The Express. — London, England, 1868-05-04 00:00:00

TafLONDON FREE and OPEN CH URCH snociaTion will bow its SRCOND PUBLIC AIM VXRRART MEETING at FrcensaaerWhaL Great (1110e1HltriPet, Lineoln'aden-Silds, TO-MORROW (Theodor, Nay 5, at 7.110 p.m. The LORD RLIOT, M.P., in the Chair. Addremes will he delivered by the Earl of Slarewsbery and Talbot Sir K A. R. Leollllolll. Red., M.P., R. Jelme-Netesass. MN.. J. A. Shaw-Merry" Xim., Thomas Hushes, Fog., M.P., Thomas BMW", inn., Eats., W. J. Chernett, Esq.. the Hon. Anberon Ilerlwrt, J. IC Dont Rea , 51.. P., the lion. Charles Lindley Wood John 0. raw.* Req.. A. 0. Kansa. zaa, the Mon. 1 9 . W. Vernon. 0. K Street. Ent. , A.R.A., Townettend Maine mum:, 1-44., M.P., W. Bilylle itankee, Req., dc. eau and Leal , * an Invited. Door 3 open at 7 p.m. AdZse i gn tine. R. TOwNSIIIND MAYER, P.R.S.L, Res. Secretary. Norfolk-at met, Strand. W.O F URNITII RE and DECORATION. JAC SON and MGM AK invite families about to tarnish to laspect the Val bus of their establishment (the large t slid m ant onto of its kind sod their manufactory twllo;ultig, In which, with the aid Matron power and machinery, all masa of soonomising oast In the production of first-class furniture are f tnployeel. 'I he show -r,ntna contain every deecrip- Sion and taol.• of furnltura from that adapted to the wanks about; of Ouse who aware to furnish at the most economical rate consiatenT with good taste and sound workmanship to that In which tut ti tinstry of the highest cleat, is empinyetL tvery article it inattl,Nl In plain figures at cash pricea-39, 33, 34, 35 . 37, and 33, On! , trilatrost. PHILLIPS and PEARCE, AI .t 4 le Olus and China to the Qrwen. sespertfnur •nit an Inspection of their NOVEL sod Bag t - rirut DMIONit. They ere origins!. moderato in Pricw, rent in her..:, workmanship, niaterLd, r_ad twuutscture. llr. D. PC'. 00 (for IS years at 11. ft. Jitillefell4treet his the glass department under his directing. 166. New Bond-street, and and 359. Orford-street. London. WILLIAM CHURTON and BON, FORUMS and SHIRTMARXRd, 91 and 9i. OX.ORD-RTREET. LAMB' UNDERCLOTHING. F IRST-CLASS CARPETS, DAMASKS &c. unnier MIMS. Patterns can be forwarded to the Country Free. T. TKNADLES & DONS, LONDON, L FIRST-CLASS SILKS h FANCY DRESSES. LOVIVIT PUCE& rattails sent to the Cochin' Free. T. VENABLEB et SONS, LONDON. E. FIRSII-CLASS DRAPERY, MANTLES, &c. Lowest. MUM Carr Cage T. VE,NABLES & LONDON, E. FIRST CLASS MOURNING. winter rattle!. Tatters* sea.t to t!..e Country Free. T. VENABLFS SONS. 1.9 S DON. E. Estabtiatted nearly half a Century - FIRST CLASS FURNITURE, BEDDING, &c. LOWIST pRICES. An illustrated nice List Post Free. 7. VKNABLES At SONS, 103, 1,4, nd 105, Vancebowl, and 2,4, and S, Commercia a l-street London. JOHN BROGDEN'S CLASSIC JEWELRY. olatlS FUIST-CLASS SILVER MKDAL,IB67. JOHN BROODEN'S 18-carat GOLD CHAINS. JOHN EROGDEN'S BRACELETS. JOHN BROGDEN'S BROOCHES. JOHN BROGDEN'S GEM ar.l WEDDIISG JOHN 11P-OGDEN'S NECKLACES. ----- JOHN BROGDEN'S EARRINGS. ORIGINALGOLDCHAIN MANUFACTORY. 16, HICNRIEI'TA-STREET, Covent gar tea N. EXCELLENT DINNER SHERRY, only 25e. per dt.7en, ibipped direct tr-lu Cud; pale, soft, sad _ The CADIZ WINE COMPANY, St. latnees-street, Loudon. &W. Establiehedl6o. riENRY BRETT and Co.'s "0. D. V.' . PURE MANDY. l&t. n , r gallon and MU. per doz.. recom mended by thr medical profession. la a case for the country 89a, inctudre of rsilway carriage. —Rolborn-bere, and 30. Regent-at FRAUD. —CAUTION. —Order BRYANT and mars 1' MIST SAFETY ItATc:IFA, trade mark an Ark. and Inel.t upon haring them, at imitAtioot are somethaes trend that do not afford rft9TECTION FROM FIRM. AGIFT to the UNINSURED. TEIRTY SHORT REPLIES to THIRTY COMMON OBJECTIONS. By W. HAFRAV, author of " Handbook t. Medical Referees,"&e. neat poet free on appbeatlon td Mr. IL HARRIS, Agent County Are end Provident life Office, 67, Strand, W.C. Eh 453:19r00• ADVERTI3F.7 I F.S73 n.ust Ie tora•nrls4 to Messrs. J. M. Jomsiom snd r+o3s, 3, Castl•-sfreet. Holborn, and 64, Hatton minion, the apedally appoiote.l Ag4nta. KAVIIIAT'WTT. Trirq Frimgrte, A CO:(M;EKSrIV#.hfOVIrMENT —A 11E10 OF KOM A NCH. Mourn &Ahern Bnclurtene, Compton, Chippen dale, Rogers. and Cleric • Mesdamee Robertnen, Burke, ChtnPew dale, Fiftwilliam, Laws, at. —And I.NTItIGUE. Mr. Kendal, de. ISTP AND TUN EvErowl, SISTERLY SERYICE.—THE FIRLD OF THE CLOI If OF GOLD. -And MARRIAGE AT ANY PRICE. PRITANMA, TRI3 Minivan, OLIVER TWIST. Messrs. Reynolds. Pitt, and Le 11.0 : Mesdames Booth, Courtenay, Coyeney, Ac. —And TH 1. WOLF OF IHE PYRENEES. Steens. Charlton & Rigwood Mrs. Lane. lilcadiaues Ilenderson, E.twlo. &e. HMA MATIOI AT LON:MRRIDGE. TEDI DAY —Horstag. Oh. Om_ —.Mormon, Ob. 2.1 m. To4tozaoW —Moeda*. Oh. 49m —Afternoon. lb. NOUCES Of 1111.711 q, MARRIAGES, and TY:arne, are received audit lt o'cd , ck for insertion 11390 erznlng. Price, is 64. A SECOND EDITION of the EXPRESS, OONTAMING The Latest Foreign Telegrams ; the Latest City ; Railway, Mining, and other Shares ; Sporting, and General Intelligence, 78 PU3LI81187) EVERY EVENING. LONDON, MONDAY, MAY 4. THE BUSINESS OF THE SESSION. Tat old question of the Duke of Wamatiorox, How is the K Ino's Government to be carried on ? presents itself now in a narrower and more special shape. Men are everywhere asking, How is the necessary business of the Session to be got through? The poet's lament, "so little done, so much remains " to do," applies to the condition of legislation in the House of Commons. For this state of things a variety of causes may be pleaded. The first is Lord DBILDIrs illness. For that the Tories are not responsible. Hereditary gout is an incident of an hereditary aristocracy. It is ono of those heirlooms of great families which are often as embarrassing as mortgages and set tlements. The democratic tendency of the age, and the greater cheapness of French wines, may possibly extend gout even more widely than Tory-Radicalism has extended the suffrage. It may be a sign of Mr. GLADSTONE'S hostility to the institutions of the country, and of his desire to convert aristocratic privileges into popular rights, that he should have made claret at 10s. a dozen a possible beverage in England. But without entering into these remote ape culations, it is certain that the de'ay of nearly a fortnight which Lord DERBY'S retirement and Mr. DIBILARLI . B accesaion to the Premiership early in the yearbronght about, has involved a serious loss of the time at the disposal of Parliament for the transaction of public business. The same may be said of the unnecessarily protracted debates on the Irish Church question. The discussion and division before Easter were practically decisive of the discussion and division last week ; and the Govern --laent fostered the tendency to talk with the blear view of making action impossible. Of course the introduction of this question broke in upon the Ministerial programme, It disturbed the arrangements made for their own convenience• tion of Ireland made inatant actii and the avowal of a Ministerial policy principles distasteful to the country, moisMissimssity for t►e ennui:libber' by the Liberal party of a counter policy, and for the introduc tion of measures framed to give such effect to it as the • eireams tames of the existing Parliament allowed. If Mr. DISRAELI had temporarily acquiesced in the vote before Easter, as in the vote taken last Friday morning, his journey to Osborne might have been spared. The second and third of Mr. OLteseorts's resolutions might before this have received the assent of Parliament ; and instead of a Minis terial statement, and the renewal of the committee on the Irish Church—a bill based on the resolutions might even now be awaiting its first, perhaps its second reading. It is vain to say that Mr. Graneroma's course has delayed the necessary business of tho session. In the opinion of a vast majority in Parliament and, we believe, also in the country, action upon the subject of the Irish Church formed a part of the necessary business of the ses sion. At any rate a Government which trifled with National Education, in as paltry a measure as ever was propounded by an incompetent Minister, which coquetted with the Bankruptcy Laws, and toyed with the Electric Telegraph Companies, has no right to insist on a narrow or technical interpreta tion of the term " necessary business." There can be little doubt that most, if not all, of the measures which we have just enumerated, and some others of the same class, will have to be abandoned to a more convenient season. The neces sary business of the session so far as the Covermnent is concerned— is simply to pass those measures which are the needful preliminaries of a dissolution. The voting of the supplies has to be completed. Mr. .WARD HUNT'S unambitious Budget has to be passed. The English Boundary Bill must become law ; so also must the Scotch and Irish Reform Bills, and the Boundary Bills, which are relative to them. These measures must receive the Royal assent this year ; but it does not follow that they are to do so without full discussion, and if needful, large amendments. The source whence the additional members promised to Scotland are to be obtained opens a very large and grave question of policy and expediency. The Liberal majority in Parliament will not abdicate its right to come to a satisfactory settlement upon this point at the bidding of the minority in office. While not losing time, and in order not to lose time, they must avoid that raw haste which is half-sister to delay. To do this year what will need to be undone neat is a very short-sighted policy. Besides the adjustment of this critical problem, there are the important ques tions of the redistribution of seats in Ireland and Scotland. The proposals of the Government on these matters are open to great objection. The same may be said with still greater force of some of the suggestions of the Boundary Commissioners which have been transformed from recommendations in a report into clauses in a bill. To adopt them en massc would be not so much, perhaps, to_ take a leap in the dark, as to jump with open eyes into a quick-set hedge, or down a pre cipice. The arrangements which it is pro posed in some cases to perpetuate, and in others to introduce for the first time, are of the most ques tionable character. They may require instant rtxti fication. So again, if retrenchment should prove desirable or practicable in the estimates, no one can suppose that a mistaken delicacy for Mr. WARD Hearr's feelings, or a preference for the s.rearns of grouse and the whirr of partridges over the voices of debating K P.'s, and for Scotch moors and English preserves over the streets of Westminster, will be suffered to impose on the tax-payer burdens not necessary to the efficiency of the public service. Mr. Duntam's Government must put itself in harmony with the temper and make itself truly the executive of the will of the House of Commons, or transfer itself from the right to the left hand of the SPEAKER. The present Ministers are not essential to the conduct of public affairs. The necessary work of the session can be brought to a close by Mr. GLADSTONE as well and promptly as by Mr. DISRAELI. We trust that the duty of effecting a change in the Government will not be forced on the House of Commons. There would, we believe, be serious incon venience in the formation of a Liberal Ministry out of the materials presented by the present Parliament, and with reference to the feeling which characterises it. The new House of Com mons may be animated by a very different spirit. The selection of men which would be suitable and inevitable now might not in some in stances be desirable or possible then. It is on various grounds to be desired that a Grammes Ministry and a Reformed Par liament should have their birth together, in order that they may be suited to each other. The illicit advantages which are to be derived from the possession of office during a general election are, we believe, vastly overrated. On the whole, therefore, we trust that Mr. Disaazu will not make office impossible to himself, nor force the Liberal party to expel him before the close of the session. If the thing has to be done it will be done ; but if it can be avoided it ought to be avoided. descendant of the kiss first imprinted on the fo.t of the Emperor 'CALIGULA. The fans which go behind him are the punkahs of the Ess'era Em perors, borrowed from the Court of Persis. The " Pontifex Maximus," from whom the n ame by which the highest ecclesiastical character of the Pars is indicated, was not the Jewish High Priest, but the Pagan dignitary whose duty it was to conduct all public sacrifices, preside at the assemblies and games, and scourge to death any one who insulted the Vestal Virgins. The word " bishop," episcopus, was taken, not from any usage of the temple or of the synagogue, but from the officers created in the different subject-towns of Athens, borrowed from the Grecians. The word ordo (our holy " orders "), was the name of the municipal senate of the empire. The word and idea of a " diocese " was taken from the existing divisions of the empire. The POPE'S Temporal " power " is in no way the result of the connection of Church and State, but belongs to that feudal and princely character which was shared by so many great prelates of the middle ages. When the POPE is seen surrounded by his Swiss guards, or defended by his Chassepot rifles, we must regard him as " the last of the brotherhood " of the fighting, turbulent, courtly prelates of the " Rhine, of the Prince Bishop of Durham, or the " ducal Bishop of Osnaburgh." Whether Dean STANLEY is right or not in his belief that lessons of charity and wisdom are taught by considerations of this kind, it is certain that they possess strong historic and antiquarian interest. THE progress of Chambers of Agriculture has an intimate bearing upon the politics of the time. So long as the farmers, who constitute the mass of the members, limited themselves to questions like the malt tax, education, and turnpike trusts, all went smoothly ; but modern farmers are practical men, and their reverence for the territorial aristocracy seems to be modified by a sense of what is due to themselves. A proposal to substitute county financial boards for the time honoured system under which landowners spend the money of rate-payers for county purposes without allowing them any voice is now being hotly discussed. This scheme is unpalatable to a large portion of *the magistracy, whose snug coteries in connexion with the manage ment of gaols and lunatic asylums are thus threatened with invasion. At the last meeting of the Central Chamber of Agriculture, held in the metropolis, the landlord interest was feebly reprc sented by Lord Baawarts, and hesitatingly seconded by Sir Geoana JRNISINSON, but their amendment on the occasion was all but unanimously rejected. The question was debated last Friday in the Essex Chamber, where Mr. P. 0. PAPILLON, late M.P. for Colches ter, unsuccessfully led the opposition, and at the same time warned his farming friends against indulging in " political agitation." It is manifest that tenant-farmers generally are determined that their own case shall form no ex ception to the principle that representation should be co-extensive with taxation. The main argument relied upon by the opposing magistracy, both in the chambers and in the House of Commons, where Mr. Wimp's bill for carrying out the object has been referred to a select committee, is singularly infelicitous and untenable. It is that, whereas landowners have a ' per manent interest in the well-being of their respective counties, farmers have only a temporary one, seeing that as a rule a notice to quit may at any time sever the connexion ; in other words, that, like TENNYSON'S brook, the owners of the soil alone " flow on for ever." Would not this ob jection be equally valid against ratepayers in boroughs having any control over borough expen diture SHIELW. vas published con amine° es the " Gils. oloded the minutes of composed of Sir J. 0. D. Hay, Major•Genenl Sir ;An W. Gorden, CoLnel Adye, R. h., Lieoteicant.Colonal B. W. Ward, ILL, Mr. W. Faiehairu, Mr. W. Pole, and Mr, John Peru. The instruction given to the sononittee were to inquire low fu the trials that have been made wire imfavourable to the shields, and what welt the causes which have led to any failure ; and the committee were further instructed to consider whet changes they could resommend in the construction of these shields. With mopest to the first question, the com mittee find, after a amend consideration of the general remits of these trisla, that they were unfavourable to the shield, and that it is not strong enough to resist the direct attack of powerful ordnance at a distance of 400 yards. It is not sufficiently massive, nor dots it appear to the committee to be of the most favourable construction. Various witnesses have testified to the weakness of the girder, to the insufficient thickness of the front plate, to the danger to the gun detachment from the multiplicity of bolts, nuts, and rivets, in a structure wholly of iron, to the weakness of each side of the embrasure, to theinaufficiency of the skin as a sup port, and to other detente. It was, however, stated by other witnesses that the oonstnurtion adopted has the ad vantage of being easily strengthened to any required degree by super-imposing additional armour plates, or by substi tuting thicker ones. Many diffs not methods of strength ening the shields were suggested to the committee, but they do not consider that the question of their improve ment can be satisfactorily dealt with until after further experiment ; and benoe they recommend that two of them should be returned to this country and expert usented on, with the view of ascertaining how far the remainder are capable of improvement at a reasonable cost, and to gain experience f or th e future. It followr, thereto'', as a matter of course, that the I committee were not prepared without further experiment to submit any recommendations with regard to the con struction of other shields ; or the principles on which they should be built. The committee, however, arrived at the general conclusion that shields for important positions on land defences should afford greater protection than the one now reported on. The cost to this country of strcnger shields would be small in comparison with the oatisy necessary for their reconstruction. Coincidently with the publication of this blue-book a parliamentary paper has been issued containing the obser vations of Col. Jervoise, C. 8., of the Works Depar: mess of the War-office, on the report of the special committee. The object of the paper is to vindicate the Works Depart ment in this matter. Colonel Jervoise says that, looking to the poesibillty of oomplications arising from the Minato between Austria and Prussia, in 1866, special attention wea turned to the defences of Malta and Gibraltar; and it was then proposed to protect by iron shield, a few of the most powerful guns at each place. A sum of 30,0001. wax appropriated for this purpose, and the problem for the Works Department to solve was the application of this sum so as to provide as many shields as possible capable of fulfilling the conditions imposed. With regard to the result, Colonel Jervoise contends that when a com mitts. specially appointed to consider the question, with ample time, with additional evidence, and with the results of further experiment before them, fail to see their way as regards the construction of shields, the Works Department may fairly claim every consideration in any discumaion as to the mode in which they dealt with the subject in 1866. He moreover contends that the experiments themselves put the shield to a test and strain altogether in excess of what it should bear to enable it to fulfil the conditions for which it was designed ; and he expresses a belief that had the inquiry been conducted on a broader basis, and bad more consideration been given to all the contingent circumstances which affect the case, the com mittee would have come to a different conclusion. .. . • -Ji l ATO ' iiiXPRPS% ' MONDAY .-: :. , .1 s. MAY ~.i ; --,, whink tl i s iPr y had is the onoienOlodenquin of the • nobl !nil the eve at battle , , .Idiers/woold fear . re ' ' • , "0 • . AR" Bathe gPhi - and of opera the ItoOlon Petelite.'• The mil/lit/it the instil si peasants, and, Xis • - 1 ~.. action expealent ; IdiPPen whisk he we are the ' rt....0"N 'tried bodyguard oft,ooo, melt away. ` 4 -"' - i - ' boa a sae report at air special eon policy, based upon mapogines, of the Roman Eatrzaos.. grzio kiss iditure'shislds, tow hist: are spy )I liatin created a whiskthe ..l_l l2lglP a r _ il . t _ ! RI •_a_.... __ .t. till a.- . THI mnaress of Chambers of Aerieultnre has I . 4618 . 8 * Th• alluditill was son • THE ROYAL ACAD2MY. THE pillars of Church and State, as well as the shining lights of the Arta, Literature, and the Sciences, are accustomed to deliver themselves of a variety of ex officio utterances and prophecies at the annual dinner of the Ro3 al Academy ; and the brilliant gathering of Saturday formed no excep tion to this well established rule. But the diffi culties of the Government despoiled the dinner of some of its oratorical attractiveness ; and "tho un " expected detention from town of the Plume " MINISTER" robs the newspaper reader this morning of at least one dexterous and amus ing speech. For it is no disparagement to the Academicians to say that the great people assembled each year at their table speak quite as much to the country as to their hosts. The Prince of Wstes's hearty assertion that " the Irish pe )ple are loyal to the core, " whatever may be said either in this country " or any other ;" the Duke of CAMBRIDGE'S cor roborative verdict, after many years' experience, that " the Irish are a most pleasant people to " deal with ;" the interesting reminiscence of Lord CAIRNS, the only member of the Government who spoke, connecting the Lord LYND HURST of yesterday with the Sir JOSHUA REYNOLDS who founded the Academy exactly a century ago ; the amiable cross-firing between the Archbishop of Your and the PRESIDENT of the ACADEMY as to the opinion of anonymous artists on the exhibition of the year ; Sir RODERICK MURCHISON'S gallant hope that at its ensuing anniversary the Academy will "instead "of the late Dr. LIVINGSTONE, as announced "in its catalogues of last year, exhibit the " LIVINGSTONE himself ; " and Mr. PROUDE'S comparison of the profession of Literature to the Cave of Adullam and his hints at the great possi bilities open to it—more especially, as it seemed, the scorning as unworthy " the popular applause " and the largo cheque" too often hungered after now—if it, too, had a Royal Academy, were the most characteristic utterances of the night. Despite the unprecedented number of pictures sent in (2,683) and the small quantity (896) it has been found possible to hang ; despite, too, Sir FRANCIS I GRANT'S condemnation of "the ill-advised artist 1 " who spoke of this exhibitionas below theaverage," the general opinion is that, fastidiously selected though they be, the productions shown this May barely touch inthe aggregate thestandard previously reached by British art. Next year the Academicians hope to entertain in their new rooms at Burlington House, and though their anniversary dinner can hardly increase in popular esteem, we may fairly hope that increased facilities will furnish an increased stimulus to young artists, and that increased excellence will accom pany enlarged accommodation. Further, both diners and readers may be satisfied that, as the LORD CHANCELLOR rather grandiloquently and needlessly remarked, any attempt to interfere with or oppose either the Academy or its hospitality will be, if not " narrowly watched for" at least " strenuously opposed." ABYSINIA. THE letters from Abyssinia which have come to hand to-day reach to the 7th of April. The rare fied atmosphere had begun to tell upon the soldiers who complained that they could not run without panting, and some of whom fancied in conse quence that their lungs were affected. On the ;nd of April the supply of biscuit had run short, the tea and sugar were nearly ex pended, and the rum was gone. The people, however, were ready with corn. Abyssinian armies always travel with an immense proportion of women, who grind the wheat in hand-mills. The story is told that when the European plan for preparing flour was shown to THEODORE, he shook his head, and said that the system ought never to be introduced into Abyssinia, as grinding corn kept the women of his country out of a good deal of mischief. The late KING seems to have been consistent enough in this respect, for through out his dominions every description of individual labour has fallen upon the weaker.sex. One of our correspondents, referring to the dreaded cha racter of the KING, repeats a remark of the country people that a thousand of his soldiers dare not show themselves on their plateau, but that " if the terrible THEODORE himself were to come, " they must give him whatever he might ask." A letter had been received from Mr. Ratenue, in which that gentleman reported that Tacoma' had said to him, "If I were what I once was, I " should have known before this what the English " were coming for." THEODORE had pressed Mr. RAMSAY as to the number of our men, and had been told that it was 12,000. The prisoners had been released from their fetters, with the exception of the Germans, who were let loose to work in the day time, but were kept chained at , night. While THIODORE personally was aonsi dered by the peasants as a being above retribution, ; his soldiers, by whom many cruelties and spells ' time had been committed, were objects of detests , tion upon whom vengeance should be wreaked, and this feeling had probably prevented deseritons from the Ilturols rap)* it #lo4ht • POPE AND PAGAN. Tan Dean of WESTMINSTER once made Convoca tion angry by describing with disagreeable mi nuteness the Pagan origin of the ecclesiastical costumes which are so precious to Ritualists, and which create such a stir in these times. In a paper he has published in one of the May maga zines he subjects some characteristics of the Papacy to the same trying process. The effect to many will be curious. The Pore in his association with the old classical world, is not at all like the Pore as the chief oracle of Chris tendom. In Dean STANLEY'S representation he is a museum of curiosities, and the ceremonies to which importance is attached are insignificant. In these things the Hove FATHER has acted " merely " as the shoal which like the island in his own " Tiber has arrested the straws of former ages as " they floated down the stream of time." The white gown which is the ordinary dress of a Pope, is the common classical dress of all ranks in Roman society, worn before the difference between lay and clerical c Altura° had sprung up ; and perpetuated in thehead of the clergy from their longer adherence to ancient habits. The formidable crosier of great ecclesiastics is not the symbol of the priesthood against the State, nor even the crook of the pastor over his flock, but simply the walking stick, the staff of the old man, of the presby ter, such as appears always in the ancient drassa of Greece and Rome, and in the famous riddle of Moiros. It is the symbol of old age and nothing besides. The chair d atehe, the sell* gesiatoria in which the Pon is borne aloft, Whe egurt. OSBORNE, Mir 2. Yesterday being the birthday of Prince Arthur, the band of the Portsmouth division of Royal Marines Light Infantry played from half-past four to bait-put six o'clock, upon the lawn at Osborne, before the Queen, the Royal Family, and the ladies and gentlemen in attend ance. Mr. and Mrs. Pulleine and the Re►. G. and Mrs• Prothero had the honour of being invited. The band played a selection under the direction of Mr. C. Kreger, bandmuter. The Queen walked in the grounds this morning, accom panied by Princess Beatrioe. Princess Louise and Prince Arthur, attended by Lady Churchill, rode out, and Prince Leopold walked. The Right Hon. Benjamin Disraeli arrived at Osborne yesterday, and bad the honour of dining with the Queen and Royal Family. Lord Charles Fitzroy has succeeded Major-General F. H. Seymour AI Equerry in Waiting. MAT 3. The Queen, accompanied by Princess Louise and Prince Leopold, and attended by Lady Churchill, drove out yesterday afternoon. Lord Charles Fitzroy was in attem dance upon horseback. Her Majesty, Princess Louise, Prince Arthur, Prince Leopold, and Princess Beatrice, attended Divine service at Whippingham Church this morning. The Rev. G. Protheto officiated. The Ladies and Gentlemen in Waiting were in attend ance. The Right Hon. Benjamin Disraeli left Osborne yes terday for London. The Hon. Mary Lasedles has succeeded the Hon. Florence Seymour as Maid of Honour in Waiting. The Prince of Wale., attended by Major Teesdale, rode oat on Saturday. The Princes, of Wales drove out, attended by the Hon. Mrs. Stoner. Prince Adalbert of Prussia visited the Prince and Princess of Wales, at Marlborongh•honse. The Prince of Wales afterwards visited Prince Adalbert at the Palace lioteL In the evening the Prince of Wales, attended by Lord Alfred Hervey, General Sir William Kim Dye, and Major Teesdale, was present at the anniversary dinner given by the President and Council of the Royal Academy, is Trafalgar-square. The Princess of Wales, attended by the Hon. Mrs. Stonor and Viscount Hamilton, went to Her Majesty's Opera, Drury-lane. The Prince and Prinoese of Wale*, with the Hon. Mrs. Stonor and Major Teesdale in welting, attended divine service at the Chapel Royal, St. James's, yesterday morning Tke Hon. Joseph Howe (Canada), and Mr. Henry H. Smith (Canada), had an interview with the Duke of Buck. Ingham and Chandos, at the Colonial-office on Saturday. Despatches were reosived on Saturday at the Colonial office, from the Governor•Goneral of Canada, and from the Governors of British Honduras, British Columbia, and the Falkland Islands. Despatches were sent to the Go vernor-General of Canada, and to the Governors of British Honduras and British Columbia. The state apartments of Windsor Castle will be closed on and after Wednesday next, the Bth inst., anti farther orders. HER MAJESTY'S LEVEE.-(THIS DAY.) By command of the Queen a levee was held to day, at St. James's Pokes, by the Prince of Wales on behalf of her Majesty. The Prince of Wales, attended by his gentlemen in waiting, and escorted by a detachment of the Royal Horseduards, proceeded from Marlborough-house to the pa ace, and wee received by the great officers of state of the royal household. The Prince entered the throne room accompanied by his Royal Highness the Duke of Cam bridge, his Royal Highness Prince Christian, his Serene Highness the Prince of Teak, and attended by the Earl of Tankerville kLord Steward), the Earl of Bradford (Lord Chamberlain) the Duke of Beaufort, 8.G., (Mutor of the Horse), the Right Hon. Percy Herbert (Treasurer of the Household), Viscount Royston (Comp troller), Lord Claud Hamilton (Vice-Chamberlain). Lord Skelmendale (Lord-in-Waiting), and other of cers. large number of presentations took place. The Court Journal says the Queen and royal family will return to Windsor Castle on Friday next, and on the following Friday her Majesty will leant for Scotland. MR. GLAD6TONI.—In consequence of a severe domestic sanction the Right Ron. W. R. Gladstone was prevented attending the Royal Academy dinner on Satur day evening. The Michas. d'Aumale and the Duke d'Alencon honoured Frances Countess Waldegrave and the Bight Hon. Chichester Fortescue, M.P., with their presenoe at dinner en Saturday evening, st their residenoe in Carlton. pidena. The following company met the royal visitors at dimmer :—Thelfarl of Sefton, Lordand Lady Clermont, Lord Otho Fitzgerald, ILP., and Lady 0 tho Fitzgerald, the Bight Hoc. Charles Pelham Villiers, M.P., Lady Melemearth, Sir Bounden Palmer, M.P., and Lady Lams Palmer, Sir Koury and lady Cotteeell, Kr. Mary Cheafell. end Km Cireafell, Kr. and Na, K. Wales, Mr. and Kra. Henry Beers, Kr. Frauds Misellys, is Wu in the evemlng her ledydstp had 11=4 did darborktr. THE CHANNEL FLEET. This morning was published a copy of Admiral Warden's reports of the trials of the Channel fleet in 1867, with the remarks of Vice-Admiral Robinson, the Controller of tho Navy, thereon. The observations of the Controller consist of a critical analysis of the performances of the several ships in the squadron as recorded by Rear-Admiral Warden ; but in the detailed reports there are very great discrepancies which further tri►ls alone can clear away. After the most careful consideration Admiral Robinson can see no encouragement whatever in these reports to re turn to the construction of unhandy, long, and compara tively slightly-armoured ships ; on the contrary, so far as they go, they thoroughly confirm the propriety of the changes that have been made in the forms of ships re cently constructed—lees length and greater fighting power, combined with handiness, having been secured to them. The engines of the new type alone give cause for dissatis faction, and they only in some instanoes, the peculiarities of which are now undergoing the most careful inquiry. Hia Ex cellency the Prussian Ambassador and the Countess Bernstorff entertained Prince Adalbert of Pillage, Admiral of the North German Fleet, at dinner on Saturday evening, at Prussia House. After dinner the Countess Bernstorff threw open her saloons for the recep tion of a distinguished company. Sir William Knollye, in consequence of the number of addressee of loyalty sent to the Prince of Wales, has been obliged to return the same reply to 20 of them at once. In this document he states that " the confidence reposed in him by the Irish people is cordially reciprocated by his royal highness, and that the remem brance of the reception which was given to the Prince and Princess of Wales will ever be grateful to them." The operas announced for the present week at Drury-lane are La tar=o Ladra, with McKie. Kellogg Ninetta—first time (to-night) ; La Trariata (to-morrow) ; La Gaza Ladra (Thursday) ; and Marta, with Mlle. NOmon as the heroine—first time (Saturday). The operas for the week at Covent-garden are Guillaume Tell—last time (to-night) ; 11 Barbieri di 3iriplio- foe the return of Mdlle. Adelina Patti (to morrow) ; Yea Diavolo—for the return of Mdlle. Pauline Lucca (Thursday) ; and Marta—for Mdlle. Patti, Signor Mario, and Mdlle. Gross', a contralto who two years ago was at Her Majesty's Theatre (Saturday). The construction of the Pacific Railway has pro gressed so far that on the 18th of April the rails were laid on the highest grade of the Rocky Mountains, 8,242 feet above the sea level, said to be the highest point attained by any railway in the world. The construction parties are ' new working or. the western slope of the mountains. The Marquis Pepoli is shortly about to give in marriage his daughter Letiti► to Count Galli de Forli, nephew of Pope Pius IX., and brought up by his Holiness. It seems that the future husband will do little honour to his venerable preceptor, for he is said to be favourable to the unity of Italy, and devoted to the oonstitutional throne of Victor Emmanuel. Captain Wooleott, for many years a well-known commander in the Royal Mail Company's service, died at Southampton on Saturday. The correspondent of a New York paper says that Juarez, the President of Mexico, celebrated his birth day on the 24th of March, at Chapultopeo, a suburb of the city of Mexico, under the shadow of a grove of cypress trees, the favourite sleeping-plum of Montezuma. One of these cypresses was an old tree in Montezuma's tits,. Chepultepee was a favourite spot also of the Em peror Maximilian. _ _ _ The Hon. W. Lyttelton, nephew of Mr. Glad done, le spoken of as a candidate for the representation of But Woreeetershire, rendered meant by the elevation of the Hon. F. Calthorpe to the peerage. . Ma. Joint Bmonr, M.l" . .—k meeting of the Edinburgh Independent Liberal Committee was held co Thursday visaing, at which it was agreed to invite Mr. Briiiht to visit Edinburgh at the does of the parliamentary semsoo. with the view of receiving the freedom of the City, which the Town Oeusoll last year resolved to present to him ; and also that the executive committee should take by the premonition of addresses or Wilisrwise t to &ford clams of the community an oppertunit7 of " testifying their high appreciation of his dkistensted swims in the mum of the people." ROYAL 0010tENNON ON PIMA= EDUCATION flistaxo).—The Rerd Omerekeien ea Primary Education Mad ca , et the ethos of the eormeite, Dublin. Thera wse prese— Qs lUot t he of Math, Kuhr &oohs, Day. Dr. ROT. K. Cowie, Kr. Deem. Kr. Ohara, Kr. Profane fiallivia, end Mr. W ald ron. ONIAT No TrI E L OSPITAL, OALIDONUNAIOAD, X.—Wheber et he he week edict Key 2, 1,109 ;of Aka 8 won sex alma FOREIGN NEWS. (THIS DAY.) (Horn's TIL801•118.) TRANCE. PARIS, .MAY 4. Tho Marquis Laborde has been made a Senator. On the occasion of the marriage of Prince Hum bert the King of Italy conferred upon Baron de Malaret, the Brench Minister at Florence, the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Crown of Italy, M. Corneille, the government candidate, Las beon elected at Rouen by 16,7J0 voter agai a; 8,700 polled for the Opposition candidate. AMEIUOA. THE IMPEACHMENT OF PRESIDENT JOHNSON. The North German Lloya's steamer Weser, from New York on the 23rd ult., arrived at Southamp ton to-day. She brings 255 passengers for this port, Havre, and Bremen, 42 sacks of mails for England, 417,392 dots. for London, 467,585 dots. for Paris, and 1,500 dots. and 1,000 tons of cargo for Bromen. On the 29th ult. the Weser spoke the English barque Osprey. NEW YORK, Aram 23, Noes . . Mr. Boutwell opened the argument for the pro secution, and declared the Tenure Law to be con stitutional, and that President Johnson bad no right to violate the law in order to obtain a judicial decision on its constitutionality. The President was bound to enforce, but bad no right to question the acts of Congress. Mr. Johnson had violated the Tenure Law and thereby the Constitution. The assertion that he bad sought legal aid was a pretext, his object was to obtain despotic control of the government °Ricca for corrupt purpcses and to re-construct the Union in the interest of the rebels. The advice of the Cabinet could not justify the Pesident in defying or violating of the laws of the land. The evidence regarding Mr. Johnson's speeches went to show that a man capable of making such speeches was unfit to hold the 'Alice of President. The senators in their verdict had no right to be governed by their private opinions of the expediency ur constitutionality the Tenure Law. The charge had been sustained by the evidence, and a verdict of guilty would bring peace to the country. The Senate agreed that all the couniel and managers should deliver or tile argument'. It is announced that Attorney-General Stan berry's continued illness will probably prevent hii further participation in the defence. General Logan read a printed argument dec:ar:ll; that the object of Mr. Johnson was the control of the public officers, and the rimo..!: Mr. Stanton was a clear violation of the Team., Law and the Constitution. The President pret,nde,t good intentions, but any criminal might make thj same pretence. There are indications that the new coustitur-a has been adopted in South Carolina by a majority of 30,000 votes. It is reported that the Canadian authorities hall discovered a witness who saw Whelan shoot Mr. M'Ghee. OUR PARIS LETTER. (room °us oww cowacorobrourr.) PARIS. SUNDAY EVENING. A despatch from Bucharest, stating that the Russian government is opening negotiations with Prince Charles on the subject of the suppression of the consular jurisdictioa is noticed by thy France in the following paragraph, which has a certain importance : A similar question has already been raised in Servia and Egypt. A mixed commission, c anposed of the representatives of various powers interested in the maintenance of the unanimity accorded to European populations by capitulations with the Levat, has already pronounced its opinion on the subject. If we are well informed the French government is disposed make certain concessions in Jervis and Egypt by allowing the participation to a certain extent of the indigenous jurisdiction. But the recent events in Roumania havi!; proved the incapacity of the local authorities to resist the fanaticism of the populations, have naturally cooled the French government, and we do not believe it is disposed to follow the cabinet of St. Petersburg in the negotiations which it intends to open at Bucharest. This tallies rattier ominously with the rumour that a oomminatory note has lately been sent from Paris to St. Petersburg, the answer to which is anxiously expected. The Moniteur, for the first time, notices the mas micro in Japan of several members of the crew of the Dupleix, and repeats the news already given that the Japanese government has granted all the satisfaction demanded. One statement is that no less than twenty Japanese who took part in the massacre have been beheaded, and that a sum 750,000 fr. damages has been paid. I think, how ' ever, that there must be exaggeration in this state ment as to the number of executions. One evening paper speaks of " three" of the malefactors having been not executed but identified. Considerable anxiety is felt lest it should turn out that the French agents in Japan, not content with protect ing French subjects, should have taken up " party" in the country, and thus perhaps com mitted France to a costly and fruitless war. The court journals say the Empress has " deigned to decide" that all the children in France born on March 16, 1856 (the Prince Imperial's natal day), shall receive their first communion on the same day as her son, and that a sum of money shall be given to everyone of them. The language of this paragraph, which reads as if com posed by the minister of a Haroun Raschid is a little too absolute. The Empress has no power to "decide " anything of the kind. A good many of the children in qpestion have run through the initiatory ceremony of their catholic profession already. There cannot fail to be a oertain proportion whose parents will deliberately, choose another day than the one "decreed. However, as the great majority of children born in any given day are poor, the money proffered will in most cases be gratefully accepted. BOMBAY MAILS.—ALILTANDRIA, MAY 3.—Th Pent left at 6 p.m. and the Ripon at 4.30 p.m. rotate* The former may be expected at Marseilles on the Bth, ev! the latter at Southampton about the 15th init. OUTWARD INDIA, CHINA, AND AUSTRALIAN MAILS Of APRIL 18.—ALZIANDRIS, MAT a—Tbo De ltl arrived at 4 p.m. yesterday. INDIA AND CHINA MAILS.—MARSEILL/IS, MAY 4 . —The Menageries Imperislee steamer Peluse, with the above mails, arrived here at 4 a.m. to-day. FATAL GUN ACCIDENT AT PRESTON.—Yeaterday resid morning, ar a few minutes before 9 o'clock, an old man i named Orestoa, 73 years of age, and ing in Hill street, Premise, met with his death in a very unexpectea manner. The deeessed, who was a joiner, had an Old Yon barrel, about two feet long, in his hones, and being de' sinus of extraeting the breech, bad plac ed the piece by Iles ire to warm. He then eat down close by to breakfast F sbi with his wife, when is few an d e pee gen exploded, erwteets lodging in his seek etrating the larder vein. Death earned hreealeaseasiy. The wife 1 110 • eery sum, Nape, bit epee nee is the lead Wesel 'he language as if corn- Haroun Al Empress has the kind. A on have gone heir catholic fail to be a deliberately " decreed." ldren born in proffered will KAY 3.—The yesterdAl• on the Stb, sal oat. AUSTRALIAN 3.—The Delia • MAY 4. use, with the .—Yesterday old man named siding in Hig • uses hid an WI 4 and being de* ed the piece hr by to breakfast O n g the % L ily. TM wife to boat 1140101 ~~