The Express. — London, England, 1864-12-24 00:00:00

I (PRIZE YILDAL AWAIL!ID., LIFEBOAT SERVICES.—During the storms of the past year, the boste of the National Lifeboat Insti tution esved tl7 persons from different wrecks on our Coast., The Institution has also expended L 111,814 3a id. In the same period on its Lifeboat establishments, In addition to granting 41,161 6s. as rewards for saving 716 altipwrecked pers•ns by Ite lifeboats and other means. The Committee of the Institution earnestly APPLAL to the pubilc for ASSISTANCE., to enable them to meet the continued heavy demands ou the Institution's liti lifeboat establishments. C.nutrlbutione are received by Mews. Willis and Co.. Berries and Co., Coutts and Co., and by all the London and country bankers, and by the 8 cretary, Richard Levi; Ray., at the In stitution, IL Johnotreet. AdelphL DUBLIN INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION OF FINE ARTS AND MANT:IfAC:TDRII9,II/6..._ PndertiapeclargtWnageoiherliiiesiythe INTENDING EXHIBITORS are informed that the slit De cember la the Wed day on which APPLICATIONS for SPACE will be received. The requisite forma can be obtained at the Home of the Sorlet, of Arta, John-Week Adelplii, London, W.C., or at the Exhibition Palace, Dublin.—By order, HENRY PARKINSON, Secretary. ALLEN'S PATENT PORTMANTEAUS and TBATICILING BAGS with square o LAD p i a WARDIOBI TRUNICB, DII23BMMAGS, with ther DnPAM BMA WRITING and MIMING CAW and IN other &Wets far boos K ooathteatel Iraveillag. Illustrated astdogure post tree. Abs alien's Barrack Pornftwie Catalog's of Portable Bed steads. Drawers. Lay Chairs, Wailhaadsetsada, Quateesti, %est tree. _ _ _ lii:ALLEN, Manufacturer and Patentee, 117, wad Wand. London. W.C. NEGRETTI and ZAMBRA'S One Guinea and Two Guinea FIP.LD GLUM= and TELICBCOPAS are war noted as unrivalled for power and brillianey. tla and Us. 1 ciao complete.-1, liatton-aarden. LC. ; 611, Omaha LC.; in. BASClltriarallt. W. ; Fleet-street : and COMA' Mann. JOHN BROGDEN. ORIGINAL GOLD CHAIN MANUFACTORY, le, anrszsrre..sritirar, COMIT-GARDIN. JOHN BROODEN'S GOLD MAINS. JOHN BROGDEN'S GOLD GUARD CHAINS. JOHN BROGDKNI3 GOLD ALBKRT CHAINS. JOHN BROGDEN'S GOLD BROOCH C Hint& MR. MILES'S (the ORIGINATOR'S) Worbl-tubsd lea 'MOUSERS as onlly b had si TX BIDOESTREXT, HANOVERAQUARE. Owe . Z .r bouaillos la fairly %tamed by Mate.' Win NTT ISLULISHW 1841. Eht erartoo. TO OORRIBPONDIRTR. tivertieemente Intended toe The Zones" London Resales Taper, nimt be et the Mee. 10, Boavistealasst, by Two o'clock on the day of sabbatical. #AYMAZIEZT. ON Box's° Nunn, DAVID EARlitTei —LORD DrICDRIART MARRIED AND DONE POL MOMS. Bothrro, Chi Ituctstone. Rogers : illstSnowdon. .—PRINCESS SPRI111: 70. Compton snd Miss Keeky.—And A KISS IN VIZ DARK. PRINCIIIBI., Tare ScrenDSC BORN 1 7 0 — OcioiWCL - Mr. D. Yuma. And THE STRUMS OF LONDON. Mama Thing. J. W. 1 / 1 7, D. Planer, D. Murray. J. Nelson. H. lamas% sad H. Minos ; Mrs. IL Marano, Marne Benet& sad Gwynn-. LYCICUIL 0c B~sroo MGR?, MY WIPES OUT. Mr. Widdloorob..— RrY BLas. Messrs. Pechter, Ryder, Fitzpatrick, Cbarim er ltz. mood, Mclntyre, Moreland, Collett, Clifford Mae C. —And BAREFACED IMPOffrORE. Mr. Middleman. HIGH wAras AT LONDON-MI[IMM MS DAY Morning, 10h. Mo.....Mternoon, 106. Wm. ro-KOSSOW Morning, 11b..100.....Arternoria, 1111. 411. LONDON, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 24. THE great Christian anniversary once more re turns to lighten with its gladness the shadows of a declining year. As the day has drawn nearer and nearer we have all of us confessed its mysterious gentle influence, mildly rebuking care and passion, reviving gracious memories, and disposing the mind to gratitude and goodwill. A feast which celebrates the birth of Hot who came " not to be " ministered unto, but to minister," naturally directs our minds to the pleasures of friendship and the exercises of charity. Even so sacred a feeling as domestic affection at this season loves to place itself under the consecration of religion, and feels elevated and purified by the sanction. How many thousands will to-day beaten from east and west, north and south, to take their places, if but for a few hours, by the hearth which has been the centre of family joys, and to which their thoughts have turned in many an interval of bus;ness during the year. Throughout Christendom—no longer the restricted area which the word sig nified to our forefathers—and beyond Christen dom, in heathen lands, where our countrymen struggle, with whatever arms, against barbarism, to-morrow will be a day in which joy will triumph over care and sorrow. Looking beyond the social groups where the genial influences of Christmas will be felt in their highest measure, let us express a confident trust' that as a community, composed of various ranks and classes in different circumstances of worldly fortune, the spirit of the Angelic message of peace and goodwill is better understood among us from year to year. Truly we have much still to learn. Because we are far from comprehending with accu racy the part which fixed and inevitable laws have in determining the conditions under wh'ch we live, and strive, and enjoy, and want, we too frequently accuse one another wrongfully. If there were more light thrown on our social and economic rel►tions there would be lees suspicion and mistrust; and even that knowledge upon which an eminent but too arbitrary author has mis bestowed the name of " the dismal science " might make many happier by clearing their minds of jealousy and ill-founded discontent. We have divisions, too, where we might expect most unity. The Christian Church is distracted and rent by doctrinal contradictions, and still more by opposi tions of organized interests. Too many abandon themselves either t 3 a harsh bigotry or • spurious toleration ; and many of us have yet to learn how to reconcile a firm and intelligent devotion to con victions with a consistent and cheerfully-paid respect for the interests of others. But notwith standing these and other drawbacks which reflec tion too plainly reveals, we may console ourselves with the thought that we are making real and solid progress as a whole people. How to build up a real national unity has been the problem of states men in all ages and countries where the good of the governed has been recognised as the true end of government. Some have attempted to attain this end through war, hoping to fuse discordant elements in the passion of hostility, which has often had an unofferiding neighbour for its ob,ect. Others have endeavoured to accomplish the same task by means of institutions—especially those of religion. But neither class of attempts hail been successful. The privileged confession or ecclesiastical system has made dissenters, and when the unjust war has come to an end the people whom only • temporary com mon danger banded together have again been found as disconnected as ever. Neither by the spirit of antagonism nor by the extension of authority into regions sacred to freedom can nations be made one. If, se we believe, we are advancing to that goal, it is by more natural agencies which it has not been given to statecraft to invent or discover. We are becoming united simply by better understanding one another. The great and distinguishing sign of our times is the greater readiness of every class to per ceive and acknowledge the virtues and excellences of the others. This is not a fact requiring elabo rate demonstration, it is one of which we every year have multiplied proofs. We see it in the intelli gent sympathy with which, just three years ago, the great body of the people estimated the loss of one whose merits were displayed in • sphere the most remote from their own, claiming as it were a title in him, and demanding that the fleeting distinctions of political conve nience should not separate them from a man bound to them by the community of an essential nature ; we see it in the admiration which was excited by the patience of the Lancashire operatives under distress, and again in the grateful acknowledgment by the sufferers of the beneficence which their sufferings called forth ; and we see it in the ease with which our best public men, whether conspicu ous by hereditary rank or acquired personal dis tinction, find it possible to meet assemblies of the working claws, and find there a common ground for the interchange of opinion and occasions for the mutual expression of goodwill. We are mani festly drawing closer together. The rich man casts away the notion that the working man is a fero cious creature, to be restrained only by gross superstitions and stringent laws, and the labourer ceases to regard nobility and proprietorship as inevitably connected with an idle and unprofitable life. Circumstances favour this more generous way of thinking. Heaven, which twenty years ago raised up wise counsellors in our Senate, has blessed the legislation it inspired. Not only one or two branches of trade are good, but there has been • generally-diffused prosperity. Profits have I been large, capital increases, and, what is still more important, there is a better chance for every body in this country than there ever was before. If these considerations are calculated to dispose us to general good will, it will be felt that they also heighten the inducements to those special acts of benevolence which so well becomethe season. We feel under no necessity here of urging incentives to such good works. The motives stir within and the occasions lie around us. Within the last few days our columns have contained appeals on behalf of various agencies of philanthropy, any one of which offers a means of doing great good to our fellow-creatures, • result which we need not say does not always follow the indiscriminate and thoughtless gratification of charitable impulses. As we have been in the habit of connecting our congratulations at this season with the mention of some particular work of mercy, we will on this occasion specify an undertaking which is in its infancy, the institution which Mrs. FREDERICK H. BELBERT is founding to provide • " Temporary Home" for the fallen and destitute women discharged from the Queen Charlotte's Lying-in-Hospital, an account of which will be found in • neighbouring column. Our :readers know the concern we have always manifested, lest any scheme for the relief of distress of this order should tend, contrary to the intentions of its pro moters, to favour laxity of conduct, by mitigating the natural penalties which follow departures from the path of virtue. We are happy to know that the managers of the Temporary Home are equally solicitous in this respect, and that the relief of distress, which it would be inhu man deliberately to consign to despair, will be sur rounded with the completest safeguards against this danger. The young institution, we under stand, is about publicly to receive high sanction, and in the meanwhile the name of Mrs. HILBERT is a pledge that its affairs will be administered with sound judgment and discretion. We believe, in naming it, we have indicated • worthy object of Christmas benevolence. Cbe Court. OSBORNE, Dac. 23. --- The Queen, Princess Helena, and Prince Leopold walked and drove yesterday, and Princess Louise drove out, attended by the Hon. Mrs. Bruce. The Hon. Lucy Kerr has been succeeded by the How. Florence Seymour as maid of honour in waiting. Despatches were sent yesterday from the Colonisl-odiee to the Governors of the settlements on the West Come et Africa. LORD PALMERSTON AT SOUTHAMPTON.--SOTIM AMMON, FRLDAT.—Lord Palmerston and a large party Irvin Brannan& visited the Ordnance Survey Department here this day. His lcalebip rode on honeback, and, notwith standing the extreme column of the weather, he wore ooly a frock coat. The diatinginaked party stopped for nearly an boar. The Duchess of Grafton and Lady Ashburton have arrived in Paris. The duke 'rill meet them in that city on their way to Cannes to pans the winter. The Marchioness (Frances Anne) of Londonderry is in a condition considered by her medical attendants almost hopeless. For the lut four months the marchioness has been in weak health, and latterly there has been no prospect of her recovery. Viscount Courteniy, Mr. and Lady Evelyn Bruce, and the Hoe. George Craven have joined the circle as sembled at Dean Park. on a visit to the Earl and Countess of Cardigan. Last year Mr. David Davis, a gentleman of the Hebrew persuasion, was the Sheriff of Southampton : this year Mr. Emanuel, of the same persuasion, is sheriff. The latter will give a banquet to the recorder, the bar, and the magnates of the towo on the 9th proximo. fie has appointed the Rev. Dr. Bradshaw, a clergyman of the established church, his chaplain, and has presented hint with a badge of ofthe in the shape of a massive gold chain, to which is attached a medalboa, ea which is a prayer•book in gold, and the Southampton arms in rubies and diamonds. The value of the whole is about 100 pilaw. Mlle. Beatrice is said to be now engaged at the Lyceum Tocsin. The Metropolitan Board of Works has agreed to • peopositioo that Kiag-street ma New Bing-street, Co vent-iowden should came to bear those names, and be called henceforth by the title of Garrick-street. Memire. Pereira and Rothschild are causing large quantities of breed to be distributed moos the poor of Paris. As it is impossible for the Royal Academy to ac commodate Mr. Gibiotes works on the premises at resent occupied by that body, acceptance of hie late offer—the Athetyrum remarks—implies a readies's to withdraw from Trafalgar-square. In a report which was yesterday issued from the press, the Poetramter-General gives the history of his de partmsot during the year 1863, and takes advantage of the coeclusion of the decade over which his annual reports have extended to review its program during that period with the view of giving a clearer and more striking de =option of the improvements which have taken place during the period, and better mean, for judging of their effect and value than it has been possible to give in reports which have followed each other in such quick succession, and no closely upon the improvements themselves. Lord Stanley also shows what hes been the progress of the post-office in each of the great divivions of the kingdom, and in each of the principal centres of trade and population ; and answers a recent complaint of the delay in the production of this report by the statement that it was caused by the preparation of the statistical information which will be found so interesting. THE ROYAL BARON OF BLEF.—On Thursday the royal "baron of beef" was roasted, under the superinten• deuce of Mr. Godfrey. the Queen's cook. assisted by Mr. Colitis, before the great kitchen firs at Windsor Castle, and forwarded yesterday by the Leedom' and South Western Railway to Osborn. where, with the "boar's head" and "game pie," it will deck the eh:Wines sideboard of bar Majesty. BRITISH Mrserm.—On Boxing-day (Monday) Bed during the week, excepting Saturday, the national oollections of the British Museum will be open to the public as usual ; bat during the ensuing week, commencieg Jai.uary 2. 1865, all visitors sod modem will be excluded, in order to allow of the customary cleaning end rearraego. scent of the collections. THE EXPRESS, SATURDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 24, 1864. LATEST INTELLIGENCE. AMERICA. (num% nissztx.) ARRIVAL OF THE CHINA. The Royal Mail steamship China, from New York on the 14th inst., arrived at Queenstown at 4.45 a.m. to-day with 120 passengers and 602,207 dole. in specie. She landed 64 sacks of mails and 5 passengers, and proceeded for Liverpool at 5.10 a.m. All well. She has experienced strong easterly winds on the voyage. (via Crookbareo.) NEW YORK, Die. 14, MOBRIBIG. The Richmond papers assert that Sherman's main army had crossed to the feat side of the Ogeechee River, and was moving on the 7th, in a south-easterly direction, towards Savannah. The Georgians are rapidly reconstructing the road in Sherman's rear. Federal accounts state that the land and naval forces under Dahlgren and Foster proceeded from Beaufort on the 6th, up Broad River, where they landed their forces and destroyed Pocataligo Bridge, afterwards entrenching themselves at the latter point. Foster's scouts communicated with Sherman, who was expected to reach Savannah on the 14th. The Charleston Mercury of the Gth says that Footer had cut the Charleston and Savannah Rail- I l road near Pocataligo, and driven the Confederates from their entrenched position. The situation at Nashville is unchanged ; 2,500 Confederates under Lyon have crossed the Cum berland River at Yellow Creek, and moved on Hopkinsville Kentucky. Breckenridge is reported as endeavouring to join Hood. Grant has despatched an expedition consisting of one division of infantry and two brigades of cavalry, under Warren, to destroy the Weldon Railroad as far south as Hickaford, to pre vent the Confederates from receiving sup plies on the Weldon road to Stoney Creek. Warren destroyed the bridge across the Nastoway River and 15 miles of railroad. The Confederates were found in force near Hickaford, with strong works on both sides of the Mehergen River. Warren having carried the works on the north side and destroyed the depot, returned to his former position before Petersburg. Considerable excitement prevails at Memphis. Beauregard is reported to be marching on Fort Pillow. hfurfreesboro' despatches report that Hood had captured two blockhouses, but was repulsed when attacking a third. Forrest made a demonstration against the fort and town, but was repulsed. The Confederate cavalry entered Murfreesboro' and de stroyed numerous houses. They were driven out by Rousseau. The railroad south of Murfreesboro' was uninjured, but destroyed for five miles on the north of the town, from Oville Creek to Oville. Dodge has superseded Rceecranz. The Governor of Virginia's message favours the arming of slaves. The Confederate Congress has passed the reso lution regarding the unlawful capture of the Florida. The authorities of Detroit have received certain information of an intended raid from Canada upon Detroit. The steamer Ella has been burnt off Wilmington. The St. Albans raiders have been discharged at Toronto, on the ground that the court had no ju risdiction. The House of Representatives has passed a reso lution to give notice to England of the abrogation of the Canadian reciprocity treaty. NEW YORK, Dim 14. The Richmond papers of yesterday report that Sherman was near Savannah—probably not five miles distant. It was doubtful if he would make an attack or advance to the coast south-east of the city. He had not opened communication with the coast. Later despatches report Sherman in line of battle, confronted by a large Confederate force. There is a doubtful report that Sherman has had a successful engagement at Bloomingdale, fifteen miles from Savannah. The Canada has arrived out. COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. NEW YORK. Dsc. 14, Noaxixo. Money easy. Gold, 136 k per cent. prem. Ex change on London, bankers' bills, 257 ; ditto on Paris, 2.10 to 2.15. Stocks steady. New York Centrals, 121 ; Illinois, 130 ; Erie, 94 ; 6.20 United States Bonds, 109 f. Cotton quiet. Mid dling Upland, 132 c. Flour slightly firmer. Wheat steady. Coro and provisions heavy. Coffee steady. Sugar good inquiry. Molasses quiet. Petroleum, crude, 54c. ; refined, 74c. (From the Tina Teleetem.) NEW YORK, DEC. 13. Much excitement exists in the cities and testis on the northern frontier in conseluence of warn ings received by the authorities of designs by the Confederates in Canada to enter and set fire to them. The militia in Detroit have been ordered out by the mayor, and nightly patrol the streets. The Toronto Globe states that the Canadian autho rities have been informed that a regiment of Con federate troops has been detailed and temporarily disbanded, with orders to proceed singly to Canada, there to reunite for incursions into the Federal States. The Confederate General Beale, previously& pri soner of war, has been released from Fort Warren to take charge of the supplies furnished by his government for the Confederate prisoners in the North. General Paine has been appointed by the Wash ington government for similar duties in the South. A bill establishing a uniform bankruptcy law, to take effect from June 1, 1865, was yesterday passed by the House of Representatives. DEc. 14. 8 A.x. General Grant telegraphs to Mr. Stanton that Richmond papers of yesterday report Sherman in line of battle within five miles of Savannah, con fronted by a strong Confederate force, without naming the day. Richmond papers previously received at Wash. ington report him at Bloomingdale, 15 miles from Savannah, on the 10th. Omura% rrutaaAN.) GERMANY. BAMBERG, Di r. 24. The conference at Bamberg between Her von der Pfordten, the Bavarian Minister, and Baron von Beuat, which bag just taken place, had reference to • scheme for dividing Germany into three powers, Austria, Prussia, and the Middle States. This phis' was agreed upon in principle. 10 . 47 ! 1 !: â d.s. ._ $0 5$ u; EiTh - $4! I: LW. 6; LW. Cal* Clear 3153 4e L Queenstown. 30.6040 LN. L Liverpool AIM S 1 ESA. Holyhead 1111.67 LS.E. Pembroke I Penzance 10.64 . 30 E.E.Z. Brest .....- SWUM &B.& L'Orient 30.9164 K.& tochefort ,30.24 30 N. 9 Plymouth -40.66 110 N. Weymouth 30.6030 Y. N.Y.. Portsmouth- 13348 30 E. [melon 30.61 30 N. Do'er ..... -1 Yarmouth 40.60 99 B.E. Sawhorsuslx.l3o.o7 SS S. 11151sIds SOSO 37 B. W. 30.6331 MEXICO. Private letters from Vera Cruz state that prepa rations are already being made for a lengthened ex cursion which the Emperor and Empress of Mexico intend to make in January. Their Majesties will visit the maritime provinces of Yucatan, Tabasco, _ _ Vera Cruz, and Tamaulipas, which Kara recentl; ra2aLsza. FCNDAT. oititommis MONDAY. B.W. to S.K.. =decide COMM al. to S.W. and S.W.. to fresh, One. tread; some snow or rain In places. Z.N.E. to S.S.W., Imo. WIIIIMIL E. to L. and to &W., dente, line. moderate to strong, some rain or Ulu* 41 --- Easterly, fresh to mis. 601711Mi11. E. to e d moderate to dente, line. strong, generally One. S. to E. and N.E , fresh 2.121721/11. Y.E.to S.K. and is. W. to moderate, fine variable, moder a t e t o . generally. trash, generally Sue. Narthernmeootland. Wastaraadralastl. Wale, , and ea* esayka. aaatheramEaglisi Casual aad Bay at limay. Lamm laiaatwaTct lraglaad aad North Sea. LETTER OF DVEZ FREDERICK OF AFOFSTENBORG. —Duke Frederick of Anguateoburg boa given the following reply to a ooneratolatory address upon the coeclusion of woos forwarded to him by the local authorities la North 110ithmarachen i—" I return my thank, to the load authori ties in North Dithniareclien for the address forwarded to me in their names upon the conclusioe of peace. This new expression of your devotion Rod confidenee hi. filled me with joy. For it is only the coosciousores that the country sees its own rights in mine, and the condition of its prospe rity in their realisation, that permits me still to pursue the object of our common desires without deviation. With you, I deplore deeply that the country hu only been allowed to take a small ahem in its liberation. But although it wee neither possible for it to strive for the right in arms, nor to uplift its voles at the peace negotia- tions, no one will yet deny that the unanimous, manly vindication of its right by the country, sad its firm &dim resoe to what was recognised Lobe that right, have imparted to events the direction they have taken. We may look with eaelideoc• to further developments. The two allied monarch' of Austria and Prussia, who waged a glorious war for the right of the country, and concluded a pesos which establishes the independence of the Duchies of Denmark for ever, will crown their labour of peace by brio;ieg about the solution which alone corresponds to the cones:Ake of right entertained by the country and the interests of Genimay.— (fiegned)--Faspairica." MIDNIGHT MEETINGrfi. -.-- Once in every fortnight throughout the winter the promoters of this movement hold a meeting, to whioh fallen women of every degree are invited. A large room is hired, now in the vicinity of the Hay market, now in Broad-street, Westminster, now in the Euston-road, or other part of London, where the evil it is sought to grapple with is known to flourish in rank luxuriance ; cards and tracts are distributed during the early portion of the same evening, and from eleven o'clock all female appli cants are admitted without question at the door. The meeting of last Thursday was held at the St. James's-hall, and was numerously attended by pros titutes of a certain grade. The room began to fill shortly before midnight, and the clergymen and others who had issued the invitations opened the proceedings with prayer after which a hymn was sung, and earnest exhortations given. Out of the 100 or 150 women who availed themselves of the cards of invitation which had been diligently given to the casino-frequenters and street-walkers of the vicinity, it was confidently expected that some twelve would be led to seek the aid of the society, and that out of that number nine would be perms nently reclaimed. These figures are merely given as the expectations of the promotere—expectations founded not on the observation of the right, but derived from long experience and a careful study of the averages of preceding meetings. It would, indeed, be hazardous in the extreme to venture a positive opinion upon the effect of the ministra tions of a particular evening from mere external observation, for it is only in the days following thereupon that the influence exerted can bear palpable fruit. A card printed thus "Dear friend, if you will call on Mr. Stabb, 5, Red Lion square, Holborn, W.C., any day between ten and four, he will advise with you, and if possible assist you for the future," was given to each woman as she left the hall, and it is only after the presentation of these cards that even an approximate estimate of the good wrought can be formed. The common course is to oiler the women who come an asylum for a time in one or other of the homes of the society, and it is confidently stated that seventy-five per cent. of the number thus sheltered remain in the situations ultimately obtained for them, and never resume their immoral life. It is painful to say aught which may seem to reflect, however remotely, upon efforts which merit the gratitude of the nation, but it would be idle and foolish to conceal that the proceedings of last Thursday did not strike us as satisfactory. The women were not so well behaved as might have been fairly expected. There was less attention, more frequent interrup tions, greater levity, and far more palpable indif ference than some published accounts had led us to expect. The poor, worn out, battered creatures, with ruddled cheeks and lacklustre eyes, who sat stolid, silent, and immoveable, as if content to enjoy without trouble the physical comforts of warmth and light, who swallowed their hot coffee with an eagerness which showed them to be both hungered and athirst, were well behaved enough ; that is, they made no sign. Moody and torpid, they neither betrayed animation nor displayed dis approbation or assent at any stage of the proceed ings ; but, if appearances were to be trusted, heard the earnest pleadings of the speakers with as little iuterest as if they bad been couched in an unknown tongue. But many of the younger women treated the whole affair with undieguised contempt. There was laughing, chatting, and elbow nudging during singing and prayer,and the noise rather increased than diminished when the minister of the evening delivered his address. Nothing could be more feeling or more broadly charitable than the tone adopted by this gentleman. There was neither assumption of superiority to his hearers, nor an offensive ostentation of speaking down to their level. Perhaps, however, the view taken of the antecedents of the people before him was of too ideal a character to be thoroughly effective. The broken-hearted father, the vacant seat in the chimney-corner, the sad thoughts of the missing one at the family gathering on the coming Christ mas-day, and the hearty welcome back of the poor prodigal to the fold, are, it is to be feared, strangely unfamiliar images to the low prostitute of real life. These are the associations of sentiment ; but if we could really draw aside the veil, and see the wretched surroundings and utterly demoralised associations of the childhood of a large proportion of such people as were assembled at St. James's-hall, we should too often find that the degradation of to-day is not an abyss into which they have suddenly fallen, but rather the natural sequence to • hide ously perverted iufaucy and a besotted home. There were not a dozen of the ordinary dashing West-end prostitutes among the women we saw, though here and there in the ranks of the old, and haggard, and miserably shabby ones, might be seen a face which had figured in satins and lace at no very distant day, while its owner was pointed out as one of the fashionably notorious women of her hour. The common, vulgar, brazen creature, whose shame sits lightly on her shoulders was, however, most numerously represented of a ll, and thoughout the evening she tittered and giggled, regardless of looks of remonstrance, and in de fi ance of expostulations more openly expressed. Nor did this seem to proceed from the bravado often simu lated to hide deep feeling. The proceedings were apparently held to be jocoee, and the tone of the younger women present was uniformly ribald. In one instance, and one instance only during our stay, did we note an exhibition of feeling. The pictures of the bereaved parents and the deserted home affected one young creature so deeply that she retired in hysterics, and remained sobbing violently at the foot of the stairs, declining all attempts at consolation on the part of the pro moters of the meeting. But against this we heard the loud laugh and the low jest at the very instant the most solemn appe als were being made ; we heard "don't tell lies as a parting sally from one of the best dressed of the women as she retired ' • and we noted such a general absence of per feeling, as to raise a doubt whether these large assemblages do not in some measure defeat the very ends they are designed to bring about. It is certain that the predominant sentiment of a crowd is contagions, and that when the majority are not merely disposed to scoff, but are deter minedly bent on scoffing, the small minority whose hearts incline to repentance and reformation have a serious additional impediment to overcome. On the other hand, the committee urge, and with reason, that they have no means of reaching the class they seek to elevate, save by some such meet ings as these, and fraught with difficulty as any plan of house to house visiting must be, it is not easy to suggest an improvement upon their present scheme. Still, when we see callous indifference on the one hand, and careless jesting frivolity on the other, and when we find that rescues are happily made in spite of such frightfully opposing influ ences, we cannot refrain from hoping that the admirable efforts of the Midnight Meeting Society will yet find some more favourable channel for their dsvelopment, and will conse quently meet with a yet higher average of success. That they have done so much already is an interest ing testimony both to their earnest zeal and to the deep and crying want they have supplied. But whatever may be the effect of such an evening as that of Thursday on the minds of those accus tomed to deal with fallen women in the mass, to a stranger it must have been depressing and dire couraging In the extreme. If the shallow natures of the people exhorted were really being impressed at the very time they were passing flippant com ments and coarse jests, the inference is that the latter were provoked by the presence and contiguity of their companions in evil. But as these poor women flocked out, many of them lcng before the address was at an end, their wild talk and reckless bearing "poke sadly of the searing hardening in fluence of their shameless lives. All honour then to the band of philanthropists who are earnestly, and, in spite of the unfavourable examples we saw the other evening, successfully endeavouring to lessen the number of fallen women in our streets. The operation of these midnight meetings may not be so clearly beneficial at the moment as might be wished, but the committee have a practical answer to all criticism in the Homes they are tilling and have filled, in the young lives they have rendered happier and more pure, and in the proofs they furnish of the abiding influence effected by their counsels. made great demonstrations of devotedness to their Imperial Majesties. The Emperor entertains the project of executing great works of public utility, and wishes to ascertain by actual observation on the spot whether it will be possible to make a canal between the two oceans across the Isthmus of Te huantepec. This canal would be entirely on Mexi can territory, and therefore would not require the co-operation of any other American power. EXPRESS FROM PARIS. (nom ous owl PARIS, PIMA'S EMING. An article in the Pays seems to indicate that after due reflection the French government thinks it ex pedient to take in good part the paragraph in Mr. Lincoln's speech relating to Mexico. A semi official writer is now instructed to say that the meaning of the President's words has been exagge rated ; that he spoke for his own public (i.e., for Bunkum), and that when his expressions come to be construed by the light of the situation in which he stands they have a very " secondary importance." The Pays has reason to think that for a long time past Mr. Lincoln has given the French govern ment no reason to suspect his intentions in regard to Mexico, and it is with his acts and not with his words that France has to do. It seems certain that neither the Emperor's government nor that of the Emperor Maximilian has any ground of com plaint against Mr. Lincoln on the subject of Mexico, and that on the contrary he has in his impartiality effectually prevented any succour in arms, men, money, or munitions being given to the " Juarist bands." That being so France does not care what he says. After these somewhat affected scornful expressions, the Pays gives vent to the Southern sympathies of the Tuileries by unreservedly con demning the President's speech so far as it pledges him to continue the war for the restoration of the Union. M. Haussmann gave a grand dinner yesterday at the Hotel de Ville to the members of the municipal council, the departmental commission, and the mayors and ad joints of Paris—that is to say, all the non-elected functionaries of the department of the Seine. He gravely expressed his satisfaction that they all approved his conduct without a dis sentient voice, and that is perfectly true. M. Ilaussmann, who is not garrulous in the Senate, and openly expresses his dislike of dialogues, likes monologues very much, and is great when he has all the talk to himself. It has been wittily observed that his last speech may be com pared to Cicero's oration pro demo rid, freely translated " for the houses which he is demo lishing." Peter's pence having terribly fallen off of late, the clerical journals have received orders from Rome to beg money for the Pope under another form. The Pope's amines (Christmas-boxes) are now on the order of the day. All priests in France, who value the good opinion of Rome, will exhort their flocks to give smaller efretnies than usual this year to their servants, tradesmen, chil dren, friends, sweethearts, and wives—nay to stint their contributions to the poor-box, in order that they may spare a mite to relieve the distress of that " poorest of all poor men." So the Union gravely calls him, the Pope of Rome. I have no doubt a considerable penny will be realised by this device, but it will not fill the ever-yawning gap in the Papal treasury. The Bourse was weaker at the close than at the opening. Rente fell sc. and 10c. In other securi ties there is very little change. LOSS OF A FISIHNO SMACK AND SEVEN LIVES. CAISTER, Jams GREAT YARMOUTH, FRIDAY NIGHT. Signal lights of distress were seen bvthe Caister beachmen and coastguard early on the morning of the 19th Dec. (writes the Rev. G. W. Steward). The wind was blowing from the S.E, and there was a heavy sea running. The Caister lifeboat of the National Inatitution imme diately put off, but on reaching the Cross Sands they could find no trams of a wreck. I have now. however, the mean. choly duty to communicate the fact that the vessel which sent up the lights was a Yarmouth fishing smack, named the Vivid, conveying five men and two boys. She was ' completely wrecked, sod all bands unhappily perished. Another amok belonging to the same owner was in com pany with her, and, seeing her port light, bore towards her, but when within a short distance of her the master had the precaution to drop the lead, and finding only four fathoms of water, had just sufficient time to turn hie helm, and thus narrowly escaped the disastrous end of his partner vessel and her crew. He was near enough to catch a glimpse of her sail wearing over. The crew of the lifeboat saw the surviving smack near the spot, but they saw nothing what. ever of the wrecked vessel. A part of the wreck of the Vivid has come on shore off Yarmouth. The service of the lifeboat crew, although fruitless, was not the less prompt or praiseworthy, and, knowing some of the lost crew, and feel ing for all as neighbours, they are a good deal saddened. The sassier of the lost smack is said to have been a deserving and an excellent man. and was coming into harbour, as the fishing smacks all do about this time, for Christm as. WEATHER REPORT.-(THIS DAY.) SATCRDAY, DICENBIII 24, 8 &IL B. T. W. Y. Hs D. 1. 9.9. W, SAW. METROPOLITAN BOARD OP WORKS. The weekly meeting of the board was held yea terday at the new office in Spring-gardens, M. Jon.% THWAITEB in the chair. A report was brought up from the Thames Embank. meat Cammittee, relative to the progress of the works for the Thames Embankment, contract No. 1. The report stated that the committee had conferred with the engineer. cud Mr. Farnesshad also attended before them to explain the coons be proposed to take in future as to the execution of the works, and had expressed his confident anticipation of proceeding with much greater rapidity than hitherto. In about a fortnight's time he would be in a position to con. strut the requisite coffer dam at the rate of 10C feet per week, and by other arrangements he wu about to make he would be enabled to complete the works within the time limited by the contract. They had also instructed the eogi. neer to report at the expiration of a fortnight the progress which Mr. Furness had made, and in the meanwhile they considered it expedient to submit this statement of facts to the beard, and requested authority from time to time to repot on the state of the works and the progress made. The recommendation of the committee was agreed to. A report was brought up from the finance committee, submitting for approval the estimate, of soma required for the expenses of the board for the year 1863. The amount required was divided under the following beads : Sewerage and Drainage £42,800 0 0 Metropolis Improvements General Pawnee 19,350 16 0 Expellees under Sale of Gas Acta 1.710 0 0 Sums required for Hausskes Poor 3,500 0 0 Bepsyment of Loans and interest es Mortgage Debts 45,778 3 4 Compensation Allowances to late came 1,177 12 4 Mortgage Debts of Metropolitan Com misnomers of Sewers Total 144,501 6 4 Deduct approximate surplus estimate for 1864 130,501 6 4 These Minutes gave rise toe desultory conversation, but mutually the farther 001181481104011 of them was deferred until F3Vdey next._ Mr. Dociros, M.P., called the attention of the board to the act of last session authorising the construction of the Metropolitan Railway in the line of the Thames Embank. meat, and moved that • letter be at once addressed to the directors, urging thsm to take the neces s ary steps for so carr)mg out their undertaking as to avoid interference with the 's works alter their completion." In support ol his motion the hoe. member urged that as the streets were so frequently broken up by gas and water companies, to pre vent any delay the board ought to call upon the Metropoli. tan Railway Company atones to proceed with their works for their authorised line of railway under the Thames em bankment. Mr. CARPMAEL seconded the motion, and said unless the Metropolitan Railway Company proceeded with their works, the opening of the Thames Embankment-road might be delayed forty° or three years, and it might be five yeast before they finally obtained possession of the roadway. Kr. ll'lnosocn 'eked the chief engineer if it was pos• sible to carry on the railway concurrently with the Thames embankment. Mr. BAz►Lcgrrs replied in the affirmative. Mr. H. L. TAYLOR thought it was an net of negligence on their part in not getting a clause inserted in the 'flumes Embankment Act to compel the railway company to coin. mence their works. The CHAIRMAN said they did seek the necessary powers, bat they were defeated. Mr. H. L. TAYLOR said that if parliament had made a mistake they ought to follow up the ~Intion and get coal. pulsar, powers ea against the railway company. Mr. Mules, If.P., believed that the railway company would be reedy to commence their works aa soon as they were told that the caimona were put down to keep out the water. The motion was agreed to, and after some uoimportant business had bean disposed of the board adjourned. THE SUPPOSED FOUNDERING OF THE SHIP FLOATING LIGHT. A few days since we announced the appre beaded has, with all hands, of the ship Floating Light, with a cargo of cotton valued at upwards of 200,0001., off the Welsh coast, whilst making her way up the St. George's Channel for Liverpool. The report was founded on the fact of *event bales of cot• ton bearing the same character of marks as those stated in the ship's manifest having come ashore on the coast of ram , brokeshire, as also a stern beard of a ship bearing the name of the miming ship upon it. The underwriters interested in the loss resolved to send one of their agents along the coast with a view of tracing any portion of the wreck, they being satisfied that the vessel had foundered with all on board. That officer has returned, and in the nouns of yesterday made the following re port :—"I searched the coast from St. David's Head to Tesby, and made inquiries, but no precise information could be elicited as to the probable spot where the vessel lies. Such information, however, as could be gathered, led to the conclusion that it must be very nearly on a line draws from the Slaabpole Head to the sout h-west point of Caldy Island, about two and a half miles from the latter, and one mile and • half from the Old Castle Head. Bales of cotton have been found in the bay be tween Old Castle Head and Lydstep Point, and a New. foundland dog, which has been ideutified as belonging to the Floating Light, has been found alive in the vicinity of Carmarthen Bey." It was from the point iodinated above that the sound of guns was heard and lights weals seen on the sight of the 30th of November. It is proposed to offer • reward to boatmen on the coast to discover the exact positioo of the wreck. Two boats were employed for one day seambiog, by the agent of Liverpool, but the rocky ante of the bottom perverted the operations for sweeping for the wreck. Balsa of cotton have been picked up at the following places :—,t Freshwater East, 0 bales; Manorbeer, 3 ; Tenby, 18; Saunderfoot. 11 ; Flysistes, 10; Fresh water West, 2 ; Milford Haven, 3 ; off Caddy, 2 ; 5; end St. David's, 1. Total, 64 bales. The Floating Light had nearly 5,000 bales on board. There cannot be much doubt as to the fats of the crew, sod it is somewhat remarkable that none of the bodies have as yet been cast up. Hn blanasn's THEATEE.—The pantomime to be produeed on Borieg-night is founded op the popular legend of "The Lion and the Unicorn fighting for the Crown," which in made the groundwork of a " animation" drama, full of striking theatrical effects. There is, in par tinnier, a new invention which is actually magical ; perm= speaking and acting on the stage become, without moving, visible and invisible instantaneonsly—a contrivance which, la this piece, is turned to startling account, The Musical Directory for 1865, published by ?deem. Burial, Ross, and Co.. Charing-aces, has just Lee peered. This is • most useful publication to every me concerned or interested in musical affairs. Besides ample lists of members of the musical profession, mosicsellers, and manufacturer of instruments, in London and the pro , vinces, with their addresses, it contains notices of the prin. cipal musical societies and other institutions, a hit of the moat eminent musicians recorded in the annala of the arts and a review of the musical occurrences of the past year. The work is praiseworthy for its care and correctness. THE PROPOSED DrBLIN INTERNATIONAL EsErt 1863.—This enterprise will, it is now believed. fully realise the hopes of its promoters. The pre paratory arrangements are in • forward condition, and the promises of support from home contributors ensure the success of the exhibition. Continental exhibitors have corns forward with alacrity, and from them large cootnbutions are expected. From France there will be a magnificent collection of brooms and goldsmiths' work, of silks and laces ; it is even hinted that the Gobelins and &nes will not be unrepresented. Austria will send specimens of all those beautiful manufactures which attracted so much attention in 18412. Italy intends to surpass herself ; filings work from Genoa, ornamental metal work from Milan, mosaics from Florence, and cameos from Leghorn, will attest the renewed Indus ' trial activity of this rising counts-. A display of scalp. tore equalling, if not surpassing, th e sttrsctive col. !retina sent in ltz62, u premised from Rome. The show of manufactures from Belgium will be in proportion to the extent of her important industries. Courant. io the north of Europe will be chiefly represented by 'works of fine mit of these special details will be given hereafter. One special feature of this exhibition, not attempted on any former ocoasioo, will be an International display of mu sical instruments. A large hall, spe7ially designed for concerts, and capable of seating 3,0u0 persons, has bees devoted to this purpose. In it the instruments of all na tions will be collected, and daily performances will take pikes daring the continuance of the exhibition. Exhibi tors will therefore have the advantage, not only of showing their worts, but also of having them tested under most favourable circumstances, and music as an art will be added to the other attractions of the exhibition. THE Simmer BOARDII Ex.—We are informed that Mr. German Reed had an interview with Sir R. Mayas respecting the hardship upon this poor but iodustrious class of men. The result is that Sir R. Mayes km gives his sanction for these men to renew their occupation upon the distinct understanding that they are Dot to permits the streets in maps to the annoyance of the traffic.—Pear. Tits KANGAROO. —We have had left at our office a specimen of the young of kangaroo not more than an inch long, and probably only a few days old. At birth the Iran• pros is about an inch in length, when it is placed by the mother on the teat io the poach, where it rapidly incresase io sire, remaining firmly attached to the teat till it pine sufficient strength to leave it, which it dots occasionally. returning to the mother for warmth or piotcctiou.—S , "de Australian paper. STE. W.N.W. 5.8.1. SIC E. 8.6. LILL ELL LN.L N.Y LN.E. E. Si.l. P 6 F 6 try Diesi Danish respond The 3larsha eight az Lori ben des Cob Di. I way to 1 at Cairo ANT Wealth resolved tem, Nets] Allstrise gated wi Pawnee resist 4!"4" fleece a Irequant w 6 illl b a matue of final wil lauple m Etigh ai d aq will e Nary G,