The Express. — London, England, 1862-12-02 00:00:00

L pews FIRST CLASS and LONDON PRIZE MEDALS. WATHICILTTON and BROGDZN, GOLDSMITHS and Iswouiss. almantsctory, 14 Rena*Arsine; Coventipudsn, London, N.B Tbh establbluneut Is closed at 6in tits evening, and on sicordays at I o'clock. HHARMONIUMS.-NEW MODEL CRAMER, BEAU, and WOOD, 201, Ragentatreet. On Thurrday, the 4th December, will be published, price 44.. SOMEBODY'S LUGGAGE, Forming the EXTRA DOUBLE NUMBER for CHRISTMAS ALL THE YEAR ROUND. Conducted by CHARLES DRLKEN. CONTENTS: His leaving It till called for—His Boots—llls Um brella—lles Black Bag—lits Writing Desk—His Dressing Case — His Known Paper Parcel—llis Portmanteau—llls Hat Box—Hls Wonderful End. All the Year Round" is published in weekly numbers, price Ed.. In monthly parts, and hi half-yearly volumes, price M. tkL bound in cloth. IN FUN THIS WEEK, One Penny, Russell's Lag. Right Hon. E. Dorman. Almanack and Diary. Prim Zemlya Comic Encycl Wags for the prong. etc., Rt. Now 'TAO, handsomely bound in Magenta cloth, gilt, price Y. CAL; wet paid ss. each Vol., THE Fl RsT and 8 , KN1.) HALF-YEARLY voirmm of YEN, wall numerous &igratings by R talenled L Artists. Minuted Artists. Also now ready, FUN ALILANACK, with 24 Comic Coil. Ono Fenny. (Mace, SO, leleetatroet. Zhe erprefifi. TO OORR&SPONDENTS. Advertisements intended for " The F.:prom" London Evening Pam mast be at the once, 10, )3ouverteetrest, by Two • clock on the day of publication. COVENT GARDEN. THIS kridrinci, LOVEA TRIUMPH. Mies Louisa Tyne sad Madame Laura Baxter , Messrs. 0. Perren, Weiss, 11. Corti, Ayusley Cook. and W. Bardoon.—Conductor, 111 r. A. Mellon.—Cummenee at 8. RAYMARKFT. FYINTNIA A DAUGH LER TO MARRY. Miss R. Romer. OUR AM RRICAN cOCSIN. Messrs. Sotheru. Buckstons ; Mrs. Fltrwitham.—DUCK lIUNTIN O. ?Ira Willdna—Axid JACK'S =URN FROM CANTOS. The Leclereqs. PRINCE:INS. Ting FrinagGl, A.S.S. Mr. Fitzjnines and Mies llenderson. TIIE TRIPLE ALLIANCE: Mr. G. Vining: Mime Aylmer. M. Olt% et.. and Mrs. B. White.—And THE HONEYMOON. Messrs. il. Vezln ana R. Roxby ; 3libi M. Oliver. BRITANNIA. nos Emma, CAST ON THE MERCY OF THE WORLD. Yrs. S. Lune..-Blaglng by Mr. W. Rand311.—D11116111( by Willa. C. Sleph..m.—GALE BREEZELY. THE SEVEN STr...PS TO RUIN. Min Lsoey. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. MP. DST Morn Wm.... Afternoon, Ilti, Iom. To.neßaoN—Mornlno. 01. Om..... Afternoon. Ola. lum LOYDON, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2. M. Ilarrazzi was always esteemed an able Par liamentary tactician. His great skill has not, how ever, availed to maintain him in power against the strong feeling which his ill administration provoked throughout Italy. But he has contrived to extri cate himself from a bad position with the leant possible loss. Having made the best defence he could, and perceiving that it would not prevail, he has resigned, and thus escaped the weight of that condemnation which the Parliament was about to lay upon him, and the effects of which would have followed him through life. The selection of his successor will probably give the KING some trouble ; but Vicroa Einz axuxi. can hardly find fault with his Parliament for what is, in fact, a demand for a policy more conformable to the in dependence and greatness of the nation. OVR godfathers and godmothers have certainly much to answer for. They often start ua in the world with names which doom us to a life of misery. A want of taste or imagination—a bad ear fur music—a weak sense of the ridiculous, and a foolish desire to flatter one or more wealthy relatives, are at the bottom of half our absurd christenings. They sometimes brand us with titles which are stumbling-blocks in our business, which often lead us to change our identity, and which often lead us into the Court of Bankruptcy. An unfortunate gentleman appeared in the Gazette the other day as an insolvent debtor whose name must surely have helped him into failure. His full title was JOHANNES FIDELIES Enwsßnus SEC El:s, and he was described as a general mer chant, of Southwark. A title that would have figured well in a history of some Norman Con quest, or on the roll-call of an ancient abbey, or on a tombstone in St. Paul's Cathedral, was doubtless found very clumsy and unmanageable acros., bills of exchange, and not at all impressive at the heads of invoices. A man who started in business with such a name as that was heavily weighted for the race, and he would have done well to have imitated the policy of our Polish tradesmen. When lies PONIATOWSKY opens his little caf,i on the borders of Leicester-square, he transforms himself at once into Herr SOAK or Signor PoNi. By this course he does all he can to deserve success, and is not quite such a problem to his creditors and the postmen. The struggles to get rid of an ill-fitting name are constantly finding work for our judges. The Court of Queen's Bench is occasionally turned into a Divorce Court, where unhappy suitors pray to be released from their worst halves. It was not long ago that a gentleman, pining under the de pressing name of Boas, came forward and begged to be changed into HOWARD. The homely moth _ _ . . . wished to be transformed into the aristocratic butterfly, and applied to the proper authorities in that case made and provided. Some people are pardonably discontented with their surnames, others with their Christian names, and some with both. The other day an attorney, who had borne the insufferable burden of five not very harmonious Christian names for half a lifetime, applied to the Court of Queen's Bench for liberty to drop two of his titles. When addressed in full he was called EDMUND JONATHAN HORNDLOWER WATKINS CLAUKE, and it was doubtful how many of these titles were Christian names and how many sur names. He had no objection to EDMUND, nor to IIuItNBLOWER, but he wished to be relieved at Once from JONATHAN and WATKINS. He found that the compulsory use of all these names in legal documents was a great inconvenience and ex pense, to say nothing of their want of harmony to a relined ear. He kept HORNDLOWER, however, because it was a family name, though it was open to ninny objections on the score of taste. The Court had their little jokes while discuss ing tne application, and it is surprising how little jokes tell when they are uttered from the Bench; but Mr. EDMUND JONATHAN HORNBLOWER WAT KINS CLARKE was not allowed to cut off half his tail without a scolding. The judges were evidently not disposed to encourage these applications, and were inclined to let a man suffer for the folly of his sponsors. The weight of absurd surnames is always felt in society, as a man can often drop his first titles, but never his last. We can all call to memory a host of surnames which have to be softened in the mouth for the sake of decency. Though a man, by the mere accident of birth, may be afflicted with one of these names, there is no reason why he should not cast it off as he would the clothes of his grandfather. The law is made for men, not men f..r the law ; and it is bound to assist the citizen in making himself and his neighbours com- THE EXPRESS, TUESDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 2, 1862. fortable. The question of identity ought to be set at rest by a system of registration as cheap and accessible as a transfer share list. There are a hundred names now in our " Directory " which no man could follow into a drawing-room ; and a thousand which are never uttered without a laugh or a titter. A host of titles seem to have been framed for no other purpose than to afford an easy theme for jokes, and to keep alive a few puns which have descended from the Deluge. We have no wish to deprive the world of any whole some food for wit, but jokes upon surnames tasted stale even in the days of Jos Miu.r.s. Many names that were once fit for gods are now hardly wearable for dustmen, and it is foolish for any man to sit under them for a single moment A nick• name has no right to live beyond the life of its owner, and yet we see it transmitted to the twen tieth generation. A sturdy giant, who thrashed half a village, or who threw a skittle-ball over a church steeple, was probably called " Stronginthe " arm," in a moment of beery hilarity. As Strong inthearm he lived, as Stronginthearm he was buried, but the name, unfortunately, was not buried with him. It was transmitted, perhaps through a consumptive race, until it reached a feeble dwarf, who could hardly cross a bridge on a windy day in safety. To call such a mannikin as this by such a title is a cruel mockery, and bath reason and humanity demand a change of title. The influence of names on occupations is another reason for the utmost freedom in exchanging titles. We never hear of " Mr. Twopenny," " Mr. " Candle," or " Mr. Kitchen " as great states men or great orators—not, probably, because they are deficient in the impudence and talent necessary to make such distinguished men, but because they are smothered by their names. No amount of energy can pull against many names, which must have been invented to keep their owners in obscu rity. No amount of natural genius can pull against many other names which have been owned by men who are the world's idols. A poet had better be born as Master Twopenny than as Master Milton, if he wishes to make his mark ; and the greatest painter would hardly succeed in his art if his name happened to be Titian. "Michael Angelo Titmsrsh" would do better as a sculptor than "Mr. " Chantrey," because ho could drop the first two names and work down the absurdity of the last. A bad name is like a tin kettle tied to the tail of a hapless dog, and the law, like a good Samaritan, should relieve the animal cheerfully. • AMERICA. (Par City of Baltimore.) NEW YORK, Nov. 21, Brum. The Fedorala have occupied the north side of the Rappahannock. The Confederates occupy the south aide, and are occupying the positions lately evacuated by the Federal'. The Confederates also are making movements in the neighbourhood of Harper's Ferry. The New York Herald expresses doubts of suc cess resulting from the change of the base of opera tions, andthinksthat in efforts tocapture Richmond care should be taken to prevent Washington falling into the hands of the Confederates. The roads in Virginia are in bad condition, owing to the recent rains. General M'Clellan has arrived at New York. He was serenaded at the Fifth Avenue Hotel, and made an unimportant speech to a large concourse of people, amid much enthusiasm. The steamer California, with a cargo of cotton from Mobile, has been captured by Federal cruisers. The steamer Kate has arrived at Nassau with a cargo of cotton. The Persia and the Teutonia have arrived out. COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. NEW YORK, Nov. 21, EVENING. Money tighter. Gold, 30i. Exchange, 144 i. Stocks dull. New York Centrals, 1021 ; Illinois, 774 ; Erio, 61t. Cotton steady. Middling Up land, 69c. Flour, wheat, and corn, slightly firmer. Provisions steady. Coffee and sugar quiet• Molasses very firm. MEXICO. NEW YORK, Nov. 22. Advicee received here from Vera Cruz to the Ist (0 Nov. state that General Forey had arrived at Orizaba. 14,000 French troops had landed at Vera Cruz. The Mexican Congress assembled on the 20th of October. The message delivered by President Juarez on the occasion was very defiant `in tone. _ . The New York Times thinks that it is of the greatest consequence to the Federal cause that the French should be expelled from Mexico. THE CALCUTTA AND CHINA MAILS. SOUTHAMPTON, Dic. 2. The Peninsular and Oriental Company's steamer Ceylon, with the heavy portion of the above mails, has arrived here. She brings 54 passengers and a general cargo, including raw silk, valued at 170,000/. She left Gibraltar on the 27th ult., and expe rienced rough weather throughout the passage. The Pera left Gibraltar for the East on the 25th. A violent south-westerly gale passed off the RA•ck of Gibraltar on the 24th. The British barque May Catherine was driven ashore. Exchange on Loudon at Gibraltar, 90 days, g. EXPRESS FROM PARIS. (MOM 01311 OWN COIRESPONDENT.) PARIS, MONDAY EVILVING. The resignation of M. Rattazzi rests upon no other evidence than a telegram stating the news as being announced by the Italic. The France, however, believes the statement and laments it. In an angry article, it says that with M. Rattazzi will go the " wise and moderate" policy which corre sponded to the views held in France. The "party of action" will now cherish new hopes ; but its victory will only the more " demonstrate its impo tence." Garibaldi's programme, if it becomes offi cially that of the Italian parliament, will " arouse the conservative interests of Europe and the national sentiment of France." The France sees au index of the situation in the offer of the ministry to the Marquis de Torrearsa, who it says is a statesman " entirely devoted to English policy." There is happily ground for believing that the serious policy of the Emperor is very many shades less warlike and um brageous than that of the France. It is not won derful that the Italian chamber should have with ' drawn its confidence from Rattazzi on this simple ground—that before Aspromonte he represented Garibaldi as the sole obstacle to Italian unity, and now he is not able to hold out the ghost of a pro mise at any date short or long. The defeat of Garibaldi was the signal for increased harshness on the part of France, which Rattazzi, who puts his trust iu France, has no means of mitigating. The Prase, in whose bureaux a revolution has long been brewing, announces to-day that the fol lowing redocteurs (being, in point of fact, the whole political staff of the journal) have resigned :—A. Peyrat, Elias Regnault, E. D. Forgues, Jules Juif, Gustave Ile:quet, Ad. Gaiffe. These men were all good liberal soldiers, and it is much to be feared that they will not be efficiently replaced. There is a talk of M. E.de Girardiu resuming the direction of the Prone, of which he was the founder ; but a let ter of his, in allusion to the rumour, addressed to the Gironde, leaves the question in studied ob scurity. He laments that the press is no longer a power, and seems to intimate that if ho returns to it he will have little heart or spirit in the enter prise. The Temps' list of subscriptions for Rosalie Garlin contains the names of Borryer and Monta lembert, each for 20fr., and now amounts t04,378fr. Louis Blanc sends a subscription from London. At the Bourse there was considerable fluctua tion, the Route, which opened feebly, having been quoted as low as 69fr. 95c. There was a recovery for the close, and the latest prices were 70fr. for cash, and 70fr. Isc. for account, being a fall in the first case of 15c., and a rise of sc. in the latter. Mobilier rose 13fr. 75c. The Italian Loan was affected by the rumours of Rattazzi's resignation, and fell 15c. Railways were lower ; Southern fell 71r. 50e., and Orleans sfr. Professor Ntqaton, in a late clinical lecture, made s ome interesting observations on the case of Gene ral Garibaldi, with reference to the methods he had adopted to sot at rest the question so long agitated as to the presence of the projectile which had in flicted the wound. M. Ndlaton on his first visit had fully convinced himself that the ball was still in the wound, and at what distance from its surface. I Percussion with au exploring instrument gave out a dull heavy sound, very different from the clear thin sound which would have been produced had the body been simply a necrosetl portion of bone. Ou returning to Paris, M. N4laton looked, however, for some means of equally convincing others. He had contrived a sonde with a roughened extremity, like a file, which by a slight rotary movement would be capable of removing some particles of the body it came in contact with. This contrivance was, however, superseded by another it consisted of a sonde with its termination in a small olive shaped body, made of white unvarnished porcelain, and capable of receiving, from a metallic body like lead, a stain which would nut be easily effaced. This instrument was forwarded to M. Zanotti, and it was in that way that the professor and his colleagues fully convinced themselves that M. Stilaton's opinion was well founded ; and by adopting the method which that gentleman had proposed, of gradual dilatation, they bad at last happily succeeded in removing the projectile. THE BISHOP OF LONDON'S VISITATION. (THIS DAY.) This morning the Bishop of London met the mumbled clergy of his diocese at St. Paul's Cathedral foe the purpose of delivering to them his charge. The formal business of the visitation her occupied several days, and to day will bring the proceedings to a close. On the arrival of the Bishop at the cathedral a procession was formed at the great west entrance in the following order:—Verger, Choristen and Vicars Choral, Minor Canons, Honorary Prebendaries of the cathedral, th e Dean, Canons Reaidentiary, the Mace-bearer, the Bishop, the Archdeacons of London and Middle sex, the Bishop's two Examining Chaplains, the Rev- Profeasor Stanley, D.D., Canon of Christ Church, Oxford, and the Rev. Professor Lightfoot, M.A., Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge ; the Rev. F. Garden, ILA., Sub-Dean of St. James's and her Majesty's other Royal Chapels (of which the Bishop is Dean), and the Rev. W. C. Lake, M.A., the Preacher in residence at her Majesty's Chapel Royal, Whitehall ; the Bishop's six other Chaplains —namely, the Rev. Edward Parry, M.A., Rector of Acton, Middlesex ; the Rev. F. G. Blomfield, M.A., Rector of Si. Andrew Underehaft, City ; the Rev. A. R. Campbell, ILA., Rector of Aston, Yorkshire; the' Rev. W. H. Fremantle,Pf. A., Fellow of All Soul's, Oxford; the Rev. William Knight, M.A., the Rev. Albert W Sitwell, M.A.—the Worahipful Dr. Travers Twiss, Chancellor of the diocese ; the bishop's principal registrar, Mr. J. Shepherd ; his legal secretary and registrar, Mr. J. B. Lee ; his private secretary, Mr. J. Huard, and other officials both clerical and lay. There was a choral service, and at its close the bishop took his seat in the chancel, and proceeded to the delivery of His lordship said that God had granted them to meet again, after four years, for another solemn scrutiny. They did well in joining in the Holy Communion and the other services of the week, to ask Him that He would deepen their sense of responsibility, for it was indeed a great trust which He had committed to them, and inestimably im portant were the issues which hung upon their faithfulness. A visitation put to each of them these questions—Art thou faithful? Where are thy failures! How cant thou im prove! Many things conspired to give solemnity to their meeting at the close of this year. They began the year with a public mourning such as England never knew before. Agitated with apprehensions of a coming war, the nation then felt in its heart the loss of the Wihth and good, and loving counsellor to whom our Queen, from her early youth awned', had looked for rapport in every trial. We had indeed through God's mercy been saved from war, but we were looking forward now for a vast multitude of our people to dreary months of famine and its attendant sick ness. Again iu our distress we felt the loss of him who was to aid our Queen in promoting the people's good and alle viating their sufferings. All men of Christian thoughts throughout the nation saw in these things the hand of God, and remembered bow near they were to him. Our church too at this time, following its loved primate to his honoured grave while it entered a new period, to be noted by a new name, had been reminded bow the years of its probation hastened to a close, and learned to look upwards in all changes to Him for whose coming it is waiting. The diffi culties with which our church had to contend were more or less the same in all ages ' but they were ,modified by the varying circumstances of each generation. Some of these difficulties bad become more, some less prominent and alarming, even during the short time which had elapsed since their last quadrennial meeting. Our church—an established church in close oonnexion with the state—a true portion of the catholic church of Christ, holding fast by the unchanging everlasting gospel , connecting itself through the hallowed associations of 1,800 years, with Christ's saints of all ages and countries up to the apostles, clinging to the oldest forms of worship and of government, and yet protesting against errors with which for centuries before the reforma tion the church was clouded, bad committed to it by God in the middle of the Eith century, in an inquisitive and reek lase age, the difficult task of gathering together, fostering, developing, restraining, and guiding the Christian feelings and thoughts and energetic life of many millions of intelligent Englishmen, impatient of political, and still more of ecclesiastical control, and that not in these densely popu lated islands only. but in colonies spread over the habitable globe. Now perhaps they would best appreciate the mo mentous task which lay before the church if they consi dered its present difficulties under three of the several heads which might suggest themselves. I. The difficulties that spring from that unrestrained spirit of free in quiry which claimed the right to sift and test all theories, and bowed to no authority, however venerable, which could not make good by argument its claim on our allegiance. 2. The difficulties which beset an established church standing side by side with other religious bodies in an age of perfect toleration, when every collection of men was perfectly free, so far as the law of the state is concerned, to form a communion of its own, to believe what it pleased, and worship God as it willed. 3. The difficulties which spring from an ever-growing population. rendering it scarcely possible for the church's machinery, keeping pace with the progress of the nation, to meet men's wants as quickly as they arise. (In dealing with these branches his lordship said he did look much to legal prosecutions„ and the courts of the church's judica ture, teethe preservation of orthodoxy in the clergy, and that a wise son of the church of England would be very jealous of every sort of prosecution for opinion unless de minded by some overwhelming and inevitable necessity. He also stated that even as to the declarations which the law of the land required to be made at ordination, he should be ready himself, even now, in spite of all temporary alarm as to unsound opinions, to relax rather than to tighten the bond. He held that in the question of guesting the threshold of the ministry, as elsewhere in dealing with the difficulties of an inquisitive w, the generous, confiding policy was the most Christian. Fie doubted whether these was any reasonable ground for believing that we should conciliate more than they would alienate by liturgical changes. He strongly urged upon the clergy a consideration of the efforts now wisely making to enlist the laity more than hitherto in some definite work for the church.) There remained onaunpleasant cause of disagreement between churchmen and separatists which must not be passed over in silence. In his last charge he intimated that the then government was likely to propose some measure for the settlement of the question of church-rates. That measure was not accepted. Four years had passed, and the question of church-rates was still unsettled. He gratefully recognised, indeed, the signs of a change in public opinion as evidenoed by the changed votes of the House of Commons on this subject. He felt grateful for the efforts of those who hail roused the nation to look at this question in a truer light. He believed that there had been great exaggeration as to the irritation caused by church-rate contests—nt least as they were now conducted. What could be fairer than that the question should be referred to the whole pariah, and that the majority should decide! It was the general cha racteristic of Englishmen to make a bold fight for what they wished, and when fairly outvoted, to retire before the majority in tolerably good humour, all the better pleased for having had the opportunity of freely speaking their mind while the contest lasted. He did not believe that church-rate contests were now any exception to this rule. Nevertheless, there were many difficulties connected with church rates as they at present stood, which were cal culated to keep up much irritation. Many rejoiced that the question had not been settled hitherto while the cry was strong against church rates, and while the church, being apparently weak in the legislature, was ready to accept a compromise. He could not quite share in that feeling. From the way, indeed, in which both churchmen and dissenter., if he might venture to say so, played with this question, it would seem as if the grievance was not great. Tie one party almost seemed to rejoice its the privilege of objecting to the impost as their last remaining gr ie vance, the other to cling to the right of imposing it, even where the right had become merely nominal, as a proof that the old state of things was not entirely gone. Meanwhile be believed that in many iJSULDCIIII grave evils followed. Certainly within the church there was much dissatisfaction and in. justice, especially iu roma, while many pariah churches were ill-cared for because they had nominally a legal right to be supported out of public funds which were refused by a vote of the vestry, and the existaice of the pu blic right stopped the supplies of individual !lbs. /l aity. District churches had suffered under the anomaly ' of their congregations being at ono, chargeable to the rates of some distant mother church, and having out of their private funds to support their own church, while in • large number of the churches at least of this metropolis the main support of the fabric and services came virtually from the pockets of the clergy, very ill endowed and overburdened already by the claims of a hundred charities. These were evils arising from the present unsettled state of the church rate question within the church. His lordship proceeded to speak of the criticism which had lately been passed on preaching. It would require a sound discretion to decide, on reference both to their own rhetorical powers and the par ticular nature of the congregations they from time to time addressed, Low they should best approach them with that earnestness, point, and fullness of statement and illustra tion, and yet condensed force of words, which went to make up a really good sermon, whether on each varying occasion they would be most likely to arrest the attention, touch the heart, instruct the judgment, and control the will by a freely spoken or a carefully written discourse. A really good preacher most, he thought, be equal to both tasks. The bishop brought his charge to a close by some practical remarks on confirmation and clerical work generally. Scarrisii HOSPITAL—Let evening the St. Andrew's-day anniversary festival of this excellent charity was celebrated at the Freenneons' Tavern ; Sir John Hernia ilexwell, Bart., in the chair. There was a large company present, amoopt whom were Sir W. Stirling, Dr. Cumming, Professor Kerr, Dr. Thomson , Dr. Webster, Dr. Allmon, Professor Donaldson, David Roberta, ILL, &o. The room wu tastefully &worded with the banners of the different Scottish clans. The sabeariptions amennted to seer 6601. LLTEET INTELLIGENCE. PIiI7BI3LL A despatch from Berlin announces that the Prussian chambers are to be convoked for the 6th. - Another !pooch of the King, in reply to an ad dress from a conservative deputation, has been published. The following is the most salient passage: You hope that the crisis in which we live will be short. I wish the beet success to your efforts, but I cannot share your hope. I assure you, however, that whatever may be the course of events, time will find me firm, and that I shall oppose calmly and prudently the intrigues of parties. I ex poet also from you that you will labour to ameliorate the disposition of the public, for the press does not act in that way ; on the contrary, it abuses the liberty which has been given to it so abundantly, and which has never been restricted ; it causes an evil which well-meaning men in the same Gelling have greet trouble in removing. All that is said here is published, and I permit it ;but it is design edly misrepresented. can bear much, because lem above parties. Bat I will e one WA which has profoundly afflicted me. The Berlin press has so far forgotten itself as to interpret falsely on the occasion of the speech of an ecclesiastic the words of a canticle, which is in all months and in all hearts. "It is God who governs us ; " as if my person had been made • divinity. One would not have believed it pcaible in Prussia so to distort things ; for there could have been no other object than to make the people believe that the King wished for such an inter pretation. The diplomatic corps of Berlin met in conference on Sunday, to deliberate upon a mysterious note which appeared in one of the feudal journals in the government interest, and which seemed to be an indirect warning to them to abstain from all rela tions with journals hostile to Prussia and its government, under penalty of a demand of recall. This article has offended those interested, and their senior has protested in their name to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. GREECE. The Greek legations have just received, with full instructions, the copy of a decree of the I2th November, completing that of the 4th of the same month, and regulating the formalities to be ob served for the elections to the Constituent Assem bly as far as the Greek citizens domiciled abroad are concerned. Each consulate forms an electoral circumscription, but votes will also be received at the vice-consulates. Tho verification of the num bers will be superintended by a committee of three members placed under the presidency of the consul or vice-consul. Neither consuls-general, consuls, nor consular agents can be elected. The provisional government of Greece have abolished the punishment of death. AUSTRIA. The Emperor Francis Joseph appears to be pre paring for his coronation as Kiug of Hungary, as the Ust-Deutsche Post states that medals comme morative of that ceremony have been ordered at the Imperial Mint. The Press of Vienna announces the approaching suppression of the Modenese corps now maintained at the cost of the Austrian treasury. (RIOTER'S TELEGRAMS.) ITALY. TURIN, Dec. I.* It is asserted that the King has summoned to his presence Signor thaSiULS formerly Minister of Justice. . . M. de Sartiges has presented his credentials to the King as French ambassador to Italy. • The transmission of this telegram from Turin to London occupied 24 hours. Similar delays constantly occur on the contsnental lines. THE ITALIAN PARLIAMENT. TURIN, Dee. 1, Emmia. In to-day's sitting of the Chamber of Deputies Signor Rattazzi officially announced that the ministry had tendered their resignation. He de fended the policy of himself and colleaguei, and stated that he would support his successors iu their efforts to reconcile the political parties, and to ful -1 low the policy of the majority of the chamber. OPENING OF THE SPANISH CORTES. MADRID, DEC. 1, EVENING. The Cortes were opened to-day by the Queen, who, in her speech from the throne, expressed the best wishes for the Pope, " who is now," said her Majesty, "subject to so many tribulations." Respecting the Mexican question, the Queen said :—" I hope that the difficulties raised by the discussion between our plenipotentiary in Mexico and the French government, in reference to the execution of the treaty of Loudon, will fiud satisfactory solution." Her Majesty concluded by congratulating her self upon having received so many proofs of popular affection during her recent journey in the provinces. M. MIRES. PARIS, DEC. 2. The Imperial Court of Douai has confirmed the sentence of one month's imprisonment awl a fine passed upon M. Mires by the Court of First In stance. RUSSIA. ST. PETERSBURG, Dgc. 2. The Journal of St. Petersburg of to-day contains au article in reply to the leader on tho Greek ques tion iu the Morning Post of the 24th ult. It says :—" Under any other circumstances Russia would have beheld one of her princes ascend the Hellenic throne without regret, but she knows that deplorable rivalries ought to be avoided because they would hinder the development of Greece. But the candidature of Prince Alfred could not be seriously put forward. The Morning Post, in advocating this candidature, mocks us, Europe, and, above all, the Greeks." PORTUGAL. LISBON, Nov. 27. (Per steamer Tartar.) There is a probability of either a change or a modification of the ministry. - - The government is still engaged in vigorously investigating the state of the Custom House. The King and Queen are residing at the Palace of the Ajuda. Her Majesty's ship St. George, with Prince Alfred ou board, has sailed for the Mediterranean. Her Majesty's ships Revenge, Warrior, Black Prince, and Defence, have left on a cruise in the direction of Madeira. The Federal sloop St. Louis arrived here on the 23rd inst. The Russian frigate Assliaba arrived on the 24th from Gibraltar. The Belgian steamer Gustave Pastor sailed for Rio on the 25th inst. ' ' The weather has become very wet and stormy. Trade is untuitially dull, and all kinds of goods are slow of sale. Money is scarce. Exchange ou Lon don, 90 days, 531 ; Three per Cent. Portuguese, 47}, 473• SOUTHAMPTON, Dxc. 2. The screw-steamer Tartar, from Lisbon on the 27th ult., has arrived. She brings two passengers, 1,4601. in specie, and 2,336 packages of cargo, chiefly fruit. MN Court. WLNDSOR CASTLE, Dac. 1. The Queen, accompanied by the Princess Helena, walked aad drove We morning. The Duke of Neweutle left the Castle to-day. Mr. Thorueycroft has had the honour to submit to her Majesty the design for a colossal equestrian statue of the Prince Consort, to be erected at Liverpool. Major-General Seymour has succeeded Lord Charles Fitzroy as Equerry in Waiting to her Majesty. Mr. Sicotte, Mr. Tffiey, Mr. Howland, and Mr. Howe had an interview with the Duke of Newcastle, yesterday, at the Colonial-office. Colonel S. J. Hill, Colonel Torrens, and Captain Kennedy, also had interviews with his grace yesterday. The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council sat yester day. A petition fora prolongation of Clarkson's patent for waterproof articles (park heard) was concluded. Lord Chelmsford, on the part of their lordships, granted an extension for five years. An appeal from the High Court of Admiralty, the Maunder and Florence Nightingale, was commenced. The lords present were Lord Chelmsford, the Lords Justices Knight Bruce and Turner, and Sir J. Coleridge. Despatches were received yesterday at the Colonial-office from the Governors of Canada, Heligoland, and the Lord High Commissioner of the lonian Islands. Despatches were sent to the Governors of the West India Islands, British Columbia, Bermuda, and the Lord High Commis sioner of the lonian Islands. A letter from Athens, after describing the enthu siasm far Prince Alfred, says :—" In this state of things it is desirable that the British government should come to a determination on the subject, and express their determina tion in clear language. Any other course would maintain expectations which, U deceived at the last moment, might lead to lamentable confusion. As it is, the desire for an English prince has taken such proportions that it will be difficult to lead it into another regular channel. While there is hope of au English prince no faction is possible ; take away that possibility, and behind is chaos. If illu sions cherished so ardently and unanimously are to be dis pelled, let it be done soon, that time may be given to shape the chaos," --- The Duke of Newcastle has returned to Thomas's Hotel, Berkeley-square, from Windsor Castle. The Countess of Kinnoul has arrived at Wallace's Hotel, from Brighton. Mr. and Lady Evelyn Bruce have arrived at Thomas's Hotel, Berkeley-square, from Latham Park. Sir Edward and Lady Synge have returned to Wallace's Hotel, Hyde-park-corner, from Ireland. ___ _ . Sir James Duke, M.P., and Lady Duke have arrived at Lsughton Lodge, Sussex, from Paris. The new Archbishop of York, Dr. Thompson, has shown his decided objection to Puseyite ornamentation in churches. On Friday, he objected to consecrate a church at Selby-hill, near Stroud, until a floral cross had been re moved from the "altar." Mr. Valentine Stevens, the well-known law pub lisher, of Bell-yard, Lincoln's-inn, died on Sunday, in his 69th year. The death took place on Saturday last of a well known dissenting minister at Ramsgate—the Rev. Mortlock Daniell. The deceased was in his forty-ninth year. The Prea of Vienna states that balls will be again given at court this winter, none having taken place for the last two years, in consequence of the illness of the Empress. M. Verdi, after the first representation of his - , new opera of the Forza del Deetino at the Imperial Theatre at St. Petersburg, • reoedved from the hands of the Emperor the Grand Cross of the Order of Stanislaus. This is the first time that such a high distinction has been conferred in Russia on a foreign composer. Letters from Od ease state that some uneasini is felt on the subject of the next harvest, in consequence of the drought which has so long prevailed in Southern Russia. In medal of the governments the autumn sow ings have been seriously endangered, and in Bessarabia many of the landed proprietors have given up all hope of any crop in 1863. Toe ROYAL SOClRTY.—Yesterday, in consequence of St. Andrew's-day falling on a 11unday, the anniversary meeting of the members of this society was held in their room', at Burlington House, Piccadilly. There was a large attendsuoe of members. The president for the year (Major- General Edward Sabine, R.A., D.C.L.) delivered au ad dress, in which he adverted, in feeling and appropriate terms, to the lose the society bad sustained in the death of Sir Benjamin Collins Brodie, Bart., one of the most distinguished surgeons of modern times, who laid year resigned the presidential chair. He also di rected attention to the various brandies of science in which propose bad been made during the past year, and to the recent Australian exploration.. The Copley medal of the society was awarded to Mr. Thomas Graham, M.A., D.C.L.. the Master of the Mint, for his " Researches in the Milani= of Liquids." Mr. Graham wee formerly Andenonisu professor is the University of Glasgow, and held that office until 1837, when he was ap pointed to the profemorship of chemistry in the London University. The Rumford medal was awarded to Pro fessor G. R. Kirohoff for his labours is Spectrum Analyses. One of the royal medals was awarded to Dr. Romney Robin son, the Astronomer Royal of Ireland, for his catalogue of 5,3.15 stars, which cod him the labour of twenty-eight years, and other works connected with astronomy ; and the other to Professor Alexander William Williamson, Ph. D., examiner in chemistry in the University of London, for his "'scorches in organic chemistry. Officers for the ensuing year were elected, and the fellows of the society dined together in the evening. Cseeroi. PALAOL ONE SHILLING DAY.—. MONDAY, DICZNBIS L—Admireloes as payment, 301 ; ditto by season tickets. 441; total, 742. DEATH OP JAMBS SHERIDAN KNOWLES. A telegram brings the news of the death, at Tor quay, in Devonshire, of James Sheridan Knowles. Mr. Knowles was born in Cork in the year 1741, being the eldest son of James Knowlee, Esq., the author cf " Dictionary of the English Language," and a man of end. nenoe both for talent and learning. He received the tethe of Sheridan in consequence of his connexion a Ith a family which has been rendered illustrioo, I, r the high and varied talents both of its and female branches. Mr. Knowles bad ten, one of whom died some years ago in ; the other survives, and is resident in its neighl.,. hood, The father of Mr. Knowles removed to , as a more suitable field for the exercise of his profe,4o l . .s ▪ teacher, in the you 1792 ; at which time the thilnotice was only eight year. of age. Whet, .. ! ,1 3 , twelve years old, his mind began to display its hit • rent inclination for that sort of literature in which be afo became so distinguished, having composed a play i-r a company of juvenile performers, of whom he was the Ime:rr. Soon afterwards he composed the libretto of an opera f oun lad on the history of the Chevalier de Grillon. At 14 he srme the ballad of the " Welsh Harper." It was about this tame that he became acquainted with William Barbet, by w!.. a s advice and free but friendly criticisms he was aided in n,.,0 ) , of his earlier productions. By Ilarlitt be was intrirlu to Charles Lamb ; and his qualities, both of heal heart, were warmly appreciated. Mr. Knowles made his first appearance as an actor oo the boards of Crow-street Theatre, in Dublin, and he after. wards performed in Waterford, Swansea, and various other places. As an actor he never achieved much eminence. He subsequently assisted his father at the Belfast Acade mical Institution. While in that city his first dramatis efforts were submitted to the ordeal of public favour. 'rho first of these pieces was Brian Boroihme, rather a rifaccianunlo of a piece by another author than an origin.,l play. The next was Caine Orardu, first performed io Belfast on the 13th of February, 1815, and acted about eight years afterwards in London with great success. The third of Mr. Knowles's plays was Virgin ,e, The plays of William Tell, The Beggar of Befhual Urfen, The Hunchback, The Wife, The Daughter, The Lore Woman's Wit, The Maid of Marieadorpt, Lore, Ohl M.*, John of Proeida, The Rase of Arrarion, and The Seer, followed in rapid succeasion. It is needless to dwell mon the merits of pieces which have marked an era in the dra. matic literature of England. In several of these plays Mr. Knowles himself appeared ; in some of them he sustained the leading characters. He also delivered courses of lec tures at various places, on elocution and kindred subjects. America he visited twice. Under the ministry of the late Sir Robert Peel a literary pension of 20W. per annum was bestowed upon him as an acknowledgment, by the crown, of his labours ix the cause of literature and virtue. Mr. Knowles has also written some novels and tales, and two works on subjects of polemical theology, "The Rock of Rome," and "The Idol demolished by its own Priests," both written in oppo. sition to the tenets of the church of Rome. Mr. Knowles was twice maned. By his first wife, Min Charteris, whom he espoused while an actor in the south of Ireland, he had a numerous family, of whom three 3001 and three daughters reached maturity ; hie eldest daughter was married to Dr. James D. Marshall, of Belfast ; all except one son, Mr. K B. S. Knowles, of Louder), and one daughter, Mrs. W. Dobbin, of Dublin, preceded their fathe r to the grave. His second wife—once cdebmted as as actress--Miss Elphiostone, survives her husband. The Northern Wig of Belfast says ;—" For many years Mr. Knowles was • martyr to rheumatism, which almost entirely robbed him of the use of his limbs. His sufferings were severe, but were borne with exemplary patience ; and his last moments, we are happy to learn, were tranquil and resigned, supported by the hopes which he had often laboured to impart to other minds. Those who differ most widely from his religious views will rejoice that they brought him peace and comfort ; and everyone who knew him will acknowledge that a soul more genial or • heart snore warm never resided in an eartly tenement than that which beat in the bosom of James Sheridan Knowles." THE CONSERVATIVE LAND SOCIETY. ANNUAL dIEETING.—(THIS DAY.) The annual meeting of the Conservative Lind Society was held at Exeter Hall this day. The annual report gives a tabular return from ewhi' comparing the three first quarters with the corresponkt; ones of the preceding year, we ficd en increase of 6221. Bs. ld. Making allowance for the sale of the ltoe• hampton Mansion, which swelled the total of last year's. 3" - count, the mush receipts for the financial year of 1864 , ;:i render it one of the largest returns since the formation of the society. The total withdrawals from September, 1:•" , 2, to Michaelmas, 1862, were 179,541/. 18e. 3d. The whim,. tions on shares during the year 1861-62 were Z 3,0751. 19. rd., and the cash received on deposit amounted to 11,211 J/. lie sit. The subscriptions withdrawn In shares were' 3,0*.i1/.133.31., and on deposits, 11,9191. 17s. 1 0 d. The total &moot of subscritions on shares now in the society S 115.175/. 3s p . Bd., and toted deposits 18,043/. lls. 2d. During the past year the sum of 7,062/. 15s. 4d. was trans ferred from the share account to pay for allotments of land, and the repayments of loans on land were 18,443/. 124. 4d. The amount advauoed in 1862 to allottem, who borrowed sevens-eighths of the cost of their land, was 9,48 V. 2i. lid. The total balance of advances to allottees on land amount is 30,7411. ss. ld. The sale of land on the allotment of 1861-62. as per balance-sheet, was 6,0851. 3a. The sale of the stock on hand (being land previously allotted), and by private contract, daring the past year, was 8,7061. 18s. The total sale of land in 1861-62, as per prime on the plait was 14,7921. ls. 2d. The freehold building plots for sale variom counties amount to 70,205/. 2s. 6d. The grand totals of the sale of land to Michaelmas, 18.2, wore 314,6861. 12s. 10d. The repayment of advances foe ' building, lac., during the past year, were 8,430/. 13i. a The amount advanced for building, be., in 1862 has 11..E4 13,1421. Os. 10d. The total Wanes of advances for build. hag. &c., is 36,2021. 7s. 2d. The reserve fond is now 10,190 W. Os. Bd. The balance-sheet further shows that after providing for the guaranteed interest of 5 per cent. per annum on shares, and 4 per cent per annum on deposit, there remains an available balance, oat of which the board is enabled to declare a bonus of five per cent. per annum for the financial year ending Sept. 30, 1862, on all subscriptions paid on existing uncompleted shares, in respect of which plots on estates hays not been taken. Such bonus of five per cent. per annum will le added to the accounts of the several members in their pea. books, as provided by the rules. Every payment into the society on shares not in smear, and on the re• gister at the annual meeting, will thus realise five ter cent. per annum for the year ending 30th September, Isle. Until farther notice, the rate of interest en completed shares, and shares in progress paid a year in *draw and upwards, will continue at 5 per cent. per annum, port le half-yearly, up to Ladv-day and Michaelmas, th e e'an' eu for which will be issued on the lst of May and the Id of November. The interest to be allowed for deposits, under rule 45, will continue at 4 per cent. p er annum, rayable in warrants issued at the same dates as the interest on shore The returns of houses built, and of buildings in p a tves. ee the various estates, are very satisfactory f a put year. The allotments during the past financial year en* the Queen's-road estate, London-read, Tuubridge bein oc g tob s e po r rt , im portion t t he he Beeltros:elebuhrymPealiar estate, o° e th e, e e lt, ee th of Newark-upon-Trent, on the 12th of Februa r y , 18h2 the second portion of the Reehampton estate. the portion of the Brighton estate, besides freehold be..s thereon, sod ground rents on the Homan-road estate, North Bow, and Battersea estate, on the :40th of April ; and the Putney Heath estate, and the first portion of the Nene, reed, Colchester, on the 16th of August. The &hove went, and additional sales, on the Roehatoptoil ateletlet estates toge ther with increased prices on sundr y prole runi have • t the year's transactions to a successful The owners of cottage property in Blackburn are beginning to feel severely the preuure of tLe fixes. At Blackburn an address has been prepared moo; th e cottage owners, which states that many of them are in tl 4l financial strait that they scarcely know where to Mol l their food. They have " borne the burden of bad trade sti the loss of rents for more than twelve mouths," and 11-.0; ask the guardians to join with the other authoriti , Blackburn in applying for a loan of 50,000/. from the Ott• solidated Fund. In addressing the grand jury at Mai.l:oo,, yerterday, Mr. Justice Boles cited authorities from ! , wil River and from Queensland to show that some of our Mims colonies are desirous to receive convicts. Mr. K eithek. who was lately Governor of Swan River. the Judge tells us, "entertains no doubt whal , "'• afterlong aapprienre, that in that part of the world aim there exists for any possible number of criminals the note of niorming them, and effecting all the great ohjao el penal discipline." Queensland calla aloud for convictieb 4 to construct her harbours and roads and railways. CONBIIMPTION OF SPIRITS. —The Excise Pe t urs for the first three quarters of the year have been Is .te. Th! quantity of spirits retained for consun iption in the I at is Kingdom as beverage only has been 13,532,217 gallout the first nine months of the present year. ln the period of 1861 it was 13,950,988 PllOllll an d ef 16,100,340 gallons. F r