The Express. — London, England, 1866-05-05 00:00:00

MEM I ti It i 1 II 1 1 L, 111 111 GOLD CHAINS.—JOHN BROGDEN b.n. t 6 call the attention of the public to the FORM of IN VOICE which he delivers with Gold Chains purchased at MS 4. manufactory: A L To workmanship of pattern chain . Si inched long To as' carat gold, weighing on dwt. gm ,at ES Ss. Std. per ounce. Mint price -=_- um % gr. i=rtlatir, WEIGHT, and `rit i gat guaranteed to this Aillagaggea viti eggv e t r eg ab i t to emunerstion on the work slepmety, ilwisteitory wimp*. cite of that patterw—Msautantory , 10. Henriettaotreet, Covent ordeal. Laub& (PRIZE MEDAL AWARDED.) ALLEN'S PATENT PORTMANTEAUS had rghtritUnot RADE with square onanings, LAMER WABDRODE TRUNIOI, DREESIND MDR with silver Mast DEMME DORM WEITLEG and DEMING CAM, toe toe other sticks forborne.* continental travelling. ilittatrated catalorm Poet fr... Also Alkn's Barrack rartdtore Catalogue of Portehte stee l ,* Drawers, Drawers, Easy Chaim Washltandstands, Canteens, Lt., D oet free. J. W. ALUM, Manufacturer and ?Manteca. M. West Strand, London. W.C. TURTLE, TURTLE, TURTLE. Ow, Thick and Invalid TORT'S SOUPS ahroPe road,. IT. JAYSTS-11A itZOINTSTILIWP, Proprietor. PIOCADLLLY. AI DONALD, the erirrelni. TO 0011.1130PONDENT8. ilvertheasents intended for " The Lapeer," London Evening =must be at the Moe, 10, Boaveiretreet, by Two if on the day of publication. MAYMARRIT. TV! bViornia, A ROMANTIC ATTACHMENT. Moira LlVand Farm ; Mir Ada Civeadlah.—TßE TAVOZITI IrTUNI M eta—AMA Buckskin', Chippendale WEL Chippendale, -- nuarczars. sysarnia. A GHOST IN SPITZ OE N. Messrs. HIMSZLE.—A which THE STREETS OF LONDO. Vine*, T. Mar D. Norm. Shore. and VSliars ; Yrs. H. Manton. and Ids= and IL Raisers LI L'EUAL TIIIe Eriornio, A DAY AFTER THE WEDDING. News. Hartman, Fitzpatrick, and t2Lfford ; Mrs. norms; de. —And HAMLET. Messrs. Yachter, Emery, Addison. Widdicorab, Veda. Jordan, Fitspatrick, de. ; Nesdaroas Elzworthy and C. Laclerco. BRITANNIA. Tin Worm, THE SAILORS RlTURlC—Theicksiso /way. —CLOUD AND BUNSHINI Mr. James Andenom—To con abide with THE H THE BLA MOUNTAIN& NW Clara BA Care DARK , Mrs. MI B. law, OF sad Mute L Bandon. RIGA-WATER AT LONDON-MD6I. THIS DAT —Morning. 6b. esa Aftersocik, 6b. !6•. To-htobsow—Moneing, 6b. 4 Memos, lb. 7E. LONDON, SATURDAY, MAY 5. Tax House of Commons fatigued, it may be, with the protracted discussion on Reform, and looking forward to the prospect next week of a renewal of the conflict, shows little disposition to deal promptly with the minor questions which come before it. Counts-out and early adjourr ments have been the order of the day. Yesterday . . --_ _ evening an untimely interruption of public lxvii nese deprived the Caaneamma of the EXCHEQUER of the opportunity of announcing the details of the compromise on the subject of Church-rates which he had shadowed forth in a recent debate. But whatever uncertainty may exist as to the pre cise terms of the measure which he will presently ex- plain, there is no room for doubt as to its ge neral spirit and scope. While leaving the machinery for levying and collecting the tax unimpaired, it will make pay ment of it purely optional. The law will remain, but whit jurists call the sanction of the law will be taken away. In all probability this end will be attained by an enactment, declaring that on and after a certain date no suit shall be instituted in any ecclesiastical or other courts, for the purpose of compelling payment of Church rates. Such a provision as this can only be prospective. Ex post facto legislation is generally bad, even when it removes a grievance. In some parishes, debts have been incurred on the security of the rates ; and to render the payment of the rates optional would be to make the payment of the debts optional, or to saddle the merely official representatives of a community with a _ . burden which personally they are not called oa and would be unable to bear. In plain words, this course would amount to repudiation. Fur similar reasons, where a ride has been already made, it would be improper to relieve those who are subject to it from the obligation of pay ment. Works may have been begun, the expenses of which can be defrayed only out of the fund it will produce ; and good faith re quires that, whatever the incidental grievance and wrong, an understanding shall be kept and the means of fulfilling an engagement preserved. Wherever any initial step has been taken under the present law, it is only fair that the means of bringing the matter to a conclusion under the same law shall be retained. The method of breaking peaceably with the existing system at once presents less difficulty and is of less importance than the method of estab lishing a new one, which shall reconcile moral rights with historical claims, the principle of reli gious equality with prescriptive ecclesiastical ascen dency, the conscientious scruples of Nonconfor mity, with the =abandoned, if somewhat abated, pretensions of the Established Church. The pro posal formerly made of entirely exempting Dis senters, as such, from liability to Church-rates has nolonger any advocates. Itwas always inadmissible. The Church Establishment, though as a Church it includes only a part of the nation, is, as an Estab lishment, the common concern and propery of all ; and to acquiesce in exclusion from the privi lege of taking, part in its concerns would be to submit to a kind of disfranchisement. On its political, if not on its religious side, every English man has rights in it. The objection sometimes made, that specially to exempt Dissenters from liability to Church-rates would be to put on them a badge of inferiority, never expressed, we be lieve, the general feeling. They are not ashamed of their nonconformity. They stand upon their legal and constitutional rights as English subjects to take part in the management of a national institution, not less firmly than on their moral right to be relieved from forced contributions towards the support of a religious communion other than their own. The difficulty has always been to reconcile these apparently conflicting claims. If forced contributions are inadmissible as in fringing religious liberty, and if sectarian discrimi nation is out of the question, as at variance not less with the claims of the Church of England to be considered a national institution than with the rights of all Englishmen in a national in stitution, it may seem that no alternative is left but unconditionally to abolish Church rates, and to rely on the voluntary prin ciple. This course, however, the political " friends of the Church" are not yet prepared to adopt in its naked simplicity, though, if the spirit of the late debate were not misleading, they are ready to accept it under very thin dis guise. The Bill which the count-out last night prevented Mr. GLADSTONE from in troducing will probably provide that Church rates, though they be made in due form, shall be levied only from those, whether Churchmen or Dissenters, who are willing to pay them ; but that, in order to prevent those who do not pay the tax from spending it, only ratepayers shall have the privilege of voting in vestry upon any matter which relates to the fabric or service of the It 11 I t R. :f it , • . I t 1 I ' if I r r jllt, xy.itE Church. In order that non-pa; any given time may not act a aion from participation in • aim! in order, on the other hand, t 'ormay ;eft be packed by the creation of qualifications for the purposes of the moment, it has been sug igedati that sew zatepayere should be allowed to recover all their rights by payment of the three last rates. ral lent Something like this in its main features must be any scheme which the Liberal party and the Nonconformists are likely to adopt. Lees they can not accept. It will be a compromise ; but a com promise which suits the transitional character of our ecclesiastical policy. It recognises, on the one hand, the fact of the Established Church ; and, on the other, the right& of the individual conscience ; and concedes the claims of both without creating the religious dis abilities in matters social and political which the exclusion of Dissenters from parish vestries would involve. If some such plan as we have hinted at secure the approbation of Parliament, it will effect a twofold good. Sectarian dissensions and animo -hies will be abated ; in their place we shall have the reciprocation of good offices and kindly feeling between the members of different commu nions ; and the Church of England, extending the range of her reliance on purely voluntary effort, will receive a proportionate increase of strength, fervour, and usefulness. y uce—il ed ow w eLdt, insteatj k i t g a b e e n su f the *Moat bending. the ten- in the _ to ibe exceedinef ilinteful, MOW obtain lat nies*diecketkofi appreciable weight in parliament, a weight of example, granter than that of all Irelanor,r while the dander of government by mere numbers, and num bers dwelling in cities only, would be finally averted. The government have already learnt much by the great division, and if they will learn but one thing more, that blank reduction mut, in Ken way IN other, be modified till we are protected from numerical rule, they may solve the problem amid universal support. If not, they will yet discover that the victory of Friday, such as it was, wee but a barren triumph. Mr. Gladstone's national debt proposal, the Spectator thinks, is in itself most wise and moderate, and bopee that no opposition will be offered to it in parliament. The Examiner rejoices in the determination of the government to continue their efforts to pass into a law the bill for the representation of the people. As long as Noodle is Noodle he will not be ashamed of the argument addressed to personal prejudice, but for all the rest it is swept away, " leap in the dark," " the pi e cemeal legislation," . the bit-by-bit reform," " the fins edge of the wedge," " the something behind," " the handle to the hatchet " to hew down all our venerable institutions, and make a clear field for the democracy, revolution, anarchy, and all the calamities predicted upon the occasion of every beneficial change—Repeal of Test Acts, Catholic Relief, Repeal of Corn Laws, and Navigation Laws. At all events in the coming straggle we shall have the relief of some variation in the pretences which have became wearisomely trite and monotonous. And in spite of all dissimulation and deceits, the issues must be distincter as ad vances are made towards the heart of the measure, which cannot but be a gain to a just cause. Ajax's prayer 'fort light will be granted. The Examiner says there is no use in blinking the serious nature of the question that will inevitably be raised if any systematic plan of paying off the National Debt is insisted on—that question is—Out of whose pocket ought the means to come? Nobody will pretend, we presume, that the 799,000,0001. would ever have been borrowed by the people of this country to carry on wars against liberty in Europe or America, or to maintain the balance of power among continental despots. The people are willing to let bygones be bygones and to share without retrospective discrimination the burtheu of liability to pay the interest of this most unjustifiable debt. But patience has its limits, and we more than doubt the patience of men hold ing out if they are called upon to stint themselves and their children in the necessaries and comforts of life to repair the evil perpetrated by a selfish and spendthrift oligarchy in days gone by. Mr. Gladstone's plan, the Economist says, is obviously the easiest mode of operating on the national debt ; the creation of perpetual annuities is always the easiest mode of reduction, and this is the easiest case in which termin able annuities can be created, because we are sellers as well as buyers, and need not charge ourselves any extravagant sum for paying our debts. On the whole, this budget may be long remembered, not for what it has done, but be cause it was the first budget which advertised the duty of largely reducing our national obligations. Dilating on " the duty of all parties on the reform question," the Economist says that all must be ready to make sacrifices—to abandon secret hopes and cherished ideas—to submit to what is commonplace —to support what they can prove to be but second rate —to tolerate small evils that may keep out great evils—to give up everything which is not inconsistent with the prin cipal and ruling object—the framing a Reform Bill that shall secure in some rough way the just rights and claims of all classes, and so adapt to present wants our old consti tution that we may live under it in reasonable comfort and fair happiness during many years. OUR CONTEMPORARIES. (THIS DAY.) PIACI OR WAR. Showing the distinction between our neutrality and that of France, the Daily New points out that the foreignpolicy of ourneighboursis really the policy dazing% seen, and is therefore inappreciable by other nations, which cannot judge the course a country so dr ownetuiced is likely to adopt. The object at which one man aims may coincide with the objects aimed at by the nation, or they may not ; and this it is which gives such uncertainty to the theories also about Prussia, whose present attitude is mainly determined by the personal views of the Prime Minister. A further dis tinction between our neutrality and that of our neighbours lies in our obvious inability to take any other line except at great cost and sacrifice. France, maintaining a vast military and naval establishment, is constantly suspected of meaning mischief, and we confess that there is nothing in M. Ronher's speech in the Corps Legialatif last Thursday that is at all calculated to dispel these vulgar suspicions. No man believes that Prussia and Italy would provoke a war with Austria and Germany without an unavowed hope of bringing France into the contest. What is wanted, therefore, from the latter power is a declaration, not of a neutrality which leaves her free to take which side she likes, but of a neu trality which leaves her bound not to make common cause with the aggressor. So long as peace is not actually broken in the north of &rope we are justified, the Telegraph thinks, in hoping everything from the infinite variety of motives that must urge even the most unscrupulous of sovereigns and states. men to abstain from the dread extremity of battle. Before it is yet too late the Star implores the Italians to think of the frightful peril in which they would be placed ►y war. When such taxes are seriously proposed as one on the grinding of corn and an income t►x of 8 per cent. en all incomes above 141. annually, it is evident that the limit of endurance, or at least of ability, is about reached. The Italians have hitherto borne their burdens nobly, but their means to do so are not great, as may be inferred from the fact that the national association formed some time ago to raise contributions for paying off 40 millions of the national debt, has only succeeded in raising 40,0001. —a mere drop in that ocean of liability which is engulph ing the young kingdom and its fortunes. But if such the debt and such the expenditure now, what will it be when the expenditure of another war is added to it! Till BVDGKT. After en explanation of the Chancellor of the Ex chequer's scheme for reducing the national debt, the Times ooncludes its oomments on the subject by assenting to the reasonableness of Mr. Gladstone's feeling, while expressing a doubt of the success of the means he proposes. The Daily News anticipates an acceptance by parliament of Mr. Gladstone's proposals though unanimous approval must not be looked for. A measure which proceeds on the assumption that tho greatest of all the material treasures bestowed on this island by nature is wearing out, will be a stumbling-block to very many. . _ -...— - The Telegraph urges Mr. Gladstone to reduce the expen diture, and to vote more money for the demolition of the debt. It is strongly of opinion that an outlay of nearly 15 millions sterling per annum on soldiers, sailors, ships, uniforms, and artillery, is more than, under our exceptional circumstances and in our insular situation, it is right for Its to incur. NIL GLADRTONR'S CHURCH RATE BILL. The Herald supposes that the count-out last night postponed Mr. Gladstone's introduction of a bill for the compulsory abolition of church rates. is Mr. Hardcastle informed the house that he should not propose to go into committee on his bill on Wednesday, without naming any other day for that purpose, it would appear that the subject is to be left in the hands of the ministry. If this be the ease, it is incumbent upon Mr. Gladstone to lose no tune in laying his bill upon the table. A new proposal on such a subject cannot be pressed forward in the house till it has been con sidered by the country ; and after time has been allowed for such consideration it is likely that the discussion within the walls of parliament will be long and earnest. The reform bills will occupy by far the larger part of the remaining period of the session. The financial schemes of the Chancellor of the Exchequer will require mature deliberation ; and it is clear, therefore, that if the Church rates Bill is to have any chance of passing this year its introduction cannot be longer delayed. THE WEEKLY PRESS. The Saturday Review hopes that Mr. Gladstone, having been made wiser by what has happened respecting the Reform Rill, will henceforth have more indulgence for those who differ from him. For the moment he has a position of some advantage, and he may be able to recon quer the ground he has lost. If • reform bill is to be carried, there must be displayed a general disposition to bury the memory of past offences. It will be idle to think of passing • comprehensive measure this session, or any other session, unless the shortcomings of government are in some degree overlooked, and • quarrel is avoided if it is possible to avoid it. So far as can be seen, the majority of those who separated themselves from the government last Saturday are willing and even anxious to let bygones be bygones, and to join in passing a moderate measure. Nor is there any great reason to dread a very violent opposition from the leading conservatives, if they can but see their way to securing fair terms for themselves and their party in any reform bill that they may virtually help to carry. Too much fault-finding is • mistake now, and all moderate men should unite to make the passing of a reform bill pos sible, provided only that the scheme of the government, when it is revealed, is not found to be so wild and out rageous as to make any honest support of it an impossi bility. While the Sateirdcy Review would tremble for a nation which rejected the wholesome discipline of an occa sional repayment of debt, it is by no means satisfied that the machinery of Mr. Gladstone's sinking fund, which would throw the burden equally upon years of pros perity and trouble, of war and peace, and would even con tinue the operation with one hand while we might be bor rowing with the other, is the right way of giving effect to his policy. As to war prospects, our oontemporary thinks it fortunate that England has no motive and no excuse for interfering in the unintelligible complications which dis turb the continent. If war, after all, breaks out it will be difficult to decide whether Austria, Prussia, or Italy will have the lout claim to the sympathy of byestanders. The Spectator trusts that some member—Sir E. Lytton, for example—will have the courage to move that reduction of the franchise shall apply only to such and such boroughs, selecting those with say over 50,000 people. He would find more support behind him than he thinks, sad could he the Court. WINDSOR CASTLE, MAT 4. The Queen, with Princess Helena, walked and drove in the grounds this morning. Princess Louise and Princess Beatrice also walked and drove. Prince Leopold, attended by Lieutenant Stirling, took • drive. Prince Alfred, attended by the Hon. Eliot Yorke, arrived at Windsor Castle this morning. His royal highness went to London in the afternoon. The Prince of Wales, attended by Major Teesdale, visited her Majesty this afternoon. The Prince of Wales, accompanied by Prince Alfred, visited the Queen at Windsor Castle yesterday. The Princess of \Vales, attended by Viscountess Walden. visited the Exhibition of French and Flemish Pictures at the French Gallery, Pall-malL A deputation from the Butchers' Prade Protection Society, consisting of Mr. E. Hill, Mr. H. Varley, Mr. J. Short, Mr. T. Pickworth, Mr. W. Fazan, Mr. A. Redman, Mr. T. Woodley, Mr. H. A. Israel, Mr. J. Cobb, Mr. W, Mills, and Mr. W. G. Holloway, had an interview with the Right Hon. Sir Ceo. Grey, at the Home-office, yesterday. A deputation, consisting of Mr. Barnes, M.P., Mr. Baxley, M.P., Mr. Cheetham, M.P., Mr. Graves, M.P., and Mr. Hibbert, together with the following representa tives of Sunday-school Associations in London, Liverpool, Manchester, and other places, viz., Mr. Hugh Booth, Mr. R. Butcher, Mr. R. G. Clement, Mr. J. S. Davies, Mr. H. Denby, Mr. J. H. Estcourt, Mr. Thomas Forrester, Mr. B. H. Grindley, Mr. Edward Holt, Mr. Johnson, Dr. Parkhurst, Mr. W. J. Popplewell, Mr. C. Swallow, Mr. W. Warburton, and Mr. W. F. Watson had, an interview with the Right Hon. C. P. Villiers, at the office of the Poor-law Board, Whitehall, yesterday. A committee of the Lords of her Majesty's Most Honour able Privy Council met at the Privy Council-office, yester day, to consider questions relating to cholera. The Lords present were :—Earl Russell, the Duke of Somerset, the Right Hon. Sir George Grey, the Right Hon. H. A. Bruce, the Right Hon. T. Milner Gibson, Lord Stanley of Alderley, the Right Hon. G. J. Goschen, and the Right Hon. C. P. Villiers. The Attorney-General, the Solicitor- General, Mr. Waddington, Mr. Simon, Mr. Helps (Clerk of the Council), and Mr. Harrison (the Deputy-Clerk), attended the committee. THE QUEEN'S COURT. (THIS DAY.)—Her Majesty the Queen held a court to-day at Buckingham Palace. Her Majesty was attended by nearly all the leading members of the royal household, a large number of the aristocracy, the corps diplomatique, and others specially invited who had the honour of being " received." It was announced that her Majesty will hold another court on Tuesday, the 19th of June, and that the Princess of Wales will hold drawing rooms on behalf of her Majesty on Wednesday, the Tatrd instant, and on Saturday, the 9th of June. Her Majesty the Queen is expected to leave Windsor Castle on or about the lith inst. for Balmoral. ...- The Queen (says the Northern Whig) has made very liberal and large purchases of Irish poplin for the wedding trousseau of the Princess Helena. HAYIKARKET THEATRB.—The Prince of Wales and Prince Alfred, attended by Major Teesdale and Mr. Yorke, honoured this theatre with their presence last night to witness the performance of the Favourite of Fortune. The Marquis and Marchioness of Hastings and the Earl and Countess of Kintore have arrived at the St. George's HoteL The Countess of Jersey and Mr. Brandling en_ tertained at dinner last evening his Excellency the Russian Ambassador and Baroness Brunnow, his Ezoellency the Spanish Minister and the Marchioness de Molins, the Earl and Countess of Clarendon, Lord and Lady Otho Fitzgerald, the Right Hon. Sir Robert and Lady Emily Feel, Count Maffei, Viscount Hamilton, Mr. and Lady iVirginia Sanders, Mr.Caleraft, &c. In the recent division on the Marriage with Deceased Wife's Sister Bill it appears that there was a majority of twenty English members in support of the bill, which was defeated by the votes of the Irish and Scotch members. About 400 members expressed their opinion, including pairs. PROPOSED MONUMENT TO Kreo LEOPOLD I.— Ritualists, MAT 3.—ln to-day's sitting of the Chamber of Representatives., the President read a bill signed by a large number of members proposing the appropriation of a mum of one million francs for the erection of a monument to the late /Lug Leopold I. The bill has been referred to a special acsantittee of the holm. R ~,,Y :.~~ ~T~ _ ~? 5...".-- r WAR NEWS. 41 ,)0 War —the marching of troops, mos "' callifkg in of reserves, the accumulation of military stores, ibe.,—continues to occupy the columns of the Ger man and Italian press. A despatch from Brescia, dated the 3rd inst., says that the 9th Corps d'Armee, forming the reserve, and consisting, it is believed, of 30,000 men, has been sent towards Vincenzo. The cavalry has arrived at Pordenone. The belief is that the greatest part of the Austrian forces will be posted near the months of the Po. A Paris correspondent of the Independence says that the French government is prepared for all eventualities, and that without making any noise on the subject the soldiers on leave in the different military divisions are being called in. A correspondence from Dresden, dated May 1, says that war is regarded there as inevitable, and the entrance of the Prussian troops into Saxony is expected from day to day. The royal family are no longer satisfied with lodging their money and valuables in the fortress of Konigstein. They think it more prudent to send their treasures to London, and a portion of ' them now lies near the railway station, to be sent off to England the moment the advance of the Prussians is telegraphed. Negotiations are going on between Austria and Saxony as to the course the latter should pursue in case of an attack. Austria recommends the Saxons to resist the onslaught of Prussia, and promises to support them ; but the King and his most intimate advisers are of opinion that this would lead to a useless waste of blood, as the Saxon army is too small for ' resistance, and that it would be better for them to fall back on Bavaria. It is reported from Berlin that Wurtemburg, like Saxony, has declined the invitation to disarm made by Prussia. It is denied from Florence that the Italian fieethad left the port of Genoa. The ships still remain there, ready for any service that may be required. Ad miral Persano will take the command. The muni cipality of Catania has voted an annual pension of 2,000 fr. to any soldier of that place who should take an enemy's flag ; of 300 fr. to those who should obtain a medal ; and of 200 fr. to the families of those who should perish." In the letter of our Paris correspondent will be found further important intelligence. IT INTELLIGg. AUSTRIA AND PRUSSIA. The full text of the Prussian despatch to Saxony dated April 27, of the reply of the Saxon minister, Herr von Beust, dated April 29, and of the two despatches forwarded to the Prussian government on the 26th April, from Vienna, on the subject of disarmament and the settlement of the Schleswig -1 Holstein question, is given in the continental jour nals, but as the substance of these has been antici pated by telegraph, we think it unnecessary to re produce them in extenso. (RIOTER% TELZOILLIIB.) FRANCE, AUSTRIA, AND ITALY. PARIS, MAT 5. The Memorial Diptomatique of to-day publishes an article denying that France had made ener getic remonstrances at Vienna relative to the Aus trian armaments in Venetia. The writer continues : —"The despatch sent to the Duke de Grammont on this subject was couched in the most courteous terms, and solely requested confidential explanations respecting the object of the Austrian preparations. The Austrian government replied, protesting that it would maintain a strictly defensive attitude. France accepted these explanations, and the result was a mutual understanding, according to which Austria undertakes that should Italy attack Ve netia independently of France, Austria will not secure for herself any of the eventual results of victory without the diplomatic intervention of France." AUSTRIA. VIENNA, MAT 4, EVENING. Prussia is said to have declined all negotiation on the definitive solution of the question of the Duchies on the basis proposed by Austria. An official notification in reference to the issue of the proposed government currency is shortly expected. Paper money will not be issued by the government itself, but by the National Bank of Austria, who will issue notes of 1 and 5 florins, to the amount of 110 millions. This amount will be placed to the account of the government, the latter reserving themselves the right to order the issue of 40 millions of florins. THE ITALIAN PARLIAMENT. FLORENCE, MAT 5. In yesterday evening's sitting of the Chamber of Deputies Signor Avitabile addressed the Minister of Finance upon the subject of the decree ordering the forced bank note currency. He censured this measure as injurious to the interests of the bank of Naples and other Italian banks. Signor Scialoja, in reply, fully explained the motives of the govern ment for issuing the decree, and stated that the measure was the best that could be taken under present circumstances. Signor Scoti made some observations relative to the effect of the decree on the Bank of Tuscany, which he believed would be injured thereby. The Chamber finally passed to the order of the day. CALCUTTA, CHINA, AND AUSTRALIAN MAILS. SUEZ, MAT 3. The Bengal anchored at 1 p.m. this day. EXPRESS FROM PARIS. (ram' ova ows coaaasrovrozar.) PARIS. FRIDAY Emma°. The Arenir National contains the following as " latest news" : We are assured that Saxony has informed the cabinet of Vienna that a speedy Prussian invasion is expected at Dresden, and that Saxony reckons upon the prompt sup port of Austria. It is further announced that the Italian government, in reply to the English despatch which des cribes its attitude towards Austria as aggressive, recrimi nates upm Austria, and refuses to make any promises as to its future conduct. The Italian note says, in substance :—" We are in a situation which is unendurable, and it may well be that we shall be forced to go forward. The military expenses which the Austrian preparations force us to incur cannot go on long without bringing us to bankruptcy ; rather than this sad es treenity, we would prefer • glorious issue, no matter how perilous." A Prussian general who has long lived in St. Petersburg, as a military attache to his embassy, has sud denly left for Berlin. His departure has provoked much remark as confirmatory of the opinion that Russia will play an active part in the coming conflict. The A centr Nat ional goes on to say that at the last moment it has received a despatch, stating that the Prussian army was advancing by " long day's marches " upon Saxony. There must be some mistake here, because the Prussian army several days ago was echeloned on a line not " days," but only " hours " distant. from the Saxon frontier. A further statement of pg. NG MAY 5, j ourna l I antliting is that the Austrian reply to last Prgissies note is expected this day se , Aid if it should not be completely satisfac *7 to M. Civillkomeek (which, by the way, it is certain not to be), the landwehr will be imme ' dlately called out—a step which would be equiva -11 lent to a declaration of war. M. Rouher had the Emperor's express orders not to reply to M. Thiers yesterday, and the semi ' official journals are reduced to vaunt his self sacrifice in depriving himself of an oratorical triumph. M. Thiers, with great cleverness, began his speech by taking issue with the minister, I who, in the few words with which he I opened the debate, had averred that the German question could not be gone into without danger to the public interest. "Is this so 7" said M. Thiers. "If the chamber agrees with the ministers in this respect I will sit I down directly. I will only speak by the express consent of the chamber." This appeal was replied to by exclamations from all sides of the house en_ couraging him to go on, and the intense interest with which he was listened to places the oratorical triumph quite in a different quarter from that in which the government prints would have it. You will observe that M. Rouher's announce ment that Italy had promised not to " attack," coupled with another despatch stating that if Italy would not attack Austria would put her army on a peace footing, fails to command credence or arrest the fall of public securities. Such assurances in the present state of things are regarded as mere diplomatic fencing. It is stated by the Temps that Garibaldi's son Menotti has been recently at Paris, and has made large purchases of military equipments. At the Bourse the fearful exposure made by M. Thiers of the complicity of French diplomacy in the coming most frightful and most iniquitous war far outweighed the vague assurances of M. Rouher's speech, which he himself described as " brief, clear, and precise," but which, in fact, o nly deserves the first of the three epithets. Rents fell 50c. for cash and 65c. for account, closing at 64fr. 65c. and 64fr. 67fc. Italian fell 95c., closing at 42fr. 40c. Mobilier fell 12fr. 50c. Credit Fon cier and some of the railways were a shade better. PARLIAMENTARY BU WEEK. SINESS FOR THE ENSUING The following is a list of the notices of motions and orders of the day now standing in the order-book of the House of Commons for the ensuing week : MONDAY, MAT 7. At half-past 4 o'clock, The Chancellor of the Exchequer—Orders of the day— That the orders of the day be postponed until after the notices of motions relative to the redistribution of seats and the amendment of the representation of the people in Scotland and Ireland. The Chancellor of the Exchequer—Redistribution of Seats—Bill for the redistribution of seats. The Lord Advocate—Representation of the People (Scotland) —Bill to amend the representation of the people in Scotland. Mr. C. Fortescue—Representation of the People (Ire land)—Bill to amend the representation of the people in 1 Ireland. TUMMY, MAY 8. Ncerices or MOTIONS. Sir R. Anatruther—Army (Medical Officers)—To call the attention of the house to the proposed alteration in the system of promotion !amongst the medical officers of the Brigade of Guards, and to move an address for oopies of the warrant or order of 1880, under which a change in the system of promotion amongst the medical officers of the Brigade of Guards is to be made : and, of any communica tions from the War-office or the Horse Guards to the offi cers commanding the three regiments of Guarda, intimat ing the proposed change of system to the officers affected by it. Mr. B. Cochrane--Westminster Boulevard--Select com mittee to examine the scheme of the Westminster Boule vard, and report as to whether the Westminster Boulevard Bill should be allowed to be brought in ; and if so, whether the special provisions made for the removal of the poor are sufficient, and whether any further conditions are ne- cesaary. Mr. Ilankey—Metropolis Water Supply—Select com mittee to inquire into the water supply of the metropolis. Mr. Ayrton—Education (Metropolis)—Select committee to take into consideration the report of the Royal Com mission on the Endowed Public Schools in the Metropolis, for the purpose of ascertaining the best means of ad vancing education in the metropolis. Mr. Elake—Ses Coast Fisheries (Ireland)—Bill to amend the law of Ireland as to the sea coast fisheries. Lord Nor—'Tramways (Ireland) Acts Amendment—Bill to amend the Tramway (Ireland) Acts Mr. Milner Gibson—Thames Navigation Bill—To nomi nate the select committee on the Thames Navigation Bill : —Mr. Milner Gibson, Mr. Neste, Sir George Bowyer, Sir Michael Hicks Beach, Mr. Yorke, and Mr. Dutton, and five members to be named by the eommitt 3 e of selection : Power to send for persons, papers, and r3corila ; Sae to be the quorum I—That the petitions presented to this house respecting the said bill be referred to the committee ; and that such petitioners as shall have prayed to be heard by themselves, their counsel, or agents, be heard upon their petitions, if they think fit, and counsel heard in favour of the bill against such petitions. ORDERS OF SHE DAT. l'ransubstantiation, &c., Declaration Abolition Bill second reading • Turnp ike Bout Bill--adjourned debate on second reading ; L e gitimacy Declaration, tie., Bill — second reading. ORDERS OF TIM DAT. WEDNZSDAT, MAT 9. _ . Church-rates Abolition Bill—committee ; Clerks to Jus tices Bill—second reading ; Church-rates Commutation (No. 2) Bill—second reading ; Execution of Deeds Bill — second readi ; Veterinary Surgeons Bill—second read ing ; Local Of ears Superannuation (Ireland) Bill—second reading; Burialsin Burghs (Scotland) Bill—second reading. THURSDAY, MAY 10. ORDERS OF Till DAY. Bankruptcy Law Amendment, ha, Bill—second read ing ; Fishery Piers and Harbours (Ireland) Bill—second reading ; Labouring Classes' Dwellings (Ireland) Bill — second reading ; Rateable Property (Ireland) Bill—second reading. FRIDAY, MAY 11. NOTICES OF MOTIONS. Sir J. Ferguson —patent Office—To move for copies of papers relating to Leonard Edmunds, late Clerk of the Patents and reading clerk in the House of Lords. On going into Committee of Supply, Sir Colman O'Loghlen—To call attention to the practice of not issuing a writ for a vacancy in this house, if the seat which has been vacated be claimed on behalf of another candidate ; and to move a resolution in respect thereto. Lord E. Cecil—To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, having regard to the welfare and comfort of the labouring classes in agricultural districts, it is the inten tion of the government to increase the number of money order, savings banks, annuity, and insurance o ffi ces now established in eomparativeZ n s e o small a proportion of the poettowns of the United • om. Mr. Bryan—To ask the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been called to the constitution of the Irish bench, law and equity, and whether (consider ing the advanced age of some of her Majesty's judges), in the opinion of the Irish government, its present condition is satisfactory and conducive to the due administration of justice in Ireland. Sir C. O'Loghlen—To move that en humble address be presented to her Majesty, praying that she will be gra ciously pleased to consider the expediency of withholding the exercise of her royal prerogative of creating peers of Ireland or filling up vacancies that may occur in the peerage of that part of the United Kingdom, with a view to the ultimate union of the peerage of Ireland with the peerage of the United Kingdom. THE NATIONAL. DIET.—From a parliamentary return issued this morning it appears that the total present charge for terminable annuities is 1,358,431/. 15a. 3d. MEETINGS OP SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES TOE THE EN sumo Wrz4.—Monday.—Royal Institution, 2, General Monthly Meeting ; Asiatic, 3, " Interwtration of the Vedas,' Dr. Muir ; Entomological, 7 ; Architects, 8, An nual General Meetinr. Tum&y.—Royal Institution, 3, Plil u.n Geography and the Fine Arts," Prof. Ansted. gyro- • 7i, " Dome of the Rock and Church of the Holy Sep ulchre , " Rev. J. Mills ; Photographic, 8, Ethnological, , 8, " Migration of Cultivated Plants and Ethnology, Mr. Crawfurd; " Fishermen of Southern India," Dr. Sbortt ; Engineers, 8, " Water Suml ae y4f Paris," Mr. Barren ; Zoological : " Longicorn tem, Penang," Mr. Pascoe • New Australian Birds," Mr. Gould. Wednesday .— Archaeological Association, 46, Annual General Meeting ; Microscopical, 8, " Rotating Leaf-holder," Mr. Smith ; " New Diatoms," Dr. Greville; Geological, " Acanthodes, from Longton," Sir P. de M. Egerton ; " Gravels, ace ., of of the Fenland," Mr. Seale Geology of the Lake Country," " Lower Silurian Isle of Man," Professor Harkness and Mr. Nicholson, Society of Aria, 8. Thursday.—Royal Institution, 3, " Ethnology," Professor ; Antiquaries, 84. Fri day.—Royal Institution, 8, Mud-Volcanoes of the Crimea," Professor Ansted. Saturday.—Boyal Institu tion, 3, " Ethnology," Professor Huxley ; Botanic, 31. BEADING ELECTION.-(1111 1., fir Lamm ratamarn.) READING, Banna n . The nomination of Mr. Shaw Leferre, (yami m i of th e Admiralty, took place here to-day. N o o g a ma. did . , " ba ng payees& Mr. Lefevre was meleetsd. ai was proposed by Councillor Maack, sad aseee4 . 4 17 Alderman Era. ELECTION PETITIONS.-( THIS D AY.) i l _._ "1 DEVONPORT. The committee appointed to try the • merits the petition of L. P. Hethain and others return of John Fleming and Wm. Fe:rand, on of bribery, treating, and undue influence, met si_ . r g eo u r il l!' The committee consists of the toll • Mr. C. W. Wynn (Montgonteryahhela s h ma.s . ' Adderley, Mr. Cheetham, Mr. Percy iclt Lop Co er " F l o f r m th il e le sit Peti ting timers membe ltr rs, li ldr emr7 . Pr* jsMel , hil ig' Hedworth Williamson. Av e : 0., Mg Kerslake, Q.C., and Mr. Cooke. Mr. H. James , in opening the ere, coiled Pon.i. tention of the committee to the hate of the euieg end the circumstances attending the We s -- ' The candidates were Mr. Fleming, M r . p e ,.... Mr. Berney, and Mr.Phinn-the two forme ---. ' writing the conservative interest of the ba,01014& the two latter the liberal party. The numbers at of the poll were - Fleming , 1,302; Pentad, 1,230; I tii 2r e 9 1ibe ; hinn rsl par ty ,' l" bat iTti:asseanottwthase claimed O l t te thet ili t i i : he represented to go into a scrutiny. They felt ti le k w anything like the sapport of the unsuoxeshil Naafi* and only asked for a ta. 7 on on matters of to themselves, they being anxious to preserve independence of the borough and its freedom tree Lion. He should be able to show that is lie er ' instances the voters for Mr. Fleming and Mr. Fen* ii• wised a certain sum of money, it might be said, the - Imam of hawing voted, but he submitted, le lI Z l ea , that they received it in comideseles 4 .. Cgrg voted. Ths men employed in the daemon' l half holiday given them for the of a n ing them to record their votes, Urethan h e lost no wages in consequence, as an hoar was lei sufficient to enable them to poll. But on the tad corked', ~ isi a considerable number of them received the sera d ha' 1 each, la small sum certainly,butone to which they l entitled on the ground of any loss of tims fly is Corrupt Practices Act it was provided that any on* ' on account of a vote, or after a vote was corrupt 4 e rn e in relation to that vote and not for a bons fide 1 0 the payments in this ere he submitted Ne m m be regarded as bona fide payments foe ap e . or anything of 4 the kind, but must be looked uposz meats for the votes which had been given. 'l% gentleman then referred to several oases in support id m view of the subject. In conclusion he observed theig, petitioners had not a friendly witness at all. All the v's nesses were hostile and from the enemy's mop, ka h trusted that they would tell the truth enable theses mittee to COMO to a correct conclusion. The writ and return were put in by the derails* the crown. Robert Clarkson Shillibeer, clerk to the town sink ps duced the register in force at the time of the eke** put in the account of election expenses as declared 4* agent of Mr. Fleming and Mr. Ferrand. Frederick Harris examined by Mr. James-I nit in Gloucester-street, Devonport, in St. Tamer WWI In a shipwright employed in the dockyard. Thewsgeenre se. per day. Last July we got 4e. 6d. The war 4* labourers are about 13s. 6d. per week. I voted fah rand and Fleming at the last election. I saw Jewels lip about a week after the election. The follow*/ V the 12th July. Mr. Cunliplooks after one of thetas*, was a rumour that the men were tole paidfor lon dee I went to Mr.Cunlip, and received 10e., and signed erne I don't think anyone else was in the room. The rea meat pay for half a day on the election day. I flin go to work at all on that day, but got paid for bill s ie My house is about 5 minutes' walk from the polling* I made up my mind to have the whole day to myself, ts therefore not go to work at all. Mr. &mai as vassed me. Mr. William Glanville was with bin it * tine. Cross-examined by Mr. Price-I know of no me sh worked the half-day. I received the 10s. as comps**, for my loss of time. I was not away from my weeks* nomination day. I was served with a Speaker's wood* Thursday evening. I was not served with a vernal* two months ago. I did not hear that both rides en ten for loss of time. Thomas Down examined by Mr. Jams-I lire sties town, Devonport, in the Tamar Ward lam eophysit the Keyham factory. In July last I was reore 3e. 4th per day. Before the election I was war by Mr. Ferrand. Mr. Glanville wee with 1 at the time. I promised him and voted Is Is and Mr. Fleming. I received a note from 1 Glanville, in corsequence of which I went to his le about 4 o'clock in the morning of the election. fie Cellicott was not there. Wm. Craig and several si persons were there. I had a cup of coffee there, mho cake and ham. (Laughter.) I was not doing my* between 4 and 8 o'clock, when I went to the p:d was paid Is. Bd. for half a day's wages sad ! oeived 10s. afterwards from Mr. Cunlip. Joseph Odi and Joseph Jones went with me. I did not to II receive their money, but I believe the did. These other people in the room. I can't tell what they au doing. I suppose Mr. Cunlip was paying money. I oat 1 how many persons were in the room. There Wed seven or eight. I did not see Glanville there. Cross-examined by Mr. Kerslake-I was a bolmski assistant. There was no work done on the stadia t by the dockyard voters. I work ten hours a day feria , I was not out on the nomnination day. I went M' poll booth between 4 and 5 o'clock in the morning. It' about a week after the election that I fast heard 10 about the payment. I did not receive It until sow t in August. ele le ctio e n lami . I ned heard -I we t u b t a th t Cu oth uli ers w P'sab° ere laugh.) I wee note committee by mysel f . [Left sitting.) utshawzkister HEREFORD. The select committee appointed to try the ineril the petition against the return of Mr. Richard 1 31 . 1 for the borough of Hereford, re•saseinbled this so the Hon. Admiral Duocombe in the chair. Edward Tyler, a witness examined in chief on the vious afternoon, was now cross-examined az to th s ti which he stated had been o ff ered to him. His evil however, remained unshaken. The svidsnoe of other witnesses wa s then pow with. REPRESENTATION OF THE PEOPLE JUL AMENDMENTS AND IN COMM CLAUSES T . O BE PROPO ITTE Ma WENTWORTH BEAt• your. Clause 3, line 29, insert " returning OS *ball include the sheriff of any coun t y , and shall at ever y person having the execution of any emit election of a member or members to serve is patila for any county or borough." To move the following clauses Clause A.—lt shall not be lawful at any eleiffe any candidate, or anyone on his behalf, to my e tar V on account of the conveyance of any voter to either to the voter himself or to any other person, a any person to receive from any candidate, or sell his behalf, any money on account of such counllo ga any person paying or receiving money control provision shall be guilty of a misdemeanour, and sbi be liable to forfeit any sum not exceeding for every such o ff ence to any person who shall mei same. with full costa of suit ; and any who shall be declared by the select committee • 5 for the trial of an petition concerning the election!' county or borough to have committed any. suc h offel that election, shall be incapable of sitting in parboil such county or borough during the parliament in such committee shall have been appointed. Clause B.—Provided always that nothing in this as prevent any candidate in any election from prmiai his own expense, a pass or ticket for the coevahl° railway of any voter, in order to his voting at ouc e 1 Clause C.—The justices of the peace M quarter e assembled shall, immediately after the passing of ai appoint convenient polling plami in every count l! from time to time alter such polling-places, so abAS ma y be a polling-place in every parish resident II and a polling-place for every two or more PIA! shill ' townships in any of which separately there than WU resident electors, a some convenient pg which, as nearl as possible, t 20U o voters from mob parishes or town y ships may most conveniently Mt record their votes. Clause D.—ln every borough, w henever an deed take place, the returning o ff icer shall provide se polling booths so that as nearly as possible there si at least one polling booth in every area of one aqua in which there shall be resident not less than 200 ° Clause E.—On every election the fees an d expel the returning officer shall be wholly paid and defra follows, and not otherwise (that is to sayl. in the county out of the county rate of that and in the case of a borough out of tbs to be collected for the relief of the pour several parishes and townships within that boroFl the provisions contained in the statute of the sixth • her Majesty Queen Victoria, chapter 18, sections with reaped to the expenses therein referred 6 be applicable to the fees and expenses by this 'raj • vided for, and snob fees and expenses shall reas onable fees and travelling expenses of tir . , sheriff, ep duty sheriffs, and deputy retunting all rums reaeonably expended in the erection of . and the providing of p . olling booths and rooms, ea! w clerks and other requisite officers, and of Pro . Isistanee, and all other removable disbursements returning officer in relation to such *Motion- .••••=immini•fa