The Express. — London, England, 1866-04-16 00:00:00

JOHN BROGDEN'S GOLD CHAINS by troy weight. at realisable value, and the workmanship t wholesale manufacturers' prices, The gold to t be chains gua ranteal, and repurchased at the price charged. " Here's the note. How much your chain weighs to the utmost carat, The fineness of the gold, and charge for m as t SHALIMAR& Manufactory, le, Henrietta-street, Covent-garden, London. TURTLE, TURTLE, TU RTLE. Clear, _Thick, sad Invalid TURTLE ST. JAIME'S-HALL, 11.11ORNTSTREliTP IC CADILLY. WM. DONALD. Proprietor. TO WEST-END DINERS.—The WELLING TON, St Jameis.street, Piccadilly. Ladles' Saloon Dining-room en the Bret Boor. The subscription rooms are now open. Terms, twelve months, £1 111. 6d.; six months, 11 Is — Apply to D. Cameron, 49, St. James'sotreet LONDON must have a SUPPER and MUSIC ROOM for °oatlemen.—Remember, we wait for you at . =VANS, ' titer the Covent Garden Opera and the Theatres, Ikt eyortogi. TO CORRESPONDENTS. Advertisements intended for "The Repress," London Evening Paper, must be et the Moe, 10, Roavertastreet, by Two o'clock on the day of publication. HAYMARKET. TUT Even/NO, A ROMANTIC ATTACHMENT. Mews. Compton and W. Farren ; Mat AdaCavendlnd —THE FAVORITE OF FORTUNE. Meows. Buclonone, CldppentialE sad Sedum Jut ciappendiae. dm—And A DAUGHTYR TO MARRY. PELNCESSI. Tats EVWIO, A GIIOST IN SPITE OF HIMSJILF.—After which THE STREETS OF LONDON. Mesas. Vining, T. Mead, D. Murray, Shore, and Villiers ; ?dm H. hfarston, and Mime E. Harnett and K. Rodgers. LYCEUM. Two Wynn°, SIMPSON AND 00.—And THE MANTES OF RAVENSWOOD. Messrs. Fochter, O. Jordan. Vain, Emery. Widdioontb, Fitzpatrick. ; Madams Taman, Elaworthy, Dann. and C. Loolareq. BRITA-NNLL THIS EVIMIBG, THE DARK Km OP THE BLACK MOM TAI?/& Wee Oars Came, & Lame —Master K Senders —The Rehire I'lmll7 —And THE SCOTTISH CHOP. Mr. James Aide:son. HIGH-WATER AT LONDON-BRIDOE. TIADI DAT —Morning, 211. Vm Afternoon, 22i. 501 n. To-Mognow—Morning, 311.13 m Afternoon, 811. ffi LONDON, MONDAY, APRIL 16. The gradual decay to which the business of even the best old-established firms is liable has been fairly exemplified by the recent failure of Messrs. Pcurr, BAINBRIDGILS, and Co.'s bank. Formed nearly a century and a half ago, the house had apparently been long in the enjoyment of excellent credit, but latterly it had fallen in public estime film.. At the time of the stoppage the liabilities were not much more than 170,000 i., a hardly appreciable amount compared with the liabilities of most of our London joint-stock banks. The proximate cause' of the suspension appear, as in many previous eases, , to have been the luck up of a comparatively large sum in an unfortunate investment, where the origi nal advance had been comparatively small, but had gradually increased to an amount equal to nearly one-fourth of the liabilities, and the withdrawal of capital by retiring partners. The business alsoseems to have been generally neglected, the books not having been balanced for ten or eleven years, and hence it is not surprising that, in the words of the accountant, "it had fallen down to nothing." It is satisfactory to find that in one important parti cular not the slightest imputation rests upon the personal character of the existing members of the firm, none of the disagreeable features of tampering with or misappropriation of securities having taken place. In this, as in other respects, the present failure affords a certain contrast to the collapse of some of our later joint-stock companies, where allegations of this sort have been openly made, and as yet remain unanswered. Notwithstanding, however, the drawbacks neces sarily attaching to the joint-stock system—never better appreciated than they are now—the example of this house shows that as regards banking and large monetary institutions the new principle must steadily make its way. It is an uncommon occur rence to find that a joint-stock bank, having obtained a certain amount of public confidence, fails to retain its position. On the other hand, private establishments are disappearing every day, either by amalgamation or actual failure. The reasons are exemplified in the present in stance. Although it was not stated at the meet ing of creditors of Messrs. Puorr, Banisainoss, and Co., what the results of the trading during the greater part of the existence of the firm had been, it may be inferred that they were profitable enough. Thirty years ago the senior partner was supposed to have died worth half a million, and actually left nearly 165,0001. invested in the bank. Up tothis date, therefore, everything appears to have gone on well, but a series of disastrous transactions were then commenced, which resulted in 1855, the date of the last balancing, in a deficit of 28,0001. This deficiency has been so far increased now that the immediately available property of the bank will only provide a dividend of 4s. 6d. in the pound, but it is hoped that a further sum will be ultimately obtained by the realization of doubtful assets, consisting of a Welsh slate quarry, some Westminster Improve ment bonds, and other less important items. From this brief outline it is clear that a concern hereto fore carried on with safety to the depositors and profit to the proprietors had sunk into a state of complete insolvency. Only one cause can be as signed for this change, the substitution of faulty for able management, since upon that depend the consequences of unfortunate investments and loss of public confidence. This result only brings out more strongly the fact that the success of a private firm depends exclusively upon the personal qua lities of the partners for the time being. Instances can of course be cited in great number where the man agement has for several generations descended from father to son without any detriment to the in fluence or reputation of the house, but at some time or other there must inevitably be a break in the chain. It does not follow that it will noceasa- rily arise from incapacity alone. In fact it fre quently proceeds from an indisposition to continue in business after a certain fortune has been realised, a dislike or inaptitude for commercial pursuits, and many other reasons. Hence it is only by the con stant introduction of fresh partners, the infusion as it were of new blood, that most of our oldest mercantile and banking firms have continued to the present day. Unless this principle is thoroughly recognised and carried out, ultimate decay becomes merely a question of time. In this respect a joint-stock company possesses a considerable advantage. There is, in the first place, a better chance of the management being maintained in able hands. The position of the directors of a great joint-stock bank has become such that only persons of assured standing can obtain it. It would be too much to say that the boards of these establish ments are entirely free from the mischievous class of professional directors, but, at all events, they have fewer than other companies. Thus the actual proportion of working members is larger than in general ; besides which, they have the not too common advantage of a sound practical know ledge of their business. Secondly, the proprietary body of a joint-stock bank comprises many hun dred individuals, some of whom, at least, usually take an active part in investigating the affairs of THE EXPRESS, MONDAY ManNg, APRIL 16, -jB6Q, the concerti. It is true that t interfer rarely goes beyond mere verbal 051611111 at the half-yearly meetings, but it still peenssees a cerfitia value. It serves to remind dir4ollors of their re sponsibility, and to check at the osolret the poeialie commission of any flagrant abuse. It has not in frequently happened that the suggestions of a speaker who was pooh-poohed by the board and hardly listened to by his fellow-shareholders have perhaps been in • great degree carried into effect before the time for the next meeting came round. Again, the proceedings of these institutions, as far as can be legitimately done, are invariably pub lished. It is almost • truism to repeat that there is no safeguard like publicity ; but the value of this principle in mercantile affairs has been only lately recognised. The great difference, however' between a private and joint-stock establishment consists in the impersonal character of a public company. The latter is by its constitution neces sarily much less likely to depend upon individuals, and indeed, if fairly conducted, needs never feel such dependence at all. It is almost impossible for the governing power to fall from the force of cir cumstances from strong and worthy into weak and incompetent hands. This result can in fact only happen from the conjuncture of a wilful disregard of the shareholders to their own interests with a gross dereliction of duty by those directors already in office. Instances of this sort have always been I I very rare, while in the higher class of banks they are absolutely unknown. As an almost invariable rule the vacancy caused by the death or retirement of one competent man, is filled up by the election of another equally well qualified. Thus, while the personna of the bank is constantly changing, its corporate character remains the same. It continues to be governed by the same traditions, the same habits of business, though not by exclusively the same families that managed it twenty years ago. In another point, too, a joint-stock company has especial claims on the confidence of the public. It is impossible to tell what capital may be invested in a private concern. In the case of Messrs. Puoar, BAINBRIDGES, and Co., it is seen that, although thirty years ago there was a sum of 165,0001. thus employed, at the time of the stoppage it had altogether disappeared, without the slightest hint of the truth appearing to have reached the creditors of the bank. Now in a joint-stock com pany it is impossible for a shareholder to withdraw from the concern any portion of the capital he has subscribed, and supposing he had the power, the fact of his having exercised it would be ascer tained by the time of the next meeting. Even heavy loom by mismanagement of the company itself, of which we have had too many recent examples, can only be concealed by direct fraud and falsification of the accounts. A private firm, however, may go on losing money year after year for thirty years without the necessity of taking the trouble to deceive any one. Again, also, if matters should go wrong, there is generally nothing to depend upon from the private firm except the actual assets in the bank. A few hundred pounds appears the utmost that can be realised from the personal estates of the partners in PUGET, BAIN BRIDGES, and Co. But a very different security is afforded in a joint-stock bank by the individual liability of the shareholders to meet all claims. This is most strongly shown by contrasting the position of the creditors of the Joint Stock Dis count Company with those of Messrs. Puorr, BAINERIDGES, and Co. In the former case the lia bilities are some ten times the amount of the latter, but the larger sum is sure to be paid in full, while of the smaller little more can be expected than the dividend shown on the accountant's balance-sheet. OUR CONTEMPORARIES. (THIS DAY.) jealousy thee gave *Mai has low einair peaserarisik sad ms pay thhaf *i4, non tiffetter the WNW. 4 the eissendoe governing's!, such sipallf the , o f It s p e trasis Is now waggly roispliped. ' tno doubt that so long as the is retolirad-• ought obeyed, aird not diminabed h its gamy lly any • I to strain its construction to meet the harddlip of a parti cular case. The same principle will arise illt the proposal in the new Reform Bill to disfranchise the labourers in dockyards, and the Ttai feels no doubt that when the measure is once in committee the house will be prepared to give by that disfranchisement full effect to the prin ciple of the act of Anne, and to the recommendation of Lord Clarence Paget, so recently given to the House of Commons. MD• , ‘WW•• Court. OSBORNE, Aim 14: The Queen s agimpanied by Prince Leojeld, aid &Menisci by, lak Augusta Stanley, dr**s pet yesterdic morning, sad fa the afternoon her Majesty drove in the grounds with Princess Helena. Princess Louise and Princess Beatrice walked in the grounds. To-day is the anniversary of the birth of the Princess Beatrice. Aram 15. The Queen walked in the grounds yesterday morning, accompanied by Princess Helena and Princess Louise, and drove out in the afternoon, accompanied by Priced Helena, Princess Beatrice, and Prince Leopold. Major-General the Hon. A. Hood was in attendance. The Prince and Princess Leiningen dined with the Queen and the Royal ;Family. Messrs. Carpenter and Westly had the honour of exhi biting their magic lantern last evening before the Royal Family, and the Ladies and Gentlemen of the Household. Mesas. Dickenson and Tilt had the honour of submitting to the Queen their sketch from a photograph of her Ma- -- A Cabinet Council was held on Saturday, at the official residence of the First Lord of the Treasury in Do street. The ministers present were Earl Russell, the Lord Chancellor, Earl Granville, the Duke of Argyll, Sir George Grey, the Earl of Clarendon, the Right Hon. Edward Cardwell, the Marquis of Hartington, Earl de Grey, the Chan cellor of the Exchequer, the Duke of Somerset, the Right Hon. T. Milner Gibson, Lord Stanley of Alderley, the Right Hon. G. J. Goschen, and the Right Hon. C. P. Villiers. A Committee of the Lords of her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council met on Saturday in the Council Chamber, Whitehall, and paused an Order upon the Cattle Plague as affecting South Wales and Monmouth shire. Lords present were Earl Granville, the Right Hon. Sir George Grey, and the Right Hon, H. A. Bruce, Colonel Harness, R.E., Mr. Helps (the Clerk of the Council, and Mr. Harrison (the Deputy Clerk) attended the Committee. A deputation, consisting of the Archbishop of York, the Earl of Addle, the Earl of Carnarvon, the Earl of Shaftes bury, and a large body of the members of the House of Commons and others interested in the eondition of the sick poor in workhouses, had an interview with the Right Hon. C. P. Villiers at the office of the Poor-law Board, Whitehall, on Saturday. Despatches were received on Saturday at the Colonial office from the Governors of Canada and the Cape of Good Hope. Despatches were sent to the Governors of the North American Provinces and Bermuda. ROYAL BIRTHDAY AT WINDSOR.--Saturday was the birthday of her Royal Highness the Princess Beatrice, who entered upon her tenth year, having been born on the 14th April, MT. At seven o'clock in the morning, and at intervals, the bells of St. George's Chapel and the parish church were rang, and at noon the usual royal salutes were fired from the Long Walk and Virginia Water. Their Royal Highnesses the Duchess of Cambridge and Princess Mary, accompanied by his Highness the Prince of Teck, and attended by Colonel Home Purves, are expected to leave Sandringham, where they have been on a visit for a week to their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales, to-morrow (Tneoday), for Cam bridge Cottage, Say. We have to announce the death of Viscountess Ponsonby, widow of the well-known diplomatist, who died at her town residence on Saturday last. -.-... . . Lord and Lady Delamere received the Right lion. the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Mrs. Gladstone and a select party at dinner, on Saturday, at their residence in Bruton-street. The Right Hon. Chief Secretary for Ireland and Frances Countess Waldegrave gave a grand entertainment at their mansion, in Carlton-gardens, on Saturday night. After dinner the countess had an assembly which was largely attended by the members of the corps diplomatique and of both Houses of Parliament. . The Duke of Leirtster has arrived in Carlton house•terraoe from his seat in Ireland for the season. Sir Moses Montefiore is expected in London in about three weeks, from a tour in the Holy Land. The United States Minister has removed his residence from No. 5, Upper Portland-place to No. 54, Portland-place. The office of the United States Legation is also removed, and is now situated at 147, Great Port land-street. MR. MARSH, M.P., AND HIS CONSTITUENTS. The following has been forwarded to Mr. Marsh, M.P., by 99 of his constituents : " To Ma. M. H. Masan, M.P. . " Sir,—We, the undersiped electors of Salisbury who voted for you at the last election, feel it to be incumbent upon us to express our regret and dissatisfaction at the unexpected tendency of your recent speeches in parlia ment. From the unusual circumstance of your absence at the time of the election we cannot refer to any promise given by you upon the hustings ; but it is an un questionable fact that in 1857, 1859, and 1865 you canvassed and were elected as a supporter of a reform ing parliament. We do not wish to trammel our mem ' hers by binding them to consult their constituents upon every occasion ; but we were greatly surprised to learn, upon your return from Australia, that, without any com munication with the electors of Salisbury under the altered circumstances resulting from Lord Palmerston's death, you had needlessly entered your protests against further reductions of the franchise. By so doing, and by a subae• quent speech upon the introduction of the Franchise Bill, we are of opinion that you have endeavoured to aid a small and discontented section of the liberal party in their attempt to upset a government pledged to reform, and have thereby forfeited the confidence hitherto reposed in your political integrity and fitness to represent us in par liament. " We therefore feel it our duty publicly to inform you that you must not calculate upon our support at a future election." [Here follow 99 signatures] Mr. Marsh, in reply, says that he has always abstained from giving any promise, and when he voted for Lord John Russell's resolution in 1859, he did so as a piece of parlia mentary tactics. In 1860 he spoke against the lowering of the franchise, and he has voted at least twice against Mr. Raines's bill. Since the beginning of the session othershave taken the same course as himself, and, adds the hon. member, "so far from thinking that they are a email and discontented faction, perhaps the division will prove that they are not so very small, and they are, I believe, only discontented with a reform bill which, by beginning to lower the franchise, must in my humble opinion in. evitably lead to manhood suffrage and democracy. In fact, it is avowedly accepted by its best supporters with this view. Again expressing my sincere sorrow at differing from you, and hoping and believing that, at all events, a very large proportion of you will at some time or other see things in a different light, I am, gentlemen, he." MILITARY MUSIC AT WINDSOR CASTLE.—Yes terday afternoon, after a long interval, the band of the Royal Horse Guards, by command of her Majesty the Queen, commenced playing on the Park-terrace of Windsor Castle. The terrace was crowded by promenaders. The band for the future will play on the terrace during the Queen's absence from Windsor. SIR RODRRICH MURCHISON'S SOIREIL—On Satur day evening the president of the Royal Geographical Society received his friends in Willis Rooms, which were furnished with interesting objects of natural history, maps, coloured drawings of coetume landscapes, &e. Imme diately beneath a large map, showing the sources of the Nile, to illustrate the discoveries of Spoke, Grant, and Raker, tables were covered with the heads, horns, and skins of wild animals shot by Mr. Baker, who, with Mrs. Baker, the companion in all his African travels, was pre sent. On an opposite side of the great room, and under large plans of Pekin and Yeddo, various articles of Chinese and Japanese manufacture were exhibited—the former collected by Mr. Lockhart, the latter by Commander Forbes, R.N., comprising many specimens of great value. A map of a portion of Western Africa had the name of Du Chaillu on it, to mark the last discoveries of that explorer, and numerous paintings of the natives of South Africa, as well as scenes in that country, including the wonderful falls of the Zambesi River, discovered by Livingstone, were from the pencil of Mr. Baines. Other paintings of the natives of the regions of the Niger and Tchadda were by Mr. Robins, the associate of the late Dr. Baiide. In one corner of the room the managers of the North Atlantic Telegraph Company exhibited a very instructive map and several diagrams, which were clearly explained VI. Holmes to a group of auditors, including the ' • LAT] AUSTRIA AND PRUSSIA. The Herald regrets to learn that the latest intelligence from the Continent leaves little hope of the continuance of peaceful relations between Austria and Prussia. The quarrel has now widened into something more than a dispute as to the possession of the Duchy of Holstein, and nothing less than such a reform of the German Confederation as will effectually secure to Prussia the hegemony of Germany will sandy Count Bis marck. This is perfectly well understood in Austria, and although everything will be done at Vienna that honour can permit to maintain peace, it is so plain that Count Bismarck means war, that Austria will hardly be able to avoid the challenge. Unfortunately there is too much reason to believe that the war, if it break out, will by no means be confined to the two Great German Powers. For despite the denial' that are given in interested quarters, there is very little doubt that a secret under standing exists between the courts of Berlin and Florence, and that within 24 hours after the outbreak of hostilities .......-- -. Italy will openly make common cause with Prussia. What course the Emperor of the French may decide to take events will determine. For the present both the interests of France and the will of the Emperor point to the main tenance of a thorough neutrality. The Star enters into a variety of details as to the military resources of Austria and Prussia with the view of estimat ing not merely their chances of success in a brief though active campaign, but their capabilities for protracted effort, and intends to return to the subject at an early day. THZ JAMAICA COMMISRION. Assuming that we are now in possession of almost the whole of the evidence on which substantially the report of the commissioners and the verdict of the public will be founded, the Daily New proceeds to remark that in the main its opinion of the events of last October is what it was as soon as the official despatches and the reports of the colonial government press had appeared. We have no evidence of anything of the nature of re bellion, or of a 'editions movement of which G. W. Gordon was prime mover. Deep and almost universal oppression we now know had been practised against the negro race, and this broke out in one instance into an acci dental riot, which was followed by a fatal month of ruth less massacre, of which the stain will never be wiped from the English name. All thee* things we know now, not on negro testimony, but by the confession of the actors, or by oath of magistrates. It remains for us to vindicate our own outraged honour and character in the face of civilised men. It must be made known now to all the world, by the exemplary penalties we inflict, that these deeds are still, as in all past ages they would have been, abhorent to our nature ; that we can accept no plea of error of judg ment to defend cruelties which in a savage we should exit crate ; that no previous services, no high connexions, no tenderness for an honourable profession, avail aught to mitigate our horror of gross, blindfold, reckless indulgence in furious passions repugnant to humanity itself. And above all, it must be made clear and certain beyond all doubt, or cavil, or dispute, or reproach, that as our laws are equal, so is our administration of them, and that what white men of position, fortune, and respectability inflict upon black men, poor, ignorant, and despised, will meet with retribution, as sure and firm as would be measured out to black men and to poor men had they risen upon their wealthy masters and enacted the deeds of honor they have suffered. AIIERICAN POLITIC& The Times speaks of President Johnson's late proclama tion as an official announcement of the end of the civil war. It cannot be denied that it is a perilous experiment to leave the civil rights of negroes wholly dependent on the will of a white population, so lately ruled by slaveowners, and still possessed, more or less, by the spirit engendered by slavery ; but what is the alternative I How can a Federal legislature from which the Southern States are wholly excluded impose laws upon them, and create a new criminal jurisdiction within them, without vio lating the fundamental principle of Federal union? At the present moment if the President and the republican majority were to exert their strength against each other to the utmost, • violent collision could hardly be avoided. But experience has taught us that the conservative tenden cies of America are stronger than some suppose. It is these, and not the hatred of slavery, which subdued the South, and may again save the republic from • new source of political disruption. Whether the Civil Rights Bill be carried or not, the affairs of the South must for some time remain in a transitional state, and the autumn elections, at latest, will determine whether the President's system of reconstruction commands that degree of public confidence which is essential to its success. ' • The Post thinks that if the radical party succeed in having their way, a very disastrous state of things through out the country cannot fail to be the consequence. There is only too much reason to conclude that the white race all over the States will not accept the position in which the Civil Rights Bill would place them relatively to the negro. and we should then see the curious spectacle of the President and his cabinet supported by the nation on the one side, and the majority of both houses of the legislature on the other. Were an English premier and his cabinet, supported by the nation, to be thwarted in their measures by a mere faction in parliament,he could dissolve and appeal to the conntry; but there is no such expedient as this provided by the con stitution of the United States. The people of the States, however, would have it in their power to make their repre sentatives understand what their will and wishes really The Herald says that should his antagonists prove re fractory, the President has still a weapon in his armoury which may prove even more triumphant than the power of veto. He may declare the so-called congress at Wash ington to be an unconstitutional meeting, a Transatlantic Rump Parliament, representing only a fraction of the North American Union, and may carry on the executive government without it and in defiance of it. The very sug gestion of such a challenge may be sufficient to bring the radicals to reason, and convince them of the expediency of admitting the members for the South. In the view of the Telegraph, so long as the admission of the Southern States to equal political rights is refused, the danger of renewed conflict must con tinue, and must be aggravated and intensified. It is that conviction which causes the news from America to be scanned with such ea3erneu in this country. We look for some unmistakable expression of the popular will sufficient to impose on the representatives the neces sity of abandoning their obstructive course. We regret that, although the signs are favourable, there is yet no assurance that the danger is at an end, or that Mr. Johnson's victory will be as prompt or as easy as the true friends of America earnestly desire. CONSERVATIVE MEETING. —On Saturday after_ noon upwards of forty peers, supporters of the Marl of Derby, met at the Marquis of Salisbury's residence, in Arlington-street, Piccadilly, by invitation. The meeting was appointed for three o'clock, and a few minutes after that hour the Earl of Derby arrived. The noble earl ad dressed his political Mends at some length. The meeting broke up at about a quarter past four, and, we understand had reference to the Oaths Bill, which stands for second reading in the Lords this evening. THE DISTURBANCES AT ST. BRIDE'S CHURCH, DUBLIN.—We learn by Eloctrk Telegraph that at Bt, Bride's Church, Dublin, yesterday, the congregation answered the responses so loudly as to overpower the choir. The clergyman did not preach in consequence of some in terruptions when he gave out the text. Tats Brinsor or Lonnon. —The Bishop of London is recovering from his late alarming attack of illness. He hi at present at Hastings, but hopes to be home spin for his Tr in ity Sunday ordination. For the confirmations which will take place meanwhile several bishops have kindly volunteered their services.--Bstaday Garerte. Tan Sim or LIMERICIL—The Very Rev. Charles Graven, D.D. Dean of the Chapel Royal, Dub li n, has be e n appointed to the raaant nee of Limerick. THE REFORM BILL DEBATES. The Times represents Mr. Gladstone to have now finally admitted that the Reform Bill is founded on a universal distrust, not unmixed with dislike, of all classes above the lowest. Mr. Mill also contributes a theory which is utterly at variance with British practice. The hon. member for Westminster thinks that every class leas right to be represeated by men of its own class, and repre senting the views and interests of that class ; but the whole experience of parliament and the country is aga , nst the direct representation of one sided views, raw theories, and ambitious organisations. The Times declares it is of opinion that a liberal govern ment could frame and pass a moderate and comprehensive Reform Bill that would carry us out of this century, but the government will not have it a), having decided on bringing about a war of classes, and letting in young blood in order that a good deal of it may be let out with safety immediately afterwards. If the Times had not distinctly before it the vision of sleek, smooth-tongued gentlemen, using stronger though more silent logic with the dear nosi ass, the new electors, it would deprecate more warmly even than it does the deliberate attempt to mass them for an effort, to fret nobody can say how long. The Advertiser has so far altered its opinion as to now profess its readiness to accept the bill as an advance— though a very small one—in the right direction. The Tekyraph remark, that the weekly conservative organs no longer venture to play the game of brag which has seemed so safe to their daily comrades. The extra ordinary strength of a ministry which has the will of the people to fall back upon, has at last been discovered. There is no support like that. After the exposures and 'teguments of the week, nobody really thinks now that the professed demand for a com plete measure means anything but a wish to get rid of both portions together. The present extension bill is the mini mum which can be offered to the country, and the name of " liberal" could not survive such political madness as a vote given in opposition to it. The Star hears that one or two of the more extreme of the Irish nationalist party in the house, and a few more of • less marked political character, intend to vote against the bill, on the ground that they are tussatisfied with the course which the present government has taken in regard to Irish affairs. If this is done, the members in question will not only annihilate themselves politically, but will in all probability retard the settlement of those very ques tions about which they feel so deeply. They complain that the liberal government has been a Ring Log, but they ought to profit by experience, and not to seek • Ring Stork instead. The Reform question once settled, the ministry will doubtless turn its attention to an honest and patient scrutiny of Irish grievances and an effort to remove them. It is therefore no less the interest than the duty of every Irish liberal member to strengthen in the approaching struggle the hands of the only ministry from whom they have anything to hope. OFFICE-MOLDLRB IN PARLIAMENT. After some raillery at the expense of Mr. D. Griffith, whom it compares to M. La Pelisse, who made himself immortal in Francs by the solemnity with which he would enunciate propositions which no mortal in his senses could possibly deny—the Daily New proceeds to speak of Mr. Griffith's bill permitting the Postmaster-General to sit in the House of Com mons as a sensible and useful measure. The office is one of real work and responsibility, and in so wide-spread and complicated an administration, there must be frequent difficulties, complaints, and questions of economy, which might be advantageously discussed in the House of Com. mons, if the Postmaster-General were there in person. Mr. Forsyth, it will be seen, has lost his seat for Cam bridge on the ground that the aloe be held of standing counsel to the Secretary of State for India was one of profit under government within the meaning of the statute of Anne, and the Times does not see how the committee could have come to any other conclusion. Persons will differ as to the propriety of maintain ing the policy of this old statute. The prepon asente laihiewie of the crews which ceowdosted the • INTELLIGENCE. GERMAN FEAERAL REFORM. The evening edition of the Vienna Gazette con tains an article on the Prussian proposal for a re form of the Federal Constitution. It appears from this article that Austria admits the necessity of a re organisation of the Bund at the present moment, as she didthree years ago when the Congress of Princes was held at Frankfort ; she also knows that every proposition of this kind will obtain popular sym pathy, and the voluntary or constrained adhesion of the sovereigns. Austria will, therefore, support any proposal for reform which will not deviate too far from the bases which she laid down in 1863. The Vienna Cabinet will wait for the whole of Prussia's programme before coming to any decision. According to the Memorial Diploinatique the repre sentatives of the Secondary German governments in the Diet have already received instructions to present a counter proposition to that of Prussia. (azurra's nuowts.) POPULAR MEETING AT BERLIN. BERLIN, Aram 16. A crowded meeting was held here yesterday, at which the following resolutions were unanimously voted : _ _ _ "1. A war between Prussia and Austria would be a national misfortune. "2. A liberal Prussian ministry would alone command the general confidence required for Federal reform. _ _____ " 3. The inhabitants of Schleswig-Holstein have an absolute right to dispose of their own future, such a popular right forming the only moral and legal basis of any constitutional government." DISTURBANCES AT JASSY. JASSY, Aram 15, 11vErma. _ _ A band of 200 men, led by Mourouzi and Roeno- 1 vano, attempted yesterday a separatist movement. They were dispersed by the police, who compelled Mourouzi to fly. In consequence of this attempt the rioters, said to be all Russians, barricaded themselves in the house of Roanovano, from whence they fired upon the troops, who replied. It is said that there were 14 killed and 16 wounded. The riot is now at an end. _ The people have not taken any part in the move ment. The insurgents strove to place the Metropolitan at their head, and he received a slight wound. THE DANUBIAN PRINCIPALITIES. ELECTION OF PRINCE CHARLES. BUCHAREST, APRIL 15, EvZNINO. The Plebiscite has terminated in nearly all the towns, and Prince Charles of Hohenzollern has been unanimously elected Hospodar. CAPE MAIL. PLYMOUTH, Aram 16, Mosx►xa. The Royal Mail steamer Norseman, from the Cape, and her Majesty's screw frigate Severn, from the East Indies, are coming into the Sound. KR. J. STUART MILL, M.P., AND THE TIMES. TO THE ETHTOR OP TIM /SIMMS. to-day's Times there appears a letter signed, " Etoniensis, Ex-M.P.," charging Mr. Mill with misquoting Horace in his speech of Fridaynight. Thefactis that Mr. Mill did not mention Horace at all, and I have no doubt never meant to quote from him. The phrase, " babes pretium ; crud non tiger*" is doubtless one of those proverbial sayings which were current in antiquity, and in familiar use amongst learned - men after the revival of classical studies. The " Adagisi " of Erasmus, as is well known to scholars, is full of such phrases. While correcting " Etoniensis " for saying that Mr. Mill quoted from Horace, which he did not, permit me also to draw attention to the unfairness of the Times in attributing to Mr. Mill in its leading article of this morning an opi nion which, for aught I know, Mr. Mill may or may not hold, but which he certainly did not express in his speech. The opinion attributed to Mr. Mill is this— that " he thinks that every class has a right to be re presented by men of its own class, and representing the views and interests of that class." What Mr. Mill said was this : " You (the opponents of the Reform Bill) say that its classes and not individuals who are represented in the House of Common. ; very well, in that case, which is yours, not mine, the working class ought, as a class, to be represented here."—l am, &c., ONE WHO HEARD THE DEBATE. LORD RICHARD OROSVENOR,M.P., AND HIS CONSTITUENTS. (From the Liverpool Mercury of this day.) A great degree of surprise was experienced in Flintahire when Earl Grosvenor gave notice of his amend ment on the Government Franchise Dill, and much anxiety was evinced to know the course that his brother Lord Richard would take ; but all doubt on the point was soon set at rest by the announcement of his resolve to support the amendment. The amount of indignation felt at this open breach of trust, and the annoyance at the time, trouble, and expenditure that many of the liberal party had In ' curred in securing hie lordship's return for the mere pur pose , as it would appear, of his turning round upon his friends and supporters by opposing them, may be more eisily imagined than described. But the constituency have spoken out distinctly and plainly, and in all the towns of the county where the leading liberals are to be found the expression of disapproval has been universal and unanimous. The first meeting was held at Rhyl, when resolutions in favour of the bill were carried with enthusiasm and a petition to the House of Commons was adopted, with directions that it should be forwarded to his lordship for presentation, and • request that he would support its prayer. To this request he returned a supercilious reply that he could not I support its prayer, adding that all " deep-thinking men, with very few exceptions," agreed with him and not with them, and assuring them that if they would wait until theybea r d what would be said by the opposition in the forthcoming debate they would speedily adopt his views, and this was said to men many of whom were old enough to be his lordship's father, and who have been actively engaged in political life from a date prior to his lordship's birth. An open-air meeting was subsequently held at Dyserth, ;in the neighbourhood of the Great 'ranrgoch Mines, when resolutions were passed not only in favour of the bill, but directly censuring his lordship for his conduct and inviting Sir John Hanmer to come forward as a candi date for the county at the next dissolution. On Tuesday last a large meeting was held at Holywell, where the same unanimous condemnation of this political backsliding took place. The electors of Mold, in addition to adopting a peti tion in favour of the bill, have sent his lordship a firm pro test against the gross breach of trust he is committing; and • meeting of the inhabitants of Flint was held at the Town hall in that borough on Friday evening last, presided over Iby Richard Muspratt, Bag. (mayor), and at which the chairman and Mr. Ellis Eyton (town-clerk), the Messrs. Hall, and several other speakers, one after the other, ex ' premed the deep regret that is felt at this first °cession ever known of the liberal member for Flintahire deserting his cause for that of the tones. The electors of Caerwys have, in addition, forwarded to his lordship • petition in favour of the bill for presentation. Notwithstanding all this he has shown not the slightest sign of altering his determination ; but should he, as it is feared, proceed to carry it into execution, hie chanter of I being re-elected are gone. Already some hundreds of the i electors have declared that they will not support him ; and the conservatives, who are pretty strong in Flint ] shire, will no doubt take advantage of this split in the liberal party to bring forward a candidate of I their own in the hope that he may slip in between the two. It is, however, hoped that his lordship will have the good taste to withdraw from a constituency to whom his sets have become so distasteful ; and whether he dace so or not it seems pretty certain that Sir John Hanmer will be brought forward far the county by the liberals sod wens other gentleman for the borough, so that in any case Lord Richard's reign is over. It is • noteworthy fact that the constituencies of every renegade liberal member who has announced his intention of rapport* the amendment have protested against their represestatives' act, including those el Earl Grosvenor, Mr. Lowe, Mr. Harman Mr. Edward James (of Man chester), and last, theogh not least, Lord Richard Grosvenor. go this Vat &haw may new be added.] LAW INTELLIGENCE. (THIS DAY.) FIRST DAY OF Tral. This being the first day of Easter Term, the load Clm i , cellos entertained the equity and somata law**, and Queen's Counsel this morning at brcnkfut at dig pi vats residence in Bruton-street. Afterwards they em i s i Westminster and walked in procession up the bell to thi l respective courts. A considerable number of panne assembled in the hall to see the learned ** dignita r i es pi ' along. The death of Mr. Ching, for many years I and chief usher of the Court of Queen's Beech, wo d A k pounced this morning. It was about 2 o'clock beg an ih business in the different courts commenced. • COURT OF BANKRUPTCY. (Before Mr. Commissioner Holroyd.) IN I= PALMER—PETITION DlsvtgrL The bankrupt, Wm. Palmer, desc ri bed himserise a ping agent of Salmon's-lane, Limehouee. He came Is court on hie own petition with debts stated at about Mit Mr. Brongh opposed for a creditor, the landlord. It appeared that he had been bialinst times before. Under the second bankruptcy h i h i d adjourned sine die ; and under the thud, sh o o order was granted, he had never taken it up, were inaccuracies in his " three days' statement,* one-fourth of his debts being omitted. Mr. opposing creditor, had dish-soled on the ban4 ll ' after their removal ; he had brought an acti on the creditor for illegal distraint, but a mitt* given against the bankrupt. It was now asked riot h petition should be dismissed. His Honour said there were two groupie, oa 'M or d which the petition should be disowned. The had been guilty of a fraud on the court by swe he had taken up his order of discharge under a Ge si bankruptcy, when he had not dons so • and hs hi omitted from his preliminary statement delft Viiik must have known that he owed. Petition dismissed accordingly. CITY COURT OF COMPENSATION. (Before the Hon. Mr. Denman, Q.C., sad a Spedi THE GOTLIINOIS OP BENlLtitgll ROMPITAL r. 111 ega EASTIIIN ILLILITAT 00N.U.141.—TILI 100,000/. c TIOI CAM. . . _ Tire `rat Mile, which was reported is the &pm Tuesday, was further heard. The property milked Liverpool-street, and intended for the statics t 4 thi e l m &stern. The claim was nearly 100,00 W., white sidered excessive, and the question owns befontikehood 11•1011110 T. Mr. Eloyd, Mr. Garth, and Mr. HOMO Lori vas as the Mayor and Commonalty of the City, the hospital ; Mr. Bovill, QC., Mr. Sweat, :m ei & der were for the company. Mr. Bovill informed the jury at the geeing el Genet that he did not intend to take advantage of Me teirird addressing them on two occasions. He rlonY e ed d evidence he had to offer, and then sum it ap to ?li Ltinhaied to save much time by an friend as to the value of the =Left until the last knee expired in 1886, so as to veins only question to the value of the land after the yeee and the jury would have to decide on that point. After a consultation between the teamed oiend g both sides, it was agreed that 19,5001. should be ghee& the ground and law rents of the property etp to tie ne 1886, exclusive of the buildings east of Liveepooletren Mr. Bovill said the question was now mimed to go value of the reversion alter the year 1886. Mr. Hunt, the surveyor, was examined at length. His total was, with the 10 per ant ;7 111 4r *ornate, 37,31/5/., which, aided to the 10,5001. agreed qm would make a total of 47,8181., as spinet the elen; 6 upwards of 97,0001. on the other side. The case, if concluded to-day, would be ectends4 le I late hour. THE POLICE COURTS. (THIS DAY.) Mr. Robert sketem THE CIL c e A v EY :Tr o I i KEN E N Ds WI o i TL EA 9, SES FeIiI ACT Iime . , Limo I road, Islington, was summoned, along with a Mr. Bean of New North-road, at the instance of Mr. ld b er ig ri t Zt man, on behalf of the vestry of the perish of " t hat you did have in your posseseion, in the pail of Islington, two cows, each of which had bees wsM for slaughter by having the hair clipped off fres the el of the tail, and which said cows had not been els** within seven days from the date of the purchase them( contrary to the order of her Majesty'. most beuoei ' Privy Council, bearing date the 6th day of Febrairy, Mr Mr. Layton, solicitor and vestry clerk of WV"' tended for the prosecution, and Mr. Ricketts, sohdtadi Frederick-street, Oray's.inn-road, for the deferia. Mr. Priestman having proved seeing the cows on thee of February with their tails exit, which was the pe h dioation that they had been sold in the leteopetttan gs ket, the defendants were called on behalf of the us plaints to prove each their share in the transelice3 under the direction of Mr. Ricketts (their soliciter), declined to answer such questions, as their snares tend to criminate themselves. Mr. Ricketts then contended that the ease fethd I the want of proof. What evidence was there to the that the cows bad not had their tails cat before the eth of February was made' Mr. Layton said that the orders made priciest that were kept alive by the recent act of parlhunent. Mr. Ricketts would not deny that. The ass vs healthy and gave 18 quarts of milk a da). The magistrate said the case broke down for vast il proof and dismissed both summonses. WORSHIP•STREET. KILLING A HORSE RI FIRTGCS OUTING. William Janes, a low-looking fellow, was clamed 8 1 follows :—On Saturday night last a horse was drawing i i in the Hackney-road, when the prisoner aldenl7ththet hone that was harnessed to what is known SI a% ' 41 4 . - completely on to the poor animal. The elieftrag the side and then entered it up to the ti p whore, from coming in contact apparently with the 6 the ribs it snapped off, leaving the piece of wood la the* jured part. The beast was removed to the noble, lel shortly afterwards died. Mr. Ellison inquired its worth, and was told 111 1 1 is then ascertained that the cab driver was Peelle* W. i but the prisoner very much in liquor. Police-constable 188 N gave confirmatory teethed. Mr. Ellison—This is another cane evincing deadest consequences entailed by drunkenness and fancia Sad. Had a man been on the spot as was the horse beast ter been killed, and you would bum stood at all. • bar of the Old Bailey on a d slaughter, the result of which e ral Fa . #. have been a lengthened imprimoniiient. Yoe met, ear matter stands, pay a fine of 405., or suffer cos a• imprisonment. The value of the horse may be _, by proceedings taken against you at the comity en. Prisoner could not pay the amount, and was Ulm IP' MARLBOROUGH-STREET . A WIPE INCITING A MAN TO ASSACLT HIS avieenk Sob &oi l " Jame* King, of No. 7, Porter-street, o „,. s i. an engineer, was charged before Mr. Timid" v l " awaiting Mr. John Jennings, a dairyman, of No. iti N W ' street, Soho. stalk Mr. E. Dillon Lewis, of Great Marl - it peered for the complainant, and said thbiallut der the complainant, who lived unhappily vi _,th g ist in consequence of her diasipated habits , was charl•'",...l court with assaulting his wife, but Mr. Knox, eba a" — the case, seeing that it was a trumps : dismissed it. On Saturday night, the d ,„I to the complainant's shop, and demanded 7 1 1" belonging to his sister-in-Low, which he been lent to his wife. He WU told by plainant plainant that he had not got it, and he _ but returned in about an hour, acdimpanied %t e sck 7i pLainant's wife, and, without saying • "I , le complainant in the face, there being little doubt ltd, had some sharp instrument in his hand at the time,! ... .M complainant's face and hand were cut, the aanS=j, wife standing by all the time, inciting the del'_:,..l assault her husband by crying out, . Give it him ; W him well." The complainant gave evidence which fully bele ° 6ll ":... Lewis's statement, and he further said that his thau h a cut in protecting his face. He believed the pro ems assaulted him at the instigation of his wife. te 1 1 I The defendant said he merely went to the boa _.„. for his sister-in-law's shawl which had been lent to theM plainant's wife to enable her to attend the court 10 6+" 7; Mr. Tyrwhitt said it was a violent usaulti should fine the defendant 405., or a month. moss o be e th had e con ,uid ah gran ted said on h e e thought, . as she had defendant to assault her husband, she ought to be ° II then ton afoicitimy assaulting 0 niagainoitrlinre. Teritt .dstLethweiswito THAMES. • PAINFUL CASL—TRPATNENT OF A LITATIC PAIRVIL Susan Poulson, a pale and wretched -looking was brought before Mr. Knox, chAiged with Wes:Pm commit Police-constable William Famish, No. 674 A, olo° l4 yosterday afternoon, about 5 o'clock, the prisoosraiwi him in the Mile-end-road, and said that she had a quantity of oxidic acid, and was determined to all herself, for she was quite destitute and tired of 1 , 0 . He took her to the s t a ti on -house, a doctor wee_ , 41 °"1. 1 and an emetic applied. The poison was dislodeo " her stomach. w Mr i . taese Kno_xy res, i Hadz i t secawUmowvryedeoxiilim indo e si s her to the union hones. • aate.lo 44 The prisoner, who was shivering And in Pe i ' ' called out—l want Sir George Grey to hw t t e r bog Farniah—The doctor and the people in Unkev lay the prisoner is insane. eet Roche, the gaoler of the court, said the poor warms, committed by Mr. Partridge to prison for 21 la • month ego for refusing to do the w ork to her is the Stepney Union workhouse, ', i ;~~ r H.L Tsai last asgb iIIQa the al t 4 •11 18 her 1 Ines tzew 'yogi leY. Om furl otl” you stab et►+ the nay deo des WI coo go col re. Its