The Express. — London, England, 1867-02-23 00:00:00

GOLD CHAINS.—JOHN BROGDEN l to call the attention of the publi c t o th e FORM ofik7- VOICE which he dell•ers with Gold Chains purchased at his otauutactory • To workmanshipid wove pattern chain, Si inches long = 15 U To its carat gold, weighing tt 01., at per ounce, Mint price Total c 9 2 Upon this system, the QUALITY, W ujII 1 , an.l Y.ILUE .4 the gait ape aceenstely defined. and &marmite,' to the p.m luo.vrs John ItroOtten toeAlin: for a fair rvtunnernUou on t h e w, rionn. ship unl, which in charged according to the urtriettey or aiurpll t ity of the pattern. Nl:mutat:tory, IG , lietuiettivattnet, Cotent•zarelen, London. - PRIZE MEDAL AW.%RDED ; ALLEN'S P.ITENT PORTMANTEAUS and Ti: 1 V ELIA NI; BAGS. %Rl' square opr.olitio. 1..1D I ":,* W .11:1 t: TRUNKS, DRESSING LAGS, with sil,r fittings BOXFN, WRITING anti DREssi NG C . ISFS. and r for Bowe or. continental tra,ellin. iliustrett4 tat n;.•: fru, %Her ., Barrara Furniture Fatainene of Portable Bed. ate Brxrrra, Easy Chaim Waslthautl-aLutac Cautecua, 1,4 fr. • •• 1. tt 31Anufseturer and Patentee, 37, West Strand, LOiltlon, WA. DAVIES'S BEST DIP CANDLES, 6),(1. per lb. ; Paine , pßrant., Gd.: ~Penn, Is 471. and 1.. tank wax, std.. . . 4..• I Is. , and 4s, per 1141 h innttle4l. : .0 1, 4.41 r c411..n . for earl, at V. I'. DAVIES e n d suN s. Ott, St. Marti.. s W.C. B ROWN and POISON'S CORN FLOUR for CHILDREN'S DIET. To ..Main extra prott by the sale other kind. are sometimes offered itiAtea4: of It I:. , NY N and Ptil-SON'S. ••Johe "Jobe Pt/atm," is signed b, the makes on each packet. ht erprrlsO• TO CORRK-MINIII:.\-TS. Advertisements intetele,l for Expres.," inndno F.ventnt; Paper, magt he at the °lace, lu , Itouverie.gract, by Tare o ' c l oc k uu the d,,v puhlieation. I)RURY .. LANK.. rnn Evrml7en. THE \LI h . NIT. Phelpf. Pliclim 11. and narrett ; Nl,4l.lteit, 11. % eziot anal 11. Val..l,l.ll,d—And ,ILINIBEK NIP: I/E, lIAKI.E- Qt IN AN 'l'llEUSU\lr. KIND OF TOE. GIANT MOUNTAIN HAYMARKET. EvvirveL A LIFE. Megsro. SothenL R , An•rs, Clark, Compton, Ar. Mrs Chippendale, Misses 11111, Wright, Av.-DM:lr Di*Nloitli:AMN" MARRIED ANI) DICt K )01. Mr. solligru.—And JENNY LIND AT LAST. Miss Burke. PKINCIMPr& _ ..... Tara tVßlltlto, Illy I-INT Mews. Verner& Fenton: Mrs. It. MIR. and Ii Wentworth —And SHADOW TREK SIIA li. Nle=+rs Vnting. .bore, Verner, V. Villiers, Enrrester, Mellon, and Cathcart: Misses Nluniassu, FAmonds, and Rodgers. L 1 CIVIL - . - Tin* griRINO, THE TWO JOLTS. Mr. Wlddlcomb.-4eo Rot; h: Er Nl , l K. Nevin. Yachter, F.mery, Cowper, Moreland, Fitzpatrick. U atom. itcyaulila, Lomas, Andrews. Price. de. ; Mrs, L. SI array, aunt Ntiao.es Claurade, Urattau, and C. Loc.lerrq. STRAND. Tins Evrvmo, NIA RRIEI;ITiVaITERS AND VoUNC ll- BANlbt—Lust Nightx ui GUY FAWKES.—And A SUIT 01 TWEED' ITOLBORN. Tnis Frinno, MY Ti'iisrl4EßT. Mr. Belntore: Mates Foote and Lentioz.—And FLYING tiCL'D. a,ekn. Neville, &A more, 'slake, Voltaire. &v. ; Mesdames F. Josephs, C. &waders, Bemis Foote, Maack Lennox, Raymond, &c. BRITANNIA. Ten Evicimo, THE PRINCESS OF THE PEARL ISLAND; OR, THE THREE KINGWIIS OF PEARL, GOLD, AND SILVER. Ili++ .1:wow —Pirst-rate Pautomiulists. —And 11111 RETURN 01 TILE WANDERER. MOE WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. TIM DST —Norma::, 41t. 5,m Afternoon, sh. 17m. TO-MOSAoM—Yorniug, :.11. 34m Afternoon. L 4 52m. LONDON, NATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23. A mosr important decision in reference to rail way law was delivered by Vice-Chancellor Woof, on Tuesday last. The case was this. An indi vidual debenture holder had by pri•cess of law ob tained a judgment fur the amount due on his debenture, and it was held that he could not sustain his jiitlignient for his own personal advan tage: that he took his security, ei the terms stated in the Companies Clauses Consolidation Act—namely, that there should out be priority among the deben ture holders—and therefore that any further security which he might have obtained enured to the benefit of his partners, the other debenture holders, as well as of himself. This decision, founded as it is on common sense as well as law, and in close conformity with the old decisions under the Canal Acts, strikes at one of the most mischievous inconveniences of the present day. A petty 'lel •enture holder speculates on the chance that they who are more largely interested will buy him out to get rid of the annoyance which he can cause, and therefore is often prone to refuse his consent to arrangements which the vast majority approve and desire. From henceforth the holder of a debenture of, say 500/. out of a total of 250,000!., will find that a realised judg ment will yield to himself an actual payment of one j•ounil, and saddle him with the responsibility of duly dividing the remaining 4991. among his co-partners at his own expense. It can easily be seen that the VICE-CHANCELLOR has sounded the death knell of these selfish and mercenary actions. But the principle enunciated is of a still wider scope. A railway is a benefit or a nuisance. If carried on so as to reduce the cost and increase the facilities of transit—to bring into communica tion with the great centres of industry communi ties previously cut off, and thus to diffuse and equalise civilization—these undertakings are of grand advantn,'e. But if, on the contrary, after having been formed, they are neglected and in efficiently worked ; after having interfered with and well nigh destroyed the previous circa laLion of the district, they are allowed to collapse and to become unequal to their duties, such railways are a public nuisance, for they will have injured, instead of benefiting, the country which they traverse. Now the law of England will not tolerate a nuisance, and we are just beginning to get a code established which will put railway law and liabi lities upon an intelligible, and not an unsatisfactory footing. A railway company is a very simple thing. It consists of shareholders whose responsibilities and rights are identical, except so far as that some may be entitled to an earlier perception of profits; and this company has two sets of credi4ors one for money lent, who have the security of the net income of the undertaking ; the other for arti clesactuallyslipplied for theconstruction of the line. Bearing, in mind these distinctions, it has been laid down by the Lord Justice CAIRNS that the company—that is, the shareholders acting through their directors—cannot evade the responsibility of keeping open and in proper repair the common highway which they have been allowed to con struct ; and if so, the public must be able to enforce against the company, or the individuals constituting it, the same common law remedies which can he used for the maintenance and pre servation of ordinary highways. The LORD JUSTICE further says that the deben tine holders, by their receiver, are entitled only to the surplus profits arising from such part of the undertaking as is essential for the creation of such profits, after payment of necessary expenam ; and Vice-Chancellor WOOD affirms that the debenture holders are a cla.ss, and that any one cannot gain from the company, or any of its assets, any special advantage, but must hold it in common for the rest. It follows from these premises that railway litigation must shortly cease, and that fertile cause alike of expense as of paralysis in management will he cut off. The shareholders in the company have no power to litigate, and the best remedy open to the debenture holders is the receiver, for ally separate action will simply cause an expense without any corresponding benefit to the party who may sue in his own name. The general debts of the company alone remain to be considered ; and, in regard to any " going concern," these must (independent of the daily working expenses, which may be assumed to be provided - for) be gencrally small, and, except in some special cases, could easily be arranged. The result is, therefore, that from henceforth it w ill be to the interest of the shareholders and of their mortgagees to unite in the development of their common property. There can be no contrariety between them, and freed from the fear of litigation each class can consider calmly how their respective interests can be best forwarded. The shareholders will know that an improved in come will tend primarily to the benefit of the im , rtgagees ; but they will rejoice in this, not only as freeing their undertaking from reproach, but ns conveying to themselves the assurance • I brighter days in prospect, and the very fact of the difficul ties which they have hail to encounter• will pro mote future prosperity, by ineulmting the need of care and economy. Every exertion to this end can he ma , le under the present machinery ; but if the sale or amalgamation of a line be thought advisable, there is amt at present any short mode of effecting either object. This is, in fact, the chief, if not the only, oh stack to be removed, and a very short Act of Par liament might cut the knot of all the present difficulties. As before stated, a company consists of two classes—shareholders and mortgagees ; and mo possible harm could occur if these classes by a hinge majority —say three-fifths of each—were au thorized by a general Act of Parliament to frame and concur in any arrangement for sale or other disposition of their line which might approve itself to them ; and if it be thought too bold to assume that Englishmen can manage their own affairs, and at the same time have a due regard for the public, all such arrangements might be made to be dependent on the sanction of the Board of Trade being obtained to them within a limited time. OUR CONTEMPORARIES. (THIS DAY.) Upon the decision of to-day's Cabinet, says the hang the fate of the government. There is but one opinion that the resolutions, as they now stand, have no work in them ; they must be made clear and precise. Definite figure+ in the enfranchising resolution, where a reduction of the value of the qualifying tenement is spoken of, are of course indispensable ; and a definite state ment of the nature, if not of the precise conditions, of the other franchises not dependent on value must accompany them. In other articles the Times deals with the subject of appellate jurisdiction, Mr. Hardy's Metropolitan Poor Bill, and the army estimates. The republication of Mr. Lowe's speeches on reform supplies the Daily Neter with an opportunity of analysing the right hon. gentleman's assertions of fact and principle —his history and his logic. The gossip u to the misgivings attributed to the Emperor Napoleon in respect of the Exhibition, and the prospect of famine prices and fabulous house-rents for intending visitors, are treated of by the Daily News in another article. There is enough of probability, it says, in these alarming veticinations, to console those who may be unable to visit Paris during the coining season. In a brief congratulatory leader upon the birth of a princess the Herald says that the " rock of royalty is the palladium, the very ark of English liberty. The revolu- tionist himself bows before it ; the men of progress stay their steps when they reach it; the most audacious of iconoclasts dares not lift his hand against it." The Herald and Mondani strongly defend the govern ment plan of plurality of votes, declaring it to be the best to prevent that excessive preponderance of one clan in the community which would most certainly come through a simple lowering of the franchise. According to the Star Mr. Disraeli will come down on Monday evening as he did before—laughing i❑ his sleeve at the wonderful aptitude of the house for being gulled, and in solemn tones and with simulated earnestness he will endeavour to palm off upon the gaping listeners his new version of the reform trick. The liberal leaders must consider their friends as well as their enemies, and the Star has no hesitation in saying that, unless a more certain sound is given forth from the liberal benches on Monday night than on the last occasion, the effect upon the country will be most disastrous. The charge of de laying reform will not rest upon the ministry alone, if steps are not taken to hasten it by putting an end to the trilling of ministers. THE EXPRESS, SATURDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 23, enemy, for Lord Derby lies called a meeting of his sup porters for Monday at (o'clock, when he will explain his gdan,,,and signify, we tiresome, Oaf unless they accept it he utiles compelled to tender his teidgoatioa,s dap which would dissolve thy existing tory party. We depot, of course, pretend to give this ;is information, but olooply as the one among the twenty rumours which hare reached us. with the greatest appeanwce of probability. The single. certainty is that the liberal leaders are honestly anxious that, it it be only possible, the reform bill should be brought in and passed before they resume power. LATEST INTELLIGENCE. (RELUI4 TELEGRAMS.) SPAIN. MADRID, FEB. 22. A royal decree has been issued, ordering the re organisation of the clergy and the parishes, and establishing new episcopal districts in conformity with the Concordat of 1861. INDIA AND CHINA MAILS. ALEXANDRIA, FEa. 22. The Poonah, which started yesterday morning for Marseilles, returned with machinery damaged. Transferred mails, A.c., to the Euxine, which left fur Marseilles at 10.30 a.m. to-day. THE WEEKLY PRESS. We cannot be 'perfectly sure, the Sabot-day Re rine observes, that even on Monday Mr. Disraeli will tell us what the government intends to do. A man who has kept • secret so long may perhaps think be can keep it • little longer. But the probability is that he will then see that delay would involve defeat and ruin, and will dis close something like a policy about reform, if not a dis tinct scheme of reform. The conservatives have a perilous position to occupy and maintain, and unless they will boldly facie reform ea a whole, fight only when they have • chance of fighting with advantage, and resolve that if they pass a Reform Bill they shall at least be thanked for passing it, they can scarcely escape a great disaster. If they accept a considerable reduction of the franchise, I abandon such counterpoises and checks as may seem to them clever, but would really be irritating, or frivolous, or practically impossible, they may, the Satan/as Review is convinced, make the future parliaments of England far more conservative than eager reformers anticipate. Mean while it is • matter of great importance to the country that Mr. Gladstone should have shown himself capable of behaving so well at such • crisis, and his conduct in opposition now promises well for his conduct when he comes to hold again the reins of power. The Examiner sees something going on between the Carlton and the Cave. Men of the Cave have been observed moving busily to and fro in the anti-liberal lines ; and if their chiefs have not yet been admitted to the tory council of war, the Examiner believes it is not far out in surmising that their intervening views have been anxiously con sidered there, and that negotiations have been carried on for some days for the purpose of devising a scheme which might serve as the basis of an open alliance. The names of two prominent members of the Adulhun ite section are freely used as having undertaken to build a bridge of compro ini,-e over which the disheartened unbelievers in their own prophet may escape from their present untenable position. Should the negotiation succeed the plurality flag will be Invited down, and that of duality hoisted instead, as a signal of junction. Under this new-fangled ensign it is said that the coalesced strength of office and weakness of Adullam will venture to make a stand. But in these d.ys of disintegration there are dissenters in the Carlton and mutineers in the Cave ; nay, what is more curious and comical, there is said to be a Cave in the Carlton, and a radical-tory who threatens to out-top toryism in the Cave. The Examiner concludes with expressing its apprehensions lest the coming campaign should, like the last, prove indecisive, and that it takes to be the one thing to be deprecated, and if possible, averted. The Spec/a/ord.:scribes the political situation as follows: The week has been full of rumours about reform, some of which are more or less trustworthy. The mass of them paint to a course of procedure which may prove to be of this kind. The Cabinet, it is said, has at last made up its mind, and Mr. Disraeli will, on Monday, make his resolutions definite and intelligible, by stating that her Majesty's government intend to offer two alternative bo rough franchises-6/. rating, or household suffrage with plurality of votes. By " plurality " they intend an extra vote to everyone who pays house-tax, i.e., every 20/. householder, a proposal which would work well in the medium boroughs, but would revolutionise the represen tation in London. The liberals, on the other hand, will reject plurality in any form based upon wealth, but will, if household suffrage is proposed, concede the principle of cumulative voting. The moment the discussion is done the bill will be brought on, and the debate will recommence ; but will not be hot, all parties being equally decided that the question shall be got out of the way. It is evident that the go vernment fear their own followers more than the NAVY ESTIMATES. The navy estimates for the year 184;7-8 were issued this morning. The sum required to be voted is 10,926,2531., which is a net increase on the last vote of 491,5181. The item required by the Comptroller of the Navy is 522,559/. more than that voted last year, while the sum required for the Storekeeper-General of the Navy is 147,990!. less. Wages to seamen and marines are increased by 34,393!., and miscellaneous services by 62,500/. A saving of 7,0521. is effected in the vote for the coastguard service, &c. The total force in the Heet and coastguard services to be voted this year is 67,300, being some sixty more than last year. 83,3501. is required for a ship to be hulk on the design of Capt. Coles, leaving 191,6501. to be voted in future years to make up the contract price. Another new item is a sum of 344,350/. for armour plated ships, iron ships, and gunboats—the amount to be voted in future years being 400,650!. 20,000/. more is wanted for the purchase of dockyard tugs. Um Court. WINDSOR CASTLE, FEB. 22. The Queen, with Prince and Princess Christian, Princess Louise, l'rince Leopold, Princess Beatrice, and Prince Henry of Prussia, left o.borne to-day at a quarter before 3 o'clock, and arrived at Windsor Castle at 10 minutes past 6 p.m. The suite consisted of the Duchess of ltoxburghe, the Hon. Emily Cathcart, Lieutenant-General Hon. C. Grey, Lord Charles Fitzroy, Lieutenant-Colonel lion. D. de Ros, Mr. Legg, Captain Von Sehroetter, and Mr. Sad. The Hon. Flora Macdonald and the Hon. Florence Sey mour have arrived at the Castle as maids of honour in waiting. Viscount Hawarden and the Hon. Mortimer Sackville West have also arrived as lord and groom in waiting. Lord and Luly Bloomfield left Osborne yesterday. The Rev. G. and Mrs. Protlkero had the honour of dining with the Queen and the Royal Family yesterday. Sir Jame+ Clark has arrived at the Castle. The Prince of Wales rode out on horseback yesterday, attended by Major Teesdale. His Royal Highness went to the House of Lords in the afternoon. A deputation from some of the principal hackney car riage proprietors of London, consisting of Mr. Cave, Mr. Howard, Mr. Shenton, Mr. Emmett, and Mr. Townshend, attended by their solicitor, Mr. Wright, had an interview with the Earl of Belmore at the Home-office yesterday, on the subject of the proposed Metropolitan Traffic Regu lation Bill. The Earl of Derby received a deputation yesterday at his official residence in Downing-greet, upon the subject of northern ports and harbours. The deputation was con. stituted as follows:—Sit John Ogilvy, Bart., M.P., and Mr. Thomas (Dundee); Mr. Getty, M.P., Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Henderson, Mr. Valentine, and Mr. Thompson (Bel fast); Sir H. Williamson, Bart., M.P., Mr. Hartley, M.P., Mr. Cavendish, M.P., Mr. Webster, Captain Herbert, R.N., and Mr. J. S. Robinson (Sunderland) ; Mr. Pease, M.P., Mr. Wilson, Mr. Laing, Mr. Fellows, Mr. Santos., Mr. Dodds, and Mr. Gurney (the Tees) ; Mr. W. E. Bai ter, M.P. (Montrose and Arbroath); Mr. R. S. Aytoun, M.P. (Kirkaldy) ; Millie Lang (Port Glasgow) ; Provost Grieve and Mr. Adams (Greenock) ; Sir John Johnston, M.P., the Hon. C. Banbury Tracy, Mr. John Cheetham, M.P., Sir F. Crossley, Bart., M.P., Mr. James Goodson, M.P., and Mr. G. C. Bentinck, M.Y. A deputation from the counties Kilkenny and Wexford, consisting of the Hun. Agar Ellis, M.P., Lieut.-Colonel Tottenham, .11. P., Mr. George Bryan, M.P., Mr. G. H. Minchin, and Mr. Edward Carr, had an interview with Lord Naas at the Irish office yesterday respecting the recent destruction of the New Ross bridge by ice. HEALTH OF THE PRINCESS OF WALES. (THIS DAY.) The following bulletin has been issued this morning : MARLBOROUGH HOUSE, F. 23,10.30. Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales slept several) hours during the night. Her royal highness's general condition remains the lame ss reported yesterday, The infant princess continues well. (Signed) ARTHUR FARRE, M.D. WILLIAM JENNICIL, M.D. E. H. &Event/it:, M.D. REPORT 01' THE REIGATE BRIBERY COMMISSION. This morning was published the report of the above commission, with the minutes of evident*. The conclusions ►t which the oommisioners have arrived are as follows : " 1. We find that bribery and treating extensively pre. veiled at the election in February, 1858. 2. We find that bribery and treating extensively prevailed at the election in October, 1858. 3. We find that bribery and treating prevailed at the election in 1859. 4. We find that bribery and treating extensively prevailed at the election of 1863. 5. We find that a sum of about 2,500/. was paid by Mr. Gower to his agent, Mr. Smith, for the purpose of the election in 1863, and that part of that sum was expended by him, with the knowledge of Mr. Gower, in bribery and treating. 6. 11'e find that a sum of about 3,1001. was paid by Mr. A. Wilkinson to his agent, Mr. James, in 1863, and that a large portion of that sum was expended by him, with the knowledge of Mr. Wilkinson, in bribery and treating. 7. We find that bribery and treating ex tensively prevailed at the election in 1865 ; that of the 760 who voted at that election 346 were bribed; that of that number 296 were occupiers of houses not exceeding 20/. a year rental. ri, We find that a sum of nearly,2,ooo/. was paid by Mr. Gower to his agent, Mr. Smith, and that part of that sum was expended by him, with tbe know ledge of Mr. Gower, in bribery ; that 500/., forming part of the 2,000 L, was knowingly paid by Mr. Gower three months after the election to Mr. Smith, partly in discharge and partly in repayment of money expended in bribery at the election in Is 6. 9. We find that a sum of 1,376/. Is. 4d. was advanced by Mr. Monson to his agent, Mr. Hart, for the purposes of the election in 1865. 10. We find that a sum of 1,7301. was advanced on account of and in respect of the election in 1665 by Mr. Monson to Mr. James Nichols, who was not his duly constituted agent, and whose name and address were not declared in writing to the returning officer on or before the day of nomination ; that this sum was expended by Mr. Nichols, with the knowledge of Mr. Monson, in bribery and treating. 11. We find that at the elections in 1863 and 1865 Job Heath Anted, James Apted, Thomas Barker, Thome.; Corderoy, David Durrant, Charles Emery, Henry Green, William Holdsworth, Thomas Jordan, Frederick Joyce, Joseph Kenward, William Lanmiclge James Mend en , J ames Nichols, Ephraim Ease, and John Shepherd were the persons principally engaged in bringing the poorer classes of voters in the borough of Reigate under the influence of these corrupt practices. 12. We find that the persons named in Schedule A. to this our report annexed were guilty of bribery at one or more of the elections by !receiving money or other valuable consideration for having given, or to induce them to give, or to refrain from giving, their votes. 13. We find that the p ersona name d in Schedule B. were guilty of bribery at one or more of the elections by giving or promising money, or other valuable consideration, to voters for the purchase of their votes, or by corruptly giving money or other valuable consideration on account of any voter having voted, or refrained from voting. 14. We find that the persons named in Schedule C. were guilty of bribery at the elections of 1863 or 1865 by paying money to other persons with intent that such money should be expended in bribery, or by knowingly paying to other persons money in discharge, or repayment, of money expended in bribery." A Cabinet Council was held this afternoon. At 2 o'clock on Monday Lord Derby will address the sup porters of the ministry in the House of Commons ; and in the evening the Chancellor of the Exchequer will ex. plain the reform resolutions. On Wednesday the Adul lamites will meet at the house of Lord Grosvenor. Sir Roger C. Tichborne, Bart., haa ta ken a residence at Croydon, in Surrey. The Botanical Society of France intend to orga_ aim an International Botanical Congress during the time of the Greet Exhibition. The congress will open on the 26th of July next, and will last for a month. PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS FOR THE ENSUINU WEEK. The following notices of motions and orders of the day now stand in the order book of the House of Commons for the ensuing week : MON OAT, Fsn. 2t. 0111.411.8 OF THE DAY. Representation of the People—committee to con sider the Act 2 and 3 William IV., c. 45; Criminal Lunatics Bill—second reading; Duty on Dogs Bill—com mittee; Supply—committee; Ways and Means—com mittee; Trades' Unions (Expenses of Witnesses)—report thereupon ; Trades' Unions Bill—committee ; Sugar Duties Bill—as amended, to be considered ; Marriages (Odessa) Bill--committee. NOTICES OF MOTIONS. Mr. Newdegate—To ask the Chancellor of the Ex chequer, whether the attention of her Majesty's ministers has been directed to the report of the proceedings at the inaugural banquet of the Lord Mayor of Dublin on Wed tesday last, which is published in the Times of Thursday the 21st instant, whence it appears that Cardinal Cullen was present on the above occasion, in the robes and capa city of a cardinal legate from the court of Rome, took pre cedence in that capacity, and addressed the assembly on matters touching the government of Ireland : and, whether assuming the above report to be substantiallycorrect. in the opinion of her Majesty'. ministers it is consistent with the laws of this country, or with international law, that an ecclesiastic should, in the capacity of a cardinal legate from the court of Rome, be permitted, as representing that court, but without being regularly accredited to the court of England, or recognised in any diplomatic capacity, to interfere on public occasions of an official character, by advice or otherwise, with matters touching the govern ment of the United Kingdom. Mr. Whalley—Railway Construction Facilities Act (1864) Amendment—Bill for the amendment of the Rail way Construction Facilities Act, 1864. Mr. Watkin —Railway Debenture Holders Bill—To no- minate the select committee on Railway Debentures Hol ders Bill :—Sir S. Northcote, the Astorney-General, Mr. M. Gibson, Mr. Laing, Mr. I'. Baring, Mr. Kirkiusn, D. Hodgson, Mr. Graves, Mr. Crawford, Mr. Coleridge, Mr. Ayrton, Mr. Scourtield, Sir F. Heygste, Mr. Leeman, Mr. Goldney, and Mr. Watkin :—Power to send for persons, papers, and records : five to le the quorum. The Chancellor of the Exchequer—Representation of the People—ln committee on the Act 2 and 3 Will. IV., on the representation of the people, to move resolutions. Mr. Henry Baillie—Representation of the People—ln the place of resolution No. 5, to move the following reso lution :—" It being desirable that the electoral privileges of all her Majesty's subjects should be placed upon an equal footing, no elector for a county or borough should be allowed to vote for more than one candidate at any election." Mr. Walrond—Representation of the People—ln com mittee to consider the Act 2 and 3 Will. IV., a 45, in the place of resolution No. 5, to move resolution. Mr. Mill—Representation of the People—ln committee on the Act '2 and 3 Will. IV., to move the following reso lution :—" That in order to secure to the utmost extent possible the real and equal representation of every elector, it is expedient that any electors, amounting to a certain number, should have the power of voluntarily combining with one another to elect a representative." TOESDAT, FEB. 25. Novices or Morton. The O'Donoghue—To ask the Chief Secretary for Ire land a question relative to certain alleged proceedings of • large police force under Sub-Inspector Gilpin in Dingle, on Fri day, the 15th instant. . . . Mr. Eilmn! Craufurd—To ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether there is any intention of making a change in the office of collectors of taxes and distributors of stamps in Scotland, by trenufemug the duties to officers of Customs or Excise, or otherwise, as vacancies occur in the present appointments. Major Anson—Army (India and the colonies)—Select Committee to inquire into the duties performed by the army in India and the colonies ; and also to inquire how far it might be desirable to employ certain portions of her Majesty's native Indian army so our colonial and military dependencies. Mr. Deiusian—Attorneys' Certificates Duty—Bill to reduce the annual duty upon the certificates of attorneys and solicit°, s and others. Mr. Fawcett —FactoryActs (Educational Oatmea)—That in the opinion of this home it is expedient to extend the educational clauses of the Factory Acts to children who are esaployed in agriculture. ORDER OF THE D.tt Land Contracts (Ireland) Bill—second reading. WEDNESDAY. FEB. 27. ORDERH OF THE DAT. Transubetantiatio;,iC.,DeCiaraiOi; Abolition Bill— second reading ; Offices and Oaths Bill—second reading ; Dublin University Professorships Bill—second reading; Execution of Deeds Bid—second reading ; Sale and Pur chase of Shares Bill—second reading ; Counsel to the Secretary of State for India Bill—second reading. - Nailer OF MOTION. _ _ Mr. Newderte— Oa e;o1;ri Offices and Oaths Bill, to move ' That it be read a second time upon this day six months." _ THURSDAY, FEB. 2A. ORDER OF THE DAT. Admiralty Jurisdiction Bill—second reading. Noricum or Mortara Sir Andrew Agnew—To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, concurrently with the bill now before the house regulating the duty on dogs, he will prepare another bill authorising the county police to enforce that duty; and also empowering them to seize and destroy all dogs for which no license shall be taken out. The AttorneyDeneral—lnsolvent Traders, ire., Acta Amendment—Bill to consolidate and amend the acts re lating to insolvent traders and non-traders in England ; and for other purposes connected therewith. FRIDAY, MARCH 1. ORDERS OP THE DAT. Associations of Workmen Bill—second reading • London Coal and Wine Duties Continuance Bill—second reading. NOTICES OP MOTIONB. Mr. Secretary Walpole—Factory Acts Extension—Bill for the extension of the factory acts. Mr. Secretary Walpole—Hours of Labour Regulation— Bill for regulating the hours of labour for children, young persons, and women employed in workshops; and for other purposes relating thereto. On going into committee of supply. Mr. Bruen—To move for copy of opinion of the law ad visers of the crown in Ireland relative to the release of John Morris, lately a prisoner, arrested on a charge of treason felony and Fenianism. . _ _ Mr. Clive-To call attention to the report of the com missioners appointed to inquire into the condition of all mines in Great Britain, to which the act 23 and 24 Vict. does not apply. Mr. Goldney—To call the attention of the house to the existing state of the law as regards the right of access of light and air to ancient windows ; and to the necessity of providing by legislative enactment some means by which owners of property, under proper regulations, and on pay ment of compensation, if necessary, may be enabled to increase the height of their buildings. Mr. B. Cochrane—To call the attention of the house to the exportation of coolies from the East Indies. Mr. W. Forster—To call the attention of the house to the uncertainty as to the position of the volunteers conse- Cuent on their late employment as an a r me d f orce a t hester; and to ask the goveniment what steps, if any, they intend to take to remove this uncertainty. Mr. Gorst—To call the attention of the house to the proposal to maintain permanently a British regiment in New Zealand. Lord Echo—To uk the Secretary of State for the Home Denartment, what are the intentions of the govern ment with reference to the law of master and servant. General Dunne—To call the attention of the 11usc to the act constituting the office for the registration of deeds in Ireland and the application of the surplus fees collected by virtue of that act. The Journal de Samt-Petersbourg of the 12th says:—"The Neva Skating Society gave its &A night fete yesterday. The wind blew maliciously all the even ing, extinguishing frequently a whole range of lights. They were re-lit, but it unrelentingly recommenced. The Emperor honoured the fête with his presence, skating sometimes with the Grand Duchess Marie Feodorovna (Princess Dagmar) and sometimes alone. The other mem ben of the royal family were the Cezarewitch, the Grand Dukes Vladimir and Alexis Alexandrovitch, Nicolas Nicelaievitch, the Duke of Leuchtemberg, and the Grand Duke George of Mecklemburg-Strelits. It would be impossible to describe the costumes —some original, others elegant, nearly all graceful and picturesque. The fête commenced at 8 and did not terminate till mid night. It would have lasted still longer if the electric lights had not ceased their dazzling radiance." The Menu announces that M. Chaasepot was three days back at Liege, where he has concluded a con tract with several manufacturers of that place for 45,000 carbines. 1867. LAW INTELLIGENCE. (THIS DAT.) EQII/TY COURT. (Before Vice-Chancellor Sir R. Mauna.) RE OTINEND, GI RNEY, .I.ND CO. (UNITED) EX MATS XiIAPPING. This was an application by Mr. Knapping that a sum of 1.0:i2/. might be admitted as a debt due to him from the estate of the company in the winding up. Mr. Knap beng having in November, 1864, 1,000/. to invest, and bing a great deal away from home, placed the money in the hands of his wife, requesting hoe to deposit it with the old firm of Overend, Gurney, and Co. This was done, and Mrs. Knapping received interest on the deposit up to the 31st of March, 1865. In July of that year she re ceived a circular letter to the effect that if no objection was made, the account would be transferred to the then contemplated limited company. Nu objection was made, and the last accounts showed a balance due of 1,052 f., for which Mr. Humming now claimed. It was understood that there were many others in the mine position as this gentleman. Mr. E. K. Kerslake and Mr. Stock supported the appli cation. Mr. Roxburgh said the Ihiuidatora would have made no objection to claims of that class, but having been served with a notice on the part of some of the shareholdere cautioning them agaiwit parting with money in their hands, and intimating that depositors in the old firm were not to participate in any dividend that might be declared, they were anxious to have the authority of the court to support them. At present there had been no appeal from the decision in the case of the shareholders' cLiams. The Vice• Chancellor had — directed that application should be made to appropriate the money which Mr. Oakes and Mr. Peck had paid in, and that would oblige them to say whether they appealed or not. Mr. Roxburgh stated that the liquidators had been served with notice of action by the Defence Association. on account of the dividend which they had paid under protest . . The Vice-Chancellor would take care that the liquidators were protected, and that the shareholders who were mem bers of the Defence Association paid their calla. He had no doubt that this claim of lir. Knapping wee a valid debt of the company. COURT OF PROBATE AND DIVORCE. (Before the Judge Ordinary.) CORNELL C. JAcons.--meecist..7ite. Mr. Coleridge. Q.C., and Dr.Spinks,Q.C., for the plain tiff. The Solicitor-General, Dr. Deane, Q.C., and Mr. Searle fur the defendant. The testator, Mr. Nash, of Chingford, Essex, for many years a confidential agent of Messrs. Booth, the distillers, died in May last, at the age of 73. He had for many years been an intimate friend of Mrs. Jacobs, the wife of a per son who was formerly comptroller of customs in Jamaica. She hadgoneout to her husband soon after hiaappointment, but a separation ensued, and she had returned to England. Mr. Nash, finding her to be in distressed circumstances, took a cottage for her at Chingford, and provided for her wants. After the death of her husband he made her an offer which was accepted, but the marriage never took place ; and on the :filth of April last he executed a will bequeathing her the bulk of his property, which was valued at 10,00 W. The plaintiff, his sister, and only next of kin, disputed the validity of the instrument on the group& of undue execution, want of capacity, and undue influence. [The case was progressing when our report left.] THE POLICE COURTS. (THIS DAY.) CLERKENWELL A DISGRACEFI: L /WEN!: IN BT. PANCRAS CHURCHYARD.- NTEALING COFFIN PLATES. Daniel II unt, of 9, Church-way, a labourer, was charged before Mr. Barker with having in his possession six inscription coffin plates, and further, with assaulting Police-constable Taylor, 98 Y, in the execution of his duty. The evidence of the constable was to the effect that on the previous evening be maw the prisoner leaving St. Pancras-churchyard with something bulky in hie posses sion. The prisoner is employed in the churchyard in making a tunnel in connection with the Midland Railway. He stopped the prisoner and asked him what he had got, and received for answer, "Some pieces of woo,L" The constable, feeling that it was lead the prisoner was carry ing, told him that he would have to go to the police station. On hearing that the prisoner became violent, made use of most dreadful expressions, and said be would break the constable's back be fore he should take him. The constable endeavoured to take him, on which the prisoner threw him with great forte on to the ground, and fell on him. The prisoner was proceeding to other acts of violence, when assistance came up and the prisoner was conveyed to the police station, and it was then found that he had in his possession six leaden coffin plates which he had stolen from St. Pancras-church yard. Police-sergeant Parry, 14 Y, said that the prisoner was suspected of having broken into St. Pancras Church and there committed a robbery. The names on the plates were Felix Antonia Coattail, Esq., died 28th June, 171)7, egad 57 ; Mary Hudson, died Bth of April, 1834, aged 85; Such widow of the late Captain David Charles Bruce, of the Honourable East India Comtr o r r s service, died January 13, 1840,aged 65 ; Mrs. Emma maix, died, November, 1849, aged 72 years ; Mr. James Addison, Bth January, 1837, aged 83 years ; Mr. Francis Robin, February 20, 1813, aged 72. These plates had been taken from coffins that were being removed for the forma tion of the Midland Railway tunnel. The prisoner said that the plates had been given to him by the inspectoesson, but that was denied by the party in question. Mr. Titford, undertaker, of Judd-street, asked that the plates might be given up to him. He had the contract for removing thecoffins, and the prisoner had no right to touch them. Mr. Barker sentenced the prisoner to two months' hard labour in the House of Correction. WORSHIP-STREET. ,TIALING James Allen a coarse - looking man, described as a horse dealer, was ch arged with being concerned in stealing three horses from their stabling. Mr. Beard appeared for the prosecution, and stated that the animals in question were worth, at a rough estimate, about 411., and their positive owner was a Mr. Patten, who had stables in Leonard-street, Shoreditch, almost in proximity to this court. It would be requisite to have the prisoner remanded, after adducing sufficient evidence to show that he was acting in complicity with other men, whom the constables hoped shortly to capture. The prosecutor then swore that the horses mentioned were secure on the rith instant under lock and key, that he afterwards found they had been removed, and that he subsequently saw them and recovered them from the pri soner by the assistance of the police. A woman living opposite the stabling in Leonard-street swore to having seen at midday, on the 16th instant, the risoner and two other men, one of whom wa s name d p Westeott, break the stable-door open with a poker she lent to them &IV I remove all three horses, Sergeant Evans and constable Harry Short, well-known detectives of the G division, deposed they yesterday went to Dagenham, in Essex, where the prisoner was at work. Evans said to him, " I've come about those horses. " Aye, aye," he replied ; " I know all about it, but you're not going to beat me, and I don't mean to let you have 'em." Evans noticing that several of the speaker's companions were with him and getting up a show of resistance, against which his and Short's endeavours to obtain 'on of the property must be useless, went to the edge of the field and called on some of the load polio., whose services he had previously stated he should probably require. The help was at Lund, the lads tied, and the prisoner, with the horses, which were found in a dismal shed, were brought to London. Prisoner made no defence, and was remanded. Bail refused. WANDSWORTH. CAUTION TO TEIV.ONI4 TAKING IN NURSE CHILDREN. A poor woman living in Wandsworth applied to Mr. Hayman for the second time with reference to a norm, child placed in her care by the mother. Her statement on the tint occasion was to the effect that the mother had deserted her child, not having paid any money towards its maintenance for a long time, and that she could not keep it any more. She had applied to have the child taken into the workhouse but they would not receive it. The magistrate at the time told her he could not assist her, as he had no power over the workhouse authorities, but she could sue the mother for the keep of the child. The applicant, who had a claim of 101. against the mother, said she was unable to find her, as she was denied at the house where she heard her voice. On this occasion she stated that the child died on Wednesday last, and she could not afford to bury it. Mr. Dayman—As I told you before, I cannot assist you. The applicant—The undertaker can't go on with the funeral until the mother is fetched. Mr. Dayman—You can sue her for the amount of the undertaker's charges as well u the money she owes you. Applicant—She has deserted the child. She has given me a great deal of trout& and she ought to be punished. Mr. Wyman—That is not the question. Applicant—We can't keep the body as it is beginning to smell. Mr. Dsyman—You can charge all the funeral expenses to her. It is a matter of contract between you and her. I cannot give you any other advice. The applicant then left the court evidently in much trouble. We are glad to be able to announce to the officers of her Majesty's infantry that the present blue undress frock -coat is to be abolished, and a neat patrol-jacket sub stituted for it. We need scarcely say that the present garment is as generally as it is deservedly detested, and the change will be welcomed by all ranks, from the slim ensign to the sometimes portly field officer. —Army end Nary Galate. HOUSE OF LORDS.-(THIS DAY.) Their lordships met at 1 o'clock this day for the purpose of advancing the Habeas Corpus Suspension Bill a st,ge.. The peers present were—Ministerialists: Th- Earl of Derby. Duke of Marlborough, Earl of Devon, Earl of Belmore. Lord Redesdale, Earl of Langford. Opposition : Earl Russell, Earl of Kimberley, Lord Halifax, Lord Strath. eden. The Bishop of Gloucester was also present. HABEAS CORPUS SUSPENSION ACT CON 11 NU- ANCE. The Earl of DERBY moved the the find reading of this bill, and fixed the second reading for Monday next, the standing orders to be then suspended. Agreed to. Second reading fixed for Monday. Their lordships then adjourned. GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY.-(THIS DAYj The half-yearly meeting of shareholders was held at 11 o'clock at the King's.croas terminus, Cvl. PACK!. M.P., in the chair. . . . . . . . The report, which had been previously issued and pub. lished, having been taken as read, Before affixing the seal of the company to the register , the Chairman stated that the increase in the numbe r a proprietors in the last half-year was 4410, and thatthe total number on the register was now 8,434. The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report, said it was of rather greater length than usual, because the board wished to explain everything on that wet. non as fully as possible. The director. of course re. gretted having had to announce a reduced dividend ; but he thought that was satisfactorily explained; The capital bad been increased by 660,0001., 213,000/. of which was expended on lines under construe. tion which would soon 13:ien and yielding revenue. At present interest was ch arged for those lines without any benefit being received by the company. The revenue of railway companies was unavoidably variable. During the last half-year the excursion traffic had been less than usual, owing to the bad weather and the commercial losses, which bad prevented many persons from going to the sea side. The goods traffic had suffered from different causes, and the cattle traffic from the cattle plague. Then, agate, though the receipts were 44,0001. more than in the cor responding half of last year, the working expenses increased concurrently to the extent of 38,000/. The increased expenditure on coal was 19,0001., and on wages 10,0001. The cost of the maiutainauce of the road showed a diminution in consequence of the use of improved mile. Last year five miles had been relaid with steel rails and ZS with heavier metal than was used before. L'pon the rolling stock there had also been an unusual outlay, and 443 waggons had been rebuilt, that being 90 in excess of the ordinary number. He congratu. lated the company on having a very large amount of their debenture debt in the form of debenture stock—a circumstance which had placed them in a much better position than many other companies. Instead of baying a number of bills before parliament they were now at peace with all their neighbours, and he hoped they would continue at peace with them. (Cheers.) The lines under construction would, he believed, prove remunerative ; and the simple object of the few bills which they had in parliament was to enable them to carry out agreements entered into with other companies a year or two ago. He concluded by stating that he should be happy to answer any question. (Cheers.) Mr. SENERA HOONER congratulated the meeting on the announcement, so very unusual in that room, that them was to be no new expenditare. (Hear, bear) He con tended that the audit was not sufficiently close sad stringent, and that, as was done in the case of the London and North Western Railway, the auditors should be con stantly watching and checking the expenditure. He con demned the use of proxies by the directors as tending to swamp the influence of independent shareholder,. A SHAREHOLDER thought they might well rejoice that they were not as many other shareholders were. One cause of that was, he believed, that the directors were not mixed up with other companies, to which he would add that all companies which cultivated Sunday excursion traffic saw their stock low in the market. (Hear, hear.) Alluding to the public distrust with regard to railway de bentures he observed that what had recently occurred with reg ard to foreign lams should convince the public that after all there was greater stability in railway de. bentures than in securities of that kind. A SiLutetioLDEß complained that 11,0001. revenue re ceived for the sale of commissioned stock was carried to the revenue account instead of the construction account. If that had not been done the dividend would have been smaller. He expressed strong dissatisfaction at the ex penditure of such a large amount on metropolitan eaten• 11101111 w hich could not yield a sufficient return. In con. nexion with that subject he deeply regretted the retire ment of Mr. Denison. A SHAREHOLDER thought the preceding speaker took rather too gloomy a view of matters. He for one hoped that even the London, Chatham, and Dover would get np. Too many railway extensions were like too many olive branches, they tended to impoverish tl:e parent stew. (Laughter.) It was most lamentable that the accidents on that line had cost the company on the :iveruN about 2:8,000f. a year. The present law on that subject was most unjust to railway proprietors. In his opi nion there ought to be a limit to the amount of compensation ; and in order to become entitled to compen sation in case of accident passengers should be required to pay something extra for a risk ticket. Mr. JOHN Mow AN, one of the aulitors, defended the auditors against the supposition that their audit was not adequate, observing that it was quite independent of the directors. Mr. Hughes had been with the auditors, and admitted that the audit was satisfactory. Mr. HUGHEN denied that. (Laughter.) For instance, he was not satisfied with the passing of the item of tift7 guineas paid to Mr. Denison's son for sitting by his father a aide at a meeting. Mr. MORGAN then entered into minute details as to the mode of conducting the audit, in order to show that it was thorough and comprehensive, adding that if there were any branch of the accounts on which the pro. prietors would like a written report they should have it. Captain FITAHAERICE, the other auditor, adverting to the 11,011 W. arising how the sale of uniasuea stock, stated that he had opposed its being placed to the revenue account—(hear, hear)—and that only • small majority of the directors decided in favour of that course. The CHAIRMAN, in replying, observed that the board were perfectly willing to meet the board of the Great Eastern Railway to-morrow if they would consent to any proper agreement. (Hear, hear.) The Edgware and flornsey extensions were Mr. I)cnisou's propo sitions. He (the chairman) was not fond of expending fresh capital, and the board did all it could to moid that. (Hear, hear.) As regarded the London, Chatham, and Dover Railway, he hoped that arrangements would soon be made for an increased traffic of coal to the south. The Great Northern Company had a rent charge then , which must be paid. The Midland company now paid to that company a rent of C. 7,000/. a year, and it was haul to pay 20,1100/. a year up to Is7l. As reganled the 11,uuV. re ceived from the sale of unissued stock be remarked that the reason why it was put to revenue was th t the pro. prietors paid a high rate of interest last year, and the directors thought they ought to have the 11,0001. now in return. Dividends is accordance with the nlwni were thew declared. The retiring directors, Major Anisinck, Colonel the Hon. O. Duncombe, Mr. Turner, M.P., and Mr. Waterhouse, M.l'., were re-elected. Mr. John Morgan was re-elected auditor. Mr. HUGHES then moved the following resolution:— " That in the opinion of this meeting it is improper for any officer of the company who is a proprietor of (reset Northern Railway stock to vote on any question between the directors and any of the proprietors." The resolution having been seconded, A SHAREHOLDER opposed the motion on the ground that it would cast an improper slur on the officers of the unn pany, who would of course vote in accordance with what they conceived to he their interest as proprietors. (Hear.) The SOLWID IR of the Comport) , (Mr. Leech) sail the re solution, if passed, would be illegal. Officers w h o were proprietors could not be deprived by a resolution of I;..ir right to vote as proprietors. (" Hear. hear," :red ei it •of " Withdraw it.") . . . . Mr. HI'OHRS. in reply, said he only intended the reso lution as a suggestion on a matter of del icaev. 11,,ughter.) Practically the directors could have no ilactiltv in earl ing out his object. The CH AI RMAN observed that he was not aware. nor were the other directors aware, who were the officers teat hell stock, and therefore they could not marshal them for their own purposes. On a show of hands, 27 hands were held up in f.o.:eur of the resolution, and 34 against it ; and it was accm , lingly lost. Mr. H E , then moved :—" That in the npinion o f this meeting the directors ought not. unless in e.e.e , of also lute necessity. to fill up the vacsiich-s iu their body occurring h 7 any other cause than that of going out of office by rotation ; but should give to the prmoi. tors of Great Northern Railway stock the "ppm tmoty, a , eon teniplated by the legislature, of exerci,ing their choice is the selection of new directors." Mr. MARRIOTT seconded the resolution. The CHAIRMAN said, having been a director 24 years. he did not remember any case in which a director pointed whom the proprietors ilid not approve. It w.. 11 impossible, however. for the board to avoid uP vacancies as they arose ; they would not be a I.int with out doing that. On the question being put :ii; bands were held up for and 27 against the resolution. The announcritirlit of t he result was followed by loud cheers. Mr. tiII:HES-1 suppose the chairman willdem old a pelf. The C KAIRM AN—/ SM. (ExprelanOlis of disapprobation, including one or two cries of " Shame.") Mr. J. H. AMTELL, a director, drew attention to the fact that the directors themselves had abstained front vot ing. The notice of the resolution which was appended to the report had, on the one hand, brought a larger attendance there than had been witnessed for some time. and, on the other hand, had elicited from a great number o f proprie. tors their proxies, accompanied in many cases with s trong opinions against the resolution. The Proceedings had not quite terminated when our re• port left. I