The Express. — London, England, 1866-04-09 00:00:00

ij I~,: Ii t ~r t~ JOHN BROGDEN. O RIGINAL GOLD CHAIN MANUFACTOR Y, 14, ILLITRUUTLATRAKT, COVANZOLLOILIL JOHN BROODZWI3 18-carat GOLD MAINE" JOHN BROGDER'S GOLD GUARD C 1 8. JOHN BROODEN'S GOLD ALBERT CHAINS. JOIRI BROGDIEVS GOLD BROOCH CHAINS. TIIRTL E, TURTLE, TURTLE. Mar Y'M old Invalid TURTLE 9011P9 awns ready. er JAWIS-WALL. itionNzeralarr, PIOCADIDLLY. WM. DONALD, kropristor. MO WEST-END DINERS.—The WELLING - .11. TON, St. James's-street, Piccadilly. ladles' Saloon DMus-roam on the first door. The aakamiptioa rooms are now coma Terms, twelve months, Ll IL. so.; di months, it la— Apply to D. Cameron. 49. St iernee'arirreL LONDON most have a SUPPER and MUSIC 10011 for Oenttemea—ltaatember, ere malt tee pot at " IVALNIr," elm the Caveat Osaka Opera aad the lustros. Ehe earitrtoo. TO CORATSPOWDZIITS. &enlistments intended for " The Ewer," London Ives tai Or, met be at the Once, 10, limeade-street, by Two ck on the day of publication. HAYMARKET. THin EM U°, A 2.OMANTIC ATTACHMENT. Mamma OVVaadW. Farm ; Mlin AdsCavondlia.—THE NATOBITI ITUNIL Mean Buckitone. Chippendale, and Both ; YR CElppladals, etc—Aad A DAUGHTII3. TO MARRY: PRINCESS'S. TEN STEM % • GHOST IN SPITE OF HIMSELF.—After et** THE STREETS OF LONDON. Mama Vining. T. Mead, D. Mom, Shore. and VIM(' ;Yn H. USTIO•00., and MI E. Bornida and IL. Radian LYCEUM. Two Eviorwro,llll3oBo.ll AND 00.—And THE M& OF RAVENSWOOD. Mow& Focht's, G. Jordon. Veda, Esiwy, Wlddicomb, Fittpataick, ; lesasmas Term% Mwatly, laves% sad C lisolereq. - - - - Tntrr Airm. irgis sminte, TIM DARK KING OF TKO BLACK MOM FAIN& Nis Clink St Cease, THE Line —Muter R. Bfiecleee —The &hare Famlly.—And 800117811 CUIP. lir. James Anderson. HIOII-WATER AT LONDOIf-BEIDOIL TEE 9 D 7h. AY —Morning, gen Afternoon, Ad Ms. TO-MOlAoM—lforning, 9h. Urn Afternoon, 9h. 6.1 m. LONDON, MONDAY, APRIL 9. Tam present period of uncertainty, when the out break of another continental war may be almost daily expected, affords a marked contrast with that which prevailed just seven years ago. Now, as then, we see the usual feature of a fall in Consols, and an accompanying deterioration in other securi ties, especially the foreign funds, but there is, not withstanding, an entire absence of the panic which proved so disastrous in 1859. Yet it cannot be denied that the circumstances of the present day are at least as grave as they were in that year. As far al English interests are concerned, there is no question that they are far more likely to be prejudiced by a conflict between the two great German Powers than by a mere localised expedition for the liberation of Italy. Our modern financiers, however, look upon the more serious contingency with an equanimity that was altogether wanting in the last political crisis of Europe. Whether it happens that the sudden transitions in the past five years have habituated the public mind to any change however unexpected, and thus, as it were, rendered it callous to danger, or simply that events are now considered with a cooler and more deliberate judgment than hereto fore, the effect is the same. In 1859 a mere rumour, which on the face of it was untrue and absurd, was of sufficient power to ruin half the members of the Stock Exchange. To-day not only are vague re porta totally disregarded, but even the best founded statements of facts receive comparatively little attention. It is possible that we are running int o the extreme of over confidence, as formerly we passed through a state of inordinate panic. The fact, however, remains, that if Austria and Prussia are determined to fight, the monetary classes in England—that is to say, the most sensitive portion of the community—are prepared for the present, a t all events, to look on with perfect complacency. It is earnestly to be hoped that their trust will not be misplaced, although it would be useless to shut our eyes to the possibility that the war may acquire such an extent and character that the sheer force of events may drag us most unwillingly into the struggle. The first effect upon our money market of the outbreak of war will probably not seem unfavour able. Its tendency will certainly be to lower the rate of discount. The comparative stoppage of our German trade will, in a great degree, close one of the best avenues for the employment of capital, and cause the supply for other purposes to appear unusually large. As every department of com: menu is also more or less affected by political dis turbances, the general demand for money will most likely be lower than in ordinary times. Again, in pees of war, revolution, and the like, capitalists abroad are apt to send large suns to England for safe custody until the temporary crisis in their own country shall have passed away. It is well known that on the outbreak of the civil war in America considerable amounts were remitted here both from North and South, to be withdrawn again on the re-establishment of peace. As it is impossible to judge how far the other con tinental nations will be eventually involved in the struggla,commenced by the two German Powers, this movement of capital is calculated to be on a greater scale than usual. Not only, therefore, will England be the repository of the accu mulations of the richer classes of Austria and Prussia, but large sums will likewise in all probability be sent from Italy, Russia, and perhaps France. The result will be an appa rent superabundance of money in London, and a consequent competition for its safe employment. Again, there can be no doubt that English capitalists will be disposed to exercise extreme caution as long as the political crisisshows signs of con tinuance. We have more than once had occasion to remark that low rates of discount in the market do not conclusively show that to the great body of traders money is easy. They often imply, espe cially in seasons like the present, that first-class bills are few and in good demand, while second class paper is negotiated with difficulty. Setting aside, however, this question, the apparent tendency will doubtless be, considering all the circumstances, to cause a decline in the rate of interest which can hardly be checked for the present, except by the negotiation of loans for the purposes of the war. There appears little chance of this contingency. Austrian credit has been so injured by excessive expenditure and bad financial policy, that an attemptto issue a new series of bonds in the London market is out of the question. Prussia stands higher in this respect, but her late course of action in political matters, and the arbi trary and unconstitutional proceedings of her pre seat rulers, have effectually indisposed the British public to give her any sort of assistance, even if, commercially speaking, it could be dons with any safety. Although the more speculative securities in the 11[1 1 , 1 It 18. 111,1 1 I :, I ' 1 ' I i 1 • I" 1. . '1 1 , t II 1 !1 1 1 1 t',' ,• !1 t 1 ' 9 I li '• I lil 1 • ~; 10 I' .-. ..... 1 I °', r , 1 i1:1 ;1. ; , ' ..3, . I ' 1 11 . i I j'i• I I, t . 1 ....; ' i ' • .1 I ' I ' - • 1 li• ;'.l • , 1 El I ". . 1 11 I i s I , 1 )11 II - `TH . ,; • English market appear to be duilyenclinis anticipation of war, there is mane ground _ ing that Consols will not be permanently depressed. The ewes whish have for some time depreciated thie Roo, favourite security have been often pointed out, but apply almost entirely to English proprie 'taw: Tfie continually increasing cost of living *mild, under any circumstances, have compelled many small fundholders to realise their capital little by little, from the impossibility of existing on their incomes alone, even if the temptation had not been offered of a hundred diflb rent modes of investment, promising double, or more than double, the now inadequate return of little over three per cent. But the same argu ment does not apply to the foreign investor. As a rule the latter class are few, but have large indi vidual holdings ; the English proprietors are nu merous, but possessing small amounts. A foreigner has not, therefore, the same inducements to sell, or rather they do not operate in an equal degree as with a native holder. In the former case perfect security is the main object ; in the latter it is tem pered by the desire of receiving a fair return from the invested capital. In the period before, and in deed for some time after, thegold diacoveriesand the rapid increase of wealth, the possessors of small fixed incomes suffered but little inconvenience, but cir cumstances are materially altered now. Hence for a long time past sales of stock, moderate in indi vidual amount but large in the aggregate, have constantly been pressed. On the other hand, pur chases have been comparatively scarce. Some years ago it was an invariable rule that Consols never fell below 90 without bringing in a multitude of small buyers, who speedily carried the stock beyond that price. The times are altered now, nor does the old state of things appear likely for a long while at least to return. It is not at all impossible, how ever, that foreign capitalists, tired of the constant perturbations and uncertainty in continental poli tics, may experience a growing inclination to take an investment which at least offers perfect security, and this is precisely the feeling which the present quarrel is likely to increase. Although we have endeavoured to show that in a commercial point of view the immediate interests of England do not appear materially affected by the heavy misfortune now hanging over Europe, yet it would be impossible to ignore the fact theta war be tween Austria and Prussia, however it may end, must inevitably cause deplorable results, checking the progress of civilization in a degree which it is tili ng to think of. OUR CONTEMPORARIES. (THIS DAY.) YS cmentrrosz's Banos!) SPEECH. Comprehensive as Friday's oration was, the nsses searches vainly ass in the speech of Thursday for the leading principles governing the reform proposals of the Cabinet, for argument. to convince antagonists, or for reasoning tore-assure doubters. Instead of such things, which would assuredly have been pertinent to the occa sion, it finds a vain repetition of sentiments, which can be shown to be essentially meaningless, some strange mis statement* of fact, much misapprehension, if not misrepre sentation, of opponents, and a complete evasion of the real difficulties of the reform question. The issue which be puts before the country is a false one. The question is not whether there shall be any re form or none, but whether the legislature shall commit itself to certain enfranchising clauses without knowing the constituencies where they will be operative. Parliament, as a deliberative and far-seeing assembly, very naturally objects to such an abdication of its func tions. Those members of the House of Commons who have expressed their intention of trusting the government to this unparalleled extent have, with almost the single exception of Mr. Bright, expressed their disapprobation of the demand upon them ; but Mr. Gladstone charges all those who remember their duty to their country and hesitate to follow him blindly, with a dis like of all reform. There is no warrant for such langua3e. It appears that it is the spectacle of the civi' war in Ame rica which has driven the ardent apologist of small boroughs into profuse declarations of demiocratio belief. But surely be might have remembered that with an unreformed con stitution his own country stood almost alone against armed Europe. That the civil war should be net:emery to solve a political problem is itself a slur on the representative sys tem of the States. - The Daily News thinks that the writers who complain that Mr. Gladstone's first speech lacked fire and earnest ness, will find no defect of these qualities in his second. He has given himself the rein, and shown in his lanpage a real enthusiasm for the principle which his measure embodies. The assumed coldness in par liament of the minister, was a mistake in tactics, and since the government h►ve allowed them elves to seem as earnest as they always were, almost all the unfavour able symptoms have disappeared. His words will receive their practical application to-morrow through the mouth of Earl Russell, who we may be sure will tell the members of the liberal party whom he has summoned to Downing street that the government ts:'l not consider their work finished when Cey have secured the second reading of the bill, but that the defeat of the government upon any of its important provisions at any stage of its progress, will be followed either by resignation or dissolution ; and no one fancies that ministers will resign. Honest adversaries Of the franchise bill will be unaffected by the prospect of dissolution. They ought to rejoice in the opportunity of giving proof of their sincerity and emphasis to their opinions. If they believe that the national sentiment is with them, they will welcome an appeal to it. The Pest eritieces in en unfavourable sense the various arguments of Mr. Gladstone's speech, the tone and tenor of which will be regretted, it thinks, by not a few of his best friends. The good cause of opposition must accept his announcements with composure and confidence. It will not fail for want of leaders. A measure forced by politioal finesse and organised agitation—carried at the ex pense of the independence of the legislature and in defiance of public opinion—would serve to undermine the founda tion upon which the fabric of society and the institutions of the country are established. The Herald describes the Amphitheatre 'peach as a mag nificent begging of the whole question. Before the week is over Mr. Gladstone w:11 be reawakened to the truth that the House of Commons in session is not a public meeting, and that arguments held good by the thousands of Lanca shire must be exchanged for another set of a totally diffe rent character. As to what has been promised, there has been no promise whatever of a simple suffrage bill unac companied by legislation upon collateral subjects. Mr. Gladstone'' praise of the working classes does not justify a TI. any more than it would an 81. or a V. franchise bill. Does it vindicate the lodger clauses or the 14/. county suffrage, or the scheme for appropriating county votes to boroughs? It is the merest declamation, and entirely wide of the mark. No one can deny, the T'ekgreeple says, that the mom has sent the government back to parliament with an extraor dinary increase of strength. The Reform Bill is no longer • mere cabinet measure ; the country has written on it, " Le Potpie le reut e' and, sooner or later, success in every stage is sure to follow that endorsement. The Telegraph has been surprised at the ardour and intelligence mani fested by the great constituencies. It did not hope for demonstrations so general and influential as these twelve days have witnessed ; the time was too short ; the duty had to be left completely to the spontaneous action of the community, and the bill, moreover, though thoroughly good, was not of • character to provoke instan taneous enthusiaarn. The more credit, therefore, to the sagacity with which city, town, and riding have compre hended and universally supported it. Proud of a leader whose very name is • certain guarantee that he will persist in the peat watt he has undertaken, let the people support him till the triumph of his and their cause is undeniably centred, The Sore thinks Mr. Gladstone must now have mild too mash for the Tiamoddok will accordingly alter Ms teelica. When • minister makes reform only one topic of a. sposch, he is told that he is proving himself careless about it. When at the fit place and time he throws his whole soul i~ WES heit4o mow and lies ing language. the q' down MONDAY theieit is mite to be reit aidate the House of Caen by the anew of threaten- MI MEWS FROM ORRMOTY. The Times findssid'esast parallel between the events ihr tem years ago, when a aloud of war between Austria and Prussia was suddenly dispersed through the failing heart of the late King of Prussia, and the state of affairs which seems probable at the present moment. Fortune , so long tied to the oar of Count Bismarck, seems on the point of deserting him, end the King appears now to insist on the maintenance of peace. The in terim°e of the Tina from the late proceedings is that there is a fair chance that the peace of Europe will not be vio lated. After having refused to fight for such a prise as Schleswig-Holstein, it does not seem likely that the King of Prussia will draw the sword merely on the question whether the two powers will submit their differences ac. cording to the Fundamental Act, or whether they will con tent themselves with mutual assurances of amity and good wilL The question is like most German quarrels ;it rises into some degree of interest as soon as there is a chance of either party coming to blows, and subsides into tameness and insipidity as soon as that crisis has passed away. The Daily News takes a different view of the latest announcements, which it thinks are not of a nature to encourage the hopes of the preservation of peace. All it can gather from the Prussian answer to the Austrian de claration of March 31, is that Count Bismarck will go on his way, advancing to his end without look ing to the right hand or to the left, or wasting words with anybody. If this is a sound in forms*, the danger of war is great indeed ; for if Count Bismarck has used language as menacing as this on some former occasions, he has never done a) under circumstances which lent so much gravity to a decision. It is now three years since Count Bismarck declared in the Prussian parliament that the territorial boundaries of Fronds were too narrow, and that they must be enlarged by means of " fire and steel." Some saw in his words a foreshadowing of the atrocious policy whiob he has since so steadily pursued, but it is most unfortunate for Ger many that the late ministers of the Emperor of Austria were not of the number. The Austrian government has given the minor states notice of its intention to appeal to the Diet to settle the political status of the Duchies. When that body has given its decision, Prussia must either give way or fight. There is no other possibly leans. The Pod also thinks that the chances of pesos are, if anything, diminished by the note of the Cabinet at Berlin. Prussia will not discontinue the mobilisation of her armies, and asks Austria to do so under conditions which reader' her compliance impossible. On the attitude which France may think proper to assume will, however, in a great de see depend the policy of the Cabinet at Berlin, and what that attitude may be is still uncertain. The Herald considers it not impossible that Austria may nes the Czar's offer of mediation to offer terms to Prussia which will give her substantially what she wants whilst they do not look like a complete surrender on the Austrian side. To the TelegrapA the tempest appears to be gathering on every side. All that can be said in favour of a pacific solution is, that German powers speak much and threaten often before taking decisive action. WS TOPICS. The Times reminds its readers that the Fenian con. 'piracy has produced some benefits both in Ireland and Canada. It has especially shown that no appreciable sec tion of the Canadian people desire to out in their lot with the United States, and it has materially advanced the ques tion of provincial confederation. A different feature in the affair is that it shows us what is still left unforbidden by laws which are presumed to keep nations at peace with each other. The Penises, we are assured, and we willingly believe, will not be allowed to cross the British frontier if the Americans can prevent them ; but it is surely worth while to consider whether such overt and undisguised professions of • purpose heinously unlawful might not be brought under the, cognisance of law as well as the at tempt itself. Mr. Lowe having bad the praise of boldness is now, the Daily News observes, a candidate for that of ingenuity, his explanations of his March speech leaving the impres sion of a man who wants to retreat from a polition which he had assumed with much ostentation, but to do so with out being seen to fall back. This the Daily News proceeds to show by extracts from the speech referred to, before which, it maintains, the explanation given to the electors of Caine that his words referred entirely to the existing con stituencies and bad no reference to the MUM of the working population, entirely disappears. The Star enters with some detail into the claim to the position of a royal princess advanced by a private indivi dual, Mrs. Lavinia Ryves, a claim which it is probable will be brouz,ht to a legal issue in the course of next month. The statement of Mrs: Ryves is briefly this— that George IlL's marriage with Queen Charlotte was an act of bigamy, his former and lawful wife, Hannah Lightfoot, being still alive. From all the circumstances of the case the Star anticipates that the trial will prove an interesting and curious addition to our collection of causes celeores. RELIGIOUS FEELING IN ITALY. The correspondent of the Debate, at Naples, writes as follows:—" I have spoken of the troubles at Barletta and the organisation in Naples of • catholic conservative association for the defence of religion and justice. The connexion between these two facts is now discovered. A vast conspiracy was to have broken out in Naples on St. Joseph's-day, which is the anniversary of Garibaldi and Rossini. The clerical party, who expected that a great demonstration wouldbe made on that day by the radicals, desired to wake use of it for their own purposes, but the expected demon stration not having taken place the execution of the con spiracy was postponed t s the 31st March—Holy Saturday. As it appears from the papers which have fallen into the hands of the authorities, the design was to fall on the English and German protestants when they were leaving their churches. Two priests wero the most active agents in the plot. Several arrests were wade. Five of the prisoners obtained permission to go to Rome. Why they were not kept in Naples to be tried with the others nobody can tell. One of them was con demned to forced labour in 1862 fora political offence but was subsequently pardoned. The clericals have been greatly annoyed because, for the first time, carriages were allowed to circulate this year on the days of Holy Thurs day, Friday, and Saturday. This was an old Spanish cus tom. tinder the two last Bourbon Kings, the trains on the Caserta Railway, which belongs to the government, were not allowed to run on these days." The Diritto reports that the people of Pisa ordered a medal to be struck in commemoration of the massacre at Barletta. One side contains the name of victims, the other an iscripton to the following effect :—" To the victims of religious fanaticism fomented and led by Roman catholic apostolic priests who on the 19th of March, 1866, covered with infamy the innocent people of Barletta, and brought mourning and misery upon whole families ; and the popular °militia of Pisa, in a meeting held on the Ist of April in the same year, have decreed this medal to be struck as • perpetu►l memorial of the dead." A copy of the medal would be sent to the fami lies of the slain. At the same meeting it was resolved to request Garibaldi and Massini to inaugurate a collection on their behalf. Tan IRISH CHURCH. —One of the first questions with which the House of Commons has to deal on its re assembling is that of the church establishment in Ireland. Sir John Gray's motion, which was postponed in conse quence of the debate on the Reform Bill, being down for to-morrow night. Since the notice was first given its terms have been altered, and it now stands as follows :—" That the position of the established church in Ireland is a just mass of dissatisfaction to the people of that country, and urgently demands the consideration of parliament." Of the ministerial appointments rumoured by some of our contemporaries s week or two IMO u likely to take place, that of Mr. Knatehbull-Hagemen to the ruder -Secretaryship for the Home Department is (says the Seedily Graiette; the only one which i;olliodelly settled. In anticipation of a dissolution of parliament Yr. Bernal Osborne lac lamed his addrome to the @looters of Waterford county. - Viscount Milton, M.P., whose meant accident is tbs lusalleg field has horn already notioed in our solumns,arrived in town oa Thane*. gran Wentworth House, nazi Fitswillianes seat in Yorkshire. The noble •issonnt left town on Saturday for Brighton APR: \‘L'ldw rg'\ ‘" ' INTELLIGENG LA' AUSTRIA AND PRUSSIA. The Avenir Nationa/ of to-day says :—" The" situation has not been modified to any great extent since yesterday, but the eurteat' of news still runs in the direction of war. As yet we are without precise information ss to the effect produced in Vienna by the Prussian note, but if we may judge from the tone of the ministerial journal it was not well received. Either Prussia, they say, will ac cept the jurisdiction of the Diet, and in tit* case she will submit to the judgment pronounced on the question of the duchies ; or she will refuse and then there will be no time to lose in coming to a federal execution. We are already aware from the reply of Prussia, that she has no intention of recognising the validity of a federal decree, and still leas of asking for it. Most of the smaller States are openly preparing for war. Their feeling of hostility to the policy of Prussia is well known at Berlin, but this cir cumstance seems to have had no influence on Count von Bismarck, the arrogance of whose conduct is as marked as ever. The question now is to know ou whom he relies for support in his determined policy." (aserza's munzAws.) BRUSSELS, Aran 9. The Independanee Beige of to-day elfin= that the Duke of Coburg has communicated directly to the King of Prussia letters of a conciliatory character which he had received from Count Mensdorff. The same paper states positively that after a cor respondence between the Emperor of Russia and the King of Prussia the former sovereign sent Gen. Richter to Vienna to call upon Austria to disarm. Austria, it is said, will probably make her disar mament conditional upon Prussia's also disarming, It is believed that the intervention of Russia, though it may not lead to any settlement of the difficulty, will nevertheless prevent for some time any further complication. PRUSSIA. BERLIN, Aran. 9. It is reported that Count Bismarck intends to propose the convocation of a German parliament. HUNGARY. PEISTH, ATM 9. The Hetilap, the organ of Baron Botvoi, pub lishes an article, stating that the conflict between Austria and Prussia offers to Hungary a favourable opportunity of carrying out the scheme of constitu tional reform, giving Hungary and Austria separate CHINA. HONG KONG, Fn. 27. San Wang, the leader of the Nyenfei, was shot from the walla of Krayinchow. His followers are reported to be in the neigh bourhood of Chow-Chow-foo. 11i, Court. WINDSOR CASTLE, Aran, 7. The Queen drove out yesterday afternoon, and went out in the grounds this morning, accompanied by Princess Helena. To-day is the anniversary of the birthday of Prince Leopold. Prince Arthur, attended by Major Elphinstone, arrived at the Castle from Greenwich•park. Princess Louise and Prince Leopold drove in the grounds, accompanied by Prince Arthur on horseback. The Dean of Westminster and Lady Augusta Stanley had the honour of dining with the Queen and the royal family yesterday. Colonel Gambier, Royal Artillery, arrived at the Castle to-day. Aran. 8. The Queen drove out yesterday afternoon in a carriage and four, accompanied by Princess Helena, Prince's Louise, and Princess Leiningen. The Queen, Princess Helena, Princess Louise, Prince Arthur, Prince Leopold, Princess Beatrice, and Princess Leiningen, and the Ladies and Gentlemen in Waiting, at. tended Divine service this morning in the private:chspeL The Rev. D. Moore, chaplain in ordinary to the Queen, preached the sermon. The Duke of Somerset had an audience of the Queen. Mr. John Parry had the honour of performing upon the piano and singing at Windsor Castle, on Saturday, before the Princess Helena, Princess Louise, Princess Beatrice, Prince Arthur, and Prince Leopold, and the Ladies and Gentlemen in Waiting. The following ladies and gentlemen had the honour of being invited to be present :—Lieut. General the Hon. C., Hrs., and Kiss Grey ; Lady Mary and Miss Hood, Major- General, Lady Emily, and the Misses Seymour (2) ; Major-General Sir T. M. and the Hon. Lady Biddulph ; Colonel Gambier, and Colonel H. Ponsonby. A Cabinet Council was held on Saturday, at the official residence of the First Lord of the Treasury in Do street. The ministers present were Earl Russell, the Lord Chancellor, Earl Granville, the Duke of Aru ' n, Sir George Grey the Earl of Clarendon, the Right Hon. Edward Cardwell, the Marquis of Hartington, Earl de Grey, the Chan cellor of the Exchequer, the Duke of Somerset, the Right Hon. T. Milner Gibson, Lord Stanley of Alderley, the Right Hon. G. J. Goschen, and the Right lion. C. P. Villiers. A committee of the Lords of her Majesty's MostHononr able Privy Council met on Saturday in the Council Cham ber, 'Whitehall, on the subject of the cattle plague. Present :—The Lord President, Lord Stanley of Alderley, Sir George Grey, Bart., the Right Hon. T. Milner Gibson, the Right Hon. G. J. Goschen, Colonel Harness, R.R., and Mr. Harrison (deputy clerk of the °puma.) attended the committee. Despatches were sent on Saturday from the Colonial office to the Governors of the Falkland Islands, Canada, and the Bahamas. APPROACHING MARRIAGE OF THE PRINCESS MARY OF CAMBRIDGE. We (Post) have reason to believe that the pre liminaries are arranged for a marriage between her Royal Highness Princess Mary of Cambridge and the Prime of Teck. Herßoyal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge had a select party at Cambridge Cottage, Kew, on Saturday evening. His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge and Prince Tea were among the guests. Yesterday morning the Ducheu of Cambridge and the Princess Mary, the Duke of Cambridge, and Prince Tack attended Divine ser vice at Kew Church. There wee a very large congregation. DEPARTURE or ERR MAJESTY FOR OSSORNZ.— Her Majesty and the royal family will, it is understood, leave Windsor Castle to-morrow afternoon for Osborne being earlier than was first anticipated. The special train will, it is expected, quit the Windsor terminus about 3 o'clock. The Chancellor of the Exchequer and Mn. Glad stone arrived at their residence, on Carlton-house-terrace, on Saturday morning, from LiverpooL Mrs. Gladstone will have an assembly on Wednesday, the 18th inst. Lord Stanley of Alderley and the Ron. Colonel Stanley arrived at their reeldenos, in Dover-street, en Saturday, from Alderisy Park, Cheshire, his lordship having been summoned to attend the Cabinet Connell hold on Saturday, ►t Lord Russell's oekial residence, is Downing sheet. The Countess Russell's next assembly will take place ea Wednesda3r sight, at the earl's *Saba residuum, in Dowsing-street. . The Earl and Countess de Gluey and.Viement Ooderich arrived at their residence in Carlton-gardens on Friday ever/kg, from Studley Royal, their mat user Ripen. • '. ImsucA- EVIDENVII OF GENERAL LEE ON THE STATE OF THE SOUTH. The following evidence of Genteel Les was sub mitted to Congress on the 27th ult. by the recon struction committee : anrxsu ugn'e TZSTIXONT. General Robert K. Lee, sworn and examined by Yr. Howard. Where is your present residence! —Lexington, Virginia. How long have you resided in Lexington ?--Since the Ist of October last, nearly five months. Are you acquainted with the state of feeling among what we call secessionists, in Virginia, at present, toward the government of the United States ?—I do not know that I am. I have been living very retired, and have had but little communication with politicians ; I know nothing more than from my own observation, and from such facts as have oome to my knowledge. From your observation, what is your opinion of the feeling of loyalty towards the government of the United States among the secerdon portion of the people of that State at this timel—So far as has come to my knowledge I do not know of • single person who either feels or con• templates any resistance to the government of the United States, or, indeed, any opposition to it. No word has reached me to either purport. From what you have observed among them, is it your opinion that they are friendly toward the government of.* the United States, and that they will cooperate to sustain', and uphold the government for the future ?—I believe that they entirely acquiesce in the government of the United I States, and, so far as I have heard anyone expel= an opinion, they are for co-operating with President Johnson in his policy. In his policy in regard to what ?—His policy in regard to the restoration of the whole country. I have heard persona with whom I have conversed express great confidence in the wisdom °, his policy of restoration, and they seem to look forward to it as a hope of restoration. How do they feel in regard to that portion of the people of the United States who have been forward and zealous in the prosecution of the war against the rebellion?—Well, I don't know. I have heard nobody expram any opinion in regard to it. As I said before, I have not bad much communication with politicians in the country, if there are any. Every one seems to be engaged in his own affairs and endeavouring to restore the civil government of the State. I have heard no expressions of • sentiment towards any particular poi tics of the country. How do the seoesaioniste feel in regard to the payment of the debt of the United States, contracted in the prose cution of the war I—l have never heard say one speak on the subject. I suppose they must expect to pay the taxes levied by the government. I have heard them speak in reference to the payment of taxes, and of their efforts to raise money to pay the taxes, which I suppose are for their share of the debt. I have never heard any one speak in opposition to the payment of the taxes, or resistance to their payment. Their whole effort has been to try and raise the money for the payment of their taxes. From your knowledge of the state of the public feeling in Virginia, is it your opinion that the people would, if the questionwers left to them, repudiate and reject that debt ? —I never heard any one speak on that subject, but from my knowledge of the people, I believe they would be in favour of the payment of all just debts. Do they in your opinion regard that as a just debt ? I do not know what their opinion is on the subject of that particular debt. I have never heard any opinion expressed contrary to it. Indeed, ea I said in the beginning, I have had very little discussion or intercourse with the people. I believe the people will pay the debts they are celled upon to pay. I say that from my knowledge of the people generally. Would they pay that debt, or their portion of it, with as much alacrity as people ordinarily pay their taxes to their government I—l do not know that they would make any distinction between the two. The taxes laid by the government, so far as I know, they are prepared to pay to the best of their ability. I never heard them make any distinctions. What is the feeling of that portion of the people of Virginia in regard to the payment of the so-called confe derate debt I—l believe, so far as my opinion goes—l have no facts to go upon, but merely base my opinion on the knowledge I have of the people—that they would be willing to pay the confederate debt, too. You think they would ?—I think they would if they had the power and ability to do so. I have never heard any one of the state with whom I have conversed speak of !S -pud' sting any debt. I suppose the confederate loan is almost entirely valueless even in the market in Virginia ?—Entirely so far se I know. I believe the people generally look upon it as lost entirely. I never heard any question on the subject. Do you recollect the terms of the Confederate Bonds — when they were made payable ?—I think I have • general recollection that they were made payable six months after a declaration of peace. Six mouths after the ratification of • treaty of peace between the United States and the Confederate govern ment I—l think they ran that way. So that the bonds are not due yet by their terms ?—I suppose, unless it is considered that there is a peace now, they are not due. How do the people in Virginia., secessionists more par ' ticularly, feel towards the freedmen I—Everyone with whom I associate express the kindest feelings towards the freedmen. They wish to see them get on in the world, and particularly to take up some occupation for a living, and to turn their hands to some work. I know that efforts have been made among the farmers near where I live to induce them to engage for the year at regular wages. Do you think there is a willingness on the part of their old masters to give them fair living wages for their labour? —I believe it is so. The farmers generally prefer those servants who have been living with them before. I have heard them express their preference for the men whom they know, who had lived with them before, and their wish to get them to return to work. Are you aware of the existence of any combination among the whites to keep down the wages of the blacksl—l am not. I have heard that in several counties the landowners have met in order to establish a uniform rate of wages, but I never heard, nor do I know, of any combination to keep down wages or establish any rate which they did not think fair. The means of paying wages in Virginia are very limited. Now and then there is • difference of opinion as to how much each person is able to pay. How do they feel in regard to the education of the blacks —is there a general willingness to have them educated? —Where I am and have been the people have exhibited • willingness that the blacks should be educated, and they express an opinion that it would be better for the blacks and for the whites. General, you are very competent to judge of the capacity of black men for acquiring knowledge. I want your opinion 01 that capacity as compared with the capacity of white mm—l do not know that lam particularly qualified to speak on that subject, as you seem to intimate, but I do not think the black man is as capable of acquiring know ledge as the white man. There are some more apt then others. I have known some to acquire knowledge and skill in their profession. I have had servants of my own who learned to read and write very welL Do they show a capacity to obtain knowledge of mathe matics and the exact sciences 1-1 have no knowledge on that subject. lam merely acquainted with therm who have learned the common rudiments of education. General, are you aware of the existence among the blacks of Virginia, anywhere within the limits of the s tate, of combinations having in view the disturbance of the peace or any improper and unlawful acts ? I am not. I have seen no evidence of it, and have heard of none. Wherever I have been they are quiet and orderly, not disposed to work, or, rather, not disposed to any continu ous engagement to work, but just very short jobs to pro vide them with the immediate means of subsistence. Has the coloured race generally as great love of money and property as the white race powerless !—I do not think it has. The blacks with whom lam acquainted look more to the present time than to the future. Does that absence of a lust of money and property arise more from the nature of the negro than from his former servile condition?—Well, it may be in some measure attri buted to his former condition. They are an amiable, sociable race. They like their ease and comfort, and I think look more to their present than to their future condition. In the event of a war between the United Stakes and any foreign power, wish ea Kegiand or Fuses, If there should be held out to the seosedon portion of the people of Virginia or the other recently rebel States a fair prospect of gaining their independence and shaking' off the govern ment of the United States, is it or is it not your opinion that they would avail themselves of that oppa r k u n tr, I cannot speak with any certainty on that point It not know how far they might be actuated by their h i Inge. I have nothing whatever to base the ogiuj oa 441 So far as I know, they contemplate nothing of the ki 4 new. What may happen in the future I moot sty. Do you not frequently hear in your intencens secessionists in Virginia expressions of a hope ih m i 1 , 4 I war may break out ?--I cannot say that I have ; o t contrary, I have heard pension—l do not know whe t you will call them sessedonine or not, I nes t tk i people in Virginia with whom I sseociate—expeo hope that the *pantry may not be led into a war. The boob chant, R erste are at sitting the deiklien°7 11 ' oh the op =o ther adjl In each an event do you not think that elms el psi whom I all secessionists would join the canna ea", —lt is pendia& ; it depends upon the feelinp of %ski viduaL If it is a fair question—you may answer or am choose—what in such an event might be your own —I have no disposition now to do it, and I newel And you cannot foresee that such would be clination in such an event —No, I can only jud ge past ; I do not know what circumstances it may I cannot pretend to foresee events. flo far as I kao, feeling of the people of Virginia they wish for peas e . During the civil war was it not contaraplassa b y government of the confederacy to form an A m p , some foreign nation if possible !—I believe h yes 1 wish to do so if they could. It was their wish the confederate government recognised as aa Wes* government. I have no doubt that if it mold lam favourable trestles it would have done so, bet nothing of the policy of the government. I had is or part in it. I namely emprees my own °pinks. The question I am about to pot to you, you at or not, as you choose. Did you take an oath .. or allegiance to the confederate governmentl not recollect having done so, but it is peek when I wee conamkriessed I did. I do not readlest vl it was required. If it was required I took it, or If been required I would have taken it, but I do whether it was or not. The biuj street. 1 • 1 and chola spins, Id :a ° r ur it 1 to wine Pro Serena Pro wee of the= The Uzi maker, lit 10 3 = rell ubl been ewes New debts s Merl of Zetl Kr. Voyles baying bee equity, whi the iirst sitt through. CEN By Kr. Blow—ln reference to the effect Johnson'. policy, if it were adopted, would there thing like a return of the old feeling I slit you mod the expreenon " acquiescing in M. believe it would take time for the feelings el thi be of that cordial nature to the government that fennerip. Do you think their preference for that *lin • desire to her r as ue4ce and good feeling in the ea from the of their regaining patina Elo far as know the desire of the people of thellsa for the rertoration of their civil i'OTerniaillis SOW upon the policy of President Johnson as thstec would most ekerly and most surely re-enable n Do you see say change among the poorer elms Yrs girds m referesee to their industry Are they a- - more interested in developing their matudett than they were have not observed any Epp. one now has to attend to his business for bienepet The poorer chases are generally hard at met, aW far as l know , they are ; I know nothing Man ND Isls there any difference in their relation to the Wood people! Is their prejudice incresesd or disunited/4 have noticed no chae. Bo far as I know the hind all the people of VSLa, they are kind to the sib/ people. - thave never heard any blame attritatedhin ea to the present condition of things oran o yil* There are Tay few coloured labourers =hp pees!—Those who own farms have empl oseeerho ens or two coloured labourers. Bone are er pin hi they have to work themselves. capitalists and working men from the NIA pb any portion of Virginia with which you are fusilier see to work among the people ?—I do not know of anklet prevent their peace and pleasure there. It would dept very much on their conduct. If they confined thiamin to their own business, and did not interfere to poi controversies with their neighbours, I do not believe te, would be molested. There is no desire to keep out labour and capitsl?-11 that I know of. On the contrary, they are ray sum to get capital into the State. You see nothing of a disposition to prevent sock stile —I have seen nothing, and do not know of myth*, el said before. The manner in which they would be retail would depend entirely upon the individuals themes They might make themolves obnoxious, as you Nash stand. By Mr. Howard—le there not a general di & I Northern men among seoessionists?—l ammo they oil prefer not to amociate with them. I do not bow al they would select them as associates. Do they avoid and ostracise some socially ?—They tt avoid them. They would sot seises thin as amen nukes there was some reason. Ido not know tort would would associate with them until they booms I I it le they would not admit then tate le social By Mr. Blow—What is the position of the coloureds in Virginia with reference to the persons they wed I! Do you think they would prefer to work for Norther Southern men ?—1 think it very probable they welling the Northern men, although I have no hats tor= That it having been stated very frequently h t to the cotton states, does it result from tedlosisose the part of the resident population, or hen Os Ash they will be more fairly treated by the new onnes?-41 is your observation in that respect in regard tengisin —I have no means of forming an opinion ; Ido sable prefer to g within o off VtheaLltinia. and oi l d ook mmters'l for kn o n w e au w ad h u o ml m k re be" . w Wluther dd mule. Tit from any dislike of their former meters at too wry eel to change, or they feel more free and indepooltht Ide know. to the netw i l l What Lyour opinion in regard yodel of Virginia! Do you think they will be evil le ski they were before the rebellion, under the cholla 8 0 of affairs ? It will take a long time foe than so rues their former standard. I think that steer mess they will reach it, and I hope exceed it, but it wad immediately, in my opinion. • It will take a number of years ? It will tab s of ea rs, I think. the whole, the condition of things Is. Thillb„ hopeful, both in regard to its mate Mr rial inter& esd future peace of the country ?—1 have beard not ou=t, sod there is great cheerfulness sees wifftlao is= tat' you moor, 1 .P* l6 4 i with int him. T ovkiosos Ale wal it, but impottai soonood, flikt inq olioiliag Comma we of wife, au bill, se the wilt farther j their ro The 1 Mid the present, ii!ilt*Pr cd said= Bot to him , Is OD WM sathin . awl he La tar Sae 41110 ism lia THE ENFIELD VOLUNTEER RIFLE NMI THROUGHOUT GREAT BRITAIN.-(t om This (Monday) morning the Enfield Bib Vag teers (simultaneous ) Match among battalions sae • ponies of volunteer corps throughout Groat Inefs mooed, and will continue till Saturday re. match was shot off laat year by repressatsizen nearly every volunteer coma in the kingdom Itbsi for it then amounted to 500: , and this year tholrogi The ranges at which the match is bei n g set 500, and 600 yards, seven rounds, sad the erefitolla as follows :—Position at 200 yards from die sbosbio; 6 500 and 600 yards, any position. An niusbtrll are entitled to compete, and fr DOOM, and for oomeanies the h._ esters of the shooting will be taken At the conclusion of the shooti ,. of each regiment are to be sent in , the winners of prises will be announced. • ilia ' viAml 1,11 p THE Rreaws ElfhaSisT.—Y , Russian Easter-day, their Excellencies odor and Baroness Brunnow entertained Chtsham House, the following gue►ts • the Turkish Ambassador and Madame Mururoa, his Excellency the Baoellency the Hanover Minister the Marquis de Tamisier, Count Pontistine, Priaoe and Princess Sol cow, Mille. Smentoff, Mr. and Mrs. Rev. E. Popoff, M. A. de Berg, and 'Jowl& Later in the evening her Brunnow had a mall and early party, The private view of the ExhL Society of Painters in Water Colours the 21st inst. On Bobo in Maathera is to be Garden to-night (the first Monday morrow La Trariata—Verdi five times compensation, we are promised the Pr for Thursday. The opera announced for to Her Majesty's Theatre is Martha, t I Psritani (first appearance of Mr. der we are promised Der Preieeltut mane. Thiene. Mr. Jefferson is playing Rip s shooter. Another version of the piece another theatre in the town. A play called by the same nom Memoirs, Le Bourgeois de Paris, &manes one of these days at the was first given eo fez back ma 18150, The prindpal character is a citizen of tram the government reforms, immediate mg trite, mime his demand is not • he dukes, poultices a revolution, ♦ *awl einem lit et the reproduction of this " *wink to kiss bailable." Itiociotti Garibaldi has left Florence for Mr. seat her I quit that • ' a Ai kw ate .1 ....4161 wee. elms el fro ?aura ru m p rep of tin er aesot rfe :oar 9112 ebret 1141411rhis tit odd ta yeah lamb it ray p m ,* se bar s for pure. Grimed by 6 , la dines di :re it re thl l it whit es h i , I ea ialig e 6 6 rod her Jai so, bet I lo ft I had le lel /pinks. Tor Rezr ree f oath c/ rennimel 1-1 6 it porde by do reedhetrdlle it, Vit yt N Ido ad mar s feet of ?red cld bre la re ric dei bora a the reedal4 gs d the ant that *re legitimism% in the south, pohlisal reed. of tiellsee, rat, smithy hi r the are* rtabbh ollf elaws Jane LT, they rude marred peat* bei 'or de mut; &t wet, aid* lotilag tits le or to the rind or mowthe"ll,l for battalions the hi g h e st 10 scam re P taken as the mats wen oting on Saturday Ms t in, sad the best nnounced. '.—Yesterday ellencies the Radar ✓ entertained et .ng gueaa Madame Mamas sag ncy the Saxon Lahti. Mater and Barmen onnt Phlen, AdmicsiOP eas Soltykolf, Prime WO a Mrs. Gremill g, god M. Selman liar log her Excellently ly party. Exhibition of the Colours is fixed far s to be r epeated at nday performance), oil See times in me ss ed the Pro pheig d for to-morrow nigbi rasa, that for Thozol l i A Mr. Mohler). On cischutz, for the toter g Rip ran Winkle at the piece is Wag me name as Dr. CO Paris, is announced fik it the Gymns' Thwitra 1860, and with ewe sol. edifies of Paris irhe doge • immediate and a not mended to as qiciM.,l it ion, by which ke $ fin t wo eon'