The Express. — London, England, 1867-04-29 00:00:00

JOHN BROG DEN'S GOLD CHAINS by troy weight, at realisable value, and the workmanship at wboimale nutnufactureri prlcea The mild In the chains gua ranteed, and repurchased at the price charged. Here's the note, How IDUI h your chain weighs to the utmost allitty The ling:nese of the gold, and charge for fashion." 814•111sPiAon Manufactory, IG, Henrlettaxtreet, Covent-garden, London. BROWN and POLSON'S CORN FLOUR for CIIILDRY—S'S DIET. To obasin extra profit by the We other kinds are sosteihaell offered tnsteed of likOWtt and POLYON'S. "John grown," "John Folsom," la signed by the waken am each packet. gite erVreoo* TO CORRE9PONDENTS. Advertisements Intended for "The Express," London Evening Paper, must be at the Orece, 10, Bonyerleatreet, by Two o'clock on the day of publication. DRURY LAN E TIN KTItNIKO, THE CTIV - Weir% Warner, 31nr. ten. ritzjames, Ronne. &c. : Mesdames liolocrt...ll. Thkre, and Thompson.—T,, temehhie with THAT KANCAI. JACK. Messrs. Rouge and : Mesdames Alleyne and Thompson. HA YIIARICET. Tsus Emma, TUEWITLY ♦\D THE LAMB. Messrs. Chlppennlals, Amen, Re ; Mrs. litzwllllam, *c.—A WILD 6 , 10,41 Mora *Ahern, Backsteae, Wawa de. : Mesdames Burke, Wilypeudale, 11W, de.—And A KIM IN TILE DA&K. LYCLV M. THIS Lessien. BAMIISO/1.1:45i. Mr. Price end Miss Este Mahon. -Till DUKES LOTTO. Mr. Yachter, Mean. Emery, Widdicomh, &a. : Mime Itisworthy, Grattan, and Cu lotta Isclercti.—A Grand Ballet. M. Espinosa & Mdlle. Sophie. maim. THIS !MIMIC SWEETWEARTFAND WIVES. Mr. Bel. Lord —PYGMALION; lat, THE STATUE PALK Mama Marne, Jame*, : Mesdames A. finanhorongh, Itaynhatn. Harland. J °lmams, /WM.& Newton.—And THE FRENCU EXHIBITION. HOLBORN.. Tim reams, MY TTJiN If — HIT. Mr. Belson; MMus toots and Lennox.—And FLYING SCUD. Mews. Neville, Del more, Blake, Voltaire, &c.: Mesdames F. Josephs, C, demaders, Beale Foote, Flddee, Lennox, Raymond, &a BRITANNIA. Tors Erroneo, THE LIFE SIGNAL. Messrs. Reynolds, Howe, etc. ; Miss Jute Coveney.—CHEßßY AND FAIR STAR. Meows. llgwood, Leslie, Elton, Le ; Mrs. S. Lane sod Misses Edwin, Booth, sad Macarthy.—And THE DREAM OF AILEEN. NIGH WATTS AT LONDON =IDOL MS DATZionaing, - 9C3a:::::::10. 14a. TeWittaiow—Xornlng, NIL 6101.. „Attersoaa, 111 Um. LONDON, MONDAY, APRIL 29. WITH all their attendant drawbacks the diffi culties in the railway world have been productive of at least one good result. They have put an end to the reticence which Boards of Directors have so long and so imperiously observed, together with that impatience of the slightest con trol from those whom directors facetiously designated their constituents. Adversity has taught that the most open course is the only safe one. The necessity of main taining strict secrecy upon the future policy of a railway company is at an end. Directors now invite the appointment of committees of investigation, instead of opposing them as they used to do to the utmost of their power : chairmen past or present issue lengthy statements of their own, concerning which, although we may dissent from the arguments employed, at least no fault can be found on account of the absence of plain speaking. The London and Brighton afford the newest example of this salutary reversal of the old policy hitherto so regularly pursued, but at last completely broken down. The shareholders are about to be called on to give a decision upon the future management of their property, as to which it must be conceded they have ample materials to form an accurate judgment. The points in dispute are ;riled facie simple enough. It appears that the London and Brighton Company undertook to carry out wholly or in part three new lines—the Surrey and Sussex, the Chichester and Midhurst, and West Sussex Junction. In each of these cases the initiative was taken by parties nominally independent, and the Brighton Company, after ineffectually opposing the projects, were induced to take them up from the belief that they would, under separate manage ment, prove prejudicial to the interests of the main line. According to the statement of the late chairman, the support that was thus promised was ratified by successive meeungs of the Brighton shareholders. It may be observed, however, that this does not go for much. A year or two ego recommendations in the half-yearly reports of railway companies that certain extensions should be assisted were accepted almost as a matter of course. There was even hardly any cavil as to the manner in which the capital required should be raised. It was, indeed, tolerably well known that the money could only be got by the issue of preference stocks, or by means of some sort of guarantee which came to the same thing in the end. The policy of the directors of the Brighton was, according to railway precedent, either to disarm competition, or to prevent these new branches from falling into the hands of rival companies by the usual ex pedient of absorbing them into their own system. The new lines were to be bought out. In order to carry out this object the Brighton Company, according to the report of the Committee of Inves tigation, obtained parliamentary powers in 1866 to subscribe 695,0001. to the first two railways. With regard to the third, the West Sussex Junc tion, it does not appear that the Brighton have entered into any positive engagement beyond that of undertaking to obtain au Act, subject of course to the sanction of the shareholders, to the effect " that this line may eventually form part of the " Brighton Company's system. " Apparently, however, it has turned out that some additional powers were required, and hence a Bill has been introduced in the present session providing that the Brighton Company shall be enabled to raise additional capital as follows : By Shame. By Borrowing. For the Surrey and Smola .. A:205,000 and £235,000 TheChichester and Midhurst 95,000 and 63,000 The West SUBSCI Junction... 125,000 and 41,010 fihnres Borrowing t 425,000 £339,600 Total £764,600 This amount the Committee of Investigation believe to be in excess of the 595,000/. originally promised, so that the obligations to be assumed by the new Bill will amount altogether to 1,359,600/. The committee likewise intimate, cautiously but unmistakeably, that they appre hend this sum, large as it is, will not cover the total obligations proposed to be incurred. The great point, however, to be considered is this— at present the outside legal liability of the Brighton Company in respect of these railways is limited to 595,0001., while the new Act will in crease this sum to 1,359,6001., or even more. Such, at least, is the opinion of the Committee of Investigation. But the directors may reasonably say—lt is true that our parliamentary powers extend only at present to the smaller sum, but for the credit of the company we are morally bound to apply for more. We have entered into certain compacts with independent companies, which have been virtually ratified at successive meetings of share holders. We, in fact, simply desire to obtain the power necessary for a railway to give legal validity to what has been already sanctioned by those solely interested. The plea would be unanswerable if it were perfectly correct. It is an old axiom that when a company, or a firm, or a private in- THE EXPRESS, MONDAY EVZNING, APRIL 29, 18, dividual enters into engagementi with others which it may hereafter be found unprelteble to caw out, the attempt to repudiate thrill is nothing more nor less than sheer dishoneity. The only thing to be done is first to ascertain that the pled,ge has really been given, and, if so, to fulfil it /Fall hazards. It is especially desirable to hear both sides of the question. There are three lines that form the subject of controversy, but the Surrey and Sussex project, from its larger expenditure, is the one chiefly in dispute. Regarding the liability of the Brighton on account of this railway, the late Chair man of that company confines himself to general terms. He remarks, for example, on the advisa bility of getting rid of a nominally independent concern, of efficiently controlling the expenditure, and at the same time of keeping faith with inde pendent parties, who, without the concurrence or assistance, and against the wishes of the (Brighton) directors, promoted this particular undertaking. The foregoing observations are also used with re ference to the other two lines. Taking the Surrey and Sussex alone, what have the Committee of Shareholders to say upon the subject With respect to the Surrey and Sussex Railway, the committee have ascertained from the directors that the Company consists only of Brighton directors and their nominees (clerks in the office, Re.), who are entered on the register without having paid anything for their shares and without having any individual interest in the railway, except to serve the Brighton Company. Further, that the subscribed capital of the Surrey and Sussex Company, other than the 500,000/, subscribed by the Brighton Com pany, was " literally nothing," and that the Brighton directors are also the directors of the Surrey and Sussex Company, with the exception of Sir Frederick Arthur and Mr. Coles Child, who are, however, the auditors of the Surrey and Sussex Company. The directors also informed the committee that they had, as Surrey and Sussex direc tors, entered into the contract with the contractors of the Surrey and Sussex Railway, who considered that the direc tors were personally liable to them under such contract. These are startling statements, the more so since it would seem impossible to disprove them, unless the company's books have been deliberately and intentionally falsified. It is almost inconceivable that the Committee of Investigation should have made statements which, if wrong, would be not mistakes, but positive untruths. Mr. NORTHALL LAURIE would appear to be the proper person to afford an explanation regarding a circumstance which he omitted to mention in the letter to the Brighton shareholders which he sent out two or three weeks ago. truth when we are told that a company has a clear half million or so remaining out of its earnings. There may be liptilitiss" in prospect portending ruin to the surplus a few yearikater ; and unless such obligations are explained at present and averted for the futons there will be no oonfldeasi:placed in:railway absolute, nor any CiIIUICE of recovery given to ndlway property. The Standard comments on the clan, observing that it is one in which bare recital is the most emphatic con demnation. LATEST INTELLIGENCE. THE PROPOSED CONGREIK The Jena nyti des Debats says : The deepen.' of this day announoe ea very probable the mekep at London of a conference of the powers who signed the treaty of 1839, in which Freoce and Preside would take part. According to one despatch Prusela would make no previous engagement respecting the eva cuation and neutralisation of Luxemburg and the dis mantling of the fortress. On these point' she would only yield on the condition of a guarantee of the European powers Prussia therefore does not lend herself with a good grace to an arrangement, which, however, is the desire of all Europe ; for never would there be a more deplorable or • more unpopular war than one on account of Luxemburg. The right of Prussia to occupy the Duchy is not tenable from any point of view. There are not two opinions on this point amongst sensible persons. This being so, what can Prussia gain, after a successful war in which she has been fortunate beyond all expectation, by plunging into new adventures at the risk of wearying for tune and compromising the results she has obtained? Is not M. de Bismarck just now like a gambler who in the intoxication of gain does not know where to stop and stakes anew not only the unexpected winnings of tha preceding game but the whole of his fortune on the cast of the dice! But situa tions are stronger than men, and this consideration must re-assure men's minds. The cry of reprobation which is raised against this war with which Eurepe is threatened will find an echo in the consciences of all. The working men of France and Prussia ex change pacific addresses. The Queen of England has written • most pressing letter to the King of Prussia, in which she eloquently pleads the cause of Peace. If, on the other hand, we regard the moderation of France, we ask how is it possible that the Loudon conference will not result in a pacific arrangement which will satisfy the wishes of the peoples who are threatened with a war which their sentiments and interests equally condemn ? The Siecle says : Although it may be premature to reckon absolutely on the preservation of peace, it does not seem probable that the Prussian government would have consented to the assembly of • European conference and admitted the principle of neutralisation unless they were sincerely re solved to come to a pacific settlement of the Luxemburg question. We may, therefore, reasonably hope that the imminent peril which threatened progress and humanity will be avoided. (Rgunnes nutatums.) THE CANDIAN INSURRECTION. ATHENS, APRIL 2.5. Advices received here from Candice announce that Omer Pacha had left Canea with a large force, including artillery, and was marching upon Spha khia. Another Turkish general had set out for Kisaamos by sea for the same destination, in order to surround the insurgents. AMERICA. QUEENSTOWN, Apan. 29. The Cunard extra steamship Tripoli, from New York, arrived here at 12.10 a.m. to-day with 34 passengers, including 9 cabin. She landed 5 pas sengers, and proceeded for Liverpool at 12.30 a.m. All well. )N, Aram 29. The North German Lloyd's steamer Hermann, Captain Wenke, from New York, has arrived with 189 passengers for this port, Havre, and Bremen ; 27 sacks of mails for London, and 119,422 dols., also for London. The Hermann left New York on the 18th inst. On the 26th in lat. 48.34, long. 20.1, passed the North German Lloyd's steamer Union, bound for New York, and on the 27th in tat. 49.30, long. 14.20, spoke the English barque Economist from Milford Haven, bound west. NEW YORK, APRIL 18, MORNING. General Sheridan is reported to intend ordering several participants in the New Orleans riots to be tried by mili tary commission. A national scientific expedition to explore Rumba's- America is being organised at Washington. Advice. received here from Ver► Crux to the 17th inst. state the city is still closely besieged. According to impe rial account, Miramon, after defeating Esoobedo, marched upon Guadalajara. Esoobedo was besieged in San Luis by Mejia. Republican accounts Mate that Porfirio Dias had cap tured Puebla. The Emperor Maximilian attempted to break the siege of Queretaro, but was defeated, anti the town is still besieged. Juarez had ordered that the Em peror, if captured, should be treated ac a prisoner of war, with the consideration due to unsuccessful valour. An American steamer has arrived at Tampico equipped as a republican man-of-war. - . will be no cajderence at all. Prussia will certainly not withdraw from lAxemburg until after the de cision of the eonference. The salons of the British embassy were thrown open last evening for the first time this year. Owing to the Iting stay of Lord and Lady Cowley in England, her ladyship's receptions, of which this was the Cost of a series, are given later than usual. The rooms were greatly thronged, not withstanding the counter attraction of a grand ball at Madame Rouher's. Among the oom pany were the Duke of Cleveland, the Earl and Countess of Dudley, Viscount Sydney, Lord Royston, Lord and Lady Dangan, tho Duchess of Manchester, Mr. Chadwick, Mr. and Miss Brookfield, Marshal Canrobert, General Fleury, the Marquis and Marquise de Cadorre, the Duke de Persigny, M. Drouyn de Lhuys, the Marquis and Marquise de Galliffet, the Pope's Nuncio, the Turkish Ambassador, the Italian Am bassador, Chevalier Nigra, General Dix and Miss Dix, Colonel Hoffmann, First Attache of the American Legation, and Mrs. Hoffmann, and a very large gathering of the Corps Diplomatique. The little Bourse on the Boulevards more than maintained the rise of yesterday. Business in the, Rente was done at 68fr. 20e. THE EMPEROR bfAXIMILIAN AND THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT. President Johnson has replied to the resolution of the Senate requesting him to communicate to that body —if, in his opinion, not incompatible with the public into reste—a copy of any recent correspondence which may have taken place on the subject of prisoners of war taken by belligerents in the Mexican republic. The following are the papers enclosed: "THE AUSTRIAN AMBARRADOR TO MR. SEWARD. "Washington, April 5, 1867. - . - " Mr. Secretary of State,—l have just received a tele graphic despatch from my court, on the subject of which I should be happy to speak with you. May I ask you to fix the hour when I can have the honour of seeing you to morrow f—l remain, Mr. Secretary, with the highest con sideration, your obedient servant, " WYDENBRUCC." " Washington, April 6, 1867. " Pro oteutoria—The Emperor of Austria, my gracious sovereign, has been informed that his brother is sur rounded in Queretaro by the liberals. The fate of the prisoners after the battle of Zacatecas makes the Emperor anxious for his brother's safety, should he fall into the hands of the liberals. I receivedyesterday *telegram from my court, instructing me to speak on the subject with Mr. Secre tary of State, and to see if you would not be disposed to use your influence with Juarez to urge him to respect, in finch an eventuality, the person of my Emperor's brother. Of course such a friendly intervention would also benefit the other eventual prisoners, particularly the foreigners. We hesitate the less to make this application to you, Mr. Secretary, not only because we have confidence in the friendliness of the American government, but because this government seems to have a right to demand from Juarez to respect prisoners of war, as it is in great mea sure to the moral support of the American government that the liberal party in Mexico owes its present successes. WYDINBRUCK." " NR. SEAWARD TO THE AUSTRIAN AMBAARADOR. " Department of State, Washington, April 6. " My Dear Count Wydenbruck—With the President's approval I have this morning transmitted by telegraph a despatch to Mr. Campbell, a copy of which I place in your hands. I have also communicated to Mr. Romero, the Mexican minister plenipotentiary here, the sentiments of this government in regard to the exigency apprehended in Mexico.—l am, my dear Count Wydenbruck, very faith. fully yours, " We. H. SeWARD. "To Count Wydenbruok, Washington, D.C." - . " MR. SEWARD'S DESPATCH TO MINISTER CAMPBELL. " Department of State, Washington, April 6, 1867. "To Mr. L. D. Campbell, United States Minister to Mexico, St. Charlie Hotel, New Orleans, La. " The capture of the Prince Maximilian in Queretaro by the republican armies seems probable. The reported severity practised on the prisoners taken et Zacatecu excites apprehension that similar severity may be prac tised in the case of the Prince and his alien troops. Such severities would be injurious to the national cause of Mexico, and to the republican system throughout the world. You will communicate to President Juarez promptly, and by effectual means, the desire of this government that in case of capture, the Prince and his supporters may receive the humane treatment accorded by civilised nations to prisoners of war. The expense of making the communication to President Juarez will be defrayed by this department.—l am, Ize., " Wm. H. SsmAzu." " MINIMUM cemrsugs UPLY TO MR. BEWAIL). " New Orleans, April 8, 18b7. " Ron. W. H. Seward, Secretary of State ; l started • messenger for San Luis Potosi, with despatches this A.M.,to Galveston by rail and steamer, thence to Tampico by fast despatch steamer Blackbird. I have sent you full despatch by mail. " Lzwis D. CAMPBILL." OUR CONTEMPORARIES. (THIS DAY.) THE LONDON CONFERENCE.. The success with which the efforts of the media ting powers have been crowned is due, the Times says, to none more than to England, and the mediators ought to be inspired with good confidence for further achievements, —such as the revision of the treaties of 1814. Indeed. so confident is the Times that the London conference will have a feasible, however difficult, enterprise before them, that it almost feels inclined to extend their sphere of action, and ask whether they could not only patch up a speedy peace, but also build up a permanent one ; not only induce the would-be belligerents to" kiss and make friends," but aho to put up their weapons. The desideratum of the present day is general disarmament, and it is reasonable to expect that the conference will not separate without set tling the terms upon which this great object may become attainable. Amidst the various announcements which since Satur day last have changed the face of Europe to something like confidence, the Daily News selects as facts, the accept ance at Paris and Berlin of the arbitration, and the forth coming conference at London, but it takes leave to doubt the story that Lord Stanley, of all foreign secretaries in the world, hoe by declaring the right of the King of Hol land secretly to sell to another state a population of 200,000 souls—decided in advance in favour of the intending ag gressor. It also finds it impossible to suppose that her Majesty can have committed to writing in the form of • letter destined to publicity, not merely an invocation in behalf of peace, which everybody would approve of, but sentiments with respect to Prussian policy and the reputed opinion of " all England." Re joicing at the concili►tory spirit manifested by the ca binet of Berlin, the Daily News adds that that cabinet would not submit its claims to a conference which had pre judged the question. That is more than can reasonably be expected even by those who are willing to forget that this Luxemburg question is due entirely to the King of Holland's want of pocket money. and to the Emperor Napoleon's want of glory, to cover his discomfiture in Mexico, his miscalculation of last year's events in Ger m►ny, his need of a diversion to public spirit at home, and his dread of universal suffrage in 1869. The Post congratulates Lord Stanley on the success of his foreign policy not only in the Luxemburg dispute, but in Spain and in the East. With regard to the conference, it can only hope it will prove more satisfactory in It. re sults than that which, under the presidency of Earl Rua sell, assembled in 1864 with the view of saving the Danish kingdom from dismemberment. The Standard informs it. readers that we owe in a very great degree to the wise and decided action taken by the English government the fact that the peril, which looked so imminent a day or two ago, has been staved off, perhaps to disappear altogether. The Standard, however, looks with apprehension to the state of public feeling in Germany. The Star protests against any interference whatever of England in the Luxemburg question. If Prussia yields to our urgency any point which otherwise she would have maintained, it will only be because she thinks we might join with France against her, and she is not prepared to fight half Europe. In other words, she will regard us as • dangerous enemy, or she will treat us with mere indif- ference and contempt. That is the plain English of the affair. That is what English intervention in such a way must mean. Thus if the aspect of aL►irs looks better for Europe than it did last week, it looks rather worse so far as England is alone concerned. THE LONDON AND BRIGHTON RAILWAY. If the statement just issued by the committee of inves tigation is to be accepted without qualification, the Times thinks the perversity of the management is ►lmost in credible. During the last nine years the capital—the sum on which interest has to be provided —was more than doubled, while the receipts, out of which the interest was to come, were little greater than before. It is without much surprise, therefore, that we find the company's stock, which had been at 2 premium in January, Utti6, standing at 13 discount in January, 1867, and at 40 discount just now. The present quota tions, however, must indicate panic rather than disparage ment. The company it is clear has been half ruined by profitless extensions, and the perversity with which the directon have pursued, through a tortuous and costly course, a policy which was only calculated, according to all presumption, to damage rather than enhance the profits of the line, is inexplicable. There might have been some defence for the directors' lines, as they have been termed, if they had been for the advantage of the oompany, but the dissentient shareholders declare that the pro posed branches would be utterly useless, not to say worse. Of the Surrey and Sussex Sir Charles Jackson asserted that it would actually compete with the company's own property, " would make the fifth line to Tunbridge-wells, and render their own line from the Three Bridges to Tunbridge-wells almost worthless." According, therefore, to this description of affairs, the Brighton ahareholders, with a millstone of obligations round their necks already, were expected to take upon their shoulders fresh liabilities, with no other result than the curtailment of their existing income. Many a board has been bullied into buying up a hostile line as the beet thing that could be done, but the Brighton board is charged with creating the lines first, in order to buy them up afterwards. With another reminder that the statement, though com ing from able and experienced inquirers, is still one-sided, the Tina concludes with quoting the whole story as another proof of the insufficiency of railway accounts as at present given to " the world." We learn only half the THE REFORM DISCUSSION. The Daily News says that the course of public opinion during the recess hu very mach disappointed those who voted against Mr. Gladstone's proposal. The " instinct" of an enlightened public opinion has perceived that the cry of household suffrage is but a mockery. If all the amendments which radical genius has hitherto devised were carried ea bloc, the bill would not thereby be made a household suffrage bill u long as the personal rating clause is unreseinded. The best and most important of the number is that of Mr. Hibbert ; but, as a contempo- rary him shown, it gives the compounding landlord a pe cuniary motive for stipulating, as he would be certain to do, that the tenant shall not claim to vote in right of his house. Of course, if Mr. Disraeli, satisfied with having gained a victory on personal rating, is ready virtually to give it up, the bill may be made • good one, and the real liberals of the House of Commons should earseatly try to amend it ; but if personal rating is retained there will be an invidious distinction between two classes of borough electors more irritating than the old honest denial of the suffrage by the tones. Vitt eatirt. WINDSOR CASTLE, Aram 27. The Queen and Princess Beatrice rode on ponies yesterday afternoon in the grounds. Her Majesty drove out this morning, accompanied by Princess Louise and attended by the Hon. Flora Macdo nald ; Princess Beatrice went out walking. In the afternoon the Queen held a private Investiture of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath. Luncheon was nerved in the dining•room previous to the ceremony. Lonl Churchill arrived at the Castle yesterday, and had the honour of dining with the queen and the Royal Family. . __ APRIL . The Queen drove out yesterday afternoon. The Hon. Lady Biddulph had the honour of accompanying her Majesty. Princess Beatrice took a drive In an open carriage. Princess Louise, attended by Lady Churchill and Lord Alfred Paget, went to London last evening, and honoured the performance at the Prince of Wales's Theatre with her presence. The Hon. Mrs. Wellesley bad the honour of accompanying her Royal Highness. Her Royal Highness afterwards returned to Windsor Castle. Th• Queen, Princess Louise, Princess Beatrice, and Prince Christian, and the Ladies and Gentlemen in Wait ing, attended Divine Service this morning in the private chapel. The Rev. R. Duckworth preached the sermon. The Duke of Edinburgh, ►ttendel by the Hon. Eliot Yorke, visited her Majesty to-day, and remained to luncheon. The Duke of Buckingham arrived at the Castle yester• day, and had the honour of dialog with the Queen and the Royal Family. Mies Helps also arrived at the Castle. Lord Churchill left the Guile yesterday, The Prince of Wales rode out on Saturday, attended by Captidus Ellis. The Prince Wales attended divine service at the Chapel Royal, SL James's, yesterday morning. The communion service was read by the Rev. Thomas Helmore, the Rev. Dr. Vivian, and the Rev. G. A. F. Hart. Anthem, " Since by man came death," (Handel.) Sung by Master Coward, and Messrs. R. Baruby, Ben. son, and Lawler. Mr. Cooper presided at the organ. The sermon was preached by the Rev. G. A. F. Hart, from 1 tit. John, ch. 5, v. 4. The Duke of Edinburgh, attended by the Hon. Eliot Yorke, arrived at Clarence•house yesterday morning, from Marseilles. A Cabinet Council was on held Saturday at the official residence of the First Lord of the Trea sury, in Downing-street. The Ministers pre sent were the Earl of Derby, the Lord Chancellor, the Duke of Marlborough, the Earl of }Lames bury, the Right Honourable Spencer H. Walpole, Lord Stanley, the Duke of Buckingham, Sir John Pakington, Sir S. Northcote, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Right Hon. H. T. L. Corry, the Duke of Richmond, Lord J. Manners, and the Right Hon. Gathorne Hardy. A Committee of the Lords of her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council was held at the Privy Council Office, Whitehall, on Saturday, on the subject of the mottle plague. The Lords present were the Lord President and Lord Robert Montagu. Mr. Harrison and Dr. Alexander Williams attended the committee. Several gentlemen, members of the corporation of London, and of the vestries and district boards of the metropolis, introduced by Mr. R. W. Crawford, M.P., Captain Grosvenor, M.P., and Alderman Lusk, M.P., had an interview with the Right Hon. Sir Stafford Northoote at the Board of Trade on Saturday on the subject of the Metropolis Gas Bill. Despatches were received at the Colonial-office on Saturday from the Governor of Gibraltar. Despatches were sent to the Governors of the North American Pro vinces. The Chancellor of the Exchequer and Mn.s Disraeli arrived in town on Saturday from Hughenden Manor, Bucks. PRINCE OF WALFA'S THEATIM —Their Royal Highnesses the Princess Louise and Prince Arthur, at tended by Lady Churchill, the Hon. Mrs. Wellesley, Lord Alfred Paget, and Major Elphinstone, honoured this theatre with their presence oriasturclayevening to witness the new comedy of Caste. The Marchioness of Lansdowne and family are paving the holidays in Paris. The youthful Marquis of Lansdowne arrived in London on Saturday, and has since left town on his way to Oxford to resume his studies at the above university. Lord Stanley has issued cards for assemblies on Wednesday next and on Wednesday, the Bth of May, at his official residence in Downing-street. The Earl and Countess of Derby will return to St. James•s-square on Wednesday from their suburban residence at Roehmunton, where they have been passing the moms. The annual festival of the Artists' General Bene volent Institution will take plate on the 18th of May, Mr. Anthony Trollops presiding. The family of the late Mr. C. W. Bennett, the artist, is left unprovided for. It was not until quite late that Mr. Bennett's position commanded liberal remunera ' tion, and his health was always so delicate as to preclude him from insuring his life. An afternoon amateur per formance for the benefit of Mr. Bennett's family will shortly be given at the Adelphi Theatre, in which some well-known literary gentlemen, and Miss Kate Terry— who, it is understood, is shortly about to retire from the stage—will take part. Contributions will be received in the meantime by Mews. Glyn, Mills, and Co. ; the R•v. Cheeks Kingsley, Everaley, Winchfield ; Mr. Mark Lemon, Puack Office, Fleet-street ; Mr. J. Everett Millais, 7, Cromwell-place, South Kensington ; Mr. Shirley Brooks, 6, Kent•terrace, Regent's Park ; Agnew and Sons, Man chester, Liverpool, and London ; Bradbury, Evans, and Co., Whitefriars. The operas announced for this week at Her Ma jesty's Theatre are Verdi's I Lombardi (to•morrow and Thursday nights—first time for many years), and the Haeuraas (Saturday). The operas at Covent Garden for the current week are Faust e Margherita (to-night) ; Afaaaniello (to morrow—first time) ; La Notre di Figaro (Thursday—tint time); and 11 Barbiere di Sirigiut (Saturday, for the first appearance of Mille. Adelina Patti, with a new Figaro in Signor Cotogni). Don Corks is shandy in preparation, A steam-packet communication between Swamp., in the Isle of Purbeck, and Poole, in Donetehire, is about to be established during the rummer. EXPRESS FROM PARIS. Ivor OUR OWN CORRESPONDINT.) PARIS, SUNDAY EVENING. The Opinion Nationale, whose editor, M. Gue roult, is one of the deputies for Paris, says of the scene in the Corps Legislatif, yesterday, when M. Schneider read M. Rouher's letter : The government communication throws no ray of light on the obscurity which oppresses us. M. Rooker told us nothing more than what we knew a fortnight ago, that the neutral powers have taken the initiative of propositions tending to the maintenance of peace. Uncertainty, there fore, subsists. The Minister of State's letter is neither rose-coloured, black, clear, obscure, pacific, nor warlike. It appears to us evident, after reading and re-reading it, that the government had no other object than to speak while saying nothing, and to furnish the bureaus a plau sible pretest for refusing M. Jules Favre's interpellations. _ . After referring to the rumours of a congress, and the rise at the Bourse yesterday, M. Gu6roult's journal says: We are of opinion that if things were in such an ad vanced state as people say, and if the situation were so well defined as the optimists at the Bourse pretend, the government might without inconvenience have given much fuller explanations of the new phase in which the Luxem burg question has entered. The extreme reserve main tained, is, for us, a proof that • pesosful solution is by no means so certain as speculators in the funds suppose. It is right to st►te that the Opinion Nationale belongs to the war party, which is furious at the prospect of the settlement of the Luxemburg ques tion without throat cutting. I happened quite un wittingly to hear a marshal of France say yes terday to a group of generals, " The news is true ! We are giving way" (c'eat tote remlade). The meaning of these few words was that the speaker was supremely dissatisfied with the sugges tion that Prussia would withdraw from Luxemburg if that sacrifice would induce France to make an engagement, with the great powers for witnesses, to think no more of removing her neighbours' land marks, and disclaim all idea of annexing Belgium and the Rhine. The generals, addressed by their superiors to the effect above stated, responded in an animated chorus—" This will never do for us; France has always been invincible: the Chambers—the country—must be roused and we must make no terms whatever." Such is, no doubt, the wild, the wicked, the bloodthirsty feel ing in military circles. The Emperor is, however, strong enough to repress this feeling if ho will. But the peril is that his views of his dynastic into. rests, with the general elections of 1869 coming on, may look to glory as the only means of stifling liberty. The LibertA is of opinion that the conference will break down in tionne, because Prussia will not eva cuate the fortress of Luxemburg before the negotia tions begin, and that France will not consent to negotiate so long as a Prussian garrison remains in Luxemburg without "a shadow of right." I take upon myself to say at once that if the difference turns on this point France must give way, or there AL GOUNOM NEW OPER!. The long-expected opera of Romeo and Juliet, by M. Gounod, was produced on Saturday at the Theitre I 4 yrique, Paris. The words of the opera are by MM. I. Bar bier and Michel Carr**. The entire story of the unfortunate lovers is told, from the fast meeting at the ball in the house of Capulet to the scene in the grave-yard. The opera contains some choice airs, but as in the case of Faust, the music is unequal. The two last acts are very beautiful. Madame Miolan Carvalho and M. Michot played the two principal charac ters, and were supported by Casaux, BarrE, Troy, Puget, and Mdlle. Daram. There was a perfect shower of bou quets daring the performance, and the applause with which the now work was received augurs for it a sumer equal to that of POlllll. A private letter from Paris, dated last Friday, says:—"One thing I noticed particularly that when I was here, a short time since, the Emperor used to ride along the Champs Elysees very rapidly, and scarcely say notice was taken of him. He did not seem popular. I have had an opportunity of seeing him several times this week, and he has invariably ridden very slowly and great homage was paid him. His hand was in perpetual motion returning the salutations and cheers of the populace." The imperial Russian ships of war Askold and Variag, lying at anchor at the Motherlank, off Ryde, com menced the celebration of the Easter festival of the Greek church at 12 o'clock p.m. on Saturday by • salute of 21 guns from each ship. The religious service on board com menced at the same time and lasted until 2 a.m. yester day. To-day being the birth-day of the Emperor, the ships " dress" in colours, and at noon fire a national salute in honour of the day. It is stated that arrangements have been made whereby the diplomatic difficulties anticipated with re spect to the concession granted by the Chilianand Bolivian governments to Mr. J. L. Annan, the well-known ship builder of Bonleaux, for the extraction of 1,500,000 tons of guano from the Mejillones guano deposits, which are described to contain over 10,000,000 of cubic tons, have been avoided, and that tranquil possession hu been taken in Mr. Arman's name. The bark Peru, shortly expected at Bordeaux, brings the first cargo . . . - The West India mails, when landed at Plymouth, will be forwarded by special train as far u Bristol. The Rhone, which arrived at Southampton yes terday with the West India and Mexican mail, brought no Australian or New Zealand mail. The West India inter colonial packet waited at Colon three days for the Aus tralian packet, and then left, the Australian packet not hav ing arrived at Panama. The Rhone brings deplorable news of the Emperor Maximilian. Ho was completely hemmed in by J murex, and it was thought impossible that he could escape capture. The Mexicans talked of shooting him, but it was believed that they would not adopt such an extreme measure as that. It is certain, however, that they are very much exasperated against him. When the inter colonial mail steamer was on her way to the Mexican Gulf, there were fifteen transports at Havannah with French troops from Vera Cruz. When the steamer re turned to Havannah, there were only two or three trans ports there ; all the rest had mailed for France. St. Thomas has become quite healthy again, and it was ex pected that the Atlantic steamers will return to that island again to trans-ship mails, cargo, and yammers. THE TRAGEDY AT BUCKHLIRST-BILL. LATEST PARTICULARS.—(THIS DAY.) STRANGE SCENE. BUCITHURST.HILL, MuNate. The young girl, Matilda Griggs, has become worse, in consequence, it is stated, of being thrown into • state of excitement by some proceedings which took place yesterday. It appears that large crowds of persons con. gregated in front of the house, and number of them re quested to be allowed to see the young woman. In nearly every case the request was refused ; but notwithstanding Dr. Flornoile strict injunctions that the patient should be kept perfectly quiet, two or three of her relatives, who had some a considerable distance to see her, were allowed to see her. The noise of the crowd outside ap. peered to excite the garl, and during the day she became very ill. Dr. Horne hill issued a written order strictly prohibiting any person, on any pretence whatever, going near the house without having first obt.ined from him • written order. If the notice be not attended with amis. factory results, the magistrates and the police will aid the medical gentleman in his endeavours. On Saturday night Mrs. Watkins, the moth er o f t h e prisoner, called upon the girl, and with the permission of the doctor she remained up with her the whole night, and she offered, it is stated, to remain with the patient night and day ; but her offer will not be accepted. The prisoner has been visited by his brother, and said to him, pointing to the priaon dreier, " What do you thi n k iof me nmy new uniform r. He has given a full account of his walk through Epping Forest after he left the girl its the field. He Nays, " When I was running away I heard her crying and I thought of returning to her, but then I thoeMt that the crying would soon stop, and I ran on. I bad sense enough not to go along the road for fear I might meet some one, so I ran across the fields. When I got to the Forest I felt as ff I was walking in my slneP, and I was startled several times for everything I saw 111 I was walking along looked like a policeman or somebody else. Whet I got to High Dealt I laid down on the grass under some trees. lout before I was going to sleep I took a packet of oxalic acid out of my pocket. It was so long. (The prisoner described it as being about from two to three inches long.) I put the end of it into my mouth, and bit it. It bee n% to boil in my mouth, and then I took another bite, but that boiled. I tried • third bite, and then I thought, ' This is worse than being hanged.' I then went to sleep for about three hours, and when I got to Epping it was 2 o'clock." A person asked the prisoner if he did not think that the devil was sear him when he attacked the girl, but the only reply he gave was a smile. He asked the prison warders why they had taken away his handkerchief, and when he was told, "For fear you should hang yourself," be rid , " I would rather leave the hanging of me to others." WESLEYAN METHODIST MISSIONS. (THIS DAY.) The annual meeting of the members of this asso ciation was held at Exeter Hall this day, the Loan Marog in the chair. The meetilf ate was very numerously attended, the large ball being com plete ly fi lled. The tiscairrxer read e report, which stated that since the last anniversary 27 missionaries and 12 wives of mis sionaries have been sent out. After deducting losses from deaths and other causes, there remained a net increase of 2,300 in the number of members of the society in the various missions. The report then gave detailed accounts of the operations of the missions in di ff erent parts of the world. The home receipts for the year were 109,2881.165. 6d., and the foreign receipts 38,8511. 18a. 3d., making a total of 148,1401. 14s. 9d. The payments amounted to 147,6811. 18e., so that the income of the year covered the expenditure, and left a small balance towards the reduction of the debt; but the regular receipts had this year been supplemented by donations to the amount of 7,0001., and by the repay. merit of 3,3551. advanced to chapel. Apart from these extraordinary helps, the income would have fallen at least 9000/. short of the expenditure, and in order to maintain the new miseioes in Italy, Hankow, and Bengal, as well as the other missions, it will be necessary to raise the income of the society to at least 150,0001. The Rev. W. ARTHUR, M.A., the president of the con ference, moved the first resolution, adopting the report, thealdully acknowledging the measure and prosperity, both spiritual and financial, which has marked the past year, and again devoutly commending the work and agents of the society to the care and blessing of Almighty God. This was seconded by the Rev. PETKR il'Osaa, of Be!. ton, and supported by the Rev. CHARLES GAIMIT, of Rochdale. The 141 v. Robert Spence Hardy, the Rev. Robert Joie; of Dublin, and the Rev. Dr. M'C'osh also addressed the meeting in support of the objects of the society. The ex-King of Hanover passed through Cahill on Saturday, says the Temps, on his way to London. It appears from official documents that in 1864 there were in France in every 10,000 marriages no Tele than 167 between relations. This proportion has been constantly increasing since 1861, when it was only in 10,000. The average term of life in France was as high as 38.2 years in 1860, but it has since fallen to 37.7 ; in 1861 it was 37.2, the lowest figure since 1847. In France the percentage of men who cannot read is 27.88 ; that of women 41.45, the general average being 34.66. There ban, however, been a great improvement in this respect since 1835, when the proportion was 39.92 per cent. The Mi. provement is greater in the country than in the towns. " EMANCIPATION DAY" AT WAsHINOTHN. —The coloured demonstration to-day (April 17) in commemors. Lion of their en.ancipation, was quite remarkable. The city . seemed transformed into the capital of some great African nation. The streets were truly darkened with manses of respectable coloured folks, male and female, well dressed, well behaved, and enthusiastic. The female American citizens of African descent turned into the open air in tremendous abundance, and looked as happy and proud as the fairest ladies of New York on a grand Gday of the famous Seventh Regiment, National uard. In fact, a spectacle was presented to astonish the bitterest enemies of the poor African. Among Southerners who viewed the demonstration were some who bad to con. fess that Samba showed himself to-day in a favourable aspect, and that he is to be a power in the land for the future. In the procession were banners, flogs, bands of music, companies of Zouaves, mounted marshals with gay regalia, hundred' of horsemen, stages and carriages. Is many cases a white man was beheld driving a stage-load el fashiceably.dressed coloured genimen. The procreation went through the principal streets, and cheered loudly in front of the Herald, Tribune, and Cincinnati annescreiel offices and Willard's Hotel. Thus far I have only beard of one little occurrence of an unplethant nature during the demonstration. When the procession was passing the corner of Fourteenth and F streets, a white man, having a horse and cart, attempted to drive through the mom; mass of shouting Africans. He was immediately driven beck by indignant coloured people, amid derisive shouts and the laughter of both whites and blacks. Every time he essayed to drive through his efforts were attended with the same result, and for a while there seemed a proba bility of a repetition of the scenes in New York during the last St. Patrick's procession; but the peaceful interposition of some white people of good sense nipped the riot In the bud. Among the distinguished people who reviewed the procession were President Johnson, at the White House, and Governor Sharkey, of Mississippi, from the steps of Willard's Hotel. A proof of democracy in the cabinet was given by Secretary McCulloch yesterday, who was coolly asked by one of the coloured messengers of his office for the loan of his horse, in order that his sable sr plicant might figure in the procession of to-day as use of the marshals. The secretary promptly granted the request, remarking that he thought it wouldn't hurt the horse.— Nem York Herald. MIL PEABODY AT HIS BIRTHPLACE. —The Ameri• can papers report a reception given to Mr. George res• body, at Danvers, Massachusetts, his birthplace. Twelve hundred scholars from the various schools of the town were formed in procession, and marched through venoms streets of the place about noon, heisted by • band GI music, and received Mr. Peabody at the large universalist church, which was crammed to overflowing. Closing 5 brief address to the children, Mr. Peabody sal — I have but little advice to give you. Your parents and teachers are much better qualified to judge of your needs of that kind ; but it is safe to say—Endeavour oonstantly to practice the virtues of truth, honesty, punctuality, and fidelity in the sliecharge " duty. Be kind to all, especially to your schoolmates. Beware of the vices of envy and jealeusv, and remember that there is room enough in the world . for every one le perform well his part and gain distinction without die. paraging others. Cherish the habit of looking at the merits rather than the faults of your companions, sof cultivate the Christian virtues of forbearance sod forgive. ness. Do all this and you will find your reward eves in this world and a still greater in that which is to come. Farewell. FEARFUL RAILWAY ACCIDENT. —SHIELDS, SATES DAv SlOHT.—Another alarming accident has just °cord on the Tynemouth branch of the North• Eastern Railway! which has caused great consternation among the crowds of people who travel on the line on a Saturday night. Tbe 7 o'clock train from Newcastle to Tynemoutls, and heatill laden with passengers, was running between the Hordes and Percy Main stations, when a terrible cr.uili was hoed among the third-class carriages, followed by load saran. ing and shouting. As soon as the train was stopped it sos found that it had been struck by a lifeboat, being . 04 from Blyth to Lonslon projecting over a goods MIA palming up which had canted away a Limp iron and sinashal In some of 'the woodwork of the carriages. Two Pe'll had been struck by the iron splinters, and they appemee to be dying The train was brought with all despatch to North Shields, and the injured persons were teken to IN. Scott's surgery in a cab. They proved to be Ellen smith , the wife of a hawker, living at South Shields, and Elizabeth Knight, a little girt 12 years of age, slaughter of a black smith in Chnrch-street, North Shields. Mrs. Smith is labouring under a concussion of the brain, and there W some hopes of her rve. But the poor little girls skull is fractured, and sh e is not likely to live u ntil the morning. C Bitting in Bs At the site again called The Solidi mid a letter friend Mr. C Mating he and unable I morrow. M conclusion M case might to be able to The Lord of Mr. Gofer ther argumei but they 139 The Salim engagement) he hal fini Kingdon to General then nips! legal Hostyn (Ls s,( in 18 code which The Lord denos was c six weeks in contended th other parish lady had also of things th, depend. The Bolicit4 withstanding of 1825 was AI pointed out b [The learne when the rep( The bankri Paris, who ha in this eountr custody, madi taken place, b The bankru due to credit.] had been bac country. lin creditors then Mr. Sydney peered for thr and the relesi The bankrt He obtained ruptcy only ■ for a debt of This was the • accounts had His Homan gave protectic The bankru Temple-bar. Mr. Please adjournment pensation of 2 Courts for giv Adjourned I The bankru and New•erom nation end dim to Imam by debta. He on 2,0921. on sot nothing had le that the wig' ridge, the soli, to look into th Mr. Sykes n "rangentent in the pound; been bankrupt creditors wide though all, the bankrupt'i 1863. : Hu Honour The bankrui tion, formerly village Bast, Portmaa•syuar Lion. This Ls a to losses on sh: be had received 8,8911. Amom Bantry, for 1, usual formaliti ZITRAOR Mr. Simms buildings, Ten behaving in an Edmund Cu about half in front of tl was called to away up Bow- The prisoner he was the del The two wome tection, but th round the cons fered with as became so very take him to th 4 The two you had failed to a In answer t very sorry, and and got very di occurrence. Mr. Flowers that he was the Wither—ye WILY they ran ► Mr. Flowers hare been ► Yee as it is, I shall Mary Jones, charged before and assaulting Haymarket, an No. 22, Great I atte ose mptin h for J said tha p t abort! prisoner Jones came in she kis leave when reit of the pollee, wl chairs in t he While the oonst • number of per sod Adams trio In reply to N had been drinki Adams was sobs that she should Adams denied to the station. Jones said A, brought to the c Jeremiah Meg Meer, who was he got outsii sot hat was ki female prisoner Mins, and pullin f emale Prisoner Adams denied Wm. Ificklebi on when Ad the red and blac saw Jones strike L__Arlams said ""oled he p said be would pi , he did 00t know %maid not ha*, etristables bat o with. attemptizu stmlung the eons 'MY ba Hr. idly lsuudield an d d ried N. o r a nio , ." °ll6 / 11 1, would Anne WU/kw 11ra.hMtain I u " , ao. York-etre * DMus came into lnin'eber of t Pelson re tot *me time °b 'ld that ahe ,auct took the chi zw Wine time m, for it. IN R THI