The Express. — London, England, 1864-04-01 00:00:00

P. 1 NOLINES.—GEMMA. CRINOLINES.—GEM.MA, or Jewelled. AL 6d. PHILPOTTS, 37, PICCADILLY. CRINOLINES.—SaasHectums. 16s. and 21s. PHI:20111, 37, PICCADILLY. C atl/10LINES.--Oodina or Waved. 18a. Cal. PHILPOITS, 37, PICCADILLY. CRINOLINEB.--Seasilectunis Jewelled. 425. PHILPOTTS, 37, PICCADILLY. CRlNOLlNES.—Magaiticently Puffed. 45a. PHILPOTTS, 37, PICCADILLY. CRINOLINES. —Drawings with Prices poet free. PHILPOITS. 37, PICCADILLY. BENSON, late HUDSON and Co., CIGAR IMPORTERS, Ir, OXFORD-STREET. W. HENSON respectfully informs the nobility and gentry that the above oldestoblished business bus bees RE1101" ED to •• 135, - where, In future, all orders are requested to be addressed. Mk Oxford-street. HOW COLD IT HAS BEEN.—NEGRETTI and ZAJIBRit'd celebrated TitlittllOlLETLltz will cor rectly register the lowest temperature. Price 3a. 6d.—l, Hatton cordon 69, Cordial : 153, Fleet-street : and in, Regentetreet. ♦gents wanted. Pwhat Happy Land can I wee you after the „ Operar I eel) know of oue "Happy Land"—EVA.NS'S, Covent-garden, wy dear fellow! Eke erisrego. TO C 9 RIM PONDIMS. ibtrodlawoonts tni;;dOT for Landoll Toombs pips mog . bdoa of st Oat% tw 10. Boorto4troot, by Two o clock . HAY MARKET. Tilts k:rainno, 0 , .713 .ualliaC6C - 11:•IN. Mews. &Ahern and Buckskins; Misses angel, Harris, Sisowdon.—VENUa AND ADONIS. Maws. Compton. Fatten . SI imas Keels). anowdon, N. Moore, Rogers, Hill—And MY HUshAND'S UklO6T. PEINCLISS. TEM EYMIDICS, PAUSE Mews. Vining, Nelson, Fisher: Mesdames Marston and Kate Saville.—THE COMLDY KRRORS. Mesas Vining, Nelsen, and the brothers Webb, —And DRAWING-ROOM, SZCOND FLOOK, AND LYCEtR. THIS EMMY°. A DAY FAIR. Mr.Widdleozab aad Mhos L Lmenue.—And BRL DRVONIO. Mean. Y. Morton. Brougham. Emery, !foreland, Charles. and Jordan ; Mama Terry. Lammas, and L.•oetbg. and Mn. Lee. IIIirrANNIA. Tnte Evrinto. THE 1117•liTiiiii.1.) MARRIAGE. arm M. Lane and all the Comparo —THE GREkT OHO 4 T EFFECT. -And THE FOUR fIOWBEATS Master Perc) Roselle. RIOT WATT& AT LONDON BETOOK TIT! DAT fterialrn, Sh. •Afternecio. Oh. TO.NOMON— Morning, •JIL 4 'an— • Afternoon. iOn. LONDON, FRIDAY, A PRIL 1. THE Report of the Working Men's College, in Great Ormond-street, just issued, seasonably re minds us of an effort which, though comparatively recent in its origin, and singularly unobtrusive in its progress, is not only doing a vast amount of real good, but is probably destined, in combination with other recent movements, to elevate, and in the end transform, the character of the Eng lish artisan. The notion of securing for working men means of instruction and recreation identical in kind with those enjoyed by the classes above them is so essentially modern, that it is still regarded in many quarters as no better than a romantic delusion, if not a downright social heresy. A few years ago the proposal to establish Working Men's Clubs on substantially the same basis as the aristocratic in stitutions which adorn Pall-mall—affording, that is, the same kind of facilities for social intercourse, for obtaininginformation on thetopics of the day, as well as for refreshment and general recreation—would have been scouted as the very climax of Quixotic absurdity. But already artisan clubs of this kind are not only established in most of the larger towns of the kingdom, but thoroughly appreciated by the industrial classes. In the same way many will no doubt be still disposed to regard a Working Men's College as involving almost of necessity a contra diction in terms, the traditional notion of collegiate instruction virtually restricting ittothose who have not only ample leisure, but liberal means. Such educational conservatives would no doubt cheer fully allow the importance, and even the necessity, of doing something for the improvement of the working classes. They will admit that occasional lectures, adult evening tuition, and even penny readings, might be appropriately established for their benefit. But the idea of providing a special institution, with a thoroughly organized course of instruction, for the exclusive use of those engaged in daily labour, they look upon with astonishment as a woeful confusion of things that are and ought to be kept essentially distinct, inasmuch as in their view any attempt at uniting them must produce mischievous social results. The founders and friends of the Working Men's College wisely refused to recognise the alleged incompatibility between a systematic or collegiate scheme of education and the conditions of daily labour. They believed it possible to secure in practice, for intelligent artisans bent on self-improvement, all the more sub stantial advantages, both mental and moral, of a regular college course ; and belonging to that supremely useful class of the community who prefer deeds to words, instead of discussing the question they established the college. The motives which originally prompted the movement, and the main objects which its promoters have all along had in view, are incidentally re called and clearly stated in the Report just issued "We have wished that the " principle expressed in the word 'College' should " be recognised ; that it should be accepted as a " good principle for al! classes in the community ; " that it should be shown to be available for those " already engaged in manual toil ; that regular " education should not be exchanged for the " attraction of casual lectures, or lost in users " amusements ; that instruction in special topics " should not be exalted above human fellow " ship ; that the life of men should not be " forgotten in a machinery for conducting " examinations and producing tangible results." The noble experiment made in Great Ormond street has in the main justified, not only the practical wisdom and foresight, but the more generous hopes of those who courageously ventured on it, against the current of received opinion and at the cost of many personal sacrifices. The move ment, it is true, has made no great noise, nor has it diffused itself with any marked rapidity. Its progress beyond the limits of the metropolis has, indeed, been comparatively slow, few colleges of the ormond-street type having been established i❑ other large towns, and some of these not being in a very prosperous condition. This, however, admits of a simple and obvious ex planation. Comparatively few large towns could at once supply the requisite materials and facilities for the establishment of an efficient working men's college. It is essential for this purpose that there should not only be a considerable body of intelligent artisans to keep up a regular supply of students, but a lettered class of professional men willing to undertake the duties of volunteer or semi-volunteer teachers. Both conditions have been amply fulfilled in the metropolis, and the College of Great Ormond-street has, accordingly, prospered from the first, and is now, in the truest sense, a real success. The number of students not only keeps up, but steadily increases ; upwards of four hundred annually attending the classes, and receiving solid instruction in various branches of knowledge. The quality of the instruction given, as well as the diligence of the student; is proved by the certificates of competency in etsob enbjeoin as Arithmetic, Euclid, Algebra, and Trigonomelity, granted every year after an exitininsiien esoducisti by eminent University men. The College aloe supplies various means of social intercourse— such, for example, as its admirably managed rifle corps—which are fully appreciated by the students. Those who have left the College, indeed, look back upon the course of instruction and social intercourse they enjoyed there with substantially the same feelings of gra titude and affection that old University men che rish towards their Alma Mater. The financial por tion of the Report is, so far as current expenses are concerned, highly satisfactory, the College being thoroughly self-supporting. But we gather from the concluding paragraph that ampler funds, in the shape of donations for enlarging the college accom modation, would be gratefully welcomed : " It will be seen that our receipts more than " cover our regular expenses, and that something " is done every year towards diminishing the debt " which was originally incurred. But we have a ' " considerable interest to pay on the money which " hes been advanced to us, and we are in great " want of room for our classes. Could we honestly " do it, we should at once begin to build in our " garden, which is quite extensive enough for the " purpose, and which, it will be remembered, is, " like the house, freehold. But for this purpose " we should need the help of donations, for which "we have always been very reluctant to beg. " Should they be freely bestowed by those who " think we have administered faithfully the sums " which have been intrusted to us, and that we " are doing a little to meet a great necessity of the " English people, we shall receive them with much " gratitude." THE EXPRESS, FRIDAY EVENING, APRIL 1, 1864. THE REVENUE. The revenue raised in the year ending yesterday was 70,2003,9634, being ►bout ♦OO,OOOl. less than the year preceding. There is • diminution in the customs amount. ing to 802,0004, the returns being 23,232,0004 this year, against 24,034,0004 in the last. But the produce of the facile more than compensates for this loss. It has arisen from 17,153,0001. to 18.207,0001., an increase of no less than 1,052,0004 The decrease on the customs was to be expected from the diminution in the duty on tea by 3d. a pound, from which Mr. Gladstone last year anticipated a loss of 1,300,0031. It shows the elasticity of the revenue that with so large • reduction the Customs are already in • fair way to recover their former level, and they will probably justify Mr. Gladstone in pro posing • still further relief of the taxpayer. Last year, as we all know, the income tax was lowered 2d. in the pound ; consequently the total produce on this year ought to be considerably lees than on the last. The mitual figures are 9,084,0004 against 10,567,0004—an amount which gives a very cheering indication of the national prosperity and the general wellbeing of the middle class. The ter sow produces not only a million darling for every penny, as • few years ago, but nearly • third as much again, and the willing patriotism with which it has been paid should induce Mr. Gladstone to relieve still further, if it be possible, the classes which for twa•nd-twenty years have taken on themselves those burdens which were necessary to effect • great financial and commercial revolu tion. Stamps count this year for 9,317,0004, against 8,994,0004 in the year before ; and " Taxes" have also yielded 3,218,0001., against 3,150,0004 The total result is that the TOIIOOIIII for the year ending March 31, 1864, is 70,208.9634, against 70,603,5611., for the year ending March 31, 1863. When it is home in mind that Mr. Gladstone lowered the tea duty and the income tax on the supposition that if the expenditure of the year were 67,749,00 Y. be would have • surplus of • little more than half • million, the actual results are mtisfactory indeed. Lent year he gave up in these two items and in minor reductions considerably more than three millions sterling, and yet again there is a large surplus to dispose of. The reductions in expen diture for the present year are small, for although we have got rid of the lonian Islands there has been the unfortunate war in New Zealand, and the state of Europe forbids any great retrenchment of our national defences. Yet it seems that there will be • surplus of about 2,500,000 f., instead of the 500,000 i. which the Chancellor of the Exchequer ex pected. This buoyancy of the revenue is the result of a prosperity and • commercial activity without precedent. Tt nta. be Court. WINDSOR CASTLE, Y►acs 11. The Queen walked and drove in the grounds this morning, accompanied by the Princess Louisa. The Prince of Wales rode on hornbook yesterday morn ing, attended by Unit -Colowel KeppeL The Prince and Princess of Wales drove to Kew in the afternoon and visited the Duchess of Cambridge. A deputation consbding of Mr. G. Linna•as Banks, Mr. Richard Moore, Mr. Thom.. C. Pratt, Mr. Jobs Barn bridge, Mr. James Ifoppey. Mr. George W. Wheeler, Mr. Midland, Mr. G. Fades, Mr. L Heagarty, Mr. Frank lin Lewis, Mr. W. Bishop, Mr. Alfred Shakespere, Mr. Thom.. Wearing, Mr. Thomas Scott, and Mr. Robert Hartwell, had an interview yesterday with the Right Hoo. W. Cowper, M.P., at the office of her Majesty's Works and Public Buildings, upon the subject of the celebration of the Shakespeare tercentenary. Deepatehee were sent from the Colonial-office yesterday, to the governor of Canada, Their Royal Highnes.es the Prince and Princess of Wale; sad the infant Prince Albert Victor of Wales leave Marlborough-house to-day to proceed toSandringham Norfolk. It is expected that their royal highoessee remain in compsnitive retirement until the third week in this month. Their Royal Highnesses the Duchess of Caro. bridge, the Grand Duchies of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, and the Princess Mary returned to town on Wednesday morning from their visit to the Duke end Duchess of Manchester at Kimbolton Castle, Hunts, in consequence of the intelligence which they had received of the death of the Lod gravine of Hew, who, ss is well known, was the consort of the duchess's elder brother. Owing to the demise of her royal !rightness the intended visit of the Duchess of Cambridge and her daughters to the Queen at Windsor Castle is postponed. Os the return of the Duchess of Cambridge and daughters to town on Wednesday they paid a visit of condolence to ber Royal Highness the Princess of Wales at Marlborough House. Yesterday their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales paid a visit to her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge at Cam bridge Cottage, Kew. Her Highness the Princess Victoria Gouramtna of Coorg, god-daughter of the Queen, died prematurely on ‘Vednesday at the house of her husband, Colonel John Campbell, in George-street, Portman.erittare. Most people who remember the circumstances under which the Princess of Coorg was taken under the protection of her Majesty a dozen years ago will feel their interest renewed by the an nouncement of the early death of the daughter of the last of the Helen Rajahs. The Earl and Country.; Spencer, by their last letterv, bad arrived at Constantinople from Cairo, and intend to visit Athena before they return. The noble earl and countess are not expected home until the first week in the ensuing month. Lord Brougham is still at Cannes, and in the best of health. The noble sad lamed lord is expected to arrive in Paris the week after next, and, after a brief stay there, the venerable peer will arrive in London at the close of the month. His Excellency the Italian 'Minister has returned to town from visiting Viscount and Viscountess Palmerston at Woodlands, Hants,. The Chancellor of the Exchequer and Mrs. Gladstone hays retareed to town for the 2116.1013. Mrs. Gladstone's first assembly will take niece on Wednesday next. The Armstrong and Whitworth guns intended to be fired in the oompetitive trial about to take place were yesterday shipped at the Arsenal wharf, Woolwich, in one of Bale's barrel, for fnasportation to Elbeirbwrsens. Lition INTZLLIGESOL THI SLEBWIO INVASION. Private despatches give some additional detail concerning the repulse of the Prussians at Duppel- From the time that the brigade Rawen had seized on the positions of Rokebull it had constructed protective works to within 500 metres of the Danish fortifications. The Prussian generals being un willing to expose their men to an open march across such a distance under the fire of the Danes, but being at the same time anxious to do something worth speaking of, deter mined on a night attack, hoping to surprise the defenders of the town. Their calculation was very near succeeding, as the Danish forts were evidently not sufficiently numerous, and pro bably fatigue had proved more powerful than the I sense of danger. At 3 in the morning the Prussians reached the bastions on the right of Duppel, made • dash at the works, and in a few minutes had taken possession of two bastions. The Danes being roused by the shots fired by some of the sentinels, rushed against the enemy, and a hand-to-hand contest took place. It lasted, as has already been stated, not less than five hours, and at last the Prussians, although three times more numerous, were beaten off, leaving upwards of 200 prisoners in the hands of the enemy. The Danes, profiting by the disorder of their assailants, then assumed the offensive, and made a sortie for the purpose of destroying the Prussian works. Arriving there they found a sharp resist ance and were forced to use the bayonet. A long combat ensued, and in the end the Daues with drew to their entrenchments. The loss of the Prussians must have been considerable, although in their telegraphic despatches they speak of but very few men killed and wounded. As to Fredericia, the Austro-Prussian forces have not attempted anything against that place since the bombardment of the 20th and 21st. THREATENED REVOLT OF THE HUNGA GARIANS IN THE AUSTRIAN ARMY. A letter from Copenhagen of the trith March, in the Sikle, says : Two days ago the Austrian army suddexly quitted the positions they had occupied round Fre ler:cis, without the most skilful strategists being able to div:ne the cause of that inexplicable movement. The motive has just been dia -1 covered, but the public in this city are as yet ignorant of it, as the journals have not appeared here either yesterday or to-day. The following is the fact : —All the Hungarians, both °than andeoldiera, belonging to the Austrian army, had con certed together to go over to the Danes, in order to combat with them against the common enemy of their nationality. In a few hears more the conspiracy, the news of which could not have failed to excite the greatest emotion in Europe, would have been carried into execution. As soon as General de Gable= became awr-e of the plot, be thought it necessary to immediately ret‘-e from Fredericia. An investigation was afterwards iestituted, the result of which has been the condemnation to death of a certain number of Hungarian officers and soldiers. Ac cording to a letter received this evening from a Danish &Seer, and which I have now Won me. the number dose not amount to lees than rhne h uredred? What is certain is that hat night and the night before platoon firing wu heard which could only have been caused by the sentences being carrnd into execution. The Hungarians have comprehended the shameful part which they are made to perform. The Italians enrolled in the Austrian army will soon be actuated by similar feelings, and next will come the turn of the Poles of the Grand Duchy of Posen. The German journals will not fail to represses this statement, which is of such great moral importance, as • falsehood. All their contradictions and all their reclamation. will do nothing against the fact, which is true, and, if I am the first to SAIDOUICII it to you, it will be SOLO repeated from every quarter. (HUM'S TELEARAVA.) THE WAR IN JUTLAND. COPENHAGEN, MARCH 31, 0 r.m. The Dagbtnd of to-day says :—"At Asaende rup, where the Danes took husiars prisoners, the Prussian troops burned several farms out of revetge. "Ten hussars were taken prisoners to-day." FRENCH VIEW OF THE CONFERENCE. PAWS, APRIL 1. The Coistitutionne/ of to-day publishes an article, signed by M. Limayrac, pointing out the difficulties to be resolved in the question of the duchiev. The writer says : " Considering the diversity of pretensions, France would not consent that a conference should take upon itself to decide the destiny of the duchies, either by cloosing for them a sovereign or dividing them between such and such powers. The only possible solution would be to ask the people what form of government and what sovereign they wish to have. This solution would be in conformity with the principles of the imperial government, and would be the most equitable one. This alone could afford European order, general peace, and serious and durable guarantees." THE POLES IN THE PRINCIPALITIES. ST. YETEnsBuRG. APRIL 1. The I,iralide Reuse of to-day accuses the Wel lachian Minister, M. Kogelnitachana, of openly sympathising with and tolerating the revolutionary Poles. The latter, however, are reminded by the luralide that now they are prevented passing by way of Galicia, the only course open to them is through Bessarabia, Podolia, and Volhynia, where both the troops and populations are extremely hos tile to their cause. THE PRINCIPALITIES. BUCHAREST, MARCH 31. A motion expressing censure and want of confi dence in the ministry has been rejected by a large majority in the Chamber:. THE BRAZIL MAIL. LISBON, MARCH 31. The Royal Mail Steam Packet Company's ship Parana, from the Brazils, arrived bere to-day, and will leave for Southampton at 4 p.m. with 114 passengers, 7,743 f. in specie, 703 bales of cotton, 100 barrels of tapioca, 350 rolls of tobacco, and 221 packages of sundries. DR. LiviNGsrown "ALL WELL"—The follow ing appears in the Times ..—"By the mail from Cape Tow n received hers on the 23th of Febru►ry, bringing news from the colony to the 21st of the previous month, • report reached this country that Dr. Livinptone had met with an untimely sod on his expedition up the Zambesi. As this created great uneuinese among all those interested is the welfare of that great philanthropist and his expedition, it will, no doubt, he • satisfactio• to the public to learn that I have this morning received by the Murray, one of the Orient line of packets from Adelaide, • letter from my son, now resident in Cape Tows, dated January 29, in which be says that news bad been received by her Majesty's ship Rapid that Dr. Livingstone was all well.'-1 am, sir, your obedient servant, G. THOMPSON. VI), Leadenhall street, March 31." The museum of the Hotel Cluny, Paris, has just purchased a magnificent collection of ancient Rouen earthen ware, formed by M. Lewel, the sculptor who executed the equestrian statue of Napoleon 1., erected at Cherbourg. This collection has been placed in on of the new rooms of the mnenm, on the Ant door, at the aide of the building which overlooks the Rue St. Jacques. It comprises 400 or 500 large and small specimens, all remarkable for their form and colour. An immense chimney, entirely made of earthen wan, is one of the most carious pisom EXPRESS FROM PARIS. (nom mum owl( oolamocermunq PARIS, THIMISDAY EVININGI. In the Corps Loginhail yesterday M. Ganger Pages attempted to call the attention of the chain ber to the invasion of his domicile by the police, and the prohibition of all electoral meetings ; but the Duke de Moray very speedily told him that he was trying by a side wind to exercise the right of asking questions of the government, which the Emperor's deputies do not possess. He sarcasti cally added that he would have a full opportunity of stating his grievances in a court of justice, before which he is going to be prosecuted for receiving a few friends in his modest rooms. The majority greatly applauded the interruptions of the president, and seemed to think it out rageous that their ears were to be annoyed by whining.; about such a trifle as the invasion of a peaceable citizen's house by the police. M. Gamier Pages sat down—not, however, without intimating that he might probably find an occasion in the debate ou the budget, when the rules of the chamber would allow him, to make his statement. In the coarse of a long debate upon a credit of 120,000 fr. for the surveillance of railways, M. Brame called attention to various accidents which might have been prevented by common caution, and said that the press seemed to be in a conspiracy nut to report railway accidents. M. Boinvilliers, the government speaker, replied that there were fewer railway accidents in France than in England and America, and that I believe is true ; but then, as M. Picard remarked, the trains go much slower. Of course a general answer that accidents will happen is insufficient when it is shown that many occur from carelessness which • better system might prevent. As to the habitual silence of the press on such matters, the govern ment orator said he could not be responsible for that. The excuse is scarcely a good one, because the astute laws against "false news" make the newspapers afraid to publish anything beyond the official account of au accident. The knowledge that many influential official personages are connected with railway directions leads the journals especially to fear that those laws would be rigidly enforced in the case of any statement about a railway which they could not move to be true to the letter. The Pays affects to be gravely wounded in its honourable feelings by the assertion of M. Brame, that the press does not fulfil its mission in the case of railway accidents ; but after a great deal of vapouring it goes on to admit the gravamen of the whole charge when it confesses that because it " has not the electric telegraph at its disposal," because the duty of every good citizen is "to re assure the public and not to alarm it," it habitu ally waits for such informati',n as it may please the directors themselves to funiish, and is contented with that. This is in substance just what I have said above. The press in France cannot do its na tural duty, because the laws against the freedom of the press prevent it. In consequence of the scandal of the Armand trial, petitions to the Senate are now being signed praying that the question of civil damages arising out of criminal trials may be submitted to the jury, and not decided separately by the court. Public opinion is very much excited on this subject. It would be a curious consequence of the straining of their powers by the Aix judges if it were to lead to an extension of trial by jury. The Bourse is a little firmer. Rents for account closed without change, but for cash there was a rise of 10c. Mobilier rose 10fr. The rumour this afternoon is that the difficulties about the accept ance of the Mexican crown by Archduke Maxi milian have been gut over. The Paris tiltraniontane journal, the Monde, takes up the subject of the Armand trial for the purpose of defending the practice of applying the torture in certain cases. its principal argument being that the dreadful cruelty in question was never applied except in cases where guilt was manifest, and when there were accomplices whom it was noes:emery to discover ! Rossini's new mass bears the title of " La Petite messe solenelle quatre parties, avec soli et aurora, do =laicism Gioacchioi Rossini, n . : a Pesaro 1e29 Feirrier,l792.' The first giving of this mass brought together a strange mixture of Christians and Jews, bankers and diplomatists. It is well known how many of the great composers and singers, put and present, were and are of the children of Israel, including Rossini himself. They are supposed to be descendants of the harpists of King David's musical period. The list of the company who honoured the performance of the new mass with their pro mos is thus given by the Stir& Dronyn do Lbuys. Minister of Foreign Affairs ; Djamil Pasha, Turkish Am bassador and Mahonsetan ; Mgr. Chigi, the Popes Nowa ; Prince Poe tato wok i, Count de Germany, Marquis d'Audiff rot, M. Schneider, Vice-President of the Corps Li:gislatif ; Barons Gustave and Alphonse de Rothschild, MM. Emile sad Isaac P,:riere, Baron %sights, governor of the Bank of Kosice ; M. de Voitry, governor of the Bank of Preece; and MM. Auber, Meywbesr, Ambrcise, Thomas, Carafe, Vitet sod lagouve, composers. There were also present the directors of the principal theatres and • great number of writers of all natioria. Mr. Thomas Edward Chitty, of the Northern Circuit, has been appointed clerk of assize on the Western Circuit, in succession to Mr. Sidney Gurney (son of the late Baron Gurney, and brother of the Recorder of London), whose recent premature death at Dorchester, when on circuit, is so generally regretted. Mr. Chitty is a graduate of Oriel College, Oxford, and is a brother of Mr. J. W. Chitty, who is well known en a cricketer at Eton and an omen= at Oxford ; the umpire for many yaws in the Ox ford and Cambridge boat-race. A meeting in anticipation of the Reform Con• finance to be held in Manchester, on the 19th and 20th of April, was held in Chorltos last night, and delegates were appointed to attend the aggregate meeting. The object of the conference is to "establish a basis of feta» action adapted to mite all true reformers in one common 'float for the attainment of parliamentary reform." The manufacturing branclies of the Royal Arsenal at Woolwich yesterday closed the departments for the week, in order to afford an occasion for taking stock oe entering the new financial year. which commences this morning. They will resume operations on Monday next. Seventy of the mechanics and labourer. ordered to be dis missed from the royal carriage department left the estab lishment yesterday morning. CHATHAM DOCKYARD.—ATTSLOgeMeeta have been foram/le time in progress et Chatham dockyard for the adoption of the new system of accounts connected with the building of sew remolds, the repairs of those requiring " conversion" or alteratioe, and the charge for labour in each department, the whole of which have been arranged under the immediate superinteedence of Mr. Stens feld, M.P., on. of the Lords of the Admiralty. Under the direction of • competent staff of cleric and assistants front the Storekeeper-General's department a complete stocktaking of the whole of the mattrici, of every kind, in Chatham Dockyard will be commenced this morning, and periodical returns afterwards forwarded to the Admiralty. Under the auspices of Mr. Stansfeld, and mainly, if not entirely, through hie exertioes, the dockyard accounts will from the let of April be placed on • basis which will enable them to be compared favourably with the accounts of the best private shipbuilding establishments in the country. In future the porosities* charges for the different description of work will be eliminated, and all labour sot employed on manufacturing tioas will be charged, pro mid, oa the ships. It is, o ro i r. ever, io the important item of labour, which has hitherto defied all the attempts made to properly apportion the charges ceder that hied, that the greatest alteratioos will be made at Chatham. This will be effected by what are termed " labourcharts," in which the fullest explanation will hr periodically given of the nature, variety, end amount of the labour employed on any given vessel, or other un dertaking, its relative and actual cost. These "labour. charts" will he laid before the House of Commons, which will thus have the opportunity of ascertaining the amount expended for labour, as Warted by the aeostata—Tistat. GERMANY. (nom out owl onuaromar.) FRANKFORT, MARCH 30. On Easter Monday meetings upon the Sleswig- Holstein question were held all over Germany, and resolutions proposed by the central committee have been passed as follows :—" The duchies have the right to remain united and separated from Denmark ; any decision of foreign powers against the will of the people is null and void, a lawless act, and treason towards Germany." At Berlin it was added that the votes of the people of the duchies ought to be taken previous to any settle ment. The proceedings showed everywhere that the enthusiasm of December last has passed away, and that things look hopeless for the present. Austria and Prussia were sternly censured, still it was unanimously expressed that the German people would not accept any peace short of the just wishes of the Sleswig-Holsteiners. All the speakers showed great distrust against the apparent calmness of France, and rancour against the par tiality of England. The Austrian Minister for Commerce recently assured a deputation that be would never enter into negotiations with the Zollverein on the basis of the French treaty ; but if the other members of the Zollverein ultimately joined Prussia, and accepted that treaty, Austria would,by a reduction of its tariff, prepare for a future amalgamation, so that the bar riers between Germany and Aus tria should fall either by treaty or by legislation. He admonished the Austrian manufacturers to remember that Colbert's system of shutting up one country against another was incompatible with the change which railways had made in the intercourse of the various European States. DANISH ACCOUNT OF THE PRUSSIAN ATTACK UPON DUFFEL. OOPENBAGEN, Yawn 29. The following official report baa been issued by the War-office : Dispatches received from headquarters, dated 10 a.m. yesterday morning, announce that at 3 o'clock the Pruesiatis attempted to surprise the position at Nipped, penetrating suddenly between works No. 4 and No. 8. After • vehement engagement, 'editing without intermimeion until 7.30 a.m., our garrison in the works and entrenclunenta drove back the meaty to his former position. Fighting was general all aloft the line. On the left wing the iron clad batter►, Rolf Hake, took part in the engagement, her fire upon the ravines at Venniogband preventing the ad vance of the enemy, while she was herself en gaged by the Brasier batteries without effect or lase. 36 Prussians were brought in primers to Sooderburg, two of the number being officers, and all belonging to the 18th Regiment, which MA foremost in the attack. Our loss cannot yet be distinctly stated, but not withstanding the violent musketry fire, it is not great. Advice' received from North Bigwig lead to the cooclu sion that the Prussian troops in Jutland have withdrawn to the southward. The monument in Bkandiapbsek is re ported to have been pulled down and &mobil:led. Pro- clamation is stated to have been made in the churches, the day before Good Friday, that Pruonan currency is hence forth to be the circulating medium of the country, and that in future none but German money will be received in public offices. Dagbladet has published the following telegram, dated Sonderburg, March 28, 11.25 ►m. : At 3.30 this ;sondes, the enemy made a deter mined attack upon oar works. Vehement fighting followed along the whole hoe. The enemy wee repulsed several times. Rolf Krake fired upon the enemy's right wing with good effect from Venninghund, and was her self bombarded from Bringer. Oar troops. among whom were the North S:eswig men, fought bravely. Our loss is not large ; the enemy's very considerable. Twenty-foot privates and two officers were brought in prisoners, one of the Akers wounded. The hand-to-hund encounter lasted four hours, but the fun of the works continued longer. The Ministry of Marine reports as follows : At 3 this morning the enemy's batteries begets to fire upon the position at Duppff. The Rolf Krake tripped towbar and steamed in towards Venningbuad. At dawn she ran into the creek, and was met by a heavy fire from the Broager batteries. After remaining two home in the meek, shelling the enemy's Poops, the battery withdrew upon the enemy's retreat. The Rolf Krake has suffered no damage, and is reported by the Commander•in•Chief to have made umilent practice. The following additional details have just been published by the War-office : _ _ Our loss yesterday was as follows :—Officer. killed : First Lieutenant Becher and Second Lieutenant Dichnseise of the ?ad Regimest ; First Lieutenant Petersou of the 10th and Second Lieutenant Beszon of the 6th. Officers wounded : First Lieutenant Hammier ad Somata Lieuteeent Gold schadt, of the 10th Regiment, badly ; °Weis Rdell, of the 2ad Regiment, slightly. Colonel Harbon received • costa mien from • spent ball, aud will not be fit for service for come time. In nos-commissioned officers and privates our Ices was 30 killed and 108 wounded ; four of the enemy's caws (three wounded) and 27 sonemionimiased °Some and privates were captured. During a trace agreed upon from 11 till 1 o'clock, the enemy retreated, and carried away many dead and wounded ; his loos most have been considerable. The attack was made with about 6,000 men, behind whom very considerable reserves were held in reedits's, but not brought under fire. Theinteetios of the attacking party is be lieved to have been to trees a parallel as close to the line of work. as possible. When the engagement h►d ter minated, the fire of the batteries at Broager was renewed with vigour. Much interest is felt in Copenhagen in the evi dent change which has taken place in the plans of the allied armies before Fredericia since the 21st. Military operations have almost completely ceased since the attack made on that day. Referring to the subject, the Slestrig-Holsteitocht Zcitung of the 23rd says : Field• Marshal von °ablest was appointed to an inde pendent command in Jutland some days no, and in that capacity furnished with extended military powers. On the occasion of the attack upon Fredericia on the 21st, a col. lixion is reported to have occurred between she Field- Marshal and General von der Muni, the commander of the Prtusian Guard dirties, which compelled the Austrian commander to make use of hi authority. The latest advice; received by the Berlingske Tidende assert that Jutland has been evacuated by the Prussians, and that only a small force of Austrians is to remain in the southern part of the province. RectiviNG IY Ben.—Our conversation drifted sloop to the old French custom of receiving in bed. It was 10 htftill, correct, that the newly-made wife of the Doc de i,t. Simon went to bed, alter the early dinner of those days, io order to receive her wedding visite. The Duchesee de Maine, of the tome date, used to have • bed in the ball room at Sarni, and to lie (or half-sit) there watching the daimon. I ~eked if there was not some difference in diem between the day and the night occupation of the bed. Bat Madame A— seemed to think there was very little. The custom wm put an end to by the Revolution ; but one or two great ladies preserved the habit until their death. Madame A— had often seen Madame de Villette receiv ing in bed; she always wore white gloves, which Madame A imagined was the only difference between the toilette of day and sight. Madame de Valletta was the adopted daughter of Voltaire, and as such, all the daring innovators upon the ancient modes of thought sad behaviour came to see her, and par her their respects. She was also the widow of the Marquis de Villette, sad as such she re ceived the booms of the Woe and gentlemen of the •e'iea Koller. Altogether her weekly receptions most ham been very amushig, from Madame A —'s account. The old marquise lay in bed ; around her eat the oompasy ; and, at the mats of the visit, she would desire ber femme de chambre to band round the heart of Voltaire, which be bad bequeathed to her, and which she preserved in a little golden PAW Then she would been and tell anecdotes about the great man ; great to ►er, and with some justice. For ►e bad been travelling in the South of France, and had stopped to pass the night in a friend's house, where he was very much struck by the deep 'adipose on the face of a girl of seventeen, one of his friend's daughters, and oe inquiring the cause he found oat that, in ceder to lactase@ the portions of the others, this yonnf woman was to be sent into a ocm vent—a destination which she extremely disliked. Vol.taire saved her from it by adopting her, and promising to give her • "dot" sufficient to insure her • reepeetsble mar roge. She bad lived with him some time at Feeney before eh* became Marquise de Villeste.—Preser's Mepaziee for THE CITY OP NEW YOEK.- THIS DA (BY ELECTRIC AND MAGNETIC TELEGRAPIL) QUEENSTOWN. FRIDAT. Divers report that, with the exception of hole neer the forward bunker, the City of New York appears to hays earteined no injury. She site tam Pcd upright spec the rock. THE GOVERNMENT ANNUITIES BILL, Last night a meeting of working meu wa, in Exeter-hall for the parpw of considering the Govern. meet Annuities Bill ; r. ATITON M.P., in the chair. Mr. HARTWELL proposed the following resolution, " nut while strongly depreciatieg any unnecessary help •,t itkr ['ream on the pert of government in reference to the management of working men's societies, or in regard tr, measures for their social advancement, this meeting g l a dly acknowledges the value of legislation for further securieg the proper administration of such societies, and woul.l welcome any judicious measures for increasing their stability and usefulness generally, after a full and searching inv en t,. puce into the present condition and management of all the friendly societies of the United Kingdom." Mr. CONNOLLY seconded the resolution. He was oppos e d to the government bill, because it was founded on a c.o. tralising principle. The people of this =matey did not re. quire governmentnuning. The bill would destroy the friendly societies ' • and as a result of it there would not be • trade society in this country in ten ears. (Hear, and " oh, oh.") Mr. J. LECIATER next addressedthe meeting io support of the resolution. He believed that Mr. Gladstone's inters. tions were good. but that he was mistaken. He was of the same opinion as Mr. Cobden, who said that all government shops were bad. When production was left free the i oh. lie a better and a clasper article than if government to manufacture it themselves. So it would be under the propond lgovennient annuities. The govern. moot could wet CWOdtla the business of an insurance of without going to an immense expense, and without liability to great fraud. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Kamm row to move an amendment. The pre. ceding speakers represented the bill as so utterly Lad and rotten that it could not be worked. If that was so, where was the necessity of so much agitation against the Lill (Hear, bear.) If a rich man went to the government he could purchase an annuity cow. Why should not a poor man have the same privilege! (Cheers.) Did not the government pass the Ten Hours Bill! Was not that pro tean= for the working-clames j and was it not a measur, , in the interest of those claim! (Chasm) As oiled the work. ing-classes, he inserted for the government the right to pro tect the morals, the health, and the life of all classes.(Hear.) And what was the object:of the government in proposing the measure under discussioo ? To afford greater security to those who invested a portion of their earnings for the benefit of their families. Was it not for the benefit and interest of the working classes that they should have this security! (Hear, hear.) As things now stood, if a working man, from want of work, illness, or lay other cause, was unable to keep up his payments, he lost the whole of his investment. (Hear, bear.) That would not be so under the government bill. (Cheers.) The government did not propose to interfere with existing societies. It offered to the working classes the mews of insuring with perfect security. (Hear.) It was for the working classes to decide whether they would go to the government offices or to the existing societies. (Hear, hem, and cries of "time, time") Mr. Henriette concluded by proposing as an amendment, that the bill brought in by the Chancellor of the Exchequer for extending government assurances to the working classes was deserving of public support. (Cheers.) Mr. Henson Plum seconded the amendment, which was surorted by Mr. DAVIS. Mr. omit mid that the evil of the measure was that it would destroy confidence in the existing friendly societies. and by that means bring about their ruin. (" Hear, bear," and " No, no.") The more a thoughtful man considered the subject the more readily would he come to the coedit. Mon that the bill was designed as a blow against the manly independence of the working classes. (" Hear, hear," and " Ob.") The amendment was then put, and the show of hand' appeared so squally divided that the chairman declared his inability to decide on which side the majority was. The or resolution was then put, and although the chairman decided that the majority was in favour of it, there was a very general impression that the meeting was as equally divided at least with regard to the resolution as to the amendment. The meeting then broke up. SIR ROBERT PEEL, M.P., AND THE DANISH WAR. —The annual meeting of the members, barmy members, and friends of the Tantworth Volunteer Ride Corps wee held in the townhall of that town yesterday evening. Among the speakers were Sir Robert. Bart., M.P., and Mr. J. Peel, M.P., the members for the borough. Sir Robert Peel rid—They all saw with rtisfaction the news the news papers had brought them, that the heroic Danish forces had ✓ooms: oily resisted the overwhelming power of Prussian ✓esins. (Applause.) But his frieod (the chairman) wee wrong when be said that a nation of 2,000.000 or 3,000.000 bad never been known to resist permanently the attacks of moos numerous nations. That was mot the case, few the republic of Switzerland, surrounded by great empires, had for centuries stood the shock of war, and still remained erect in its independence sod proudin its linertr. (Hear.) SYMPATHY WITH DENMAEK.—A public meeting convened by the Mayor, and over which his worship pre sided, was held at Newcastle on Wednesday night, and pro nouneed emphatically on the side of Denmark. An used. meat was moved, but was almost unanimously rejected. Sympathy with the Dante in their pliant struggle with Austria end Prussia was enthusiastically expressed ; and the crowded arembly, desiring that in any measure which might be taken by this country the integrity and indepee deoce of Denmark may be the end in view, doornail* favour of the extension of material aid to the invaded nation. if peaceful means should fail of securing that object. Those resolutions the Mayor was requested to sign on be half of the meeting, and tratismit to the First Lord of the Treasury and to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. —Neircsarre o,ronicle. LODGING-HutBES FOR THE LABOURING CLA, , DI. —The Court of Common Council, on the reoocomeodation of their Committee for Improvements, have just autho rised the expenditure of nearly 30,0001. in the erection of a series of improved dwellings for the labouring poor is Clerkeowell oo the plan already successfully carried out by Mr. Alderman Waterlow in • densely populated part of Finsbury. THE Aar OF CoNveasarea.—lf the reader has known the happiness of iseocisting intimately with so y man or woman who brought the old system into our age, he can surely never ogees to regret that that exquisite tact and suavity is vanishing from society. How really deliciorta a thing it was! How—when its atmosphere bad owe wrapped in round—we felt ourselves expand in it, as sea anemones do in warm and sheltered eaves. where there is no chance of a breaker ever disturbing the surface ! " body is going to say anything disagreeable to anybody ! Everybody's small feelings arid prejudices will be remem• bend. Kind things will be seen to be dropped gently. calling for no reply. The speaker will consider whether what be hen got to say can interest his audience, and will never poor out his egotism irrespective of their feelings." It is • vision of Paradise, like Mahomet's promise to the blessed :—" Ye shall sit on seats opposite one soother. All grudges shall be takes away out of your hearts." And thee this delightful conversation (we talk now—we never convene), with its careful give and take, its courteous drawing forth of the most modest in the party, its a = anecdotes and friendly discussion, all came to us snob organs of speech—so soft, so full and modulated. Where are those voices gone—those female voices of the last vesication? We bear sweet singers now; bat hardly ever sweet talkers, sweet laughers. We talk too loud, or else fall into the atrocity of whin peke to our seat neighbour, so that no third person hairs us. In the days of good manners, everybcid talked far the whole circle, but never raised • voice bey o nd the pitch of sweetness and good breeding. Our words sod sentences come out gurgling and spluttering like bitter ale when the cork is drawn ; theirs sowed smoothly like rick wine out of their own 6n. old silver claret jugs. Lit not • pity that this art—which is everybody's art, which 611 s up all the interstices of life. sad is of tenfold more import ance to human happiness than all the painting, music, and sculpture in the world—should be allowed to sink into oblivion like those of making Venetian glass, or the Tyrian dye? Shall we teach children to chatter four language and sever teach them not to interrupt people who are speskieg one of them! Shall we instruct young ladies to warble like nightingales, and then have them to scream like cockatoos in small assemblies, and sit dumb as owls in large ones! There are well-bred people now—people whom nature has dowered with such Datum' tact and dignity. that nothing me have surpassed it. But for the great mess of society, the want of an education of manners—the dying out of the old traditional practice is surely a deplorable thing. We have got back boor, and seem on the way to get back powder. May the kind fates give us one thin more—the manners of the people who wore hoops and powder of old, and the memory of whose suave courtesy comes tow like the odour of their own in r,"..issale, or of • drawing-room full of Eaters sandal-wood boxes and pot porrri. —Fraser's Maga:4 ne for April. Ova Miasma. —They are night reverie., in which there is simply such a change is the character of the mental train as we should expect from the change of the oonditiona Oar day experiences furnish the niateigals out of which they are woven. " A dream," seith Solomon wisely, " couseth through much business." Let us reflect on what actually happens. As we gradually pass into slumber, we are still thinking ; but some of our sensations, especially the important ones of vision, are now entirely shut oat, and others become dim and still dimmer ; we pass from the world of eases to the world of ideas. sod our idea., being so longer eclipsed by the superior splendour of seam tea, skins out with greater apparent brilliancy ; the ordinary laws of association go on in full operation, idea sug gesting idea, but no looger controlled by the presence of outside realities; sometimes • dull sensation reaches the mind, sad either niinid i e u i:mieroeptibly with the entreat of thought, or alters al er its direction—it creates a hitch in the dream thus the mental theatre-show proceeds till we sink into deep sleep, where even fancy slumbers, or open our eyes at morn sod look out upon thee hard facts which banish the spectres of the night—for all ghosts disappear at cock.crowieg.—Afacmillan's Mage,,nr ter April.