destined to become memorable when applied to concessions of another kind, likewise delayed too long. The present ruler of France seems to be resolved not to neglect the warning ; and, upon the first symptom of uneasiness respecting the harvest, he has wisely exercised the power which he possesses by enabling speculation of all kinds to go free as far as human food is con cerned, thus relieving himself and his Government, long before an exigency can arise, of the fearful re sponsibility which would otherwise attach to it. Thanks to the establishment of Free Trade in corn on this side of the Channel as well as in the Netherlands, there arc now great etstrep4ta of cereal food regu larly filled by Transatlantic and Levantine TURKEY. enterprise, from which hundreds of thousands happen murde i t:ous . of quarters of wheat may be obtained for the use of A letter in tae Lalepentlance Beige says that a attack was made upon the Proicess Del any district of France which may casually ha to want it, without materially or permanently affect- I, l "s° ' Y she was igt te hz,e, a er,ll2: h o o f pgl ; I ing the price of bread amongst ourselves. It is well .1. aul l i g r er Ci u ta her own a h a tind to w s friend in France. The known that from the absence of cheap and t5- p id Princess went to travel in the Ottoman empire from inland carriage for goods the prices of corn v , diffe- Malta, where she was lately on a visit. rent portions of France have been constan', ly liable to present the most striking contrasts. So much, indeed, is this the case, that under the French Corn Law of 1826 the kingdom was divided into fiscal zones, and the averages were taken within their respective limits. It fre• quently occurred that surplus wheat lay for The statement of the Moniteur that "the Czar has accepted the note forwarded to him from Vienna," partially corroborated as it is by the explanations so beirudgiogly doled out last night in parliament, is still the latest leading item of Eastern intelligence. A general sense of relief was the first effect of this an nouncement. It was felt that the power of free and civilised opinion had been acknowledged in the centre of despotism and barbaric force, and that the ostensible pretext for war had been got rid of. Under tho influence of these feelings, perhaps few have cared to scan minutely the four lines which make up the announcement of the Moniteur, to ascer tain the exact worth of its assurances. The Emperor of Russia, we are told, has " adhered " to ' a certain note which we have a right to assume (although the fact has not been explicitly stated) is the proposition emanating from the Vienna conference. Moreover, "if that note is accepted by the Porte without change, " the Emperor Nicholas will receive the ambassador of the Sultan." Of the Sultan's acceptance it would appear that little doubt could be entertained. It is hardly probable that the four Powers would make propositions to the Em peror of Russia without first being assured that they would be accepted by the Sultan ; and it may be said that, even if they have neglected to ascertain the decision of the Sultan beforehand, any hesita tion on his part must be of short duration, for he is completely in the hands of the four Powers, and must conform to their advice or sub mit to their dication. On the other hand, it is not possible to forget that absolute as is the form of government in Turkey, the will of the Sultan acknowledges a law higher than itself. The Czar has quarrelled with Turkey on a religious ques tion, and in its settlement the spiritual guides of the "faithful" must have somewhat to say. The,Ottoman empire is still more a church than a state, and in a crisis where the religious prejudices of the nation come into play, the Sheik ul Islam may exercise more real power than the Sultan and his divan. This latter body again is not united. The wise and able Reschtd Pachs is surrounded by enemies, who gain easy access to the ear of the Sultan, and whotnight fancy that their interest lay in misrepre seating the character of his moderate counsels, and in discrediting him with his master. But although these considerations present themselves in the course of a survey of the situation, it would be most unjust to Turkey and its people to forget that all the fanati cism has been found hitherto entirely on the side of their adversary, and most ungracious to anti cipate that those who throughout the course of a provoking •aggression have maintained an attitude of dignified self-possession will, now that an ar rangement is in prospect, abandon themselves to an intemperate and reckless passion. The danger, whatever of it remains, is elsewhere. Supposing, then, that the first condition of further negotiations is fulfilled, the Czar " adherer" to the note of the four Powers, and will " receive the Sul tan's ambassador," apparently to adjust the points not settled in the Vienna note. Is the immediate and unconditional evacuation of the Danubian Principali ties one of the points provided for in the proposals now accepted, or is M. de Nesselrode to chap and chaffer on the question with a Turkish envoy at St. Petersburg? There is reason for this interrogation; and, until it is satisfactorily answered, it will be im possible not to consider one of the greatest obstacles to the re-establishment of tranquillity as unremoved. The motive of the Czar in desiring to transfer the settlement of all that concerns his relations with Europe to St. Petersburg is sufficiently obvious, and it must be equally clear to the western Powers that they must insist upon the fall reintegration el the Ottoman territory before they can madder that the work is done. On one question, the greatest of all, we are left almost entirely in the dark. The movements of bri gades, the coercion of bospodars, and the solutions of diplomatists, have lately so engrossed the foreground, that the cause of all this action has been fora time nearly forgotten. Reflecting observers, who look beyond the exigencies of the passing hour, ask with IMllle concern whether the note, tuned, convention, Only, or whatever may be the name of lir isms nt which the Sultan is to sign, will Wm Turkey more or less exposed to Russian aggression than before. The permanent interests of peace are concerned in the answer to this question. It was to preserve Turkey from en tangling and dangerous engagements that France and England planed themselves by her side. The fuss of negotiators and the practical aggressions of the Czar have not made this a subject of secondary concern. It has been stated by the French press, and is repeated, that large concessions have been made to Russia, that a power of interference in matters connected with the government of the Greek Christians has been offered to the Czar. Should this statement be confirmed it may yet be a question how far the most conciliatory minister of the Sultan can advise compliance, and how far the conduct of the French and English negotiators at Vienna deserves approval. Letters from Ealisch state that a portion of the sixth Russian infantry corps is taking up a concen trated position at Moscow. Field-Marshal Puke witch maintains from Warsaw active communica tions with all the mobile troops. " Whatever may be the prospects of peace," says a correspondent, " the military preparations of Runde, are carried forward upon a most extensive scale, and we are positively assured that to guard against all contingencies, they will be until a treaty or convention is actually signed. The report that the Emperor has lately given assurances of peaoe, in an audience of military officers at St. Petersburg, is at variance with the well-known character of Nicolas. He is not accustomed to make gratuitous statements to anyone, and when he gives pacific pledges, it will be to merchants and bankers and not to the eons of Mare." , DENMARK. — COPENHAGEN , Aria. I . — To-nig h t ' s Berlinqski contains the following paragraph:—" Tnx SVC CESSION.—In the Cabinet Council, held yesterday at the Hermitage, we understand that his Majesty signed the State Act, which calls his Royal Highness Prince Christian of Olucksborg to the Danish throne, when the male line of Frederick 111. is extinct. Ilia highness lies received the title of Prince of Denmark." THE EXPRESS, TUESDAY EVENING, AUGUST 9, 1853. FRANCE. , MONDAY Evasuco. The Parisian public is sa PAßlS tisfied that the Eastern question is settled.. Those who raise doubts are in a Contemptible minority, and cannot obtain a hearing. Long before the opening of the Bourse the doors of all the principal stock brokers were besieged by clients, who formed a queue, as people do at a theatre on an attractive night, and happy was the man who could get his order registered to buy secu rities at any price. Ths Bourse opened with great animation at 80f. for the Threes, being a rim) of fully 2f. 70c. from the lowest price of Saturday. The credit =biller jumped up at once from 783 to 900. These extraordinary prices of course tempted many to realise profits, but orders to buy came in so fast and thick that the re- action was very trifling throughout the day. The bears soon found it impossible to make any head against the movement, supported as it was by the certainty that extensive orders to buy must arrive to morrow from the provinces. The holders of railway shares were so extravagant in their demands that scarcely any price could be made for the first quar ter of an hour. Ultimately the principal lines rose 40, 30, 70, and even (i n t h e instance of St. Germain) 83fr. There were not wanting suggestions to check the rise. It was said that the propositions sent from Vienna were anterior to the events in Moldavia, that they did not stipulate in any precise manner for the evacuation of the Principa lities, and that all calculation yet showed that no decisive answer to the final proposition of France and England could arrive from St. Petersburg be fore the 12th or lath of the month. But no objec tions of this kind were listened to. It was felt that the " state of the house," to borrow a phrase from Threadneedle -street, was such as to resist all sinister reasonings and surmises. The expressed opinions of the press, in its present fettered or servile condition, are not worth much. The government journals, the Pays and the Consti tutionnel of course follow the key note of the Muni (cur. They treat the question as being substantially settled, and praise to the skies the loyalty, courage, and skill of Napoleon 111. The Constitationnel tri umphantly exclaims that the success of French diplo macy in 1853 has effaced the check of 1840. The Delats adopts the prudent course of saying nothing. The Univers observes that the acceptance of the proposition by the Emperor of Russia is very nature', since it results, from an explanation of the Pak r, that having asked for a great deal he obtained all he , asked for. The Siecle is by no means satisfied that a solution has been arrived at: From the note of the Moniteur, which is evidently the summary of a telegraphic despatch, it results that the Czar will condescend to receive an ambassador from the Sultan, if the Sultan accepts the conditions laid down by his allies. This form, which is insulting at least for Turkey, will give rise to a serious discussion, but let us set aside the form and state that there is a step made. This step brings us near the reel question of peace or war—the immediate eva cuation of the Danubian provinces. It is said, "If the Emperor of Russia declares himself satisfied, what motive can he allege for occupying a part of the Turkish territory ?” Russia is never embarrassed to invent pretexts or motives, and to find means for procrastination. Immediate evacua tion of the Principalities: except this fact he ac complished, we see no guarantee of the real in tentions of the Czar. In whatever manner the note to which the Emperor Nicholas gives his adherence may speak of the withdrawal of the Russian troops beyond the Pruth, it is necessary that these troops should retire with out the fleets being compelled to quit Besika Bay. This is the wh de of the question of principle end of honour. If we may believe the information which has reached us within the last two days, the cabinets of Paris and London have resolved to yield nothing on this ques -Ition' which is vital for the security and dignity of the west. To-day, Lord Clanricarde will put some questions to the English ministry on Eastern affairs. The note of the French Moniteur allows us to hope that these interpellations will throw some light en the state of affairs. Before congragtulatiog ourselves on the pacific solution, which the note of the Moniteur appears to indicate, we shall wait to anew what are the propositions drawn up by the ambassadors. If they are firm, dignified, and ex plicit; if they require without delay and without condi tions the recall of the Russian army beyond the Pruth, then we shall have to repeat what we have before said, that the friends of liberty are necessarily the friends of peace. But now we have again to express our regret that the go vernment has not thought proper to enter into some ex planations, and to nuke known the bases of the note which is to be accepted by the Porte. We besides foresaw the acceptance of the Czar. The unsolved question, and that which decides everything, is that of the immediate evacua tion of the Danubian provinces. The Gazette de Franca says : It will be observed that the laconic note in the Moniteur contains no explanations as to the contents of the note sent from Vienna, and it says not a word of the great question actually in contest; the priority between the evacuation of the Principalities, and the departure of the fleets. Moreover, the only result pointed out as likely to flow from the fat it states, in case of the acceptance of the note without alteration by the Porte, is the reception of the Sultan's ambassador by the Emperor Nicholas—a result which would not be a solution. The English journals have told us that the immediate evacuation would be the condi tion sine qua non of any proposition that might be accepted by the powers, but besides that these journals have no authority to pledge the Queen's government, we do not eves know whether the note accepted by Russia is really that which emanated from the conference of Vienna. It will be remembered that conflicting reports have lat terly been in circulation with regard to what bas been done at Vienna. While some people talk of one note only, others speak of three or four as having been sent at nearly the same time from different parties. Which of these stories is true, and if several notes hays been sent, which is the note that has obtained the approbation of Russia ? Another reason for misgiving is, that persons pretending to be well informed state positively that Russia is loss disposed than ever to quit the Principalities, and even go so far as to say that she intends to give them up. Nevertheless, the insertion in the Monirestr of the Ave lines we have quoted is a considerable fact—one of a nature to reanimate the hopes of those who have faith in the maintenance of the peace of the world, and as such we accept the augury with pleasure. Queen Christina of Spain and her suite, consisting of about fifteen persona, arrived at Havre on Saturday. Her Majesty took up her residence at Frascati's, where apartments had been prepared for her recep tion. In the evening the band of the 29th Regiment gave her a serenade. CANADA. TORONTO. Joni 24. The last week has bean an important one in the railway history of Canada. It has been marked by the opening of the railway from Montreal to Portland on the Atlantic seaboard, on the one hand, and the maw nation of the Quebec and Richmond Railway with the Grand Trunk line on the other. The Portland Railway is • work which reflects much credit on the entew prise of the city of Montreal. The length et the Canadian half to the frontier is 126 miles, and the American portion to Portland is about the same length. This railway puts Montreal into cos! municatien with the Atlantic all the year round ; the lair boor at Portland being always accessible, and a very flee one. The Canadian portion was bait principally by the enterprise of the citizens of Montreal, and that in meek harder times than the present, when there were many dis couragement. to encounter. It has anveered better than was at one time expected, and it now fo•;ma a portion of the grand trunk. The construction of tkie Quebec and Rich mond, which intersects the Port i .and at this last-named Place. is also in process of ll° raped construction as The American half of the Portle.ndis leased by the Grand Trunk Company, and will thus form a branch of the longest railway in the world, ex t e ndi n g f r om one ex t r a. mity of Canada to the ot , .,er, with an intersection to the Atlantic Ocean from Mcratreal to Portland. Since my last letter several of the members of the Mi. nutty have been gokng over different parts of Upper Canada attendir.g public dinners to which they have been invited. They have made the important declaration, that it is the intlr.ition of the government to " secularise" the clergy tr.serves during the next session of parliament. If this be so, it will be the most important political step taken in Canada for years. . . _ The harvest prospects are very good, but prices of pro duce are very unsettled, in consequence of the uncertain nature of the accounts from England. The prosperity of the province is very decided. Land in all pasts of Upper Canada is very much raisud in value, u, indeed, is all kinds of labour and every article of commerce. Buildings in this city, and some of them very handsome ones, are going up with marvellous celreity ; and I believe such is the case in all parts of Canada. Everybody is peoverous, and feels well assured that the inatfoificent natural resources of Canada are better the; auriferous deposits. THE MURDER AND 'MUTILATION NEAR WELL CLOBE-SQUARE.—Yesterd ay the inquiry into this shocking transaction wu reeume a before Mr. Baker, junr., and con ga a verdict " The.t the head of a n ewborn inf ant was found eluded with an uner.vgjactory res u lt. Ths ury returned burnt in the grate of No. 32, Cable-street, but in what way I the infant became dead no satisfactory evidence appears to the jury." gtit €ourt. The Queen held a Court and Privy Council at haltpast two o'clock yesterday afternoon at Buckingham Palace. The Duchess of Leuchtenberg had an audience of her Majesty. Her imperial highness was attended by Baron Brunnow. the It%/61141 Mini.ter, Malls. Wayekoll, and Count Wielhorski. Senor de Castello y Lansas, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary from the Mexican Republic, had an audience of the Queen to deliver his credentials. His Excellency was introduced by the Earl of Clarendon, K.G., her Majesty's principal Secretary of State fur Foreign Affairs, and conducted by Colonel Cornwall, her Majesty's Assistant Master of the Ceremonies. The Hon. Henry Howard had an audience of ber Majesty to take leave on his departure for his diplomatic post at the court of Brazil. The Hon. Charles Murray had an audience to kiss hands on his appointment to be Minister to the Swiss Con federation. Colonel Shiel had an audience of the Queen on his rc turn from Persia. Dr. John Forbes, physician to her Majesty's household, had en audience, when the Queen was pleased to confer the honour of knighthood. Dr. Janus L. Bardsley, of Manchester, had an audience of her Maj.sty, and received the honour of knighthood. lier Majesty gave audiences to the Earl of Aberdeen and Earl Granville. .... The Queen held a Privy Council, which was attended by Prince Albert, Earl Granville. the Earl of Aberdeen, t h e Earl of Clarendon, the Duke of Newcastle, Sir J. Grah.,m, the Lord Chamberlain, and the Marquis of Abercorn. At the council the Lord Justice-General was sworn in one of her Majesty's most honourable privy council. Mr. Greville was clerk of the council in waiting. After the council Sir James Graham and the Marquis of Breadalbane had audiences of her Majesty. The court wu *Bunted by the Marquis of Breadalbane, K.T., Lord Chamberlain ; the Marquis of Abercorn, K.G., Groom of the Stole to Prince Albert ; the Earl of Mul grave, Treasurer of the Household ; Viscount Drumlanrig, Comptroller of the Household ; Lord Ernest Bruce, Vice- Chamberlain • the Marquis of Ormonde, lord in waiting; Liaut.-Colonel the Hon. N. Hood, groom in waiting ; and Colonel Bouverie and Captain tho Hon. Dudley de Roe, equerries in waiting. The Earthmen from Southern Africa were brought to Buckingham Palace, yesterday morning, by command, and were seen by her ajesty, Prince Albert, and the royal family. Prince Albert, attended by Captain the lion. Dudley de Rol drove to Lancaster's Ride Ground yesterday. Roe, Majesty, with the Princess R val and the Princess Alice, attended by the Hon. Matilda l'aget, took a drive in an open landau and four, yesterday afternoon. Colonel Bouverie attended on horseback. Her Zolajesty gave a dinner party list evening at Buck ingham Palace. The company included the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess of Wiirtemberg, the Duchess of Cambridge and the Duke of Cambridge, the Hereditary Grand Duchess of Meeklenburgh Strelita, the Duke of New castle, the Duchess of Sutherland, the Duke and Duchess of Wellington, Baron Brunnow, the Marquis and Marchioness of Clanricarde. the Earl of Malmesbury, the Earl of Hard wicke, the Earl of Clarendon, Viscount and Viscountess Canning. Viscount and Viscountess Harding', Viscount Palmerston, Madame de Sturmfeder, Lady Suffield. Lady Caroline Cuat, Lord George Lennox, Lord Charles Fitzroy, Viscount Drumlanrig, Lord William Paulet, Colonel the Hon. Cha•les Grey, Baron Kaesebeek, the Comte de Zcp pline and Colonel de Berlichiogen. The band of the Coldstream Guards was in attendance in the Palace during dinner, and perforated the following selection : _ Overture. "Jessonda" %%doe, L'Atheu" Julien Grd fauantasir, “Zaactta" Auber Selection, " Alma" Costa "Valerie" Manch, 0 Fran: Joel" Sir William Clay, M.P., had an interview with Viscount Palmerton yesterday at the Home-office. Mr. Vance, M.P., and Mr. L. Clare transacted business at the Railway Department of the Hoard of Trade yes terday. Despatches were aunt yesterday from the Colonial-office to the Governors of Hong-Kong and Ceylon. Despatches were received yesterday from the Govcrnor•General of Canada. THE SPITHEAD FLEET. POSITSMOUTII, AUG. 8. The whole of the fleet have weighed from Spit head to-day, and gone down to St. Helen's anchorage, pre senting a very magnificent spectacle. At five o'clock yes terday afternoon, the Queen, 116, Captain F. T. Michell, made her number in rounding the Isle of Wight, on her way to join the fleet. She anchored at St. Helens for the night. At about 8 o'clook, the Prince Regent, 90 ; Lon don, 00 (sailing ships); Valorous, 16 ; and Vulture, 6 (steam frigates), were ordered by signal to weigh this morn ing from Spitbead, and proceed down to St. Helens before breakfast, whilst the Queen was signalled to remain at that anchorage. She appears, hoverer, not to have made out the signal, and this morning the Magicienne, 16, steam. frigate, Captain Fisher, having arrived at St. Helene in the night from her trip is search of the Queen, took her in tow to bring her up to Spithead. A freer signal was made by the Commander-in• Chief, and the Queen returned to St. Helen's At 8 o'clock this naming Rear-Admiral Corry, Com mander-in-Chief of the Channel Squadron, shifted his flag from on board the Prince Regent to the Agamemnon, 91, screw steam ship, Captain Sir T. Maitland ; and at 10 o'clock Vice-Admiral Sir T. J. Cochrane, K.C.8., Corn- mander-in-Chief at this port, proceeded out of harbour in the Sprightly, steamer, accompanied by Rear-Admiral Berkeley and Captain Sir B. Walker, Surveyor of the Navy, and went on board the Duke of Wellington, 131, screw steam ship, Captain H. B. Martin, hoistior his flag on board that vessel, and taking the command of the entire fleet. At about the same hour the Prince Regent was taken in tow by the Valorou., and the London by the 'Vulture, and towed to St. Helen's. . . As soon as Sir Thomas Cockranc was on board the Duke of Wellington, signal was made from her to the fleet, steam being up on board each ship, to weigh anchor and proceed to the above-named anchorage. This they did in two divi sions the two flag ships leading, the Duk e of Wellington the 'larboard division, and the Agamemnon the port divi sion. The paddle-wheel steamers did not form in any par ticular order ; they were preceded by the Sidon, 22, Capt. G. Goldsmith. This movement of the steam fleet was effective and imposing in the very highest degree, and attracted vast numbers of spectators to witness it from the fortifications of the garrison, and from other places from which a view could be obtained. The following vessels remained at anchor at St. Helen's : The Queen, Prince Regent, London, Tribune, Megicienne, Valorous, and Vulture. This •afternoon the Terrible, 22, steam frigate, Captain WCleverty, arrived up from Fal mouth, and anchored at Spitbead. The screw ships having passed the Mab Light in the divi- Okla named above, they soon became indistinguishable from =character of the weather. They were, however, going down to the truck of the Isle of Wight. SOM= hex and five this afternoon the Duke of Welling- I tss WY made out returning round the ledge of the Isle of I Wight, followed by the Agamemnon, the fleet having ap- I parently changed from two to one division. They are ap parently coming up to Spithsad. The review on Thursday by the Queen promises to be a naval demonstration almost unequalled in character or I effect. It commences at half-put eight, and will be of considetable duration. The Bulldog, Stromboli, and apses-sloop of the reserve, are to be commissioned, re dm, M the purpose of affording accommodation to the __Blass of the Houses of Lords and Commons, and the alleiala of the Admiralty and Somerset-house departments, whilst the Black Eagle, steam-yacht, Master-Commander I Pettey, will be used by the members of the Board a Admiralty and the Cabinet Ministers. The three aid. named ships have been brought down the harbour to-day, M M prepared for this service, and the Hada will come dews te-suorrow. Several other ships are also ordered round lbws other ports. The day will be a dockyard holiday. THE CRYSTAL PALACE COMPANY. Yesterday the first ordinary genera', meeting of this company took place at the London Tavern, Mr. S. Lstmo,ll.P., in the chair, The usual preliminaries having been gone through, Mr. Gitovis, the 'secretary, read the following report: " A special meeting of said at the first ordinary general meeting to be held under the provisions of the deed of settlement, beyond submitting the balance sheet and statement of account+, together with the report of the auditors which accompanies them. With regard to the state of the works, and the general progress of the under taking, the directors have onlye to repeat their conviction that everything is progressing towards a favourable result. The whole of the south (or Norwood) end of the building has been completed, together with the iron-work of the north end, as promised by Sir Joseph Paxton's report of the 2nd July last, and the only operations of any great importance remaining to be accomplished in the building, are thew connected with covering-in the central transept, which has been already commenced, and one of the ribs fixed in its place. The directors have to congratulate the shareholders on the passing of the Act for the West End and Crystal Palace Railway, and upon the fact that the directors of that company have made such arrangements as will ensure the earliest possible opening of the line for Crystal Palace traffic. The statement of accounts t . •:, the 7th July last showed that the receipts mani . ."ited to 601,6951. 12s. Id., and the payments to 440,55^,;. G u . leaving a balance of 61,0451. 51. 4d." The report was adopted. The retiring directors were re-eleeted i and Messrs. Whitmore and Fletcher were an.:•inteill auditors at a remu neration of 25 guineas each per annum. A resolution was then passed, to the effect that the proprietors who had already applied to pay up the full amount of the new shares be allowed to do so, but that no fresh payment in advance be made. A cordial vote of thanks was then passed to the chairman and directors, accompanied by an expression of continued confidence in their proceedings, and the business ter minated. SHOW OF THE ROYAL NORTHERN AGRI- CULTURAL ASSOCIATION. This great annual display of stock and implements I was held on Wednesday, on the Link., Aberdeen, under, on the whole, rather favourable auspices. Under the ad mirable arrangements of the cow mittee and the active vigilance of Mr. Duthie, the secretary of the assaciation, the greatest order prevailed. The number of stock brought forward was fully egret to the average of for mer years, but there was rather a deterioration of quality. Still • fair number of animals stood promi nently out, and drew marked attention from the nume rous spectators. The rather unfavourable character of the present as a grazing season, over a large portion of those districts from which the association draws its sup ply of stock, was indicated less perhaps by a delta in condition than by a certain dryness of pile, not so observable in more genial seasons. This appeared most in the bullock stock, which, though embracing several admi rable animals, was hardly, on the whole, up to the average mark of former years. When, however, one looks at the state of the grazing fields in many parts of the country, his wonder will be, not that the stock should appear some what less plump and sweet than in more propitious years, but that the deterioration should not be more conspicuous. It speaks volumes for the spirit and energy of our breeuera and stock-fatteners ' that they should have been able to muster such a display in such • season, when in many localities grass has been so scarce in quantity and of suet' interior nuurishiug quality. Amongst the more noticeable animals is the yard were the first prize bull of the black pulled breed, belonitmg to Sir James Carnegie, Bart., which gained the first premium at Forfar last seek, and also the first, as a two•year-old, at the Highland Society's show last year at Perth. A cross ox. five years old, shown among the extra stock, the property of Messrs. J. sad J. Martin, was greatly admired for his symmetry and the equable laying on of fat. His forepart, behind the shoulder, was about the best developed of any animal we have seen. A two year.old atot of the black polled breed, belonging to Mr. ?d.Conxbie, Easter Skene, was an object of much notice. As an evidence of the early maturity, as well a, weight, that may be attained in the breed, we may mention that, we understand, Mr. fd'Combie lately refused 301. fur him, _ _ Amongst the horses, the first prize brood mare, tif longing to Mr. Le dingbatn, Wateredgemuir, was much esteemed for her compact build and geaertl symmetry ; she is per haps, if anything, undersize. The stallion belonging to Mr. Wilson, Brangan, which gained the hrA prize, iu the class of three-year-old entire horses, was also a very good animal. Three draught mares shown as extra stock, one of the property of the Earl of Aberdeen, attracted a good deal of attention. The allow of shorthorns was, perhaps, about the average of former years • one or two of the hulls showed superior breeding, but the cows generally manifested that tendency to patchiness, which COLSIIIlltell the weak point of the breed. The west highlanders mustered very poor, both in the breeding and the fat stock. There were some half dozen Heretori!e, but certainly not of a character to attract lueh attention towards tha't breed, however valuable it may be in the southern part of the island. There was a great show of cross cows—greeter in fact than we should wish to see. The quality of many of them was superior. The sheep were not numerous, but generally good, in all the three pure breeds. The pigs were as usual, mountains of fat, and seemed one of the moat popular parts of the show. The poultry was about up vi the average of former shows. Two chief objects of attraction were Mr. Blaikie's three Cochin-China birds, which obtained the first prize. There were two very beautiful small chuckles in the extra class No. 1, but which received no prize. The Aylesbury ducklings were very fair. The dairy produce di pertinent was unusually meagre, but some of the specimens of butter had a very fine appearance. The implement department was as nearly as possible nil, the whole display consisting of two ',loughs, a clod-crusher, three mangles, and plunge churn driven by a lover. We fear the assiciation have not been giving sufficient en couragement in this very important department of their show. THE DlNStit. At five o'clock, after the awards had been made, a largo party of g.mtlemen sat down to dinner in the hall of the itoyal Rotel. Sir James 1). Elphiustone in the chair, supported on the right b) the Lord Provost, M. lasserand, the French agricultural commissioner ; Mr. Gordon, of Parkhill ; Rev7Mr. M`Combie, of Tillyfour, &e. ; and on the left, Mr. Mcchi, of Tiptrem hall Farm, Essex ; Mr. Duff, of Corsindae ; Capt. Leslie, Old Aberdeen, &c. Mr. Grant, jun.. of Mollmusk ; Mr. Irvine, jun., of Drum ; and Mr. Walker, Mouutbletton, croupiers. Among the company we observed A. Gordon, Esq., Culter llouse ; Captain Shep herd, Kirkville, Skeoe ; Capt. Nair, Straloch ; Mr. Grant, Druminor; Major Erskine, of Pitodrie ; Captaiu Leslie, Warthill; Mr. Todd, Maryculter ; Mr. Watson, Keiller ; Mr. Euxton, Farnell; Messrs. Morgan, Guerrier , Duckworth, and Dicliton, cattle Zleeineo, London ; Mr. Ouerrier, corn factor, London ; Mr. Swa'n, cattle 'sales man, from Edinburgh ; Me , tirs. Burn, Mitchil, and Anderson, from Newcastle. Rev. Mr. M'CLmbie said grace ; and the Rev. hirTeiank, itatcscXetTarnerl The CHAIRMAN, in proposing " The Royal Northern Agricultural Society, and continued prosperity to it," coupled with Mr. Harvey, of Tdlyreig, said that the so ciety had existed for a considerable time, and it had given a great stimulus to agricultural improvement, as was evident from the character of the stock which had been exhibited in the show-yard that day, which was equal to any that had been exhibited at any former time. Re was much pleased with the appearance of the show ' yard that day, with the exception of the agricultural implement department. He had observed but one plough, whilst at the show of the Royal Agricultural Society o: England, lately held at Gloucester, and which he had at tended, there was no less than ten acres set apart for agri cultural implements. Mr. Idecbi, whew he had now the pleasure of introducing to the meeting, would tell them I about farming in England, and he had no doubt but that they might learn something from him, as there was not a county from which they might not learn something. And in regard to improvements, we had not many prejudices to get over, as anew light had broken in upon as. The more ha saw of agriculture, he was convinced so much the more that more could be done. About fifty years since they did not send their cattle to London by sea, but drove them over the hills ; and even nineteen years ago they did Lot use guano, neither had they commenced furrow draining. But matters were very different now, and with their rail ways they would accomplish greater improvements. Mr. DUFF said a more pleas►nt duty had seldom fallen to his lot than that of proposing the health of Mr. Mechi. Ho referred, in a facetious way, to a visit he had recently paid to Tiptree-hall. There he bad seen 150 pigs, 12 cattle, and 350 sheep on a farm of 70 acres' extent ; and he saw tares as high as the table before him. He would not tell more of what he had seen, but proposed that they should go there and see for themselves. His toast was, " The Strangers and Mr. blechi." Drank with enthusiasm. . . Mr. Macut, who was received with enthusiastic cheer ing, said he was bat lately a stranger amongst them, but he was not so now. He had left London with prat pleasure at the invitation of their most excellent secre tary—(cheep)—and in pining over 600 miles of COUR try, he had watched with intense care the cultivation of the soil, and could me that, after passing Newcastle, the mitigation was far superior to what it was for the, first 160 miles of his journey; of course he only spoke of what be saw, and with nothing had he been more gratified than the extended application of steam Dower. For the latter part of his journey he had come through a Filly country, but be thought it would not be very long till these poor hills, by enterprise and capital, would ba made to pay as well as the finer valley beside them. W e were now on ly beginning to farm. In 60 years the popu'istion had doubled ; and 60 years ago their forefathers thou zbt they did not farm so badly. But looking forward enemy half century, when the population might be trebled, or even quadrupled, how was that population to be. fed if the farmer did not grow more ? It was only e.iy a large application of capital, they could do so. IP., was glad to see their city friends there and thought e!oey would not get on well till they married eiteteulthin to manufactures and commerce. If he had made • little spare money by his business in town he hoped he was not to be found fault with for applying it to the im- Kovement of the soil. (Cheers.) In the city, perhaps, they had the " best end of the stick ;" no doubt they wero tied to the desk and the counter in order to make money, but they all laved to get away to the country, and he thought this was a wise arrangement. In saying that the country was not so profitable es the town, he was not to be understood as saying that his own farming was unprofitable, for it was not so now. One thing that struck him to-day, and which he had long felt to be of very great importance, was that they should make arrangements for getting back from the city all the beef, mutton, butter, eggs, &c., they sent to it when they had done with them. They might think him a little visionary or farsighted, but be thought ere another century passed our best means of reproduc tion would not be allowed to ran to waste, or sent down our rivers. Three sheep to an acre was thought to give no bad manuring, but Aberdeen could give three people to each of 30,000 acres, or nearly so, besides al.; the dogs, cat', and other animals that mien be amoncst them. The reason. why they had not done anything in this, be believed, was, because they had not thouge:, stint it. Ile did not say that it would be judicious '.n their city friends to put the means in operation 6', supplying them with the city manure,unlese the rev men made up their minds to have it ; if they did so, l' . ..air friends would have it sent to them before they cou'A .. 7 l ac k R o bi ns oa. (Laughter.) lie had applied solid manur e in a liquified state him self with greet benefit, and he might appeal to his friend, ldx. Duff, as to its effects on very poor soil. Mr. Mechi :ben expressed his intention of not occupying the time of the meeting long, as they were to have • a talk on the morrow about what makes seri ' el'.':turc profitable, which, he hoped, would produce some- I thing better than mere talk ; he knew something of the i sore places of agriculture, and he might appeal to several , of the gentlemen present if he did not know something, elec., of where to apply the plaster. In this city they had easy means of applying the sewage, and if they would apply it liberally to those barren hills, be could tell them they • would grow the finest passes without the trouble of sow ing. Mr. Mechi concluded by referring to the system pur sued by Mr. Kennedy at Myremill, and expressed his grati fication with the appearance of the stock in the show yaid ; and as they wished to have a plentiful supply of fine beef and dairy previsions, they would get a better idea of the powers of those manures, as they were not going to stop in their career of improvements. (Great cheering.) After several other toasts, the meeting separated.—Norgh British Daily Mail.