The Express. — London, England, 1862-01-02 00:00:00

UA&XOIIUX&—NIW MODIL. LA maim IOWA awl Wank W. liewataltraiL Elie Orfreos. • TO onsalrOWDll74l‘. Adosihrsosser megrim ler .Tbe Ivrea - Landon /..nine Oa efts, 10. Bou‘rrit street, by r.o rerit Mgt be et Oa ea Os 44 et pselleiliss. IMMAREIIIt Twai trunk\ SLAM - se Swam miMes. and Rowe klarlon C. Tam LITILI Lind murra AID LIWU sof WWII; or. II arkicwhi and OW Daft faisesa. lambi Leclereq, /11.11101111,11. Tine Writune. TIM MCKIM ON THE HI.A RI R.—Asti the reetunime. WIIITTINGTON AND ■U CAT . or. Harlequin Ma; K Alemobball sad the Nolan at Geed ll wept's.. Mew. J. tAuft. lithlyard, ad Paeb Catadua Adam. ST. il Thu e NVINTIO. A i'ONDISIttIi WOMAN PIRAEUS AND ANtlitoitlEDA or. TM Maid me the Monster . WIWI. I Mattio•st, Belmore, mad ItAbibs. M4Hee. Herbert, X. Terry.—Acid 11111110AXDING 11011001—Ommussai7+. • earnintu. Tor. IFIFOM. The TagAmfo. TR KING OF THE 11 ItY.4 lass: Mama A. PAW, J. Louts, Newham. the ChantseOs Yamlly; MARL C. Wmbas. Km W. Crauford. —Autt 1U SILOVILED OlL—Osamme at ft. MGM LT IMMO. BUDS& _ -- TR. uar—lillsealeft la. albasaso. fifth. TO-MILSOW EX Ma.— Alum s% to. LONDON, TRUJIADAY, JAN. 2. Tits New Year has begun wel, sines its first gift is a promise of peace. The intelligence brought by the mail steamship Africa, which left New York on the 20th ult., the Friday before Christmas-day, corresponds to the hopes which bad been formed by those true friends of both countries who were best acquainted with America. In reading it we must bear in mind that although we have known for nearly five weeks that the surrender of Messrs. SLIDELL and Mason . would be required by our Government, and I throughout that period have regarded it ae the only possible solution of the difficulty provoked by Captain Wflaza, it was only when the Europa arrived out with the official despatches for Lord Lross that the matter put on the same serious aspect in the eyes of the public of the United States. Up to the dates of the advice@ brought by the Africa the dissertations of the American press were speculative and unpracticaL The articles of the New York journals, on which we on this side have been commenting with all the gravity inspired by • knowledge of the serious issues of the case, were addressed not to • set of definite facts, but to contingencies which were the object of conjecture and dispute. Hitherto, as students of American opinion, we have been dealing with the unreal: we have been attaching, almost from the necessityof our position, a factitious and enormously exaggerated value to words spoken as it were to the air. With the arrival of the news by the Africa all is changed, and as soon as it is before us with the distinctness of detail we may fairly judge of the attitude of the Americans in' presence of • demand proposed in the name of international law. SO far as it is already before the public it is eminently satisfactory. The mails of the Europa were delivered at New York on the 18th ult., the Qcxge's messenger delivered his despatches to Lord MONK at Washington on the 19th, and the Africa left New York on the 20th. These dates speak for them selves, and forewarn us what to expect to find in the Africa's news. The demand which Lord Lvorra wee to make would not be delivered until abont the 22nd, although Mr. LiNeour would doubtless be apprised of its tenor at the earliest moment. The view of things, then, which the American public was contemplating, and upon which it► disposition as now reported was formed, is that pre sented by the English newspapers taken out by the Jura and the City of Washington, the dates of which extended from the 28th of November, the day on which intelligence of Cap tain WILIIE)4' outrage was published in England, to December fith. By their means our friends beyond the ocean would receive information tole rably correct respecting the nature of the diplo matic requirements of the British Government ; the state of public opinion in this country ; the quickened activity in our arsenals and dockyards; the chartering of ships for large reinforcements for Canada ; and the Qezze's proclamation against the export of saltpetre. It is not surprising that the news is said tohave enormously increased the popular excitement ; but it is satisfactory to notice that, toge ther with this heightened susceptibility, better vices of the requirements of the British Govern ment were prevailing. The tone of the New York press is said to be more moderate. The popular feeling against giving up the Confederate Commissioners was abating ; we are told that an impression very generally prevails that the Federal Government will not go to war on their account ; and the Americana are familiarizing themselves with the opinion that, if the demand of the British Government for the surrender of Messrs. MI/lON and SLIDELL is framed with mode ration, it may be compl►ed with. This is very good news ; for in America, as in all countries endowed with free and popular institutions, the action of the government must be governed by the sentiment and judgment of the nation. We are not careful to analyse the elements and discrimi nate the causes of this improved tone 6T American opinion. If we assumed that it was exclusively due to the new light thrown upon the character of Captain Waszs's act by the discussions of the Eng lish press, we should ascribe a height of virtue to the citizens of the United States such as no nation ancient or modern ever attained to. On the other band, we shall not assume that the American people are inaccessible only to the arguments of gunboats and red hot shot. The news of our warlike preparations must have had a sobering influence upon their minds. Absorbed in • contest which taxes their powers to the utmost, and presuming somewhat upon the consideration which foreign nations are disposed to show for their domestic troubles, they have hitherto treated too lightly the act by which their relations with this country have been compromised. But they know that we are a peace-loving people, and in spite of a disposition to chastise their extravagances, well disposed to them in heart. When, therefore, they saw that we were united in the conviction that not even the strong interests and stronger sentiments which bind us to America could avail to preserve peace between the two countries if the act of Captain WILKIE were not disavowed, it was only natural that they should re-examine that transaction with closer attention and with more regard for the point of view of Europeans and neutrals than was likely while the course of England was uncertain. What influence the published letter of General Starr, which was known in New York when the Africa left, had upon public opinion we are not told ; but we cannot doubt that it would be con siderable. When we turn from the spontaneous mani festations of irresponsible opinion to the acts of the government or its members, we find them still more satisfactory. We find Mr. CHASE, the Secretary of the Treasury, at a meeting of bankers, expressing the opinion that the questions pending between the British end might and would be solved An opinion expressed under la with the knowledge the Minister the nature of the demands - country, par takes of the nature of an assurance, and could not have been lightly addressed by a man of Mr. Cusee's character to an assembly of capitalista. The House of Representatives has also given a striking proof of the gravity which it recognises in the circumstances of the hour. This body, it appears, was invited by one or more of its members to pass a resolution pledging it to support the act of Captain WILKSe. It has refused to do so. Only a fortnight before it had passed a resolution expressing satisfaction with the conduct of the same officer. We pointed out at the time that this resolution, although it unplea santly overlooked the bearing of Captain Witzse act upon the relations of America to this country, was not directed against England, and did not commit that assembly to a defence of that act against our just complaints. This last resolution, however, must be taken as a posi tive expression of the desire of the House of Re presentatives that the Government should deliberate and resolve with the utmost freedom, with reference only to the interests of the State. So far as our intelligence reaches we see nothing of that violence of the mob which some among us foretold would disorder and pervert the counsels of the United States Government. Mr. Li weour and his advisers consult and decide with as much freedom as the Ministers of any mo narchy of Europe, and their frequent and pro , tracted sittings show bow thoroughly they are pe netrated with the seriousness of the conjuncture. A very few days will now place us in possession • of their decision, and, imperfect as the elements of prediction are at present, it is undeniable that they are all without exception in favour of peace. ebe Court. OSBORNE, iAlt. 1. Lieutonant-General the Honourable C. Grey Ina succeeded Lord Alfred Paget as Equerry in Waiting to her Majesty. A meeting of the Final:me Committee of the Royal Coin• minion for the Exhibition of 1861 wee field yesterday at the Privy, There were present Fart Onn• eine, Chairman ; the Right Hon. R. Lowe, M.P., Sir Alexander Spearman, Bart., Mr. T. F. Gibson, Mr. Thrill& and Mr. Edgar Howring,aenetary. Mr. wiliest= &Waded. Despatches were mat petertlay haat the Colonial-office to the Governess et the Welt India Mamba Britiab Columbia, and Com.* and to the Lord MO looian Island& wiz Lars PRINCE CONSORT. of tM Yesterday, a meeting of s preliminary kind wise bald at the Marisa-house, seder tin auspices of the LORD Maros, the object of which wee to edgiest* a public sub scription towards the erection, in ewes coespicuous position in the capital of the ocrentry, of a essasorial denoted to per the mew and character of the late Prime Co' snort. The idea was pertly spontaneous oe the part of the chief eligiehmte of the City, end partly suggested by men to wises opinions be felt boned to de fer. Before, however. taking any. public step In a matter of such delicacy and importance, the Lord Mayor cossetted several of the leading bankers sad merchants; among others Baron Lionel Rothschild, M.P., and two of his brothers, Mr. Thomas Baring, M.P., and Mews. Smith, Payne, and Co. He found in those quarters but one Jeep feeling on the 'subject, and an unanimous desire to give it prompt and public expression. Yesterday, in addition both* the hoed Meyer coevensd a meeting of has brethern of the Court of Aldermen, at the Manna's. house, to take canasel with them upon the matter. The gen. demon posseet were, besides the chief negitrate, Alderman Copeland, M.P., Alderman ORIOUIORS, M.P, Alderman Fiume, Aldernseoarter, Alderson's Rene, Alderma n Aliso, Alden - lea Makin, and Mistime Bee* ; the first fear of whom, as is well heave, have fa tars es erred the office of Lead Mayer. Among thin, tee, the feellog was unanimous to favour of the grepseel, sad before aspsratiog they passed a resolutioa that it was desitable to convene a public meet * forthwith, as a mew of giving it edict. The Lord Mayor. wing is the seggiskios, W mconlingly celled a public meet*, to he held is the Mgyptien.hell of the Naosioo-house, at 2 o'clock as Thursday next ; and last evening luteeesmaaleated the result of the interview with the alskrmes, and with the eraineet merchants and beakers who harm boa mused, to Lord Palmerstoo,*as the hood of her majasay's parenuwest. experasiag a hope that what ha had dam fa the raattot valid meet with his lordship's approbatasa. His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge is ceased to Gloucester HOMO by an attack of gout. Lord and Lady Arthur Hay are expected in town is a tow days from ilio Continent. Lord ilerrirs has left Thomas'. Hotel, Berkeley palm, for Iveriegtos Park, Yorkshire. Lady Gladstone and the Misses Gladstone have an at (Abridges Hotel from Scotland. Sir Culling isrilley has left Claridge 's Hotel for Sri* Kett. A marriage is arrangdil between Colonel the Hoe. J. Somme Celthorpa, eon of Lord Caltherpe, and grandson of the Duke of Beaufort., and Mrs. Frederick Crews, only daughter of Captain sad Mrs. Frederic Chamier, R.N. We (Worcester Chroatele) regret to hear that the lady of the Hon. H. Commtry, who has been eD long serioutly 111 at Mena Howbeit'', has had a relapse. Bap aiciam of enummoe were sent fur from Loodon and Edin burgh, but they give no hopes of her recovery. On Mon day the whole of her atunerom family were telegraphed for to take their lad adieu. The trade of Dublin has just been exempted from some heavy imposts. The 2s. entry, and also the imposts on the trade of this port for the purposes of the Public Safety Harbour at Kingstown, for the abolition of which the Council of the Chamber of Commerce ban' laboured so bug. amazed on Tutaday, the council having, after extraordinary exertions, induced the legislature to nowise the injustice of thoie taxes upon the enterprise of our merchants, and to decide upon their discontinuance. The differential duties also ceased, by which the Ballaat °dice meanies will be demean! by 3,0031. a year. The American mails by the Africa, which were landed at Queenstown yesterday morning about 3 11.1 M, left Queenstown by special boat to Cork at 3.40 a.m. A epeeist train conveyed them to Dahlia, and thence to Kingstows„ where a special boat, which had been kept in steam all night, was ia readiness to carry them to Holyhead. They left Holyhead by a special eagineorineh had also been kept la waiting all sight, sad arrived at Emtoseigaare at ten minutes before 9 in the evening, having thus accomplished the Joann from Qoseostown to Loudon la 17 hours and 10 minutes. The distance from Holyhead to London (204 miles) was accomplished in five hems and 43 minutes, including ail stops and delays by Impediments ou the Ilea. This is probably the most extreordleary expressing es record, bearing in mind the fact that the railway company had very short, notice of the intentions of the Poatioffice, and that the onlinary traffic of this important line did not admit of interruption. Archbishop Hughes still remains in Paris. For several Sundays his sermons delivered is the church of St. Rah attracted large numbers duns. The archbishop will meosod to Rome is the course of a few days fur the par of paying his reaped' to the Holy Father. On Mon day he dazed in the Irik College along with *Gravel of his countrymen who have abtalood the mine hierarchial posi tion as this Irish AIMIIiOIII prelate. They included the Archbishops of Abyssinia, sad Pekin. and the General of the Order of Bs. Viet do Peal. In the erasing Archbishop Hughes, sosempaided by some French and Irish Rama catholic clorgymea, and aa Irish mass doctor who has. the Cress of the Louisa of Hower. mode a coil epos the American Coml. the Stet domed in full emenkels. THE ROAM IintOILIAL.-We (Sheritorm Jour , well understand dot Plarquia of Balk G. W. Digby, Esq., J. 11. Jacob. Feq.. aed Edward HIIISOMO, Bp., brae comented to act as trustees to this fund. THE WAR BETWEEN NORTH AND SOUTH. NEW YORK, Nov. W. (ior Attics.) A hard fought battle came off on the 10th init., in Pocahontas County, Western Virginia, between the general of the Union troops, and General Johnstone, commanding the Confederates, which lasted from daylight till 3 o'clock in the afternoon. The Union troops numbered 760, and the Confederate force was estimated at 2,000. The rebels were defeated, their camp est on ' fire, and forced to retreat beyond the harden of Western Virginia. General Johnstone was said to be shot in the mouth, while the loss of his men amounted to 200. On the Federal side only 90 men were killed. Events of an important character have occurred on the Upper Potomac. Jackson, the rebel general commanding in that region, has recently had his forces augmented to about 9,000 strong, and he has conceived the idea that he can erase the Potomac. On the night of the Mb, about 9 o'clock, he accordingly launched about 50 boats, two of which were of large size for artillery. Information of these movements, however, was promptly conveyed to General Banks, and a suffi cient force of infantry and artillery was immediately despatched to Williamsport to prevent the creasing. The object of Jackson was probably the seizure of army stores there, but the precaution has been taken to remove them. It was understood that Jackson was determined to attempt the crossing on the 18th instant, and cannonading was heard in that direction ; but it is hardly probable that he could succeed in the face of our artillery. A noticeable fact is the possession of so many boats by the rebels. The rebel batteries on the Lower Potomac have been very active for the past few days in tiring on our vessels and throwing their shot across to the Maryland shore, but they have not af fected much so far. The fact, however, shows the tenacity with which they maintain their position on the banks and creeks of the Poto mac. While the news freenGenersl Banks's column, on the Upper Potomac, indicates the continuance of great disquiet, we have no account of a general engagement. General Kelly, who is pushing on to Winchester, has daily skirmish's with the Confede rate pickets, and it is not improbable that a fight of some magnitude may take place in that vicinity within a few days. The news from Port Royal is to the effect that the Union troops have fully occupied the town of Beaufort, and that large quantities of cotton were being brought to the coast. Yesterday a rebel battery of three guns, Banked with about two hundred infantry, suddenly com menced shelling Colonel Geary's encampment. They were soon replied to by the 28th Pawl maize Regiment Battery. The action continued about half an hour, and resulted in the rout of the rebels, with about fourteen killed and many wounded. Despatches received yesterday from General Pope announced that by a forced march he had suc ceeded in getting between two considerable bodies of rebels in Johnson and Clinton counties respectively. Hearing of his approach the Confederates beat a hasty retreat towards Rose Hill, leaving behind them all their baggage, arms, munitions, &c. A strong body of cavalry, and a leo tion of artillery were then thrown forward in pursuit, when the rebels scattered in every • <Twee tion, but principally towards the south. General Pope, however, forced a cavalry reconnoisanee to within fifteen miles of Osceola, and suc ceeded in capturing some 300 of the flying rebels, who were endeavouring to join Price. General Pope also ascertained that General Price has only 8,000 troops at Osceola. An officer who arrived in Washington from Budd/ Ferry yesterday reported that the Con federates have erected, opposite Maryland Point, another battery of six heavy guns, which commands the river. On Wednesday night it destroyed a sloop which was attempting to pass it. The following despatch has been received from Si. Louis, dated Dec. 19: The name: of about 300 rebels have been enrolled at the Provost Marshal General's office, upon whom contribu tions are to be levied under General Halle k's pamal order No. 24, for the benefit of the south-west refugees. About GO of the most prominent of these are to be celled upon to-morrow for the sums set opposite their MAIM. varying ' from 100 dole. to 400 dole., and the ba lance is to be notified as the exigencies require. It is understood that General Pope will send a strait force of cavalry to Lexington. The main body of his army is now en route for Sedalia. A train of 70 waggons, with clothing and supplies far Gemara Price, were captured, in addition to the articles previously exported. The New York Tribune of the 20th of December says: It seems as if there need he no serious difficulty in settling the Maaoo and Slidell apse. Aoconliog to the accouuts which have reached us from Eaglasd, the acto/Cspt. Wilkes w pronounced by the legal advisers of the government, regular and in conformity with the law of nations up to the point of the removal of the rebel emissaries from the deck of the mail steamer. The stop page in transitu and the search were entirely in accordance with the dicta of Stowell and other British authorities; but the Trent, it seems, should have bees brought into port, and the question of contraband peassogees submitted to the decision of a court of admiralty. Now, if this turns out to be the theory of the British government, the whole case admired a very easy and pacific settlement. Let Captain Wilkes pooped to Beek* I. the San Jacinto, let him take Meson. Masse and Slidell as board, proceed with them to the Bahama Chased, and restore the status in quo by placing them on the deck of the Treat, with an ample apology for his irregular proceeding. The honour of the British flag, and the nice tochnioslities of law being thus satisfied, let him bring the Trent and the rebel emissaries into port, and the whole matter may be then regularly adjudicated. . 41 tin lILPRIMS,- THURSDAY' la 'l4 • etericipleGeoll . thew k news& r are Coe titer mint tive v; God's,' of this country, per- I AMERICA. I warm ay FRANCE. PAR.I2, JAIL 2. The Moniker of this morning publishes an ac count of the reception by the Emperor, at the Tuileries yestertlay, of the diplomatic corps, the Corps Legislatif, the Senate, and the clergy, and says :—" The Emperor thanked thediplomatic corps, for their good wishes, and said :--` The past year has been sadly marked by numerous agitations in various quarters of the world, and by cruel losses among royal families. I hope that the year 1862 may be a happier one both for kings and peoples." Replying to the members of the Senate the Emperor said that he counted upon the Senate to aid him in perfecting the constitution, although at the same time maintaining intact the fundamental bases on which it reposed. The Emperor said, addressing the Corps Login latif—" I hope that the Corps Legislatif will see in the modifications introduced into the eosstitntios a fresh proof of my entire confidence in the wis dom and patriotism of the deputies." In reply to the deputation from the clergy, the Emperor said :—" The French clergy, so eminent $7 and 'tom ROME. sympathy. Itollg, Doc. 31. Cardinal A.ntonelli strongly opposer the occupa tion of Alatri by the French troops, and has de clared that if General Goyon wisherlito occupy that place he must do so by force, as the Papal govern ment would never give its consent to tbe occupa tion. ROME, JAL 1. The National Roman Committee have posted up bills in Rome declaring that the issue of Roman Consols effected by the Pontifical government after the 27th of March, 1861, would never be recog nised by the Italian government, as from the moment that the Italian parliament declared Rome to be the capital of Italy, the temporal power of the Pope legally terminated. PORTUGAL. LISBON, Dac. 29. (Per Oneida via Boathamptoe.) The Infante Dom John expired on the afternoon of the 27th, at the Belem Palace. The government, on account of the excited state of the public mind, would not allow the Castle guns to be fired, as customary on the occasion of the death of a member of the royal family. The funeral will not take place at present. The body has been deposited in the Conventional church of the Jeronymitee. King Luiz is said to be unwell, and his Majesty Dom Auguato, whose health was improving, is reported to have had a relapse. Vigorous measures were taken by the govern ment to suppress the late riots. One hundred persons were apprehended. On the 28th a post martens examination 'was held on the body of. Prince John. The proceedings were judicially conducted, and attended by Judge Vaeooncellos and Sir Sequin, Sequeira Pinto, the crown advocate. Twenty-nine persons in all assisted at the autopsy, which was conducted with scrupulous care. Nothing resulted from the medical examination to cause the slightest suspicion of poison. The appearance of the body was in every respect similar to that of a person who had died of typhoid fever. A chemical analysis will be made of tbeintestines and fluids, all of which have been sealed in jars and placed in charge of the commandant of the palace. The intelligent portion of the public are more satisfied, and the course adopted bas to some extent put a stop to the late painful rumour. THE BRAZIL AND RIVER PLATE MAILS. BOUTRAXP2O24 JAN. 2. The Royal Mail steam-ship Oneida, with the above mails, has arrived. She brings 62 passengers, 53,7111. in specie, and 1,400 packages of cargo. She encountered strong easterly gales in the Bay of Biscay. The latest intelligence from Buenos Ayres states that another fight bad taken place between the Buenos Ayrean army and the Federals. Laprida, the best offimr in the army of the Federals, was taken prioner badly wounded, and Nadal, Lsmela, Pita, Chirino, and other officers were killed. The wheat crop in Monte Video was promising, sad was expected to be abundant and cheap. Business bad been resumed, and commercial affairs generally were looking better. In the Buenos Ayres market hides were more in demand, and prices had risen, especially for American aorta. Heavy bides fur England were quoted 40 rails. The new clip of wool was coming forward. Prices ranged from 48 to 86 dollars. Exchange ou England, 635. 6d. Freights in general improved. Pernambuco.—The receipts of sugar were large ; stock 8,000 tons. The prices of whites had declined from 200 to 300 rein per strobe. Cotton of superior quality had advanced, but transactions were limited. Freights soiree. Exchange. 26f. THE CALCUTTA AND CHINA MAIL& SOUTHAMPTON. JAN. 2. The Peninsular and Oriental Company's steamer Ceylon, with the heavy portion of the above mails, has arrived. She brings 44 passengers, 2 packages of specie, value 2,3601., and 2,500 packages of cargo, in cluding raw silk, valued at upwards of 150,0001. She spoke the Tagus ou the 30th ult., bound for Lisbon. Her Majesty's ship Aboukir was to sail from Gibraltar for Bermuda on the 28th ult. The Ccylon encountered heavy north-east gales and head seas on her passage from Gibraltar. The Indus left Gibraltar for Alexandria on the 20th December. Exchange on London at Gibraltar was quoted 44 for 90 days' bills ; Paris, Mr. 26c. ; Madrid, 8 days' sight, par. Freights unaltered. EXPRESS FROM PARIS. (PION 001 owl PARIS, Nzw YEWS-DAT. At the official reception of the corps diploma tique at the Tuileries, Count Kisieleff, the Russian Ambassador—who, in the absence of Lord Cowley, was the foreign minister of the oldest standing in Paris—addressed the Emperor as follows : Bire,—The members of the corps diplonuilique here as sembled bus the honour, through me, to offer to your Ma jimmy their respectful homage on the oessiou of the new year. The corps diplosnatiqns, the, is always happy to re new its wishes for the beryls.= of your Majesty and that of your august family... _ _ The Emperor replied to the following effect : The year jtut expired has been melancholy. owing to commotion. in various quarters and to calamities in royal families. I hope that the new year will be happier both for princee and peoples. There is no rumour of the Emperor having said anything to-day of greater importance than the above, and it is asserted that he did not speak to any member of the corps diplomatique separately. The independent journals, in their reviews of the past year, dwell particularly upon the inexplicable harshness of M. de Peraigny towards the press, and the inconsistency of his many frivolous warnings and prosecutions with the Emperor's decrees of Nov. 24, 1860, and Nov, 14, 1861, and with his own speeches and writings. My attention to these cam plaiute is all the more lively on account of the nu merous delicate attentions which M. de Persigny's subordinates have lately paid to the Daily News. The French subscribers have been deprived of their journal every day this week. I adopt entirely the following observations in the leading column of the independence Beige about the Petrie and the "black man," and the disquisi tions on the limits of liberty going on between the Guerronnieres and Grandguillots : The public is greatly amend by them qaarrela between kaarnals, omciel, seiniudleml, offisioue, and non-offielou but devoted, bowies them quarrels moat effectually throw discredit upon the whole system of press rerdatiame—a system infinitely wane than the lams of September, and worse even than the censure of the - restoratios. lee?. As to taking pert will, my or either of the combatants, the pnWic, kr very sufficient mamas, abrades. It reel littL Mamas between the vim of the Patrie and thine gibe Peps. IL de Lamar's, who le of opinion that thing. are not absolutely so well as they sight be, and Y. Grandville°, who approves everything, peek prime. end future, both brims to the same ramp— they are both fertisans of administrative restrictions upon the free axprimsioa of thought. The shed' of difference in their opinion resells solely from their respective positions, the one aurelsieg powered the other hoping to exercise it, sad relying spa the Mee& ef liberal Wen to achieve his object. We know the vales of such liberalism ; and chain for chain are not at all whet/air use be a little shorter or a little longer than the other. • A Pans correspondent of the Indi;pendalwe, who signs the letter " Y," says : 1 greatly regret to state that a war between England and America would be looked upon with pleasure hese, far reasons connected with the march of affairs on the ciontinant of &trope. M. Benedetti, the French minister at Turin, had a bad fall from his horse a few days ago, from the results of which he is confined to the house. It is hoped, however, that a few days' rest will restore him to his usual health. A terrible accident, caused by explosion of gas, occurred yesterday evening, at the new and splendid dancing rooms called the Canino in the Rue Cadet. On Monday evening M. Peregalla, the director of the establishment, hoard a strange hissing noise in the gas-pipes, and spoke of it to an employe, who directed a workman named Basta, belonging to the Portable Gas Company, which supplied the Casino, to make an examination. He came to the con clusion that some of the apparatus required cleaning, and yesterday morning he set about the work. About half-past 4, while Basta was still cleaning the pipes, a tremendous explosion took place, which was quickly followed by a second. The roof fell in, and several neighbouring shops were in jured ; the counter of a wine merchant, next door, was blown away to the distance of upwards of a yard, and killed a man who was standing before it drinking a glass of wine. Basta, the gasman, is dead ; his body was found this morning burnt to a cinder. A M. Desmarest, a clerk in the Bank of France, was dangerously wounded, and 16 or 17 other people are more or less injured. The Casino is now a heap of ruins. Had the accident occurred a few hours later, when the rooms are full, the loss of life must have been tremendous. THE NEWS BY THE AFRICA. The despatch of the British government sent out in the EuropatoLced Lyons relative to the capture of Neon. Slidell and Mama was, no doubt, presented formally to the Federal government about the 21st or 22nd ult. It should be collected that the utmost confusion and anxiety prevailed in America as to how the outrage on the Trent would be viewed by the British government until the City of Wash ington 'mired at New York, on the 17th or 18th ult. At times it was believed that the latter would not seriously complain of it. At length the English journals of the 28th of November, the day after the news of the Trent affair reached England, arrived at New York in the Hansa. These journals could not convey soy information as to the determination of the English govern- ment on the Trent business. When, however, the City of Washington and Jura arrived est, there could be no mistake as to the seriousness with which the outrage ea the royal mail packet was viewed by Lewd Palmerston and his colleagues ; and it would appear that this informa tine caused most serious deliberations by the Federal cabinet, although at that time they had not received any communication on the subject from Lord Lyme. Soon after this his lordship received his despatches, and there can be no doubt but that the Federal government was informally made acquainted with them on the ,litth or 20th ult., and the result was an impression in American political circles that the Trent affair would pies off without • war between England and the Federal /Mates. The Hansa, Glasgow, and Anglo-Saxon will only bring' ' one day's later intelligence than the Africa, velar they call at Cape Race. It has been stated that the Hanes, which left England on the 28th of November, the day after the news of the Trent affair arrived bete, was chartered by Mr. Adams, the American Minister in London, to °poesy out despatches respecting the Trent to the Federal government. This must be an error. The Hama went out as far back as the 'Lath of November in due course, with • Bremen cargo and an English mail, and Mr. Adams could not have sent any thing of importance relative to the Trent by that steamer. It is advisable to state this, because it is of importance to know at the present juncture, not only what intelligence reaches the Federal government, but when it reached. It is probable that Mr. Adams sent out despatches by the Hansa relative to the Nashville. The Europa may possibly bring news from Cape Bete up to the 223 th ult., sod this news will be of the greatest interest. When the Europa's dispatch was me& public in America and the worst was known, reason sad dienamism 'would succeed to violence and bravado, and it would not be offensive to Ame rican pride aid power to submit to the united opinion at England, France, Austria, and Prussia, four of the greatest powers in Europe, on a question of international law, ears. chilly when that submission wouldnot assist the South, brat, on the contrary, would enable the North to concentrate all its energies in crushing out a rebellion that is menacing the very existence of the United Steak MEMORIALS IN FAVOUR OF ARBITRATION. We understand that memorials very numerously signed have been sent to teed Palmerston from many of the principal metropolit►n oongregations. Amongst these are the Bloomsbury Baptist congregation (Rev. W. Brock's) ; the Kingsland Congregational church (Rev.T.W. Aveling) ; the Rev. Newman Hall and friends; theWeideyan church,St. George's East ; the Baptist church, Battersea ; the Baptist church, Deptford ; the C3ngregational church, Mansion House, Camberwell ; the Baptist church. Dalston ; the Baptist church, Borough-road ; and the Wesleyan church, Battersea. All the memorials pray for • settlement of the American difticuhy by arbitration. _ _ Memorials on the same effect have also been sent to Lord Palmerton from the following plans:—From the Baptist .lion at Pembroke ; tram the Independents and a e lfultlo methodists of LlaneUtyd, 'onethalire ; from the protestaat climatal of Peaveysys4 n AngleM ; frau the protestant disasters of Amlwah. Anglaise ; team the protestant dieestess et Ma lire, Amiens ; from the bap tist oongrelption at Haverfordweet. A telegraphic despatch states that, on 29th Dec., • train passed over the whole tine front Rome to Ceprano on the Neapolitan frontier, through a great aneemblege of the population on every point. A Frankfort letter states that Mr. Murphy, the American Canal in that city, recently reeeired a letter, apparently from the two burgomasters, informing him that . _ _ his purport was ready, as the Germanic Confederation had recoguised the Confederation of the Southern States. Mr. Murphy, suspecting some trick, sent the document to the burgomasters, who at oboe declared that their signatures had been rather cleverly imitated. HANDEL IN PAUL —We read in Ociiignani "The conoert of the Camille° Venvin at the Salle Hera, on Saturday, was chiefly remarkable as one more feeble attempt to bring Handers colossal music fairly before the Parisian mit The magnificent Messiah choruses, 'Lift up your " All we like sheep,' and the maiahless •fl albelvfah; were feebly sung by same seventy ill-trained roadie* with an orchestra to 1:0179• spoil and ware received with the coldness such an mention well deserved. In the mood chorus the baui west sabindy 'astral' broke down, and hope again. The wrier vocal part of Beetlioven'a Meal Pha taxis was better mug, and with the inishaakel wafts. of M. Lubeck% playing, obtained coesiderable applause. A pale and IssMietive resider* of Meadelesorme's Wai mea Nig h t' followed and roaoleded this coseerk which, we trust, will aid the poor Germans for whom it wee even, though it certainly will not add to the reputed's of their choral smistiss." DiSPATCH OF MAII" &O. —Livinvoin, WU/IMF DAL-110 City of Manche ter, as. (lumen line), sailed to-day for New York, with a full &cargo, pammgera. and 1,77b1. in gold. To-morrow the Quebec sad Montreal Com pany's steamer Hibernian will sail for St. John's, New Brunswick, with the Canadian and United States mails, troops, stores, ko. The box at the Liverpool office will be closed at 10.30 a.m. today, but late despatches via Lae donderry will be forwarded up to 8.30 p.m. without, sad 9.30 with, late fee of Id. THE WINDHAM LUNACY COMMISSIo. (27118 DAY.) This morning the inquiry was resumed for the thireeeen time. _ • Si; H. Cairns, in resuming hie address me behalf of Ow alleged lunatic, observed that this was the fiat time i. whisk an attempt had been nude to introduce into this country that terror of domestic life abroad, • come] de bailie. If Mr. Windham's (needs had been &Ghoul a eb"im the opinion of the court upon the state of tbdrtatlve's mint they au f ht have tented themselves with sulardttem to it the well. opinions of his medical attendants cod the sridiaoe of his intimate friends, instead of • raking together as they bad does the ridiculous and disagreeable headsets which had been detailed with such minuteen. . ' The learned counsel complained of the untwists a of this wane. Many peruses who would ha,, been willing to come forward on Mr. Windharii behalf, bed no doubt been deterred from doing on account of the odium which after the *bleu. given in the case they felt would attach itself to the mere fact of being mixed up in such • case. The learned counsel mid he would divide Mr. Windham's history into four parta-1. His life up to the time he went to lodge ie Dukeetreet ; 2. The interval from that date to the time of his marriage ; 3. The time of his man*. iteelf ; and 4. The period subsegoset to that event He would epee that Mr. Windham had had the misfortune to be not only an only but a spoilt child. He had ice. most injudiciously brought op—most capriciously dulged and most capriciously checked. He was pro. sionately food of outdoor sports, and having had the roe of the stables, it was not remarkable that he should have learned habit of easociatiog with grooms and stable lads. HS was a verypaesionate b o y, and a boy rustic in manner and speech ; nor bad the smallest care been token to give him scything like a tug ululated to counteract his rusticity of speech and man. nor. He had, moreover, had so opportunity of enjoying the advantages of ladies'society. He was no doubt slovenly La dram though io that respect he had latterly improved. He had a peculiar voice and *ugh, as from the structure of his palate ha could not well avoid having. He had considerable powsn of imitation, and no doubt he was • person of very boisterous, disegruably boisterous perhaps, spirits. All this be (the learned counsel) was perfectly ready to admit ; and he wee also willing to con cede that if there was any mode of attaining an standard of the mind se there was of the body lic e j a Cindham might fall below rather than rise above 1 the middle line. He was, lastly, a boy of a very sensitive disposition, and so doubt notch of his tin nily conduct to his teams was tunable to a feeling that they did not treat him fairly. The eccentricities attributed to Mr. Windham had been but two. Oae was a taste for associating with railway guarda ; but it turned out that bathing wee thought a finer tni g nlbz Eton boys than to form an intimacy with railway and engine drivers-4o get into the guard's van and, if pee sible r ou the engine itmdf. He bed been much amused with Dr. cibm's melons as this subject. The learned doctor said it was red a proof of folly for a gentleman to drive a dais each; but that it was to drive an engine, because an accident in the one case would probably be lees formidable than in the other. A taste for =wheeled arta was by no means uncommon in the most exalted Ra mie. There was once a sovereign in • neighbouring weary netnarbible for his wisdom, who had a fancy for making looks and aasociaing with smiths. He (Sir Hgh) submitted that the mere fact that Mr. Windham was able to drive an nein% and to drive it well, wee no small proof of his mental capecity. As to his other eccentricity, that of a-Ung as a policeman, it might have been abed joke, but ajoke it lionlitedly had been. Having unfortunately been lead tog a diedpated life in London and frequenting the noisiest part at the town. he had professed rather to help polies than *obstruct them as some gentlemen 14 He (the learned comma) had been much struck with the onapionous &Dna)e of most of the petitioners. lo this di. lemma all thole gentlemen sod ladies were placed—either it must be presumed that they knew their evidence would be favourable to Mr. Windham, or else they would have bad to confess that they had paid so atteatioe to the doings of their relative till they thought his property was at 'take. His learned friend bad told them that - General Windham had no interest in hie nephew's meats, because, being an older man, he had no chance of outliving him. But if his nephew were declared a lunatic, and his marriage set aside, his reel estate of 12,0004. • year would be transferred* the general, or to his family. Either General Wiodhant himself, or his eldest sou, would hereafter be squire of Felbiigg Hall. Agiio, the rents of the prop erty would go on accumulating till Mr. Windhams death, at which period they might amount to 300,0001. or 400,0v0f. —a pleasant thing to be divided amongst the next of kia. And who were they? Why, the petitioners. He untended, thereto's, that they did sot come before the court tree from suspicion, and they must not think it hard if their oriednet in not 'limning forward and submitting to arses examination was sharply criticised. Was it infant tobs tolanitedthat these ladies and gentlemen should make affide vita before the Lords Justices about *estate of their relative'. mind, and then abstain from repeating their oedemas* public ? He should have liked to ask Mr. Hook a good many thiop. He should have liked to know whether be thought it judicious to let him come up to Load= addled the dissipated life he had. He should have liked to have known, too, when Mr. Hook Ord formed the idea that his ward was of unsound mind? Did he think him so when In allowed him to °ems to town and throw himself into the vortex of London dimi. potion ? If he did it was clear that he had neglected his duty. In the summer of 1861 Mr. Hook bad sold his nephew a horse. Now, only conceive • gentleman selling a horse to his ard, whom he believed to be insane. Was that the reason why Mr. Hook had kept out of the witneeebox? He did not for one moment eay that Mr. Wind ham was eat perfectly able to judge of the hone's vales, se that Mr. Hook had taken any advantage of him; bet why did Mr. Hook not come forward and say what hie opinion ot his nephew's mild at that time was! Apia it was in evidence that Mr. Hook was aware of the in tended marriage with Miss Agnes . Willoughby—why than had he not prevented it from native place, as he might easily have done, at any rate while his nephew remained a weld in Chancery! So much for Mr. Hook. Now fa General Windham, the guardian appointed by the alleged lunatic's father. Why had he not pet himself in the box! Was he out of town? Cs the contrary, he had eat by his learned feud during the whole case, and the present morning was the first that they had been deprived of his presence in the court. But General Windham dared not come forward sad repeat in open court before a British jury that which he had dared to state in four affidavits betas the Lords Justice.. He (the beamed counsel) should lan to know when General Virindbani first formed the ides that his nephew was insane. He should like to know why he had allowed bim to come to town and speed the Mal of 1861 by himself in London ; and when he accused him of • taste for low society, what bettor society bad he ever given him an opportunity of frequent* He should have liked to know why he had not produced the letters he bed received from his nephew. There could not possibly be better evidence than written documents, which could neither be forgotten nor falsified ; and yet a that had been suppressed. Or nein, it had been proved that the general thought he could get his nephew • commission in the Guards if he would read for it ; sad he should have liked to know bow Cr moral Windham supposed a young MS of imbecile mind could possibly have read for a commissioo. He should have liked to ask him what daps he had taken to prevent his nephew's marriage. He should have liked to ask bin whether there had not been negotiations between him and his nephew about the purchase of an interest in SS estate. They had heard a good deal about the timber on. tract,- bat ha should like to know what explanatioes Gee* sal Windham had received about that. Was it to be tali' rated in a free ociuntry that members of a family aboold band themselves together, should go in private to the Clout of Chancery, should obtain • commission of lunch and should then simile out two of their number to be examined is open court, upon whose evideuce alone it would have boa impossible to find the inue against their Belem? In a ward, these affectionate relatives lid condoeted their ease in exactly the same spied as the paltriest running-down case at Nisi Pries. It was cruel in these uncle and aunts to rake up the childish faults of their nephew as they bed done, and he trusted the son of no one in court would ever be treated in such • manner. (The learned untied then proceeded to comment at great length upon the indices, and was speaking when we went to prow.) Tun BALLOT Soolirr.—Tbe weekly meeting of the emotive committee was held at the °Mem, in Guild bell-chambers, a Tuesday, Mr. elyilenham Nodes in the chair. Mr. Whitabset, Mr. Bontenis, Mr. Eli. Mr. IA Maitre, Mr. (Bowes, Mr. Man, Mr. M. E. Marsden, Us wen present. Wm. Jones Wil liams, Es q., of Manchester, chairman of the Salford Ballot and Reform Association, was elected on the council. With reference to the Neaten. ham election, the committee agreed on the following resole tioa :—" This committee congratulates the friends of the ballot in Nottingham on the triumphaot return of the ballot candidate, and trusts that the defeat of the ants-ballot whig candidate will have a salutary effect upon other caodidatee and constituencies." The committee gave directions for calling the attention of the electors of Oxfordshire to the ballot, in redeem°, to the coming election, sod ale for secertaining by mesas of cor r eapoudence through elector. the views of Sh• W. H. Daahwood on the question. Sr. Ellouts'irne-rerrACerr.--A public meeting was held on Monday evening at the vestry-hall, Mr. Church. wards. Oecepeos is the chair, far the purpose of presenting a testimosiel to the Bev. Alfred Gay, as a mark of the re aped and esteem which be hes woo during the twelve menthe he has been asinieter in charge of the perish church, io the ahem* of the Bar. Bryan Ring. Mr. F. Cory, M.D., the junior churchwarden, presented the rev. millennia wits testimonials from the vestry and from the parishioners. The testimonial from the parishioners consisted of a very beadsman dock, richly gilt on breeze, a model of en atieff chunk which strikes the hours on e .leepdoned gong. Or iglu, with a puss of fifty guineas. The testimonial from ties vestry waseegronsed on parchment and framed, end cre dited to the regret of the vestry at the annouleemeotot Mr. 'Ong s _ from the pariah. The Rev. A. esl ackao In en earnest address, the honour widened ea him, spoke in the warmest and moat affectionate teems of the periebiooem and of their zealous co.operstios with him be every goad work.