The Express. — London, England, 1849-11-26 00:00:00

It will De rra, by reference to oar advertising cram's, that the proprietors hays decided not to en ded* advertisements having p atrial illustrations. TbeErressbeing grape: that circulates largely to the orinatry, and amongst dames to whom a descrip tion of the article advertised, is desirable, it has been thoeght et to deviate, with regard to this paper, from the rule hitherto observed in the London Daily Press of not admitting such advartimementa. The value of any advertising medium must depend in a large measure upon the extent of its circulation. In this point of view the Esproe or now challenge any one of its evening contemporaries, and the follow ing statement of the number of stamps inured to and rad for this Joanna will show its graded increase in popularity : 1847, from Jae. 1 to Deo. 31 778,714 1848, from do. to do. ........ 888u18 1849, from do. toAng. 3l (Bmouths) 884000 In this paper, therefore, eremqryitsg es they con fidently assert, the first plass in peat of circulation among its oontempoearies, the proprietors offer to advertisers increased &Ohio% Dow foe the first time available to them in the Lowden Daily Press. Should there ensue any largely inammesd demand upon the eolomus of the paper, the periMin are prepared to meet such demand by the oreadenal publioadon, aai bout extra charge, of a doable number. aye grovels*. OUTGOING MAILS. The ant nine for Lisboa. Bpsia, sad Gibraltar will be aide imp to-morrow, Nov. 27. The mails for British North Almeria. sad the United Mates will be made up is the evestag of Nor. 30. The Well India Mails, iselading Bermuda, Havanne, Nassau. Made ro, New Orleans. sad Mezieo, sad ezelsding Uwe for Madeira. Bt. Issa-da-Nieueras, New Granada, Mi. sad Peru, will be made up sa Dee. 2. The mails for Madeira, the Brazils, an& Bassos Ayres , will be made up on Des. 4. Theels& asa Marsei/leo, to the Moditerreaems, Egypt, C e ylon, India. Hoag-Kong, in, will be made upon W main et Dee. 7. The sew far Gibraltar, Melts, Grease, the lonian tetrads, Egypt, Coyle., India, and Chins, via Southampton, will be node up at the atoning of Dee. 20. IEIOII WAWA AT LONDON MIME Teo tok. Ahem.. II k. Au. IIA Ala Afeeraos. 12 A. O. LONDON, MONDAY, NOTEMBDR 26 THERE is a sufficiently large class of people in the world opposed from their very nature to ideas of either philanthropy or change, and who scout both one and the other as idle and as dangerous. This clue is quite numerous enough to cry down the End eloquent philanthropists, and most certain to reamed in doing so if philanthropists will quarrel, and inste ad of advancing together, fall out by the way, divide their efforts and their paths, and thus betray them selves and their cause to the machinations and the triumph of their common foe. Such would seem to be the conduct of those, who strive to do away with the barbarism of death pwaistments. Certes, they who labour for the complete abolition, and they who are contented w ith substituting private for public execution, are animated with very similar eentiments, act in obedience to the same feeling, and would deliver humanity from the same horrid and brutalising night-mare. Their interest, there fore, tells them to go together, and duty dic tates to them to observe the common rale of political action in the attainment of an object which must be straggled for and won in a political field. The abolition of capital punishment is a great thing, which must reform the very heart and soul of our cri minal jurisprudence,tind force it into that path of moral prevention, on which it has not yet had the wisdom or courage to enter. As long as people gave monarchs despotic power, and armies to exercise it, the monarchs cared or thought little of the arts or wisdom or niceties of government. It is only since rulers Dave had the great powers of coercion and intimidation taken from them, that they have learned to govern. So will it be with judicial gages. Take from them the whip and the halter, and they will soon learn how to repress and prevent crime without them. The abolition of death punishment in law is what the abrogation of absolute power and divine right was in monarchy, the com mencement of the reign of political science and humaue progress. This is but one of the many great reasons for the abolition of death punishments. We state it, merely to show how narrow a view is taken of the sub- ject by those who demand it solely for the make of mercy to criminals, or of affording a lesson of cruelty the less to a cued mob. The abolition of death punishments is, we repeat, a great thing. The substitution of private for public executions a small thing. The one is a great political act, full of purport and of consequences. Tree other is a mere satisfaction to decorum, the skin-healing of a few leprous spate, a superficial application that leaves the core as rotten and as corrupt as ever. But if a small point gained were a progress to the attainment of a greater end, one might bail it and accept it. Instead of being any such thing, the pre sent small point, on the contrary, is the very thing to perpetuate death punishments. It is the very dodge that politicians like Sir GEORGE Gaze, for example, would imagine to defeat it. And we, for our parts, have known it as Bir GEORGE Garv's dodge, long before the Mehotixo festival impelled Mr. DICKENs to write his recent lettere. And in applying the word "dodge" to Sir GEORGE OUT, we do not mean to impugn the sincerity of that statesman. A minister charged with the policy of a country is naturally disinclined to disarm him self of a power which he has hitherto wielded. And in order to perpetuate the punishment of death, which he prizes, he seeks to get iid of its popular objection by removing the scene of punishment within the gaol. If we understood Mr. Iltchehs. he would prefer the abolitiou of the punishment of death, but, despairing of attaining it, he grasps at Sir GEORGE °ELT's middle term, and thereby gives the greatest blow that could be given to those, with whom he has hitherto thought and struggled. Mr. DICKENS having done this, must, we think, have been prepared for an outburst of annoyance and almost of resentment. Such an act as that of Mr. Diceeses, however allowable in philosophy, is scarcely pardonable in poli'ics. Contemplate the fate of PEEL. Llok at that awaiting DISRAELI for daring to abandon protection, and demand some middle term. All the good intentions, pure motives, conscientious scruples, in the world wit not save a man in such a position from the strenuous and naturally provoked remonstrance of his party,or from being apostrophised in the rude and home-spun language of political 1r We must confess ourselves in nowise reconciled private executions by the example of the United States. The population of America, however more ad vanced than we are in some respects, is still very much behind us in others. One difference is, the spirit of vindictiveness, which is much stronger in America than with ut—a country where the want of law and tribunals has; in so many districts and instances so enstome d the ptoplc to act itself as judge and execu tioner: In many cases the American people, would not be satisfied with less than execution, and the Ameri can public is sovereign. Now, an English public has no vindictive feeling, which is one of the reasons for abolishing death punishments, those really not find ing any echo in the breasts of the people. Bad es the Matthreet were, who o jolce 1 in their fate, or would 13 va been disappointed by their consignment to a Norfolk Island dungeon ? Another argument employed against those who repudiate private execution on the ground that pub licity is the basis of our judicial system, and ought not to be dispensed with is, that these same persons demand the ballot. Our political, oar religious, and ear Judicial instieeions are, however, three very dif ferent things. If we were to frame a new society and a new cc,de of law, we eh oeld certainly frame both so as to admit publicly, and insist upon it. But if you have already founded a state of religions society, for example, which renders the holding of certain opinions p.na!, you must allow secrecy es a protection. Again, if you have a state of society divided into kids and serfs, or into erapinyets, and labeurers dependent upon them, there too if you would have them wield esditical power, you :mu,: unit et cr. cy ti,,:. judicial proceedings you cannot admit any such rule, L THE EXPRESS, MONDAY EVENING; NOVEMBER 26, 1849. FRANCIC publicity Wag their vital principle, and their only safeguard and claim to public adhesion and respect. How desirable would it be to screen the Jurymen@ in a turbulent country from the vengeance of the party against whom they decide ? Yoe cannot, however, surround the jury-box with a cur tail or snake the court hold i ts p rivate sittings in a gaol. Suppose an Oraogeniagistrate in I. eland, guilty of a . palpable murder on a fellatio esthetic. se ails condemned tabs hanged for the same. How would the Irish populace be convinced of his execs tioa, if it took place within the walls of a gaol ? No amount or class of witnesses would make them believe it. We could adduce imaginary instance@ where the people of England would be equally incredulous. There are ppp in ulatione at pressat France, who believe that the Emperor NAPOLEON is still alive. You may pass . a law for private exe cution@ amidst mach a population, but you will never get it to believe in them. It would coesider the whole business a hocus pain, and never credit the execution of a criminal which it was the interest of the government, or the clergy, or the upper classes to save. Asoneination may be a word too bard for private executions. It is not the guilt of such that is to be stigma , iced, but the folly. In our opinion they . would be a meet bootless @pilling of blood, answering not one single purpose, human or divine. IT ie certainly a strange anomaly, the arrangement by which the city of London enjoys the self-govern ment of &republic, whilst the greater city of the Writ end is handed over to the despotism of an Empire. The citizens of London enjoy Anglo-Saxon rights : they meet, they disease, they choose an officer of health, and he turns out to be a very able one. More than this, be turns out to be a very bold man, who speaks the truth, however unpalatable to those who have chosen and who employ him. Those who chose Mr. Smote have voted him an ample salary which will be paid without grudging, as money always is by those who direct and control its nee. If we wander west of Temple-bar, however, we soon get beyond the frontiers of the London republic, and we emerge into a region of which the inhabitants are subject to quite a Napoleonite government. A i prefet of police, in the shape of a Home Minister, were des them and burdens them with a weight of taxation for his myrmidons, against which it has been lased vain to remonstrate. Inequality of the grossest Wad prevails between district and district, the rich paying little or nothing, the poor ground down to =keine poverty by the most exotbitant dues. If we turn from the one extreme of local end municipal government to another, we find the West-end Commission of Sewers constituted not only in its personnel completely after Napoleonite rules— the bod being a crowd ot engineers—but we find its chief,himself a military engineer, cpenly avowieg and establishing in full court the superiority of NAPO. Leon's system ot government. Wten he, the Emperor, quoth Sir J. So decided upon anything to be done,he charged Mr. So-and-So with th- responsibility and the execution. Now this nr , y be all very well for the Emperor NAPOLEON and for the miserable French slaves whombe taxed and kicked as he liked, or draughted to foreign slaughter whether they listed cr not. The English will hare no Emperor Nero. LEON, nor CESAR BURGOYNE, nor Prefect ORZT. They are as loyal as any people, but not servile ; and their habit and their right is to have know ledge and elntrol over their local and civic matters, their local and civic expenditure. It is impossible not to think that the late Commis sion of Sewers was put together, purposely of antago nistio principle, in order to disgust the public with their quarrels, and consequeirly with self-govern ment. In that old commission a party of cffi cilia and innovators were pitted against a party of old functionaries and citizens, apparently for the sole purpose of kicking up a row. No effort was made to act arbiter or conciliator. Lord CARLISLE seemed merely to sit still and enjoy the bull-bait, which was allowed to last till the public was quite ashamed, and then came the foreseen con clusion. This was the elimination of the public alto gether, the pretended disgrace of the officials, who had merely dose their duty, and the substitution for them of an engineer board, into whose hands the purees and the drainage of West London are mercilessly de livered. We should have said nothing to the fitness and eligibility of this commission, had its duties been con fined to that for which it is competent, viz., to decide upon the relative merits of plans fur the drainage and sewerage of London. What we expected from this engineers tribunal was, that as an ex ceptional and temporary commission it would examine and decide not as to amount of I expenditure, which evidently is not of its competence, but as to the fitness of certain plans to accomplish due sewerage, drainage, and sanity. The Commis sion have been for sonic time sitting, and the public was looking out for its decision. When lo! instead of judgment of any kind, it comes forth to enact the part of a permanent administration, without telling what its ideas are, or what its plan is ; it appoints an officer, a high and absolute and well paid officer, not responsible to the citizens for his expenditure nor thankful to them for his place, not a metropolitan officer like Mr. SIMON, but a mere nominee of engineering notabilities. Mr. FOSTER may be a very fit person, and Sir JOHN BURGOYNE and Mr. STEVENSON may have been most disinte rested in their choice. But we can safely assert that the best of measures and the best of appointments will fail, if conducted in this high-handed manner, without any ccnsultation of the rights, the wishes, the perms, or the dignity, of such a large and in fluential class of English citizens as that which West London contains. In the sanitary reforms undertaken throughout England, we have never objected to some degree of dictatorial pressure or assumption of power in order to commence the movement. As we said in a former article, we have no objection to a dictator being named to drive the nail. But we have objections to permanent dictatorship. We have jectiona to a permanent making over of the purees di the citizens of this western metropolis to Sir GeoltOS GREY for his police, and to Sir JOll2l BUZ. °oyez for his sewer officers. We want eentrel, election, discipline, liberty—not the numb bling of a government appointed conclave, bat the debates of a body chosen by the citizens directly, or by the vestries. In any great reform, or any [peat enterprise, government and people must go together, and rot move on exclusively or contemp tnously of each other. Mr. HOLE'S letter in our Saturday's paper shows the danger of attempting an exhibition of national industry, without the concur rence and support of the chiefs of that industry. It is equally clear, that the sanitary, and subterranean management of London cannot be conducted by Heaven-sent functionaries, or by any who have not a claim to the assistance and co-operation, as well as to the contributions of its citizens at large. to CAPE OF GOOD HOPE. We have Cape journals to the 28th of Sept., six days later than our last advices. The governor, Sir H. Smith, was at Cape-town. The excitement relative to the arrival of the convicts cif the colony continued unabated. The Anti-Con vict Association had addressed powerful appeals to the governor to induco him to take npon himself the responsibility of sending the convict-ship and her freight to Ascension or any ether place, but he steadily refused, and in a manifesto returned to the asiceation a day or two prior to the sailing of the Minerva, Sir Harry expressed his deep sympathy with the cause of the colonists, but objected to act with out orders from the home government, and set forth the ex•reme danger of any interference with the destine 'ion of convicts, as a measure fraught with the most fatal consequences —as, in the event of their being illegally transferred to any other port than to that oae to which the constituted authority consigned them, they could rise and massacre the whole crew of the ship, and sit themselves free,as &justifiable act under such circumstances. The colonists had prohibited supplies to the army, navy, and all government establishments, and no sup phi s accordingly were granted. The governor was compelled, in this state of things, to make bread in his own house, as wLs Commixture Wyvill. 11. r Majesty's ships Castor and Geyser and the storeehip Seringapntam were in Simon's•bay. Her Majeety's ship Eurydice had sailed thence for Eng land, and the Orestes for the Nl , szimbique. T. v. liaLrva cncotitlterca a ...r... , t'fal gale off the I Caps. PARIS, SATITZIMI, 6.30 r. N. It is now three weeks since the menage of the president of the republic was followed by the die missal of the BarronDufaure ministry. The presi dent then recommended a policy of action, and it was exposited that he would have followed his own pre cept en order to prevent a majority, at heart kindle to him, from rali;m o lter the blow that be bed struck. Louis N , on the contrary, has ire noised supine. ' rue be abolished the certificates of studies hitherto indispensable to every student de @irons of following a career, but this is a Esseconsw which, though of vast importance in future, burs not in the slightest on the present. It made &ow fore no noise. Matters cinnot and will Let remain in this state : the president must de something. Nay, he has prepared something that may create considerable astonishment in the country. A few months rip a project of law was deposited en the table of the Legislative Assembly, having for its object the formation of a pension fund for workmen, who should be called upon to deposit a certain sum annually, in order to be entitled, at the expiration of a given number of years, to a pension, consisting ut the amount paid in and the interest, compound and simple, of that amount. This project of law on what has been christened misses de amour', was withdrawn by M. Dumas, the present minister, as incomplete, and that gentleman informed the Chamber that a i much improved plan would be submitted. If therumours wafted from the Elyse' are to believed, it is this very improved project of law that is to startle the country and the Chamber in the course of next week. The law as it previously stood would have been followed by no effect of course for a considerable period after its passing. Workmen would have must have their quota yearly or monthly, and years must have elapsed before the necessary age had revolved for any of the subscribers to be entitled to retiring pensions. Like the ordonnanoe above mentioned, relative to certificates of studies, the law would have without benefiting the President of the Repub. ri a c i rany extraordinary way. Vastly different, how ever, is the plan which is now in course of elaboration If my information be correct, it is proposed to arant to all workmen of a certain age, say 35 or 60, retiring pensions, as if they had been paying in to the fund all their lives. How this plan is to be worked out _ . mum yet to be seen. The Chamber to-day was occupied solely with petitions. There was an important sitting yesterday evening of the Club du Conseil d'Etat. A member cf the ma jority having complained of the formation of so many new parliamentary meetings, MM. Collet and Geo. de Grammont, who are both of them members of the Napoleonian meeting of the Beaux Arta, answered, saying that the new club was instituted in order that the members might be better acquainted with each other, but that it was not their intention to become separated from the majority. M. Buffet, not satisfied with this statement, persisted in blaming as danger ous the tendency to form separate meetings. M. Bsze, however, sad he thought there was no harm or danger to be feared, inasmuch as these meetings were men subdivisions of the larger club. This opinion was allowed to appear general. M. Mole informed the meeting that the board had decided not not to take any , steps as regarded the elec tions that are about to take place, as it wu best to leave all the care to the electoral committees of the capital and departments. SUNDAY, 5 30 P.N. General Lamoriciere, envoy at St. Petersburgh, and M. de Beaumont, minister at Vienna. have sent in their resignation to the President of the Republic; their determination is founded on the recent chsnge of ministry here. The duel pending between M. Pierre Bonaparte and M. de Rovigo, took place this morning with swords. The former having received several slight wounds, succeeded in disarmuig the latter. M. Bona parte wished to continue the duel with pistols, but the seconds of M. de Rovigo refused to accede to the proposal. It seems that the project of law on pensions to the labouring classes is creating a considerable degree of excitement. Though its exact tenor is generally un known, is so far at least as details are concerned, mazy people at the Bourse were discussing the subject yes terday. But the public anxiety is based more perhaps on the fact that the new law is the subject of considerable bickerings in the cabinet. It is stated (sa ) s the Srecley that the President of the Republic had charged the minister of commerce aid egriculture with presenting the pro ject of law in question to the Chamber, without in forming the rest of the cabinet of the fact. M. Dumas, in order to palliate anything unusual that might be found in this conduct, communicated the project of law to the Committee on Public Assistance. Hence, great discontent of the President on the one band, and of the ministry on the other, M. Fonld, especially, being very much annoyed by the steps taken by M. Dumas. Hence, also, rumours of M. Fould's re signation. It is now said that the project of law will meet with so many obs'aeles that it will not be pre sented. Amongst the petitions which were rejected in the Assembly yesterday, is one for replacing on its pedestal, in the Court of the Louvre, the statue of the Duke of Orleans. PARIS, Nov. 24. Poe leer Amount. Mosey. ppening Iliisbeet. Lowest.' Maim ------ --. 1 --. 5 Per Cents. ....... 37 • , 57 0 37 5 56 85 56 9S 5 yes Cents.. I 44 69 90 89 90 89 20 89 75 S do. New Loan-. n n 41 per Cents.— —. 7 876 i ~ 44 n .. I Per Cans . n ' ~ .4 " Exchange on Lunen: 30 days. 25 50;9 0 days, 25 33. Went, 5, 1840 Ds 3, 11142 Do' y Do. 91 Boutan—Parle and Orleann, ' 740 ; Paris and ROOM 5!6 93; Strasbourg sod Bale, 103 75 ; °intro (Vinson), 302 50; Bordann, 39; 00 ; North, 449 50 ; Parts and Btrasboarg, 356 15; Tour. and Nantes, 980; Waterton and Troyes, 110; *dens and tontine, 137 50 ; Versants, tight bank, 940 ; Vanities, lilt bank, 170. 11[imam Nov. 20—Three per Cents., 26 9-16 account ; Four per Ceuta., Ili ; Fire per Came, ill paper ; Coupoos, 6i ; Bank of St. Ferdinand, 77 paper. Ezehange on L00d0n,20.40. ITALY. SARDINIA.—The King of Sardinia hu issued the following proclamation, dated the 21st inst. : In the midst of the serious circumstances of the moment, the loyalty of which I think I have given proof by words as well as by sets ought to have been sufficient to have removed all uncertainty from the public mind. However, I feel the desire of addresaine same words to my people, which will be the (mots nano( truth and sinmity, and at the same time a guarantee of security and peace. The dissolution of the Chamber of Deputies does not in any way compromise the liberties of the country, which ue under the protection of the venerated memory of my father, Charles Albert, entrusted to the honour of the house of 13svey, and protected by the oaths that I have taken. Who under these circumstances can have any fear for them ? Before assemblies the parliament I addreesed some honest words to the nation and to the electors. In my proclamation of the 3rd July, 1849, I exhorted them to act in such a manner as that the statute should not become in future an impossibility. But a third of the electors only responded and took put In the electicns ; the remainder reglected the exercise of a right which is at the same time the duty of every citizen in a free state. I bad dose my duty; why did they not do theirs. In my speech from the throne I made known the sad situation of the state. I showed the necessity of • truce between party feelings, and of asp edy resolution of the vital questions which kept affairs in check. My words were dictated by a deep love for my country and an unstsized loyalty. What d:d they produce? The first sets of the chamber were hostile to the crown. The chamber made use of its right but when I had forgotten, should it not also forget. I shall be silent on the unreasonable struggle engaged by the opposition against the policy which my ministers honestly followed, and which was alone possible. I shall also be silent as to the attacks made &plan' the prerogatives ethich I hold from the law of the state. But I have the right to demand a severe &anent from the chamber of its last acts, ant I appeal without fear from it to the judgment of Italy and of Europe. I concluded a treaty %kb Austria, which was honourable and not ruinous, and tech as the public welfare required. The honour of the country and the oath which I had taken required that it should be religiously executed, and without subterfuge et afterthought. My ministers demanded the ratification by the chamber, which, however, rendered it impossible, by destroying the reciprocal independence of the three powers of the state, sad by violating the statute of the kingdom. I have sworn to maintain junto., and the eillTeite by eicb of his civil rights. I have promised to save the nation from the tyranny of parties, whatever might be the profession, name, or rank of those who cnreposed them. These promises and these oaths I have kept by dissolving a chamber which had become impossible, and I fulfil them tty convoking another chamber; but it the country and the electors refuse me their support, the responsibili:y of the future must be no longer on my head, and the disorders which may ensue must be Liken as the result of their own fault. It 1 have thnui,ht necessary to an Min espressioas on this musics, I hope good sense that the and jetties of the co u n tr y I will admit that they bear the marks of a deep love for nth people, and fee their real interest', end *et they take their town in the firsa will that I possess us maintain their Mettles and te defend them wines enemies abroad cc at haste. The bowie of Savoy has sever ull this day in vain appealed to the geed ewe, the fidelity, and the love of its people. I have a right, therefore, to count upon then in this circumstance, and to be ceravineed that if we are united, we stay save the statute and the country front the dangers which threaten it. Dose at the Chateau of Yonealleri, the 20 of November, ISM (Signed) Vicroz Muumuu.. (Connter-signed) D'AzaoLio. This proclamation is preceded by a report to the king, describing the conduct of the Chamber in re facing to vote the treaty, and making for a dissolution of the old and the election of a new chamber. Our oorrespondent at Turin, writing on the 21st inst., announces that the elections will take place on the 9th proximo, and the new houses will meet on the 20th. ROMAN STATES.— A letter from our Roman correspondent, dated November 16, states that the loan already referred to in our columns, was on the point of being effected to the amount of four million. and a half of dollars, to be paid down at once. at the rate (it was said) of eighty-seven for every nominal hundred. GERMANY. PROBABLE RUPTURE RU6SIA BETWEEN AUSTRIA AN P. Our Berlin correspondent's letter of the 22nd inst. informs us of the reception by Prussia of a very threatening note from Austria respecting the German question. The Cbk,grie Gazette of Saturday publishes the following telegraphic despatch from Berlin, dated Friday evening, the 23rd: " I have just learned from an authentic source that Austria a few days ago entered a formal protest against the assembling of the Reichstag, threatening intervention by force. The council of ministers sub sequently met, and subjected the elective laws for the parliament to their last revision in reference to Prussia, and also resolved upon sending an answer to the Austrian note, in which the rights of Germany are energetically upheld, and which declares that force will be met by force. The despatch in question has already been sent off." Since the foregoing was in type we have received the following from our correspondent : BERLIN, Nov 23. The information I forwarded yesterday Teepee:big the threatening note said to have been received from Ans'ria is confirmed. All are on the alert fa the events which the immediate future may b leg with it. The Cologne Gazette, of Sunday, says that the pro test from Austria did not arrive in the shape of a formal state paper, bat in an ordinary despatch, and that the answer of Prussia was transmitted in the same form. mations of joy which were somewhat scares did not seam to come from the heart. SCHLESWIG-HOLS'fEIN.—It is rumoured on tolerably good authority in Flensburg, that the ' Swedish and Norwegian soldiers are very shortly to return to their homes, when the whole duchy will be in the hands of the Prussians. TURKEY. Our Vienna correspondent, writing on the 21st inst., says: Letters of the 10th from Constantinople mention fresh subjects of dispute between Russia and Turkey in consequence of the energy with which the united diplomacy of England and France has followed up its victory on the refugee question. It is said that the Porte not only insists upon the evacntion of the prin cipalities of the Danube by the Russians, bat is also determined, after the expiraticn of the stipulated term, to withdraw those coucessions in favour of Russian commerce over other nations which at present exist. The French fleet has anchored before Vourta, some leagues from Smyrna. It consists of 6 ships of the line, 1 fcigate, 2 steam-frigates, and 1 screw-corvette. Oa the 11th a steamer from Constantinople brought the admiral despatches from Gen. Aupick. The King of Greece has dissolved the chambers, and the new ones are to meet on the 22nd Dec. THE PENINSULAR MAILS, PRUSSIA.—Baeute, Nov. 21.—The land tax ques tion seems now to have been abandoned by the second chamber. The opposition, under the direction of Mr. Harkort, introduced a bill for the abolition of execu tions under the land tax, and in following this up, they proposed that it should be considered by a special committee to be appointed for the purpose, but the general business committee decided on re commending the chamber not to receive the proposi tion for a committee, but to refer the bill to the gene ral finance and tax committee. In consequence, any discussion of the land tax question mast be considered entirely hopeless during the present session. The recent proceedings of the Landwehr, when called out, and the democratic tendencies which some what threateningly manifested themselves, seem to have occasioned the adoption of serious mcasures by the government. A commission has been instituted under the presidency of the Prince of Prussia, for the purpose of considering the question of a new organi ration of the army and of the Landwehr. The chief members of the commission are the Minister of War, and General Wrangel, with some other generals and colonels. By similar means the government en deavoured before the March events to banish liberal ideas wherever theyshowed themselves; regi mer. te were removed as soon as they had established iriendly rela tions with the citizens of the towns in which they were garrisoned; the officers cf the standing army were placed in command of the Landwehr, but it was ell of no avail. Yesterday the Second Chamber completed its revi sion of the constitution, and to-day its proceedings refer to the provincial rights of West Prussia. The Upper Chamber commenced to-day its delibera tions on the important article referring to the chem bars. E' ht amendments to articles 62 and 63 have been handed in, and are already printed ; ssverat others were handed in to-day. According to the cons'itu tion the 180 members of the Upper Chamber are to be elected by the representatives of the provincial districts and circles. The committee cn the midi: tit ion proposes the following amendment:—" The Upper Chamber consists of the royal princes, who ere to take their seats on completingt heir eighteenth year, en] of 240 elective members. Two-thirds of the fatter are to be elected by the district representatives, the o.her thirei are to be elected in proportion to the numbers of the population by the two hundred highest taxi d landowners in each province. The extreme right led by Herr Stahl and Von Gerlach proposes the fol lowing:—" The Upper Chamber consists of the princes of the blood royal ; of the heads of the former immediate princes, counts and barons of the empire ; of 60 hereditary members, to be named by the King (each of whcm is to possess a yearly income, from land, of not less than 8,000 flatlets); of 60 (or should the former proposition be rejected of 120) members, to be chosen by the largest landed proprie'ors in each province ; of forty members, to be chosen from the largest merchants an d manu facturers in each province ; of one member for every provincial town of importance, to be appointed by the magistracy from i's own members ; of the sight general superintendents of the evangelical church; of the eight Roman catholic bishops; and of one deputy fur each university, to be chosen from among the regular professors by themselves." What an olla podrida ! Toe moderate members of the Left have prop Bed the following :—" The royal princes, and 240 mem bers, to be chosen by direct elections. In every elec tive district, every Prussian, who is 30 years of age, in possession cf his civil rights, and paying yearly Sc least 18 dollars class taxes, or possessing land of greater value than 10,000 thalere, or a clear annual income of more than 1,000 thalere, to possess the franchise." The official gazette contains a long list of orders and decorations conferred by the Grand Duke of Baden on his Prwaieu cavaliers. Jenny Lind has already left the royal palace ; bat she will return in a short time, when she is to sing in several concerts. AUSTRIA.—VIENNA, Nov. 20.—The explanations in the last Wiener Zeitung as to the course which ministers intend to pursue in the revision of the tariff have had, as I suspected, just the reverse of that re assuring effect upon the public which was contem plated. In fact, the universal inference is, that the government intends to dis„oense with the deliberations of the Reichstag upon this leading subject of le g'ela don, and to eetroy a new tariff. The Emperor set out on his journey to Prague lets on the night of the 18th. He was accompanied by the Archduke William, Count Greene, Sohwarzen berg, awl Bach. Baron Augustine, General Sillaba, Baron Thierry, and two high functionaries in the foreign department were also included in the party. The ministers were in their new nnitorms. The partly reached Prague early yesterday afternoon. Having been received with due ceremony et the ter minus the Emperor drove between the lines of na tional guards drawn up alone the festively decorated streets to the royal castle of Hradschin. According to the latest news from Athens the go vernment had received a note from St. Peter:dour:, in which the Assailer government protested in terms of energy, amounting to menace, against the favour able reception accorded to the political refugees. SCHWERIN (dECKLENBURG), Nov. 15. — Oar correspondent writer. :—Some days ago the young Grand Duke Frederic Francis celebrated his marriage with • Princtes de Reuss, the whole country taking a part in the festivities on the occa sion. Above all, the festivities were mostbrilliant at Schwerin. The whole town was decorated, and scarcely a hens° was to be seen not covered with garlands or green boughs, or not illuminated, and yet no very great public enthusiasm was mani fested on the occasion ; and though the fke was t and compete it ceased to eppen• t , o on I, sc lug the streets and entering the houses. The excla- The Oriental Company's steam packet Jupiter, rapt. Francis Meehan, arrived at Southampton on Satur day, and lauded her mails under the charge of Lieut. Peter Rainier, R N., Acmiralty Agent. Her dates are: Gibraltar, Nov. 16; Wiz, Nov. 17 ; Lisbon, N0v.19 ; Oporto, Nov. 20 ; Vigo, Nov. 21. Tnere is very little political or other news from the Peninsula. Notwithstanding the proclamation for • general thanksgiving throughout England for the cessation of the cholera, not one of the beards of health at the above foreign pore are disposed to take off the qua rantine. At Vigo especially, end indeed throughout the whole peninsula, it is too good a thing to low ' and the shameful bribes and tees which are exacted will ensure its continuance as long as practicable. The duration of quarantine at the several ports is as un derstated, viz.: Vigo two days, Lisbon eight, both North and South; Cadiz no admission, and Gibraltar six days from an arrival. There have, however, been several cases of cholera at Gibraltar. The Puha, with the cutward bound mails of the 17th, arrived in Vigo on the 20th at 9 p.m., and sailed on the 21st at 9 a.m. Neither Tagus nor Iberia had arrived at Gibraltar when Jupiter left. The Morocco and French dispute is amicably settled. The French squadron anchored off Mogador and Tangivs, and were saluted by the Moors return ing the same number of guns (21). H.M.S. Arrogant accompanied Pomond to Mogador to watch the pro ceedings. In consequence of the events at Macao, the Port-2- guest government have despatched orders to all their eependencies to send forthwith all the forces they can, both ravel and military, to that place. The Le Hogue came into this port ou Saturday ; it is said to remain for the winter. - Government have been reforming some of the de partments dependent on the treasury, while the home department continues to improve the cmidition of the roads. It appears that such was the state of the weather at the time of the harvest, that the whole of the pro duce in the valley of the Mondego hui been ruined. Government have been petitioned to exempt them from paying the "decima" in cons' quence. During the exhibition t f national art in the Arsenal, the g overnment permitted the exhibition of foreign manuticture at the Carmo. Lisbon Exchange, 541 dis.; of Lisbon bank notes, 17 to 20. ARRIVAL OF THE RIPON.—The Oriental Company's steamer Ripon, Captain Moresby, arrived at Southampton yesterday, with the Southampton portion of tle Indian mail, whit h was landed undsr the charge of Lieut. Brady, R N., Admiralty agent. Her dates are Malta, Nov. 13, and Gibraltar, the 19. h. The date of her Corfu mail is Nov. 9. The Ripon also brought home a small mail from Van Die men's Laud. Amengst her passengers is Dr. Gutzlaff, the celebrated Chinese government wintery ; with some members of the Earl of liardwicke's family. Amongst hsr cargo is specie to the amount of 20,0001., and a quantity of silk, Harmony, dates, and tortoise. shell. The Ripon during her voyage has experieoced generally fine weather, but she had a fresh 8 W. wind and much rain from Cape Futisterre homeward. She sp ko, off Almeira, on the 18th, the English brigs Catherine, of Exeter, and the Asia; and on the 19th, the schooner Rein deer, off Gibraltar. Her Majesty's ships Spitfire and Her Men were at Gibreltar. Sixty milts W.S. of Gibraltar the Janus was atetrieg eastward, but going to Malaga. The Rpon's mail is the first foreign mail that has arrived on a Sunday at Southampton since the commencement of Sunday duty at the General Yost-office. Vbe Court. OSBORNE, Nov. 23.—The Queen and Prince, ac companied by his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, and their Royal Highnesses the Princesses Alice, Helena, and Lorin, and attended by the Viscountess Canning, Lady-in- Waiting, and the lion. Miss Dawson, the Baron Stockmar, Col. the Hon. C. Grey, Major-General BAeles, and Mr. Birch, crossed from GJsport in the Fairy, royal yacht, Lord Adolphus Ficzcluence, and arrived at Osborne about two o'clock this afternoon. Nov 2S.—Toe Queen and Prince, accompanied by his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales and younger members of the Royal Family, walked this morning in the park and grounds of Odsorne. Her Majesty, his Royal Highness, and the ladies and gentlemen of the royal household attended divine service at Whipploghant Church this forenoon. The service was per formed, and sermon prea , bed, by the Rev. J. Pretheeco. THE QUEEN DOWAGER. the followieg bulletin of her Majesty's health was issued on Saturday: " The Priory, Nov. 24, 1849. " The Queen Dowager had lit , le sleep during the last night, and her Idejesty u somewhat more feeble to-day. " DAVID Davirts, M.D. " RICHARD BRIGHT, M.D." The Earl sad Countess Howe left the Priory on Saturday morning, and returned in the afternoon. The following bulletin was issued reaterday : " The Priory, Nov. 2S, 1849. " The Queen Dowager has passed a restless night, attended with much oppression and pun. " Her Majesty is weaker this morning. "DAVID DAVIES, M.D." Viscount Chewton and Captain Charles D'Aguilar had an interview with Sir (horns Grey on Saturday, at the Homo-office. Mr. W. Jackson, M.P., transacted business at the railway departmint of the Bard of Trade on Friday. The Marquis of Laesdowne arrived in town on Saturday from Paris. Despatches were sent off on Saturday evening, from the Colonial office, for the Governors of Ceylon and tch I 11°"-ligmg THE WHOLE OP THE CABINET MINISTERS ►ill assemble at the council to be held at the Foreign•o®a to morrow afternmn. COLONIAL APPOINTMENTS.—Mr. John Beecroft has been appointed her Britannic Majesty's Consul for the Bights of Benin and Biafra, on the coast of Africa. Mr. George Charles Miller, who has been for some time acting as British Consul at Tahiti, has been commissioned as her Britannic Majesty's Consul, to reside at that island, which is the principal of the group of islands known under the desig nnti .n of the Georgian and Windward Islands of the Pacific. Commander Goldfinch, R N , bas been appointed deputy superintendent of convicts at Bermuda.—Obserte►. FURTHER CALLS TO THE BAR.—A farther call to the bar of students of the Hon. Society of the Middle Temple was made on Saturday last (November 24. h) and they comprise the following gentlemen: George Atty, Esq! Michael Prendergast, Esq., David Bingham Hely, Esq., James John Bate Rowley, Esq., John Marshall, Esq., John Bradshaw Gadfrey, Esq., Edward Harper, Erg., Frederick Lawrence, Esq., Wiflism Name. Rq., James Stewart Thorburne, EN., John Wesley Nelson, Esq., Isidore Jolli yeti. Esq., John Gilmour, Esq , end John Day, Esq. THANKSGIVING-DAY OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC Cnunno Yesterday was appointed by the heads of the Roman Catholic Church as • day of thanksgiving for the removal of the cholera, and it was observed with much so:emnity at the various metropolitan chapels. At Moor ' fields there were special services, which were attended by many of the leading members of the church, and, high mass having been performed, the sermon was delivered by the Rev. Dr. Walsh. At St. George's Cathedral there were also services, and • sermon was preached on behalf of the widows and orphans' fund, by the Right Rev. Dr. N. Wiseman, Bishop of Melipetsmus and Vicar Apostolic of the London District. The day was specially observed at Spanish-place Chapel, Lincoln's-inn-fields Chapel, Warwick street Chapel, Chelsea; Virginiastreet, Bermondsey; and , uthi r !El Ji the metropolis ant suburbs. Liberal c3l - was made in all eases on behalf of the fund. RAILWAY MEETINGS. GREAT NORTH OF ENGLAND. - - On Friday afternoon the adjourned meeting of the shareholders of the above company was held in the Centr a l Hall, Darlington, N. Flaws Big., in the chair. The CHAIRMAN stated that the directors of this ooa pan, and the committee they appointed on the previe w' day had that morning, at Newcastle, met the director et the York, Newcastle, and Berwick Company. A dhco ie j % ensiled between the respective bodies, and the commit* would now report the result to this meeting. Mr. HUBBARD, of London, the chairman of the sass minas, read a memorandum ot the articles !greed to by th e representatives of the twe companies who wet, appointed for the purpose of arnmeng win for the payment of the sum of 3 , 64 7.0001 elne Frew' the York, Newcastle, and Berwick Company to the Grim North of England Company on the Ist July, 1850. the =Wanes of these articles is that three -tenths of th e sum shall be payable by the delivery of debentures fell* due on Ist July, 1833, and bearing interest at the rste 4 per cent. j that four tenths shall be payable in like mime on the Ist January, 1835 ; that three-tenths Mad also ke payable on the Ist July, 1838 ; and, finally, that the pro* *ions of these meld. a shall be embodied in an act of ped6. meat, affording complete security to the shareholders of o w , Great North of England Railway. A lengthy discussion ensued, in which Messrs. HAWN', Frewin, Fowler, Hon. J. C. Dundee, Saul, and other s. ' fiuential proprietors, took part, respecting the propriety c i accepting the terms proposed. Much difference of opi e i ge on the subject was elicited, but eventually Mr. HUBBARD proposed a tesolution in the avatar% and that the directors be authorised to carry those o nr into tffeet. Mr. SAUL seconded the motion, which was carried, thew being only two oisseotients. A vote of thanks hosing been given to the chairman sad the committee, the meeting separated. MONMOUTHSHIRE RAILWAY AND CANAL COMPANY. The usual November meeting of this company w t , had h Newport on Friday last, the chairman of the cocupa,,y pro, sidir g, The CHAIRMAN addressed the proprietors and comps* toted them on the economical manner of the alterations m the line which were necessary in order to bring their with up to the engineering standard of the present day. if, alp intimated that there was an immediate prospect of the one. tag of a passenger traffic on the line, and he promised theta seem as the committee had more money at their dine* available for the purpose, they would proceed to the tam. pletion of the Newport and Pontypool line. He concludet by congratulating the tussling on the prosperous maditim of the company as compared with other undertakings. Some of the proprietors having found fault with us kits went of accounts terwarded to them, a long cone ehe rk„ took place, and it was ultimately moved by Mr. JOHN Jilt• ants, jun., and seconded by Mr. JAMES BIRCH, t h at the ace' not for the battles'. ending 30th September let, sa certified by Mr. Jordan, the public accountant, having hem laid before the m. sting, and it appearing that certain sum therein charged to cap tat account ought properly to ha charged to the revenue account, resolved,_" That& taid account be reconsidered by the committee with reference to this objet, and that a copy thereof, Is hen amended, be true stated to each proprietor.' . This resolution was carried. A dividend at the rate of 5 per cent per annum su dr dared for the half year ending 30th September. Tke report of the committee was then read, which Wald that the principal alterations and improvements required', the government inspector, before he sanctioned its mess passenger line, were confined chi, fly to the Pork Ws and that there would be little difficulty in getting tests mainder done when those were executed. The revenue for the half-year was mite& to be 22,1671., and the expenditure 7,7691. That ka having been voted to the chairman, the meeting separated. YORK AND NORTH MIDLAND. Font th and final report of the Committee of Itiv* tigation, to be laid before the meeting of the shueholden on the 29th day of November, 1849. The press nt fallen of your committee's report will la limited chiefly to a few remarks upon the following subjects: 1. The existing arrangement with the Midland Railway Company with respect to the Leeds traffic, by which to wee* of that traffic, except minerals, from this compeers several lines of railway, is passed over the Midland lisse to stead of b. ing conveyed over this company's own (Leeds la Selby) line. 2. The unequal division of the receipts for carriaye of set. chandise ever the joint lines of this company gad the Liss shire and Yorkshire Company. 3. The report and &menu* presented by the committee's accountant, more particularly the suspense account. 4. The proceechnes that have taken place since the be meeting of the shareholders with respect to the continuation of Mr. Meek as chairman of the board of directcn. Your committee have presented to 3cu, from time to the, the pro3ressive results of their investigation in three semi reports, in which they have comprised a plain and fall statement of the principal matters that have come under their notice with respect to the York and North Miami Railway, both as to its past management and its crest and present condition. There are some few mitten is connexion with the past management which yet PledlllB be investigated ; there is much also to be done with rs specs to tie:present traffic rates and charges, partings!, tome fee parcels and goods, which your manatee are of opinion will require moat caretul amides* • and in many cases remodelling; a general examination into, • and thorough revision of, the establishment is also mot wanted ; but your committee consider it nneecesn7 ft them further to prolong their labeurs on account of then , matters, as these which relate to the past management will encroach very little upon the time of the directors to io?,I0. gate, while with respect to those referring to the few , traffic and management, the directors would ao doubt se quaint themselves therewith by personal inquiry coed tiler lion, even if the committee were to report thereon. LEEDS TRAFFIC. Your committee find that an arrangement Las long existed with the Midland Railway Company for this company to ma. vey th. ir passenger trc by heir own trains r the Sid. land line into Leeds, affi instead t of along the Leeds mid Selby line, which is the property of this company. In July of last year (1848) an arrangement of a gads kind was made with reference to the merchandise tr. Se is and from Litchi, which was to be conveyed to the Midlsi station instead of this company's station in that tows; tM chief object being the diversion of the Leeds traffic, wbiek then went coastwise from Hull on to the neighbouring list of railway. And that this company might not suffer fres this diversion, your committee are informed that there es a stipulation that this company should be insured by as Midland and other companies (which such a diversion of** traffic would benefit) at least the same net results from the Leeds merchandise traffic as they were at that time deriving therefrom. No such stipulation appears to have been formally.* corded in writing, and the only compensation to this cone pony is the comparatively small sum of 6001, which tbs Midland Company have agreed to pay as their proposal' for the past, with an intimation that nothing further is to be expected from them for the future. Whether as respects the toll and station rent charged by the Midland Company, or taking into account other matters which result from the agreement, which have been alreseil briefly alluded to, and which it is unnecessary, and emulate a certain extent be impolitic to detail more at length in Isis place, in either or both these cases, t h e arrangemints 61 diverting any portion of the Leeds mink, whether pastes or goods, over the Midland line, while the co m p e l ba d railway of their own, were, at the time when made, ow accompanied by a guarantee, not of the triffinr sum of 6001. but of an amount that would fairly meet the sacrifice to le made by this company, so injudicious and improvident ts appear almost incredible. As an illustration of the results of the passenger traffiels this company, it may be mentioned that the tif al fete from that traffic over the 71 miles of railway into Lettish* the 6th of November 1848, to the 4th of November 11/4 both inclusive, was Passengers Horses, carriages, and dogs l6 16 2 Parcels 289 18 0 £8,213 9 Of which the Midland Com pany received for toll and station rent 6,763 10 0 Add government passenger duty paid by this company. 290 1 0 6.053 Leaving this company's share to pay train and other expenses (about of the traffic) . 2,161 The mileage of the passenger trains between Methley and L cds was about 44,928, which, at 91d. per mile, amounts to 1,778 8 0 Guard of train, clerk at Leeds station, and stationery 1.973 Leaving a year's net prnceede of the passen ger traffic to this company (insufficient to pay the interest upon the carrying stork engaged therein) amounting to The merchandise traffic will not admit of a detailed el* nation in the ume brief spree u that of the lad oot t traffic, but your committee feel no doubt that,l.7. diversion of tra ffi c between Hull and Leeds, which bad tel! for years previously progressively increasing, the conveys!e of the existing traffic by the Midland nut' has been all': that company the entire benefit derived therefrom outs; 74 mike, while at the same time this companY'l °'‘ l a ge into Leeds remains almost useless, and of cou nvo! Ss This subject requires the serious consid rs er e atiaon , directors. LANCASHIRE AND YORKSHIRE cotter CO*. ' Your committee alto find that the receipts for cart til_7 l merchandise passing over the joint lines of base nvot, the Lancashire and Yorkshire Company hen 0%, unequally divided between the two companies, bo`b_n: respect to the mileage ova the two lines and the alloY. for terminal expenses. fi From a return famished to your committee, tir owing to this unequal divisicn, the Lancivire sod YcP Company have teen receiving about 5,0001. per 3` ,01214 t it than they should have done and that conseq of uonly company has been a sufferer to , that exteat. thim N ewe il . t itect, ll7 o,..r... fu ju r T thf . u . e ti e o d a bLTid at t i o tt s s h tm ow ...z t t b o e t tl; CO: it Too *wow poem] The 1. '1 upon 1 2. 1 J a nus publis @soh F s ad tv bees there( 'toad 3. Tb 83,7 9 for It that whir it is 1 of th Th bei of 72, 18 td