The Express. — London, England, 1862-02-14 00:00:00

11111711 ♦ND Oft'S PURE EXTR:Ca r a AL - VEB' FRET, Yoe laratids and CulinAry MM GM M. metes, by all ebombibb mem SIANUIACTOST. 28. UT= PuItTLAND4I%. lisgest.t, W. §SCOT D-H•ND PIANOFORTES. CR MLR. MALI. end W( N have a bur amortises* ne‘otel ha at Plaiisisrese, by the most eateezae4 m+►tee. pearly miasma prise►—M. Ilmeatatreet. the erpreols. To Colt DroNTIT.NTs4. A IverE•etsentr Intended for The lEeprees" London L'eming he at Ms MA. e. 10. Boliveri•-. ll vu . by rwu ent:k on the ato td publkatioa. I A n!A!tW, T 9 9 Evirma. Olt .911111UCAN COUSIN. Yaws. 99tbei% Na. knone. L Men. an.l Raw,: Mr% C. Toms Itles Oliver. And urrLL Mlss MUYVIT AND LCITII DOT 111,471; or, !'ark gain ..n4 olsl Drift Lames.. lambs Loam% M. PRIIIOIIIIIM au r rulga. AS TO4LIEJ4 /T. MOM kr wri , ,, telais, Rrb r ssb . Mims C. loselsres assi K . —Assi m l in N 4, r.... 41 AND MIS CAT: or. do Wog Kolb , w 00.4. limas. J. Earl Stadler* sad Pads : Miss C.Alsms. YT., , lunir.?- Tim Ivriree, grui — iii;ii — i;sr• 0. vinthe. W. H. Werner... ..r. Damao : Ma. ilerbert. —PKR4EII'i AND AN 0.0.%11LD Dr. F. MaNilim %Ad M ilertmert.—Aad ‘ltri.t. a>L ROUND THC I: l lllNLlL—Coataionce AS BRITA7IfIrA, Ms mom. THZ 11i11011.0ZAL —TUC ZINO 01 fah. %XII& & Was. Hamra Zany, Loots, Nrrhaaa, lam& ramill; /Nib. C. Atop Wm. Mr.. W. Cranford. THL CLOCIE ONTYs ITAlLs.—Cossonic.• INIIIRATIA AT LOIDON WOOS. j e rilasiss. Sti. is - AMMO" 211. geOL e.-416sella Aftsnows, Ida LONDON, FRIDAT, IEB. 14. !!‘ his masterly speech last night, Mr. Lowe took the whole question of National Education, which has bees so intensely debated during the recess, out of the narrow region of party feeling, co:iventional prejudice, and sectional interests, and placed it in its broadest aims and issues before the reason and conscience of Parliament and the country. Even those captious critics and in dignant orators on the Opposition benches, whose short memories and perverse ingenuity enables them not only to denounce the mysterious silence of the Government with regard to the New Minute, but to discover all aorta of sinister motives for imaginary reserve, must have been completely satisfied with the powerful and e::haustive statement made to the House by the Vice-President of the Committee of Council. For three hours and a half the Right Hon. Gentleman held the attention of the House while he reviewed the existing system of education, pointed out in lumiuoui detail its glaring defects, and stated the leading principles and provisions of the New Code, with the modifi cations that have been recently introduced to meet the chief objections urged against it during the recess. Every point of the statement was supported by pertinent facta and cogent are the evils of the present system being exposed under special beads and with detailed proofs, while the absolute necessity of a change in the direction of the New Minute was demonstrated not only by facts and figures, but by irresistible force of reasoning and • stat4isnianlike appeal to those principles of public duty and that supreme regard to the public interests which should guide the action both of the Government and the House in the matter. Nor is this able and elaborate statement at all out of proportion to the importance of the sub ;ect and the interest it excites. For though the question of Government Aid to Education and the kind of Education it secures, is not, u Mr. Lowe justly said, one of first-rate magnitude, it is nevertheless of serious moment, and one which, in the absence of any great political measure, will necessarily occupy a prominent place in the business of the Session. The urgency of the question, however, is quite equal to its importance. The Educational Reforms proposed by the Govern ment have not been brought forward a moment too soon. The present system was, as Mr. LowE reminded the House last night, not only essenti ally tentative and provisional in its origin and design, but it has retained that character up to the present moment. And features that might be ap pro?riate and useful enough in a merely tentative scheme, may very naturally become a source of weak ness and injury if permanently retained. That is precisely what has happened with regard to the ex isting system of Government Aid to Education. Tho original objectuf the Government grants westogive an impulse to primary instruction by establishing specimens and models of the right kind of teaching —in a word, by giving it an efficient start iu the righ: direction. Lord RVMELL, a leadin4 Minister of the Crown at the time it was iumagurattli, stated distinctly that it was "not intended that " tie system should pervade the whole country ; " but that the object was to create models of " teaching." The details of the scheme were accordingly accommodated to this end. The great object being to create models of effective teaching, the first thing to be done was to secure a class of effective teachers. A great proportion of the annual grant was therefore given in the form of premiums to certified masters and pupil-;..achers. Training colleges were established on an extensive scale, which, though originally the offspring of voluntary enterprise, were soon maintained almost entirely at the public expense. The system of Government inspection proceeded on the same principle, awl was directed to the same end—that of securing good teachers and diffusing general types of good teaching. This was all very well for a time, but it is obvious that such a system is essentially provisional, and that to make it perma nent would he in fact to sacrifice the main end of eaective popular education. The true end of Popular edim.ition is not to produce teachers, how ever a-compli-hed, but to furnish pranary instruc tion to the children of the poor. And this is pre cisely the point which the present system natu rally and aluixt necessarily, from its provisional character and limited aim, so much neg lected. The system was accommodated to its main end, that of providing teachers, and having ac c-mirdislied this it is right that its merely provisional features should be done away with, and those changes adopted which are neces sary to secure the real end of education— the diffusion of sound instruction amongst the children of the poor. Hut it seems that this essential change has already become a teak of enormous difficulty. From various causes the provisional system has lasted so long that those who enjoy its benefits and are directly interested in its continuance have already forgotten its origin. They denounce any change in the conditions of the f , Ivernmoit grants, which are still voted annually, as a breach of faith towards themselves, and meet the proposals for Reform with the cry of " vested " rights and interests." It may, no doubt, be said that this is to some extent natural from the length of time during which the provisional system has been retained without alteration. But, on the other hand, this Lind of opposition demonstrates the im perative neceeiity of reform, and that without a Tao nient'rfurtherl.day. Unless the true ends of educa tion are a ba p,:ricauently abandoned, this kind of organized and interested resistance to reform most be promptly met and subdued. Mr. Lows pointed out the danger arising from this source :—" He " wished to point out that such a state of thins " might bring about moat disastrous results, and " that, like Pore's Atom's, they would find them " selves ' by the means defeated in the end,' and " that, instead of the grant being a grant for " National Education, it would become a grant " for sustaining vested interests in the existing " machinery of Education, and that Ministers, " finding the fearful opposition they would have "to encounter from such a phalanx in any " attempt to divert the grant to its original " object, would relinquish the attempt altogether, " and no government would be found bold " enough to face the opposition they would " meet with. Now they felt that it " was necessary to deal with this sub " ject as soon as possible. Tkey waited' " three years while the Commissioners were deli " berating. The reason they were anxious to deal " with the subject was the increasing number of " the claimants. They felt that such a state of " things would arise that it was necessary to deal " with the subject at once, it being foreseen that "if the House did not, upon the earnest repro " mutation of the Committee, put a stop to the " evil, all control over the distribution of the " grant would pass out of the hands of the Privy " Council and of Parliament into the hands "of those who were working the system ; while " any demand that the latter chose to make upon " the Minister would be supported by such an "army of stipendiaries, that no Minister would "be found courageous enough to withstand " it. Such a state of things would be " most dangerous and unconstitutional." After all, the proposals of the New Minute do not seriously affect the position or the incomes of thaw who seise the cry of vested interests. But that such a ery should be raised, supported by a powerful agitation, and backed by threats of political action, is the strongest possible proof of the necessity and urgency of reform. The New Minute makes no other changes in the existing machinery than are necessary to correct glaring deficiencies, and secure in the most efficient manner and on the widest scale the true ends of education. And notwithstanding the partial outcry that has been raised, and the political support of • party kind which the oppo nents of the Minute may possibly secure, we believe that it will be accepted by the country at large and by the House of Commons as a most important and seasonable reform. The modifica tions of the New Code announced by Mr. Lows last night will certainly help to mecum the general acceptance of the measure. All the objections of any weight and validity urged against the provisions of the Code are met and removed by these changes. Perhaps the most important is that relating to Infant Schools. The children in these schools are not to be examined, the capitation fee being paid simply on attendance, so that, as Mr. LOWE pleasantly said, the children will be to the managers as well as to their parents " little treasures." The change in the age at which the capitation fee will be granted in Evening Schools, from 13 to 12, is also a very useful, as it is sure to be • very popular one. The Training Colleges, moreover, are to be maintained, for the present at all events, on the existing plan. These changes, with • pro- vision for securing the master's salary by giving him a lien on the capitation grant, are the most important features of the amended Code. Slight as they are they will remove a host of objections, and help to secure the success of a measure which is now as unexceptionable in its details as it was always sound in principle. THE EXPRESS, FRIDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 14, 1862. LATEST lIITELLIGENCE. THE MEXICAk INTERVENTION. The Dates of to-day publishes some important diplomatic papers, which have just been laid before the French Legislative Chambers, illus• trating the diplomatic action of France in the affairs of Mexico. We extract the following passage from a despatch addressed by M. Tbouvenel,on the 11th of November, to Bear-Admiral Jurien de is Gravure, the commander of the French military forces : The allied powers do not propose to themselves, as I have told you, any other end than that which is indicated in the convention. They interdict themselves from intetferiag ie the internal affairs of the country, and especially free exercising any pre•ure on the will of the people as to the choice of their government. There are, however, certain hypotheses which present themselves to our foresight; and which we ought to examine. It might happen that the presence of the allied forces on the Mexican territory would determine the sound part of the population, weary of anarchy, eager for order and repose, to make an effort to constitute it the country a government presenting the gas ranters of strength and risibility ; which have been wanting In all those that have existed since the emancipation. The allied powers:have a common and ton manifest interest in seeing Mexico rescued from the state of social dissolution into which it is plunged, which paralyses all development of its prosperity, annuls for itself and for the rest of the world an the riches with which Providence has endowed a privileged soil, and obliges those powers to recur periodically to expensive expeditions in order to recap to ephemeral and senseless authorities the duties of governments. This interest ought to induce them not to discourage attempts of the nature of those which I have Indicated to you ; and you ought not to refuse them your encouragement and your moral support if, through the position of the men who would take the initiative, and the sympathy which they would meet with among the 111&1111 of the population, they should present chances of success by the establishment of an order of things of a nature to assure the interests of resident foreigners the protection and the guarantees which have failed them up to the present time. The government of the empire leaves it to your prudence and your discernment to appreciate, in concert with the corn. missioner of his Majesty, whose knowledge acquired by his residence in Mexico will be very valuable to you, the events which will develop themselves under your eyes, and to determine the degree in which you will be celled upon take part in them. Cbt Qourt. OSBORNE. Wu. 13. The Crown Princess of Prussia in expected to soles at Osborn tomorrow. A deputation from the Congregational Board of Education, consisting of Mr. Edward Baines, M.P., Mr. Thomas Barnes, M.P., the Rev. W. J. Cowin, Mr. Samuel Morley, and Mr. John W. Williams, had an interview with the Lord President and Vice• President of the Committee of Council on Education yesterday, at the Privy Council race. Mr. Charles Henry Wagner, Secretary of the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, bad an interview with the Hight Hon. T. Milner Gibson yesterday, at tho Office of the Board of Trade. It has been reported to ber Majesty's Corninissiosers for the Exhibition of 114;2 that Henry Graben, Req., has been appointed Commissioner in Loudon to represent the inte rmits of Italian exhibitors at the approaching Exhibition. The Judicial Curninittne of the Privy Council sat pesky. day. The Raster of the Rolla gave judgment on appeals from the High Court of Adruiraity, "Hamburg American Steam Packet Company r. North of Scotland Booking Company, the Eclipse, and the Saxonia,"both parties having appealed against the decree of the Judge of the Admiralty Court. Their lordships would advise her Majesty to ems firm the ileci%ion of the court below, sod disnliat both ap peal,. with cuati. An appeal from she High Court of Ad miralty " Palmer and Taylor v. &Avis and others, the Emma," was heard. Lord Kinpdown gave judgment, at the decree of the court below. An appeal from the High Court of Admiralty, " Thompson and others v. and others, the Anenrin and the John and Mary," WWI heard—jadgment was reserved. The lord; present were Lord Kimodown, the Mater of the Rolls, and Sir J. Coleridge. De...patches were received yesterday at the Colonial-office from the Goveruors of l'anaila, tha M..uritim., Gibraltar, and Malta. Declutches were sent to the Governor of C'snada. The Crown Princess of Prusiia will arrive at Ostorne this day. The original intention of her royal high ness to Lind at Crave•end has hero abandoned. nod the priucese a q proceed in the Victoria and Albert royal yacht direct from Antwerp to the Isle of Wight The King d the Belgians arrived et Brussels ahout 4 &clod: oa Wed•ssdty aft,ruo , n. Her lt,.yal Highness the Princess of ►'rasa hel reached the PAlAce shortly Is fore, awl left for Antwerp yesterday morning at • quarter put 11. Their Royal Highnesses the Ducheis of Cain br'vlce and the Princess Mar: have arrived at their resi dence in St. James's Y.dace, (van Cambridre Cutt■ge, Kew. The Duke and Duche.s of Manchester have left town oo their return to Kimbolten Castle, Huntingdon shire. The 31argni4 and Marchionve Clanricanle have arrived at their aew teddence i 7 stratt otr atreat, front Portumait Castle. Galway, for the season. Lord Doak.llia. M.P., bas also &arrived ia town from Irolaad. The Earl and Countem De Grey cud Ripon enter tained the Duke and Duces.. of Awl% the Furl cad Countess of Lord Dufferia. laly Theresa Lewis cad Mrs Lister, the Hon. Ev elys Ashley, the Hon. Bpeneer and Nines Ponsonly. Yrs. G. Glyn, and a select circle, at diem:. on WeJoesday, at their residence in Carlton-gardens. The Earl and Countees of Tankerrille hare left town to visit Lady 01via Sparrow, at Hampton Park, Hunts. Lord Lyndhurst ii, we are happy to learn, reco vering from his recent isdisposition. The Earl of Wilton has arrived in Grosvenor square from Melton Mowinsy. lady Alice Grey Egerton is staying at Moor Park, as a visit to Lady Ebary. The Earl and Conntena of Arran have left town for the Bedford Hotel, Brightoe. The Earl and Countegs of Shafte‘bnry and family bare arrived in Grosvenor-moan from St. Gilee's Howe, Lorettalire. COTTON BY WAY OF MEXICO. "We have already mentioned," says the Pattie, "a project which would be the consequence of the occupation of the allied powers of the coast of the state of Taumalipax, a province of Mexico, adjoining Texas, which, as is well known, forma part of the states separated from those of the north. When in October last President Davis was informed of the combined expedition which wax being prepared against Me7;co, he occupied himself with establish;ng a mode of transit across the Southern States as far as the frontier which separates Texas from Mexico. That road, it is said, is in full progress of execution, and is joined to the railways and canals which run through the Southern States in every direction. Europe may thus supply herself with cotton in the ports of the Gulf of Mexico, and the powers would no longer have to occupy themselves with the ques tion of the blockade of the Southern ports by the Federal government, as this transit road will be quite equivalent to free access to the Southern ports as far as regards the export of cotton. It is needless to add that the shipment of cotton iu the Mexican ports will not be in opposition to any of the principles of international law." The New York Commercial Advertiser states that it is known by the Federal government "that large quantities of cotton are now being carried through Texas in waggons and taken into Mexico, whence the staple is shipped to England and France." PRUSSIA. We learn that several sections of the Pi assian Chamber of Deputies have confetred together with a view of presenting a resolution providing for the immediate recoioition of the kingdom of Italy. M. de Carlovitz is entrusted with the duty of bringing it before the house, and developing the reasons in its favour. ITALY. The following is the text of Baron Ricasoli'r circular to the Prefects of the Kingdom, already mentioned by telegraph : Twit), Feb. 4. The King's government continues its endeavours to obtain the fulfilment of the wishes which the nation has expressed through its legitimate representatives ; it em ploys every care and activity in procuring the provinces of the kingdom the enjoyment of free institutions, and in completing the unity and independence of Italy. It nevertheless meets with two kinds of obstacles on its way ; some natural and inevitable, con sisting in the interests and passions which were fostered by the governments which Lave fallen before the rights and the will of the nation ; the others re sulting from parties which, while they profess similar aspi- rations to those of the government, are yet intent 1111013 sub stituting themselves in its place, in the action which the government alone should propose, commence, and guide, in order that it may be respected and efficacious. In order to surmount the obstacles of the first kind, the government not only requires physical force, but also great moral authority ; for the enemies of liberty and Italy find a certain, active, and indefatigable aid 111 the religious principle which they pervert, and which is powerful because of its secular traditions, end the universal belief it enjoys. But as they are in manifest contradiction with the rights and the will of the nation, they have been reduced to impotency by the force of public opinion in Italy, and fall by themselves under the menace of the law. Never- theless, vigilance and precautions are requ'red against these enemies, in order to prevent them from leading loot:rut and timid consciences astray in the name of religious principles, sod driving them into rebellion; and to have every means of prompt and rigorous repression ready in case they shculd go too far. Nevertheless it is equally important to watch those who, whether in good faith, or from sectarian motives, turn the Roman question into an instrument of popular agitation, and excite distrust and suspicion against the government, im peding its action under the vretetice of aiding if.. In either case, the injury which the national cause may suffer is serious. The King's government has solemnly declared by what means :t intends going to Borne ; these means have been pointed out to it by the national parliament, and they are the only ones shown by the logic of facts and the nature ! of things as calculated to fulfil the wishes of the nation. ' The government hopes to attain this end by the means alluded to, and it alone can decide upon what is to he done I and at what time ; for the government alone is, under its responsibility, the executor of the na. Lionel will, from the knowledge which it must bars, and which it alone can possess. of the real state of things. in order to judge of the opportunity end measure of action. Neither its dignity nor the interests of the nation could ever admit of its allowing itself to be driven forward, or letting others go ahead of it. The chief object in the Roman question is to obtain a peat moral triumph, io which the consciences of sincere catholics of all civilised nations, and of the Italian nation in particular, have an interest. The fruits of the modern , Con of the Italians, sod of the wisdom they have displayed in this week, may already be seen, and the King's government has reason to be satisfied with the success obtained. A free church and a free state will inaugurates new order of things, which the Italians may create by agreeing with judgment and moderation on the programme of conciliation between Italy and the Pontificate, which the Romans latterly ex pressed with antique concision and wisdoms. But while the King's government gives all its attention to the Ronian question, which parties and factions pervert for different parporses, it requires all its moral authority, and all the confidence of the people. It feels convinced that it bas not deserved to lose that confidence ; and, aware of the serious r nature of present events, it will not permit its operations , to be disturbed either by ioconsideravi bursts of enthusiasm or by noisy manifestations, whence catholics might derive motives for mistrusting the true sentiment. of Italians, by badly interpreting them, or for doubting the authority or power of the government, which is a guarantee desired by all and necessary to all. You are requested, air to enlighten public opinion in your prefecture, so as to prevent its deviating from or abandos ing the rules of moderation. Employ all your authority to prevent the occurrence or repetition of such manifestations, which the government considers unworthy of a great and strong nation, so constituted as to be able to express its desires and its will through the medium of it. representa tives. RICABOLL. (uttria's nuasols.) THE " MONITEUR" ON THE STATE OF ITALY. PARIS, Fn. 14. The Moniteur, in its bulletin of to-day, says " The news which arrives from Italy attests more and more the necessity under which the King's government is placed of restoring legal order in a country so prompt at any ebullition." THE BANK OF FRANCE. PARIS, 1+4:4. 14. The Monitcur of to-day publishes the usual monthly return of the Bank of France, which shows the following results as compared with the January account: _ INCREABr. Cash in hand Bank notes 34 ~ Treasury balance Current accounts Advances Dam An . Bills discounted, not yetdne 13 ~ THE WEST INDIA AND PACIFIC MAILS. t3OUTRAMPION, Fn. 14. The Royal Mail steamer Atrato, with the above mails, has arrived. She brings 69 passengers, 123,7301. in specie, and 4,465 packages of cargo. She left St. Thomas on the 31st ultimo. Her Majesty's ship Cadmus captured a slaver forty miles from St. Thomas. Affairs in Chili had improved. Large quantities of wheat and flour were being collected for ship ment to Europe. President Perez continued popu lar among the Chilenos. The government was pro gressing tranquilly. Nothing important had occurred south of Peru since last advice,. In Salvador a plot to assassinate President Barrios had been discovered and frus trated. Heavy rains in Costa Ric► bad seriously inter fered with the raising of the coffee crop. Articles being held for a high figure met with few buyers. The crop was expected to average a hundred thousand quintals. At Valparaiso freights to England were firm. Exchange on London was quoted at 46i to 47 ; on Paris, 485 ; on Hamburg, 41*. At Demerara trade continued dull. Freights had advanced. Produce was coming forward for shipment. In the import market prices were declin:ng. The bark Boadicea, of Greenock, was destroyed by fire on the 19th January. At Barbadoes floods caused by heavy rains had greatly interfered with the preparations for the young crop of 1863. The weather retarded sugar making. The sugar which had been made was re ported to be of good quality ; the yield was an average one. Exchange, 90 days, 485 dols. The Jamaica Legislature was in session. The question of immigration was engaging the attention of the Assembly. A bill for the introduction of liberated Africans from Sierra Leone had passed the Assembly. In the market a steady business was being done for immediate consumption. The stocks ware not over-abundant, but equal to the demand. Pimento little at market. Sugar, 145.: dark, 18s. Fair ruin, 30d. proof ; 18 in bond. Coffee scarce and high ; 50e. to 525. for ordinary. Exchange, 90 days, per cent. prem. EXPRESS FROM PARIS. (not out owl( FARM THUWIDAT EVIWING.. .• - • The Bourse continues to be very heavy. The senile announced by the Muniteur being only sfr. 20c., instead of Gfr., which was expected, naturally makes the operation of conversion better for the stockholders, and consequently easier to be effected, but at the same time ditnieishes the amount which the government wi" make by it. A good deal of uneasiness has been felt, from the fact that the delay allowed fur the optional conversion expires conterminously with the settlement, and before purchases made for that settlement can be deli vered. It is understood that a deputa tion of stockbrokers having waited on the Minister of Finance to represent this difficulty, has made a satisfactory arrangement, the minis ter undertaking to accept the collective guarantee of the brokers for all demands made by their clients. The Reute fell 10c. for cash and 20c. for account, closing at 70fr. 95c. and 71fr. 15c. Mobi lier fell 2fr. 50c., and the Italian Loan 50. The Orleans Railway fell 20fr., there being some doubt about the new shares, the rumours of which caused the rise yesterday; in the other lines there was little change. The freemasons of the "Scotch rite" protest very strongly against the declared intention of Marshal Ilagnan to bring them into the one fold of which be is the shepherd. They entirely deny his juris diction over them, the masons of their persuasion having always been independent of tho Grand Orient of which the Emperor has made him master. The heads of this order defy his autho rity, and declare that though he may break them to atoms he has no more power to regulate their movements than a man ignorant of music has to play upon a lute. He can, no doubt, dissolve the disobedient lodges, if such be the Emperor's will, but he cannot effect a fusion. The orthodox freemasons —namely, those of the Grand Orient — are far from acquiescing unauimously in the impo sition of a grand master by imperial authority. Three influential members of the late "convent," or legislative council, have, however, published a pamphlet, in which they recommend that Marshal Magnan shall be accepted as grand master, but under protest. On the other band, the master's grand council has launched a pamphlet, declaring in his name that his own "irregular" uomivatiou ahall be the only innovation in the statutes of masonry. It is reported at Paris that Mr. Slidell has had an interview with the Emperor Napoleon, and has banded to M. Thouvenel a note prefessieg to give the names and tonnage of 400 vessels which have broken the blockade. According to a circular of Messrs. Arles Dufour and Co., of Lyons, the silk markets at that city during the past month, notwithstanding the settlement of the Trent incident, were not characterised by any improvement in the American trade. Owing, however, to purchases made sod ordera plated for European consumption, there has been some recovery of activity, and prices have slightly advanced. Any more important rise seems hardly to be hoped for so long as the struggle shall continue in the United gimes THE OVERLAND MAIL. Tiles of papers have come to band from Calcutta to the 9th January ; Hong Kong, 31st December ; Melbourne, 24th December ; and Sydney, 21st December. The Calcutta papers report that the rumour of war with the Northern States of America has had a marked effect on the export market, which may be said to be well nigh stagnant. " Shippers have stopped all transactions, and those who have chartered and are loading in American bottoms have, of course, brought their operations to a stand-still in anti cipation of their charters becoming null and void. As this state of uncertainty must continue at any rate for another fortnight, if not longer, we may anticipate a continuance of the present inactivity, at any rate, for that time. What may then eventuate must depend on the prospect of war or otherwise, as well as upon the effect the same will have on the home markets." Matters are quiet in Japan. Mr. Alcock has made use of the power given to consuls to esta blish rules and regulations for the better enforce ment of treaties. From Peking we gather that everything goes on smoothly. By advicee, dated Dec. 2, we learn that Le-poo, an adherent of the late Council of Regency, has been banished to Sin-keang. The new government are busy redeeming the cash notes issued by Sushun, but never paid, a circumstance which caused much distress. The Yang-tau river is becoming a seat of commer cial prosperity. The traffic up and down is " a perfect marvel," considering the short time the river has been opened. The probability is, that next year Hankow and Kiukiang will be the centres of a very great and steadily in creasing trade. Shanghai is full of people from Ningpo, and is now in a more stirring con dition than has been known for years, having be come a city of refuge for the distressed inhabitants of its own and the neighbouring provinces. The British authorities are understood to be pledged to defend both the city and the foreign settlement from the rebels. Ningpo was taken by the insurgent forces on the morning of Dec. 9, the rebels behaving with much moderation, and showing much anxiety to be on good terms with foreigners. Au interview took place between Mr. Harvey, the British Consul, and the rebel chief on the 12th. At Manilla cigars are at a premium, in conse quence, it is said, of the blockade in America, large quantities of tobacco leaf being requited by the Spanish government to balance a want of the usual supply from Virginia. From Melbourne we learn that the new ministers have all successfully undergone their re-election, and the new government appeared to be stronger in force than was expected. The accounts from the various mining districts are mostly good. The autki portions, however, in regard to the Lachlan gold fields in New South Wales have not been realised. The yield is extraordinary, but the quantity of ground is limited. The southern gold miners were ex tremely busy. It was said that the Chinese are gathering there ; and it was anticipated that there would be ten thousand of them before the close of the summer. Private ac counts from New Zealand, as well as the published statements of the quantity of gold actually obtained, have caused a partial renewal of the rush thither, and many were now proceeding to Otago with the determination of remaining some time, and judg ing fur themselves of the goldfields in that pro vince. ITALY. OPILOY Ong c0aanerea0......... itOME, Fes. 8. It is the opinion of the best informed persons here that in the event of a revolution which should restore liberty of conscience, there would be a much stronger reaction towards protestautism in Rome than has yet been shown in Florence, or elsewhere in Italy. They have here seen Popery in its (groesest shape, and are doubtless heartily sick of it in all cases where there is not absolute enslavement to superstition. The "curses not loud but deep" on the immorality of the clergy may be heard by whomsoever will earn enough of the confidence of one of the poor Roinans as to induce him to speak his mind. Knowing what a dweller in Rome cannot but know on this subject, it is not a little dis gusting to watch the prudery of these priestly " whited sepulchres"—the banishment of Florentine flower-women, the exclusion of English ladies from dozens of places too holy for their desecrating feet, and lastly,Lauch incidents as one which occurred to me yesterday. I was visiting an infant school, admira bly managed by a most benevolent Italian gentle man. It consisted only of little boys, from three to eight years old. "Why" said I, "do you not adwit also little girls ft does them both good to be mixed, and it is hard for the girls to be excluded everywhere in Rome from these institutions." " I know it, signora, I know IL But believe me we have difficulties enough with the government already. Were I to venture ou mixing boys and girls, even under eight years old, I should have my school shut up next week." The poorer classes certainly manage to read a quantity of forbidden literature, good and bad, in whatever way they contrive to obtain the books. I have managed to converse with a good many, according to the easy courtesy of Italian manners, and have found the knowledge of French novels alternate curiously with that of the Bible. One poor young woman, of the latter order of readers, con tided to me that she possessed a Bible ; and oh, what a beautiful book it was ! Au Eng lish lady in her house had given it to her. " But have you not to confess to your priest that you have such a book I" " Oh, cars signora, he never disarmer of asking me such a thing ; if he did I should be obliged to give it up. I have a cousin, a tine fellow, who bad a Bible last year, and a priest came into his house and spied it ou a table, and put it into his pocket and walked off with it." "Tell me," 1 said, " supposing we were to have a change here, would there be many, do you think, who would become protestants 1" " Molti, molti, siguora. oh, multi !"(navy, many). "And are there many now who read the Bible ? " A compreasi mile and a nod was the safe reply. There is reason to hope that the Carnival, which begins on the 22nd of this month, will produce seine strong demonstrations. If the government succeed in keeping all things quiet, it will be by putting an extinguisher on the Carnival itself, or (as Mr. Dicey well describes it) by leaving the car nival " awed moceo/0." Should this be done, it may be doubted whether the much-enduring people of Rome will suffer that particular straw to be laid on the top of their load of grievances. Bread has long been scarce ; such beggary and misery as the streets display, all Europe cannot match. The very chorus of Egypt and Syria for " backsheesh " would be drowned by the outcry for bajocchi here. But if the " circenses " be stopped as well as the " pauem," what can the great Roman populace do but mutiny at last It has been suspeetel that the railway interpreter, Ceccarini, who is accused of baring instigated the aarassina• tion of the foreman, Smith, at Velletri, has owed the immunity which be bas hitherto enjoyed to the cireum• stance of his being • Bourbonic recruiting agent ; but, whether this supposition is correct or not, th►t legitimist rank bag not been allowed to stand any longer between the offender and the ends of justice• The individual in quer• tion has been imprisoned at last, ample time for escape baring been allowed him if he had Leen so intentioned. DREADEUL COLLIERY ACCIDENT IN PLINTSHIBE. SIXTEEN lIINERi DROWNED. On Tuesday morning, the waters in the , Ihram...l Hendry mines, neer Hold, Flintehise, broke into the 1,1. joining Bryogweog lead mines, and drowned sixteen u,igeze, only one of the whole number in the pit making his esati,e. The mines are near the high read connecting M Al ~n d Denbigh, and four miles from the former town. The .1,1 Hendee mines, which were formerly very productive, h not been worked fee some years; and as the country is hilly, and there are many streams in the neigbbourhoo 1. these mines have been filled with water for • long time. About two years ago • new company was formed, called the Bryng. weog Company, for the purpose of working the same bed of Wed ore higher up the mountain than the Hendre mines. On Tuesday morning 17 men descended the mine, awl after working for sums time, they penetrated the wall dividing the new workings from the Hendee levels. the water rushed through the aperture, and the men had no chance of escape. Elwin Powell alone got to the shaft, the water being up to his thin, and there he seized • rope which was hanging down from the mouth of the pit. By weans the rope be reached the top, passing several times through torrents of water on his way. When nearly at the top he became quite exhausted, and was only saved by being dragged up by the hair. He states that he fancies he heard some one else climbing up the rope after him ; h e was the only one, hcwever, that arrived at the top. The water is about 240 feet deep in the mine, so that it will be some time before the bodies can he recovered. Of the deceased, thirteen were married men, and one was a widower with six children. The sad occurrence has cast a deep gloom over the people of Mold and the vicinity. EXTRAORDINARY DISAPPEARANCE OF A LADY. Mrs. Buxton, the wife of Mr. Frederick Buxton, of Leeds, at present one of the staff of resident engineers of the Tudela and Bilbao Railway, in Spain, departed from Spain on a visit to her friends at Chapel-Allertou, neor Leeds, England, in consequence of her physicians advising her to try if her native air would re-establish her health, which bad suffered seriously from the climate. It is ascer tained that she reached London in safety on the 22nd day of January last, at 2.35 p.m., and immediately drove to the Bing's-crone station, where she waited for and left by the 5.0 p.m. train for Leeds, since which time nothing has been heard of her, and from the evidence sod facts already col. leeted by the detectives and police both in London and Leeds, no other canclusion can be arrived at but that some foul deed has been perpetrated on her between the King's Cross station and Leeds. It .supposed the valuable jewellery on her person and the considerable luggage she bad with her have led to the commission of a crime which time alone can reveal. Should this meet the eye of any person who travelled by the before-mentioned train from London to the north, any information, however slight, they could afford on the above subject would be gratefully received by her sorrowing family. An advertisement has for some days past appeared, and Is now appearing, in the Times, offering 201. reward to any person who shall give information to Charles Frederick Field, late chief inspector of the detective police, 20, Devereux-court, Temple, or to her husband, now of 4, Queen's-place, Chapel.Allerton, near Leeds. The age of the missing lady was 22 years. One conjecture is that Mrs. Buxton was probably re. moved from the train at some intermediate station between London and Leeds, whilst insensible from the effects of chloroform, and that the villains who bed placed her in that condition, assuming the attitude of friends haviog her in their care, robbed her of all she had, and probably dealt more foully with the lady herself. The domestic affliction which will lead to a week's absence from the }louse of Commons of the Chan °eller of the Exchequer, is the death of Mrs. Gladstone, the wife of the member for Devises, which event took place on Wedneedev, at 42, Upper Brook-street, Grosvenor-square. Captain Gladstone and his numerous family have sustained an irreparable lose in the decease of this estimable lady. On Wednesday last the Rev. Joseph George Cumming was instituted to the rectory of Mollie, in Suffolk, on the presentation of her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen. On the seine day the Rev. George Cardew was instituted to the rectory of Helminghain, in the same county, on the presentation of her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen. And on the same day the Rev. James Mourant du Port, M.A., was instituted to the vicarage el Great Mattisball and rectory or free chapel of Pattisley annexed, in Norfolk, ea the presentation of the Muter and Fellows of Gonville and Caine College, Cambridge. His Excellency the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland has announced his intention of holding a levee on Wednes day, March 12, and a drawing-room on the following day. It is again rumoured that the government in tend to abolish the office of third master in Irish Chancery, which is now vacant. This is causing a great outcry among place-seekers. A new officer, to be called a " vouching clerk," will be appointed to examine documents instead of the muter. Within the last year the ministry hue abolished several offices in Ireland, viz., a paymaster of the civil service, a director of convict prisons, and two or three poor-law inspectors. The Commissioners have decided on having con cise statements of such pule of the practice and procedure of the superior courts of law and equity as are peculiar to England, and of such as are peculiar to Ireland, jointly prepared by English and Irish barristers, each well acquainted with the practice and procedure of his own country. The English commissioners have elected Mr. Henry Holland, the late secretary of the Common Law Commission, for the common law par: ; and Mr. Chapman Barber, the late secretary of the Chancery Commission, for the chancery part, so far as it relates to England. The Irish oomtnissioners have selected Mr. Hewitt Poole Jellett to draw up both parts so far as relates to Ireland. --- --- The Exhibition of this year seems to excite a more lively interest upon the Continent than did its predecessor of 1851. By a return of the sums to he expended by the several German states on the great world's fair, we see that Wurtemborg contributes 3,000/., end Saxony about the same sum. The number of exhibitors from the two countries, 500 strong, is small, however, in cowponies' with Austria, who can boast of as many as 2,000, and is, as we hear, going to vote 90,0001. for the expenses of s fitting representation. Prussia lags behind in comparison with her southern neighbour, and promises a contingent of about 15,0001. Bavaria contributes about 7,000/. Some elegant specimens of porcelain manefecture will be sent from Berlin. A few days ago the Pope gave audience to seve ral distinguished British and toreign visitors. Amoug the former were Lady Graham (widow of the lute Sir Belling• ham) and her daughter, Mrs. Blunt, widow of Profeeer Blunt, of Cambridge; Sir Richard Kirby, and Mr. and Mrs. E. Calling Eardley, Miss Rucker, Mr. Bryant, Mr. T. Usielli and Madame Uzielli, Mr. J. Braasec ' , Madame Tielins, &c. The Pope looked very ill. In his couverstios he touched but littl, OD politics, " but his Holiness," says a letter in the Post, ••set:nesl much atf , ctcil whin Mrs. Eardley mentioned to him that in the Southern States of America, and especially in laiuisioua, there were may who loved him and reverence( his name. The Pope inquired after Mr. Emalley's health, sod expressed gratig. cation at seeing him in Rome, a compliment for whida Mr. Eanlley, with his earnest symp ratios for the Italian cause, was quite unprep►red ; but, iu a private audience, he will soon have an opportunity of conversing more freely with his Holiness. Mr. Utielli had a private audience is few days ago. lam very glad to be able to inform yaar readers that Lady William Russell is now cousidered oat of danger." THE " ..4.CCIDENT " TO THE ELECTOR Of LIE---ss CADSEL.—The incident at the Chateau of Cassel, of whi.h only a vague account has been hitherto published, is thin described by the Berlin Ga:ctte de la Bourse :—" The Elector surprised his wife reading a number of the rod der rdatsel., in which there w.ss an article purporting to corunient on the attention shown at a ball by the Priam de Henan to the daughters of the President of the Chamber of Deputies, and which contained some ironical allusions to the Prince's tether. The Elector's anger at this affront gave rise to vigorous reproaches, and finished at last by pre yoking one of those domestic scenes which usually semi. nate in cries of ' Help,' or • Fire ' from the feeblest pot!. At length a valet who was in the antechamber thought, for some reason or other that his assistance was wanted. and nu into the room. His sudden appearance was far from agreeable to the Elector, who attempted to show hi■ feelings by a movement which allowed the valet to seise hold of his foot. This art of legitimate defence OC. crei•nrc , l as unpleasant fall, and resulted in a rather rude c.rots,:t between a head, a Land, a table, and a mirror."