The Express. — London, England, 1866-05-12 00:00:00

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JAILERS-HALL, RECENTSTREIT, PICCADILLY. WM. ONALD, Prop4etoi. the erprefsfs. TO CORRESPOND/UM dverlisements intended for " The Express," London Rwerdne Paper, mint be at the Mee, 10, Bourerieatreet, by Two o'clock on the day of publication. HAYMARKET, TIM ETIntiNO, A ROMANTIC ATTACHMENT. Mews. Compton and W. Farman ; MIN AdaCaveadialt—THE FAVORITE OF FORTUNE. Maws. Buckatone, Chippendale, and Sothern ; Mrs. Clappendale. etc.—And A DAUGHTER TO MARRY. PRINCEBB'& Tau Erriono, A LUCHTHIT.—AIter which THE STREETS OF LONDON. Maseru Vining, T. Mead, D. Murray, Shore, and Villiers ; Mn H. Marston, and Mires E. Burnett and Y. Dodgem LICEUhk Tars Hyannis, A DAY AFTER THE WEDDING. Messrs !lineman, Fitzpatrick, and Clifford ; Mrs. Horsman, an—And HAMLET. Mesh m Yachter, Emery, Addison, Widdicomb, Yestn, Jordan, Fitzpatrick, dr.c. ; Mesdames Ilsworthy and C. Leclerce. BRITANNIA. ..... rats EMIRS, THE LAST APPEAL—THE HURON CHIEF . Mr. Junes Anderson.—To conclude with THE DARK KING OF THE BLACK MOITITTALNS. Miss Chars St. Caw, Mrs & Less and Muter S Sanders. HIGH-WATER AT LONDON•BRIDOB TRIO DAT — Zilloining, -AllernOOOT Oh. O. To-itolhOw—Mornhlg, Oh. 2dm Afternoon, Oh. him. LONDON, SATURDAY, MAY 12. Iris difficult to write with composure of a species of criminal folly which is wantonly aggravating the crisis through which our financial establishments of every kind are passing. As if the trials and anxieties of our merchants and bankers were not sufficiently severe, the haunts of commerce are in fested with a class of persons whose solo occupa tion throughout business hours is to imagine, amplify, and retail stories of misfortune and dis aster. For a considerable time peat our monetary establishments have been the prey of speculators for a fall, and how fatally their operations have been conducted we now see only too plainly. These speculators had a definite object to gaiu—they sought to enrich themselves ; but the persons of whom we now speak cannot offer this excuse. They are idlers, very loosely, if at all, connected with that organi zation of credit which an unfortunate concurrence OUR CONTEMPORARI/* (THIS DAY.) -.-. THE SUSPENSION OF THE BANK ACT. If anything could justify s suspension of the Bank Charter Act, it would be, the Titus says, the panic which yesterday swayed the City to and fro, but it was a panic which bad no solid foundation, and if the govern ment had stood firm would have subsided of itself. What after ►ll had happened' A particular course of unsound business, " financing, " the dangers of which had been foreseen and foretold, has broken down, but the position of ordinary bankers and merchants whose businesiiis of a different kind remained unaffected. Con fidence would have been surely and speedily restored had the law been preserved in all its integrity, and, though the Chancellor of the Exchequer and his colleagues pro bably found it impossible to resist the pressure put upon them, we cannot but regret a step unwarranted by what has occurred, or by the prospects which were immediately before us. As it is, we must expect during the next few months the revival of a controversy on the Bank Act ; but it may be shown that were it not for the Act, thatoonfidence in the Bank of England which is the secret of the magical effect produced by a suspension of the law would be impossible. The panic is the consequence of en slum of credit practised everywhere except at the Bank of England, which by the laws of its existence is pre vented from adopting the evil policy acted on elsewhere, and is therefore able to come to the rescue with a reserve fund of credit on which we can fall back. We recognise the necessity of having recourse to it on this occasion, but it is due to the Bank Charter Act that such help is possible, and the Act is justified even though it be periodi cally broken. . _ Though even the creditors of Overend, Gurney, and Co. could hardly dispute that eventually they would get both principal and interest, and though it does not enter into anybody's comprehension that even a stoppege of the banks would be more than • temporary delay, yet, the Daily News observes, as in commercial matters a delay is fatal, and readiness is the life of credit, the most disastrous results would follow if confi dence were not fully and immediately established. At times all securities are inconvertible, and in the first shock yesterday morning Consols for more than an hour could not be turned into money. Unless some decided relief then could be given, the whole trade of the country would have been paralysed, and the government, which at first seemed disposed to lean too much on the judgment of the Bank directors, have wisely taken a course which will powerfully contribute to restore public confidence, and will be received with gratitude throughout the country. The Post also approves of the intervention of the go- vernment, and the Herald only reproaches them for their tardiness. The demand, the Herald says, was not for gold, but for Bank of England notes, and to authorise a fresh issue would of course permit reasonable assistance to be given where the strain was peculiarly severe. The banks, however, stood their ground well. Every cheque presented was promptly psicL There was no higgling, no hesitation, no delay, no endeavour to persuade withdrawing custo mers to alter their minds. The concession granted by the government should be, the Telegraph urges, fenced In and protected against the possibility of abuse. It is not to bolster up reckless and improvident gamesters that, for the third time since 1844, authority is given to suspend the Bank Charter Act. It is to disentangle solvent and honest bankers and merchants from the effects of insensate fear, begotten of speculation, but unhappily involving those whoseliusiness waslegitimate and sound, that, through the agency of ministerial relief, artificial confidence will be restored. While most reflecting people, says the Star, will regard 441/. to one of fit, pod trusts it ,will noe.accesfi the dErm, s gorernmelthwould Wallas itself W abnisden ing tie eV change widdh tends fin effect the purr. tel which reform is demanded. To cling to power at Noah at sacrifice would be ultimately to lose both power and cha racter. the necessity for the step now taken as in some degree reflecting upon the directors of the Bank of England for the rigid and hard-fisted po' , ey which they have lately, as self-elected guardians of commercial morality, adopted, there is little fear that the suspension of the Act will lead, ail they are supposed to dread, to a popular belief that they too have been acting imprudently. Their error lies in a contrary direction. But while the Bank of England thoroughly maintains it high repute, it is satisfactory to know, on the highest authority—that of the Chancellor of the Exchequer—that the trade which the Bank Act ham pers is in a sound and healthy state. There is no occasion for panic, and probably the measure of relief afforded by government, and tho re-assuring words of Mr. Gladstone in reference to the condition of trade, will effectually re fresh and rehabilitate the commercial situation. In the opinion of the Saturday Review, when the eon• servativee are invited to lay aside all their weapons, and to concur amiably and peacefully in passing a reform measure common to both aides, they are asked what it is neither possible nor desirable that they should grant. There may be compromises on many details, but the leading provisions of the general scheme must be decided by one side being stronger than the other. The conservatives may succeed in getting a member or two more given to groups of boroughs or to counties, or in ez. eluding borough leaseholders and freeholders from voting for counties. They may, probably, decide whether the seven seats allotted to Scotland shall be given to Scotland or kept for England. But when the question arises whether the county franchise shall be reduced to IV. or to 201., there is nothing to be done but to divide the house, and to see which reduction finds the stronger support. The conservatives ought not to affer a factious or dilatory opposition, but their position as a par 4 would have no meaning or substance it, on a main question which largely affects the landed interest, they do not resolutely main• tain what they think to be the best for the countrf. The Press professes to think that, had a change of go vernment ensued inconsequence of the recent vote on the Re• form Bill, the danger of war would ere this have passed away! The direction of public affairs would in that case have been entrusted to statesmen who know how to make the influence of England felt in the councils of Europe. Vie Court. WINDSOR CASTLE, MAT IL The Queen, aocompanied by Princess Helena, drove out yesterday afternoon in a carriage and four, at tended by Lady ChurchilL Prince Alfred, attended by the Hon. Eliot Yorke, arrived at the Castle. The Durham and Princess Mazy of Cambridge and Prince Teck, attended by Colonel Home Purves, the Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg Strelits attended by Lay Caroline Cush, and; the Duke of Cambridge attended by Colonel the lion. J. Macdonald, arrived at the Castle yesterday. The royal family and Prince Exward of Saxe Weimar dined with the Queen. After dinner the Queen's private band played in the drawing room, before Prince Alfred, Princess Helena, and the royal visitors who arrived in the afternoon, and the Ladies and Gentlemen in Waiting. Major-General Sir T. M. and the lion. Lady Biddnlph, the Dean of Windsor and the Hon. Mrs. Wellesley, and Mr. Sahl had also the honour of being invited. The Queen, with Princess Helena, the Duchess of Cam bridge, and the Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg Strelita, drove out this morning in a carriage and four. Lord Alfred Paget attended on horseback. Prince Alfred presided yesterday at a meeting of t' e Executive Committee of the Central Hall of Arts and Sciences at Kensington. The Hon. Flora Macdonald and the Hon. Mary Laaceilea have succeeded tho Hon. Emily Carthcart and the Hon. Florence Seymour as Maids of Honour. The Prince of Wales rode out on horseback yesterday afternoon. The Princess of Wales took a carriage drive, attended by the Hon. Mr. A. Hanlinge. The Prince of Wales went to the House of Lords. In the evening their Royal Highnesses had a dinner party. The company included the Prince of Teck, the Austrian Ambassador and Countess Apponyi, Earl and Countess of Dunmore, Earl and Countess of Tankerrille, Earl and Countess Spencer, Earl and Countess of Claren. don, Viscount and Viscountess Walden, Viscount Henri tan, Captain Lord John Hay, Hon. Mrs. A. 'Jardine, Hon. H. Bourke, Hon. T. de Grey, Lieutenant-General Sir Hope Grant, Lieutenant-General Knollys, Major Tees dale, Mr. Oliphant, Mr. Fisher, and Mr. Holzmann. The band of the let Life Guards (conducted by Mr. Waterson) was in attendance and played a selection of music. of circumstances gives them, altogether insignif - cant as they are, the power to injure. These are they who circulate rumours of imaginary runs upon banks ; who give out that the " paper " of some solvent house has been returned; and who know for certain that this or that firm is on dhe very point of stopping payment. Yesterday was a great day for these gratuitous panic-mongers, and the recklessness with which the falsest ru mours were circulated has never been surpassed. The greatest names in English banking and commerce were spoken trippingly by the detrac tors, and for a time the most baseless fabrications circulated without let or hindrance. tl.dy those who know and have considered how sensitive a thing credit is, can conceive the mischief that may thus be done without positive malevo'ence, but through sheer folly and want of self-res.raint. It is not right, however, that reputations more or less necessary to the stability of our commercial life should be at the mercy of the designing knave or the incontinent fool, and it is time for all upright and prudent men to make a common stand against a practice which is in itself detestable, and may have disastrous consequences. We understand that in the case of one or two well-known firms, whose reputation was most unjustly assailed yes terday, a legal prosecution is likely to teach cer tain inconsiderate people the responsibility which attaches to the circulation of alarming false re ports. For an effectual check to the practice we must, however, trust to the good sense of the public. If these idle people only talked to one another, comparatively little harm would be done. It is the attention paid to them by anxious listeners that gives them power to do mischief. At such a time as this, the public is all eye and ear, and thankful to any one who brings new facts for its guidance and instruction. This is the disposi tion to which the rumour-mongers address them selves, and which they abuse. The check must conic from those who know the value of credit, how essential its preservation is to our commercial life, to the working of the industrial machine, to the safety of property and the happiness of families. The retailer of false and idle gossip mrst be plainly and sternly told that he is a pv olic enemy, anti, if he has the least stake in the country, his own enemy, and must learn that honest men will not tolerate the circulation of dangerous sa.e ments, adopted without evidence and repeated without inquiry. This is an imperious necessity of the hour. A deputation of railway managers consisting of Mr. Cawkwell (London and; North-Western), Mr. Seymour Clarke (Great Northern), Mr. Mostly (Great Eastern), Mr. Srnithetts (Lancashire and Yorkshire), Mr. Underdown (Manchester,Sbeffield, and Lincolnshire), had an interview with the Right Hon. T. Milner Gibson, at the office of the Board of Trade, yesterday, on the subject of the cattle plague. It is currently rumoured at Oxford that the Prince and Princess of Wales intend to be present during the Commemoration next month. The great reception given three years ago to their royal highnesses is no doubt fresh in the public memory. The grand Caledonian ball is appointed to take place on the 18th of the ensuing month, under the distin guished patronage of the Queen. Their Royal Highnesse s the Prince and Princess of Wales and a long list of the Scottish nobility lend their names as patrons and patro 'mutes of that grand Scottish gathering. The Duke of Cambridge, K.G., has graciously consented to be nominated a •ice-patron of University College Hospital. MEETING OF THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY. The Earl of Malmeabury arrived in Paris on Monday last, and intends to stay in the French capital till after the Whitson recess. The countess remains in town. The Marquis of Hastings has purchased the entire lot of the Houton yearlings of Mr. R. C. Naylor for the sum of 10,000 guineas. The following members constitute the minority who voted hat night for the abandonment of the Regium Domun :—Messrs. E. Baines, T. Barnes, J. Bright, J Candlish, E. H. Craufurd, and R. W. Crawford ; Sir F. Crossley ; Messrs. H. Fawcett, C. Gilpin, W. Graham, J. T. Hibbert, J. Lamont, G. Leeman, A. Lusk, D. ISPLaren, J. R. Mills, R. Padinore, R. N. Philips, J. Platt E. Potter, J. B. Smith, A. A. Spiers, P. A. Taylor, and J. White. Tellers : Messrs. Hadfield and Crum-Ewing. DEVONPORT ELECTION.—We learn by Renter's telegram that Admiral Daeres has declined to stand for the representation of the borough, and Lord Eliot, the lon of Earl St. Germans, who was defeated at Crieklade at the last general election, has been selected. His lordship arrived here last night by the midnight express, and will address the liberal electors to-day. Mr. Montagu Cham bers addressed the liberal committee last night, and was favourably received. THE REPRESENTATION OP DARLTNOTOR. —At a meeting held at Darlington on Thursday night, it was decided to send a deputation to Mr. Gladstone, to enforce the claims of Darlington and its 25,000 inhabitants, be. fore the second rending of the Ifethitribution of Seats 4 1 1%* TH ItXTRESS, .fItTURDAY% MAY 12, 184 e: *LATEST INTWALIGENCE. THE PRESETIT ASPECT OF AFFAIRS. The Italian Official Gazette contains the royal decree ordering the formation of an Italian volun teer corps. General Garibaldi is appointed to the command. The men must swear fidelity to the Sing, and to the laws of the kingdom, and are to engage themselves for a year. The officers will receive royal commissions. The number of battalions to be organised at present will be 20. These are the principal provisions of the decree, but there are several others relating to the classes who are eligible to serve, the position which the volunteers are to hold relatively to the regular army, their pay, &c. By a telegraphic despatch from Florence, dated yesterday, we learn from the Diritto that a mes senger, with important despatches, has just left that city for Caprera. A despatch in the Provincia of Turin of the 10th says Trecchi has left in a war steamer for Caprera, to take Garibaldi on board. There is immense enthusiasm in Florence. Volunteers are arriving by the hundred from the Neapolitan mountains. Several are also reported from Sicily. Many of the deputies are going either with the volunteers or the regular army. Confidence is universal. " Viva Italia !" " Viva it Re." The Indipendauce, after alluding to the report of the negotiations which are said to be going on between Austria and France, says One combination alone could realise these rumours and secure peace—the renunciation of Venetia by Austria. This would be an act of high and able policy, and the Em peror Francis-Joseph could the more readily execute it as Venetia is not an hereditaryprovinoe attachedto the crown by the ties of reciprocal affection, but • province newly acquired by the chances of war, and which never has been consolidated with the empire either by his predecessors or himself. All possible circumstances plead in favour of this renunciation, but we dare not hope that ineffectual as they have hitherto proved to bring about this result, they will now get the better of the passions which oppose and the considerations of a secondary order which militate against the adoptionof so radical a remedy. The only doubtful point in our opinion is not whether war will break out, but how it will break out, who will take the apparent responsibility of beginning it; for the real responsibility—the result of long premeditation —is no longer doubtful. In Italy everything is ready ; in Germany they are leas prepared, and the deliberations of the Diet seem to have no other view than that of defining the exact posi tion of Prussia towards the members of the Confederation who, with Saxony, will make common cause with Austria. But while waiting for some solution of the question all the states of Germany are arming as fast as possible. (szuria's TELEG &LIM ) AUSTRIA, PRUSSIA, AND ITALY. BERLIN, MAY 12. Hopes are still entertained in some quarters for the maintenance of peace, probably on the ground that Austria will make some concessions. Yesterday afternoon above 200 political friends of the Earl of Derby, and those identifying themselves with his policy, assembled by appointment at the Marquis of Salisbury's house in Arlington-street, Piccadilly. The Earl of Derby arrived at a quarter past 2 o'clock, Mr. Disraeli and many of the prominent members of the con servative party in the House of Commons having previously arrived. We have various accounts of the proceedings• The Times says that after considerable discussion " the meeting came to a resolution expressing implicit con fidence in their leaders." The Herald informs us that a lengthened discussion took place upon the question of the RedistribuLion of Seats Bill, and that ultimately it was resolved no opposition should be offered to the iecond reading, and that bill should be allowed to go into committee. The Star hears that the opposition would be willing to accept the 71. borough franchise, provided the government consented to raise the proposed county franchise to 201., and the Adrerliatr con• tains something like a report of the discussion. According to the latter authority, 170 members answered to the muster roll, and 112 representatives sent either their cards or letters of apology, so that the entire strength of the opposition was accounted for by the whips. The principal speakers were Lord Derby, General Peel, Mr. Disraeli, Lord Stanley, and Mr. Henley. Lord Derby's address was even more that characteristically earnest and spirited. Commencing with a cheerful allusion to the bold front presented by the " Conservative Commoners" on the i second reading of the Franchise Bill, and congratulating the party on toe almost unprecedented circumstance that there had been from the entire body, in that great political conflict, but one solitary seceder ; he an nounced that as soon as the government measure for redistributing seats had been laid upon the table of the House of Commons by the Chancellor of the Exchequer— himself and some intimate triends, to the number of 14 or 15, who might be considered in some degree as a representative council, considered all the proposed arrange ' ments and schedules not only independently of but in con nexion with the Representation of the People Bill. They carefully examined the position in which the Seats Bill was likely to place the conservative party, and they came to the conclusion that it would not be advisable, or in the interest of the great muse which they all had at heart, to offer opposition to the second reading, fixed for Monday next. Both branches of the reform scheme woe!' then stand on the favourite pari paßsu footing. While Lord Derby counselled this course of moderation and forbearance, he stated that the conservatives of the House of Commons might rely that their leader would take the earliest oppor tune moment for offering to the Seats Bill the most deter, mined opposition, an announcement that elicited some hearty cheering. When the house went into committee on the bill certain resolutions already carefully drafted and partly con sidered would be submitted to the legislature ; but at the present moment tke conservative chief thought it on. necessary to refer more particularly to these substantive amendments. The meeting seemed unanimous in rapport ing the view taken by Lord Derby and his representative council friends. There will therefore be no party tight at the next stage of the seats measure, but in committee an ingenious flank-charge may be expected, and the support of the Adullsmites, it is said, ham been assured. It is believed that no formal treaty has yet been concluded between Prussia and Italy. AUSTRIA. VIENNA, MAT 12. The warlike preparations of Austria still con tinue. Field-Marshal von Benedek is expected here shortly. The necessity for the visa of pass ports ha s been extended to travellers within the interior of Venetia. Count Mensdortf has addressed a letter to Count von Bismarck, congratulating him upon his escape from the hand of the assassin. THE QUESTION OF THE DUCHIES. BERLIN, MAY 12. The reply of Prussia to the Austrian note of the 26th inst. upon the question of the Duchies was presented yesterday in Vienna to Count Mensdorff. The settlement proposed by Austria is declined. Prussia makes no other proposals, but intimates that she may do so. THE FEDERAL DIET. FRANKFORT-ON-THE-MAINE, MAT 12. At tho nest sitting of the Federal Diet a propo sition will be made, and is likely to be accepted, that Federal military contingents should be sta tioned at certain points for the protection of German States threatened by any member of the Confederation. PRUSSIA AND FEDERAL REFORM. FRANKFORT-ON-THE-MAINE, MAY 12. The first sitting of the committee of nine in the Federal Diet was held yesterday. The majority of the members will report in favour of the principle of reform, but will demand that Prussia shall make known the details of her pro posals, and particularly the electoral law for the constitution of a German parliament. HUNGARY. PESTH, MAT 12. Th► Emperor of Austria has declined to accede to the zepresentationa made to him by the Saxon inhabitants of Transylvania against the union of that province with Hungary. The discussions of the committee composed of Hungarian and Croatian deputies for the union of the two provinces continue, and promise a satisfac tory result. PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS FOR THE ENSUING WEEK. The following notices of motions and orders of the day stand in the order-book of the House of Commons for the ensuing week : MONDAY, MAY 14. ORDERS or THE DAY. Redistribution of Seats Bill—second reading ; Represen tation of the People (Scotland) Bill—second reading ; Re presentation of the People (Ireland) Bill—second reading ; Representation of the People Bill—committee (motions by Mr. Bouverie, Mr. Kinglake, Mr. Martin, Mr. Grant, Mr. Darby Gri ffi th, Sir R. Knightley, Mr. Sandford, Sir W. Hutt, Icc.) ; Supply—report ; Customs and Inland Revenue Bill—second trading ; Crown Land' Bill—third reading ; Supply--oommittee ; Ways and Means—committee Tenure and Improvement of Land (Ireland) Bill—secon d reading ; Merchant Shipping Act (1854) Amendment Bill -second reading ; Railways Clauses Bill—committee,. Waterworks Bill—committee ; Naval Savings Banks Bill —committee ; Companies' Act (1862) Amendment Bill— second reading ; Indian Prize Money Bill—second read ing ; Pier and Harbour Orders Confirmation Bill—second reading ; Commons (Metropolis) Bill—second reading ; Convicts' Property Bill—third reading ; Rateable Pro perty (Ireland) Bill—second reading ; Common Law Courts (Ireland) Bill—second reading ; Court of Chancery (Ire land) Bill—adjourned debate on amendment on second reading ; Fishery Piers and Harbours (Ireland) Bill —committee ; Life Insurances (Ireland) ; Landed Property Improvement (Ireland) Bill—third read ing ; Poor-law Officers Superannuation (Scotland) Bill— committee ; Bfilicitor to the Treasury Bill—committee ; Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Bill—third reading ; Sale of Land by Auction Bill—second reading; Salmon Fisheries (Scotland) Bill—second reading ; Railway Debentnres,&c., Regigny Bill—committee ; Grand Juries Presentment (Ireland) Bill—third reading; Transubstantiation, &c., Declaration Abolition Bill—committee ; Common Law Procedure Amendment Acts (Ireland) Bill--second read ing ; Poor Persons' Burial (Ireland) Bill—consideration of Lords' amendments Hop Trade Bill—third reading. AUSTRIA AND VENYTIA. The Daily News of this morning confi-ms the fact that negotiations have been carried on of late, having for their object a cession of Venetia by Austria to Italy, and hopes it may infer from the language of its contemporaries at Vienna that the affair has entered a stage at which success has become probable. But if anything is to be dune it must be done very quickly. The sands arc fast falling i the glass which measures the hour of opportunity. Were this question pacifically disposed of, not only would Prussia have to encounter the forces of Austria single. handed, but it is highly probable that Prussia would not be anxious to fight. It has never yet been shown that if Count Bismarck had gone fairly about the business of the Duchies, and treated the neighbours of Prussia with com mon consideration, he might not have procured the sub stantial if not the formal adjunction of the Duchies to the dominions of his master. He preferred to proceed by anther way, because he wished to accomplish annexation, of much more importance than that of Schleswig-Holstein, and establish the supremacy of l'russia in Germany by enormous territorial aggrandisements. It is in the power of Austria, by settling the Venetian question, to deprive him of his trusted weapons, and reduce him to the neces sity of promoting his objects by more legitimate means. THE WEEKLY PRESS. When Overend, Gurney, and Co. was converted into a private company, the Economist believed that the old firm had by most reckless management reduced it to one of the most losing concerns in Europe, but it could not say so in print without legal consequences. The old firm for the sake of high interest took bad securities, and as thz new company must have taken some of these on, the consequence is that they have lost most of their paid-up e •pital at any rate. Having strongly expressed the opinion that the act of 1844 must be suspended, the Evaomist proceeds to remark that it has no doubt of the substantial soundness of the general trade of the country. Many monetary companies have gone, and many have yet to go. Many contractors are in the same post. tion. There are some five millions (say) of unsecured finance paper, but the general trade of the country has nothing to do with that kind of accommodation paper any more than with any other kind. It has hen canted on with a view to profit, and is profitable. The Examiner remarks that it is precisely at a time like this that the man who has used proper care for safe in vestment of his money should stick to the position he has once deliberately taken. klub and speculative invest ments are now in great peril, but firms and companies of character thus far unblemished, are entitled, in a day of p,nic like the present, to a double trust. It is every min's interest to hold on by them and keep them from upsetting. The safest boat may be capsized by the very people she is carrying, and well able to carry, safe to har bour, if, in panic among themselves, they recklessly derange her balance. As to the Reform Bill the 'Examiner would be surprised a-id sorry if Lord Stanley gave hie sanction to the stupid an i indeed suicidal project of raising the borough franchise fro n 7/. to Si. It will be useless to talk of justice or gene roe ty in the matt( r. One argument, and one only is likely to have weight, and that is—Will the stinted concession offered in the bill be accepted by any as settlement of the reform question during the remaining lifetime of the pre. sent generation, if it be further emaciated and curtailed' We happen to know that a salutary conviction is beginning to steal over the impenitent spirit of toryism on this subject; and we are not without hope that the fruits of that conviction will be found in the debates and divisions of the coming week. Whatever happens, the Examiner repeats the expres sion of its earnest confidence that Mr. Gladstone and his colleagues will stick to their principles, and yield no more to party considerations. If the tories choose to break down the bill in detail, on their heads be the conse quences. The people would rather wait another year, o r another three years, than be forced to feel that they have been trifled with or cheated. The Spedato► thinks the government are pretty sure to be defeated on the change of the borough franchise from WI:RTEMBERG. STUTTGARD, MAT 12. The Diet of Wurtemberg has been convened for the 13th May. The Bth Federal army corps will be concentrated at Muhlacker. HESSE DARMSTADT. DARMSTADT, MAT 12. The army of Hesse Darmstadt has been placed on a war footing, BAVARIA. 241.711C1T, MAT 12. Cantonments are to be erected at Lechfelde, and near Nurnberg, for two divisions of the Bavarian army. BOHEMIA. PRAGUE, MAY 12. The National Guard of this city has declared itself ready to perform the military service of the town in the event of war. The works upon the fortifications of Theresien atadt, in Bohemia, continue. The departure of the ex-Emperor Ferdinand for Salzburg is still expected. FRANCE. PARIS, MAY 12. The Constitutionnel of this morning publishes an article, signed by M. Paulin Limayrac, which statei that France has not ceased to give counsels of moderation to Prussia, Austria, and Italy, and says : " The Emperor's government desires to main tain peace under conditions affording full satisfac tion to the national honour and interests. It has no other object, and cannot with justice be repre sented as engaged in projects of war which it re grets and disapproves." ITALY. FLORENCE, MAT It In yesterday's sitting of the Chamber of De puties the first article of the financial laws was agreed to. A royal decree has been issued announcing the regulations under which officers will be admitted to the command of volunteer corps. SPAIN. MADRID. KAT 11. The Epoea of this evening says the bill brought forward by Marshal O'Donnell will undergo con siderable modification, on account of the declara tion made by the government, and the observa tions of important members of the Congress. MOTICEIS OP MOTIONS. Mr. M. Torrens—To ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, having before hint the report of the Jamaica Commissioners of Inquiry, he has advised her Majesty to disallow the Bill of Indemnity passed by the Colonial legislature for meta done in repressing the dis turbances of October last. Viscount Cranborne—To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the government are in possession of any estimates tending to show the relative extent to which urban and rural populations enter into the compo sition of each constituency under the new bills, and the number of electors which each franchise will add to each constituency. Mr. F. Surteee—To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the Compulsory Church Rate Abolition Bill pearl into law, whether it will have the effect of depriving a vicar of a parish of certain moneys arising out of the church rates, and which moneys were settled on the vicar for the time being by an act of parliament passed in the reign of Queen Anne. TUESDAY, MAY 15. Noting or MOTIONS.. Mr. Graves—To ask the President of the Board of Trade if it is his Intention to cause an inquiry to be made into the recent destruction of the steamer European, with 50 lives, at Colon, from the effects of a quantity of highly explosive oil, called glonoin or Mtro-glycerine, which had been forwarded from Cermany, through Grimsby, to Liver pool, where it was shipped on board of the European. And whether any and what steps have been taken to pre vent the reception or transmission of this article without proper notice. Sir Andrew Agnew—To ask the Vice-President of the Committee of Privy Council whether he is aware of the ex treme danger to health of the community arising from the neglect of sanitary precautions on the part of emigration agents and contractors. And whether her Majesty's government are prepared to take steps to oblige agents I and contractors to provide suitable accommodation for all passengers landed by them at any British port. Mr. O'Reilly—National Education (Ireland)—Select com mittee to inquire what changes may, with advantage, be made in the system of national education in Ireland, in order to allow greater freedom and fulness of religious teaching in schools attended by pupils of one religious de nomination only, and to guard effectually against pro , selytisin and protect the faith of the minority in mixed schools. Power to send for persons, papers, and records ; flue to be the quorum. Mr. Baillie Cochrane—Metropolitan Board of Works, &c.—That an humble address be presented to her Majesty, praying that her Majesty will be graciously pleased to issue a royal commission to inquire into the constitution of the Metropolitan Board of \Vorks, the office of Public Works, and the office of Woods and Forests, with the object of seeing whether some means may not be devised by which the improvements of the metropolis may be car ried out in a more comprehensive and economical manner, and with greater unity of purpose. Mr. Woolley—Fenian Conspiracy (Ireland)—Select committee to inquire and report as to the origin, object, and extent of the Fenian conspiracy now or lately existing in Ireland, and especially whether it is in any and what degree connected with any form of religious belief. Mr. Secretary Cardwell—Colonial Bishops—Bill to re move doubts as to the effect of let-ers patent granted to certain colonial bishops, and to amend the law with re spect to bishops and clergy in the colonies. Mr. Bovill—Patent Office and Patent Museum—To call attention to the present state of the Patent Office and the Patent Museum, and to submit a motion with a view to the improvement of the efficiency and usefulness of those esta blishments, and of securing the application for those pur pwer of the fees raid by patentees, and to move for payers. General Dunne—Taxation (Ireland)—To call attention to the report of the committee on Irish taxation presented last session, and to move for papers. ORDER.% 0? THZ DAT. Tithe Rent-charge (Ireland) Bill—acconil reading; Petit Juriea (Ireland) Bill—aecord reading. NOTICE OF MOTION. Sir F. Heygate—On second reading of Tithe Rent-eharge (Ireland) Bill, to move that it be read a second time upon that day six months. THFRSDAT, MAT 17. ORDERS OF THE DAY. Inns of Court Bill---seeond reading ; Labouring Classes' Dwellings (Ireland) Bill—committee ; Local Government Supplemental (No. 2) Bill—second reading ; Railway Com panies' Securities Bill—second reading. FRIDAY, MAY 18. ORDERS (F THE DAT. Bankruptcy Law Amendment, &c., Bill—committee ; Tramways (lreland) Acts Amendment Bill—second read ing ; Lunacy Acts (Scotland) Amendment Bill—as amended to be couaidereti, NorteEs or MOTIONS. On going into Committee of Supply, General Dunne—To call attention to the Treasury minute respecting the records of Great Britain and Ire land. Mr. Mill—On 'notion for going into committee on Bankruptcy Law Amendment, kc. , Bill to move that it be an instruction to the committee that they have power to insert clauses for the appropiiate punishment of debtors who dishonestly spend or culpably risk the property due to their creditors. The Bishop of London has considerably improved in health during his lordship's residence at Hastings. The sight rev. prelate and Mrs. Tait intend to return to the Palace, Fulham, on Saturday next. The Bishop of Exeter has just entered his 89th year, having been born at Bridgwater on May 6, 1778. He is believed to be the oldest graduate of Oxford now living, having taken his B.A. degree in June, 1795. A provincial paper states that the Welsh coal field has been tapped at various parts by mines, and there can be no doubt that a layer of first-class steam coal exists there 20 square miles in superficial area, with an average thickness of 30 feet. Every cubic yard of this vast field contains a ton of coals. About 150 million tons have been extracted, and the annual extract at the present time is about 8 million tons. At this rate the coal-field will last upwards of 13,000 years. The north of England coal-field, which has been worked for nealy 2,000 years, and shows no signs of exhaustion, is not to be compared with the Welsh field in point of magnitude. The latter has not been known more than 30 years. LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS FOE THE ENSUING Weitit.—Monday, Geographical, at 8 " Yarkund, fro. " Captain Mon y omerie , " Vint to Da t a , Thibet," Captain Bennett; Western Shores of Volcano Bay, Yeast)," Commander Forbes. Tuesday, Royal Insti tution, at 3, " Physical Geography and the Fine Arts," Professor Ansted ; Horticultural, at 3, General Meeting and Lecture ; Statistical, at 8; Engineers at 8, " Water Supply of Paris," Mr. Burnell. Ni ednesday, Literature, at 41 ; Society of Arts, at 8. Thursday, Royal Institu tion, at 3, " Ethnology," Professor Huxley ; Numismatic, at 7, " French and English Budgets," Major-General Bal four ; Chemical, at 8, " Action of Acids on Metals," Pro fessor Calvert ; " Action of Acids on Naphthylamine," Mr. Chapman ; "Oxidation from Sodium Ethel" Pro fessor Wanklyn ; " Formation of Ethylaniine," Proles mot Wanklyn and Mr. Chapman; " Nitro-Prussides," Mr. Harlow ; Derivatives of Acetone," Sir R. Kane ; Royal, ' at 8' • Antiquaries, at 81. Friday, Royal Institution, at 8, " The Telescope," Rev. C. Pritchard • Philological, at 8, Anniversary Meeting. Saturday, Royal Institution, at 3, " Ethnology," Professor Huxley.—dtheismisin. SUNDAY. MONDAY. N.E. to N.W., strong , N.Y.E. to W.\." 7 ., to fresh, squally, fresh. squally, wt showers. sh o wers. Not-herly to westerly, WAIRIIII. N.N.W. to IV.&W,, strops. squally, to fresh or strong. PIOIIABLI 01 21011111 COAStk. fresh; : with . shoirars. N.N.W. W W.S. W., NOUTIIMIN. As next shove. fresh or strong, showers in placer. Varying winds, strung ZAMMIII. to fresh, with some Similar to atom Northern—Scotland. Western—lreland, Wales, sad sdiw modes. Southern—English Channel and Bay 0/ Bi lt* Eastern—Eaatward England and North Sea. Mr. Simonds, sent down by the government to inquire into the alleged violent outbreak of plague is North Lancaahire,gives a reassuring report as to its extent, and reports unfavourably of the remedy said to have hem discovered by one of the inspectors. He says that many of the animals were healthy, and, in effect, that the fresh went to which they were subject was. really injurious. MARTER OF THE MORSE'S OFFICE, MaY 1L -s. The Queen has been pleased to appoint the Hon. Frederick William Stopford to be page of honour to her Male" vice Henry John Loftus, Esq.—Gazette. THE SENTENCE 1;PON CHARLOTTE WINSOIL—We have reason to believe that her Majesty has been advimd to commute the capital sentence on Charlotte Winter into penal servitude for life. We may state, at the ass tune that in referring the case to the consideraties of the 15 judges, after the first argument on the writ of crier, Sir G. Grey was not actuated by any doubt as to tan soundness of the decision already given by the Court id Queen's Bench. That court had, in fact, determined arcs only of the two points raised by the prisoner's counnat viz., the discharge of the jury by Mr. Baron Channell. The other point, viz., the admissibility of Harris's mi• dunce, had been dismissed by the court, on the ground that it could not properly be entertained on a writ of error. It was this second point which the Hume Secretary sub mitted to the whole body of judges, who reported their opinion that no injustice or irregularity hail occurred of which the convict was entitled to complain.— Times. A MAN ROASTED ALIVE.—A truly horrible event occurred at Scarborough during Thursday night, the particulars of which are as follows : —The Local Board ars forming a new drain in Castle-road, awl, as is universal, the practice in such cases, the works are watched daring the night by • man whose duty it is to warn pacsenffea of danger, and to attend to a brazier fire, used as • signal. On Thursday night a man named John Itsin c a labourer, was thus employed. He was spoken to • little after 12 o'clock, and it is supposed b• was at that time partially intoxicated. shortly before 2 o'clock yesterday morning a private in the militia discovered the puncheon in which the watcher sat to be burning. He went to the spot, and, to bil l horror, found the cask, the straw, and the man Bain oil blazing, the cask being nearly consumed- and the man softie burnt away as to bepast identifying. The fire was put out by the police, and the remains taken to the workhouse, where they present a horrid spectacle. The feet and leg' are entirely consumed ; the thighs, hips, and back are in • half-roasted state, while the face is wholly dis stroyed, and the skull fractured with the heat. It would appear the poor fellow bad been sleeping when some of the straw bad taken fire. He seems then to have made an effort to get out of the tub (judging from the position of the re mauls) as he was found fame downwards, and with his arms extended, as though he had tried to creep out. He h ad not succeeded, and probably became unconscious from anima tion. The fire did the rest. Bain was a single Maas tad was a little over 30 years of age. &sires or Corrsz.—The Cincinnati Gazette says that pure " essence of coffee" is now made in that city out of the " cheapest, dirtiest molasses," which in boiled until it roper, cooled in pans, and when handy broken up and pulverised. Ground rye is then mixed write with it, after which it is boxed up, each box being sold at 80c., and labelled " pure essence of coffee." MELANCHOLY END OF A STOCEEROZEJ .INQUEST.-(THI8 DAY.) • This morning an inquiry was held at the D u ke, Head Tavern, Whitechapel-road, by Mr. John Humptor en . the Middlesex Coroner, touching the death of John Joshua Foster, aged 71 years. Mary Anne Foster, 41, John-street, Stepney, said thus the deceased was her husband. He had former ly °amn i a good position in the City. He had been a stockbreinW Witness had been separated from the deceased f or 17 years , Daring that time he bad frequently met witness la the street, but he always pared her by without st= i n, her. 'Witness had to support her child by nurse. The deceased had failed in his business as • stock broker in the City in consequence of intemperate habits. Mr. H. L. Squires, Baker-street, Whitechapel, said that' be had known the deceased since be failed in the City. B A was always in a miserable state, " lodging about." He was rarely sober recently. He became potman at the Half Me m public-house in Baker-street. He became very despondi ng when he heard of the death of one of his daughters elm, had lived with her mother. He said last Tuesday, "I me tired of life. I will do for myself." On Wednesday win. mess found him hanging to a rope which he had fastened to a beam in the stable of the Half Moon tavern. l a order to conceal the fact of his suicide he had previous to his death placed a large number of boards in front of tie beam to which he had suspended himself. Dr. J. Beath Sapient proved that the canes of deemastre death was self-strangulation. The Coroner having summed up the jury returned verdict of " Suicide while of unsound mind." ALLEGED DEATH THROUGH ABORTION. An inquiry of a very serious character has been opened by Dr. Lankerter at the City of Rome Tarot; Roman.roed, Islington, respecting the death of Helen Ana Bendy, alias Slowman, who had died after giving p ram , titre birth to a child, owing, as alleged, to instnusena having been used upon her for the purpose of procuring abortion. . . . . Mr. Ricketts, solicitor, appeared on behalf of Helen cad Caroline Forester, mother and daughter, who are under remand from the police court, charged with • Q s death of the woman by the means above referred to. were present during the *manses investifation. The jury having viewed the body, which resented the appearance of one who had died in great pain, the eased. nation of witnesses was proceeded with. Mary Ann King said she lived at No. 8, Earu grove. Deceased had lodged with her for two yesrel did not know bow deceased got her living, but she reps minted herself to be a married woman. A gentleman used to come and see her, who, witness thought, was th e husband. He never slept there. Deceased had not had a child whilst with witness, bat when she came to her hew she had two, a boy and a girl. About Christmas witless thought she was in the family way, but did not we a k i s her about it. She became very ill last Thursday fort. night, and Dr. Brown, of Belitha-villas, was sent fa. Witness heard screams the night before. Dr. Brown ea sent for and then found that a person named Carelhe Forester wss with her in the room. She had been with ha a day and • night before witness knew of her being the m On hearing the screams witness went upstairs sad saw Miss Forester there for the first time. Deceased said, " have been poisoned and murdered ; send for Dr. Brows.* Witness asked, " By whom?" when deceased assweet "By Carry." Deceased appeared like one out of her nisi till Dr. Brown arrived, and then she seemed to hams more conscious. " Carry" was the only person with hr. Dr. Augustus Brown next deposed to being called es deceased about half.pasi. 10 at night of the 26th ult. Us was called b 7 the last witness's son, who said Mrs. Slew man was dying, and he must come at once. He wad directly and found her in bed. She was praying to Jeers to forgive her her sins and appeared to be in a Elate at great excitement. When he had calmed her a Laughs said she had been to Mrs. Forester, at 2.i, Bidbormil• street, King's-cross • that she had there been operated on, and bad since had a miscarriage. She further add that she was bleeding to death and should die. Dr. BM% proceeded to state the details of his examination of them!. He attended her every day until last Sunday rasa& when she died. He made a post mortem commence 1 conjunction with Mr. Morrison and Dr. Walker, sad ersd: believed the wounds he had described, and from which die died, were produced by violence and by instruments. In reply to Mr. Ricketts, Witness said that in the examination after death's eviderce of poison was found. He should say the deceased hail not injured herself in the way he Lad described,thee it would be possible. The Coroner, at this part of the proceedings said be did not purpose taking any further evidence at that time, bee would adjourn the case, so that full opportunity might es &fronted for the discovery of anything that might threw any . further light upon what prima facie was already • ray serious Mee. The jury concurred with the ooroner, and an adjourns went till Wedneed*y next wee agreed to. WEATHER REPORT.-(THIS DAY.) RATOIDAT, MAT 12, 6 AIL A ' T.I W. W. IMs, L 1 1 W 1 I Nairn Aberdeen Leith Ardrossan 29.71 49 N.Y.. 3 6 ; V.B. oh 10.03, Creencastle 20.78 40 N.E. 3 4 W.S. W. ro 1 001, 1 Valentla 20.07 611 N.N.W. 6 9 , N.W. re 10.24, 6 , /ape ;—I -•— - Liverpool 25.49 SO, N. W. 1 4 6 , W. c . 0.39 3 Ifolyhesd ,20.59 49, N. N.W. 4 7 I S.W. ro , 0.36 j 4 Penzance 29.77:6 11 N.W. 7 8 W. N. W. 0.251 6 Brest Lorient Rochefort 30.04,64. W. 6 6 W. rc !0.01! 4 Plymouth Weymouth 29.t7,61 W.N.W. ; S.W. GI-1 4 Portsmouth 24.6450 W. 6 8 W.S.W. ro 0.03. 6 London .29.60 50 W.B. W. 5 7 I S.W. ro 0.16 1 - Yarmouth 20.47 47 W.R.W. 4 6,W.N. W. r 0.8118 Scarborough. 21.48 49 N. 1 3 W. 0 0.09; Shields '29.61 47 N.R. 62 l N.W. ler l 13 Helder Factreme. I Y. D. jj I. , ; i :il . rems We° 'l t h tl here oner I ke ins !the lem, atiou I his The ed.!" lord Th to tl rTMm Alut shel Ti earn Bess] i' mu l earn PRY ?fin l z yj Tq