The Express. — London, England, 1867-11-22 00:00:00

LIFEBOAT SERVICES.—During the storms 44 the present year the National Lifeboat Institution has contributed to the saying of 878 Heel from various shipwrecks and 32 vessels from destruction. The Institution also expended V 1.4 In the same period on Its Lifeboat Establishments, in addition to grantin X 2,341 for rewards. The Committee of the Institution saroe.Uy appeal to the public for osestanot to enable them to meet the continued heavy demands on their IBS Lifeboat Establialnesits, Contributions will be thankfully received by the Conlon and country I..inkera, anal by the secretary Richard Lewis, tu.4. , a$ the Institution, 14, John-street, Ad e iph i, London. LASTS and BULBS. —Mr. STEVENS' SALES 1 .4 DI Mil BUI.ItA, Fruit Trees, Roses, and hardy shrubs Kill Lase place every WEDNEMMY and SATI. ItIMI , and fro yliviltiV as Moi.l.ty, at the Anctleareerns, 98, King-streak Cul ent•vanlvn, Lanalon.--estalogues on applkation. Ewe erpretso. TO ODSIIRSPON DINTS. advertitentente Intended for " The Exprese," London Evening Paw, must be at the Ofice, 10, liourerlastrett, by Two o'clock on tho aay of publication. DRIJILY•LASE Tuts EVENTICO, THE 1156115Y — VigICE. Mr. Phelps. Messrs. t'. t oulaT, fl. Sinclair. E. Phelps, Barrett. Temple. ttre.. Mrs. ller otsmt Venn. Miss Urattan.tec.—Anil THE LA M' CLUB. Me- Lanes Bestris Shirley and Kate 'Milieu. RAYSIARKIM T' 11 4 FAMITSO, VIZ iiiiNiirdVaiD. Mr. Compton.—ori Am El: ic.ts COCBIN. Remo. Sothern, Chlppen.lals, ?Agars, Raw., ..nd, Clark, fionlon, to. • Mem lames Robertson, Dalton, az.—And THE SPECrax BRIDZUKOOII. .11r. Raymond. PRJNelg , s*B. Tam Errine, A LITTLE FLIETATION.—AfterwhIch ARRAII NM; I'M Messrs. Bouelcault, Vining, D. Murray, J. G. Shore, I. N. rine, kc. , MU' Hughei and Mrs. Boucicault. —And NO. LUUND THE MINIM LYCEUM. TIM EvieetzoL PERFECTION. Win Maud Shelley.—ind 110%1E0 AND JULIET. Messrs. W. Lacy and Ryder; Mlaa Vestvali, gra Ilarstun, 31111 y Palmer. TWD. TISS ETnwrol, 'NOTHING TO NURSE. Ur. Thorne and Miss Ne*too.—KlND TO A VAULT. Velars. Tarselle, lhasford, and James ‘Lesdames Johnstone. Owynne, and Ilughow—And WILLIAM TELL WITH A YMNOCANCE. HOLBORN. Ting Evicowa, TOL LOVE. Altion H. J. Illontagoo, Peke, Oarleal, Westbuid, sod R. Widdfousah; Mesdames Stephens, Remade. C. •Onoiders, Am.—And MARY TIJILNSU: OR, TILE WICIOLS WILIJLV. Inas Josephs BRITANNIA. TEM Emma, THE MUTINY AT THE NO! E.—Maatilton Le Grand : Mr. and )Ira Langan and Mr. J. Millicent : Mr. Mark With IRE MAItILIAOR CERTIFICATE. 3lcesrs. Rey nolds, Howe, ar.; Mrs.& LAse.it Na dmen Caraway, Booth, x. MOW WATER AT LONDON ERTDOE. _ . TEN DAT —liorntog, Ilk 9a...,....Attern00n, Ith. Ont. ID-gol3oll—Moiming, oh. Cres.._..Atiernoon, uh. am. LO-VDON, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22. Ttu e Metropolitan Board of Works, that mag nified vestry which can do everything except drain London, lies just now under the shadow of a huge scandal. Its members assemble in an atmosphere of suspicion, repeat the ugly things said about them out of doors, and with surprising facility of judgment come to the conclusion that if there is not something in them, there easily might be. Last Wednesday a long sitting was occupied with oonOoring what should be done about a rumour which had got abroad, im puting corrupt practices to one of the members of the Board—Mr. F. DouLron, M.P. for Lambeth. The matter was not then brought forward for the first time, having been the subject of a miscella neous and very free conversation this day wee'c. On Wednesday, however, Mr. DOULTON was present, and the meeting was a special one to consider his case. No ono appears to make any charge against the hon. gentleman, the necessity of explanation on his part having arisen from statements made in the Bankruptcy Court by Mr. Foe:gess, one of the contractors under the Board for the Thames Embankment. Mr. FURNESS, when under examination before the Registrar of the Court, stated that he had paid a large sum of money to two gentlemen, his sureties to the Board as contractor, and that Mr. DOULTON had shared it with them. It was natural, we fear we must say, for them who read this statement and believed it, to assume that the money received by Mr. DOULTON was taken as the consideration for the use of his influence as a member of the Board to secure the acceptance of Mr. FURNESS'S tender; and the fact that that gentleman was actually employed to execute the work at a price I , gher by 100,000/. than that for which other contractors had offered to do it, was referred to as confirming the suspicion. It was this aspersion which Mr. DOULTON undertook to meet on Wednesday, in the presence of his colleagues. But before he rose Sir JOHN THWATTES, the Chairman of the Board, called attention to a statement concerning himself which was contained in the published evidence of Mr. FURNESS in the Court of Bankruptcy, and which there was no difficulty whatever in proving incor rect, as Mr. FURNESS had admitted. Thus, before the member for Lambeth opened his mouth, the credibility of the source of the rumour to his prejudice was seriously affected. As soon as he was in possession of the audience, Mr. Doeuros stated, that immediately upon hearing what had been said of him in the Court of Bankruptcy, he applied to the solicitor to the bankruptcy of Mr. FURNESS to be allowed to deny it in the same court upon oath—a course which that gentleman informed him was impracticable. Having referred to the inferences drawn from Mr. Fuforms'a evidence to his disadvantage, Mr. Douvrox gave them a "firm, " honest, and simple denial." The contract with Mr. FURNESS was made fouryears ago, and what took place with reference to the sureties was, according to Mr. DouvroN, this :--" I introduced the *in " tractor to two gentlemen. I saw the contractor " in conversation with gentlemen who on previous " occasions had been his sureties, and they heard " with surprise that ho had paid for the contract " under this Board no less a sum than 20,0001. " I told him it was ridiculous to pay that. I in " troduced him to ono of those two gentlemen, " and he undertook to be surety for him for half " he had paid on the previous contract ; but out " of the money so received not one penny ever " came into my possession." Mr. DOULTON, after making this statement, read a letter which he had received from Mr. Ft - Rana, in reply to one which ho had addressed to him concerning his evidence in bankruptcy. The hon. mem ber for Lambeth had inquired of him what grounds he had for his statement that he was a partner with the gentlemen who took money for becoming sureties for the Embank ment contract. Mr. FURNESS replied as follows : " If you will refer to my evidence, you will see " that I do not state with any certainty as to " the amount received by each. I certainly " assumed that you were a partner with the " sureties ; first, from the fact of the sureties " being introduced by you to me; and secondly, " from the fact of some of the bills bearing " your signature or endorsement, and upon my " requiring the sureties to renew some of the " bills, they refused to renew unless you en " dorsed the renewals. Not knowing how the " sum which I paid for the suretyship was dealt " with, I naturally concluded you had an interest "in the transaction." It thus appears that the allegation which was the original ground of all the insinuations and reflections made to Mr. Doovrox's prejudice was a conjectural inference which its author stated as a fact. If this were all, it might perhaps not be worth while to carry the matter further. It was impossible, however, that the inquiry should rest here. Allegations which had obtained THE —pxPAEss, FRIDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 22, 1867. a wide currency, and which involved thi Ohm/Pieter of a great public body disbursing annual reve nues equal to the gross income of some sovereign European States, could not be disposed of by the personal explanations of interested parties. Mr. DOULTON himself perceived this, and de manded that the Board should institute an in quiry. The very statements on which Mr. Dour,. vox relied on Wednesday show the necessity of a thorough investigation. The public knows very little of the way in which business is managed Ist the Metropolitan Board : it hears of works ' being executed at an expenditure of millions of money, and it knows that several of its members are themselves concerned in transactions of great magnitude. 'Whether it is prepared to hear that any of its members, besides representing their constituents, interest them selves in providing fortunate contractors with sureties, and regulating the terms on which they shall undertake their risks, may be doubtful. This system of sureties is itself also a matter worth in quiring into. There is something wrong when a man has to give 20,0001. to somebody to answer for him that he will fulfil his bargain ; and it is plain that the outlay must be by some means recovered. When we find that the contractor who submits to this tax gets his tender taken at a higher figure than would have contented his neighbours, it is natural to sup pose that the loss falls upon the ratepayers. Thus, apart from the mere personal question affecting Mr. DOULTON, it is most necessary that a thorough investigation into these charges should take place. Mr. DoULroN has met the imputations against him with a blank and indignant denial, and has chal lenged inquiry ; but the Board has not met his offer in a way which the public will approve. Such an inquiry, to command the confidence of the rate payersof London, should on everyaccount have been a public ono. The Board has resolved that it shall be held in private. In this it neither does justice to Mr. DOULTON nor itself. Mr. DOULTON would not accept a judgment against him from a court sitting with closed doors ; and a verdict of self acquittal pronounced by the Board, after a number of secret sittings, would have no moral weight whatever with the public. The Board would do well even now to reconsider its resolution. It should remember that it is itself a dependent body, the creature of Parliament, and that its doings may at any time be brought under the notice of that great court of appeal. At present, however, the Board cannot be said to recognise the seriousness of its own position. OUR CONTEMPORARIES. (THIS DAY.) ace Court. WINDSOR CASTLE, Nov. M. The Queen walked and drove in the pounds yesterday afternoon, accompanied by the Count and Countess of Flanders ; and her Majesty went out this morning, attended by the Hon. Emily Cathcart. The Countess of Flanders and Princess Christian went out driving. The Count of Flanders and Prince Christian went out shooting, attended by Colonel Burnell and Major-General F. H. Seymour. Lord Skelusersdale and Colonel Caven dish had the honour of joining the royal party. To-day is the birthday of the Crown Princess of Prussia (Princess Royal). Baron Dujardin, the Belgian Minister, arrived at the Castle yesterday, and had the honour of dining with the Queen and the royal family. After dinner her Majesty's private band played in the drawing-room before the Count and Countess of Flanders, Prince and Princess Christian, Princess Louise, and Princess Henrietta of Schleswig-Holstein, and the Ladies and Gentlemen in Waiting, the following selection of music : overture, " is Garza Ladre Rossini. Selection. " La Part du Diable" Aubr r. Scherzo, " Sinfonia" Mendelqcohn, Grand March ilia de Trois Meer sod Pas de Sohlats, "Guil laume Tell The Earl of Tankerville, Lord Steward, and Viscount Royston, Comptroller of the Household, had audiences of her Majesty this afternoon, to present addresses from the Houses of Parliament. The Lord and Groom in Waiting were in attendance. The Hon. Flom Macdonald and the Hon. Florence Sey mour have succeeded the Hon. Emily Cathcart and the Hon. Horatia Stopford as Maids of Honour. Lord Skelmenulale and Colonel W. H. F. Cavendish have succeeded Lord Begot and the Hon. Mortimer Sack ville West, as Lord and Groom in Waiting to her Majesty. The birthday of her Royal Highness Victoria Adelaid° ➢lary Louise (Princess Royal), Crown Princess of Prussia, born on the 21st of November, 1840, was cele brated at Windsor yesterday with the customary honours. MRS.DISRAELI.- There is now everyhope of Mrs. Disraeli recovering from her serious illness. In the after noon Mrs. Disraeli was again visited by Mr. Cowell, and a bulletin was immediately afterwards issued, stating that she was gaining strength. The Lord Chancellor and Lady Chelmsford en tertained at dinner, at their residence in Eaton-square, yesterday evening, the Right Hon. Sir Stafford and Lady, and Miss Northoote, the Right Hqn. H. T. L Corry and Mho Corry, Sr Battle and Lady, and Miss Frere, Sir Charles Young, the Hon. Colonel Bourke, Mr. and Mn. Charles Turner, and a select party. His lordship enter tained at dinner on Wednesday, Lord Cairns, the Lord Chief Justice of England, Sir Alexander Cockburn, Bart., the Right Hon. R. Gurney, Sir Richard Kindersley, the Right Hon. Sir Laurence Peel, Sir Robert Pliillithere, Baron Bramwell, Baron Channel!, Mr. Justice Shee, Mr. Justice Smith, the Queen's Advocate, Sir Ronodell Palmer, Mr. Wm. James, Mr. W. Brett, Mr. C. Pollard, Mr. Mellish, Hon. Geo. Denman, Mr. Bateman, Mr. Geo. Lange, kc. Viscount and Viscountess Stratford de Redcliffe and Hon. Mies Canning have arrived at their residence in Groevenor•aquare for a few dam from Hertfordahire. TILE PENINSULAR AND ORIENTAL COMPANY. LATER? INTkALIGENCE. r'''. THE HURRICIINE IN THE VIRCHIt ISLANDS. DESPATCH FROM THE PRESIDENT OF TORTOLA. Nov. 22. The following despatch, dated October 31, has been received this morning at the Colonial-office from Sir A. Rumbold, President of Tortola : SIR ARTHUR RUMBOLD TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM AND CHANI)OS. (COM) _ _ Virgin lalandi, Tortola, Oct. 31, 1867. My Lord Duke,—lt is my most painful duty to acquaint your grace that a terrific hurricane burst over these islands yesterday. The storm lasted from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., but the greatest force was from 12 to 2. In that brief space of time two-thirds of the miserable tenements of the town were blown down, the gaol destroyed, the church, the hospital, pier, school-house, Weideyan chapel, and poor-house are also destroyed, and my own dwelling unroofed and rendered uninhabitable. 2. The loss of life cannot as yet be correctly ascertained. I have, however, already been officially informed of above 12 deaths in the town, two at Peter's Island, two at West End ; while I hear that a quantity of people are killed in other parts of the county, and scarcely • but or habita tion is left standing. 3. All was bright and verdant, the withering blast has passed over it, and not a fruit or other tree remains. The works of the few remaining estates an all totally de -1 stayed. 4. It is impossible for any pen to convey an accurate ac count of the appalling misery. There is not 50/, in the public chest, and the chief tax, the house tax of the year, is just falling due, and of tours cannot be collected. If ever any calamity appealed to public sympathy, I am con fident this will awaken it, and I trust your grace will be ' able to point out some hope of relief, as we cannot levy any taxes from this impoverished community. IS. I shall send down to St. Thomas as soon as I can get a boat to go ; but all the Joon and canoes belonging to the place are either destroyed or very much damaged, and I do not know how soon I may be able to do so ; and I trust, from charity and other source', we may be able to obtain some flour and cornmeal ; meanwhile starvation, or very I like it, appears to be impending, for nearly all the small store of flour in the town was damaged by the tre mendous sea which swept in and carried away houses and individuals. 6. I forgot to add that the doctor's house is destroyed, the clergyman's very much damaged, and I and my family are compelled to take refuge in the public offices, where the paupers and police are also sheltered. I have, &c., (Signed) ARTHUR RUMBOLD. His Grace the Duke of Buckingham and Chados, P.B.—The deaths in Road Town amount to 22, 1-20th of the population. Adored patient to examine thorougbly the latter as well as the former establishment, especially as at the corner of the lane, under a shrine of the Mjdonna, an open drain might bays afforded the mesphators access into these cellars. Permission was obtained from Prince Chigi to visit his palace, and in doing so special orders were given to the police agents, who were accompanied by an archi tect, to limit their researches in Mr. Odo Russell's apart ments to an examination of the walls, chimneys, and similar cavities, without opening any closed cupboards, or touching any portion of his property. After the receipt of Cardinal Antonelli's reply Mr. Odo Russell had an interview with his emi nence, during which the latter renewed his assur ances that no want of respect had been intended towards the representative of the British govern ment, and referred him, if such should be his wish, to the Minister of Police for a detailed cognisance of all the circumstantial evidence which has neces sitated the step. The Duchess of Cesarini arrived in Rome a few days ago, for the arrangement of family affairs, from Naples, where she had proceeded with her sons, after the subsiding of the revolutionary movement in Velletri. As the Cesarini family are accused of having strongly promoted that move ment both at Genzano and Velletri, the duchess was ordered to leave Rome in 24 hours. (REUTER'S TELEGILLES.) ROME, Nov. 21. The official Giatmale di Roma says that many Garibaldians are assembled near the frontier. They appear unarmed, but seem to meditate fresh attacks. A body of 50 men entered Cervara on the 12th inst., and carried off three persons, de manding 8,000 crowns as ransom. Others entered Castiglione on the 14th, hauled down the Pontifical flag, and committed other excesses. " These facts," conclude the Giornale, "revive brigandage, which had ceased." ITALY. FLORENCE, Nov. 22. General de Lamarmora is expected here this evening. Tho Opiniunc denies the report of the breaking up of the camp of the troops on active service, whose head quarters remain at Pisa. (BY ATLANTIC 172ALGIL&PH.) AMERICA. NEW YORE, Nov. 20, 6 r.m. The steamers Nebraska and St. Laurent have arrived out. Closing prices :—Gold, 1391. Sterling exchange on London, lost. 6-20 United States Bonds, 108. Illinois, 130. Erie, 721. Cotton—Middling Upland, 18c. PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 20. Petroleum, standard white, 26c. NEW YORK, Nov. 21, G r.m. Congress assembled to-day. The Erin has arrived out. Closing prices :—Gold, 1391. Sterling exchange on London, 109 k ; 5-20 United States Bonds, 108 ; Illinois, 130; Erie, 701. Cotton: Middling Up land, 18. PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 21. Petroleum, standard white, 25. THE DOURO AT SOUTHAMPTON. (THIS DAY.) (BY TELEGRAPH.) SOUTHAMPTON, FRIDAY. The town is in a very excited state consequent on the arrival of the Douro. The vessel came alongside the dock at 9 o'clock. The Hanty. hire Advertascr and &nth. aariplon Obserntr have published second editions. The former publishes statements from some of those saved from the Rhone. Mr. Holdman, the boatswain of the Rhone, gives the fol lowing *seam! of thewreek of the Rhone, and the death of her commander:—" We were inaN.W. gale,blowing fresh, when we parted our cable with 60 fathoms in the hawse, and steamed away to sea. After steaming for perhaps an hour it became clear, and in about 15 minutes we found ourselves close to the shore. The captain then gave orders to turn astern, which we did immediately, and cleared the point. We proceeded steaming through the Gut and met • south east wind blowing fearfully heavy; it then became very thick indeed, so that we could scarcely see anything • ship's length. We had been steaming about two hours when I reported to the captain that there was land very close, indeed nearly abreast of us midships on the Fort hand ; with that the ship went ashore immediately. The captain said to me, ' Good Lord, is it ever possible °' and I replied, Yes, air, the ship's ashore.' The captain never spoke to me again, and shortly afterwards a sea struck him in the side and washed him over to the top of a skylight. The next sea took him between the ship's side and the rocks, and I saw no more of him. A sea struck me and finding I was getting exhausted, and could hold on no longer, I loosed my hold. The chief officer, Mr. Darby Topper, was killed by a spar about an hour before this. and I saw no more of any one, for I was washed overboard myself. I and five other men were saved by clinging to ' • hammock bin, which contained seamen's hammocks and floated. About 11 o'clock at night, as near as I can suppose from the darkness, I was washed ashore, all my clothes were washed clean off me, and I had nothing but a pair of drawers and a shirt on when I landed on Beef Island." Admiral Farragut has sent a despatch to his government from Sheerness, speaking in the highest terms of the great courtesies shown him in England. He men tions th►t he witnessed some of the gunnery experiments at Shoebwyne“. The American line of steamers between New York and Havre, of which the Arago and Fulton are the chief vessels, has been discontinued for want of patronage, sad the steamers are to be sold. Weston, the pedestrian, who is walking from Portland to Chicago, bad at the last accounts reached Schenectady, New York, a distance of 400 miles from his starting point, and nearly one-third of the whole distance. He has twice endeavoured to walk 100 miles in 24 hours, but in both cases failed. On the first occasion he sprained his ankle, and had to give up after walking 67 miles in 16 hours 46 minutes. The reason of abandoning the second attempt is not announced. He complains of sore feet, but is said otherwise to be in good spirits. A RAILWAY TRAIN STOPPED BY BRIGANDS. The express train from Madrid to Bayonne, due at the latter place at 1 o'clock in the afternoon throe days back, did not arrive until night, the delay having been caused by the followinz singular occurrence :—Some brigands having learned that a sum of two millions and a half of francs in specie was to be forwarded to Bayonne determined to obtain possession of the treasure. For that purpose, on the night of the expected arrival, seven of them went to the tunnel be tween the stations of Quintanapalla and filonsatris, and wired, bound, and gagged the watchman. They then proceeded to take up a certain length of rails. At a bout :1 in the morning they heard the wistle of the approaching engine, and one of them held up the signal to slacken speed, which was done, and on arriving at the spot where the rails were removed, the train came gradually to a stand-still without injury to any are. At that moment a voice was heard to exclaim, " Let no one move, or he is a dead man." The sixty passengers paid due attention to this warning except an Englishman, who, not liking the look of a musket which was pointed at him by one of the robbers, sprang out, and, although the man fired at him, renurined unwounded. A personal struggle then ensued between the two, during which he was struck repeatedly with the butt end of the weapon, but Beady remained the victor, putting his adversary to Hight and retaining the gun. Meanwhile the other thieves broke open the luggage-van, and rifled its contents. but without finding the expected booty. They had not been accurately informed, as the train with the specie had previously passed. A considerable sum of money which wan in one of the vans was, with great ex pertness, removed he the guard in the midst of the confu sion, and concealed in the tender of the engine, so that it (peeped notice. The brigands made off, after expressing great disappointment. Men were procured to mend the line, so as to allow the train to proceed en its way, but theincident led to a delay of several hours, as stated above. THE FENIAN CONVICTS. Tho Times supports the decision of the judges in the ease of the appeal by the prisoners' eounsel, and re minds Mr. Maguire and others who took part in the de bate of last night that, if those who defy the law may plead for • merciful interpretation of it, those who defend the law at the peril of their lives have surely • right to be heard. Were Mr. Seymour's view upheld, the risk of the policeman in executing his duty would actually exceed the risk of his lawleu ssesilants. A single flaw in his warrant might actually place him in a worse position than en ordinary subject of her Majesty, and make it possible for his murderer to escape with a simple fine, while he might actually be liable to the penalties of murder for using his own revolver too recklessly. To expect that policemen would continue to do their duty against such odds is to expect of them • devotion more than human, and had our courts affirmed the rule for which Mr. Seymour contended, it would have been neces sary for parliament to repeal it by express enactment. With regard to the Clerkenwell meeting, the Times de duces, from the paucity of numbers who attended, the inference that the London working men do not support the movement. Indeed, if, as seems probable, the Fenian declare open war against the domestic peace of English men, the determination of some classes of Englishmen to put it down may be stronger and fiercer than has yet been thought of. The Daily News observes that the lateness of the period at which the announcement of the respite of the convict Shore is made, appears to indicate that it is a final resolu tion, and that no further remission of the sentence of the law may be expected. Shore is a born American. The Post assumes that the apparent decision of the government to proceed with the extreme rigour of the law meets with the general approbation of those able to judge. The Standard wishes to acknowledge the loyalty and generosity of Mr. Gladstone in supporting the government. His interposition was effective and opportune, and some of his colleagues may profitably take example by it. The Star enlarges on the consideration that the news will fly over Europe that an appeal solemnly sealed by four counsel was contemptuously refused even • hearing. It can now only hope against hope that the prerogative of mercy will be exercised in a case which will otherwise be one of the most lamentable episodes in our annals. The Telegraph says, if in the case of Shore's companions it could have been shown that some of them were not armed with deadly weapons and did not act with premedi tation—every humane man would have rejoiced in the mitigation of their punishment. But the safety of society would be at an end, and the bulwarks of English justice would be thrown down, if, in coming to their final decision, the Ministers of the Crown were iniittenced in any degree by clamour and intimidation. TOILZION APFAIIB. Observing that in both houses of parliament there are many gentlemen whose convictions last no longer than the impulse, or the impression which has produced them, the Daily Nero proceeds to refer to the oracular trifling of Lord Houghton on the question of Rome. His lordship has just returned from an intimate soci►l visit to the Em peror Napoleon, and it might well have been predicted he would return home a facile believer in the bright side of the Napoleooio system. With a charming and half. unconscious piquancy, he explains the policy of the Emperor in Italy like a senator. The Conatillaioand itself could not do better. But if this impres sionable nobleman has made his influence felt in courtly circles over the water, no good cause, we may be sure, will suffer from his advocacy. And for the the rest, we are no more disposed to complain of his being a little " bitten" by imperi►lism than we should be to complain of his having returned from Paris, in February, '4B a democratic and socialist republican a Peas de rose. After describing the Emperor Napoleon as unexampled In his self-reliance end self-denial, in his rapidity of acknowledging a mistake and endeavouring to repair it, the TOWS procntdi to define the new bill for the »or ganisation of the French army u the abandonment of the original scheme and a return to the law of 1832. The re vised bill gives up the principle of absolute equality, re leasing from the " tribute of blood " all those who can in any way pay the debt in money. But mitigated as the measure certainly now is, there Is no doubt that it still enables the French government to raise its armament to enormous and even ruinous proportions, and invests it with almost boundless control over the freedom of the subject. The Port warmly supports the present Italian ministry. It would be impossible at the present moment to find any other body of constitutional statesmen with the real in terests of the monarchy at heart to accept office, unless for the purpose of carrying out leas effectually the iden tical views which General Menabrea and his colleagues now profess, and it is the idlest dream to suppose that any Italian statesman acquainted with the present position of his country would for a mingle instant speculate on the suicidal resource of a mup &dot. The Daily News urges 11. Kossuth to give the new govern ment of Hungary a fair trial, and not to embarrass it need lessly by raising questions likely to arouse the fierce pas sions and class prejudices now happily slumbering. It is surprised that be should have selected a policy of opposi tion to the projected railways as his newest weapon of attack. The want of railways in Hungary is practically the only thing which keeps her corn and wine out of our markets, and dooms so many villages, and so many thou sand acres of land to ruin and amt.. THE CONTRACT FOR THE MAIL SERVICES. This morning was issued a copy of the correspon dence between the government and the directors of the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company relat ing to the oonveyanoe of mails to India and China. It e . . 11 be seen by the following letter from the Postmaster- General, dated the Ist of this month, in which the terms of the new contract are set forth, that the only tender re ceived by the government for the carrying of the mails be sides that of the Peninsular and Oriental Company was one from an Italian company: " The Postmaster-General to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury. " General Post-offioe, Nov. 1, 1867. "My Lords,—l beg to inform you that. in conformity to your instructions, tenders have been called for, botb in this country and in India, for the India and China mail packet services. For the services on this side Alexandria and for • service between Aden and Yokohama tenders were required to be sent in to this office. For the Bombay and Suez service, and for a line between Calcutta and Yokohama (as an alternative route with that between Aden and Yokohama), the tandem were to be sent to the India-office. The only tender which I received, with the exception of one from the Societe Anonima Italians di Navigazione Adriatic° Oriental., who offer to perform a weekly service between Brindisi and Alexandria for 15,0001. • year, was the enclosed from the Peninsular and Oriental Company, offering to perform a complete service for 500,0001. a year, under a con tract for six years certain. This tender provides for • weekly serve—l , Between Southampton and Alexandria ; 2. Between Marseilles and Alexandria, 3. Between Bombay and Suez ; and for • service every alternate week-1. Between Suez and Hong Kong; 2. Between Hong Kong and Shanghai ; 3. Between Shanghai and Yokohama ; 4. Between Bombay and Oalle ; 5. Be tween Girdle and Calcutta. The rate of speed to be 10 knots an hour on the lines to and from Alexandria, and 9i knots an hour on the lines eastward of Suez. The vessels not to be subject to Admiralty survey. The penalties and premiums to be as in the existing contract, or for an additional pay ment of 5,0001. per annum the penalties may be made absolute. There are • few minor stipulations introduced into the tender; and with regard to a line from Brindisi to Alexandria the company state that they will be prepared to name terms for that line, if called upon by the government at a future time. The Secretary of State for India has informed me that no tender for any part of the service was received at the India-office. Looking at the very large amount of the subsidy asked by the Peninsular and Oriental Company, I thought it advisable to see the chairman and managers of the company, and to explain to them that I was not prepared to recommend your lordships to sanction the payment of such a sum and that I hoped they would be w illi ng to make • lower offer. In the course of our conversation they expressed their perfect readiness to have their books and accounts examined by anyone I might appoint, by way of showing that their demand was reasonable, and I requested Mr. Scuclamore to make this inspection Having formerly held the o ffi ce of receiver and accountant-general of the Post-office, he was well qualified for the business ; and, as one of the assistant secretaries, he was in a position to avail himself of the opportunity which might present itself for bringing the company to better terms. Mr. Scudamore has performed this task with his usual ability, and I beg to lay before your lordships the report which he has made to me on the subject. In his interviews with the managing directors, he has ascertained that, if a contract be made for twelve instead of for six years, the company would he wining to perform the service for 400,0001. instead of 500,0001. per , annum, on condition that, when the fund of the company accruing for dividend from ell sources rises above the sum required for a dividend of 8 per cent., the Post.office shall have one-fourth of the excess, and that, on the other hand, when the like fund, from causes not within their control, falls below the amount required for the payment of a 0 per oent. dividend, the subsidy shall be increased by the amount of the deficiency. In the event of its being here after decided by her Majesty's governm en t th a t the Indian /sc. mails shall be forwarded by the route of liiindisi, the company will agree that the amounts to be added to the subsidy on the one hand for the additional line between Brindisi and Alexandria, and to be deducted on the other side, for the abandonment of the postal service between' Marseilles and Alexandria, shall be settled by arbitration. All things considered I am of opinion that these terms cannot be called unfavourable; and I recommend your lordships to authorise um to accept them, and to prepare a contract in accordance with them. It is right that I should add that the establishment of • weekly mail with India, instead of a mail four times • month, will involve the necessity for 1:; voyages • year, instead of 12, being performed between Gall, and Sydney. For the addi tional voyage the company will be entitled, by the provisions of the contract of the 17th November, 1865, to an additional payment of 10,000/. • year, one half of which will be borne by the Australian colonies. This additional payment could of course form no part of the negotiations which have taken place with the company respecting the India and China mail sea-viees.—l have, kc., (Signed) "MONTROSE. "The Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, i.e." On the 14th instant the government intimated their acceptance of the offer contained in the above letter. In the letter from the Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. Hnnt) to the India-office, it is stated that the governm en t h ave reason to believe that the company will assent to the in sertion of a clause in the contract enabling her Majesty to buy or charter the vessels of the company in the interest of the public service. On the 19th the Postmaster General was authorised, the Secretary of State for India in council , having assented to the terms, to proceed to the execution of the contract as woo as possible. In • letter from the Secretary to the Post-office, dated the Bth inst., it is further stated, we should add, that the directors have " agreed that in the event of the arrangement proposed in his memorandum of the 26th' ultimo being adopted, and of its being necessary, at any I time, for the Post-office to make up the dividend of the company to the stipulated rate of 6 pa. cent., the Post. office shall not in any casein required to pay more than 500,0004, that being the amount of subsidy for which the company at first asked." THE FRENCH INVITATION TO A CONFERENCE THE MARQUIS DE MOUSTIER'S CIRCULAR. A Madrid journal publishes the text of the in vitation to a conference addressed by France to the gavernmenta of Europe. The fact of this document having been first translated into Spanish, and now into English, will probably occasion some slight variations in the wording, but the general sense remains unaltered : Monsieur,—Animated with feelings of sincere friendship towards Italy, and penetrated with the importance of the interests on which depend the security and independence of the Pontifical throne, the Emperor has witnessed with deep affliction and constant solicitude the antagonism in which events have placed the go vernment of the Pope and that of Victor Em manuel. Our greatest desire had been to dis cover the possibility of a good understanding, and to con template that result. We have omitted no efforts sug gested by a calm observation of facts, and the enumeration of the means we have employed would be long. However, being leas anxious to arrive at an immediate solution, than not to compromise, by premature excesses, a result which time alone can cause to bear fruits, we have codes. soured to calm agitation on one band, and mistrust on the other, and such was the spirit of the convention of the llith September. By placing the future of the ponti limey under the protection of. Italy and France, Rome might obtain security and the Italian government the means of calming, by the sincerity of its conduct, the un easiness and suspicion which had entered all hearts. This measure of prudence was destined, from the moment in which itshould begin to produce its effects, to appease the passions which under the form of patriotism have al ways endeavoured to divert the minds of the Italian'people from their natural pursuits, to convert them into instruments of a disorder which the revolutionary party is endeavouring to develop on all sides, with the same object and by similar means. The events which have just weaned in Italy carry with them a great lesson, and are of a nature to excite anxiety in the European cabinets. If the Emperor's government has been forced to maintain intact the conventions made with it, and if by its firmness it has given a fresh force to the feelings of moderation which in Italy aspire to establish the grandeur of the country on secure bases, this is not • reason that the task which events have imposed on France should fall on her exclusively. Her efforts, to be completely efficacious, must be largely shared by the other governmente, which are not leas interested in maintaining the principles of order and stability in Europe. At present there no longer exists those consi derations which, on • former occasion, rendered difficult the examination of such questions by the cabinets of Europe. Italy, recognised by the powers, in peace with them, and concerning itself only with her own subjects of agitation, cannot be a direct cause of disorder and conflict ; but the fact cannot bo denied that her situation, like that of Rome, requires the serious attention of all, because it is a subject of din quietude and anxiety. ANaording to the principles which are now recognised in the world, no government will refuse to give to its subjects of any form of belief all legitimate satisfaction required by the pence of their con sciences. We have no doubt that from this point of view the European governments will accept with eager ness the proposal we make to them to assemble in a conference to examine those serious ques tions. Thus, in examining the facts with- calm and at tention, that assembly, naturally inaccessible to secondary considerations, will find the bases of a labour to which we must not at the present moi.:ent think of fixing the limits, and of which we cannot anticipate the results. Be so good as to submit this object to the attention of the government to which you are accredited. For our part we are confident that it will not hesitate to give a favour able reply, and that it will recognise the opportuneness which circumstances give to the immediate assembling of the plenipotentiaries.—Receive, Le., Morena& ROME. MR. ODO RUSSELL AND CARDINAL ANTONELLI. Mr. Odo Russell, immediately after his arrival in Rome on the 13th inst., addressed a note to Cardinal Antonelli, requesting an explanation of the motives which had induced his eminence to authorise the police to enter his apartments in the Chigi Palace. The Cardinal sent a courteous reply, after the lapse of only a few hours, offering an ample apology for the apparent transgression of the privileges usually conceded to the residences of foreign representatives, and stating the reasons for 'the proceeding. I It appears (writes the correspondent of the Post) that in the course of the recent disturbances a plan of Rome was found on the person of a slain insurgent with several public establishments and palaces marked " red," indicating, as it is supposed, that such buildings were to be mined and blown up. The police authorities conse quently proceeded to a minute investigation of the locali ties thus designated, and are said to have discovered in the Orsini Palace, and some others, traces of operations having been commenced for this incendiary purp se. As the Monte Citorio Palace, a vast building, occupied by the direction of the police, prisons, passport offices, and tribunals, was marked red on the insurgent plan, ►nd as it is only ope rated from the Chigi Palace by a narrow lane, under which the cellars of the two buildings are contiguous, it was coo- LAW INTELLIGINtiCE. (TE IS DAY.) EQUITY COURTS. (Before Vice-Chancellor Sir R. Malin.) RE THE HYDRAULIC TUBE DRAWING .121 D STEEL ORDNARCR CONIPANY. An order wan made to continue the voluntary winding up of the company under the supervision of the murk. Costs of all parties to be paid out of the estate. Mr. Cotton, Mr. Glasse, Mr. C. L. Webb and M r . Graham Hasti ngs a pp e ared for the petitioners ; Mr. Rot. burgh and Mr. Robinson for the company ; and Mr. Denney for a large shareholder and creditor. RE THE TEICH %ALLEY RAILWAY COMPANY.—THE RAILWAY COMPANIES ACT, 1567. This was a petition of the chairman and directors foe the sanction of the court to a scheme by which it was pro. posed to raise 24,0001. in excess of the borrowing Powell authorised by the company', act of parliament. The appli cation was of importance, as it is the first ease which has arisen under the act passed last session for the purpose of enabling directors of railway companies unable to pay their debts to propose for the ap prove] of the Court of Chancery a scheme of arrangement with creditors, and if necessary for the raising of additional capital. It appeared that the scheme in this case bad been advertised as required by the act, and was unopposed. The total debts were stated to be 37,000/., and creditors to the extent of nearly 30,0001., were represented by counsel who assented to the petition. Mr. Cotton and Mr. Kekewich appeared for the peti. tioners, and Mr. Cracknell for the creditors. The Vice-Chancellor said the scheme appeared to have been very carefully and well considered, and it was one which he thought would he beneficial for all parties, in. chiding the creditors, the great bulk of whom have ex pressed their cordial approval of the course the directors proposed to take. The line at present was incom. plate, and wholly unproductive, and it was hopeless for creditors to expect anything from the company as matters stood. He was glad the legislature had taken steps to extricate railways from the state of embarraar ment and confusion in which the law had left them, and in pursuance of the power by which he was armed by the act of last session, he bid no hesitation in expressing proval of the scheme now submitted to him. The scheme must be advertised again in the London Gazette and in two local papers. COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH. Sittinp in Banco.—(Before the Lord Chief Justice and Justices Mellor, Shee, and Lush.) EXPARTT SCOTT JCL, r. POPPLEIVELL AND JACKSON. .. Mr. T. Jones, Q.C., applied, on behalf of Mr. Alexander Scott. jun., for a rule calling upon Mr. Popplewell and Mr. Jackson to show cause why a quo warranto should not issue, recprring them to show by what authority they exerciaed the ethos of town councillors for the borough of mouth in Northumberland. At the election the numbers ware declared to be for Mr. Popplowell, 273 ,• for Mr. pi Jackson, 240 ; and for Mr. Scott, n., 216. The election was sought to be set aside on the ground of irregularity. The affidavits stated that the presiding alderman did not open the poll until a quarter to 10 o'clock, the act specify ing that it shall be taken between 9 and 4 o'clock. That in consequence of the delay numbers who there was omen to believe would have voted for the applicant left, and that when the poll was opened the votes were taken so fast that the &mason were unable to record them, and bad to remonstrate several times with the alderman for taking them so fast. They also stated that many burgesses voted twice for two qualifications, and that the papers of others were tampered with, who otherwise there was reason to believe would have voted for the applicant. The Lord Chief Justice said the affidavits were exceed ingly vague. There was nothing to show that those who left in the morning might not have returned later in the day and have voted, and that there was not time to take all the votes. The affidavits should have shown specific results necessarily and inevitably flowing from the irregu rity at the counuenoement of the poll. Rule refused. . _ THE uur.EN r. TWISS AND OTHERS—THE ST ALBAN'S CARL This was a rule granted by the court calling upon Dr. Twiss and Dr. Robinson to show clime why a writ of ro hibition should not issue to restrain them from p roceeding in the suit of "Martin r. Mackonochie," in relation to the ritualistic practices at St. Alban's, Holborn. Mr. Prideaux, Q.C., now moved to mate the ride ab solute, no muse being shown. The rule was returnable on Saturday last, and he had reason to know that no cause would be shown. In fact, he believed that the promoter of the suit was more anxious to have the rule made abso lute th►n the defendant, in order that no time might be lost in proceeding with thE suit before Dr. Phillimore. The contention was and both sides. were now satiated, that Dr. Phillimore had no power to appoint surrogates to hear the cause. . . The Lord Chief Justice—Just so ; and they are going on with the ease before Dr. Phillimore Mr. Prideau —Yes. Rule absolute. COURT OF PROBATE AND DIVORCE. (Before the Jndge Ordinary.) BAREEi r. BARNES AND CRIMWADE, THE QUEFIVN PROCTOR INTERVENING. Dr. Spinks, Q.C., for the petitioner ; the Attorney. General and Mr. Bunsen for the crown. In 1%0 the petitioner was • groom in the service of Captain Brock, at East Burgoe, near Aldershot, and he had lodged with his wife (whom he had married in Itt:gi) at the co-respondent's, a baker, in the same place. The petitioner charged his wife with adultery with her landlord, and had procured • decree nisi ; but circumstances had come to the ears of the queen's proctor which had induced him to interfere in the interests of the public. Evidence was now given to show that during the pending of the suit the husband and wife had been on very good terms ; and that the petitioner had given the respondent money. It was also shown that previous to the separation the husband bad allowed great freedom to Grimy/ode in his conduct towards the respondent. Dr. Spinka contended that no ease had been made out for dismiming the petition. As to the gift of money, that was done every day by the advice of counsel, for it was well known that the wife had only to file a petition and she would receive a grant of alimony. The court was of opinion that the husband had bees guilty of neglect which had conduced to adultery ; and while it did not think there had been connivance, it con sidered them had been collusion in the prosecution of the suit. The petition was therefore dismissed, but costs were not asked for. THE POLICE COURTS. (THIS DAY.) MANSION-HOUSE. THE. DARING ROBBERY BY A BOY. James .Ifaerr,r, an errand boy, aged 14, was brought up on a charge of robbery. It appeared that the prisoner was an errand boy in the employment of Messrs. Hone, cocoanut fibre manufac turers, 65, Queen-street, and on the former examina tion it was stated that he had been under notice of dismissal. A few days ago he concealed himself in the premises, and after all the wcakmen had left he seemed to have broken open an inner door leading to an office, and there abstracted about 121. from a cash box, afterwards making his escape from a window looking into Newcastle-court by means of a rope. On the following day he was apprehended at the house of his parents at 12, Holybush•place, Bethnal-given, by two detective officers, to whom be gave up 84 but on their making a search in a back court the othcers found 2!. 10s. more concealed among acme rubbish. He had been once in prison before. The Lord Mayor sentenced him to one month's imprison. meat in the House of Correction and afterwards to go 10 Wandsworth Reformatory for a period of three years. CLERKENWELL • VIO="1 . IiCECZ AT • RAILWAY sTATION.—AssArLTINO • STATION-M.04E11. Arai M'Cleran, aged 35, described as • cloth finisher, residing at 14, Marlimeough•road, Hammersmith, was charged before Mr. Barker with creating • disturb ance and assaulting Mr. George Loveless, station inspector et the Metropolitan Railway Station, X ing's-crosss and also with assaulting Thomas Williamson, ticket col lector, at the same time and place. George Wells said he was a porter in the employ of the Metropolitan Railway. Last night, on the arrival of the 11.11 Hammersmith train the defendant was on the plat form, but did not attempt to get into the train until it was in motion. As the defendant was endangering his life, he prevented him from getting in, and had no sooner done so than the defendant spat in his face. When the train had gone the defendant canoed a great disturbance. fol lowed him upstairs, and had to be removed from the station. Mr. George Loveless said be was station-inspector at the King s-cross station of the Metropolitan 14illway. night the defendant, who wasa little the worse for liquor, made such a disturbance in the station that be ord ered him to be expelled. One of the ticket collectors at tempted to do so, when the defendant struck him . violent blow on the neck and attempted to kick bum The ticket collector pushed the defendant away, when the defendant again struck at him. Some men and wanton in terfered and pulled the collector about and held his arms. Finding what was taking place he went to the assistance of the ticket-collector, and then the defendant kicked de literately at him, and caught hint on a most delicate r" of his body. The kick caused Mm much pain, and be now felt the effects of it. When the defendant made the kick be said " That's a b— hot one for you." From the effects a the kick he went inside the station, and the defend ant followed him, and again attempted to kick hie, He was going through the refreshment department. to fetch sonic assistance, when the defendant followed lush and in endeavouring to strike him broke some glasses, for r I