The Express. — London, England, 1853-06-21 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF COMMONS.—MONDAT, Iva 20. Th. SrEAren took tile chair at 5 atianWs to 4 o'clock. PRIVATE BUSINESS. The Lords amendment& in the following bills were agreed to :—Belfast andila'lymenajßailway ; Lough Foyle sad Lough /twiny Drainage• and Reclamation; Weston saper-Mare Waterworks; and Wigsa Waterworks and Palk.; Bills. Ti, following hills were read a third time : —Burt rd, lLeaehil ale, and Swindon Roils ; East Lancashire (No. 1), Clifton to Salford • Electric Telegr a ph Crimp's) Furness Hallway ; Urania and Foynes Railway ; London and North Western Railway (Crewe to Shrewsbury) ; Montgomeryshire Railway; Newry and Enniskillen Rail way ; Bills. The following bills were considered and ordered to lie upon the table :—Carlisle Canal and Port Carlisle Railway ; East Lancashire Railway (No. 2), Southport, Ike.; Forth and Clyde Junction Railway ; Leamington, Warwick, and Stratford-upon-Avon Railway; Leeds Northern Railway; Newport, Aberg y, end Hereford Railway (Han ford, Be.); New Roes (Free) Bridge ; Poulnaaherry luelo. mire; Worcester and linefeed Railway ; Bills. The South Wale. Mineral Railway Bill was read a third time. Ths Spitslfidds to Sboreditch Improvement Bill was teed a second tints. HACKNEY CARRIAGES BILL. The Lords' amendments to this bill were agreed to. THE PROPOSED DUTY ON LICENSF.S. Mr. HUNS asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether her Majesty's government have reconsidered the resolutions fur imposing increased duties on certain trade licenses, and, dm, when they will be prepared to lay the am-nded resolutions on the table of the house ? The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said it nicht be for the convenience of the house, perhaps, that in answering the question he should advert to the state of several of the financial measures which had been mentioned in the house, and that he should state the course they pro posed to take with reference to them. In the first place, as respected the licenses, upon au examination of the cir cumstances attending the probable alteration of the scale, it was soon obvious that very great inconvenience and what 'sight be called oppression on particular parties would be the result of the scale he had proposed, and, therefore, he made it his business to consider how far the scale should be revised so as to obviate these objections. But the effect of that was materially to reduce the proceeds of any such scale, and to raise the question whether, supposing they were In a condition to spars the money, it would be desir able to let the matter stand over till they considered the great question repenting the licensing system, namely, pub licans' licenses and licenses of that class. And the way in which it stood now was this. It was impossiblo for him, till he knew the decision of the house on several questions which wore pending, and which would bear on the state of the exchequer, to give any absolute pledge with regard to these licenses, and therefore the government had not at present come to any absolute conclusion upon them, but provided no further inroad was made upon their funds, it might be in their power to waive any further proposal with regard to licenses, and in that cue no such proposal would be made. lie hoped his answer was clear. Be did not wish to bind the government absolutely; it would depend on the other measures which might be agreed to by the house which might affect their means. With regard to the question of the soap duty, a bill was pre pared, and he proposed to take • stage on that measure to-night. The next question was the question of the stamp duties. With regard to the stamp duties, there wero two of the items—three indeed—in reference to which notices had been given. The hon. member for Pon tefract had given a notice respecting the penny receipt stamp, the noble member for Middlesex had given a notice respecting the attorneys' certificate duty, and the right hon. member for Manchester had given a notice respecting the advertisement duty. Now, as regarded these stamp duties, he wished to remind the house, subject to the correction of the Speaker, that they were not required to lay the reso lutions on the table of the hone, ; but they were simply printed for the information of hon. members. It was thought that considerable confusion would be caused unless he put in the form of a resolution the whole of the proposals he bad to make. It would be extremely convenient to the Menmonity that they should go forward with the stamp re solutions, especially' with the penny receipt stamp. Now, that was not one of the measures in which they could pro ceed immediately on getting a vote of the House of Common's, because it would be necessary to protect the stamp against forgery, and they could not take any mea sure for that purpose except on the strength of an act of parliament. Wh .t he proposed to do was this. He canal. , dered that by printing the resolutions he had pledged him eel( to any gentleman who wax desirous of doing so, to have a discussion, and therefore if that was insisted on he would , I not insert in any stamp bill any matter with regard to which any such claim was made. Bat with regard to many of them there was no question, and therefore he proposed with respect to them to pass the resolutions to-night, and he should then prop os to bring in • bill, and it would be open to hon. members to take any measure they thought fit, but in that manner he should his able to pin time, while the liberty of the house for dis engages would not be interfered within any degree. The resolutions relating to the assessed taxes had taken • longer time than was expected, the acts relating to the subject being exceedingly complicated ; but be held in his hand a bill on the subject which he should be able to lay on the table to-night. He was asked the other night for • list of the articles on which the extra five per cent. customs duty was chargeable. He held the list in his hand, and he would now lay it on the table. VIII SAVINGS BANKS BILL. Mr. MALINS said many parties interested in this bill wen ti anxious that it should be postponed for a week. TM CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he should he my happy to postpone it foe a fortnight. JAMAICA. Sir J. PAKINGTON asked whether government bad received any nasal emnamnimeloa floss the Governor of Jamaica respectiag the emote* el the Assembly in that Wand, whether it was Wended to popes any change in the constitution of the island, and agonially with referenee In the financial powers now en by the House of As sembly, and whether government bad any objection to lay ea the table of the house such papers as might have been received in relation to these transactions. Lord J. RUSSELL said despatches had beta received from the Governor of Jamaica with relation to the political and fiGeneial crisis which had occurred in that island. With regard to the mend question he had to state that than despatches wen under the consideration of govern ment, and a plan had been proposed, which It was hoped might put as east to the esalvarmements of the island of Jamaica. If that plan was adopted it would, no doubt, affect the finaacial powers of the Hones of Assembly. His noble (timid the Secretary for the Colonies would, in • week eit ten days, state to the other house of parliament, aad he (Lord J. Russell) would probably state in that house, the outline of the plan proposed by government. Till that plan was before the house he did not propose to lay the papers on the table. GREECE AND TURKEY. la sawn Lard J. 11IIIMIILL said that the Turkish government haviag intimated their intention is send troops to occupy 'snails villages as the Greek frontier, which they said be longed to than, the Greek government disputed their claim and seat a face, to prevent them from doing so. The rep resentatives of the British government, in conjunction with these of the ether governments at Constantinople, reessuseaded that sothiag should be done until the sub ject bad been eseiddered. The queetiest was afterward, eensidered by the representatives of Great Briton, Prance, sad Russia, and an opinion was come to—unanimously he believed—that Uwe villages, according to the settlement of the boundary in 1832, below/eel to Turkey. That opinion had been intimated to Greece, but no information had been received since. SUCCESSION DUTIES BILL. Th. house then went again into cem --- Mid.si on this bill. Clore 18 wee sired to. On clause it, " Duties to be paid on the successor be -0011111114 entitled in possession ; but in cave of outstanding interests, on the determination thereof," The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER proposed the following proviso:—" Provided that no duty shall be payable upon the determination of any leue purporting at the date thereof to he at rack rent in respect to any is. crease accruing to the successioa on such determination." A long conversation ensued, aster which, The proviso was agreed to. On the question that deur 19 do stand part of the bill, Mr. HENLEY celled attention to an shernative in the clause which gays the tax collectors the option of either re forcing the tax the mement the succession took place, or all until the rents and peels were received. The CHANCELLOS of the EXCHEQUER said there was • provision fa a eabinguat clause which would prevent the duty bsig othesoll immediately. Or, if that were net so, words s• *at east would be introduced. The clause se 20, that the interest of th e was l to= t On clause succorer to real that considered an annuity, Sir F. KELL this bill, if carried out in its present form, weld praises inequalities end injustice ea great as any that asielod under the Iroise-tax Bill. He would put the blikswispi NM Suppose two children of four year of age each were Nft estates of 1,0001. a year. Their interest would be equal to 20 years' purchase, or 20,0004. Ile would 'upper those two children to be in that degrse of relationship to their predecessors, that world rake them liable to the tax of 5 per cent., that was to my 1,0001., which was to be paid, as the canoe wee now framed, in five years, at the rats of 2001. • year. Now, one of these chil dren might die at the end of the five years, when the estate would jaw away from him sod perhaps from his family ; the other child might live for 60 or 55 years after that periou ; so that the person who enjoyed the estate for this lengthened period would only pay the same amount of duty that was paid by the other in five years Wu this justice? Was it not rather strikingly usjust and unequal? (Hear, hear) Now he proposed to remedy this injustice and inequality in • very simple manner, namely, by enacting that the 1,0001. duty should be levied, not by instalments of 2001. for five vitro, but by an annual payment of 604. • year as long as the individual should live; that was to say, he would levy the duty in proportion to the duration of the enjoyment of the estate by the indivi dual. He was aware that 1,0004., raised by 601. • year far • man's life, wee not quite equivalent to 1,0001. raised in five years st 2004. • year , and that it might be necessary. On that account, to make a small addition to the amount of the tax. According to his proposal, then, if the person lived but two years, he would only pay 1004. ; but if he lived 80 years, he would have to pay 501. • year for that period. He would not propose any alteration in the clause till he heard what answer the government gave. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said be woe not eertain whether the hon. and learned gentleman want to apply his remarks to ail descriptions of property or to real property only. (Hear, hear.) Sir F. KELLY said that he c maned his suggestion to that which was the subject of the clause, but be would have no objection to apply the same principle to personal property if the circumstances were strictly analogous. Toe CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he did not think the hon. sad learned gentleman had well con s.dered the nature or the consequesces of his own suggestion. The. bon. gectlemtut proposed to substitute an annual payment fur that proposed is the bill, as a means of re medying the injustice and inequality which he said existed. lint how would that apply is the ease of • paean coming into possession of unsettled property, where the party bad to pay ten per cent. legacy duty and 2} per cent. probate ' duty ? (Hear, hear.) Ihe effect of such a change would be to break up the legacy and probate duties. (Hear, hear.) He (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) saw ne political or social evil or injustice in the present mode of raising the tax. After some further discussion on the same point, and ' upon some other verbal and unimportant amendments, in the course of thew discussions Mr. W. Wiccutue giving notice that, on the bringing up ot the report he would move an amendment, the object of which was to preclude the adoption of the principle whereby the tax might be paid upon certain properties by _instalments, the clause was agreed to. Upon clause 21, . _ _ A r discos.ion anise on a suggestion of Mr. DRIIIIMOND, that the definition of "ornamental timber" of a mansion house in claire 20 was too vague. Sir J. TROLLOPS said that unless some clearer defini tion was given be mast move as amendment for that pur pose. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said it was proposed that the timber which should be excepted was to be valued with the mansion to which it was attacked ; and he proposed to add to the clause the words " for the pur poses of this act." Mr. HENLEY inquired what was the meaning of the words "necessary outgoings." They were not very de finite. The SOLICITOR•GENERAL.—These words were well understood, and bad a definite meaning in all courts of law and equity. The timber to be excepted wen that which answered the description of ornamental timber, and was connected with a mansion house, was not severed in owner ship from the mansion house, and was not in the same suc cession ; the valuation only applied to such timber as the tenant for life might lawfully cut. Sir J. TROLLOPE moved the omission of all the words after " necessary outgoings"—for the purpose of testing the opinion of the committee on the subject of in cluding timber in the taxation under the bill. After some conversation, the committee divided on the amendment : For the amendment 153 Against The announcement of the numbers was received with uproarious cheers by the country gentlemen. On our return to the gallery we found Lord J. RUSSELL urging Sir J. Trollops to move now such a resolution as would carry out the intention im plied in the amendment which had just been carried. (Loud cries of " Move, move.") Sir J. TROLLOPE then moved "that the following proviso be added to the clause—provided always that the value of any timber growing or standing on such land shall not be included in such estimate." (Loud cheers.) Bir J. SHELLEY here said that he would move an amendment (which he stated) on the proviso, but being in formed that he was out of order, he withdrew it. Mr. MULLINOS thought that they could not go into the question tonight ; he therefore moved that the chairman report pregress. (Loud cries of " Hear, hem," from the opposition.) After some further remarks the committee divided— For rPriiiir Worm ll9 Against it - 167-38 Lord 1. RUSSELL was then understood to urge the right hon. gentleman to put the words which he had pro- posed, and allow the committee to divide on the motion. Mr. FREWEN —lt was then ten minutes to 1 o'clock, and it was understood that the government meant to pro. eeed with some of the other orders on the paper, and ought they to go on with this question? The CHAIRMAN put the proviso. Lord MARCH hoped the noble lord would not refuse to allow the chairman to report progress. Mr. LABOUCHERE suggested that Sir J. Trollop. should withdraw his proviso for the present, and if it was placed on the books it would enable the government to take it into consideration. Sir J. TROLLOPE thought the course proposed by the right hon. gentleman (Mr. Laboucher.) was so clear and so proper that he would withdraw his =Alan ; but he wished it to be understood that he only moved the proviso bemuse it was thought n to make the clause clear. On the motion that the motion be withdrawn, Mr. COBDEN (who spoke amidst cries of "oh," and in- terruption from the opposition) said the proposition of the right bow. gentleman the member for Taunton to withdraw the proviso, is intended to leave it open to the government to make an alteration in the clause. Nothing has been said u yet for those who are not owners of timber, and I wish to say a few words on their behalf. I have listened to this debate, and I cannot understand the mysterious proems or reasoning by which it is sought to remove ' timber out of the category of all other taxes on succession. (Hear, hear.) I caution the right hon. geatleman not to attempt to conciliate his opponents by any compromise of this measure, and I think the course taken by the gentle- , men opposite must have satisfied him that he has nothing ' to gain by that policy. I say if copse-wood and timber are to be taxed, I do not see why ornamental timber should I not be taxed also. If it is kept up for the purpose of luxury and enjoyment, there can be no difference between it and other article. of luxury. Does not the timber in a park add to the dignity of is owner as much as a noble ma lion ? If you advocate this exemption on ornamental timber, why should it not be extended to your pictures ? and I cannot see any difference in that respect between it and the plateaux on your dia log-tables. I say, the rule is that anything which is brought into the Encumbered Estates Court that would gall for money, is liable to the tax under this bill. Itmaybe said that ornameatal timber is not often cut is, eels, but that is because it is the subject of enjoyment as a luxury rather than as the subject of sale. It argues a peat reserve of wealth, if you are able to keep such as artists he onjog- e meet alone. Having agreed that everything obi ion subject to the tax, is it desirable to stake • simian limber ? Fewer of your countrymen possess this ordain of limber than any other that is subject to the tax, and yea aro iso lating yourselves more by claiming this exemption than if you had asked for exemption for your plate or year diamonds. Having agreed to everything, is it worth your while to make a stand on this article of ornamental timber. You say it is entailed pro petty, but you forget that the right hon. gentleman the Chancellor of the Exchequer has dealt very lightly with entailed property, by allowing 41 years for payed: for it. The thirst of this act is to sustain the feudal principle, and in ao other country la the world is that so, but the tendency is to force the sale of landed property, and compel its sub. division ; therefore, when had that the spirit of the bill is favourable to establisbM property, it is not wise to raise a question on this Wearable article of timber. (Rear.) I will only repeat to the right hon. gentleman in the name of those who have no timber, my advice that be should take his stand oa the bill as it is, and he may depend upon it that if be wishes to have his supporters here and to fight his battle, to be here late at night and ea rly in the morning to meet the tactics of gentlemen opposite, he must adhere to the priaciple of the bill, and I have no doubt that we shall (tarry him triumphantly through with it. (Rear.) Mr. AOLlONBY—Regretted they should have been kept there discussing this question for eight hours, and the bon. gentleman rhou'd not have said one word upon the subject till one o'clock in the morning. The hon. gentleman argu ments were against the recommendation be made to the Chancellor of the Exchequer. But if he wished to revive • question which he (Mr. Aglioriby) hoped had been set at rest, let him g.vo notice " that all timber be taxed," end bring it forward at • proper timo. (Hear.) . - . Lord J. RUSSELL—If be understood aright, the propo sition of the other side now was, that the committee would be ready to entertain and consider any proposition his right hon. friend the Chancellor of the Emthequer might bring forward, to carry out the object of the latter part of the clause, that objeet,—vis., the imposing the tax on timber being conceded. (No, no.) It that was not conceded he must call for a decision Bir J. PAKINGTON said the committee could not give any opinion until the alternative to be proposed was before them. (Cheers.) After a few words from Col. Sturtioar, Mr. SPOONER moved that the committee report pro gram, to which Lord J. Russell consented, and the house resumed. Lord J. RUSSELL Intimated thlt for the convenience of the Speaker the house would not ►it ti❑ five o'clock to morrow (thi. day.) ll* also stated that the India Bill would be taktn on Thursday. NOTICE OF MOTION. Mr. OttrunaLirarkthe noble lnrd the Secretary of State fur the Home Department whether the recent opening of the passage on the north side of St. Pattie Cathedral did not establA the necessity of adopting it permanently when Cannon-street be accomplished, u a means of diminishing the pressure of traffic from Ludgate-bill going eastward. STAMP DUTIES. - - The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER moved the resolutions on stamp duties he had referred to at en earlier period of the evening. The resolutions were put and agreed to. CUSTOMS DUTIES UN SPIRITS BILL. This bill passed through committee. UNIVERSITIES (SCOTLAND) BILL. On the order of the day fur the second reading of this bill below nail, Lord J. Rt. MELT. stated that it wu intended to take this hid on Friday neat, at 12 o'clock. Colonel BLAIR protested egainst bringing forward mea sures requiring discussion at morning sittings, at a period of the session when the majority of hon. members were engaged oetommitteu, and could not attend in the house in the daytime. SHERIFFS' COURTS (SCOTLAND) HILL. This bill passed through committee. EDINBURGH AND. CANONGATE ANNUITY TAX ABOLITION... .. The house west Into eawasitteeO;this subject. The LORD LW/00AV' said that the bsil which he in• tended to introduce was to abolish a tax at present paid for the support of clergy, the collection of which led to great strife and implement/gas. It was not intended to pay any thing out of the Consolidated Food, but that the city of Edinburgh should pay a eertain sum into the Tfeeuryi and that it should be repaid from thence to the clergy. Mr. COWAN complained that no communication had been made to him on the subject of the bill. The LORD ADVOCATE said a few words of explana tion. The bill was partly of the nature of a private bill, and would have to go to a select committee. Mr. HADFIELD protested against bringing on such a subject at such a late hour. The LORD ADVOCATE said it would be early enough to discuss the subject when the bill was actually brought in. Mr. PELLATT wanted to know whether this was not a church rate transferred to the Imperial Treasury P The LORD ADVOCATE said that it was proposed even tually to pay the money out of the funds arising from cer tain ecclesiastical sinecure offices, but in the m , •antime the City would have to pay about one per cent. The object of the present committee was merely to enable the bill to be ,brought in. The resolution was then agreed to. RESIDENT MAGISTRATES (IRELAND) BILL. This bill was read a second time, after a few oburvations from Colonel Dung, and other Irish members. PUBLIC WORKS LOAN BILL. This bill was read a third tine and paned. SOAP DUTIES BILL. On the motion that the Speaker do leave the chair, Mr. PELLATT briefly defended the soap trade from im putations of a fraudulent intention which had been cast upon them. The Speaker then left the chair. Mr. WILSON said it was first proposed that the duties should cease en the 6th of July ; but it had since come to the knowledge of the government that extensive arrange. mints had been made by the dealers to export largely under drawback, for the purpose of re-importation. To defeat this attempt the government proposed that tho bill, both as regarded foreign and Irish soap, should not take effect till the 6th of July, 1854. It could, however, be amended if the government found that th en had been no large exports under drawback. (Hear, hear.) Mr. PELLATT said the soap trade complained that they had not been allowed a drawback upon their stocks as had been done in previous remissions of duties, but as the government had decided against that, he thought the coupe mentioned by the hon. gentlemen was the best that could be taken. — Tee bill then passed through committee, and the house resumed. _____. PUBLIC LIBRARIES ACT, 18,50. Hr. FORTESCUE obtained leave to bring in a bill to extend this act to Ireland. REGISTRATION (DUBLIN) BILL. Sir J. YOUNG obtained leave to bring in a bill to authorise the apnointment of barristers, for the purpose of effecting a complete annual revision of lists and registry of voters for the city of Dublin. The home adjourned at two o'clock till Ave this day. PAIR/I.—Mr. Heywood paired yesterday (Monday) with Mr. Walter Long. Whe en3reoo• TO CORRESPONDENT'S. A issonti Edition if " The Eamon" containing the wow evening's for pot.Ganotte," in published every Tuesday and Yriclay night. in time a inettinswontsintanAa4 for "The Eamon," Lotion Evening paper, son be at the Mon 10, BOUVlllihiltillet. by Two Vain& on the lay of psbibation. NIGH WATER ♦T LONDON BRIDGE. Tat Dai—llendag. Ib. So .........Alternaos. I L Us. T mio/uov—Xotalag. 214 Ha. ..........Aftemea. SC taw LONDON, TUESDAY, JUNE 21. LAST night the Lords' amendments to the Hack ney Carriages Bill were agreed to. We may expect, therefore, that the streets of London will soon be crowded with new cabs and carriages of novel kinds, called into being by the increased de mand arising from reduced fares. Formerly, when a traveller could not ride any distance through the streets of London for a less sum than eighteenpence, the high price of the luxury kept down the number of the carriages, and our streets were pass able. When, after a time, the minimum of disbursement was nominally eightpence, but practically one shilling, the number of vehicles was augmented, and the pressure became more felt. The omnibuses—which commencing with sixpenny fares have gradually lowered their charges to three, pence, and in some cases to a penny—have called into existence the newest and largest class of riders, and the thoroughfares are now for ever subject to the unpleasant symptom of being choked up. The con sequence of all this has been, that although the charge for locomotion has been very much diminished, it may be doubted whether the rapidity of locomotion along the chief thoroughfares of London has not di minished in almost an equal ratio. Every person whose memory reaches back a quarter of a century must confess that the increased traffic in the streets, caused by the greater number of hackney carriages . .., alone—without noting the effect of other causes—is enormous, and is in many cases a complete hindrance to progression in such streets as Cheapaide. A quar ter of a century ago, even in London, " the race"— in a carriage —was almost always "to the swift." At present this cannot be said always to be the cue. " The swift " are but too often obliged to cool their heels a quarter of an hour at a time behind the slow. Mr. Fivzßov's Bill introduces so many admirable changes in the present system of Hackney Carriage Administration that it is but reasonable to suppose there will be an enormous increase in the num ber of travellers by these vehicles. This Bill pro vides that no license shall be granted without a eerti- Beate from the Commissioners of Police that the car riage to be employed is tit for its purpose. It =- powers the Comminioners to inspect carriages when- ever they deem it necessary, and enacts that penal ties shall be inflicted for using carriages unfit for public use. It regulates and lowers fares in general, and abolishes back fazes. It in stitutes a simple and easy method of ascertaining the proper fare in most cases, and provides for the settlement of disputes as to distances. It establishes a check on the driver by requiring him to deliver (after the fashion in Paris) a ticket to the hirer con taining the number of the Stamp-office plate affixed on his carriage. It contains regulations as to the number of persons, the quantity of luggage, the dis position of property left in carriages, and the en forcement of good order at the stands. It orders that lamps shall be placed in stage carriages after dark, and that no bills or notices shall be placed outside such carriages in such a manner as to obstruct light or ventilation. It affixes penalties to the separate offences of taking more than the due fare, refusing to admit a specified number of persons or quantity of luggage, refusing to drive to any place within the limits of the act, refusing to drive at a reasonable and proper speed if required, and refusing or ne glecting to give a ticket with the number of the Stamp•office plate on the carriage. It gives the hirer the power of compelling the driver to drive to the nearest metropolitan police-office in case of dispute, where the moot point is to be settled. There can be no doubt that after a little time the effect of these alterations will be visible in an addition of multitudes to the numbers of those who at present ride. Mr. Firzaor's bill will in all probability fill our streets with a swarm of new carriages, all tending to render the pressure of traffic in our crowded thoroughfares still more acutely felt. It is unnecessary to allude to other causes which have contributed to choke up many of our more densely-filled streets. The thorough fares in the City were laid out when the exigencies of its commerce wore trifling, and when none but the few who kept carriages of their own thought of riding. Now, when the com merce is multiplied to an incalculable extent, and every person above the rank of a pauper may some times ride,—when for every vehicle that once passed through the City there aro now at least a hundred, — the number of ,streets in the crowded portion of the metropolis is about the same, acid the breadth of a few only have been increased. The consequence of this is THE EXPRESS, TUESDAY EVENING, JUNE 21, 1853. that the streets of London which converge towards the City present a spectacle the like of which is to be seen is no other town in Europe. At cer tain hours of the day motion along these lines is not continuous, but consists of a series of pulsations. It is no nnfrequent thing for vehicles to be twenty or five-and-twenty minutes in traversing the dis tance from Bow Church to the terminus of the Brighton Railway. We are forced, then, at last, upon the uncomfort able conclusion that the increased facilities of loco motion actually have a tendency to augment the difficulty of travelling in certain quarters. Mr. FITZROY'S Bill, which ought to be regarded as an unmixed boon, may, as far as the City of London is concerned, tend to increase an evil that deprives the traveller of the benefit he expects from his drive. It will cause a fuller stream to set in to wards a choked up drain. The moral to be derived from these considerations is, that there will be little use in improving and multiplying our hackney car riages unless we at the same time improve and multiply our roads. And a little more reflection on the same subject will lead us to the conviction that even this latter remedy will be ineffec tual unless we increase the number of our free bridges. Every street improvement that facilitates the approach to London-bridge makes the possi bility of a stoppage there more imminent. If you stop up one end of a pipe you gain nothing by pour ing additional water into the other end. At present the entry to the City is like the fabulous descent to the ancient infernal regions. It is excessively easy; the difficulty is, when once in, to find an exit. The inhabitants of London had nearly the same means of communication between the right and left banks of the river when their numbers were a few thou sands, and their commerce a . mere trifle, as now, when the population is two millions and a half, and thefr commerce extends over the whole world. Look at any of the non-commercial capitals of the inland states of Europe, and you will see that the petty streams intersecting the cities are traversed by innumerable bridges. It is disgraceful to the City and the Government that nothing has been yet done to bring up our condition in this respect to a level with that of cities whose wants are as nothing corn pared with our own. Unless the two banks of the river are connected by more bridges, and those which at present exist are thrown open, the benefit derived from the improvement in our thoroughfares, and the increase in the number of our hackney carriages, will be half lost. The widened streets will but entice us to a blocked-up thoroughfare, and the new carriages conduct us to a dead lock. Tim actual declared value of our exports to Turkey, including Wallachia, Moldavia, Syria, and Palestine, to which we yesterday referred, was in 1850, 3,113,679!., exceeding the value of our exports to any other country in that year, except the Hanseatic towns, Holland, and the United States of America. The Hanseatic towns took 6,755,5451. from to ; Hol land, 3,542,632/. ; and the United State., 14,891,9611. France only took 2,401,9561. ; Brazil only 2,544,837!.. Russia only 1,454,7711. ; and Austria only 607,7551. As far as our trade is concerned, Turkey is of more interest to us than any other empire or kingdom of the world, except the three States above mentioned. It is the fourth from the top of all the foreign countries with which we carry on trade. Our trade with Turkey, too, is re markable for the rapidity with which it has in creased. In 1831 it amounted only to 888,6541. ; in 1841, to 1,647,3541.; and in 1850 to 3,113,6791. On the average of three years, 1831-3, it was 941,1921.; and on the average of the three years 1848.50, it was 3,053,5521. It is, therefore, a steadily increasing trade, and is an index to the growing interest we have in the prosperity of Turkey, and to the manner in which that country has increased in wealth. For all these commodities it annually paid, and must have produced a corresponding increase of commodities. Oar trade with Russia and Austria since 1830 affords no similar proof of their progress, and from it we might infer—which we believe would not be far from the truth—that they, in this period, have been nearly stationary. The average declared value of our trade with Russia and Austria was as follows : Russia. Austria. 1831-3 1848.60 Thus while our trade with Turkey has more than trebled in 20 years, with Russia and Austria it has been almost stationary ; and so we believe have been those two Christian and military Empires, while at least the Christian subjects of the SULTAN have made as rapid a progress as any people we know of, except our free people and their descendants. Of our trade with Turkey, the two provinces which the Cass is about to devour possess nearly one tenth. In 1850 the declared value of our exports to Moldavia and Wallachia was 294,6011., and it had increased to that sum from 195,1541. in 1846,—the earliest date of the Parliamentary returns before 'us in which the trade with these two provinces is dis tinguished. Later than 1850 the detailed Perlis ' mentary accounts of our own exports are not pub lished, though we are now in the middle of 1853 ; but from the great increase of our exports in 1851, in 1852, and in the first four months of 1853, and from the fact that our imports of grain and wool have latterly been very great I from all the countries on the Mediterranean and Black Sea, we may infer that a large proportion of I the increase in our exports has gone to Turkey, in cluding the Principalities. We know that between 1846 and 1851 the trade with them increased very much. We have seen that by our export' ; and their exports to England in grain alone increased, between 1816 and 1851, from 52,863 qrs. of maize only from Oalatz to 346,232 qrs. of different kinds of grain, of which 35,368 was wheat ; and from Ibrails, the Port of Wallachia, from 6,881 qrs. of grain to 387,475 qrs. in 1851. There is no more thriving and industrious body of Hnerchants in England than the Greeks who carry on the larger portion of this trade; and their continued and increasing success is the proof that the trade flourishes and extends. Were the prospe rity of the two provinces impeded or injured by 'Russian occupation, we should lose a large growing trade, which contributes in no inconsiderable degree to employ and feed our people. It must be noticed that the larger portion of this trade,—nearly all the settled, regular, and increasing traffic in grain from those provinces, and from other parts of Turkey, has grown up since we adopted the principles of Free Trade. It is the consequence, therefore, of that freedom which the CZAR, and all his advisers, hate and dread. Our modern policy has had no similarly beneficial influence on Russia, because it there found no corresponding freedom. It has been said, and with some plausibility, that the CZAR'S policy respecting Turkey has been dictated by a wish and a determination to create a pretext for occupying the Principalities. He cannot be insensible to the dan gerous influence of the increasing prosperity of the Nloldavians, the Wellachians, and the Christians generally, under the comparatively mild and lax rule of the SULTAN, over his own little prosperous, little progressive, and severely ruled Russians; and he may be actuated by a design to stifle a prosperity he dreads, and strike, in the Principalities, a blow at that freedom which, if suffered to grow, will some day , subvert his own despotism. That our Interest requires us to counteract so ti y and dishonest a policy as that of the Emperor Russia cannot be for one moment doubted. At same time great caution is required not so to iaterfcro as to mar the prosperity and disturb too greatly the peace the world now enjoys. We must take care to make all the peaceful and prosperous people of the Principalities, of the other portions of Turkey, and of every part of Europe, thoroughly sen sible that he is in the wrong; that no ambition of ours, no desire to meddle with our neighbours, no design to interfere with any just an& laudable object he might have in view, induces us even to remonstrate against his proceedings. After conquering peace for Europe, Great Britain has firmly maintained it for thirty-eight years, in spite of many exciting and threatening She has is the same period shown all Europe the way to prosperity and freedom. All the old suspicions entertained against her, of provoking war for the purpose of securing a predominance for her trade, must now be for ever annihilated. With peace, her trade has extended more rapidly than ever, and she has spread a por tion of her own prosperity over many lands. She is the fast friend of peace, of freedom, and of trade ; she is now active only to secure them. Nearly all the world require them ; and the Itussian CUR, who disturbs them, must surely enlist against him the most enduring desires of mankind. TURKEY. The German journals received to-day contain only one important point, in addition to the intelligence which has already come to hand, relative to the Eastern question. It refers to the answer of the Ottoman Porte to the last ultimatum of Russia, which a letter from Vienna of the 15th, in the New Prussian Gazetle, states, though not positively, to consist of a declaration of non-acceptance. The letter in question says :—" The Ottoman ambassador here received this iLy, it is said, a despatch from Semlin, which announces that the Porte has rejected the ultimatum brought by a courier from St. Peters burgh to Constantinople, referring at the same time to its memorandum to the powers for the reason of its refusal." The Frankfurt Journal, under date of Jassy, the 6th, says : We are in continual alarm of war breaking out, and our fears arc not without foundation, as we are informed on good authority that bridges are being thrown over the Pruth at Skuleni and at Leowa, and over the Danube at Tultacha; that General Loden has, by order of the Emperor, reviewed the troops stationed in the neighbourhood of Leowa, Beni, and Duhassar, on the Dniester ; that 4 gun-boats have entered the mouth of the Pruth to be employed in coveying artillery to Leowa, &e. Hopes are neverthdess entertained that peace will not be disturbed for a moment, and this hope is grounded on the last note of Prince Menchikoff, which, although threatening, is not absolutely warlike. _ . . _ . . A letter from Pesth, the 13th instant, states that the Austrian government had lately made consider able purchases of horses, and had repaired and com pletely armed the fortresses of Temeswar, Arad, and Carlsburg. The A ustrian Correspondence confirms the news that Austria was sending troops to Croatia, in order to be prepared for all eventualities. The same jour nal adds that Anvtria has no idea whatever of in creasing her army. We receive the following note from our own cor respondent: CONSTANTINOPLE, Joxa 5. "We are still in a state of expectancy, and hope is nearly balanced by apprehension. Political men are divided as to their anticipations according as they confide in the goodness of their cause and the fidelity of their allies, or look st the character of the Czar. Notwithstanding the much bepraised moderation of the Russian autocrat we find no difficulty in believ ing that the man who planned the partition of Germany with Charles X., who has practised unheard-of cruelties on Poland, and lately invaded Wallachia and Moldavia without cause, is quite ca pable of abusing his fancied force in an attack up o n 'furkey. It is said that the principalities are first to be invaded, or occupied as it is called. I know no pre tence on which the Czar could pretend to march troops into these provinces which would not justify him in entering Bulgaria, and can only suppose that they have been selected merely from considerations of military convenience. The Czar would doubtless reckon all the warlike expenditure at Odessa and Sebastopol well disbursed if it procured him safe possession of those rich countries, and every Russian slave would then have the laugh against the deceived island— people, who had thought that their voice still counted for something in the affairs of eastern Europe. " The greatest activity reigns here. Preparations for defensive war are making on a large scale. Every one does his best, and a patriotic spirit animates all classes. .TUNE 6. " My advices received from Varna at the lastmo ment state that the Russians have entered Moldavia, and are about to pass by Fosany on to Bekarest. Five steamers are stationed on the Danube to facilitate their operations, and several cutter gunboats protect the frontlet of their bridges." The statement contained in the last paragraph of the foregoing letter appeared in a portion of our im pression yesterday, having been received by electric telegraph. Viewed in relation to the context and date, its importance is modified, as news of any vio lation of the Moldavian territory would be known in London through the Semlin telegraph within three or four days of its occurrence. We have now for several days chronicled the state ments of the German press alleging an Austrian me diation, and our contemporaries have recorded many others. It is especially worthy of remark that all these papers assume, and most assert expressly that Austria would recognise the justice of the Russian claims as the basis of her intervention, while they are equally unanimous in acknowledging that the Czar would forego none of his demands. To those who demand peace at any price it may be a matter of supreme indifference on what terms war is averted, but the public which watches the progress of eastern events with political sympathies will require to know what guarantees an Austrian mediation could give for a settlement in harmony with the justice of the ease and the public law of Europe. Letters front Malta state that her Majesty's steamer Caradoc arrived there on the afternoon of the 7th with despatches for Admiral Dundas, and very shortly afterwards the signal was made for the fleet to prepare for sea. No time was lost, and by ten o'clock every steamer had its steam up, and the Arethusa frigate was taken in tow by the Tiger and got out. In the meantime the wind, which was fair, blew with such violence into the harbour that it was impossible, in the darkness of the night, to incur the risk of towing all the ships, and blue I lights were burned and night signals made until a late hour. Oa the following morning, at six o'clock,' the Caradoc, which had been employed in coaling during the night, got under weigh for the Levant, the bearer of important despatches for Lord Stratford de ltedcliffe, and before she was well out of harbour the ships were all ready for sea. By eight o'clock all had left their moorings at the time and manner following :-61 a.m., Albion, towed by Sampson ; O!, a.m., Vengeance, towed by Retribu tion ; 61 a.m., Rodney ; 7 a.m., Bellerophon, towed by Fury ; 72 4 a.m., Britannia (flag), towed by Tiger ; S a.m., Trafalgar, towed by Inflexible ; and before 11 o'clock every vessel, all having shaped their course for the Levant, was out of sight from the signal tower. ITALY. In the Milan Gazette Radetzsky announces that committees are appointed to attend to the claims of third parties on the sequestrated estates. The com mittee for Lombardy will sit at Milan, and another for Venetia at Venice. This procedure will be ad ministrative, and no court of law will be able to interfere with their decisions. Appeals from the judgment et the committees will be received only by the Minister of the Interior. Letters from Turin of the 15th notice a singular fact. The committee appointed to administer the fund lately voted by the Piedmonteso Chamber for the assistance of emigrants whu suffer by the Aus trian sevestration decree was sitting daily, under the presidency of Count Siccardi, but not a single 1 emigrant had to the 15th applied for a loan. FRANCE. PARIS, lon EvewiNn. There is no: a particle of reliable news relating to the Eastern question to-day. An uneasy feeling pre wailed on the Bourse. The Threes, which closed on Saturday at 76.95, opened at 76.50, rapidly fell to 76.10, and only recovered to 76.15, awing heavily. A paragraph in the 'Semaphore of Marseilles stating that a Turkish vessel had ben t sunk by a Russian ship-of-war in the Black Sea, vis e much talked about, but the news was generally die. believed. Among the rumours which contributed to check extreme depression was one that a telegraphic despatch from Marseilles announced that the repre sentatives of the four powers, on being consulted by the Divan, had declared that they had received uo instruc tions from their respective courts to take any meg. sures whatever as a consequence of the entry of the Russians into the principalities. This, however, cannot be regarded as of much importance, if, as there is every reason to believe, instructions are on their way both to Lord de Itedclitle and M. de Lacour. The determination of the English government not to celebrate the anniversary of the battle of IVaterloo has made a very favourable impression here. Several of the journals speak of it as a most significant fact, as showing a disposition to cultivate the French all ance, and the circumstance was considered as not without influence in staying the fall at the Bourse. 'the Gazette de France says: The present situation may be defined in a few words. Some days since it was said, " War is possible, but peace is probable." Now the terms are reversed, and we must say —peace is still possible, b u t war is probable. '1 he recent articles of the C'anstifutionnel and the Pays, if we have rightly understood them, have no ether signification. The Minister of Marine, M. Ducos, has informed the maritime prefects that he intends to visit succes sively the ports of Cherbourg, Brest, Lorient, and Itochefort. "The levy of sailors in our port," says the Journal du Barre, "is to be carried on with new activity. Orders have been received that the masters of coast ing vessels, not employed, shall be comprised in it." fhe Toulonnais, of the 13th, says :—" The levy of seamen ordered by the Minister of Mari ne w ill fur. nish an effective force of 4,000 men." It has been stated that the Queen Dowager of Sweden was about to visit Paris; but the 0 . 10,4 Gazette of Stockholm, of the 11th, stat es th at h er Majesty was expected on the the 11th at the pa. lace of Tullgarn, and that she is to remain there with the King and the royal family until they go to the baths of Gothemburg, when her Majesty will leave for her residence at Rosenberg) to pass the autumn. The Presse says in its weekly commercial review, that commerce sensibly feels the influence of the Eastern question. Many orders for exportation have been countermanded. The manufacturers of " arti cles of Paris" and tissues complain that the usual buyers for the fair of Beaucaire do not arrive. This celebrated fair takes place in the middle of July, and the country dealers generally make their purchases in the beginning of June. It is feared that it will this year suffer considerably from existing diplomatic uncertainty. Several Parisian houses who had intended to send merchandize thither are hesitating. It is not so much that they seriously fear for the peace of Europe, as because they apprehend that if this state of uncertainty continue, the travellers who habitually make annual purchases at Beaucaire for Italy and the Levant may not come on this occasion. Large commercial houses feel more apprehension of the consequences of the Emperor of Russia's conduct than the small manufacturers. All kindsof alimentary substances continue to rise, but it is aremsxkable fact that prices are generally higher in the country towns than in Paris. The state of the corn and wine crops is a subject of great anxiety, and both these important products have every where ex perienced a considerable augmentation. Of all branches of industry,' that dependent on building and railway constructions is the most flourishing, and the works yet remaining to be done are so con siderable, that the present degree of activity may be expected to continue for several years. The special train bringing the Indian mail from Marseilles ran off the rails last night near Fontaine bleau, and was detained in consequence for about half an hour. Fortunately no one was hurt. The Journal de Toulouse of last Saturday, says that a great quantity of snow has fallen in the de partment of the Pyrenees Orientates. The railway share market also participated in tho general dulness of business, and a decline had to be submitted to in order to effect sales. At the termi nation of business I'aris and Lyons and Paris and Rouen shares had fallen 15f.; Paris and Strasbourg, 1 lf. ; Rouen and Havre, 10f.; Northerns, 9f.; and Orleans,sf. In Western of France shares, however, there was an advance of 15f. Closing prices : Northerns, 870 f. ; Orleans, 1,040; Paris and Stras bourg, 881.50 ; Paris and Lyons, 885; Paris and Rouen, 997.50 ; Lyons to the Mediterranean, 730; Western of France, 715; Rouen and Havre, 460. HOLL AND. ROTTERDAM, Serriumv. In this day's sitting of the First Chamber of the States-General the President announced that the committee appointed to draw up the address in reply to the speech from the throne had already prepared the draft of it. The Chamber ordered the draft to be printed, and fixed the discussion of it for Monday next. Yesterday, a deputation from the Second Chamber waited on the King in order to lay before his Majesty the list drawn up by that Chamber of candidates for the post of president or speaker. It is probable that Heer Bored Von Hogelanden, who is at the head of the list, will be chosen by the King. The Rotterdam Nieuwe Courant asserts that a camp will be formed, in the course of next mouth, in the vicinity of Zeist. The second cable of the submarine telegraph be tween Scheveningen (near the Hague) and. England was laid down yesterday morning. The 38th anniversary of the battle of Waterloo was celebrated this day at Amsterdam by a parade and displaying of flags on the public buildings. SWITZERLAND. The National Gazette of Berlin states that the Austrian charge d'affmres will return to Berne on the Ist of July, and that M. Ste;ger, Swiss char* d'affaires at Vienna, having given an assurance that the political refugees will be removed from Ticino, the blockade will be raised at the same time. This statement may be liable to rectification as to date, but the restoration of a better understanding between the two states is a fact beyond question. The recent concentration of Austrian troops near the Swiss frontier does not appear to have the character of a demonstration against the republic. DENMARK. The Danish government has commenced its task in the new Diet by gaining a victory. M. Rottwitt, the ministerial candidate, has been elected president of the Volks-Thing by 58 against 23 votes. All appearances indicate that the government will carry its succession projects in the present session, the opposition being convinced that its labours would in the end remain fruitless. GERMANY. Letters from Berlin of the loth and 17th agree in mentioning a note which the Prussian cabinet her just despatched to Paris, London, Vienna, and St. Petersburg, respecting the Turkish question. The German papers tell of reinforcements and munitions sent by the Austrian government to the southern fortresses situate in the midst of the Sclavic populations. It is natural, under present circum stances, to connect these precautions with the ap- prehension of troubles in that quarter. EGYPT. Letters from Alexandria of the 7th stato that the government of the Viceroy had formed a camp at a short distance from the city, composed of chosen troops, destined to succour Constantinople. All the regiments ordered to join the camp had arrived. SANDWICH ISLAND LETTERS to the le,th of April report that the King had nominated as his succeeger to the throne his son Lihoips.