The Express. — London, England, 1862-02-20 00:00:00

HARMONIUMS. -NEW MODEL mull'. IMAM sad 'NOD. S. /111111•641.601 Eke erpreoo. TO CORIMPONDENr4. A hollonnewln lalosisil The Lsprras" London P:vening mad be ell Or din, 10, bouvoie street, by Two as Os 44 of HATIL4II[Zr. Twts Xmas. orR AMERICAN atrAIN. Messrs. Rothoro, L Vitherc mn.l lire. C. Young. Ilies And LI r ILE 1111*4 rVEr AND LITTLS WY BUIL; or, Parlenalu and Old D. 014, Loorglogo. Loomis Lamy, Le. ti!,,reTtra.. Tais Emma. Tile ANGEL — Or MIDNIGHT. Wears. J..r Potter. WidiDromb . Ileohimee riekliwt, Angel, and Marri.dt.—AsA WHITTINUTON AND IBS CAT. Morn. I. WA Hilliard, Mk farts; Miss C.Adassa. NT. JANES'S. Ttn Err ma sI:LY iii./r 11 - Ir7D:Vheingsad Slits licrliert. a-PKltAltra AND AND:tOMEDA. Mr. 1. Matthews and Miss Hrrbort —Anil THE It iAKDI NG t.CHOOL Miss Herbal, Miss KatabortA, rnl Mr. Itstthea L.—Commence at 7i. BUTANNIA. Tog EVW,IIIIOII, THE LA 7 4l' ;51111 . K.—An.1 THE KING OF THE .'t REA. 'Jr,. i Lane!Mors. Roby. Louis, Newham. she CAlotrylle Family Halo. C. o4ovltaii, mkt Mr.. W. Cr..utord. —Commove .14, NUM WATER VI LONDON paIOOL 70 DDT—Mutt. Afternoon. Glt. TO.lNfting—fterninn, 61 Afternoon, eft Oen _ . LONDON, PBURNDAY, FEB. 20. THE amount of English capital floating in sub scription-lints at all seasons, but more particularly at the beginning and end of each year, would form _ . a curious estimate. Public charity is a flood that never runs dry in this country. On great occasions it broadens and swells into a mighty ;es of national alms; but, as every Police-offic; poor-box bean witness, it is perpetually fed by a multitude of quiet and unseen springs of loving-kindness well ing up from thousands of tender human hearts ever on the watch to do good in secret. These are the tributary streams that fertilise and refresh a bleak and stony world., keepsociety sound at the roots, and preserve it from the drought of selfish luxury and ease. Subscription-Sidi, it is true, will nut always bear a strict analysis of 'motives ; but if the . . weaker as well as the wiser mad better instincts of human nature are, by a merciful ord inane, self -taxed in the name and service of charity ; if vanity, respectability, fashion, and other coarser stimu lants arouse the sympathies of the vulgar rich, the result at any r►te is an &Auld moral gaiu to the community, in spite of the complicated ma chinery by which even charity is transacted in a country where religion itself is ma " institution,"and the Church is an " interest." Doubtless a list of small and anonymous contributions for the relief of some solitary ease of distress i• better reading than a pompous column of subscribers who let the - - . light of . rank and wealth shine so graciously before their fellow-creatures of meaner title and smaller substance. But it is an error, if not a sin, to put harsh constructions on generous acts ; subscription- lists set the fashion, and in a society so unequal, so sharply divided and contrasted as ours, an act of fashion is an act of faith. Seldom has the contagious subscription fever, always prevalent from December to March, raged with more intensity than this present winter. Seldom have the immense resources of self-bastion possessed by this country been more abundantly displayed. While a loyal national homage is offered to the memory of the Palace so early and so suddenly snatched away that we seem to miss him fur a moment rather than to mourn his loss—the Hartley Colliery calamity throws the entire population of a village upon the charity of a nation. Here was an appeal to melt the coldest heart. Widowed Majesty yearned to widowed poverty, and that thrill of royal ivy and compassion rail through all hearts and homes of rich and poor throughout the land. Notwith standing the sounewhat hasty intimation from the Msesies-nurse: that enough had been sub scribed, the public declined to comply with the Limo MAYoll'S unsolicited advice, and conti nued to pour in their free-will offerings day after day more and more abundantly. It is reported that nearly fifty thousand pounds have already been suhacribed, and of this sum it has been the Wren duty of the Gum. Mayon of LioNtsiN, who thought ten thousand pounds sufficient, to receive at least one-third. Although no manifestation of the power and spontaneity of public charity in Eng land can be deemed surprising, these Hartley Col liery donations are certainly a memorable instance. Nor is it the least gratifying and noticeable aspect of this subscription that it is largely made up of an aggregate of small contributions from the poor. That spirit of mutual sympathy and mutual self devotion which was seen in the buried pitmen, and iu the sinkers who risked their lives in trying to rescue their comrades, is conspicuous in these associated mites of labour and poverty. If ever there was a case that fairly demanded the sympathy of all men by right a their common humanity, it was surely this ; and, if struggling labour and poverty could feel most poignantly for the bereaved ones in their desolation, wealth and ease might well take thought of the human lives that furnish their sea-coal fires. Fifty thousand pounds is a handsome sum to be subscribed by the public in leas than a month, but what is it among the many for whose comfort these poor miners laboured day and night in the jaws of darkness and death ? Nor is it by any means an enormous amount to make permanent provision for four hundred women and children left desti tute. Public charity never stops to weigh and measure what it gives, for it gives out of the abundance of the heart, and not in proportion to the need. In such a case as this it is literally tune that I. e'eat fe tatesnaire. When the immediate distress has been provided for, wno shall say that the men who perish in coalpits have not as good a title to a nation's gratitude as the men who die under the battleflags T .1 ud if we raise a patriotic fund, and build hospitals for our soldiers and sailors yet unborn, why not raise a permanent fluid for these heroic labourers under• grilled, of whom every year as many are cut off by the common casualties of pit-work as in a general action by land or seat Accidents in mines, where the combatants are always in the trenches, invisible and implacable eneinies all round, and :Oleo alternative of deathefor ever threatening, are weekly occurrence*. Sines the Hartley calamity four accidents have been reported, differing only in the number of victims and the period of their agony. Death in the coal-pit is, in fact, so common that, tulles' the number of victims is unusually large, or the circumstances of the accident exceptional iu character, it excites no public notice, and destitu tion is the common lot of the surviving mourners. It appease certain that a considerable surplus will remain in the hands of the Relief Committee. How shall the surplus be applied f The question has been anticipated and answered by more than ono correspondent in our own columns, and a thought foil and letter which we published yester day indicates with sufficient clearness sod precision the mode nee hien the suggestion of a permanentself pporting It.• h ef Fund, which has been warmly adopted by miners of Northumberland and Durham, should be carried out. It is satisfactory to tied that the calamity at Hartley has thoroughly awakened the miners in the North country to tits necessity of co-operative action, and of organising a system of mutual self-support. The 204 poor fellows at Hartley Colliery will not, writes Mr. 3lowros, " have died in vain " if their fate has pointed out to their surviving comrades the way to independence of public charity, whenever one of those casualties occurs to which ruiners are incessantly exposed. The constant immi nent perils of labour underground seem to engender that reckless indifference which is seen among soldiers in the trenches. "In " other branches of industry," Mr. MOUTON remarks, "of a dangerous nature, sell-supporting " funds have been provided for the widows and " orphans of those who are cut off by accidents ; " but among the colliers, who are more liable to " fatal casualties than any other of our industrial " population, not even excepting our sailors, no " provision of this kind has ever been established." The Hartley accident, we have seen, has left the population of a village entirely destitute ; and the fact is certainly not to the credit of the coalowners, who draw untold wealth from the labours of the pitmen. It is to be hoped that the miners will not rest satisfied now, until not only the Legislature has provided additional security to their lives, but by their own free 00-operstion a fund has been established which shall secure from destitution wives and families whom some fatal accident has suddenly deprived of their natural support. The Legislature and the Executive may fairly insist on due security to the lives of the pitmen being provided by the owners of collieries. The Hoes Szcarraav'e instructions, of the 31st ult., to Mr. Ksivvon BLACKWELL, and the appointment of a Special Com mission of Inquiry, are an ample warrant of the solicitude of the Government in this respect. But neither the Legislature nor the Government can be expected to fulfil the duty of the coalowners towards their workmen. In France, no doubt, the Government steps in continually between the master and the workmen as a second Providence ; but in England neither muter nor workman would tolerate any arbitrary paternal meddling. To make coalowners pecuniarily responsible for accidents, like railway companies under Lord CAMPII6I.I:B Act, would probably tend to cripple the trade without bene fiting the colliers. All such interference with the conditions of industry is impracticable in England. It remains, then, for the colliers themselves throughout the country to form an association for mutual insurance and support. This idea is already, we are glad to learn, making way in the north country. The Central Hartley Relief Com mittee has consented to devote the surplus of the subscriptions to the formation of a capital fund, and it is to be hoped that the example of the coalowners who have declared themselves in favour of the movement will be generally followed. The interests of owners sod pitmen, like the interests of masters and workmen in all trades, are really interdependent; and only *elfish ignorance or gross inhumanity can pretend to separate them. A self-supporting fund, moreover, is at once a bond of union and a pledge of moral and social im provement, and we trust that many years will not elapse before, in all the coal districts, that hardy and valiant clans of our working population, who have shown at Hartley of what heroic virtue and self-sacrifice they are capable, will be raised, by their own free efforts, to the condition of the more fortunate and prosperous of their comrades in that noble army of labour which is the strength and glory of England. THE EXPRESS, THURSDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 20, 1862. PARLIAMENTARY DIVISIONS.-FEB. 19. QUALIFICATION FOR OFFiCES ABOLITION BILL Order for woad reedit* read ; modes made, sad goeedoo proposed, "That the bat be now road a mooed time." Amendment proposed, to leave out the word "now," and at the end of the question to add the words " upon this day six mouths" (Mr. Newdegate). Question put. "That the word ' now' stand part of the question." The house divided—Ayes, 63 ; noes, :.t. _ . . AYES. Adeline, H. J. Freeismi. B. W. Padmore, E. Ball. IS Gasket'. J. M. Paget, C. Baiter. W. P. Gilpin. C. Prase. H. Barley, T. Grcy. Sir G. Peel, Sir R. Bkneuvre, J. G. °unto, .1. 11. Potter, E. Briscoe, J. I. liunmer. Sir J. Roebuck, J. A. Bristow, A. R. liewilstn, T. E. Roupell, W. Buchanan, W. liersiotw. J. Kerley, C. Huston, C. NM.% P. J. L. Scymour, Sir M. Clifton. Sir R. J. Kinulake, A. W. nasalised, M. Colchnooke. Sir T. R. Knatellioull- Magee- Slansfolol, J. Collier. 13. P. ben. E. Sykes, Col. Ot, W. Langton, W. H. G. Taylor. P. A. l/411,11 , 1%. R. Ewan, W. W0117141r. N. Davey, H. Layard, A. H. White, J. Dillwyit. L. L Le% le, H. Wickham, R. W. Imuglas, Sir C. Lucke, J. Williams, W. Dunbar, Sir W. Mackie, J. Wood, W. EVAIIII, T. W. Martin, P. W. Ewing, 11. E. Maury, W. N. Fauwlck, 11. Illlties, R. M. Forster, C. blouson, W. J. Forster, W. E. Morrison, W. Hadflebl, G. Ye W, Sir IL NOM. Adderley, C. S. Hamilton, Major Packe, C. W. Arbuthoott. ten. Hassan!, M. Parker, Slajor flarttek4, Col. !tenter, J. W. Pennant, Col. lieecrott, 0. s. Horsfall, T. B. Ridley, Kr M. W. Ben)on, it. Hotham, Lord Balk T. Blackburn, P. Howes, E. 14cInter•Booth o CI. ( l ' Z ' il a irna, T. Emden.. N. J. Hunt, G. W. Scott, Lord H. Spooner. R. Corry. H. L. Knatehbnll, W. P. Stanhope, J. B. Dawson, IL P. Laird, J. Tempest, Lord A. V. Dunne, Col. Leah, W. J. Torrene, R. Frterton, W. Leslie, W. Turner, C. Ealcourt, T. H. Long, IL P. Vance, J. Vane, Col. Lywask F. Vansittart, W. Forester, Col. Manners., Lord J. Walpole. S. H. Owl, IL S. MWs, A. Whitmore, H. Greenall, 41. Slontnuu, Lord R. YaLLISILI, Gray. Capt. lilowbr.ky. J. R. Newdegate, C. D. Haliburton, T. C. Northcote, Sir 8. H. Selwyn, C. J. fbt Court. OSBORN& Fu. 19. Earl Granville is expected to-day on a mit. There is so truth is the report that her Majesty proposes shortly to go to London. Deerratoliee were received yesterday at the Co101)W-officio from the Governors of Gibraltar, Malts, Ceylon, How Koos, the Australian colonies, and the North American provinces. Despatehea were lest to the Governors of the liauritir. and Litman. SOUTHAMPTON, WEDNE*MAT. —Her Royal High new the Princess Alice, attended by Lady Ouches Bar rington and Lieutenant-C4ionel the lion. Dudley de Ros, Equerry to her Majesty, landed in the docks this afternoon, at a quarter before 3 o'clock, from the royal yacht Fairy, Master-Cbminander Christian, ea route from Osborne to Windsor, no a visit to the Belgian Minister, M. Van de Weyer. The princess was received on I.toding by Mr. P. Hedger and Me. J. Levi. principal officem of the dock com pany, and Mr. R. Bosch was in attendance on the part of the South-Western Railway Company. Her royal highness and attendant, left by the 3 o'clock train. Prince Arthur, attended by Major Elphinstone, accompanied his sister to the docks, and returned in the Fairy to Osborne. Lord and Lady liontingfield and the Hon. Mies Vanoeck have arrived at St. treorge's Hotel from their seat is Suffolk. Lord and Lady Cranwmth have stave,' ha tipper Brookatrcet from Holwootl Perk, Kest, for the MOOG. Lord de l'lale and Dudley has arrived at St. Genie Hotel. Lord and Lady Skaltnersdale have arrived at Whom Hon" Lancashire, from a tour of viola. Lord Methuen has arrivod at St. Goorge's HotaL Lady Theresa Lewis still MIAS Lister will leave Kest Haws to-morrow oe a vigil to the Earl mad Counter of Glareadoo, at the Grove, Watford. The Salidnivy Jeurna/ sage :—" We uuderstand that the efforts which have been me le, a :thout the bishop's knowledge, to raise • fund in aid of his lordship's legal ex plosion in the proceedings against Dr. Wi!hares have been so far successful that the auto of nearly 7001. is already premised, all of which, with the exception of about 701. from extra diocesan 'tourers, has arisen from contributions of the clergy and a few of the laity of nineteen rural dean eries in Wilts and DA-set. The returns from the other rural deaneries are expected shortly." In the obituary of the Time. of this day are re corded the deaths of persons who h a d attained the follow ing advanced ages :—Oise of 101, ens of 94, two of 99, ono of 000 of 81, one of 82, and eight of 70 years and upwards. A will can. of some interest, which occupied the Dublin Court of Probate several days, was concluded on Tsenday. The ileclaratiou of the plaintiff propounded • will of the late Tilll.,thy O'Connor, of the Causeway, county of Kerry, dated the lst of May, 1847, and the defendant denied the validity of thin iestruinent. He alleged that the list will of the di eeseed was one dated the 95th of May, 1842, and that he ( , leceroe.l) executed a codicil on the 19th of May. 1850. To this defence a replication was fled, to the effect that the will of 1842 was revoked by that of 1839, and that the codicil of 1859 was invalid in consequence of not having been executed pursuant to the statute, and that it was ohtained by undue influence. The undue isfluenee was ascribed to the teetatoes wife and two priests, ass of whom lived in the house of the deceased for two years, up to the time of his death. The codicil in question gave his wife absolutely 8001. out of 3,140411. in the bank, and all the motley in the house, to do what she pleased with. It happened that there was in the house a sum of over 1,100/., awl more than 2,000 f. came ' into the old woman's hands under the residuary clause after her brishand's death. She sutviveil him only five weeks, but in the meantime she disposed of the mossy is gifts , and donations to pious persons and charitable uses—priests , and sons being the chief recipients. The instrument wu impeached on the `round of undue influence and want of testamentary capacity. It was revoked by the jury, whose verdict was in favour of the plaintiff, a nephew of the ' deceased. MARRIAGES AFFINITY BILL. Order for eeonod ------- read • motion made, and question proposed, " That the bill be now read a sewed time." Amendment proposed, to leave out the word " now," and at the end of the question to add the words " upon this day six months" (Loot Robert Coed). Question put, "That the wad' now' stand part of the question." The hones divided—Ayes, 144 ; wee, W. .TD. Adair, H. K Forster, C. Moffatt. G. Adresse. H. J. Forster. W. K. Morr.s, D. Apx.Elite, L. 0. Fortmone, T. A Morrie in. W. Altrick, T. Forearms, C. B. Padmorv, R. Andover, Visct. Emden& IL W. Paget, C. Antrohut, K. heeds, CoL Paxton, Mr J. Archdall Capt. Galway, Riad. Peacocke, 0. M. Atherton, SOW. Gard, R. & Pease. H. Ayrton, A. & Osaka& J. V. Peel, Sir P. Ball, E. Gilson, T. 11, Pete. Sir 8. M. Baring. Sir F. T. OHO, C. Pilkington, J. Raring, T. Olyn, G. C. Vollard.Umuhart,W Haste .W. I. Ooldsinid. Kr F. H. Potter, & Rusl iksi z a i'. Gower, F. 1.. Pugh. D. P'. R. Gregson. S. Ricardo, G. leawinant. W. B. Cray. Capt Russell, H. Desweent e S. A. (key, air 0. Kelowna, Alderman =I ' L L Y. Ogedon, D. liadliaid, IT. lecholenekl, W. Keeley, C. Dread. H. Hanbery, It. Seymour, W. D. Delloos, J. L Henke,. T. khans, & D. itrucklebnret, J. Renard. W. Shelley, Sir J. V. Browns, Lord:. T. Readies, T. E. Sidney, T. 18111111 f, Pk A. W. Herbert, H. A. Smith. J. B. Ceedwell. K Hume, W, W. Smith. Y. T. Cantegle, C. Hutt, W. Spooner, R. Child" Z. C. Ingham, R. Stanley, Lord 144 , insoles!, Sir J. Stansteld, J. Bleh IL J. Jollilte, Sir W. 0 . Steel, J. Clive, insoles!,. Kelly, Sir F. Stirling, W. °agile% it. Kershaw, J. Talbot, C. It. SD T. E. Kiog, P. J. Taylor, P A. tri e er c . ° lt. e i . . Ain/slake, J. A. Tullemache, F. J. Copeland, Ald. Knatclibull.linges. Trelawny, Sir J. Oesx. W. sen, & Turner, J. A. = P. Langton, w. H. Villiers, C. P. R. Lawson, W. Westhead, J. P. Dewar. O. Wand, A. H. Whalley, G. H. Denise, MrC. Lennox, Lord G. 0. Whitbread, & Duke, lir J. Lewis, Sir G. C. White, J. linakellin. Lard Lewis, H. Willcox, R. M.O. Egerton, A. T. Locke, J. Williams, W. Elphinstone, SUL Mackinnon, W. Lyra ) Woods, H. Evans, T. W. 111•Mahon, P. Wrightson, W. B. Evart, W. Mahn", R. Wyrdi, M. Renwick, H. Marstudl. W. Penney. Lord Martin, T. W. Edmer, ills E. Martha, J Foley, H. W. Macey, W. N. Voljambe, P. J. Meng, J. Kilts. Acton, Sir J. D. Garin, Major Moab" lard It. Adderley. C. B. George, J. Montgomery, Sir G. Artiuthuott, Gen. Getty, S. 0. Morgao, G. Ask& J. H. Gordon, C. W. Mowbesy, J. I. liailhe, if. J. Graham. Laird W. Mundy, W. Baring. H. B. Greenish, 0. Koehn:cote, Sir S. E. Barttelot, Col. Hallhurton, T. C. 00107, Sir J. Beach, W. W. Hamilton, J. H. Packs, C. W. Bentinck, G. W. Hamilton, Major Palmer, SUR. Ilenyon, k. Hesthcote, Sir W. Parker, Major W. lierestord, W. Henley, J. w. Pallas, Cot W. Blencswe, J. 0. lienneesy, J. P. Paull, H. Bruin, W. Henniker, Lord Pcrensey, Vied. !Mad>. J. Hervey, Lord A. Powys, P. L. Brainley-Mociee, J. Hays:ate. Kr V. W. Puller, C. W. Brewton. T. W. Holosesdale, Vise, Ridley, elr M. W. Bridge., Slr B. W. Hnpr, 0. W. Rogers, J. J. Hearts. R. Hopwood, J. T. Rowley, B. T. Burghley, Lord. Hotham. Lord Bait, T. Caird, J. Howes, E. Water-Booth. G. Cairns, Sit H. WC. Hubbard, 3,, 0. Scott s Lord H. Care, S. Hunt, G. W. Scully, V. Chapman, J. Johnstone, H. B. Selwyn. C. J. (lire, G. W. Johnstone. J. J. Serener. H. K. I Cole, U. Kendall. N. Shirley, K P. Collins, T. Kinuainl. A. F. Smith, Abel, Corry, II L. ICitatchtsull, W. F. Smith, S. G. Ciihitt, G. Leader, N. P. Worn's, J. Demise. W. Lefroy, A. Stanhope. J. B. Disraeli, H. Leirh, W. J. Steuart, A. Dunher. Sir W. Lennox. Lord IL 0. Ternsr, C. IMiscombe, A. Leslie, W. Vantittart, W. Dundas, V. Unduly, Gen. Verner, Bir W. Dunilas, sir D. Lonerfteld, IL Walcott, Admiral. Dunne, Cot. Lyail, G. Walpole, & H. 1111 Pre, C G. r s, P. Walter, J. Dutton. H. H. i=:. Wellington, J. W. Egerton, V C. X W. Whitmore, H. Egerton, W. Meekie, J. Wood, W. Vetcourt, T. K. J. T. Wyndham, 11. Rwing, 11. B. n ake. warillg, T. Wynme, W. W. Vane, Col. Malcolm, J. W. Farquhar. Sir IL Manners, Lord J. Vittueralil, W. R. Miller, W. Triode. Col, Mills, A. Yereeter, Col. Mittord, W. T. TILLIES. Mines. & IL Buxton, C. ral.trits. Cecil, L,4,1 K. Stackintrn, P. REPAIRS OF NAVY SNIP YEAS. S, DURING THE PAST This morning a return was presented to par- Distant showing in detail the expenses incurred io bond ing, converting, rep.iring, fitting, kc., her Majesty's navy ships daring the financial year 1860.61. 1,251,4861, was spout during the year on ships and vessels building in the dockyards; 607,5741. on ships building by con. bad sad parchescd ; 48,130/. on ships commenced as sailing ships and converted into screws while building 496,0651. on ships launched as 'slam ships end subs*• quently converted into screws ; 479,414/. on fitting out and refitting, dm., steamships and vessels in commission ; 489,711 f. on fitting, refitting, and repairing ships and vessels in the steam ordinary ; 5,636/. for maintenance in ditto ; 101,5531. on expenses incurred (except for buildin') or steam vessels permanently employed as troop, store, or surveying vessels, tenders, yachts, tugs, Bw. ; 13,14091. on repa , riog and fitting sailing ships in commission; 354/. for refitting sailing ships in ordinary; 3.6.15/. for maintenance of ditto; 26,910/. for espouse* incurred on sailing vessels permanently employed as troop, store, or surveying vessels, dos. ; 'L14,1401. for fitting awl maintsiniog hulks ; 42,274/. for buildiog and maiste nance of all y.oll craft, boats, &c. ; 21,6751. for '• taking ships and vessels to pieces." These itemsmake a total of 3,574,1(9,1.; :111,C)t/. i, added for "incidental expenses," such as moorings, cables, buoys. &c. The value of stores sent from the home yard; to foreign stations is pet down at 69,074/. ; the amount of purchases of stores at Imno suit abroad by captains, consuls, :old storekeepers, was 61,04:1!.; and there is an item of 2,5 5 4/. for repairs to vessels for other depart• meets. for private individuals, and for foreign powers. The total expense incurred on her Majesty's ships under the above hen .L during the year was 4,017,786/. BANK OP ENGLAND. This morning s return was presented to parlia ment of the applications made to the Bask of England for advances to the rvernmeut between Jaonary, 1861, sod January•, 1862. Of the two applications in the year one was made in March Last, when the propositions of the Chancellor of the Exchequer were agreed to. The sewed application was made at a court of directors on the 19th of December last, when the following letter from the Chan• miler of the Exchequer was read : Treasury Chambers, Whitehall, Dec. 13, IESI. • ' - " Geutlemen,—The delay in the parting of the 11100111* Tax Act of the last session haring °condoned a great arrow is the collection of t b tax. for the period of the financial year which has elapsed, it will be a convenience to the public service if your court will consent to make advances in the present month, under the authority of the '2nd and sth sections of the Act 24 and 25 Viet., C. ICS, upon Exchequer Bills, bearing interest at the rate of 2d. per centum per diem, to an amount not exceeding 1,000,0C3f., to be repaid from the growing receipt of the revellee in the early part of the next quarter. " I request, therefore, that you will have the goodoese to move your court to make such advances acoordiagly. I bar " e, &c ., (Signed) "W. E. GLADaroxl. To the Governor end Deputy Governor of the Dank of Eagieod." At the reoommendatioe of the committee of the treasury, the court agreed to the above proposition. LATEST INTELLIGENCE. (urrimes rusou FRANCE. THE EMPEROR, THE FRENCH BISHOPS, AHD THE POPE. PARIS, TscrnaDAY. The Monitcur of to-day says :—" The government of the Emperor has requested information at Rowe respecting the pastoral letter convoking all bishops of the Christian world to Rome for the canonisation of martyrs. This information was necessary, as the letter of convocation was published in France without having been previously communicated to the French government. Cardinal Antonelli re plied to the French government that the invitation addressed to the bishops was quite a friendly one, l and had no obligatory character, and was only in tended to give weight to a purely religious ceremony. On receiving this reply the French government expressed a wish that the bishops should not quit their dioceses, and must not ask permission to leave the empire, except in cases where serious diocesan interests should call them to Rome." The Moniteur of this morning publishes a decree admitting, free of duty, into France, rough and puri fied oast iron, old iron, bar iron, hoop iron, sheet iron, steel in bars and sheets rolled by heat, and rolled copper in a pure state, or alloyed with other metals, when coming from abroad and destined for re-exportation, after having been converted in French workshops into ships, machines, apparatus, or any work in metal. The Moniteur also publishes a decree reducing the interest on Treasury Bonds to 2}, 3, and 3} per cent., according to their time of falling due. The Constitutionnel of to-day says :—" The de mands made in Paris up to yesterday for the con version of Four-and-a-Half per Cent. Rentes amount to 16millionsof Rentes. Inthedepartmenta the demands during the first two days alone amounted to four millions of Rentes. The appli cations for the conversion of the Obligation Tren tenuaires amount to 114,000 fr. of Rentes." AMERICA. TAKING OF FORT HENRY. NEW YORK. rim 7, Eveacrxa. (Per City of Washingtos, vii Queenstown.) Seven Federal gunboats, under the command of Commodore Foote, attack3d Fort Henry, on Ten nessee River, on the 6th inst. After one hour and a quarter's severe firing from the gunboats, Fort Henry, with the Confederate General Tilgham and 60 prisoners, surrendered The fort contained 20 guns, and offered a strong ;sistance. The boiler of the Federal gunboat Essex ex ploded, killing 30 persona. The Federal land forces did not arrive until after the termination of the engagement. The Federal cavalry are reported to be in active pursuit of the retreating Confederate forces. Fort Donnellson is also about to be attacked by the Federals. _ _ . Forts Henry and DonnelLion are considered im portant points, as they guard the railroad con nexion of Memphis and Columbus with Bowling Green, and their capture would open the navigation of Tennessee and Cumberland rivers. _ The Burnside expedition is anchored at Pamlico Sound preparing for a forward movement. General Beauregard is at Nashville. It is rumoured at Fortress Monroe that a riot had occurred at Richmond, at which cries were raised for the union. The Senate has passed the bill appropriating 10,000,000 dole. for the construction of iron gun boats. The Senate has also passed a bill autho rising an additional issue of 10,000,000 dohs. of demand notes, as a temporary relief, until the Treasury Note Bill can receive the consideration of the Senate. _ _ _ The House of Representatives has added an amendment to the Treasury Note Bill, making the payment of the interest on Government bonds optional in coin or paper. The amendment is condemned by some New York journals, and its passage through the Senate is considered doubtful. The New York Times says that the Secretary of the Treasury has proposed to the Banks to take from them their surplus demand notes upon ten days' notice, giving them in exchange certificate deposits bearing five per cent. interest. NEW YORK, Fla. 8, MORNING.. The House of Representatives has passed the Treasury Note Bill, with the legal tender clause, by a large majority. The report sent by the Europa that the legal tender clause hail been rejected was incorrect. The mistake occurred through a telegraphic error in an Associated Press despatch, which was received just as the Europa► was sailing. The New York Chamber of Commerce has passed a resolution to the effect that no system of taxation bringing less than 150,000,000 dollars annually is adequate to meet the exigencies of the Federal government. It is supposed that General Price will await an attack at Springfield. COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. NEW YORK, Fr.s. 7, 6 P.M. The passing of the Treasury Note Bill and the favourable war news received yesterday, created great buoyancy iu the stock market, and a general rise in securities. To-day stocks have continued very firm. New York Central closed at 831 ; Erie, 35. The 7.30 per cent. Treasury Notes were offered at 99. Money easy. Exchange extremely firm at 114} to 115 for Bankers' Bills. Gold, n premium. The following telegram bus been received at Mr. Reuter's office from the Peninsular and Oriental St am Navigation Company, Feb. 20 : CALCUTTA AND CHINA MAILS. The Maasilia, with the above mails, left Alex andria for Marseilles on the 18th holt. at sunset. The Indus, with the heavy portion of the mails, sailed for Southampton on the morning of the 19th instant. The Bengal brought the mails to Suez, arriving on the 15th. SPECIE FOR THE EAST. SOUTHAMPTON, Fail. 20. The Peninsular and Oriental Company's steamer Pere, sailing to-day for the East, takes out specie, value 133,7461.; of this amount, 66,9401. is bar silver ; 39,2151., dollars ; 17,6511., gold coin ; and 5901., sovereigns. Several letters received in Paris from Nice coin cide in stating that the present is the most brilliant Denson experienced for many years past. The King of Bavaria joins in all the festivities like a private gentleman. The Prince Royal of Sweden and the ex-Duke of Parma are likewise passing the winter at Nice. The Italian opera at Nice is well supported, and the beauty of the English lady visitors is the theme of universal admiration. The old bowies in Nice are about to be rebuilt and the streets I widened. EXPRESS FROM PARIS. (71011 OM OWN 001111SPOIDENT.) PARIS. WEDNESDAY EVENING. A rather exciting scene occurred in the Corps Legislatif this afternoon. When the vice-president, M. Revell, announced that be had received from the government a bill for granting a dotation of 50,000 fr. a year to General Montauban, created Count de Palikao, for his services iu China, there was a general murmur of disapprobation. A voice cried out, " Let it stand over till next year." M. Emile 011ivier expressed a hope that the Munittur would not fail to record the impression of the house upon this subject. The Marquis de Grammont and Viscount de Kerveguen, both originally government members, cheered M. 011ivier, and exclaimed that the feeling he expressed was general. MM. lielmoutel and Delamarre feebly protested that the opposition to the bill was not unanimous. The vice-president was constrained, by the storm in the house, to utter the truism that, although it is the Emperor's prerogative to confer titles, the house was quite free to grant or refuse the endowmeut of them. Count de Tromelin ob served that the bill must bo referred, in the first instance, to a secret committee, and on the chair man's rejoinder that that was a matter of course, be reproached him for not having said so at first. This affair has made a great sensation at the Tuileries, and I am told that unless the night shall bring about a change of counsel, the Moniteur to-morrow will announce that the Dotation Bill of Count Palikao is withdrawn, and that the Emperor will pay him the 2,0001. a year out of his private purse. There is a strong feeling in France against public endowments of newly created titles of nobility, unless in very exceptional cases, such as that of the Duke of Malakoff, and I understand that even in the bosom of the Council of State strong re marks were made against the bo,ooofr. grant to the general with the Chinese title. lam told that the Corps Legislatif, having a wholesale dread of the coming elections, and a keen appreciation of the unpopularity of the new salt tax among the poor, will pluck up courage and reject the bill. The Conatitationuel publishes an article proving that the augmentation only amounts to eightpence a head per year, but I do not think that its calculations, even assuming them to be correct, will remove the objections to the measure. Salt is the only poor man's sauce, and he uses a great deal more of it than the wealthier classes, who have many other oondiments. The Turin Gazette speaks of au attempt having been made ►t Rome to assassinate M. Lavalette, the French ambassador, as he was getting out of his carriage at the door of the embassy. It is said that three conspirators, a Belgian, a Ba varian, and a Neapolitan, were arrested, and that poniards and revolvers were found upon them. This affair is so little talked of in Paris that the truth of it must be deemed very doubtful. The panic at the Bourse continues. Unless a speedy change should take place the conversion will certainly be a disastrous failure. It is said that the syndicate of bankers, which has con tracted with government to rig the market, is divided fs its counsels, and frightened at the immense responsibility which it has assumed. A council of ministers has been held to-day to consider what can be done. The Rents fell 70c. for cash and 45c. for account, closing at 69fr. 60c., and 69fr. 65c. The Four-and-a-Half per Cents. fell lfr. 10fr., and 711 c., closing at 99fr. and 99fr. 750.; Mobilier fell 121 r. 50c. ; and Credit Foncier, 10fr. The Orleans Railway fell 6fr. 25c., and Lyons and Southern sfr. each. In other lines little change. WELTHIR IMPORT. —a— TIIIIIIIIDAT. I'ZISCARY !S t La WAnui ate,. . Mrs Item= OLLWAT aamn.4o•loUstaiill. 11 8.17.7 1 1 LILL 4 8. 8. 6.W. B. S. LW. LB.lt. 8.8 L B.W. 8. Y. SAW. A.W. A.W. 8.8 W. 8. 8.8. W. Z. L Z. 1 . Or 11 I ✓ — o It 0.01 b cs a— Ur 0.40 O 1r 0.01 ✓— 4r •..0 4r 7 0.13 fis 0.10 m Or o.li 4r 0.00 • N 0.36 WVIAPWL vive. D WOOL OM masa= —I nu ill= ... • , /MAL SATURDAY. N. Nrltda-41.11.1L to B.N. and W. to N. mod N.Z., drool. W. N.M., • plc, with min. &B.W. to N.W., a N.N. to N. and Z., stroag, gade,ndlll. Central-8. to W. and N.W., W.N.W. to N. and E., fresh strong, with ralu to moderate. L Cosst.—Ss .W. to W.N.W., W. to N. and K., fresh to strong, to fresh. moderate. B. England —8.8. W. to W. and B.W. to N.N.N.. moderate. N. W., strong to moderate. EXPLANATION. IS.—Barometer corrected and reduced to IS deg. et mean ma level : each 10 feet, of vertical rise, causing about one-hundredth of an inch diminution : and each 10 deg., above SS deg., catmint nearly three-hundredths Increase. I.—Esposed thermometer In shade, IL—Moistened bulb (for evaporstkas and dew point). D.—Direction of wind ~ true—two points kff of mat netic). 7.—ronse (1 to IS—estimated). C.—Cloud (1 to 9). Initiate b, blue sky : e, clouds (detached) : f, fog ; h, han ; 1. lightning: m, misty (hazy) o, overcast (dull) : r, rain; a, snow: t. thunder. 8., rain-fall, or snow, or ball, ISOM last report, ID Inches and deMmals. 11.—nes disturbance (1 to 9). 7.--Calm. It is reported that the Emperor Napoleon has addressed an autograph letter to the King of Prussia, urging him to recognise the kingdom of Italy. Among the list of speakers who have put down their names as intending to take pert in the discussion com mencing to-day in the French Senate upon the address, are four cardinals, who, it is supposed, will confine themselves to the paragraph relative to the Roman question. Prince Napoleon, it is still supposed, will deliver a bold speech against the temporal power of the Pope. It is stated that a camp of 40,000 men is about to be formed by the French government at the foot of the Pyrenees. A letter from Rome says :—" The business agent of Prince Joseph Boosporte, his alter ego, M. Batumi, has just been arrested by order of the pontifical government. All that is known further is that the arrest ia due to political Every day the Prince Imperial, accompanied by his gouvernaote, M. Bachon, his equerry, and a boy of about his own age, takes a riding lesson iu the mati4e of the Louvre. The youth will enter his seventh year on the 16th of next month. The Regeneracimt of Madrid mentions a report that au English General, named Alexander, had arrived in Spain on a protestant mission, to endeavour to obtain the liberation of the persons sentenced to implasonrneot for propagating copies of the Bible. The journal adds that the government is not likely to allow the general to carry out his design, and expresses the belief that the Spaniards are not at all inclined to favour protestantism. Tamberlik is expected in Paris next week from St. Petersburg. He will first appear at the Italian Opera, in Otello. The production of Verdi's La Fora del Desalt*, written for St. Petersburg, is adjourned till next season, in consequence of delays caused by the illness of Mae. La Grua. Madame Ristori, the celebrated tea julienne, is building a magnificent modest at Florence. By a circular of the Danish Minister of the In_ tenor, all the chiefs of diatricte are requested to favour by every means in their power the formation of private rife clubs, as an effectual means of exercising young men in the use of arms, and of strengthening the confidence of the people in its form for the defence of the nation. AWFUL COLLIERY EXPLOSION. FORTY-SEVEN LIVES LOST. INT ILLECrsic 'manArm.) MERTHYR TYDVIL, TuunsnAy, An awful explosion occurred yesterday, at about twelve o'clock, at the (halm Coal Pit, Merthyr Tydvi', by which forty-seven liven were sacrificed. Two more are not expected t , ) nut, THE RAILWAY AND CANAL BILLS OF 142. The report of the Board of Trade, issued to-day, states that the number of bills relating to railways in treat Britain and Ireland deposited for this session amounts to 229. Of this number 174 authorise new works. The pro posed new works to be authorised by these bills may be clawed as follows :—By new companies in England, 70 bills for 1,005 miles of railway ; in Scotland, 6 bills for 99 miles; in England, 8 bills for 104 miles. By existing companies, 77 bills, for 492 miles, relate to England ; 8 bills, for 53 miles, to Scotland ; 5 bills, for 47 miles, to Ireland. The I whole length of the new lines is, therefore, 1,800 miles, and there aro in addition 89 milt* of dm iatiou lines. MEETING OP MIDDLESEX MAGISTRATES. (TIIIS DAY.) This days 'general meeting of the magistrates of the county of Middlesex was held at the Session" House, Clerkenwell, for the transaction of the county business. HENRY POWNALL, Esq., presided, and the court was very numerously attended. FLOGGING PRUSONINUI BY THE CAT-0 . -NINE-TAILS EN THE . HOUSE OF CORRECTION, COLDBATH FIELDS. A report was brought up from the visiting justices of the Howe of Correction, Coldbath.fields, which amongst other topics contained the following plunge :—" Although the general conduct of the prisoners as been good, the visiting justiore have to report that since the last county day they have been under the necessity of ordering the infliction of corporal punishment on three prisoners for distinct cases of assault, viz., ou two of the warders, and on the instructor in the mat room ; and they have sentenced those prisoners to receive respectively one dozen, two dozen, and four dozen lashes with thin cat o' nine tails." The report stated further that the number of prisoners in cus• tody this day was 1,655. The report was received and adopted. ASSOCIATION OF A WARDER WITH THIEVES OUTSIDE THE PRISON. The report of the visiting justices of the House of Cor rection at Westminster contained the following remark able passage :—" The visiting justices have found it necessary to suspend from further duty Chief Warder Frances Pigram, an officer who has been upwards of seventeen years in the service of the county. For some time past the visiting justices have suspected her of intercourse with prisoners and their friends out of the prison ; and finding that articles were privately introduced into the prison, but by whom the keeper could not detect, they directed that vigilant mitten tine should be *et to the conduct of the officer when off duty. They soon had reason to believe that Chief Warder Pigram was in the heat of frequenting a most notorious house, well known to the police as being visited by thieves and other bad characters, which, after much equivocation, the officer reluctantly admitted. The visiting justices, therefore, deem it to be their duty to recommend that she be dismissed from the prison." The recommendation of the committee was adopted, and she was accordingly dismissed from the service of the county. The number of prisoners in custody this day in this prison was fin THE EASTER MONDAY REVIEW AT BRIONTON.-.• We understand that it is the intention of the Secre tary of State for War to appoint Lori Clyde to take the command at the great volunteer field•day, which it is in contemplation to hold at Brighton on Easter Monday. Mr. Alderman Copeland to-morrow will ask the Secretary of State for the Rome Department, if it be the intention of the government to appoint a select committee to inquire into the state of the Bocleeisstical Comnd,sion, and the management of the estates now vested in the nom• =hake. Mr. Haliburton will ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, to-morrow, upon what terms, if any, the Americans retain possession of a portion of the Island of St. Juan ; whether there is any negotiation pend ing on the subject, and the nature thereof ; sod, whether there be any objection to produce the papers and correspond- ones referring thereto. Mr. Baxter will bring in a bill on Monday to prevent women and children being employed at machinery during the night at bleschfielda. Mr. Locke King has given notice of a bill to provide for an alphabetical index to the register of voters in counties and boroughs in England and Wales. A breakfast will be given at the Freemasons' Tavern on Saturday, in honour of the anniversary of Washiogton's birthday ; the Bishop of Ohio in the chair. On Monday evening, the Raw. Canon Stowell lectured at Sunderland, under the auspices of the Church Defence Association, on " Reasons for love and loyalty to the National Church." "The rev. canon," rays the New- castle aroma*. " wee seated during his lecture, as it ap' peered he had injured his knee-cep very seriously by a fall down some stairs in the rectory mansion of the Its,. Mr. Eden. He had to be helped on to the platform, but net withstanding his bodily affliction, the lecture was learned, brilliant, and in the rev. gentleman's best style." In come quenee of this accident the rev. gentleman was unable to preach at Jesmood on Tuesday morning, or to attend the soiree of the Newcastle Church Institute, on Tuesday evening. The half-yearly meeting of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company was hold yesterday, when the report of the directors was adopted, and a dividend of 21 per cent. on the ordinary stock declared. The chairman said the stagnant condition of trade bore with particular hardship on the company, and there was a decrease in the massager and goods traffic of no less than 48,0001. &scam pered with the same period of last year. The guard of the goods train which was run into by the express, near Hadley, a night or two since, wa taken Wore the magistrates yesterday, charged with neglect of duty. The railway rules provide that guards should pat fog-signals on the line on the stoppage of auy train, and that they should be placed 800 yards from the rear of a train. This the defendant neglected to do, and the magistrates. therefore, sent him to prison for a month. ROYAL GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY. —At the meeting on Monday, the 24th iota., at 81 p.m., at Burlington-bone, the papers to be read are-1. Report en the Brazilian Pro- vince of the Parana, by the Hon. H. P. Vereker, her Britannic Majesty's consul at Rio Geode do Sul. 2. The Republic of Nicaragua, by O. R. Perm , Esq., her Majesty's vice-consul for that state. 3. Proposed transit route through Central America, by way of Nicaragua, by Captain Bedford Pim, R.N., F.R.G.S., ETHNOLOGICAL Socirrr.—At the meeting of this society on the 18th inst. one of the papers read was 00 The idol human head of the Jiver° Indians of Ecnator." by Win. Bolleert, F.R.G.S. The bead and a Spanish do cument relative to it were exhibited bv Doe R. de Silva Ferro, Chiliso consul in London, at th e . last meeting. The Jivers decapitated their prisoners, and after abstracting I the skull, reduced the skin of the head by heat, to a third. or km, of its size ; the features and hair being retained. This horrible object is, after a strange ceremony, hung up by two strings, and adored as an idol. The new fellows elected were : his Grace the Duke of Devonshire. Lord \'- count Strangford, Sir Erskioe Perry, Mar Showers, J. G. Chambers, Fey., C. A. Atkins, Dig., Spencer St. John, Esq., her Majesty's Consul-General and Charge d'Affturs at Hayti. OV ERN M ENT EMIGRATION. The Pere* of 1,684 tons, belonging to Mr. George Seymour, of lA and comnunided by Captain John H. Smith, whichTdairA from Plymouth on the 6th of August lest, arrived at Port Curtis on the 16th of November, end et Brisbane, Queen,- land, on the 3rd of December last, with the following ono grants, some of whom were landed at the former port—‘iLt 67 married couple*, 119 single men, 10'2 single women. 34 boys, and 31 girls between one and 12 years of age, 418118 infanta making a total of 438 souls, equal to :6471 statute adults, under the care of Mr. Clarence Chapnao, sum,een ouperintentleut. Four births took place, and eight adults cud 13 children died during the voyage. THE GREAT Ex H I BITION BUILDING.--3010M 01 . Lucas Brothers and Mesas. Kelk, the contractors for the International Exhibition building, bare insured the IM manse structure in the Norwich Union Fire•ollice. The pre mium has this week been paid to the Norwich Unice, sod amounts' to no lass than 3,3001., the amount of the iIIStIVIDO being 400,0001. The Norwich Union will, it is understeo d. divide the risk with several other offices, as it is not in clined to take the entire responsibility on itself. The agent who brought the business to the office nets 330 f., the com mission allowed being 10 per cent. DEATH OP • CENTENARIAN.—AIin Dunning, widow, of Upper Highetrest, Taunton. has recently diedt at the patriarchal age of 108. Up to the time of her death the old lady was in full possession of her faculties, and was frequently accustomed, until within a short time si miles. ta take active bodily exe reise, mmetimes walking many mile' in the course of a day.— Western Couches Herald.