The Express. — London, England, 1866-05-30 00:00:00

1 1 1 11, ~::i ]:I H ( , • r'~~ il , l , 1: I i . 1 BEIMN, J. W. by SPECIAL APPOINTMENT to M.I.H. the Prince of WALES. BENSON, J. W., 25, OLD BOND-STREET, having reconstructed these magnificent premises, invites an inspection of artistic works. BENSON'S, J. W., STEAM FACTORY for CLOCKS and WATCHES, 60 and 00, LUDGATZ-RILL. BENSON, J. W., 99, WESTBOURNE-GROVE. BENSON, J. W., 164, TOTTENHAM-COURT ROAD. BENSON , J. W., MAKER of the GOLD cAsurr presented by the City of London to H.R.H. the Prinoe of Wales. BENSON, J. W., MAKER of the CASKET pre seated by the Cagy 0 London to H.R.11. Prince Alfred. BENSON, J. W., PRIZE MEDAL, LONDON, clue III BENSON, J. W., PRIZE MEDAL, Dublin, Class 10. BENSON, J. W., HONOURABLE MENTION, London. Liao 16. B ENSON, J. W., WATCH and CLOCK PAMPHLET, pout tree for two stamps. BENSON, J. W., MAKER of the CHRONO GRAPH by which _ the DEBBY Is TINED. BENSON, J. W., MAKER of the GREAT CLOCK of the EXHIBITION, MI for the CARRIAGE. Five Guineas. 'LATE FLOWER AND FRUIT STA N Da iittees have ,) and the excitement of success and of paying for it is over, and the quart d'heure de Rabelais is suc ceeded by painful meditations on the vanity of serving one's country, we shall invariably find bribery at elections a favourite subject of debate in Parliament. Did any one suppose that this " vice or crime " (as it was variously described in the House of Commons on Monday) was no new thing 't Listen to these eloquent preachers and you will be convinced that bribery at elections was only invented last summer, and only discovered last February. No doubt there have been cases known of boroughs disfranchised or otherwise severely dealt with, and of commissions for inquiry into the condition of boroughs detected by Parliamentary committees. No doubt there have been abortive attempts to make constitutencies pure by Act of Parliament, that is, by legislators in spite of themselves. But the pest stamped out at Sudbury or St. Alban% has broken out with greater virulence than ever somewhere—say, on the eastern coast. And as to the Parliamentary Committees, they have given a certain number of barristers a vested interest in a system that brings enormous fees, and have fostered the corruption they pretended to check, by making it pleasant to the advocates on both sides, who enjoy the awful bon homie of a tribunal ignorant of the first rules of evidence, and some of whom it may be are only waiting for their own turn to come as culprits. Then as to the Royal Commissions of inquiry into particular boroughs—four of such commissions are about to enter on their diverting labours—the country, we dare say, can afford to come to the relief of that hungriest and most irre pressible of beings, the barrister of seven (ur perhaps of fourteen) years' standing, who has shown some skill in making acquaintances, and that is all the advantage that can fairly be expected in snatching them from the monotony of chambers, and send ing them down to sharpen their wits and terrify the natives of some unfortunate little borough, which, as Lord GREY put it last night, has had the misfortune to be found out. Committees have sat, commissions have been lamed, boroughs have been disfranchised, and bribery at elections goes on, and grows with the growth of the national wealth, or rather with the growth of a new class of capitalists, who have just enough public spirit and patriotic ambition in their natures to desire to tack M.P. to their names, and get into " society" by that passport, as they get into Parliament by their purses. We are very far, however, from dismissing the debates of last evening as idle talk. They come to no result, but they instruct the public mind, if they do not increase the public faith in the wisdom and sincerity of legislators, who in one breath declare that something must be done, and that nothing is worth doing, and that what is not worth doing shall be done, in order to convince the country of their determina tion to put an end to a system that can neither be prevented nor checked. The speeches of Lord GREY in one house, and of Mr. B. 01411ORNE in the other, have the merit of escaping from the customary hypocrisies, though we cannot affect to concur with Lord GREY in believing that a " general inquiry " will do more to correct the evil than half a dozen special inquiries. Lord GREY does service to truth by insisting that the rich briber is the guilty party, who has always gone scot free, and—admirable joke !—has sometimes sat es judge on tho very corruption out of which he sprang from obscurity to parliamentary honours. Mr. B. OSBORNE, well aware that Sir R. WALPOLE, with whom cor ruption was a religion, is now regarded with equal veneration bythe chiefs of both parties, perti nently asks whether corruption is confined to needy electors in boroughs ; whether, in fact, the system, under whatever name it may be made to " smell sweet," begins and ends with the electors? This is a pregnant question, and we can hardly think that the ATTORNEY GENERAL'S guarded expostulations and respect for the decencies of the parliamentary confessional will salvo it over. It is very well to say, as was said last night, that only a " general sentiment" against bribery at elections can put it down. But who's to begin ? Tory members parade the purity of their constituents, for large counties are in fact not easily bribed, and where a word from the landlord is enough, five-pound notes are scarcely wanted. But it is worth remarking that the Tories, who were so clamorous in demanding on Monday that clauses for the extirpation of bribery should be inserted in the Reform Bill, were utterly unable last evening to suggest any remedy for the " vice, " or crime," and contented themselves, through Lord DERBY, with requesting Lord Rusexxx to postpone for ten days a motion for inquiry into corrupt practices at Lancaster. OUR CONTEMPORARIES. (THIS DAY.) PARLIAMENTARY DISCESSIONS.-THE REFORM BILL AND THE PREVENTION OF RELBERT. The Times now pours ridicule upon the Redistri bution Bill. It is characterised by an adroitness verging on shiftiness and ingenuity approaching to downright im posture. It stands not upon its integrity, but on the want of it. It proclaims that it is cheating us all round with concealments, disguises, illusions, meagre consola tions, and dexterous manipulations. Accordingly it is paid in its own coin, and it stands some chance of being outwitted. The arrangements, miscalled groups, are so undigested and so indigestible that they cannot possibly form the parts of a bill which proposes to be a new constitution, and to supply by its natural and happy character the place of ancient growth and strong prescrip tion. They are really no more groups than the capricious arrangements a child may make with its toys on the nursery floor, to sweep away and forget as soon as made. Founding new institutions, and those institutions the very basis of this great empire, must be a work of time and labour ; and the requisite time and labour have not yet been given to it. Commenting upon the discussion last night in the House of Lords upon bribery, the Times says it is inclined to despair of tracking all the devious paths of corruption by any legal process, even if the ordinary facilities of detec tion were here available. Unfortunately, this is not the ease. Still there is ample room for the investigation re. commended by Lord Grey, nor would it be impossible to indicate the direction which it might profitably take. The secret of discouraging bribery until the stigma of infamy can be attached to it is to entrust the power of adjudica tion upon alleged cases of corruption to some other tri bunal than a parliamentary committee. The Post assumes as a point beyond all doubt that in the opinion of the House of Commons, there is no time this session to pass a satisfactory reform bill, and adds the opinion that its withdrawal with a promise to recon sider its provisions and introduce it in the best possible form next year, though it might alienate some support which would seem to have been injudiciously relied upon, would lay the foundation of a reconciliation between the house and the government. practices bill. What would be proved, the Telegraph says, if Captain Hayter's amendment were carried, would be not merely that the existing House of Commons is opposed to any and all reform—we know that already—but that it is not wise enough to perceive there is no alternative whatever be tween the present very moderate measure and one far more sweeping. If tories had sincerity enough to understand that virtue in others, they would see that every obstacle they interpose raises still higher the rising flood of popular opinion which backs ministers. . . . . The Star remarks that the division list of Monday night furnishes us with some personal and political lessons which certain liberal constituencies will do well to take to heart. It shows more clearly than ever that the only sub stantial opposition to reform comes from a small band of gentlemen who have obtained their seats in the house on the faith of their professions of liberalism. Let the country fix its eyes upon these men. They are just now the grand support of toryiwn. 7 peace. Blindness or obstinacy alone can make war necessary." This is one of those evident truths which may be classed amongst axioms. That the congress means peace if it does not mean war, is one of those discoveries which La France is in the habit of making. But after all this does not very much enlighten us. We prefer the information contained in the Vienna journals. The Vienna Gazette, for example, assures us that Austria will only accept the conference on the basis of her terri torial integrity, and, on the other hand, we know that Italy expects nothing short of the cession of Venetia. Here are opposing pretensions which the programme of the conference, with the habitual reserve of diplomatic language, calls " the Italian difference." Some Vienna journals are of opinion that the conference will fall back on the treaty of Zurich, which has never been executed, and that an Italian confederation, with the Pope at its head, will be formed. To us it seems very difficult to admit the possibility of such a solution, which would be entirely at the expense of Italy, and which would procure for Austria, by an unex pected turn of fortune, a considerable amelioration in her position in Italy. We have thought it right, however, to note these hopes, not to say dreams, of the Austrian press. AND PORTUGUESE BANK. (THIS DAY.) third ordinary general meeting was ices in St. Helen's-place ; Mr. JOHN chair. 'a the report of the directors : exed statement of the liabilities and as and of the profit and loss account of ' th February last, the shareholders will , mpared . with the preceding year there has been a considerable Increase in the business of the bank, and also of the profits derived therefrom. The gross profits of the year amounted to 86,455/. Bs. 10d., from which have been deducted rebate of interest on bills discounted not due, and all charges at the head-ofilce, branch at Rio de Janeiro, and local agency at Oporto, leaving 54,8411. 16s. 6d. as the actual gains of the year 1865 • from this, however, there remain still to be deducted 19,7161. 14s. balance at the debit of profit and loss account on the 28th February, 1865, and an additional sum of 12,0001. which the directors are compelled to pro vide for the settlement of the losses arising from the bank failures at Rio de Janeiro in September, 1864, leaving at the credit of profit and loss account the net sum of 23,1 1. Z. 2d. It would have been agreeable to the directors on the present occasion, to have recommended to the share holders the payment of a dividend, but in view of fluctu ations of the currency in Rio de Janeiro, the board do not consider it in the interest of the bank to apply to the pay ment of a dividend any portion of the net profit for the past year, but recommend to the shareholders that the above balance of 73,125/. 2s. 2d. be carried to a reserve fund. The formation of such a fund the directors deem essential, and calculated to secure to the shareholders hereafter regularity in payment of dividends. The results of the two years' working of the local agency at Oporto have convinced the directors that it is a barren field for banking, having given scarcely any return, not withstanding the excellent and safe management of the local directors. The board have therefore taken steps to discontinue the agency. The business of the bank at Rio de Janeiro has been carefully and zealously watched over by the local directors. To strengthen their hands and aid them in carrying out beneficial changes in the system of banking, the directors thought it advisable to appoint their late manager in London, Mr. John Gallop, a member of the local board in Rio de Janeiro, and he arrived there and took his seat at the board in March last. From the increase, both of the extent of business and amount of profit during the past year, the directors augur favourably of the future of this bank. The eyes of the mercantile community of Rio de Janeiro are gradually opening to the danger of the system of banking which has prevailed there, and with an able directory of great local knowledge and experience, the board think that on these grounds the shareholders have good reason for looking forward to profitable mutts. The directors who, in ac cordance with the provisions of the articles of association, go out of office on this occasion, are Willem Bevan, Esq., and George T. Brooking, EMI., both of whom being eligible offer themselves for re-election. The duty will devolve on the meeting to elect auditors to serve for the next twelve months." The CHAIRMAN, in moving its adoption, congratulated the proprietors upon an increase in the gross profits of of 58,500/. as compared with the previous fi nancial year. It was als o satisfactory to report that the business at Rio was in the most favourable and promising condition, and the assets those of the best character, and equal to meet every emergency. The arrangements for conducting the business there were likewise of a character calculated to inspire every confidence for the future, and he hoped ere long they would be able to pay a dividend. Mr. Burr considered it very hard that they should have been kept so loni without a dividend. They had now a surplus of 23,12 a/., and he proLiosed that of this 12,5001. should be appropriated to a a per cent. dividend, which would then leave over 10,000?. to be carried to the reserve. Mr. TOWNE seconded this. The CHAIRMAN said that the report fully explained the reasons why it was thought advisable to establish a con siderable reserve to meet fluctuations in the currency, and enable them to pay good dividends in future. Mr. SAMPSON thought the directors had exercised a wise discretion in not paying a dividend at present. Several other shareholders expressed approbation of the policy of the board in establishing a sufficient nucleus of a reserve before paying a dividend, and urging the with drawal of the amendment. -- 7 -- Mr. BIRT would, if the sense of the meeting was against him, withdraw the amendment ; but he wished to know what remuneration had been taken by the directors. The CHAIRMAN—The minimum allowed by the articles of association. The motion adopting the report was then carried unani mously. Another resolution authorising the appropriation of the sm,.lus to a reserve was next proposed and passed. The directors retiring by rotation were re-elected. 120/. was awarded to the auditors for their services during the past year, and the auditors were reappointed ; and the proceedings terminated with the usual compliments to the chairman and directors. 2 THE EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY EVENING, MAY 30, 1866. • BRASILI AN . JOHN BROGDEN'S VALUATION of GOLD. gloating eyes of the parliamentary Tartuffe ; The Hernia ht dwells representing t it he i rvernment defeat on LATEST INTELLIGENCE. and electoral corruption is the gauze that betrays Ponds a death blow to the 34 carats tine. Is 18carata..Z3 thi 9 carats.. 81 11 10 111 worth ..R.4 4 11i 17 carat... o s carats .. Issi a too lovely form upon which he longs, yet fears . 1 ted bill. The m ure is in the a • te of a feeble THE OONFERENCE. per MUM 16 carats .. It 16 7i 7 carats .. 1 4 9 held at the office 52 wets. 416 16 carat.. 213 1 e carats .. 1 1 to lay a hand trembling with v i rtuous emotion. Ks i 22 carats . (British 14 carats.. 2 9 6; 6 carats .. 0 standard 317 1 13 carat .. 2 6 0 4 carats .. 014 ) I" This indignant virtue of ours • null and now one bold and candid utterance by men The conference question, says the Dibats, of Is Periodical. who know and are not afraid of their duty will rid par- to-day, naturally holds the first place in the columns Th e following tl 31 carats.. 3144 12 carats.. 2 Se earata .. 010 This rage for political purity in chronic. Soon liament and the nation of it. The new government, the o f the French and foreign journals. La Prunes is " From the annezi Iwith mill3hi.w 'name° to render it feebler I To-day the thin 10 carats .. 310 91 11 carats.. 118 11 2 carats .. 0 7 1 19 carats. 3 7 3 10 carats. 116 41 1 carats . 0 3 6 manuractin. ls. nonrisitastrck Cbventgardeq L°."(3l, W.O run th a eir ge co n u erai rse an el d ectioil' committees wh irevtietiosnsebeihadevde Herald says, in another article, will take the earliest opportunity, we may hope, of introducing • new corrupt convinced that diplomacy will succeed in solving the year ending 28th every difficulty. " A congress," it says, " means observe that as comp . h... sonsiclera sets °wlall of thisinbthanek,chaat ITALY. The Nazione publishes the following from Gari baldi to the students of Florence, who expressed a wish to enrol themselves as volunteers under his banners : Csprera, May 26, 1866. Dear Friends,—l thank you for your affection. The oath of the grandchildren of Ferruccio and Capponi will have a fatal echo for the oppressing foreigner.—Ever G. GARIBALDI. yours, The Italia of May 27 says General Turr, who paid a visit to Garibaldi, has re turned to Florence. He left the General in perfect health, and awaiting the order of the government to leave Ca prem. General Turr will be attached to the Volunteers. A letter from Florence, in the Debate, de scribes the enthusiasm of the people as unbounded- It has been found necessary, it says, to employ the police in order to regulate the rush of young men to the offices open for the enrolment of volun teers, of whom 60,000 have already inscribed their WHIMS. (REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.) FLORENCE, MAY 29, EVLNINO. To-day the King signed a decree for the forma tion of 20 more battalions of volunteers, and two battalions of Bersaglieri. FORCED LOAN IN VENETIA. VIENNA, MAY D. An Imperial decree has been published this morning, ordering a forced loan of 12 millions of florins in the Lombardo-Venetian kingdom. The proclamation accompanying the decree states this measure to have been adopted in consequence of the law of the sth inst., in reference to the government currency, being inoperative for Lom bardo-Venetia, which must nevertheless contribute towards the extraordinary necessities of the coun try. The payments of the loan are to be made in silver or gold, in return for which the government will issue at par bonds of 100, 10, and 1 florins, bearing interest at 0 per cent. The committee for the control of the public debt will control the issue of the bonds, which is not to exceed the amount of 12 million florins. TURKEY. RAGL'SA, MAT 29. A frigate, a war sloop, and a despatch boat be longing to the Turkish navy have arrived at Anti vari to guard the coast of Albania against any sudden landing of the Italian volunteers. The Jounusl de Bruxelles says :—" The depar ture of the King and Queen of the Belgians for Paris will probably take place on the Ath or 9th of June, when the period of full mourning at the court will have expired. Their Majesties will, it is said., remain several days in the French capital." Serious disorders have just broken out at Marienburg, in Prussia. The men of the reserve burst into private houses, and demanded with menaces, money, provisions, and clothes. Shops were plundered, and threats of a general pillage openly made. The officers were present at those scenes of brigandage without being able to control the men, and troops had to be sent for from Dsntzic and Elberg. " Never," says the Kanifekerg Gaze de, which gives the above details, " would it have been believed that such a scene could occur in open day in a civilised town..• The Journal de Toulouse states that Aspe, con_ deruned to hard labour for life for the murder of his female servant, has not only not appealed, but has confessed his crime. He adds that he buried the head which has been so vainly sought for near the edge of the canal, not far from the spot where the body of Marie Guillonet was found. After some further words on low corsages, the Post to-day proceeds to remonstrate with its lady readers upon another offence, the practice of hair bleaching, which is now so prevalent. Nature, it says, ever harmo nious in colour, gives hair and complexions to match ; and in this way brunette and blonde, though different, may each attain to an equal rank of beauty. " Most gentlemen could now point, were it polite, to ladies of their acquaint ance, who, during the past few months, have been subject ing their hair to an injurious process of etiolation. Of the present effect one need not speak ; if it be the pleasure of dark ladies to wear light tresses, well and good ; but what we would then add is—get the effect through some other agency than bleaching. The practice is simply ruinous ; one that if followed again and again will change once silken tresses of brown or black into something, for colour, like a singed cat's back ; for texture not unlike a con vict's task of picked and unravelled oakum. At any rate, brunettes should be consistent. Having bleached their tresses, they should go into a chlorine bath and bleach their skins to match." Late on Sunday evening last a large portion of the Gleamy and Glendatoughen mountain, over Clonmel, the property of Mr. Joseph Napier Higgins, was set on fire. The flames were found by the constabulary of the Old Bridge and Tourneena stations to be rapidly extend ing, fanned by a strong south-easterly wind, from several directions, some two miles apart, leaving little doubt that the fire was kindled by an incendiary. MORE ARRESTS FOR FENIANISM.—During last night and this morning five additional arrests were mado in the city. The parties arrested in this instance are Peter Kelly, Thomas Brady, alias Flood, Bryan Gibney, and two others of less note. Kelly is stated by the police to have been a military organiser of the Fenians, and is also stated to have recommended Fenian cavalry raids into the country. Brady, who was arrested by Detective-officers Dawson and Doyle, is the person at whose lodgings in Denzille•street Stephens was in the habit of holding meetings. Stephens was there on the night of the seizure of the Irish People. Bryan Gibney was arrested by Detective-officers Dawson, Hughes, and Wolfe. The statement of the police is that he had been a " 8.," and that on the arrest of a person named Sheedy, he was elected a " centre." The other two prisoners were arrested in Great Britain-street and Green-street. One of them is stated to have been a member of the Fenian de tective police force, employed to watch the movements of the authorities.—Dubl in Evening Mail. ROYAL DRAMATIC COLLEGE.-(THIS DAY.) The annual meeting of the friends and subscribers to the above institution was held this forenoon on the stage of the Adelphi Theatre, kindly grunted for the (=aeon by Mr. Webster. There was a large attendance of members of the profession, and amongst the ladies was the old favourite of the playgoers of the early part of the pre sent century, Miss Sarah Booth, who was warmly greeted. Mr. B. IVEusvitic occupied the chair. Mr. ANSON, the secretary, read the report, which com menced by a graceful reference to the kindness of the Prince of Wales in attending at the college in June last to open the Central Hall, thus completing a work which his la mented father bad begun. The prize of 1001., interest on 3,000/. stock, left by the late Mr. T. P. Cooke for the beat drama, has been awarded by the juil7,es to Mr. A. It. Slow. The inmates of the college continue to enjoy the blessings of health and comfort. Since the last annual meeting • vacancy at the college has occurred by the death of Mr. Eugene Macardiy. The fancy fair of last year was one of unusual brilliancy and profit, and has enabled the council to add materially to the funds of the college. The council ac knowledge the ready and willing assistance rendered by all branches of the profession, and many liberal donations to the Central-hall. The financial statement showed the total income for two years ' including 2,8351. from the Crystal Palace Fete, to be 5,0461. 44. 9d., and after deduct ing the expenditure, a balance of 7251. was left on band, of which 6041. was on deposit at the London and West minster Bank. —.—. The CHAIIIMAN said he WAS happyto meet thesubeeribers atthe close of another successful year. All connected with the College gave their services gratuitously as a labour of love, and be was happy to be able to announce the deep interest t.ken in the college by the Prince of Wales. Being in disposed he would not further detain the meeting, but concluded by moving the adoption of the report. Mr. PowELL seconded the resolution, which was agreed to unanimously. The other resolutions, which were of a formal character, giving votes of thanks to the wardens, council, and other officers, were spoken to by Mews. T. R. Anderson, Toole, Reddish, Stuart, May, Gruneisen, Mr. A. Wigan, and others, and the proceedings concluded with a vote of thanks to the chairman fur his many services to the college. ALARMING FIRE IN NEWGATE-STREET. (THIS DA Y.l Shortly after 12 o'clock this afternoon consider able alarm was occasioned by the outbreak of a fire at No. 90, Newgate-street, situate at the corner of Christ-church passage. The lower part of the house is occupied by Mr. .1. Greer, cutler, the other portions being let as offices. The top floor is occupied by the London and Paris Photographic Company, who had erected an exten sive glass-house on tee roof in which the fire broke out. Owing to the lightness of the material the fire soon spread, the various chemicals used in photography causing the flames to burn with great rapidity. The steam land engine from Farringdon-street was early in attendance, and was speedily followed by others ; and with the exception of damage done by water, the Photo graphic Company are the only sufferers. Great incon venience was caused by the stoppage of the traffic. This morning was issued for the information of parliament a return prepared under the superintendence of Mr. John Lambert, poor-law inspector, of the electoral statistics of each contributory borough in Wales, in the same form as that presented to the house in the general electoral returns. Other returns, issued to-day, show the distance in a direct line of each town in each group set forth in the schedule to the Redistribution of Seats Rill from each other town in the same group, together with the population of each such town, accord ing to the census of 1861, and showing the number of towns with a population of more than 5,000 in each county or division of a county in which any grouped town is situate, distinguishing the represented from the unrepresented towns ; and showing the population of each town, and its distance from the nearest town included in any group. The Owl says that there is no truth in the report that the Ittnk of England ii in negotiation with the Bank of France to borrow 5,000,000 L The remains of the late Rev. F. Mahony arrived st Cork on Sunday from London by the steamer Minna, and were conveyed to St. Patrick's Chapel, Lower-road, where they await a solemn funeral service. The coffin was enclosed in a strong wooden box. The remains were re ceived by the undertaker, O'Leary, and his men, and,with the exception of a group whom accident had brought to gether at the moment, there were none others present. In that group there happened to be men of middle age, who, when boys at school, had heard sermons from the lips of the distinguished man now silent in that coffin, at old Carey-lane Chapel, thirty-six years ago. C'c' CLOCKS for the DRAWING, DINING, and BED MOMS. CLOCKS for the HALL, LIBRARY, and CARRIAGE. CLOCKS for CHURCHES, TURRETS, and HTABLES. CLOCKSandGARNITir XS DE CHEMINEES. CLOCKS REPAIRED by ENGLISH, FRENCH, and GERMAN ARTISTS. CANDELABRA in ORMOLU and BRONZE. OANDELEBRA in SILVER and ELECTRO PLATE.. WATCHES, CHRONOGRAPH, KEYLESS REPEATERS. - WATCHES, CHRONOMETER, DUPLEX, LEVER. WATCHES, HORIZONTAL, SECONDS, ate WATCHES in Sizes of Half to Three Inches is Diameter. CENTRE WATCHES REPAIRED by ENGLISH, FRENCH, SWISS, and GERMAN ARTISTS. B RONZES D'ART by ROSA and ISIDORE BONIIEL R. B RONZES D'ART by CLODION, BARYE, CARRIER. B RONZES D'ART by PRADIER, CHATROINSE, &c. i JEWELLERY, DIAMOND of ORIGINAL DESIGNS. JEWELLERY for BRIDAL and other PRESENTS. JEWELLERY, designed by ITALIAN and FRKNCR ARTISTS. JEWELLERY, Sold for MOURNING WEAR, In great variety. SILVER PLATE, designed expressly for PRE, BENTATION. SILVER PLATE for RACING, FIELD, or AQUATIC SPORTS. SILVER PLATE for the SIDEBOARD DINNER, and TEA TABLES. SILVER PLATE Sit:VER.PLATE for DINNERS a la RIISSE for INDIA. SILVER P. I . 111 HAYMARKET. 119 NCINWS. 1, Ll CRUM. LUDGATE-HILL, OLD BOND-STREET, wMTBOITRNC-1; ROVE, TOTTENIIA -0011RT-ROA D. TURTLE, TURTLE, TURTLE. Clear, Thick. awl Invalid TURTLE SOUPS always ready. ST. JAMIGTS HALL. RFARNTSTRELT, PICCADILLY. WM. DONALD, Proprietor. rpo WEST-END DINERS.—The WELLING 1. TON, St. James's-street. Piccadilly. Ladies' Saloon Dining-room on the 11r4 anon The subscription rooms are now open. Terms, twelve months, £1 lla. del, six mouths, £1 Apply to D. Cameron, 41.1, St Jamasetroet. LONDON must have a SUPPER and MUSIC ROOM for Gentlemen.—Remember, we wait for you at •' EVANS'," attar the Covent Garden Opera and the Theatre*. Vie Orintoo. Tms Evingrni, A ROMANTIC ATTACIIME\T. Mr. W. Farren, Miss Ada Cavendish, As—THE FAVORITE OF FOR• TUN]: Messrs. Buckst,ne, Chippendale, and Sothern: ‘irs Chippendale, &c.—And TURNING THE TA BEEFS. Mr. Compton. THIS EVENING, A LUCKY Ha —After which lIENRY VIII. Cardinal Wolsey, Mr. Charles Kean ; Queen Katherine, Mn. Charles Kean. Tnig EVENING, SIMPSON AND CO. Mr. Emery and Miss Elsworthy—And TILE CORSICAN BROTHERS. Messrs. leech ter, J"nlan. Llnery, Vern), IVlddleornb, !doreland. d I.ltzpatrlck; Iletklames Laren, Duverney, Henrade, and Ternan. BRITANNIA. Tnxs ETENTsO, RICH AND POOR.- Dancing by Millie. C. Ste phan and Mies Morton. The Hungarian Dancers.—To conclude with THE CORPORAL'S DAUGHTER. Mews. Rey nolds, Cranford, & Blgwood ; IllseClaraSt. Cassealirs, S. Late. HIGII-WATER AT LONDON-BRIDGE THIS DAY —Morning, n. 32m Afternoon, 211. 50m. TO-Momitow—Morning, U. Int Afternoon, 3h. 25m. LONDON, WEDNESDAY, MAY 30. To the ingenuous student of public affairs nothing can be more refreshing than the rage for electoral purity, a rage almost ascetic in its bitterness, which has suddenly seized our legislators, hereditary and representative. Last evening, for example, in both Houses the gross and growing evil of bribery at elections was denounced with all the fervour and freshness of an awakened conscience, and in both Houses means of prevention and measures of punishment were proposed and discussed with an air of outraged innocence, of alarmed virtue, of resolved indignation, which probably in no other political assembly under the sun could be assumed with half the humour of our well-trained actors in that line of business. No prize-fighter turned preacher ever discoursed upon the wiles of Satan with a larger utterance than these proprietors of pocket boroughs and re presentatives of close counties declaim against the abuse of wealth in corrupting the sources of po litical power. One hears a great deal of the decline of the British stage, but we venture to challenge any stage in Europe for such a performance of serious comedy as that which is just now having a run at Westminster. The artless art, the perfect suppression of self-consciousness in the actors, their complete abandonment to the irony of the scene and the situation, are not to be matched by Europe. Englishmen are bad and in private theatricals despe but on the political boards the race for cant comes ;tible effect. It is the _ in Morasses masterpiece. transparent fiche which shocks the F • any company in Europ i.ll\ \ actors in society, and in rately awkward ; but I I ' W ' l the genius of the ' k 11 j out with irresistible lk famous situation in 1 41, Bribery is the transparer . • r • • .., 1 li 1 1 t ' i f r ' k .., .... . . , t ' . • 401111.07 - _-: : .• -..- - THE ECROPEAN IMBROGLIO. The Times announces, in telegrams from Vienna and Florence, that Austria and Italy as well as Prussia have accepted the invitation to attend the conference, Italy en gaging to make no attack during the sitting of that body, though refusing to suspend its armaments. The intelli gence it thinks so far favourable to peace that Austria must be aware that the question of her Italian possessions must be one of the two principal subjects of discussion, and Prussia, by accepting the invitation, expresses her willing ness topay some attentionto the remonstrances of her neigh bours. What now remains for the neutral powers is simply and plainly to set before these hostile states what is necessary to insure permanently the peace of the con tinent. Circumlocution and fastidiousness will be en tirely out of place. Meanwhile the Times cautions the public against the false alarms and lying news which during the next few days will be manufactured for stock jobbing purposes, and it prints as an illustration a copy of an alarmist telegram which it received on Monday evening with the forged signature of its Paris correspon dent. As these knaves are likely to ply their iniquitous trade with activity during the coming discussions, it is as well that the public should recollect that until the final rupture of the negotiations and separation of the con ference there is not likely to be any act of war. The Daily News remarks that the intelligence from Vienna favours the expectation that before the conference meets the Schleswig-Holstein question will be submitted tr the Diet of the Germanic Confederation, whose compe tency in the matter cannot be denied though the question may not be unreasonably asked why it has suspended the exercise of its authority so long. The meaning of the proposed reference just now to the Diet is believed by the Daily News to lie in the fact that the organisation of that body is now found by Austria to offer a convenient and effective instrument for giving effect to an alliance with the rest of Germany against Prusaia. The decision of the Diet under such circumstances would be simply a political resolution owing all its efficacy to the firmness and military strength of the parties to it, and the knowledge of the Prussian government, that, ea long as Venetia remains in the hands of Austria no treaty is needed to secure for it the co operation of Italy, makes it doubtful whether a strife which began in Germany can really be settled at Frank fort now that it has become European. The Post points out the perils of Italy through the revival of the reactionary party under Austrian influence in various large towns, and in the possibility that Austria and Prussia may make friends at the conference, and leave Italy alone with her sword drawn. Whilst hoping that the conference will prove a success, the Post cannot help fearing that Venetia will be a great difficulty, because all that is reactionary in Europe is now strengthcring Austria's obstinacy and pride. The Star devotes an article to a statement which is made, that Holland is negotiating to arrange for the secession of Limburg from the Germanic Confederation. THE UNITED STATL9. Representing, in the dispute between President Johnson and the Congress, the former to act solely from honest con viction and experience, and the latter from the spirit of party, the Times aides entirely with Mr. Johnson. The Con gress desires to establish complete political equality between black and white, while Mr. Johnson objects that thiswould practically consummate the doom of the negro by making the white man his enemy. The radicals think they can protect the black by special legislation and official agency; Mr. Johnson replies that this is impossible, and that the six millions of southern citizens must prevail against the cimbrous and uncertain section of a department. In the third instance in which Mr. Johnson has exer. allied the power of veto, that rebstive to the admission of Colorado as a new state, he has taken the opportunity, the Daily News thinks, of putting Congress in the wrong, the territory being so thinly peopled and so wanting in the elements of progress that to have elevated it to a state, though it would have added to the free and loyal element of the government, would have established an inconvenient, if not a dangerous, precedent. But if the President has the advantage of Congress in the pre sent matter, he gains it by the use of an argument which condemns his own policy in the more important matter of reconstruction. Mr. Johnson, who would not have the 30,000 people of Colorado equally represented with 130,000 people of New York, has no objection to permit 8,000,000 of Southern whites to balance 12,000,000 of Northern citizens. The Daily News trusts that the ad mirable practical scheme of the constitutional amendment will emerge from the Senate deprived of the clause dis franchising the Southern population. With that clause in it, Mr. Johnson might fairly make another exercise of his ' veto ; without it he cannot consistently do so. The Telegraph treats of the effect of the monetary crisis upon our American trade, arriving at the conclusion that there is no reason for apprehending any present disas trous effect to our commerce from our relations with the United States. That a few houses o. the other side, under special circumstances, may feel inconvenience from the difficulties that have pressed on us so severely, is to be expected ; but there is no ground whatever for anticipating any effect sufficiently extensive to react adversely ou British commerce or finance. ff ht Court. CLIVEDEN, MAT 29. The Queen went out yesterday morning, attended by the Duchess Dowager of Athole. In the afternoon her Majesty drove out, accompanied by the Princess Helena, and attended by the Duchess of Athole. Prince Leopold went out driving. The Duke of Beaufort, Mr. Cecil Martyn, and a large party of friends arrived in town on Monday evening from Paris, and left yesterday for Ascot for the mom week. The Duke of Northumberland and Lady Louisa Percy arrived at his grace's house in Portman square yes terday from Torquay. The venerable duke is in excellent health. The Marchioness of Abercorn went out on Mon day for the first time since her return from Cannes. The marchioness, by accident, injured her foot while at Cannes, which has given her ladyship much uneasiness ever since. The Earl and Countess of Dudley will shortly give a grand ball to their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales. The Earl and Countess Grey arrived at their residence on Canton House-terrace on Monday evening, from Alnwick Hall, Northumberland. The Earl of Chesterfield is still very seriously ill. Yesterday evening the medical report was more favourable. The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress have issued invitations for a dinner party at the Mansion-hot= onJune 12, " to meet the archbishops and bishops." The Right Hon. Sir Robert and Lady Emily Peel will give a grand entertainment on the 9th June to hie Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge, at their residence in Whitehall-gardens. A marriage is arranged between the Hon. Alice Dillon, daughter of Lord Clonbrock, and Mr. Ambrose Congrese, late 2nd Life Guards. IMPERIAL PARLIAMET, HOUSE OF COMMONS.—(THIS DAY.) On the motion for the second reading of the Pa te tb i Franchise Bill, The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said ft vs his disagreeable duty to oppose the bill ; h e t did so on conviction. He should not, however, e d e , sk it the course of taking isolated parts o f the low sure, and criticising them in a hostile sense, which he thought would be offensive and invidious t o p i , promoters ; but he should oppose it as a whole. he thought that all the conditions of an oh m , tionel test for the franchise could be .I %n obtained he should not object to it. But even if n o i n ; test than the mere signature of the name of a pewn eis deemed sufficient, it would inevitably break down, lbws was no presumptive ground whatever for sash a igt. which was totally foreign to the nature of ate electoral system ; which was founded on an occep e lh is franchise, without any reference to an educational tug The bill did not propose to change the existing b e ,,, chisel, but set out an addition to that system. The te , argument in its favour would bo the factof legislation ; I da * could introduce such overwhelming numbers into d ie franchise, when it might be urged that it wu am en , * create an educational test in order to meet the. difficulty. The bill, however, proceeded Oft t h s principle of universal suffrage, for everyone hoped flat the whole people should be educated ; and if that Vsf, ee the operation of the bill would be tantamount t o universal suffrage. A practical objection to th e 1, 4 was, that 'whereas it did not apply t o A wl who possessed the 10/. franchise, but to those axe were below it— the hihouring class, it would the young men just issued from the schools in which they had acquired reading, writing, and arithmetic, who eel * obtain the franchise, instead of the steady and wen e ., fathers of families in that clan. Again the la required greater educational proficiency f or t i s franchise than the Civil Service Cambric* demanded as qualification for a class of office' in them e service, who obtained a maintenance in presteti sad e pension in intim°. Nay, the arithmetical test would le too much for nearly every member of that house. th e right honourable gentleman then put aem it money division which be said scarcely any member could solve ; upon which Lord R. Montage said to. no division sum could be worked out by them, figures. Amidst much laughter the right hon. pathos asserted that it could, and then proceeded to say the he need not press that argument further, u it had be. practically established. Then there was the ordeslOO aspirants had to go through besides examine* the machinery of getting certificates and /* r ing registration ; the operation taking two ye. to perform. Then a price was to be paid hr the franchise, and this by the poorer class, under*, while the rich above it paid nothing, a aeries of fees ha g exacted at every One of the process of getting on thew gistry. In fact and practically such a fine was impod e . , the qualification that the measure must prove a sap In his opinion no method had yet been invented for pro tically carrying out an educational test for the fro* and on these grounds and the unworkable character ells bill he moved its rejection. Mr. CLIVE said he thought better of the bill after tie speech of the Chancellor of the Exchequer. It mid is 'a more just and comprehensive as an extension of is 'machine than a 71. rental. Lord R. MONTAGU said he viewed the bill se a eeegl► ment to the reform measure, andhe hoped that if it psi the second reading a motion would be made to refs Ai the same committee. Mr. EWART, being of opinion that the mums in a tribute to the growing intelligence of the üblg classes, would give it his support. Sir J. PAKINGTON said no one believed the Rdua Bill would pass this year, and therefore any ocatnialia toward~ a settlement of the franchise such as the hal furnished ought to be accepted. [Left speaking.] At Ascot yesterday the Princess of Weir wore a silk dress of pink and white in mediumissi checks, a white lace shawl, and a pink bonnet—co& ciently anal to be fashionable, and yet large enough to be a bonnet and not merely a bit of lace—with pink ri twos, and a bouquet of lilies of the valley drooping fog the top. We (Owl) understand that the Dowager lady Truro has bequeathed to the Princess Mary of Cimlni* the whole of her fortune and her house in Eatosiom which, we believe, will be the futurer-vidence of thePiinso sad Princess. _ Sir Edwin Landaeer's picture of " Lady Godira" in the Exhibition of this year, wxs originally comma for Mr. Ellice, late member for Coventry. It has imbue bought by Mr. Pender, who was the purchaser of Ellice's house in Arlington-street. On the motion for going into committee en Terminable Annuities Bill, Mr. H. B. Sheridan will more, " That this house is, by its resolutions, pledged to a further reduction of the fire insurance duties, the redoe tion already made being of too limited a character to attract increased insurance or to satisfy the country." In the event of the Tenure and Improvement of Land (Ireland) Bill being read a second time, Sir Thew Bateson will move that the principle of the bill be m tended to England and Scotland. Mr. Harvey Lewis will ask the First Commie. sioner of Works on Friday whether his attention When called to the practice of permitting sheep to be washed a the Serpentine in the same spot where bathing is allowed; and whether it is true that last year an expree prowl , was given that the pollution of the water from male proper practice should not be again sanctioned. On Friday Mr. G. Langton will ask the Secretor,' of State for the Home Department, whether the govern. ment have determined what compensation shall begin& to owners of stock for loss on cattle slaughtered by miler of inspectors previous to the passing of the Cattle Nsirs Act. On the 15th of the next month, Mr. Ewalt 111 move in the House of Commons " That the family etas late Mr. Joseph Hume being willing to offer to this bum a bust of that gentleman, who lung, Lbeeiouall, 1 2 1 . . disinterestedly served his country in platen:l4 11° house do accept the same, and cause it to be pissed° the library, or other suitable place adjoining to gle home)." In committee on Redistribution of Seats Bill, Sir B. Bridges will move that one member be given W district composed of the towns of Ramsgate and 11110 and the Isle of Thanet, and that this district be upwind from the eastern division of the county of Kent. Several gentlemen, members of both Houses cit Parliament, and without distinction of party, met 1* terday at the house of the Duke of Cleveland. St James's-square, in order to express the general reefed for the character of Lord Pidmenton by arranging fa the erection of a statue in London, in the open '> near the House of Commons. In order to include go largest number of persons it is proposed to admit so la . scription beyond 51. The following gentlemen will ail as a provisional committee : —The Duke of Cleveland. Earl Stanhope, Lord Belper, the Right lion. GePall Peel, M.P., the Right Hon. Spencer Walpole, 31. P., tis Hon. A. Kinnaird, M.P., the Hon. George I ° l ° lll _ M.P., Hastings Russell, Eeq., M.P., Thomas oft' M.P., Wentworth Beaumont, Esq., M.P., Charles Bak ton, Esq., M.P., and John Abel Smith, Esq., N.P. Who the subscription list is completed the subscribers wil . ll ° invited to hold a public meeting, and to elect a oommitto to carry their object into practical effect. THE BISHOP or HEREFORD. —The physiMogs id attendance on the Bishop of Hereford consider an izoronn• ment to have taken place during the last few days in lordship's health. He is still in • very weak state,. lB ° unable to leave his bed or attend to business of any kool• —Birmingham Daily Post. THEATRICAL LICENSES AND REGULATIONS COY' lime& —The following statement has been handed i 2 . P) this committee from the Lord Chamberl a in:s (Ito •"- During the years 1857 to 1865 1,810 manunoript bowie for plays have been granted and seven only The title of the plays being in 1857, How its t o be Boar, in two acts, the Strand Theatre. 1858. The Blood SP° l ,.. the Maiden, the Muter, and the Murderer, two ana„:l Queen's Theatre. 1858. The Discarded Son, or the Gaw' royress, two acts, Victoria Theatre. 1859. Le TorO a " . ow, !'Accord Parfait, two acts, St. James's Th e_,.. 1881. The Money Lender, two acts, Standard Totli g 1882. The Gipsy of Edgware, ur the Crime J. tha Lame, two acts, Marylebone Theatre. 1865. The Slave, two acts, New Adelphi, Liverpool P'"' cyl r; the a, mould state( Aid 1,0,0,