The Express. — London, England, 1867-02-26 00:00:00

MAITIN BRUT HE RS. —Established A.D. 1810. ESTS of S ILVER PLATE for the COLONIES, CUTLERY and SILVER PLATE for FURNISHING. MAPPIN BROTHERS, LONDON-BRIDGE. MA.PPIN BROTHERS, 222, REGENT STREET. BROWN and POISON'S CORN FLOUR for CHILDREN'S DIET. To obtain extra prOit by the sale other kinds are socnotnnes oderodlatea.l of /Mob. N and PULSO:CB. - John lirosni." .. .John Poison," is signed by the =ken on each packet. Mitt eraireoo* TO cox R.E.411 IN DE N r 4. Advertisements intended for The Espre , .." London Evening Enimr. must tU M the Mace, 10, bouserie street, by Two o'clock on the day of nuhlteation. DRI*RY LANK. ..... Tilts TIIE F:1:1111NT ill , VENICE. Mr. rhelm Sle..krs K Phe!pi. Ganit, Mead, aml Gersh) ; Mesdames 11. N M BEN NIP; OK, lIAKLE QUIN A\U THE GM'S, F.: KING OF TIIE GIANT 1101.TNTALN. HAYMARKET. This Eintrisn, A LEssliN FOR LIVE. Messrs. &Ahern, Rogers, Clark. ewlipt..n, Are Mrs. Chippen , lnle, Misbes MD, WriKht. —1.01:1) DI*NDID: %HY ED AND IK)NE FUR. Mr. NAlturn —.kittl JENNY LIND AT LAST. Miss Burke. TITS Evininto, Ills LAsT LEAS. Messrs Verner tt Fcntnn: Mr.. B. White and MIN Weetecerth —Acid sliAlrinV THEE Mee..r.. Vining. °here, Verner, Y. Villiers, Yorrestcr, Mellon, arid Cathcart: Misses Montalto, Kdmonds, and itodgert. LIOEUM. Trim Lvignm, THE TWO PoLr3. Mr. Widdloomb.—And ROUGE Er 'GI K. Mrsers. lchter, Emery, Jordan. Moreland, Yltsoldrick. I) atoll, Reynold's, Lomas, Andrews. Price, dre. : Mn. L Murray, and Miran Ueurade. Grattan, and C. Leclereq. STRAND. TIM fitlesiso, MARRIED IPA I 7 :II TEFLA AND YOUNG HITS. DA NIPS. —Lap.t Nights of GGY FA AVRES.—Aud ♦ SUIT 01, TWRLD'S. HOLBORN. Tills Eyryinto. MY TURN N VAT. Mr. Belmore: Mdse. Foote furl Ixuou —And FLYING seUD. Madre. Neville, Bel. more, Blake. Vollatre, : Mewl:uses Y. Josephs, C. dawdlers, Beads Foote. Fitliles, Leursox. Raymond. de. BRITANNIA. Tess EVENTV), THE LAsT LINK OF LOVE.—To conclude with THE PRINCESS OF THE PEARL ISLAND; OR, THE THREE KINGDOMS GP PEARL, GOLD, AND SILVER. Mrs. Luke & Mlas Jacobs—Gems or NI el.ly First-rate Pantomimist& HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGft TES DAT —►[orning, 611. 47m Afternoon, ib M. TO-HolinOW—Morning, 7h aftn Afternoon, 8h LONDON, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26. CONCTSENERR in a parliamentary speaker, and especially in a minister, is simply the result of having something to say. Nair/pour lie rice dire, is always a long and laborious operation. Mr. DInKLELI scarcely exceeded one hour last evening in saving what he had taken more than two hours not to say a week before in the same place and on the same subject. Yesterday, after a very brief preface, he proceeded to disclose the features, nut of his still-born Resolutions, but of his un-born Bill. Of course such a Bill could only resemble what in surgical phrase is called a "prepare " tion," and the miraculous powers of the House will be severely tested by the experiment of putting life into it. We all, it is said, erect our follies into systems and our errors into philo sophies ; and the CHANCLLLOR of the ExcuEQuis& seems ready to persuade the House, though he is probably unable to persuade himself, that the last fortnight has been usefully spent in accus toming physiological Reformers to the contem plation of arrested developments, with several heads and no stomach. The House, it is evident, has no taste for this political teratology, and prefers a healthier and more profitable course of study. The very clearness and compactness of Mr. DIS RAELI'S present statement suffices to condemn the looseness and the vagueness of his previous harangue. For when at nine o'clock last evening, after a debate of four hours and a half, the Re solutions were " withdrawn " till Thursday, the House found itself precisely where it was on Mon day, February 11, so far as legislative action upon the Resolutions, or any satisfactory explanation of them, was concerned. The project of a Reform Bill with which Mr. DISRAELI has now favoured the House might just as well have anticipated as followed the Resolutions, and might much better have replaced them. They are now, as we understand, relegated to the limbo described by DANTE, where the spirits dwell of those who were neither good nor bad, or rather, perhaps, to that intermediate region in which the ancieela thought the shades of the self-murdered wait until the rites of sepulture have been fulfilled. The Resolu tions are, in effect, no longer before the Have; the debate upon them was not even formally adjourned. It was understood that the subject-ma.ter of them should be reconsidered on Thursday next, but on that day it is open to Government either to repro duce them in their present shape or remodelled and recast, stripped of all that is superfluous or objectionable, and thus reduced from incoherence to idiocy, or to get rid of them altogether, and in their stead lay the promised Bill on the table and invite the House to read it a first time on Monday next. After yesterday's experience of the temper and disposition of one side of the House it would be an impertinence, and probably an injustice, to suppose that the Ministry will hesitate to renounce the pomp and vanity of Resolutions, and proceed without further delay to the serious business of legislation. It would be uncha ritable to suppose that the Government, after soliciting the co-operation of rivals and adversaries and the forbearance of supporters, and ascertaining the formidable concurrence of chiefs and leaders of debate so incapable of fore gone conclusions or party combinations as Mr. Lowe and Mr. BRIGHT against the method of pro cedure by Resolutions, can incline to persevere in tactics which look more like a feint for drawing their forces off the field than the first movement in advance of a campaign. Who could have imagined a year ago that Mr. lowa would be complaining of the Conservative tactics as in jurious to the constitution, or Mr. Balmer charg ing a Conservative Government with "Ameri " canising " our institutions I Mr. GLADSTONE challenges the Home SECRETARY to cite a parlia mentary precedent for the Ministerial procedure. Mr. DISRAELI, if we may judge from his at tenuated and distressed reply to all these powerful objectors, is prepared to expiate by • final example of humility and abnegation all the sins and all the triumphs of Sir ROBERT PEEL's supplanter and successor. In the lives of the Saints it is not the voluntary dedication of a whole life to poverty and squalor that claims a martyr's crown, but the penitential austerity of men of the world, who under the show of luxury have worn the hair shirt and bled from secret wounds in the service of their faith. Without pretending to divine what may have passed at the meeting of the Tory party in the afternoon, it is enough to read the draft of the Resolutions and the scheme of the Bill which is to follow them, to feel great compassion for their responsible interpreter. Common hums pity relents towards a Minister who is obliged to give his name and his strength to a compromise between bigotry and necessity which his superior intelligence disdains, and to artifices which have not even the recommendation of expediency, or the advantage of satisfying a momentary purpose. The iteHobitions and Abe Bill which is to come are too evidently-9W offspring of convenience and compulsion, the 'weakly pro geny of an unloving union. Mr. DISEAELI'S franchises have that look of unnatural pensiveness and prudence which is apt to dignify a premature decrepitude. There is little vigour, little confi derce, little heart in them. The corrective lateral extension is out of all proportion to the vertical extension of the suffrage, the subsidiary franchises overlap each other, admit more butlers and I footmen, and (as Mr. BRIGHT suaested) by virtue of the new direct dog tax, probably " rat " catchers," than of intelligent and independent workmen who have families to maintain and educate before they can become fmalholders or savings-bank depositors, or payers of income-tax. The borough and county rating franchises fall f. ir short of those which Mr. GLansTONE proposed as a " moderate" measure last year. In brief, the Bill looks like one dictated by distrust :old fear, and drafted by expediency and neces sity. Nevertheless there are good points in the plan of redistribution, and in the purposed dealing with corruption, which suffice, we think, to dispose the Liberal party to accept it for what it is worth, and by good treatment to snake it unrecognizable even by its parents. We believe there is a spirit of toleration, of indulgence, of pity and goodwill, in the Liberal party—a spirit encouraged by returning concord, and fortified by an abounding faith in the future, which is resolved to exhaust the devices of conciliation, and to save Ministers if it civil, in spite of their party and themselves. Perhaps the great danger of the situation is one which Mr. LOWE diseenut as clearly and de nounces as strongly as Mr. BRIGHT. it is the danger of the great bulk of the Liberal party being reduced by indifference, or by insincerity, or by fear, to conspire with the great bulk of e the Tory party in passing a Bill which, so far from settling the question, as Mr. BRIGHT so earnestly im plores, " for the rest of their parliamentary " lives," will only be the beginning of a more destructive agitation than that at which Mr. Lows, in his memorable speech of last evening, and in the very act of accomplishing a signal political evolution at which all his Liberal friends will rejoice, could not abstain from throw ing a passing jest, though ho treated it in effect as serious enough to bring back deserters to the camp. OUR CONTEMPORARIES. (THIS DAY.) TILE GOVERNMENT REFORM PROPOSALS. Thu nines pronounces against Mr. Disraeli's speech, his procedure, and his scheme. The proposi tions fall short of the necessity of the occasion. The estimates of the numbers to be enfranchised by the •lucationid and other correlative franchises iire mere ex. aggenited guesses, and the reduction of the occupying qualification in boroughs will bring in, Mr. Gladstone de clared, not more than 100,000 voters of the working classes, instead of the 200,000 proposed to be admitted by last year's bill. Stripped of the addition of the fancy frauichises—which are only the fringes, and the comparatively unimportant fringes, of the real measure—Mr. Disraeli's scheme is but a timid and halting repetition of the bill of the Russell Ministry, based, like it, on no principle save that of ap peasing clamour with the dole of a mouthful, and having no promise—we do not say of finality—but of fizity of settlement. The scheme of redistribution is of the same temporary character, and is tainted with the graver error that it would, if adopted, add to the difficulty of a future settlement. Were the scheme embodied in a bill it could not be passed, and it would be impossible for the Ministry to retain office after it was rejected. Unless the House of Commons insist upon impressing its will on the Ministry, and the Ministry, modified or unmodified, be sincerely willing, as Mr. Disraeli declared yesterday fortnight, to adopt its counsels, further useful action is impossible. The session will be lost ; we must all regret it, but it is in evitable ; and it is more true wisdom to recognise what is inevitable than to persevere in a line of conduct which must be delusive. The Daily News cannot see why Mr. Disraeli's speech was not delivered a fortnight ago. The government pro cedure found no defender, even among the supporters of the ministry, who listened in sullen and assenting silence to the arguments and sarcasm of the opponents. Possibly the resolutions, which are virtually withdrawn, have ►een forced upon his keener sense by • more powerful influence and • feebler capacity. On Thursday next he will most likely give notice of his intention to bring in • bill. The scheme has one merit, that it admits of a great deal of improvement. A reduction of the borough franchise to a 6/. rating would not afford • resting place for a single session, and though nothing can be said in principle against the fancy franchises, they all, with the exception of the educational one, admit of easy abuse. Mr. Disraeli proposes to extend the franchise in the boroughs vertically to 130,000 persons, and laterally to 82,000 pumas. This proportion would soon, we imagine, be altered. Faggot votes might bring up the 82,000 voten to twice or thrice that number and so swamp the honest and genuinely qualified part of the constituencies by con apt elements. A lower oocupation franchise, • 61. rental, or a 4/. rating, would probably include most of those working men who have a real savings bank or funded property qualification. A lodger franchise on equivalent terms would embrace the rest. The four new franchises are adopted, it is to be feared, rather for the purpose of exclusion than of in elusion. The selection of •M. rating qualification for the counties is inoonsiatent and capricious as well as illiberal. The process of disfranchisement end of enfran_ chisement of boroughs might have been carried further. But within the limits which be has allowed himself, and the materials they placed at his disposal, the redistribu tion of seats does not seem to be injudicious or unfair. The project as a whole is not hopelessly or irremediably bad ; and. though liberals cannot accept it as it LS it may be passed if the conservatives will accept it as it ought to be and must be. The scheme, the Pose says, offers much lees than that of last year, and it is a question whether, upon that ground alone, the opposition will not think itself justified in op. posing its adoption. At any rate it is probable that, if it should even get into committee, an amendment would be proposed to the borough franchise clause, carrying it down to 111. rating ; but there are so many and such grave dangers surrounding it, that it seems at present to be very problematical whether it will live so far, or indeed, if the resolutions are insisted upon, whether it will ever be formally introduced at all. The Herald applauds the government's proposal in all its details. The opposition expressed towards it was a foregone conclusion with the men by whom those opinions were delivered, and the hcstility manifested was not pro fessedly directed so much to the plan itself as to the pro- cedure of the government. Mr. Bright and Mr. Lowe fur exactly opposite reasons are doing their best to defeat a measure which, whilst extending the suffrage and re cogniaing the claims of the working classes to • larger ■hare of power, yet maintains the just rights of property and intelligence. It will not be the least merit of the government measure in the eyes of many that this chief opponent of all reform and the arch demagogue have com bined to oppose it. The SModord says it is no secret that the measure sketched in Mr. Disraeli's speech of last night is not that which ministers originally intended to introduce. The original plan, which the Standard would greatly have pre (erred, consisted of household suffrage, coupled with a frank and direct provision for plurality, or rather duality of voting ; household suffrage, compensated by the per mission given to the payers of direct taxes to enjoy • second vote in right of that second qualification. This permanent settlement ban been rendered impossible by the opposition of the liberals. The Standard then proceeds to urge that the resolutions might as well have been abandoned by Mr. Di/twill last night. The matter is not worth a party fight, and the government might gracefully yield to the desire of the house. In the opinion of the Telegraph, if it is waste of time to discuss the mystic resolutions, it will be a still pester wade of we fis; debate abe the offigringat a perplexed and vacillating cabinet ; i bill tinkered end patched to satisfy • jarCin which this nation no soafidence, aid yakich ne4tVered any eeetikleuee tithe Nudes. The Star presumes the liberals will co" fit-day to • determination to stop the ridiculous farce de resolutions, which is not • thing even to be laughed at ; but • still stronger resolve must be arrived at before the question can be settled ; for a people crying out for enfranchise ment will *ever be satisfied by infinitesimal and vexatious changes which, to use Mr. Bright's apt citation, "touch the lira but leave the palate dry." The silence of the conservatives last night sufficiently indicated the unani mous disapproval of the government procedure, and the speeches and exclamations of liberals attested the futility of the government 'lmmure. It only remains for the country to ratify a condemnation thus doubly justified by two grounds of opposition, either of which would suffice for the expulsion of ministers from the semblance of power. THE ELIPLOTHEICT OF VOLUNTEERS IN CTV/L DIEFURBANCES. Joining the discussion which took place in the House of Lords last night, the Times contends that the volunteers were not intended for the suppression of civil disturbance, and are not qualified for such service. To call out the regular soldiery is always a matter of considerable delicacy and of some risk ; but it is no disparagement to the volun teers to say that they are destitute of many of the advan tages which recommend soldiers on such emergencies. Soldiers are part of a machine, and are never suspected of partiality. Volunteers, on the other hand, would he regarded as deliberate agents, and their employment of their military advantages would excite a personal animosity. Nor should it be forgotten that, as Lord Russell remarked, being a local force, they would be liable tobe actuated by local or party feelings. In a word, their employment fur such purposes would expose them to great animosity. A similar reason would make the service un popular among the volunteers themselves. It should be distinctly laid down that in civil disturbances volunteers have nothing to do with either their organisation or with their arms. They are private citizens, and no more ; and if they are sworn in as special constables, they must act in exactly the same way as other special constables. The question is one of sentiment, not of law, and the Times trusts, therefore, the government will pay their chief attention, not to the legal aspect of the question, but to its general and common-sense bearings. If these be kept in view, there can be no doubt how it ought to be settled. THE EXPRESS, TUESDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 26, 186 . • THE DANUBIAN PRINCIPALITIES. We are requested to state that there is no truth whatever in the Vienna telegram which announced that numerous arrests had been made at Bucharest in connexion with a conspiracy discovered there. The report is completely false, and was fabricated doubtless fur a political end.—/Mily News. the Court. WINDSOR CASTLE, FEL 2S. The Queen and Princesa Louise walked and rode on ponies in the grounds this morning. Princess Christian wcut out walking, attended by the Duchess of Roxhurgbe. Princess Beatrice rode in the Home-park, and Prince Leopold took a carriage drive. Prince Christian, attended by Lieutenant-Oolonel Gordon, wont to London this morning. Lieutenant-Colonel G. Gordon arrived at the Castle yesterday. Sir James Clark has left the Castle. The Prince of Wales rode on horseback yesterday morn ing, attended by Major Teesdale. His Royal Highness was present at the debate in the House of Common* in the evening. The Queen will hold a Council this (Tuesday) afternoon, at Windsor Castle, at a quarter before 3 o'clock. Mr. Lennon Hunt had an interview with Lord Stanley at the Foreign-office yesterday. A Committee of the Lords of her Majesty's Most Honour able Privy Council sat yesterday, at Whitehall, on the subject of the cattle plague. The Lord. present were— The Lord President and the Right Hon. E. Hammond. Mr. Helps attended the committee. Despatches were received yesterday at the Colonial-office from the Governors of the North American Provinces, British Columbia, Gibraltar, and Malta. - - - - THE PRINCESS OF WALES.-(THIS DAY.) In consequence of the rheumatic affection having become localised in one joint, Mr. Paget was yesterday requested to see the Princess of Wales. The following bulletin has been issued this morning : " MARLBOROUGH HOUSE, Pam 26, 11 Lig. " The poeml condition of her Royal Highness th e Princess of Wales continues to improve daily. The local pain has diminished during the last two or three days. " The infant princess is well. " Another bulletin will be issued in the afternoon on Thursday, the flith inst. " ARTHUR FARCE, M.D. W. JRITNER, M.D. " JAMES PAGET. E. H. Stsvicuatc, M.D." We are authorised to state that the lists for al the corn tato be held by the Queen at Buckingham Palace this season have now been completed. The Countess of Shaftesbury has issued invita tions for an evening par ty on Friday next, in Grosvenor square. The Countess of Dudley had a dancing party last night at Dudley HOW!, Park-lane, at which • select and distinguished company met. The Earl of Westmorland and the Hon. Mr. and Mrs : Hamilton have left the St. George's HoteL Vice-Admiral the Hon. Sir - Henry Keppel, K.C.8., proceeded yesterday to Windsor Castle on • visit to her Majesty "to take leave," and leaves to-day for Paris with his stair, on his way to China, to assume his important command. Mrs. W. E. Gladstone has issued cards for re ceptions for to-morrow night and on the 13th of March, at tho family residence on Carlton-house-terrace. Lord Henry Cholmondely has sold his beautiful seat at Holly-hill, in Hants, for 20,0001. His lordship has been a most serious loser by the cattle plague, through his having generously home a large share of the losses of his tenantry from that malady. On entering Westminster Hall yesterday after noon Lord Russell was greeted with repeated cheers, with waving of h►ts. Mr. Villiers, the late President of the Poor-law Board, and Lord Clarendon entered together, and they had nearly reached the door before they were recog nised and cheered. Mr. Lowe, accompanied by a friend. was followed down the Yard into Westminster Hall He had scarcely pared through the doorway when some voluntary usher shouted out, in a tone loud enough to be heard a considerable distance, " Mr. Lowe." Thom next the door cheered him, then some hissed, and some few yelled. Shortly a carriage passed through the yard toward the carriage entrance, followed not only by those at the top, but by a large number from the hall, and loud cheers and waving of hats were given in greeting of Mr. Glad stone, whose carriage disappeared within the archway be fore he had time to return any acknowledgment. A letter from Paris says :—" The forward state of everything in the vegetable kingdom is most remark able this year. Everywhere under the influence of a really spring temperature plants are springing up, fruit and other trees are putting forth their buds, and the ineadows already wear a verdant aspect. In the gardens of Paris and the environs peaches and apricots are in flower ; the weeping willows and other trees which adorn the vicinity of the Pont Neuf and the banks of the Seine adjacent to the capital are very forward, and lilacs, if the present mild weather continues, will shortly be in full bloom. Owing to this singularly advanced state of vegetation the famous chestnut tree in the gardens of the Tuileries, which is expected to bloom about the 20th of March, is nearly a month in advance, and every day attracts the ob servation of many who are curious in such matters to the well-known spot occupied by this famous tree. Even the chestnut trees which have been transplanted to the park of the Universal Exhibition exhibit the same degree of precocity as that to which I have just referred." The - Association of the Lyons Weavers has just received au official order for the supply of silk for the Emperor sod &sprees to the amount of 140,0001 r. LATEST INTELLIG Mit& t PIE POPE'S ALLOCUTIO/Ss The folloiring is the allocution which the Poi addressed to the consistory on the 22nd inst. Venerable Brethren,—The love of Christ urging upon us the duty of inquiring why so many dioceses had been left vacant in Italy, we sent an autograph letter in the month of March, 1565, to the Most Serene King of Italy, asking him to send to us some person with whom we could treat on such a serious subject. When be acceded to our wishes, negotiations were renewed, but, through no fault of outs certainly, they came to no result. They did not fulfil our desire, although, moved by an ardent solicitude for the salvation of souls, to which the Holy See has always given priority in all things, wc con descended to invite these negotiations. The matter was re cently taken up at the desire of those who are masters of affairs in Italy. But it is impossible for us, venerable brethren, to treat of this subject without expressing pro found sorrow and bitter grief. The holy prelate■ whom we are about to send to the vacant sees will not only find the ecclesiastical treasuries ruined but they will absolutely find themselves in want of their crdinary means of sup port ; and what is still worse they will find the stones of the sanctuary scattered, the asylums of religious perfec tion deserted, the inmates of the cloisters reduced to utter destitution, and the holy virgins expelled from the religious edifices where with the help of God they had re tired to live and die on the kisses of the heavenly Spouse. It is sad and painful to send bishops tench sees especially ins crisis of public affairs like the present. But what is to be done ? Give up the project for these reasons ? No. These labourers will return to the vine planted by God and watered with the blood of his Son relying on the Almighty's aid ; they will proceed to their work confident in the protection of the mother of God, who can powerfully assist them. It is she, indeed, the true seat of wisdom, who with her in spiration aiding the efforts of the pastors, will bring to them, in her quality of refuge of sinners, great numbers of wandering souls. Comforter of the afflicted she will assuage though them the sufferings of the wretched ; pro tectress of Christians she will bring back to the pastors the respect and filial affection of the people, and thus in the docility and love of the flock they will find relief from the weight of their onerous functions as well as consola tion in the contest they will have to sustain against the enemies of God and the powers of darkness, who are endeavouring to seize the whole field of the Gospel in order to make it a desolate abode. There fore amongst the new bishops we shall provisionally name some who belong to Italy, having confidence that in future oonsistories we will have an opportunity of pre, coniaing others and others still, if the judgments of men, who live according to the exigencies of the time, will harmonise with ours especially in what concerns the elec tion of individuals. It would not be opportune to say more in the present state of things; but the future, unless the justice of the Almighty brings about a change, is but too clearly indicated by the past series of most distressing events. Still we must have con fidence in God, who, in concert with the immaculate virgin and the holy apostles, has, in so striking a manner, pro tected us beneath the shadow of his wings ; and who, in the end (such at least is oar hope), will change our sorrow into joy. Let us endeavour, venerable brethren, to hasten and to ripen this result, so desired in our prayers, by the concord of our souls and the exercise of every Christian virtue. GARIBALDI IN FLORENCE. A letter from Florence in the Dthats of Feb• 23 says : The public here have been much surprised by the sudden and unexpected appearance of General Garibaldi in Flo. ranee. The general has been through the town in a close carriage, but when the people recognised him he was the object of an ovation. It is generally supposed that he is on his way to Venice, which place he promised to visit some time hack. There are persons who say that this is but the apparent object of his journey, and that it is the state of affairs in Greece that has brought him from his retreat, but there is nothing to confirm this sus picion. It is quite true, however, that the Italian government are much occupied with the Eastern question—much more than people in general be• lieve. We have here a special Greek envoy named Conduriotia, who is very active, and who is busy in procuring arms and money for the Greeks ; but I have not heard that Garibaldi is any way mixed up with his proceed. ings. On the other hand, as during the last war Garibaldi was favourable to the policy of the government, it is not likely that he has come out to mix himself up in the elections. The natural explan►tion of his journey iv probably the true one ; but it is just the one that persons are least disposed to believe in. (1117fift'll msolAws.) THE FRENCH LEGISLATIVE BODY. PARIS, FEB. 26. Yesterday evening in the Legislative Body M. Lanjuinais addressed the house upon the inter pellation of which he had already given notice. He acknowledged the importance of the conces sions granted in place of the debate on the address, but maintained that the right of interpellation, controlled as it is, was no right, but toleration. He regarded the decree of the 19th January as irregular, and considered that the measures an nounced therein should have been authorised by a &uatus Comte/turn. M. Cheimclong stated that the majority of the chamber did not separate the empire from liberty, and pointed out the progressive development of the national institutions since 1852. M. Marie maintained that the suppression of the address was illegal, and that it restricted the right of discussion and the popular control of public affairs. M. Vuitry, in reply, demonstrated that the right of iuterpellation was advantageously substi tuted for the debate on the address, and spoke in refutation of the attacks of MM. Marie and Lanjui naiL M. Jules Favre concurred in the views expressed by these speakers, and concluded his speech by saying, " Let us maintain the address—it belongs to us." The discussion will be resumed to-day. BELGIUM. BRUBSELS, Fin. 26. The prescriptions of Art. 1 to 7 of the decree of the Bth February, 1867, relative to the prevention of the cattle plague, have been applied to the com munes of Brabant and Liege, and stricter measures for the repression of fraud have been adopted on the western frontier of Flanders. INDIA AND CHINA MAILS. SUEZ, V. 25. The Mesaageries Imp6riales steamer Cambodge, with the India and China mails, 98 passengers, and 1,530 bales of silk, arrived here at 4 a.m. to-day. AMERICA. (BT ATLANTIC Tzucassem.) NEW YORK, FIB. Z, EVENING. The Finance Committee of the Senate has rnc ported against the bill adopted by the House of Representatives for the issue of greenbacks to the amount of 100,000,000 dollars for the redemption of the compound interest notes. COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. Closing prices :—Gold, lasi. Sterling exchange on London, 1081. Five-Twenty United States Bonds, 1111 ; Illinois, 116 ; Erie, 66. Cotton : Middling upland, 32. Great efforts are being made in Venice to give animation to the Carnival, as a means of encouraging trade and diminishing the misery suffered by many in the newly emancipated city. Letters thence speak of much gaiety, crowds of masks, music and merriment on St. Mark's square at night, perfect order everywhere. LORD DEltilY )US FOLLOWERS. • The tory journals hike but a brief report of the Promeding teilierkg se Lord Derby's official residence. The Harald says that his lordship, in a speech of some 14ingth, laid before the meeting the details of the Reform Bill which the government were prepared to introduce, and which corresponded with the programme set forth in Mr. Disraeli's speech of last night. He explained that, penonally, he was inclined to favour a large reduction of the franchise, coupled with some kind of plurality of voting ; but that, finding the latter principle generally un acceptable, he had been compelled to fall back upon the 6!. rating qualification in boroughs, and the 201. franchise in counties. At the same time he intimated that he should not oppose a larger extension in the counties. Lord Derby's speech was received with unanimous applause, and his propcsals were accepted by the whole meeting. At the conclusion his lordship remarked that this was the last time he should attempt to deal with the question of reform ; and, should he fail now, nothing would induce him, wearied and worn as he was with the responsibilities of political life, again to accept the onerous duties of th e position he now occupies. THE REFORM BILL. MR. KINGLAKE'S AMENDMENT. On the motion for going into committee on the resolutions Mr. Kinglake will move as follows :—" Hav ing humbly imparted to her Majesty its desire for ' the adoption of measures which, without unduly disturbing the balance of political power, shall freely extend the elective franchise,' this house now expresses a hope that prompt legislation may be founded upon the two principles so declared, and trusts that definite proposals foe that pur pose, as well as for the redistribution of seats, will be submitted to this house by her Majesty's government with all convenient speed." On going into committee of supply Sir William Max well intends to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether, in his proposed scheme of reform, it is pro posed to give any additional representation to Scotland ; and, if so, from what source the increase is to be derived. MR. DISRAELI'S PROPOSALS. The following new classes of voters are to bo created in boroughs : New Vote• Occupiers rated at six pounds 130,000 Graduates of universities, members of the learned professions, ministers of religion, certificated schoolmasters, &c. Persons paying 20s. a year in direct taxes Persons having 301. for • year in the savings bank Persons having 501. in the funds Total expected addition to the Borough con stituents NEW CLASSES Or VOTERS IN COUNTIES. Occupiers rated at 20/. Graduates of universities, &c., as in boroughs Fundholders 32,000 Direct taxpayers 52,000 Baling' Bank depositors Total estimated addition to County constituents 21;6,500 THE CONSTITUENCIES. Seats. Seats Forfeited—Great Yarmouth, Lancaster, Totnes, and Reigate, for bribery and corruption Small Towns Disfranchised—Twenty-three towns having fewer than 7,000 inhabitants New Parliamentary Boroughs, with One Member each—Hartlepool, Darlington, Burnley, Staly bridge, St. Helens, Dewsbury, Barnsley, Middles borough, " town in the Black Cou..try," Croydon, Gravesend, and Torquay. Second Division of the Tower Hamlets to return two members New County Divisions—The following counties to be divided, the new divisions returning two members each—North Lancashire, North Lincolnshire, West Kent, Kest Surrey, Middlesex, South Staffordshire, and South Devon. South Lancashire to be divided and have one additional member l5 London University 1 THE HORSE (WARDS AND THE MILITARY OFFICERS IN JAMAICA. This morning was published a copy of extracts from correspondenoe which passed between the Horse Guards and General O'Connor, ou the conduct of military officers during the Jamaica massacres. The documents printed include letters from General Nelson, Captain Hole, Lieutenant Oxley, Colonel Hobbs, Ex•Govenior Eyre, and others, referring to military movements, and reporting proceedings on both aides. Among the papers includes the following letter from the captain who super intended the execution of the wretched man who was set up as a mark for the soldiers to fire at : "Newcastle, November U . . . " Sir —ln reply to a communication from the Deputy Adjutant General's Office of the 10th November, lstiZr, relative to the execution of a rebel. Arthur Wellington, I have the honour to state that Colonel Hobbs, the night before the prisoner was excuted, stated that he intended to test the power of the 'infield title at long ranges. The following day, at about 2 o'clock p.m. the prisoner w as taken up a hill, a distance of 400 yards or thereabouts, and tied to a tree. The provost sergeant in charge of the prisoner acted as a marker. and signalled the seventh shot as having pasted through the said rebel's throat, the ninth or ten.h of entered his heart or thereabouts. I beg also to state that, as far as superintending the execution, I was in charge of the party and out the command ing officer's instructions.—l have, do., (Signed) " SPENCER YIELD, Captain 2nd Battalion, 6th Royal Regiment. "Deputy Adjutant General, Kingston." Colonel lakingtoo, who wrote Colonel Hobbs on the sub. ject, said that the Major-General was desirous that the affair should be thoroughly investigated, " for no doubt that a report of a serious nature will eventually reach the authorities in England, perhaps furnishing a matter fur discussion in parliament." Another letter of Major- General O'Connor rebukes the late Colonel Hobbs for other proceedings on his part, and General Nelson writes in a similar strain. Respecting the execution of the man Arthur Wellington, the Major-General says :—" I have refrained from taking myself any steps in the matter, simply because I think to have done so in the present critical and excited state of the colony consequences of the most serious nature would have followed." It should be stated that in one letter to General Neiman General O'Connor appears to complain that Colonel Hobbs is not summary enough. General O'Connor writes :—" Colonel Hobbs, 20th Royal Regiment, is by no means so decided as your self or Captain Hole with the prisoners he captures, but mends them in parties to tip• Park Camp on superficial charges, instead of disposing of these cases summarily, and thus saving me needless trouble." The only letter from the Horse Guards printed in this return is the following : "Hone Guards, Nor. 21. " Sir,—l am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your doipatch of the 24th ultimo, and its enclosure,, re porting for thi information of the Field-Pdarshal Coin umeding-in-Chlef, the measures you had adopted for sup pressing a rebellion which broke out among the native in habitants of Morant Bay, St. Thomas-in-the• East, Jamaica, on the Ilth ideni, and which has been attended by a most barbarous massacre of several influential Euro- pean and coloured inhabitants. In the present state of affairs it is in his royal highness's opinion premature to attempt to form a judgment as to the expediency of the measures which have been adopted, the details connected therewith being insufficient for more than a superficial reviewer ; meantime, however, I am to express to you his royal highness's gratification at finding from the perusal of your report and its scoompaniments, that the conduct of Brigadier-General Nelson, and the officers and truops under his command, engaged in the rebellious district, has met with your approval.—l have, &c., (Signed) " W. F. Fossrea. " Major-General O'Connor, C. 8., Commanding the Troops, Jamaica." Mr. Fildes, on second reading of Sale and Pur chase of Shares Bill, will move that it be read a second time upon this day six month*. Mr. Osborne, on Thursday, will ask the First Lord of the Admiralty if be will lay upon the table of the house any subsequent correspondence between the Admiralty and Lieutenant Brand since that officer was placed on half-pay. The committee of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution gratefully acknowledge the receipt of 401., being the proceeds of the third private ball held at the Hanover•equate Rooms on the 24th of January last in aid of the funds of the institution. LAW INTELLIGENCE. (THIS DAY.) COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH. After Term sittinp in Banco.—(Before Mr. Justice Lush.) This was the day appointed for delivering judgments. H TAMS r. WIBRTER. This was an action to recover compensation for injuries arising from the fall of a horse in consequence of a hole in the road along which the plaintiff was driving. The de fendant had contracted under the Board of Works to con struct a sewer along the road. The work was concluded in October, 1464, and the accident happened in February. 1803, in consequence of the subsidenc e of the wor k. it was contended on behalf of the plaintiff that the eon tractor's liability continued until so long as any such subsidence took place. At the trial the Lord Chief Justice left it to the jury to say —first, whether the hole which caused the accident was the consequence of the work executed by the defen dant, either from defect in filling up or subsidence from natural causes; and secondly, whether the parish had taken the road so aa to relieve the contractor from liability. The jury found that the hole was occasioned by natural subsidence, and that the parish had not taken the road ; and thereupon the verdict was entered for the plaintiff for 40f., with leave reserved to the defendant to move to set aside the verdict and enter a nonsuit. The question for the court to consider was whether the defendant, the person who opened the road, was lamed to do the repairs necessary by the natural subsidence of the soil from time to time, or whether his duty and obligation ceased so soon as he had filled it in, and had made it as sound and compact as it then could be made. The jury had found upon that that the defendant had so done, and the court were of opinion that as soon as the roadway was properly reinstated it was the duty of the parish to see to its subsequent repair, whether from subsidence or the ordinary wear and tear. The rule of a nonsuit would be made absolute. Rule absolute. The two other judgments presented no features of public' interest. COURT OF COMMON PLEAS. Sitting, at Nisi Priam in London.—(Before Lord Chief Jostioe BovilL) TEN RIANNT . 3 CANAL IRON WORMS COMPANY (LIMITED) V. HALL. This was an action to recover calls upon GMO shares in the plaintiff's company ? which wax now in the course of being wound-up ; and it was stated that 21 other actions depended upon the decision. The case was tried before the Lord Chief Justice without his having the assistance of a Mr. E. James, Q.C., and Mr. Matthews appeared for the plaintiffs ; and Mr. Milward, Q.C., and Mr. Charles Russell for the defendant. The plaintiffs' case was that the articles of association said that in any action or suit for calls it should be auftl. cient to prove that the name of the defendant wee upon the register of aharehoklen, and that notices of such call had been duly given to the defendant ; and that the s e matters should be conclusive evidence of the debt. Evidence was given for the plaintiffs to prove that de. fcndant's name was on the register, and that notices of the calls bad been given. Mr. Milward submitted that the words above referred to in the articles of association must be subject to some limitation, for otherwise they would lead to absurdity. Under them notice might be given of a call, which had In fact been never made, and surely it could not be said that the amount could be recovered under these circumstances. Again, proving the names on the register and notice of call could not possibly show the amount for which the verdict should be. What he contended wan that the true meaning of the article wan that proof of the two things should be conclusive evidence of debt until the contrary were shown. If this were so, he should thee contend that there was no quorum of directors present when the calls were made ; that the 21 days' notice of call had not been properly repeated, and that as to one of the calls no place for payment was mentioned. His lordship, after hearing a good deal of discussion, held that the plaintiffs were entitled to recover; and added that he should not stay the proceedings to enable the opi nion of the plaintiff's counsel to be taken upon the points raised unless security were given to the satisfaction of the master. He took this course because the matter had been already decided by Vice-Chancellor Malin,. Verdict fur the plaintiffs for the amount of the calls and interest, 2,0011. 10s. COURT OF BANKRUPTCY. (Moro Mr. Commissioner Winslow.) IN Be T. B. KRIM. The bankrupt wo. a buil d er and upholsterer, of King's. road, VictorL•road. and Upper Eburyeereet, The debts are 3,G301. ; assets stated at 480/. Mr. R. Reed appeared for the auignees ; Mr. Brough for creditors; and Mr. Sargo.l for the bmkrupc An application on the part of the asbian Ts for addi tional simulate was not resisted, and an adjournment of the examination sitting wan ordered. COURT OF ADMIRALTY. (Before the Right Hon. Dr. LuAtington.) THZ ANZHICAN WAR—ACTION BY THE UNITED HUTU Govan:mg:cr.—TlM MARE, OTHZRWINZ TIIE ALEXANDRA. This was en application on the part of Mr. Priolean, the alleged owner of the vessel, that the American govern ment having seised the same as having belonged to the Confederates, security should not only be given for costs, but also for damage. The other part of the motion was to give bail, but it wee abandoned. Mr. Milward, Q.C. , and Mr. Butt were in support of Mr. Prioleau ; Dr. Twigs, Q.C., Mr. Brett, Q.C., and Mr. Clifton were for the American governineut. Mr. Milwanl and Mr. Butt indsted on security for damages as well as for costs. His lordship had in other cases )n which the United States had reined several ships which had been engaged in what was called the rebellion decided that security should be given for costs, as the plaintiff was in fact a " foreigner." They (Mr. Milward and Mr. Butt) did nut rely on the generosity of the govern. meet, and therefore asked for security for damages as well as costs. Dr. 3 wuis and Mr. Brett denied that in a case of pos session the court could order security for damages, and that the government was entitled to ask for security for damages as well. His Lordship, at nearly 1 o'clock, ordered security for coats, and as to damages would consider the point. CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT. (THIS DAY.) (Before the Recorder.) Charletllin !lion, 38, a respectahle•looking MAD; described as a needle manufacturer, pleaded guilty to two indictments charging him with forging bills of exchange, one fur 751. and the other for 42/. lffs., with intent to de• fraud the Metropolitan Bank. The prisoner. who appeared to be in a dreadful state ci mental distress, read a long and most affecting statement, in which he represented that he and his family had been in a respectable business for more than half a century, at I Studley, in Warwickshire, and that he had fallen into difficulties, and the dread of bankruptcy had driven him to commit the acts to which he had pleaded guilty, in the hope of tiding over his difficulties. He said that the Tres• sure upon him was so great that he was driven to meditate suicide, and he had passed many nigh tt wandering about, not knowing what to do to relieve himself from He implored the court, for the sake of his wife and his innocent children, who had been reduced to a state of destitution by his being placed in his present position, to deal mercifully with him, and give bins an opportunity of endeavouring to regain the position lie had formerly occupied. The Recorder sidd it was certainly a very painful cave, but the duty of the court was perfectly cle:kr. It did not appear that he had only been guilty of a single act of for- gery, but, on the contrary, he appeared to have endea voured tepees off no less than four forged hills, and lie also seemed to have defrauded another bank hi a JJJ ilar manner only a short time before this transaction. ruder these circumstances the court had no alternative but to sentence him to be kept in pemil servitude for six years. (Before the Common Serjesust.) SINGULAR ItIBBERY FROM A POST LErTLlt•Ii°C. Charge, Loud, 25,• well-dressed young loan, was charged with stealing eight post letters, the pronerty of her Ma- jesty's Postmaster-General. Mr. Metcalfe mid Mr. Patteson conducted the prosecu• tion. The circumstances of this case were somewhat peculiar. It appeared that on the 16th of February the attention of the persons hexing the charge of the :coition district poet-office, at Islington, %vas directed to the fact of some sticky substance, apparently birdlime, being placed inside the letterbox, apparently with the object of arresting the letters in their descent. A constable was accordingly set to watch, and, w lade he was so employed the prisoner came up to the letterbox, And stood, lounging about, at a abort distance from it. Several persons then came up and dropped letters into the box, and the moment they had left the prisoner sidled up to the box and stood with his hack to it. and while in that position he was observed by the officer to put his hand into the slit of the letter-box, and lie then walked away. The constable followed him and stopped him, mud asked him to go back to the post-office. He at titst o bjected. hut on the constable insisting upon his accompanying him be begged to be forgiven, and mid that if he was taken into custody it would be his ruin. The prisoner was then searched, and eight letters that had only been posted just before were found in his pockets, and they had all sticky matter upon them, similar to that which was fouud w the letter-box. The jury found the prisoner guilty, and it appeared that he had previously been convicted of obtaining good• by false pretences, and sentenced to imprisonment. The Common Serjeant said the prisoner had been con. victed of a very serious offence, :old one that was cal culated to do very great mischief. As a caution to others, he felt it his duty to sentence him to five yea.' penal wr titude. William Edwards and Frederick Janes Kerby, two post letter carriers, who had pleaded 4uilty to westing letters entrusted to them for delivery, were brought op for judg ment, and also sentenced to five years' penal servitude.