The Express. — London, England, 1858-04-01 00:00:00

THE DAILY NEWS: LONDON MORNING TATNIL,Wew et. IMO" A The La** lambi Jemorrrehmilill OINSIMINIII* mil et V rem Mesa ki r the masa varriej e nv' a l= L l E=: gg isj W i g iv. eilW. — a ilremma Pm la- OMNI MTh DI SI: AND TILIPARTIAL. As elided** wely retort et Se ti by ebery Oweelehe NALL wwl la the thews Doe It weeptlal ?RI ONLY DAIL lie 1I?OYT. ITwit hot et bro IT ILIO pr LUDMO 0771111111111 ADTNITUIDIMATIL r 1... Ins *Wy ir Y04.11711 0 ,ww Uwe Ilw 1 Ilh* deleiblena= n e es id pm sesmis la Ss kthedole : et at b• to by newts( psi h., .... a. AT M s Witli=terelati the =1 m= big La pe grehor. iakt is * fee If xprelSO. TO 001111INTOND/INTII, illsirtionssat• twat .11•• Rms.! Ladies twin poss • mot b• •• 06•• • Ifi DiessebbotTsil • y Tin Wank se Is day st psbAstios. Hiatt WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. Tura DAT—Yoruba& Y. 45 Ailaradoos. Y. ba. tariroasow—lloralor& 4b. IS. Masa& TY IA& LONDON, THURSDAY, APRIL I. IT is rather awkward that the Revenue Returns should show a diminished income for the year at the very time that there has unavoidably been an in creased amount of expenditure. This coincidence, however, is simply annoying, not dangerous. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER will Bad himself in the condition of a gentleman who, with ample re sources, is momentarily at a loss for a little ready money. The amount of the national Revenue for the year which ended the 31st of Match, 1838, is 4,432,350/. Ices than that of the Revenue for the year which ended the 31st March, 1837. But the de mise in last year's receipts from Income Tax alone as compared with the receipts from the same source in the preceding year is 4,503,8191. Had it not been for the reduction of the Income Tax from 9d. to 7d. in the pound—as a step to getting rid of the war rate—there would actually have been a trifling increase in the Revenue collected during the year which has just terminated. In the Customs and Excise Returns for the year there is a slight reduction ; but this reduction is owing to the tem porary diminution of receipts about the middle of the financial year, at the time of the great monetary embarrassment. The first quarter of the year shows a large increase, both in Customs and Excise ; the last quarter a large increase in Customs, and a rapid recovery from depression in Excise. There has been throughout the year a steady rise in the receipts from Stamps, particularly re markable in the last quarter. Notwithstanding the sharp chastisement our commercial circles re ceived during " the year that's awa'," for over-indul gence in speculative propensities, our industrial and financial position is sound and healthy. The country can therefore afford to wait with equanimity to see what ingenious devices the CHANCELLOR of the Excsmitta will resort to to make ends meet, and to hear what bandying of imputations and recrimina tion' between the Ins and the Outs the deranged balance of Income and Expenditure will give rise to. WU tT a miserable as Well as dreadful business is this fire in Bloomsbury. Here is a house constructed with perverse ingenuity in such a way as to cat of all reasonable chance of escape in case of fire. It has as outlet whatever behind, none through the roof; its ground floor is occupied as a carpenter's shop, filled with inflammable materials, which a dropped match, or a genteelly snuffed candle, or the ashes shaken from a pipe, might in a moment ignite. It is a mere brick and mortar fire trap, an apparatus for roasting people alive, with every precaution against the possibility of rescue. The vile contri vance has had a horrible success. Out of the amottldering ruins of this escape-proof abode four teen half-burnt corpses have been recovered ; a fif teenth inmate was destroyed by a desperate leap out of the flames of an upper window. And this abo minable place was the property of his Grace the Duke of BEDFORD. It paid its quota to the re venues of the Prince of Woburn. It is only one of a clams. There are but too many tenements on the same estate whose condition is not less, nay move, disgraceful than that of this No. 20, Gilbert-street. Just look at the evidence already taken as to the nature and occupation of the premises. It was a two-storied house, built against the back wall of another building. In the carpenter's shop on the ground floor there was a box of limiters and a large quantity of shavings: on the night of the fire the shutters in this place were left unclosed, and in the window were two broken panes of glees through which the wind ►ad free access to fan any chance spark into a flame. The lodgers were not insensible to the additional peril caused by this mode of occupying the lower pre mises. One of the destroyed people—Mrs. SMITII had mentioned it to her brother, said she considered it dangerous, and that she would get out of the place as GRIM as she could. WILLIAM HEDGER, another of the victims, had said to his sister, "I wonder at " father and mother living at the top of the house, " because if a fire were to break out in the shop " below we should all be burnt to death." The two upper stories consisted of four sets of rooms, three of which were occupied. EASTWOOD, a carpenter, his wife and children (the only persons saved), lived on the first floor; luckily for them, in the set not imme diately over the shop. The opposite set, back and front, was empty. At the top of the house, on the second story, both sets were let. That over RARTHOODII was occupied by four persons : WIL LIAM linTunta (a journeyman biscuit-bsker), his wife, and two sous. That on the other side of the pawns WY occupied by RICHARD SMITH (a porter in preca rious employment and often in great distress), hie wife, and nine children. All these persons perished : fourteen by fire, one of the Swans by a desperate effort to escape it. All these sets of rooms were constructed on the same principle. Each set had one door and one window, in the front room : the only inlet to the back room was through the frost. The back rooms had each a small square window on the staircase " on going up stairs," mays one of the witnesses, "you were liable to put your foot through it There was no ventilation and no light in the back rooms except what was borrowed from the staircase. The house, thus wretchedly constructed, was in a corresponding state of repair. The water came through so as to make the back room unfit to sleep in, even according to the cot very fastidious notions of the poor couple who, with their nine children, had long bad no other dwelling than these two miserable rooms supplied. The suddenness with which roof, treat wall, and flooring all came down with a crash, seems sufficiently to prove, if any each proof were wanting, that the tenement was as ill•bsilt as it was ill repaired and ill-arranged. Bach was No. 20, Gilbert-street, Bloomsbary; each, or nearly such, are hundreds--aye, thoseateds of tenements, whose aggregate rental' make an enormous return upon the amount of capital ex pended in their construction. Cupidity is deeply Interested in the fabrication of such receptacle, Poverty is too feeble or too ignorant to be able or THE EXPRESS, THURSDAY EVENING, APRIL 1, 1858. even willing to protect itself in the matter. Hitherto the intervention of the State has ham anything but successful. Yet, surely, if Boards of Works, District Surveyors, and all the elaborate mechanism of repent Acts of Parliament cannot help us in such cases as these, the only possible conclusion is that the Metropolitan ratepayers are Paying a good deal for what after all is worth very little. If there are to ho no means of checking the con struction of such dwellings for the poor as No. 20, Gilbert-street, we must make up our minds and brace up our nerves for the frequent recurrence of a mortality as awful as that which just now seems to have roused the London public out of their usual fire-proof torpor. Be it remembered, that though the late catastrophe was no doubt fearfully aggra vated by a gross and criminal negligence in house construction, which it may be hoped is some-' what exceptional, yet we are all of us sleeping in anything but security. Few dwellings defy escape so completely u this wretched Bloomsbury lodging-house, but fewer still are perfectly provided with the most ordinary means of preservation, Why should this be? As usual, under similar cir cumstances, the correspondents of the press are fer tile in excellent suggestions. Let doors be opened on every story from house to house, urges one; let a continuous line of iron balcony be carried in front of every story occupied by sleeping apartments, cries another; have an opening in every house roof, with an iron ladder permanently affixed to it, says a third ; set up a light iron railing round the front parapet—make a secure communication from the top of every house to the tops of the ad joining houses—these and similar recommendations abound on all sides. What if we venture a recommendation of our own? Why should not a Parliamentary Committee be appointed for taking into consideration the various plans that can be proposed on the subject, with a view of passing an Act rendering imperative the adoption of such scheme as should be deemed most feasible, on all owners of houses, whether built or to be built ? Surely Committees have repeatedly been appointed to investigate subjects bearing far less directly than this does upon interests that are literally vital to all who sleep (and who does not ?) within reach of conflagration. To discover some available and ever-present means of ready escape from the risk of being burnt alive, is surely almost as important to every householder and lodger in the land as it is to ascertain the principles on which our Consider service should be regulated,what duty should be paid on insurances, or in what way we may beat attain the advantages of a decimal coin age, and the attainment of a uniform standard of weights and measures. Seriously, we can conceive no better way of improving the occasion presented by the late horrible catastrophe than by pressing for the appointment of a Committee to inquire and re port on the best means of introducing into all dwell ing-houses some permanent apparatus for the pre servation of life from fire. ept Court. WINDSOR, MA.Rcu 31. Prince George of Saxony arrived at Windsor Castle yoelsrday aftereocw, and had an audience of her Ma jesty. The Primes afterwards visited the Dalton of Kent, at Frogmen, and returned to London in the evening. lila Royal Ingham wee ceded at the indrawn of the Castle by the Primes Consort end the gentlemen be wafting. Prince George of Saxony was attended by Count Vit zt hum, the Saxon Minister; Lieut.-Genera Reichardt, Major von Techirshky, Captain von Thielan, Dr. Carus, and Lieut.- Colonel Ponerrtiby, Equerry to the Prince Consort. There was no addition to the royal dinner party yesterday. The Qom and the Prince Consort walked In the Rome ro& Ude wooing. Prisons Helena, Princess Louisa, and Prince Arthur, drove out in an open carriage and four. The Drawee of Kent visited her Majesty to-day at the Castle. The Qaeen will hold a Privy Council an Tuesday next, at Windsor Cottle. Mr. W. S. Lizalsay, of Tynemouth, M.P., and the Greek Minister,had interview* with the Chanoellor of the Exchequer yesterday, at his official residence in Downing-street. The Diem) of Antigua had an interview with Lord Stanley yesterday at the Colonial-office. DTSTRIBIJTION OP ROYAL CHARITIES. (1 . 1118 Dar.)—This morning the ancient and royal charities inci dental to Maunday Thursday were distributed to thirty-eight aged man mad thirty-eight aged women, in the Chapel Royal, the number of each sea corresponding with the age of the Quern. A special service woe performed, after which there wee an anthem, and then 11. 16s. wan distri buted to each woman ; to each men, shoes and stockings, Another asthma, " 0 Lord, grant the Qum a long life," having beta wag, purses were distributed to the men. Zech mu was vadentood to contain about 31. The musical services were conducted by the gentlemen of the Chapel Royal. Their Royal Highnesses the I)ochess of Cambridge and the Mons Mary left Cambridge Cottage, Kew, yester- day, on a visit to her Majesty, at Windsor Castle. His Royal Highness Prince George of Saxony left Mein yesterday for Windsor Castle, to pay a complimentary visit to her Majesty the Queen and the Prince Conaort, The Prince returned to Farrance's Hotel to dinner. In the even ing hie royal highness, accompanied by his Excellency the banes Minister, and attended by the members of his suite, honoured the performances at Exeter Hall with hie presence. The Duke and Duchess of Sutherland had a dinner party lent evening at Stafford House, St. Jame's. The company included his Excellency the French Ambas sador and the Countess de Persigny, his Excellency the Paltagune Minister and the Comtism Lavredio, hie Ex celiency the Marquis d'Azegilo, the Duke of Argyll, the Marquis and Marchioness of Shard, the Earl Grenville, the Earl of St. Germans, the Countess (Frances) Waldo grave and Mr. G. G. Harems, M.P., Viegount and Visceanteas Palmerston, Viacom* Chases, Coast Jetsmart, Baron Metes*, HOD Frederick Brig, Lady Blantyre, Hon. Mr. Ellie, Mr. Serryd, &c. The ducat's at a later hour received ► select circle. The Marquis Camden has taken the Coantees of Cskdon's mansion, on Carlton House-terrace, for the season. The noble marquis and family bill corns to town the bet week in the ensuing month, from Wilderness Pe►k, seer esvosomis. Lord and Lady Lilford, the Hon. Misses Powys, and the Hoe. Mr. Pow . left Farreaos's Hotel, Belgravta, yesterday, for Liltard Hall, Northamptoaahlre. Lord Guernsey and Major the Hon. D. G. Finch bare left Testae*, Hotel for Packiagton, Warwickshire. The Count and Counter de Jarnac have left Cie ridge's Hotel. Sir Henry and Lady Banbury have left Fenton's Hotel for Barton Hal, BONlk. Sir George and Lady Broke have arrived at Ed verde' Hotel, in George-street, Hanover-square, front the Queen's Hot Upper Norwood. Sir John H. Wolseley has arrived at Long's Hotel. Sir C. R. Roshont bss left Fenton's Hotel for Bei sineotei, war Moreke-ta-thrldarob. Mr. (Away, the newly appointed Minister of her Msfraty for Maxice, bee arrived at the Brunetti& Hotel, et. Judas's. The Ldicestershirs Mercury says that a satisfac tory arrangement is stated to hays been made between the Rea of atemked end Ilr. Brseion Everard, in respect to the eceipsnintisa le los awarded for unashaosted improve ments ma the bra et Civilly. It Is said that several general officers who served emir Mesehel Pamir to the Crimea, sad who were inti m& with die asprise Gime el the English srmy, ere to ecoomieny the sew Aabssedor to London, with the view of bier resented to the Qum. Arease them ere new timed Closseels Illeollitahaa, de t3ellre , Trachu, Lobed, Mellinet, wed ethers. ...* .1- .r.• ....4.: y § a 1 GROSS PRO- T:MITZI) KlNG ioda, ended March new periods of the ii .1 .. . • i 1 ~ .• T. 50. /.5 e 2 Y ii .l et .1° .... p .• i f I - g i P 5 E p r r. elc I. .. 1". ..., ..C. 2 !..-*. 3a ~ to qp C . , :-... x ..i . : A JP. ; § i p e G 5 ::: ,i ; Ela a § 4 i g r. C ... .... -TE 3. F 'I I ; a r. i'% 1 ii i. z.., 11 K Eli: :.,a.: No. IL—INCREASE and DECREASE in the Quarter and Year ended March 31, 11168, ae compared with the eormToncling period, of the preg year. MIMI Ii E s • tg t A 1 4 i I P Ai.,:7 . 1.1/Ir. . Ol . 1 1 I t 4 i si 1 ; it i 1 r t i I: 1 1f • g I. 111, 11, - ti I P * ll l r • No. ACCOUNT SHOWING the RE VENUE end OTHER RECEIPTS of the Quarter ended Werth 31, 1&58, the Application of the same, end the Charge of tho Consolidated Fund for the sa id Quarter, together with the &triples or Deficiency upon such Charge. Ursine &Ana, *Toad tie Margo of Its Caesotidstsel Fond, for the Posner saded Pus. SI. ISST, Gnat &Sala Ireland *woo received Is the Qsartor coded Minh 11, nes, so ohown in Swami L Moss. received b ot Isabostarr 8111. (Bassi?) Snood to typist" is part, the Amount of Bills pr'd se Is mossy col of In. Ways and Means of Pis roar 11137-11 Armt loodood in its Quarter ended beech $l, PISS is ragayinosit of Advisor to Wads Works. be. 011.133 Wins on the thugs Lea Dislosolds Sib:kg be the !w 1031 417,812,141 chime, be the Deficiency on the diet Idarch, NUS, upon the Charge of the ComolMated Fund he Omer Britain, to meet the Dividends and other Charges yel7. able to the Quarter to Jamb% IPSO, and for which Exchequer Bills (Deficiency) will be Woad la that Quartz l,t 01,410 518,714,371 Net Atoottat applied out of the Inenne br the Quarter ended Marsh 31,1838, toredemettlea el Isteeteer 11111 s (Ualleierdy) for the Quitter 4E444 Neenleer 01, 1.37, els Steal Dellekney 84211,84t Abate—Redeemed b raking rand-- 111480 , Mooted spelled out et the Imams to Supply Ilerskes. SIMP 613 in the Quarter ended Ilan II U. MU 1,196,1111 Wane of the Coneeddated Tend for the Quarter andel March it, ISA via.: Interest of the reemaart Debt Terminable Dent 1,31063 Interestel Itsebscom (Delleiesey) NU The Civil List Other queries an Cemoblated Fund )141,084 Advances toe Putilla Weeks, 231 ,1 70 Simkins Fund 239,834 fterplus Balsa., te7ond the Mani et the Oceseildated VW* Fund, for the Quarter ended blazolt 11, DU, : Great Britain Ireland 454,72$ --...-• 494,778 Thi Nzw MANAGER Or THE CATIITAL PALACE.— We understand that Mr. Robert Bowkey, the energetic treasnrer of the Sacred Hammio Society, lee accepted an Invitation, made ander circumstances very compli er/Wary to that gentleman, to become geosral manager of the Crystal Palace Company, an (Moe lately resigned by Mr. :man Ferguson. Mr. Howley is well acquainted with the mainmasts of the company, and has given attention to the objects which those who undertake to park!' for the entertainment of t h e public should keep in sight. He goes Into O&M pledged, to the lint place, to the exercise of the strictest economy, end next, to an administration calculated to make the palaces place of popular resort, and at the same time to provide attractions of en elevating character. It may be expected that ender his care music will continue to All • prominent place in the general arreagements. klr Howley will probably retain his treasurership of the Sacral Harmonic Society. CRYSTAL PALACE CONCERTS.—Madame Gistsllan will make her int appearance at them concerts on &tuxlay next, the ard Aptil. Monsieur Itemenyt, the eminent linnpakin primmer, solo violinist to her Majesty, will ids° appear mid play Spokes Concerto drernatiqns. ROYAL CREMORNE GARDENS.--This popular resort, it is anzoonced, will be opts for the Easter holidays in a renovated end improved Mats. Oa Good Friday the grounds will be opened for promenade. The amusements for the holidays, it appears, mance vocal and ineinumental music, a new ballet, • display of fireworks, and the al fresco ball, with many minor pleasing varistles adapted to the tastes and wishes of the million. On the Friday the onabilitiee of the Aahhurnhant Teat will be talus advantage of by en association of grunion for a trial of the mortis of different fowling pieces. We maderetand that the Bummer mason will be commenced by the American floral show of Main. Waterer and Godfrey, the introduction of which look plank 1166, mad which awned the highest patronage and most heirionehle rapport. Amy Inge beau picture by Joao is to take the place of the SWISS Landscape and Cottage, and the new statuary and transperencies will compli ment the living heroes of the day, and also form a record of those whose death most prove a national lee.. THE SOANE MCSEUM.—To-day a further exten d= of tbe time for Mowing the free emhibition of Sir John idloll . l Nossaa, 13, Lincoln'e• lakes place, end be public are to be admitted every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday to the and of the month of Juba, by previously obtaining ticket.) of admission of the curator. CILTITAL PALACL OXI EIRLILING DAL .. WEDNISDAT MAIM 31.—Adadiskisa cc paymest, 745 ; diuo by MlNeoll dokais, 466 ; b 0.1,1,210. NAPLES. FORTHCOMING LIBERATION OF FARB. (nunt ota owx 0011111PONDINT4 SALERNO, MARCH 27. The trial has closed for the present with the con ditional liberation of Park. On Wednesday even ing, the Attorney-General of the Grand Court re ceived the ministerial rescript by which the Acting- Consul, Mr. Barber, was authorised to remove him to the British hospital, for considerations of health ; and on the following morning he came over, and we had the satisfaction of receiving and entertaining poor Park on the very day on which Watt mast have arrived in England. Park, therefore, may be regarded as to all intents and purposes liberated; and thus closes the present act of this remarkable trial. What share of merit is due to Mr. Lyons and Mr. Barber it would be invidious to discuss; Mr. Lyons was later in the field, but has taken great in terest in the affair since his arrival; whilst with much generosity he acknowledges the servioeswhich have been rendered throughout most efficiently by Mr. Acting-Consul Barber. I have now only to observe, and to impress it strongly upon the mind of the British nation, that the liberation of our coun trymen in no way changes the phase of affairs be tween the governments. They are liberated, bat not pardoned, as a pardon or acquittal could only be granted by the court; so it could not be re ceived by our government. Again, if they had been conducted out of prison with all conceivable honours still the insult to the British nation would remain; the violation of international law the same; the injury to individuals the same. These are points which must be borne in mind, and which must be urged with unabated vigour. For the pre sent, however, I leave this subject. The trials will be resumed on the 9th April, and Captain Betel* will be made the victim. From all I can see and hear every effort will be made to prove him guilty, and thus save the credit of the royal marine and royal government of Naples. A series of decrees in last night's Journal nominates the presidents of those nullities the provincial and district councils of the kingdom for the current year. Five per Cents., ma. Exchange on London, 638. EXPRESS FROM PARIS. (niox oust OWN COIMESPOWDNNT.) PARIS, WEDNEADAY EV7141/40. The Patric hes an article upon the subject of the English occupation of the Isle of Perim, against which it is confidently asserted that France and Russia have protested by a joint note. The Petrie says: We ere amine to impress upon the public mind that the taking possession of the Isle of Perim by the English is a most violent attack upon the integrity of the Ottoman em pire and the principle of the liberty of the seas. We are far from wishing to raise any irritating discussion under pre sent circumstances; but we have no choice about the matter. Now is the time to prevent the territorial usurpa tion which England ie effecting, in order that she may not at a later period be able to shelter herself behind the pre text of a fait aearnepli, and to invoke the oonsemstion of time. The (French) press is rumnimotia in 'farming that the Me of Perim belongs to Turkey by an undoubted title; that the occupation of the island by England is illegal ; and that she is proceeding to fortify it in defiance of ell right", in order to ensure for herself the domination of the Red Sea, and a monopoly of the trade with India. Ought we to confine ourselves to pointing out the designs of England, the tendencies of her policy, and the perseverance with which she pursues her object P Is that the only part that the press has to play P Is it enough to record com placently that a military commission has advised such and such works, in order that the English forces doubly esta blished on Perim and on an islet on the Arabian coast ehould be able to covet by a mesa fire the only practicable entrance to the Red Sea? No, that is not enough. Will Europe allow them works to be made ?—will she permit the detest able maxim, "Ce qui bon it prendre eat bon a girder," to be predominant in the law of nations ? That is the true, the only, question • and France , for more miaow than one, can not hesitate to ask it? On the one hand, if France, without cal culating the sacrifices which such an enterprise imposed upon her, co-operated in assuring the independence and integrity of the Ottoman empire, it wu not, we suppose, that England —in spite of the treaty of Paris, to which she is a party— should take poem:salon of any, even the minutest fraction of Turkish territory, and make it a standing point from which to threaten the com merce of the world with her cannon. And, in another point of view, sa the piercing of the Isthmus of Suez will open a direct communication between the Mediterranean and the Indian Seas, can France, which Is so deepl);-inte reeled in the work, allow her flag to submit to the English protectorate in the fortified Isle of Perim. Our dignity I. in question ; the dignity of other na tions cannot be less susceptible. It la time for Eu rope to show England that she must give up her tra ditional habits of encroachment. The question can no longer . . . . . remain undecided, whether it is to be settled by diplomrtio negotiations, or by the next meeting of the Congress of Park. Turkey refuses to grant the firman for the piercing of the lathmue of Suex so long u England occupies Pectin. She edges the first opportunity to claim a possession which she lea never abandoned, and which she will neither give away nor sell. Has she not, by her organs of the press at Con atentinople, dented the truth of the reports that she WWI in treaty for the axle of Perim to England i England must therefore either show a title to hold Perim, or give it up. In short, if the nations of Europe do not mean to abandon the navigation of the Red Sea to England—if in; their eyes the Integrity of the Ottoman empire be not • fiction, it is indispensable that they should, without a moment's delay, make the ;occupation of Perim by the English • political question of the highest importance. It is for this maws that we have reverted a second time to this subject, not in order gratuitously to speak of • situation pregnant with complicated emberramMents—a situation not tore mootent to be lost sight of, but to protest In the name of public tight and treaties against a usurpation which we trust will not be ocanunimated. M. Lefaucheux, the armourer, not being able to make revolvers fast enough for the navy, the French government has ordered 2,000 at St. Etienne, and will indemnify M. Letancheux for the infringe ment of his patent. It is reported that General &plasm is about to make a tour in the departments. The Bourse has been heavy to-day, after the settlement of the "options." The Rents fell 16c. for cash and account, closing at 69fr. 85e. sad 60fr. 75c. Mobilier remains at yesterday's prioe. The railways fell about Mr. It is only within the last few years that the courts of law in France ham sanctioned actions for breach of promise of marriage. The old doctrine was that such an action was contrary to sound morality and public policy, bemuse tho essence of the marriage contract being mutual consent, the law ought not to put it in the power of either party to drag the other to the altar by the threat of a suit for damages. It is still the rule that a breach of pro mise per se is no cause of action, but the courts now recognise special damage in such cases, and moreover take into consideration the prejudice to a lady's honour and the difficulty of her finding another husband, which result from her being the victim of a breach of promise, so that while professing to preserve the old principle they in fast allow an action to lie in almost every con ceivable clue of the kind. The legal journals of this day report two curious breach of promise cases. In one a man of forty-five engaged to a girl of twenty-three, changed his mind at the list moment, on the ground, as he says, that on due reflection he thought the discrepancy of age too considerable—more especially as he was greatly troubled with.bile. The tribunal of the first in stance awarded 3,173 fr. damages (inclusive of 1,173 fr. as special damages, the lady having spent that sum in making preparations for the marriage), and the Imperial Court of Paris, presided by M. Delengle, confirmed the judgment. In the second case the plaintiff, sacrificing all right feeling and decency under the specious pretext of filial obedi ence, had jilted an honest fellow in her own rank of life on receiving an offer from her cousin, who was much richer. The cause was tried at Rouen, and it presented this peculiarity, that the breach was an ticipated and provided for in a marriage settlement executed by the parties. A peasant girl named Fleury, of Bezu-la-Foret, was, it appeared, in 1856, engaged to be married to a labourer named Dela porte, but her cousin, one Berruyer, who was pos sessed of 30,000 fr., proposed for her, and she, without hesitation, jilted the labourer. A marriage contract was immediately drawn up between her and the cousin, and at the suggestion of the girl's brother, who knew Berruyer to be very irresolute, a clause was inserted to the effect that if either of the parties proved "refractory" (such was the phrase used), that is, should back out of the mar riage, he or she should pay the other 2,000 fr. The wisdom of the stipulation, as regarded the young woman, was soon seen, for the wavering Berruyer in a few days began to neglect her, and before long broke off with her altogether. A sum mons by huissier to execute his engagement was sent to him, but he did not attend to it. At length the young woman, finding that he really did not mean to marry her, brought an action against him before the Civil Tribunal of Lee Andelys for the 2,000 fr., and the tribunal granted them. Berruyer appealed to the Imperial Court of Rouen against this decision. The court confirmed the judgment in principle, but thought fit to reduce the damages to I,ooofr. It was admitted by the plaintiff's counsel that the clause in the settlement stipulating for 2,000 fr. liquidated damages, in case of a breach of promise, was void, and it was merely a coincidence that the court below had fixed the actual damages at that sum. THE REVENUE. No. I.—An ABSTRACT of DUCK el the REVENUE of DOD[ in the undermentionod 31, 1868, compared with tho con preceding year. o~ H G :2 J ".i 11 i i ;. 1 I i f • • .) I J 1 § E r r ..- 7 . r i .7 J 5 f liif THE QUEEN'S GIFT TO THE EMPEROR NAPOLEON. (From yesterday's Noniteur.) A cannon and a field tumbril, presented to the Emperor by her Majesty Queen Victoria, were brought this morning (Tuesday) Into the court of the Tuileries by a detachment of Horse-Artillery of the Imperial Guards. The Emperor, accompanied by his Excellency Lord Cow ley, by the Minister of War and General de La Hitt, Pre sident of the Artillery Committee, examined with the greatest minuteness this magnificent specimen of English artillery, which, in addition to the convenience that our clever and careful neighbours introduce into everything, displays the most perfect finish in the workmanship both of the wood and iron. The English major, Andrews, waisted by a skilful officer in attendance, explained In succession the mechanism and purport of every part composing this beautiful article. The piece, a 9-pounder in bore, is of rare workmanship and polish, and bears a shield with the arms of France, above which we read :—" From Queen Victoria to Napoleon III." Bee Imperial Majesty appeared, accompanied by the Im perial prince, in order to show by her presence how sensible she wee of the Queen's mutiny. The Emperor, on retiring, expressed his high satisfaction to Lord Cowley, u also to Major Andrews, whose explana tions were listened to by his Majesty with great interest. SWITZERLAND. A Paris letter, in the Independance of Brussels, has the following on the subject of the negotiations between France and Switzerland relative to pass ports: The French government no longer requires, absolutely and without exception, persons obtaining passports to present themselves before the French diplomatic spate. In its last despatch communicated to the Federal Council, it says Diplomatic agents abroad: are authorised to visa passports, without requiring persons to appear, provided they belong to the country, and that the passports have been granted by the government with a special recom mendation, and on its own responsibility." But a question hie arisen respecting the interpretation to be given to the words "by the government." The cabinet of the Tulleise recognises only one government, the Federal one, and accordingly the French minister declares that he can only viser passports transmitted to him by it. In Switzerland, on the contrary, it is contended that as the country consists of a confederation of twenty-two sovereign states, the French legation ought to be authorised to viser the passports addressed to it by the governments of the several cantons. Switzerland believes that, this interpretation would present greater guarantees than that which the French Minister propose*, inasmuch as each cantonal government possesses better means of ob taining information respecting individuals than the Federal government; but the minister replies that the Federal government represents the twenty-two cantons, and that the cabinet of the Ttulcries, in saying the " government of the country," evidently intended to designate the Federal government and no other; whilst as to the cantonal governments being better able to give information respecting persons, he remarks that each government can transmit its information to the Federal government, which is in a better situation than the French legation at Berne to know the degree of confidence which at a given moment such or such a cantonal government should inspire. THE EMANCIPATION OF THE SERFS IN RUSSIA. A letter from St. Petersburg, dated March 21, in Le Nord of yesterday, gives us the following in teresting information : The committee for the government of Nijni-Novgo rod, charged to investigate and prepare plans for the emancipation of the serfs, held its first sitting on the 3rd instant, that being the anniversary of Alexan der ll.'s accession to the throne. General Mouravieff, the military governor of the province, made the fol lowing speech in opening the proceedings: Gentlemen — ln concert with the marshal of the nobles of this government, the committee summoned by the confidence of the sovereign to discuss the measures requisite for improv ing the condition of the pea ent-serfe dwelling on the lands of the nobles proceeds now to open its sittings. For this purpose has been selected, not the day previously used upon, but the annivereary of that monarch's sacenelos, whom reign is the dawn of our country's regeneration and renova tion. Could we cheese a more fortunate day for the com mencement of these debates by an assembly in whom rests the hope of the sovereign and the country, the hope of 26 millions of individual., to whom it is now Weeded to restore them rights of civil existence and that dignity of men, of which they bad been deprived ? Gentlemen, imbue yourselves with the spirit of your mimics. He who holds in Ills hand the hearts of kings has called you to accomplish a mighty work, to give fraidcai to those who do not possess it. And if such be your mission, thick on the greatness of the part that Providence has assigned you here below. Be not unworthy of it ; do not prefer your own material interests to the:welfare - of these millions of human beings whom their lot has made dependent upon you. Moral interests take precedence of material ones, and you ought to prove it by your seta. I said moral in terests : yea, gentlemen, the solution of the question now occupying ns will assu redly raise us to a higher degree of moral civilteation ; it will enhance the lustre moderate the moral dignity of the class called to fulfil this work with a self-denial based on the couscietutuess of human rights. Amongst the people whose material existence we have to secure, there is many an individual, who, content with his present position, desires no other. Glory nd honour to the owners of such individuals 1 But their happiness is merely fortuitous. Now, gentlemen , you are celled to substitute certeinty for chan ce, and to remove from the administration which relates to an entire class of piteous everything of an arbitrary character. But 'access will not be obtained in this so long as we continue to see in man a memprodectlve power Smiler to that of mitosis in emend ; we shall only obtain success by resuscitating, or rather by restotim, the hymen dignity w h ich had been deified, end by invoking the asst !- ante of free labour. It will be only t hen that an intelligent and equitable appml, unaccompanied by any arbitrary re quirement, will re-awsben the living strength of the nation, anti trill infuse life into all that now appears to us to be dead. Do not separate, Dm, front 7mr material ealcadaticas the respect dee to the rigleta of man; render to men that which Wangs to man, and you will justify the confidence of the sovereign and the hope of the nation. I may say' will deserve the admiration of the whole world, whose IN are fixed upon you at this moment. Your work will sin lo t you the blessings of the Omnipotent and those of collect,, humanity, whilst history will rank you among the prompt, of justice, among those who love their neighbours, u 4 ‘ , Ol name you es the founders of your oountry's prosperity. A Moscow correspondent of Le Nord says that as important ukase has just been signed, the effect of which is to preclude landed proprietors henceforth from converting their peasants into domestic serf; whilst they are still to be empowered, as heretofore. to convert their domestic serfs into peasants. ry e government will thus follow up its idea of tru e , forming . the peasant serfs into peasant proprietor; which is the most natural and the most rational solution of the querion of serfdom. The emancipation of the numerous clam of eery attached, not to the glebe, but to the person of master, is attended with great difficulties, and to this day neither government nor nobility have ee re , to any decision on the subject. The government by the decree referred to has at least endeavoured to prevent this class of serfs from increasing. Those landowners who are in the service of the State at any other place than where their own pro. petty is situate, and who may wish to attend the meetings of the nobles for the discussion of th e emancipation project or the election of the corn. mittee, have received leave of absence for two months without loss of the situations held by them or any deduction from their salary. Any officials who may be elected members of the committee of emancipe. tion, are empowered to accept such mission without being compelled to resign office, no matter bow long the labours of the committee may last. The same regulations have been laid down for military office, on active service. i The St. Petersburg correspondent above quoted directs attention to an excellent article published by M. Tchitcherinf on this question, in the new review, / called the Athenetum, which hu been started this' year at Moscow. The proprietors of the Causerie . .Russe have undertaken the publication of a monthly review, for the special purpose of examinin_g and sifting the serf-emancipation question. In the prospectus just issued, the public are invited to con. eider this review as neutral ground, on which an honest and loyal opinions may meet and frankly discuss the best means of accomplishing the gram reform now engaging the attention of the Rusks nation. M. Kocheleff is the editor of the new review. A letter from Moscow states that the govern. ment has applied to the various mortgage banks and credit institutions of the country to obtain statistiod returns of all the small estates belonging to ti ts poorer class of nobility, and mortgaged to theme* banks, having from five to 25 nt serfs attached to them. The object p is to disengage these peasants from the small estates, and to establish them upon the crown lands. It is very desirable that this plan should be carried out, for by this means the small landed proprietors would be enabled to retain their lands, which are too limited in extent to allow any portion of them to be sold in order to clear ci the incumbrances, as it would be difficult for the inferior class of landowners to find any means of ssl. sistence if they were deprived of the cultivation(' their own estates. THE UNITED STATES. (MT BRITIBM AND IRION MAGNETIC TTLEGBATII (FROM 0178 OWN CORRIAIOND/INT.) LIVERPOOL, Tnrason. The Liverpool, New York, and Philadelphia Steam Company's steamer, Kangaroo, is ocusis/ up with New York dates to the 20th of Msrei, three days later. She brings the United Stahl mails in place of the American steamer, Nati Star. lifE LATE MR. JOHN BBATFARD, ENGLYIAL Another of the notabilities of the scientific itsl engineering world has been recently removed by the head the above -awned gentleman, which took place on Friday*, the 26th of March, at his residence at Camden Tom Although not generally known to the unprofessional pa* his merits were much appreciated by the members of bier. &aeon. Educated as an architect and surveyor, he hide gashed himself by various papers and communications subjects (manacled with engineering, chemistry, he., by which he was early brought into connexion with & Humphry Davy, Thomas Telford, Davie, Gilbert, mi other eminent men of the day. lie attracted attention at a time by an original design for the new London-bridge, sai soon afterwards became extensively engaged in the drip and constructioneof iron bridges and docks, also in the dew lopment of lead mining in Wales, and enteequently is Os extension of gas lighting on the contineat. In the year ltli he establiahed, in conjunction with his brother, Iha hum manufactory foe steam engines at Limehouse, Imown as tia Canal Iron Weeks, at which an immense number elan* of the largest aim have been produced to the prowl time. Space will not permit a detail of the vatioW inventions of Mr. John Seaward, for the marine engine; but the most important will . considered hie celebrated design for superseding beam engine (as left by Watt, and up to that time the kind need in large ships), by • plan of direct•acting which having been fitted into a government vessel _ Gorgon, originated the now universally known title cl "Gorgon Engine," and Mr. &•ward, in' . became extensively engaged in the design - numerous engines on his new plan for the British navy. His improvements in the detail of the steam engine an roust amongst them are an improved paddle, wheel steamers, the telescopio funnel for ships of war, the connecting crank, the hydraulic lifting appoint' the propeller, the cheese coupling for &um marine tubular boiler, &a. In private life amiable and unostentatious. The few who bad the of knowing him were deeply impressed with his knowledge, sad his excellent judgment Peculiarly kind and considerate to all, he we !shad of the suffering and the poor ; to them sympathy were ever accessible, even amid the we of his munaotui avocations. We think it may Emoted, that the lose of few men Ina private will be more generally or more 'lineally of the late Mr. John Seaward. DEATH OP THE KARL OF MORTON.—WO to Announce the amnia* at the Earl of Mr ehordy before 3 o'clock sm., yesterday, at deuce in Brook-street, after a abort illness. George Sholto Douglas, Earl of Merton, Lord Aberdour in the peerage of Scotland, of which was a representative peer is parliament, was cia the Hon. John Douglas, by Lady Frances He daughter of Edward, first Earl Hsrewood. He Dec. 23, 1789, end married, July 3,1817, Frau , Wm* daughter of the late Rt Hon. Bar r G.C.H., and sister at the gallant officer r Bombay army in India. Oa the death of the fourteenth earl, in July, 1827, be . the family honours. The decered earl was the minion in Spain in 1811, end was secretary of legation at Stockholm in July the year. Subsequently, in 1814 and 1816, he S capacity at the Courts of Florence and Berlin; he filled up to January, 1826, when he *Mt matic pension. The noble earl was • lord in- Queen from September, 1841, to January, It ember, 1856, be was appointed viorlieutenant of Mid-Lothian, of which county he was r lieutenant in 1849. He is succeeded in the and estates by his eldest son, Lord Aberdour, Apt 3, 1818 sad formerly in the 71st Foot. nu married in 1844 Mire Watson, daughter of Mr, of fienghtcm, Mid-Lothfan, who died in 1810 • El 1853, lady Alice Lembion, third - of the bits Berl of Durham. THR 4170TCH HsitintUPTCY continue to be made of the ease with which England escape their creditor, by availing the Soot& bankruptcy law. A respectable I previously mired in a similar manner, hemp— fatted in an attempt to oonnteract a movanot kind. The debtor was a London attorney, • they obtained a judgment. He claimed, Immo tected by virtue of a sequestration obtained • previoaely in Scotland, and which he bad manage without opposition, since, while pies of business was Bucklarabnry, he was in the official notices es of Stornoway, in the Roo, without may natation of his profession The English omit was accerdingly applied to =reap@ ground that he had not been fitly , but the result was unfavourable. that be had obtained his final discharge, and , demo will be given to that nummons clan who cultivate a knowledge of tin low to avail the solloos twain it airs iromottor imam and loadollos those who, for the asks et pool -- tnq motsavoor to being Ulm to doh deosto.—!Mw the improvement of llt et will undoubtedly r superseding the brat, t to tat time the only of directitcting engtee, •nment vessel calledthi Uy known title at 111 rd, in consequence, eign and construed.* or the British navy, M. *team engine are paddle. wheel far ships of war, the lifting apposes' disconnecting dide, te life be ww ow who had the eyed with the Writ adgment on all 11, he wee repetWly ; to than lb pone amid the greeted re think it may I. mil n a private path et* 4 rely deplored thin. lorros.—We rl of Mouton, who day, at the bay Ulner Tbs lion, Lord DAIS ad, of whirl pew* mut, was eldest en ramose Laarellea arewood. gnaw 1817, Frances Mat. Sir Garr /Maw eery* oath of his • 827, be saweadr l of earl Iwo and was , in July the 18113, he filled the La Berlin; the hate r he obtained his di a lord in.waitiag ranuary, 1849. M -lieutenant of the he was made s I in the family d Aberdonr' barn Foot. Thepresof tier of Mr. Jra, W I in 1&50; and I and youngest • LAW.—Collt ith which defa • availing these" pectable Om. obi Inge hateful Ws a isovessat attorney, masa_ nett, however, Is obtained a 11. it he had be. ace, whtie r ery, he was away, in the et roferaioa or • pplied to to o OM fitly end . treble. It was rge, and thus NW is class of e ztiet to t :i t i t l e4... , : theowi lli nsobe • r