The Express. — London, England, 1863-12-24 00:00:00

ALFRED WEBB MILES, Everybody knows Mr. MILER REMOVED from frond-a feet, to 73, BLOOK•STRIIT, Hanoverequare, In 1850. The 1 TROESERS (originated by him' in all the New Patterns fee Winter. " better than ever." SPECIAL NOTICE TO GENTLEMEN. A. W. MILE; begs moat respectfully to announce that his dock In the various department, of his establishment ts now replete for Overcoats. Vesl Bedfunl Cord, and scarlet waterproof cloth for hunting. - The woolslyed Black and Blue Frock Coats. 50s A choice of 50 pieces of indestructrble waded West of logland Cloths. LETABLISILED BEL Only address How COLD IT HAS BEEN.—NEGRETTI and ZAMBRA'A reltbrated TiIIiRMOURTERB will oor rectly register the lowest temperature. Price Ja. —l, Ration s mien . 59, Cornh ; 153, Ytret-street : and ltt, Regent-street. Agents wanted. Vie entreoo. TO cOILEIIISPONDKNTS. ,dvertilemassta Intended i fee /tie Urea • Leaden llealag Payer, mast be at tbe dim to, Beaveetewtreee, by Two o'clock oa Ile day of pabbosetas. HAYkLUtiCET. ON •A'NOLDBY vurneTbri AIISRICAN COTNIN. Melon hotherd Buckstone, Chippendale, Gordon, Rogers, Callenford, Clark; Mesdames Angel end Also ordon.—And KI NG AR MCP. Mr. Compton , Mesdames L Keeley, Leary, landle), Brongh. EXCWIL O SiTCRDAT Emir% Slit Coil. CHILD. Mr. Wlddicomb aid Moe P. leeletcq.—BllL DM MONIO. • Love Story. Moors. Pee Met, Bream, Desert Merles. and Jordan ; Maus Terry. LITMII4I, - 1124 sad Mom. Lee. aniTmorm,, try SOVITAT MORIIIIIIO - 11i72711nd in the Evening. the Nen PAntomime If ICKOSY, DICHORY, DOCK. Kra S. Lane and tirit rate rantom mista—The Marvels of Peru. THE GREAT GUUST k:lPECT.—lrtlitu and Bertrand.—The Fairy Fountain. HIGH WA AT LONDON BILIDGIL 22111 DAT leauleg, lb. Ms_ .Araressa. 112. On. fo4KODON..Msavibt& lb 7m Wassersa. Th. Va. LONDON, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24. KING and Elms; the principals in the prize fight at Wadhurst, with their seconds and other eiders and abettors in that encounter, have been taken before a Bench of Sussex Magistrates, who, after hearing the testimony of a number of wittiness of the fight, have bound them over to appear to answer any indictment that may be preferred against them at the next Quarter Sessions. As the law on the subject of prize fights is very stringent, and as the evi dence taken last Tuesday was very clear, it may seem at a first glance that the accused parties are in some peril. A slight examination of the pro ceedings before the magistrates is sufficient to re move this impression, and to show that nothing more than a formal homage to the law has been paid. Even in the act of committing the de fendants, Mr. DONALD BARCLAY, the presiding magistrate, observed that he would not say that there was anything particularly reprehensible in what the men had done, but that persons were not to commit illegal acts with impunity. We confess we do not quite understand the proceedings of the Sussex Bench as they stand in the light of this remark. If it is meant that the law which condemns prize-fighting is to be put in motion simply because it is law, just as we sometimes see busybodies put some obsolete statute in force to the distress of harmless people, it is a great pity that the magistrates cannot perceive that the dig nity of the law is lowered when it is employed to vex individuals without any corresponding good to society. It is only upon the supposition that the purpose of the crowd of persons which assembled at Wadhurst on the 10th inst. was reprehensible, that Kum and Haessrl and their friends could properly be subjected to the trouble and annoy ance of being made to appear before the Bench. But in truth, no amount of real and sincerity in the promoters would save this prosecution from the reproach of futility and unfairness. No one, however disposed to condemn the recent fight, can desire to see the offence visited upon the poor men who on that occasion beat and bruised one another for the amusement of their betters. As KING'S advocate unanswer ably urged : " Whatever the feeling of the Sussex " magistrates might be in the matter, it was quite " clear that great favour and countenance was " given in certain high quarters to men in the " position of the defendants, and some allowance " ought, therefore, to be made for those who, " rising invariably from a most humble and " obscure position in life, were made so much of "by those who so largely supported them. No " one could fail to see that persona of rank and " position did attend such fights, and that was an " additional reason which should induce the Bench " to deal lightly with those who had been 'elected " for punishment." This is notoriously true, It is not merely that people of exalted social rank sanction prize fights, but that persons of high authority in the State countenance them by their language if not by their presence. Lord Per, maxerroN, replying in the House of Commons to a member who had spoken of a prize fight as if it were something which all acknowledge to be wrong, observed that the spectacle was no more immoral than a balloon ascent. The House answered with approving laughter. Probably not one of the laughers valued Lord Par.mmurrox'a opinion on a point of morality, but it was instantly felt that • valve had been opened, and that the pressure of public opinion which bad so long kept prize-fighting down, had been sensibly weakened. In like manner the influence of some of our cleverest public writers has been carried over to the prize ring. Some of these advocate it in plain terms as an institution deserving of the encou ragement of society and the protection of the law. Advocacy of this order perhaps does more to arouse opposition than to make converts. Still, the sanction thus given to • sport which is de scribed by one not unfriendly critic as more revolting than • bull fight, and having less excuse than • duel, ia welcome to those who want an excuse for what they suspect to be wrong. A far more effectual way of encouraging the prize ring has been followed by a contemporary of great influence. This consists in kindling the largest amount of public interest in it by publishing conspicuously, and in disregard of a long-standing tacit convention of the respectable newspaper press, elaborate and exciting descriptions of every battle in which first-class men are engaged. Of course the decent ending of each report is a confident pre diction that the battle described is the last of the kind that can ever take place, a strong opinion that a prize fight is a disgusting and debasing exhibition, and a stereotyped exclamation Vast it would be easier to restore the sports of the arena than to revive the prize ring. And there can be no doubt that for many readers this cheap tribute to shallow sentimentis all that is necessary to entitle reports of prize fights to • place among edifying and improving literature. Let us indulge no illusions on this subject. There is no need to revive the prize ring. That institu tion enjoys an amount and kind of support such as it has never before known in England. The Prime Minister pleads for it. The House of Commons smiles oa it. The Chief Commissioner of Police sends his men to facilitate its arrange ments. The Railways are at its service. The Press supports it. Above all, it pays. A thousand persons are found to give three guineas each for the privi'ege of being car ried to it in the dark early hours of a cold winter's morning. And the newspaper which gives the best account of the battle sells more evils than ' when it reported the victory of the Alias or the taking of Sebastopol. The state of public feeling which these facts imply is infinitely more serious than the physical suffering sustained by the com batants, or the shock given to the nerves of country justices by the invasion of their domain. And it is one which criminal prosecu tions can do nothing to correct. There is not the slightest reason for believing that the judgment of the reflecting public concerning prize ' tights has undergone the least change during the hit three years. But in every large community there is a considerable amount of latent black guardism not at all inconsistent with literary education and the "language of gentlemen," which chafes and frets under the restraints of the public conscience, and watches its opportunity to break loose. The revival of the prize ring, like the apologies openly made for slavery and the public extenuation of irregular unions in the place of marriages, is a sign of the times. It betokens not so much a reaction and demoralization of public opinion as a temporary disorganization of the moral forces of society which, until lately, operated for its restraint. In this respect it is worthy of public attention. THE EXPRESS, THURSDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 24, 1863. Lt be gam MORNS, Die. 23. The Prince and Princess of Wales arrived at Osborne yesterday, on s visit to the Queen. Prince Alfred returned with the Prises of Wales. The Judge Advocate-General had so audioace of the Queen yesterday afternoon. The Right Hoe. T. Milner Gibson left town yesterday for his seat, Thebarton-house, Saxmundham. Despatches were received yesterday at the Colonial-office from the Governors of the Cape of Good Hope, Natal, St. Helena, Malts, and Canada. Despatches were sent to the Covens= of the Settlements on the West Coast of Africa. WINDSOR Casrut —On Tuesday morning the royal baron of beef was sent up to the Castle by Mews. Sedbrough and Son. It was cat from a choice ox fed in the Windsor Great Park, under the direction of Major-General Seymour, deputy ranger, and charge of Mr. G. Gravatt. Tbis noble joint we, placed before the &re to nest at nine o'clock in the morning, and taken up at four o'clock in the afternoon, the process of roadie( oocupyieg sight boors. It was sent from the Castle to Osborne yesterday (Wednes. day), and will form the principal Christmas joint on the side table in the dining-room, where it will remain, together with the boar's bead and woodcock pie, until New Year's. day. Her Majesty has given directions to the above royal butchers to send on New Year's.day the customary royal annual present of beef to the ex-royal family of France at Claremont, consisting of two handsome sirloin,. The Right Hon. T. Milner Gibson left town yesterday for his seat, Thebertoa Hom e, ix The Right Hon: B. Disraeli and Mrs. Disraeli have lift Grammarians foe Hatfield House, ea a viait to the Marquis and Harebionees of Salisbury. The Zed Cowper, accompanied by the Countess and the Indies Cowper, has arrived at Rome from Florence for the winter. The Earl and Countess of Morley, after a tour in the south of Frame, ►ave arrived at ROM. The Earl and Comintern de Grey have made ar rangements to mos the Christmas in Landon. Hie lordahip lathe only Secretary of State resident in town. Viscount and Viscountess Stratford de Radcliffe will leave Gremenoraqoare early next month for Brighton; the Hos. Mines Canning are at dike Hall, Yorkshire, on • visit I. the Earl and Corinne' of Zetland. The Bari Beauchamp, who has recently retired from the Lite Guards, has gone to Gibraltar for the benefit of hie health. THE COURT-MARTIAL UPON LIEUT.-COL. CRAWLEY. The finding of the court-martial, held under the presidency of General Sir G. Wetherall, K.C.8., for the trial of the charges against Lieutenant- Colonel Crawley, was yesterday submitted to the Queen, and received the royal approval. The decision is in the following terms : " The Court, having duly considered the evi dence in behalf of the prosecution, the evidence the prisoner has adduced, and what he has stated in his defence, and the prosecutor's reply, is of opinion, with regard to the first charge, that be, the pri soner, Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas R. Crawley, of the 6tb Dragoons, is Not Guilty. " With regard to the seooud charge the court is of opinion that he, the prisoner, Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas R. Crawley, is Not Guilty. " The court does, therefore, fully and honour ably acquit him, Lieutenaut-Colonel Thomas R. Crawley, of both the charges preferred against I him." To the finding of the court were appended some unfavourable comments upou the manner in which particular witnesses for the prosecution bad given their evidence at Aldershot. These expressions of censure, however, are not given to the public at present, as they will probably be embodied in the remarks of his Royal Highness the Commander-in- Chief upon the case generally. RESIONATION OF THI BISHOP OF TASMANIA.— The Right Bev. Dr. F. Russell Nixes has redpied his see into the hands of the Bishop of Sydney as IfetropobltaN a whom the resignation Me bees ASOSSAHL The laity of Turman' hare mate to resolutiess on tht ri Zjoet, is which alter complinisntiag the late bishop, and express- Mg their regret at his resignation, they my :—" We respect deure that in the seleetioe of a soomesor to the ese the crown may be assisted by the advice of the Archbishop of Canterbury and of oar retiring bishop, and that the ap poiatmeut may be made from among the clergy of the church at home." The dioome, which was founded in 1842, consists of Van Dismen's land and Norfolk Island, with a population of about 90,000, and between 60 and 70 Merv. income is 1,0001. a year from colonial funds, and 4001. a year from the Colonial Bishoprics Fund. ' The BISHOP OP BYET/LEL AND "BROTH= lONA TIVe."—The Western Daily Press of yesterday Mates that 1 the Bishop of Exeter inhibits the clergy of his diocese from permitting "Brother Ignatius" to officiate in any of their churches. --- Tae SCOTTISH HOSPITAL. List night, 31r. Kennedy gave, at the Henournmareroorne, his enter tainment, "A Night wi' Burr," in aid of the fends at the Scottish Hospital. Mr. Kennedy bas been so beg bakes the London public as as &aperient of Scottish wog and a delineator of Scottish manners that it would be supremos to speak of his qualifications for such a task. The - mas serm which his enterteinmects were received on previous occasions was the unrest pledge that " A Night eV Burn? would draw a good sadism*, especially when given in the cause of charity. Such we are happy to Mote was &heroes last evening. The songs were well eelectill illustrative of the poet's life. Whether amorous, pa or martial, they were snag with characteristic feeling, and gave manifest delight to the audience. Between the Out acid second parte of the entertainment Mr. Kecoedy recited " Tam o' Bkanter," which was done with considerable spirit. The wag of "Auld Long Syne" appropriately concluded the entertainment, which wins, we hops, prose beneficial to the excellent object for which it was peodmid. Tun 11301,1811 CIFORCIE UNION. —Tbe usual monthly meeting of the English Church Union was held at the rooms in &Weigh-street on Tuesday last. The Hon. Colin Lindsay occupied the chair. After prayer, by the Rev. Mr. Mayow, sixty•one candidates were elected and several acclimated for election at the met meeting. Os the president desiring to know whether enymember wished to ask leave to introduce any mafiosi whoa the subjects on the agenda paper had been disposed of, Mr. Cooke remand moved that leave be given lum to propose a motion to the effect that the Matra Review having now become the pro puty of a private company, it should new to be the so knovrledged organ of the Cake. On commencing to speak to his motion, the president rose and refused to hear him. This decision gave rise to some emission. Mr. Cooke statieg that that was the only chance a private member had of brinier forward any motion. A warm discussion followed, and eventually a decision took place, when there appeared for leave being gives 15 against 13, thus giving a majority of two. Proxies were here introduced, notwithataadiag the protest of Mr. Bennett, one of the council, the result of which was that the derision of the meeting was ravened, the numbers being —for leave being gives, 21 ; against, 25. Mr. Cooke then gave notice of a motion for next meeting, to the effect that the council no longer possessed the coufideoce of the Union. The president spoke in strong language of the some they bad just gone through, sod reminded the members that theirs was a religions society, and be looped they would carry es their dist:moons in a more gentle mentor for the future. —The Church LATEST INTELLIGENCE. Morn's macizau.) THE EXECTJTION IN HOLSTEIN. HAMBURG, DEC. 23, Damao. The military dispositions are being continually changed. At b this morning the Austrians assembled to march to Alton*, when contrary orders were re ceived, and they are now to remain here for the present. Up to 9 p.m. the chief military poet of Aliens was still occupied by the Danish troops THE SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN QUESTION. FRANKFORT-ON-THE-MAINE, Dec. 23, Evamco.• An extraordinary sitting of the Federal Diet has resolved, upon the urgent demand of Bavaria, to request the committees upon Schleswig-Holstein to come to a resolution in the succession question as early as possible. • Delayed on account of ioterruption to the lima THE POLISH INSURRECTION. BKESLAU, Die. 23. Advice; received here from Warsaw state that General Berg has ordered twenty-five Prussian sub jects imprisoned at Kalisch to be transported to Siberia. The insurgent chief Demeki, also a Prussian subject, has been shot. Two new convoys of political prisoners have been sent away to Siberia. REPORTED INSURRECTIONARY MANI FESTO IN HUNGARY. MILAN, Dm 24. The -Chasm publishes a statement that an in surrectionary manifesto has been affixed in the principal towns of Hungary. The manifesto announces the establishment of a general committee to obtain the independence of Hungary, and assuming the direction of the affairs of the country under the orders of Kossuth. The Austrian government is taking great precau tions, but agitation is general throughout Hungary. EXPRESS FROM PARIS. THE NEW LOAN. (nom ma own onuarownwr.) PARIS, WEDNESDAY EVENING. The amendment proposed by twenty-seven depu ties to the bill for the 300,000,000 loan has greatly enraged the government, and now makes a con siderable sensation in the public mind. It is by this time thoroughly understood that the object of MM. Thiera, Lanjuinais, Emile 011ivier, and their friends is to bind the Emperor over to keep the peace. They well know that if he has an unlimited power of issuing treasury bills be may very soon run up as great an amount of floating debt as that which M. Fould, very much against his own wishes, has lately been peremptorily com manded to consolidate ; and not only that, but he may commit the nation to a war before the legitimate guardians of the public purse have auy opportunity of expressing en opinion on the matter. The amendment is in fact one of the most legitimate and important exercises of the power of the House of Representatives that could be imagined. Two of the opposition mem bers, M. Guiroult and Ravin, refrain from sup porting the amendment for the reason which they avow in their journals, the Opinion Nationale and Side, that they are for war on behalf of Poland, and therefore do not wish to tie up the Emperor's hands. But to this the Presse very well replies : All the reasoning of thee. journals comes to this, that because Poland is in gumption all sound principles of finance aro to be diereprded. What is the use, then, of the intro vention of the Corps Legielatif in regulating the public tipeuditure ? You might as well declare at once that as to foreign politics there are never to be any rotes but vote, raj oxifidenee. Even the Temps, which is in favour of inter vention for Poland, separates itself from the Sieele and Opinion Nationals on this question of the amendment ; for it says that to begin a war for Poland with an issue of 1,000,000 or 2,000,000 of Treasury bonds, would be to undertake that great enterprise in a " clandestine " manner, whereas for such an object the Emperor, if he had made up his own mind, might safely throw himself upon the country, and demand the money openly. Speaking of the articles of the Stec le and Opinion Nationale it says : It is evident that, unless we are to relapse into the situation from which we have only Out been extricated, sad to meddle the Treenail with fresh burdens, and thus do the very thing whisk the professed object of the loan bill is to avoid, M. Teald himself must be the first to wish to limit the issue of Treasury bills as much as possible. To be altogether logical, he ought not to issue may at all. We admit, how ever, that that is not possible ; bat, on the other hand, it must be confessed that MO. Thins and Lanjuinaii amredmeet is bat a corollary of the bill itself, sad a very moderate corollary. M. do la Gueronniere's journal, the France, which seems to be rather favourable to the amend ment, says that a very animated debate may be anticipated. M. Thiers waited upon the committee to-day, and stated his reasons at length for the amendment. No report of what takes place before committees is allowed, but his arguments are said to have been very forcible. The committee, as was expected, rejected the amendment, and M. Gouin presented a report to the Corps Legialatif to-day in favour of the govern ment bill for the loan. I am told, however, that the committee has made some sort of recommen dation, with the concurrence of the government, for a prospective limitation of the issue of Treasury bills. The debate will begin and probably be finished to-morrow. LUCIEN MURAT AND THE CONOREDA—The fol lowing letter from Prince Lucien Murat to a friend hes been published :—" Patio, Nov. 7, 1863. My dear sir,— You have doubtless read the di/coons of the Emperor at the opeoing of the chambers. The initiative which he hu taken. and the simplicity with which he has exposed his gigantic project, place him at the head of all European sovereigns. If they misundentand him let them look to their own acts, The people will comprehend him, and woe to those who force him to dreg them before the tribunal of public opinion, which will judge them without appeal. Before a congress which will have Napoleon at ita head the people bare nothing to fear. Their interest. will be protected, and their civil wan will mese. AU parties will disappear. AU private interests will appear too small to dare to show themselves. The heads of pertinent no longer have a plea for their existence save the hope of being useful to the public weal ; and from the moment they cease to be no their continuance becomes a crime. Tell those who love the memory of my father to wait and hope in the justice of Napoleon 111. If sacrifices are requited of them let them be the tint to give proofs of abnegation for the welfare and tranquillity of their country ; and if one d a y it be given me to direct them in such a course, that day will be the happiest of my life. Adieu, my dear sir, take mea sures for giving all the committees of Naples, and all the antis of snakes in the provinces, due oognizance of my letter, and V they have faith io me let them conform them selves to it.—Beliere, I beg, in my sincere friendship. LUCIEN MURAT." During the first ten month. of this year, 249,470 letters, 2,675 books, and 216,639 newspapers were received In New South Wales by the o•erleod mail route ; and the first Moe =oaths of the present year, 228,319 lettere, 2,684 books, sod 200,791 newspapers were sent from New Smith Wake by the same route. About 1.000,000 letters, hooka, end rewspapers are received and seat et sod from New South Wales by the overland mate daring the year, THE SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN QUESTION. GREAT MEETING AT FRANKFORT. 0110111 OM OWN FRANKFORT, Dsc. 21 Michael (the German John Bull), after having rubbed his eyes for a long time, is now decidedly on his legs. He takes up his cudgel, and looks out for a foe. The Dane is not big enough for him ; be wants a bigger. He is not in a mood to stand any nonsense just now ; his patience has been taken for apathy ; and he wants to prove that he is the same fellow who stopped Mongols and Turks, and who has fought in all the continental wars since the days of Charlemagne. When he lives in a village, Michael is scholar enough to read his newspaper, and he knows all about history and When euli n e g i i s ia t ha the citizen o a f a town, n 1 1: e he has bad provocation enough. He knows that geography.reads French l‘ a . he has no Algeria or Mexico to watch, no colonies to guard, no fleet to man ; all his resources are available and ready for a continental war. Michael has not fired a shot for the last fifty years ; he has applied all his energies to science and art, to inno vations and improvements ; and he finds now that he has lost his credit abroad, and that brute force is still considered by some lead ing organs of the press as the only test of national worth ; and now, when his own terri tory and his race are at stake, he does not mean to stand idle any longer. This mood of the German people found its ex pression at the meeting of German deputies held here yesterday. 520 members of the various Ger man chambers were present. They all spoke and acted as men of one and the same country ; all local differences disappeared. The following rase« lutious were voted unanimously : The only guarantee for the rights of Germany in Schleswig- Holstein is to be found in the separation of the Duchies from Denmark. The demise of Frederick VII. has severed the link connecting them with Denmark. The London treaty of March 8,1852, not having been ratified by the re. preeentatives of the people of the Duchies, or by lawful agnate, or by the German Diet, it cannot confer the right of succession in the Duchies upon Christian IX. Frederick of Augustenbarg is the lawful heir. By asserting his right, that of Germany is equally asserted. It is, therefore, I the duty of the German people to make every sacrifice foe its honour, for its oppressed brethren and their lawful duke. The deputies here present engage, therefore, to use all legal means for the acknow ledgment of Duke Frederick by the Princes and the Diet, and for the separation of the Duchies from Denmark, so as to secure their independence and connexion against foreign interference. They engage to support such govern menta as ant with energy for the right of the Duchies, sod to oppose by all legal means those who sacrifice in this question the honour of Germany. The Assembly appoints a committee of 36 members as • central agency for the efforts of the German people to maintain the eights of the Duchies. The Assembly declares that the right of the German =- tic's to • general parliament can, under present circum stances, be no longer denied, and they solemnly express the necessity for its speedy convocation. There were only a few demurrers on the second re solution audit wasurged that the governmentamight take umbrage at such a committee acting independ eutly of them, and that to preserve unanimity it would be better to have some regard for those who could nut go so far. But this was overruled,and half &dozen deputies left the assembly. The speeches were to the effect that Denmark would fulfil new promises no better than old cues ; that the people must be prepared for a European war, and standup for their rights ; that a really deter mined war was preferable to a sham war ; that the pressure of foreign governments should be disre garded, and allowed to exercise no influence on the decisions of the Diet; and that the people must stow on this occasion not only love for liberty, but deep hatred, after so many provocations; that the people in the Duchies having been compelled in 1851 to lay down arms by the Diet, must now regain those arms through the German people; and that &central committee must be appointed, because the people had no confidence in the governments, and used only its 000stitutional rights by the press, by meet ings, and by associations, to carry out its views; that aright of which no use was made was no right at all; and that the people meant to fight their enemies in and out of the country, &c. These are gallant words, and no doubt the deeds would correspond, if the energy of the people were not hampered by the governments, which, after all, will come to terms between each other ; and though no immediate revolution is to be ex pected, a great amount of discontent will prevail, and a heavy blow will be struck at the already tot tering structure of the Dint. Public spirit is ou the alert in this country, and for a long time the ulterior development of it will be of paramount in terest. Meanwhile those governments which want to remain popular do their best to screen their re spousibility for au unpopular decision of the Diet. Thus the Duke of Oldenburg told a deputation that he had nothing more at heart than the cause of Schleswig-Holstein, and that now or never was the time to stand for German rights. Saxony states in a circular note that Austria and Prussia were only entitled to negotiate about Schleswig-Holstein in accordance with the rules of the Coufederacy,and that by contesting the rights of the Diet peace would not be secured, but fresh dangers be added to those already existing. Still there is no doubt that at the cost of much unpopularity the great powers will carry their ends in the Diet, and that until the next European war Schleswig-Holstein might be kept by Denmark, if Danish democracy is nut at the eleventh hour omnipotent at Copen hagen. POLAND. Notwithstanding the strict espionage and perse cution of the Russian authorities in IVarsaw, the National Government continues to act with as much zeal and perseverance as ever. Its official organ, the Niepodlegloae, is published regularly, and on the 12th a new order was issued, signed by the town captain, affirming that Chodanowski, who was recently executed for the murder of Hermani, was completely innocent, and that the authorities only executed him becuse he was the first man they could lay hands upon. After having been fright fully tortured in the citadel, he confessed, on being assured that he would only be banished to Siberia, that he had committed the murder. This con fession was, according to the official Dziennik, the only evidence against him. The town captain also speaks of the efforts of the Russian government to obtain addresses of loyalty, as follows :—" With this oblect an order was issued a few days ago to the military chiefs in the provinces, directing them to obtain signatures by promises, threats, bribes, or in extreme cases by violence. The police of Warsaw have obtained similar orders, and are to commence operations on the Jews and the prisoners in the citadel The former are to receive 20 roubles for their signature, and the latter their freedom. Neither the Polish people, nor Europe, which sees its sufferings, will bo duped by this wretched farce." The Cologne Gazette says that large quantities of arms and ammunition are being sent into Poland, and that the insurrection in Lithuania is about to assume very formidable dimensions. Mouravia has ordered the statue of Jagiello and Jadwiga, sculptured in Carrara marble by Sos nowski, which has for some years been in the Wane Archteological Museum, to be sent to St. Peters burg. This robbery of the museum has excited much remark, it having been placed by tbe Emperor Alexander under the special protection of his son. The statue was removed for fear it should remind the Lithuanians of their uniou with Poland, which was effected by the marriage of Jagiello, Grand Duke of Lithuania, with Jadwiga, Queen of Poland. TIC MIMINO FISHING Sll•CEll.—Nothing further boa transpired with misrules to the lamentable disaster which has befallen the eastern coast. Owing to some diffi culty experienced in obtaining a pilot, the tires steamer Medulla did not halve Great Yarmouth roadstead until Bun day. The isopresaion which generally prevails is that she west out too Lite to render any material assistance, as three weeks have now elapsed since the gale ravaged the amt. LONDON GJUIDAALONNIDI7B COMPANY(LIXITID). Tnifik receipts for the week ending Doc. 20, 10,4511. 19r. Id. BANQUET TO CAPTAIN SPEW. On Tuesday night • banquet in honour of Cap bola Meeks was given ia the OrandJory-reees at the Shire- Tanntau About 150 potion= out doom, under the preeidostey of Capt. BCODELL, the high sheriff of the county, sad sawn thou . Ineleat were Captain Spike, Lord Taun ton, Sir W. Medlycott, Sir A. Hood, M.P., Sir P. P. Au busd, M.P., Sir W. Miles, M.P., Colonel Pinney, M.P., Mr. W. 0. Langton, M.P., Mr. A. Milli, M.P., Yr. Danby :mour, H.P.. Mr. Serjenat Hinglake, M.P., Lieutenant- Col‘rel Nevin*, Lieutenant-Colouid H.flreoville, he. The Cameras, having referred to the serVi - o v es of pre- Vitale travellees, proposed . The health of Cherie Spike. Captain J. H. Brags, who was received with vociferous, continued cheers, said—Your worthy chairman has Mated at my future prospects in Africa, but it could not be that he should know what J have in view. My * e loP i l a s nothing leas than the regeneration of Africa. ("Hear, bear," and applause.) I believe—and I say I believe, because I have may been across the tract once--that I have dis covered a zoos of wonderful fertility is Africa. It stretches in a lies with the equator from east to west, and its fer tility perfectly astonished me. I have shown that the alti tude of the country is between 3,000 and 4,000 feat, that in the very heart of the country there is • great mountain group, which are the rain-bearers for ferblidng the country, sad the consequence is that throughout the whole duration of the twelvemonths there is a fall of rah' en an average of two or three inches each day. There is a temperature as mild am thatof this country in summer, mid with tbe moisture, heat, and a rich soil combined, you can imagine what the result must be. And although the climate is so rape rate it is the most healthy of all the regions in which I have travelled. (Hear.) It may be said that lam to some ex. tent acclimatised, hut I don't judge from the effect of the climate upon myself dose. There are Arab merchants aid others who say that there is no place so healthy as the equatorial regions. (Hear, bear.) Now. gentlemen, as this country is so prolific, as its climate is so genial, se all fact. tend to show that, properly developed, it is as fertile as any ',matey in the world I think, instead of devoting our atten tion to place! more distant from the equate', where there are sum great rains, great droughts, and fearful families, we look to it. If means were taken to colours it there would, I can sure. he ample repayment. (Hear.) Aed if mile. eionarses should again enter Africa, I would say that this region is especially the spot to which they should directtheir attention—(hear)—and tt ever they should do so they will meet there • people who are not purely heathen, bat who, having emanated from the Abyssinian stock, have the germ of Christianity within them. (Hear, bear.) I wish particularly to draw the attention of clergymen to theee people. lam certain that if the kings who rule the coon• try could be visited by our missionaries they would heartily receive them, for they told me so. (" Hear, hear," and applause.) When I spoke to them of the power of know ledge they wished that 1 should educate their children ; but I was fateful that if those children were brought to this country they would cot desire to return to their homes. I therefore told them that I would send mis sionaries to them, and as they all scoeptei the view which I then expressed, I feel certain that they are now expecting their arrival. (Ap plause.) You bare read, doubtless, of the cumber of Imes which are sacrificed in the kingdom of Uganda alone each year. It is really very fearful ; but it is not only of those that are executed, but those also who are carried off by slavery, that cause that country to be in so turbulent and so excited a state. Really something ought to be done to put a stop to this. (Hear, hear.) I would willingly go myself and lead the way. (Applause.) But I would prefer that to these regions there should go certain missionaries; under such au able guide as Dr. Livinptone. (Hear, hear.) There should also be employed in the work negro clergymen, of whom many are to be found on the western coast. Of course there could be ea many young bloods as would like to go, being careful to ascertain that they are constituted for it, beating in mind that in Africa the climate is during the whole year of an equal tem perature. In England we °limpid better health, be muse we were accustomed to the change, and we can never thrive so well elsewhere until we bare been there a certain time, and have got acclimatised. But, gentlemen, in addi. doe to the clergy there ought to be ambassadors to Africa —men with authority emanating from our government, and who, trading with the kings, would be able to put a stop to the diabolical system of the slave trade—(" hear, hear, and applame)—which is ruining the country, and more es pecially these semi-Christians inhabiting the district through which I have ;woe. (Applause.) It is true that these people forget their Christianity, but it is still latent in them. At the same time these vile traders who, instead of purchasing the ivo r y with beads take many more ballets than anything else, and shoot down the natives or steal them away, and rob them of their cattle, have rendered the country an in secure that no one can travel through it unless be has a force superior to that of the native races. I maintain that we are paying thousands upon thousands of pounds in a fruitless manner in our efforts to stop the slave trade there. Hitherto we have directed our efforts principally to running down slavers instead of, as I think we ought to do, teaching the negroes to stand up for them selves. (Hear, hear.) The African as a very intelligent crea ture. I have travelled with many of them, who, although formerly, when in slavery, they consideneethemaelves the property of their mestere, becauee they had been purchased, and would neither kill nor desert them, now declare that the degradations of their countrymen who are transported into slavery have so excited them that if a good spirit were infused into them they would rise to a man and help one another to keep down the traffic. (Hear, hear.) The more direct plan of doing this would be by or ganisiog an expedition in the following way :—ln the first place let there be negro depots along the east and the west coasts of Attica assisting errancipated slaves ; let these be trained as sailors and taught the English language, so that they may assist our own navigator ; let the native. after being drilled be taken across the continent of Africa, and shown the positions in which the trade chiefly ramifies, and then prevent the merchants conveying slaves to the ports. (Hear, bear.) By this an orgaoisation would be created which would tend to the entire suppres sion of the slave trade. I would engage in it myself if the government felt inclined to support me in it. After the depOts had been formed, I would take in the aggregate 500 men, a few from each station, sod I would then commence from the east coast of Africa and march across along the equator to the west coast. I would, at the same tame. shoe those spots which are most advantageous to us in a mercantile point of view, and which would pave the way for a system of—l won't say colonization—but civilisation, and colonisation will necessarily follow. (Hear, bear.) That is matter which we need not doubt for one moment, for the fact is the negro cannot govern his own land, and the land is such that it will be the subject of contention before Meg. Austria has already her eye upon it. An Austrian gentleman has gone out there, and his object cannot be to discover the source of the Nile, because it is settled. (Hear, hear.) He may have goo* out to certify to the truth of my statements, but they have been corroborated by my companion Captain Great. (Hear, bear.) Captain Spoke concluded by prop ing the health of Captain Great mid also the Geographical Society. The toast was warmly drunk. Mr. DANDY Seniors, M.P., responded OD behalf of the Geographical Society - and other toasts followed, after which the meta, broke up. TOWNLEY IN THE COUDEMNED CELL.—The Rev. C. R.. Gordon, who has been sent for specially to visit this unfortunate culprit, thus writes of his state of mind : "The conclusion to which I have come concerning him, and that, too, after lengthened interviews, is that the criminal is not a responsible "gent. Apia and again he has expressed delight that his life is to be taken, His manner at times is decidedly maniacal; be rolls his eyes; his counte nance flushes unusually, and he talks incoherently. At other periods he is as gentle as a child, and ap preciates kindness. When sitting in his cell with him last Monday, his manner quite alarmed me, and but for the presence of another I should immediately have called in the two warders who are constantly with him. He justifies murder without giving a reason. He con tesducts himself repeatedly, acknowledges at one time what he denies soothe'. It is a useless effort to en deavour to instruct him in religion, for he his no mental capacity to receive it. His conduct from the time of his committing the awful crime for which he is now doomed is io keeping with this. When asked in his calm moments how be could ever have brought himself to commit it, be answers. ' All was dark before my eves ; I don't know anything about it.' Much as the death of the victim is to be deplored, I say it would be more horrid still if an irre sponsible agent now were to be takeu to the gallows. According to ' Blacicstone'sOommentaries' this is a suffi cient cause to arrest the capital seuteose. It is alike con • instant with humanity as with justice that a further me dical examination should be made before the law is allowed to take its course. I would suggest also that the prison officers be examined. There are other swoon which it ap- peals to me might be urged in his behalf, but on this it is now unnecessary to enter. I have given • stern, impartial, and comcienrious consideration of his condition, and 1 can come to no other conclusion than that which I have now is:premed." The Manchester petitions in favour of Townley were despatched last 'light to the Home-office. They bear 16,709 signatures. but there are some sheets still to come is, which will very much iocreaes the number of the petitioners. The petition which has been signed at the York Hotel Chambers is to be presented by a deputation, ormaisting of a few gentlemen from Manchester who go to London for that object. The sheets of Mr. Mepon'a in Marketetreet, re ceived 2,400 signatures, and those of the Attica:turn 800. Another petition, signed under the auspices of the imme diate friends of the condemned man, hears 7,938 names, and that confined exclusively to ladies 3,231 vignatures. The remaining names have been obtained in Wipe, Bolton, Oldham, Rochdale, aid *whom'. CRYSTAL PALACE—CHRISTMAN EVE.—The great Christmas tree will be lighted up this evening at dusk. The palace will be open on Christmas-day from 9 till dusk ; the company's orchestral band will perform, and the canal attractions will be of view. It has been arranged that extra trains shall run each hour from 9 in the morning till dark from Loadoe-bridge, Victoria, and also by the London. Chatham, and Dover Railway from the Elephant and Castle to Sydenham-bill and Pear. On Saturday, tim 26tb alt., the Christmas revels will commence. These will prevent the usual combination of holiday attractions, with several highly successful novelties. THE LEGAL VArATION.—To-day the legal vaca tion for Christmas commences. In the common law offices business will be resumed en Wednesday, and onith January at the Chancery ofboee. COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS °ETHAN SCHOOL& The anniversary festival of this institution took li ti lso w eaterday eves*, at the London Tenn, and was by about 13U gentlemen. The chair was taken by Mr. 0. L. Bevan, who was supported by the Sheriffs of Loadea aad Middlesex. Among those present were— Mr. George Moore, Mr. Wilford ()restorer, Mr. Thomas Roberts, Mr. George Btockdale, Mr. Prawns Lycett, Mr. William Holt, Mr. Charles Woollotoo, Dr. %rutin, Mr. R. MeMorkad, Dr. O'flant Brady, Mr. Julius Adam Mr. James Hughes, Mr. W. W. Davies, Mr. G. Hewitt, Mr. Daniel Harvest, Mr. W. Beat s, and Mr. A. L. Saul. After the health of " The Queen," The CZAIIMAX said, before proposing the next tout, be wished to read the following letter which had been remised by Mr. George Moore from General Knollys " Frogmore, Windsor. " sir,-1 have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 15th mat., and am directed by the Prizes of Wales to acquaint you, fur the inturmatioo of the chair man and directors of the Commercial Travellers' Schools, that his royal highness will have great gratifloatioc in suc ceeding hie lamented father as patron of the institution." (Great cheerios.) He had now the pleasure to give the " Health of Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, the Princess of Wales, and the rest of the Royal Family." The toast was drunk with great eatbusisam. The oast toast was " The Army, the Navy, and the Vo imitates," for which Mr7ilteriff Cava returned thanks, observing that the volunteers had at all events saved the country from those occasional panics to which it was subject previous to the formation of that branch of its defensive forces. The children of the schools, boys sod girls, were here in troduced and marched round the room, thee: faces gleam ing with health. unaffected cheerfulness, and intelligence. From the door they ascended to the gallery, where they sang "The Carol of the Reapers," in a very pleasing manner. TheiCaalamaN then proposed " Prosperity to the indite tion."—lt had, he said, been intended that. as a pre. paration for his speech on that occasion, he should pay a visit to the institution at Pinner, of which he was the president. Had he dime so, he would no doubt be in a position to speak of its merits in far better terms than he was then able to commend ; but owing to the pavement of the New-read having been taken up, Mr. Moore wind at the station about three minutes too late to accompany him —(laughter).-aod in consequence of that, be had not had the pleasure of seeing the institution. Without basing seen it, however, he bad not the least doubt of its ex cellence. (Cheers.) The great evil was, that it did not obtain sufficient support from those whose relatives might hereafter require to be assisted by it. It had been well said, that " all men think all men mortal but themselv es ;" and it was too common foe commercial travellers to forget that they might be taken away suddenly, and their children be glad to avail themselves of the benefits of the institution. He was sorry to hear that such persons did not as a body come forward to support an institution which was so nobly assisted by theirfrieoda. (Hear, hear.) He could not but think that when gentlemen like Mr. Moors—(cheers)—so liberally and so nobly aided the charity, it was very blameable io commercial travellers not to support wa institution in whose benefits their own off spring might moon require to participate. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) Mr. Gataroitex proposed "The Chairman," which was cordially received. Dr. SIEVILKING gave " The Lord Major, Sheriffs, and Corporation of London." Sheriff NissaN, in returning thanks, said he felt the greater pleasure in doing so that evening, because his pro ballon was pawed in that most practical of all business schools, the school of the road. (Cheers). That occasion brought back to him many agreeable memories, many prac tical maxims, much salutary discipline, and numerous friend ships of the mad valuable description which existed veto the present moment. He looked back with deep satisfac tion to the period when be was on the road, associated as it was with the names of men of the most estimable character, who were always ready to assist the needy connected with their own vocation. (Chews.) Mr. Under-Sheriff NICHOLSON proposed "The Vice•Presi , dents, Treasurer, and Trustees," coupled with the name of Mr. George Moore. After a most cordial response to the toast. Mr. Boner said the institution was tow, he was happy to sey, it a very flourishing condition. They had a building which met 25,000/., and it was paid for ; they had 25 acres of land, sad that also was paid for. (Cheers.) They had 9.5 boys and 53 girls, making a total of 147 children in the schools, and 14 more children would be elected next week. Since the schools were founded they had exercised very considerable moral inflame° on the road. They bad taught men to think ; and he believed that, independently of all the good which had been done by the institution to orphans, it had conferred immense benefit in saving the pockets and constitution of commercial men. (Cheers.) The chairman had hit the weak point in speaking of the inade quate assistance afforded to the institution by commercial travellers themselves. He (Mr. Moore) had recently taken some pains to ascertain bow many commercial travellers really supported the schools, sad it was muck smaller even than he had previously supposed. Out of a total of twenty or thirty thousand, only 2,300 subscribed to the charity. (Hear. hear.) He must add, that if such persons were not grateful to commercial firms they ought to be so, for they subscribed most liberally in support of the institution. He did not say this in • boughs& spirit ; he did not sey that employers bad does more than they ought to have done, but that commercial travellers had done a great deal less. (Cheers.) The institution had now 14.3001 invested in London! Lend North Western Debentures, which the board preferred to the funds biomes they yielded one per cent. more on equally Rood security. (Hear, hear.) The total accumulated fund was 15,5001. The expenses of the past year amounted to 6,296/. That might appear a large amount, but he should be happy if any subscriber would scrutinise the expenditure. The expenses were necessarily more in proportion to the number of children than those ohe Orphan School at Haverstock. hill, the office expenses, and to some extent the plant, being the same for 150 as for 450 children. (Hear, bear.) If any oommercial traveller could suggest any improvement in the management of the institution the committee would be happy to listen to him. The education given to the children was of a very high cha racter. He did not believe there was • better schoolmaster in England than Mr. Richards—(cheers)—and probably when many of themselves were gone the children now in the schools would be partners in leading City firms. The institution gave the children a sound commercial education ; it taught them to read, write. and keep accounts, and to speak grammatically ; it taught them as much French as was good for them, and a great deal of common sense. (Cheers.) A presentation to Christ's Hospital was worth from three to four hundred pounds ; the education given by that institution was as good as, if not better, than that et Christ's Hospital ; nod be pitied the commercial travellers who would not pay a guinea a year to secure such advantages for their children in the event of their becoming orphans. (Cheers.) Children educated in the schools had been received into 001120 of the first establishments of the City, and he was happy to say that out of the 253 children who had beau turned out of them only two boys bad gone wrong. (Cheers.) Some of the boys of the institution had always been successful at the Oxford examinations. He might add that the children who had been admitted hitherto were not generally children of subscribers to the institution. (Hear, hear.) The Rev. W. ROGIRS, Rector of St. Botolph, Bishopsgate, Pr " The Board of Management." o l7; 11 .1ICIBEHTS, in returning thanks, said the board would Dever depart from their rule of giving a generous dist, which had resulted in the excellent appearance presented by the children that evening. Mr. Marry proposed "The Medical Officers." Mr. J. NEIGHED gave " The Commercial Travellers of England," for which Mr. G. Hewett returned thanks ; and Mr. C. Wouorrun, " The Stewards," which was ackciow. lodged by Mr. W. Holm. The last toast was "The Ladies." The music was under the direction of Mr. Henry Buck laod, assisted by Miss Annie Cox, Miss Elia Hughes, Mr. W. Fielding, and Mr. G. Carter. Mr. Harker officiated as toastmaster. The subscriotioes announced in the mune of the evening unmated to 1,2871. Mr. Blood, of Dublin, and formerly secretary to one of the gas companies of that city, was yesterday ap pointed secretary of the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, in place of Mr. Tromso°, who retires nu being appointed to the management of a well-known East India firm. EXETER HALL—The Creation will be performed with • band mod chorus of 700 performers by the Natioual Choral Society on Wednesday next. Principal soloists, Madame Parem Mr. Sims Sleeves. Mr. Santley. Organist, Mr. John G. Boardman ; the whole under the direction of Mr. G. W. Martin. SALE OF J awelt.s. —Yesten lay Messrs. Debenhani, Starr, and Sous dispersed by auction, at their Mart in Covent-garden, a remarkably stoke and extensive collection of bijouterie, the chief portion belonging to • lady of fashion. Among the more important lots were the following :—Let 673, a diamond collet necklaoa. of 02 largeaod lositmus stones, was knocked down for 42.1/. Lot 683, • magnificent brilliant tiara, brought 334!. 19s. Lot 664 f, • necklace, of 130 oriental pearls, with emerald and diamond locket. 36/. l.a. Lot 6147, a coloured gold baud armlet, set with 6ne emeralds aod brilliants, in CAM% au. 14s. Lot 694, a pair of brilliant star ear-rine, 74f. lls. Lot 69. i. • cluster brillisat pendant, with ruby centre and pear-shaped pearl drop, 721. lla. Lot 696, a brilliant buckle or brooch, of nine splendid stones, the mato) slime very large this choice ornament was knocked down, after a spirited competition, at 367 f. 10s. Lot 697, • matchless brilliant full dress brooch, of beautiful design and workmanship , the centre stone of remarkable size aid lustre, surrounded by scrolls of brilliants, with ribbon tie pendant, 6301. Lot b%, a superb brilliant, weighing 6 carats, of the finest water, set as an ear-ring, 180 f. 1:N. Lot 701, • magoilicent brilliant and pearl ring, 58/ . lie. Lot 712, an acorn pio, formed by a remarkably tine Criminal pearl, in a cup of gold and diamoods, 91f. Lot 648, • brilliant ring. 47!. 15• Lit 650, a pair of oriental pearl ear.nogs, 80 guineas. Lot 66 5 , a briniest heart secklette, 62 guineas. DEPOSIT OF PRIVATE BlLLE—Yesterday was the hot day for the deposit of the printed pri rate bilis is the Some of Commons in pursues*. of the standiag orders. The nom. ber far exceeded the deposits et the Board of Trade when plans were required to be lodged.