The Express. — London, England, 1866-05-01 00:00:00

TURTLE, TURTLE, TUR TLE . Clear, Thick, and Invalid TITItTLM SOUPS always ready. ST. JAIIESS-W M. II KWLD, PENTATIroprietor.MOT, PICCADILLY, ALL, DONA LONDON must have a SUPPER and MUSIC ROOM for Gentlemen —Remember, we watt for you at " EVANS'," after the Covent Garden Opera and the Theatres. ght greoo. TO CORRESPONDENTS. Advertisements intended for The Express," London Evening Paper, mot be at the Mee, 10, Bouverie-street, by Two o'eMdt on Me My of pubitostiom RAYMAIMLET. Tim Remirtien, A ROMANTIC `IVTTACHMENT. Mama. Campton and W. Farr= ; Miss AdaCevendlah....--TRE FAVORITt OF FORTUNE. Moore Buckstone, Cnippeadale, and &hern Yee Chippendale, &A.—And A DAUGHTIL TO ILLILLY. Esuirsews. TEM iirmito. A GHOST IN SPITE OF HIMSELF.—After which THE STREETS OF LONDON. Hamra Vining, T Mosul, It Murray, Shore, and Villiers: Mrs. H. Marston, and Mbnos Barnett and IL Hodson. LYCEUM. TED Emma, A DAY Arrn. THE WEDDLYG. Mows. go ffltapistrick, end Clifford ; Mrs. liorsinan, etc.—Ad Masora Pechter, Pinery, Addison, Widdloontb, Verb, Jordan, Fitspetrick. ; liredantre Elaworthy and C. Leclercq. RATTAN/41A. Tifteltrnmed,2ffE SAILOR'S RETURN. —The &base Family --CLOUD AND SUNSHINE Mr. JIMCII Anderson —Tn can did' with THE DARK EINO OP THE BLACK MOUNTAIN& Ws Clara IX Cuss, ILra & Low, and Master K Sanders.. HIGH-WATER AT LONDON-BRIDGE. ^ `sZ, TIM DAY —Morning, 68m Afternoon, CM. 15m. To-MonnOw—Morning, hi. 31m Afternoon,* Mt 44m. LONDON, TUESDAY, MAY 1. IT must have been painfully manifest to thc-e who have followed the investigations of the Com mittees of the House of Commons appointed to try Election Petitions in the present session, and compared those investigations with inquiries in stituted at previous general elections, that the offence of bribery has certainly not diminished, and it is equally manifest that the existing sta.u tory enactments are insufficient to deal with the ex isting evil. Indeed, it maynow be considered oertain thatnostatutoryenactmentdirectedspeciallytowards the suppression of bribery can be efficacious ; for, so Long as the rich candidate is willing to pay for the honour of being a member of the House of Commona, so long will voters be found who are willing to take money from the rich man's purse. But although rich men are found willing to pay their money, it is practically found that they rarely do so unless they have some tolerable cer tainty that the payment will secure its end ; and it may therefore be useful to consider whether some arrangement under which the attainment of that end must be uncertain would not be the best check that could be imposed on bribery. There have this session been presented to the House of Commons no less than 62 petitions objecting to the return of members, and of these no less than 61 were based upon allegations of bribery. It must not, however, be supposed that those places where the returns are not disputed are immaculate. To the initiated in the myste ries of electioneering the practice of " squaring " petitions, as it is termed in the jargon of the clubs, is well known, and this process of squaring goes on even after petitions are presented, so that the investigations of the Committees are by no means extended to all the cases that are brought to public notice by petitions. Of the petitions which have already been adju dicated upon by Committees, during the present session there are already fivo caste in which those bodies have specially reported that there is reason to believe that corrupt practices have extensively prevailed at the last oleo tion. Upon a finding by the Committee to the above effect the general practice has been that the Chairman of the Committee should move for a joint address of both Houses of Parlia ment to the Crown praying that a commission may be issued for the purpose of inquiry into the exist ence of such corrupt practices, and the Crown is authorised, by a special statute, 15 and 16 Vic., cap. 57 (1852), to bone such commission, and pro vision is made by the Act for the mode in which the inquiry shall be conducted. By a later Act, 26 and 27 Vic., cap. 29 (1863), there is a provi sion that where an Election Committee has reported to the House that certain persons named by them have been guilty of bribery and treating, and where it appears by the report of any commission of inquiry into corrupt practices at say election that certain persons named by them have carried on bribery and treating, and " have not been fur " suited by than with certificates of •adesnnity" —which by the Act of 1852 the commissioners are bound to grant to any person examined :Afore them who makes a " true disclosure" of all things of which ho shall be examined--such persons shall be prosecuted by the Attorney-Genezal, if in his opinion the evidence is sufficient to support a prosecution. Thus we have a machinery—First, of the Select Committee, who are assisted in their inves tigation by the evidence brought forward by the petitioner : secondly, the issue of a Commission, with such power to the Commissioners as enables them to follow up the inquiry of the Select Com mittee, and to obtain information in greater detail than the Committee do ; and, thirdly, the prosecution by the Attorney-GeneraL These are statutable powers directed against bribery, apart from the common-law powers, under which bribers and bribeea can be punished if aad whew convicted. The House of Commons assumes to itself the right of dealing, as regards the conatituencies,with any case in which evidence is before it of ex tensive corruption ; but its power Is limited to the suspension of the issue of the writ in the event of a vacancy for the particular constituency, it being necessary to obtain legislative enactment in order to deal out more condign punishment in the shape of disfranchisement. In 1844 an Act was passed to disfranchise the borough of Sudbury, in the county of Suffolk, and in 1852 a similar Act was passed disfranchising the borough of St. Albans ; but an attempt which was made to dis franchise the borough of Barnstaple, upon the evidence laid before Parliament by Commissioners appointed under the Act of 1852, failed. Since that time, however corrupt the constituencies may have been proved to be by the report of Commissioners, no attempt at disfranchise ment base been made ; and the only penalty as re gards the constituencies has been the suspension of the writ. Under the Act 15 and 16 Viet., cap. 57 (1852) there have been, we believe, five Commissions— for the borough of Barnstaple, the borough of Wakefield, the city of Gloucester, the borough of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and the borough of Canter bury. In the case of Wakefield, the Commis sion was followed by the prosecution of the can didates by the Attorney-General, and several of the agents were indicted for bribery. Did the suspension of the writ work the good which was contemplated 1 Certainly not ; for it is notorious that the elections which followed the suspension of the writs were in each place con ducted upon the same corrupt principles as before. Bach of the above places has again figured -1 , ; I TH* EXPRESS, TUESDAY E c i before a Select Committee since the snap ion of writs ; and in the present session , Egiultapl Wakefield, and Canterbury have lippeated bef .i Parliament. But, owing to 416 squiring : process, only one petition—that for Wakefield—lto been tried, and the evidence, although not connecting the sitting member or his agents with evil prac tices, established beyond all doubt that bribery is not eradicated in that borough. We have seen that the course of disfranchise ment is not popular with Parliament, and is vir tually not now adopted ; but even if it were otherwise, how could Parliament disfranchise a borough in the face of the nets constituency which the Reform and Redistribution of Seats Bills will call into existence ? And it is manifest that the mere suspension of a writ does not, in fact, operate to prevent bribery at the election following the issue. What, then, is the practical utility of the issue of Com missions under the Act of 1852 Y The whole proceeding seems vain and futile. The Select Committee report that they have reason to believe, from the evidence before them, that extensive bribery prevailed at the last election. To whom is it of the slightest importance how JOHN JONES got his 10/., or SAMUEL &ogee his 201., or who paid the money, and in what way it was found? The information is interesting, no doubt, to those who are engaged in the dirty work of bribery, and who by disclosures similar to those made before the Commissioners, are able to devise new dodges, which make the discovery of bribery .sore difficult. Does, in fact, any practical good result from the disclosures made by the Reports of the Commissioners ? and has, in any single instance, the putting in force an indictment by the Attor ney-General been attended with any success Certainly not. While, on the other hand, the country has had to bear the burden of many thousand pounds, the expense of the Commission. In fact, the cure of bribery is not to be found in its exposure, or in any scheme of punishment which can be suggested, for the greater the penalty the less likely is it to be applied. Bribery, in fact, is not regarded as a crime to which moral grilt attaches, but merely as a something which is pro hibited by law. The member who has been found guilty of bribery at one election is returned at the nex., and takes his standing and position in the House as though he had never been under any ban. And so long as this is the prevalent feeling with reference to the offence of bribery so long will bribery con tinue, unless some means can be devised for making the expenditure of money at elections so uncertain in its result as to disincline candidates from paying it for a very inadequate risk. Many have been the methods that have been suggested for doing away with bribery, but it would appear that only such as would make the result of the expenditure an uncertainty has any chance of success. Now, if we can do away with the concen tration which, especially in small constituencies, is so easy, we shall take a step in the r direc tion. What is the case in nine boroughs out of ten where the constituency does not exceed 1,000? The electioneering agents on both sides can, with out difficulty, go through the register, and " spot " every man who is amenable to a bribe. The day of election comes. At 12 o'clock it is known how many of those who are open to pecu niary influences have voted, and the pressure is put on in proportion. Two o'clock arrives, and the can didates are able to calculate their forces with the greatest nicety, and to act accordingly. Now, assume that a considerable number of the boroughs in a county (large and popular con stituencies being excepted) are grouped together for the purposes of election, and allow the voter in each of the grouped boroughs to vote for the whole 10 or 12 members, as the case may be, and it will be seen that the result of expenditure of money would be so uncertain that no candidate would run the risk of mak ing it, and a combination amongst the dif ferent candidates would be practirelly impossible. In counties there is a comparatively small amount of bribery. Why I Not because the constituencies are purer or that the cane dates are less willing to spend their money than the candidates for tie boroughs, but simply because the concentration which is a condi'sion of success is wanting. So much uncertainty as to the result attends bribing, and in consequence of the number of poll ing places it is so difficult to know precisely howthe election is going, or in what particular direc tion money influences can be brought to bear at particular hours of the day, that candidates do not risk their money. it is accordingly suggested that the application of the same conditions to the boroughs would practically result In the abolition of any extensive system of bribery. oust ooNirt4 ORARIES. IAY.) • I= CRITICAL' *ATE Or r0110PW4 • Gathering up the various professieals and pro testations of Austria, Prussia, and Italy, each entertaining a bad opinion of the other's good faith, frankness, and honour, the Times observes that the future alone can show who are the dupes and who are the deceivers, and, above all, what is the machinery that is thus sporting with the passions and destinies of mankind. There is some thing behind to which we have no clue—some perverse element, like Puck, in the Midsunourr .Niyht's Dream, which delights in setting friends by the ears, and involving its victims in the most incomprehensible discord. One question which must occur to everyone is why does France, who has hitherto ex ercised such oontrol over Europe, permit the breaking out of this conflict It seems to rest with her to say a single word and these threatening preparations would subside ; but in France itself the idea gains ground that the far sighted director of her destinies views with no very serious annoyance the present conjuncture of affairs. The con dition of Austrian and Italian finance, if nothing else, should deter those countries from these costly de monstrations ; but experience tells us that when nations arrive at a certain point of exaltation the advice of well-meaning friends is little attended to. With the wounds of centuries unhealed, they threaten to involve themselves in an exhausting struggle, the result of which they might find to be that they had laboured for the be nefit of another power, which, having been a calm, but not uninterested, spectator of the conflict, would carry off the prize for which the rivals were contending. Although at first sight, observes the Daily News, it seems as if the telegrams accumulated rather than selected by Mr. Reuter were intended to bewilder, it is easy to perceive from them that in the countries likely to become principle in a war, the minds of men are wrought up to a state of extreme tension. One of the most striking features is the profound distrust with which the leading governments regard one another. Prussia, which has shown itself more false and perfidious than any other power during the last three years, is the most exacting in the guarantee she requires for the truth of Austrian pro fessions, and the conduct of Austria in its sudden preparations seems inconsistent with the declara tion of its government, that It. attitude in Italy was strictly defensive. The Daily News trusts that its Italian friends whose difficulties are undoubtedly great, may not be courting danger, and that the steps of their government may be ordered at this time by statesmanlike wisdom, and that they may be able to advance the cause of national unity without entailing upon their country the miseries of war, and degrading it by alliances with unprincipled adventurers, who, it may be, would use them for a temporary purpose and then cast them away, their ends unattained, and the goodwill of Europe alienated from their country. The Herold thinks it mendacious on the part of Italy to pretend that Austria was the first to arm. There is evidence of some sort of partnership with Italy, some design, imputed to the French government of taking a part in the discussion that it may reap its advantage from the settlement whatever it be. Whichever way it is viewed the Herald fears it must be admitted that the German question is daily becoming more threatening to the peace of the world. According to the Advertiser, the sympathy felt in this country for the Italian cause has, in consequence of the unholy alliance with Bismarck, not only been greatly diminished, but will, if Italy does not at once retrace her steps, entirely cease to exist. The Advertiser is in a posi tion to state, from a source of information " than which none could be more trustworthy," that Garibaldi entirely disapproves of, and is deeply pained at, the course which the Italian government are punning. The Telegraph balances one probability against another. Italy, to which the Quadrilateral is a standing menace, cannot and ought not to refuse any tangible opportunity of obtaining a settlement of the Venetian question by war. But the Italians do not lack acuteness, and they must see that Prussia would find it difficult to render any effectual aid to them without the acquiescence of France. The im pression of the Telegraph is that Italy will not consent to begin hostilities until Prussia shall in some way have com mitted herself to war. THZ J/AIIAICA COMMISSION. Remarking that we are not altogether without the means of anticipating the general effect of the report of the Jamaica Commissioners, the Tana proceeds to describe the probable character of the docu- ment in a manner resembling the forecast in peat days of royal speeches. Respecting the origin of the outbreak, it is prepared to hear that in the opinion of the commissioners, the proclamation of martial law, with all that it involved, was during the first few days warranted by paramount necessity ; but it is equally cer tain that most of the severities were inflicted after the ces sation of armed resistance, and when those who were hanged or flogged might safely have been reserved for the ordinary tribunals. This consideration specially applies to the ease of Gordon, against whom the moat searching inquiry ranging over a period of fifty days has failed to produce any evidence inconsistent with his innocence. Indeed, we are compelled to add that he was deliberately cut off from the means of clearing himself. Upon this cruel and unscrupulous act, as well as upon the reckless disregard of human rights, if not the inhumanity, displayed by several military officers, we may expect the commissioners to pronounce a decisive condemnation. The alleged enor mities of Mr. Ramsay, having been virtually removed from their cognizance by the indictment against him for murder, will call for no special comment. A more delicate and difficult teak will be that of awarding the proper degree of censure to the conduct of Governor Eyre. It will be impossible for the commissioners to escape the painful duty of submitting to her Majesty that Mr. Eyre proved signally unequal to the first obligations of a governor, that he was not above colonial passions and par tisanship, but yielded to the panic of his advisers where be ought, above all, to have maintained a calm judgment. The further duty of acting on this opinion will of course devolve on the Colonial Minister. The Times believes that the total number of " rebels" ascertained by the com missioners to have been shot or hanged is 438. About 600 persons are found to have been flogged, and— what is more startling—no less than 1,000 houses of the peasantry, affording shelter for some 4,000 souls, were burnt down. We may express a hope that a protest will be made by the commissioners against this last proceed ing, and that the flogging of women will be strongly repro bated. The evidence will hardly be less valuable than the report itself ; but the Tints traststhe oomniissioners will not have shrunk from drawing their own conclusions from it on all material points. It was to enlighten public opinion, no less than to inform her Majesty's government, that the inquiry was instituted, and this object would be only half attained if we should be left to ourselves to grapple with a chaos of disputed facts. THE GOVIONMLIT PROCTEDINO ON ?Ern:PORK WORTION. The Timer describes the government as having put itself in peril and hazarded the settlement of a great con stitutional question for a punctilio. The advice which Mr. Bouverie gave last night was so sound that it almost de. 'pairs of its being adopted. 'When the Redistribution Bill is brought on next week, it can, as he pointed out, be referred with the Franchise Bill to one and the same com mittee, and the house will then have the whole scheme be fore it, and will be competent to deal with it as a whole. It is, of course, undesirable that a Reform Bill should be passed which is only a Reform Bill in name ; but it is equally vain to think that the present parliament, or that any parliament, will sanction legislation on the basis of numbers or enfranchisement on the plea of • fellow huma nity. It would be idle to defer reform under the hope that principles such as these can ever be accepted by statesmen trained as ours have been to look to results. The Redistri bution Bill must be such that the joint effect of it and of the Franchise Bill must be in harmony with Englialt tradi tions and English sentiments. The other condition indis pensable to the solution of the reform question is • deter mination on the part of the Opposition to help it forward, and to abstain from snatching a victory even if it be thrown in their way. The Daily New remarks that the frankness and firmness of the government dispose of all the objection of the com prehensive liberals, who demand all or nothing ; of the thoughtful and cultivated liberals, for whose fastidious superiority neither Mr. Mill is thoughtful enough, nor Mr. Gladstone cultivated enough ; of the conservative-liberals, who are in • transitional stage of opinion between the courage of comprehensive bigots and the cowardice of thoughtful pedants. On Monday next Mr. Gladstone will bring in a bill for the redistribution of seats, and will, as MAY 1, 181 Irinatter if folk fix tlatiommittee on the Tramiel* Bill for the same day, in ordei to enable the house.iin $ full Sieeeiderstios of • both *assures, taken separatek and together, to deal with either of them, or both, as ay *hall think fit. In Mimi words, the house will have lid "Warn , Bin at its disposal, complete in all its parts—franchise, seats, boundaries ; and in the next division it will be clearly known to all the world that liberals who are counted up by a tory " teller" have voted against a pure and simple, a comprehensive and complete, Reform Bill. This will simplify the question, and the votes upon it, in a manner most convenient to the critical observation of the constituencies. The Post now thinks the ministry were undoubtedly right in deciding to retain their sesta, especially as it leaves the card of dissolution in their own hands which resignation would have placed in the hands of their oppo nents ; and, apart from the question of reform, we see at present no advantage that oould arise from exchanging for another a ministry which contains so large &share of adminis trative talent as the present. As to the Franchise Bill in committee the ministry will be able to yield upon many points. The savings bank clause is probably not thought to be absolutely necessary. The H. qualification may be allowed to become 81., but upon the occupation franchise in the counties they will probably hold firm, while it is just this that is so distasteful to the country gentlemen. But the objections will be vastly increased when the Re distibution Bill appears, though thelemon the government have received will probably make them cautious in its provisions. The Herald begins to look to the House of Lords and mays that though the government should succeed in over riding a large minority of the Commons, the House of Peers, in which body conservatism has • permanent and national majority, would not allow a resolution to be carried through by a docen or • score of votes in the lower house. Whether the conservatives come in now or twelve months hence is of little moment compared with the settlement of the question of reform on a con servative basis ; and of such • settlement a double chance fs now afforded. In whatever way the question of reform may be disposed of, it is now obvious that the extent, the manner, and the time of its settlement rest with the conservative party. In the opinion of the Telegraph the government could have adopted no course more satisfactory to the country than that which Mr. Gladstone last night announced its intention to pursue. The Star assumes that when the Chancellor of the Exche quer talks of standing or falling by the bill, he means the bill for the reduction of the franchise to 71. in boroughs and 141. in counties. The adoption of any other franchise makes a new and a different bill, and the country consents to no such change. On this understanding the public will approve cordially of the course taken by the government. The question at issue is the question of the sincerity of some thirty liberals. If these prove false, then let their constituents have an opportunity of deaVng with them. The government is doing its duty in making one more appeal to the House of Commons ; but if any further ap peal be necessary, let it be made to the country. Ette Court. OSBORNE, APRIL 30. The Queen, Princess Helena, Princess Louise, and Prince Arthur attended divine service yesterdsv morn' ing at Whippingham Church. The Rev. George Prothero, assisted by the Rev. William Jolley, administered the Sacrament of the Holy Com* !minion. _ _ Sir George Grey returned to London this morning. The Princess of Wales took a carriage drive yesterday attended by Viscountess Walden. The Prince and Princess of Wales went to the Italian Opera in the evening, attended by Viscountess Walden and Major Grey. A deputation from Bradford, Yorkshire, consisting of Alderman Farrar, Councillors Story and Robertehaw, with the Town Clerk and Borough Surveyor, had an interview with the Right Hon. T. Milner Gibson, at the office of 'the Beard of Trade, yesterday, upon the subject of the proposed public Waterworks Bill. The Town Clerk of Manchester bad also an interview with the Right Hon. T. Milner Gibson on the same subject. . . .. -. Despatches were received yesterday at the Colonial office from the Governors of the West India Islands, Canada, and the Bahamas. Mr. Knatehbull-Hugessen was yesterday - Installed its Under-Secretary in the Home-office, vice Mr. Baring, appointed Secretary to the Admiralty. BRI:9BBRLS, APRIL 30.—Prince Alfred is shortly expected to visit this city, on his return from Coburg. His royal highneu will take up his residence at the Palace dining hie stay in Brussels. His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge honoured the Marquis and Marchioness of Clanricarde by his company at dinner yesterday at the family residence in Stratton-street, Piccadilly. There were present to meet the royal duke :—The Earl and Countess of Clarendon and Lady Emily Villiers, the Earl and Countess of Cork, the Earl and Countess of Wilton, Viscount Lasalle., Viscount Hamilton, Lord Bedesdale, Lord and Lady Cecilia Bing ham, Lord and Lady Stanley of Alderley, and Lord Dun kellin, M.P. ; and Colonel Tyrwhitt, in attendance on the Duke of Cambridp. . His Ezellenc; the Austrian Ambassador and the Countess Apponyi were honoured by the presence of their Royal Highnesses the Duchess of Cambridge and Princess Mary at dinner yesterday evening at Chandos House- Their royal highnesses arrived at 8 o'oclock, attended by Colonel Purves. There were present to meet the illus trious guests him Highness Prince de Tack, the Nether lands Minister, the Hanoverian Minister, the Baroness Biome, the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough, the Mar chioness of Ely, the Earl and Countess of Malmesbury, the Earl of Sefton, General and Lady Alice Peel, Lady Bloom field, Count Pahlen, Count Halnoky, Baron Hubner, and Mr. William Peel The Right Hon. Sir Robert Peel, M.P., and Lady Emily Peel had a dinner party last evening at their residence in Wbitehall•gardena There were present the Duke of St. Albans, the Earl and Countess of Tanker •ille, the Earl and Countess Stanhope and Lady Mary Stanhope, Lord William Hay, M.P., Lord Houghton, Colonel 0. Higgins, Mrs. Henry Baring, Mr. Russell, Mr, and Mrs. Baker, Mr. Deane, and Mr. B. Osborne. Mrs. Washington Hibbert gave a ball last Griming, at the family mansion in Dover-street, which was attended by upwards of 500 of the elite of society. The ball-room, situated at the rear of the mansion, was brilliantly illuminated and decorated with festoons of pink and white roses, with baskets suspended from the roof, which were filled with choice ezotic:a and flowering plants. _ _ _ -- The nuptials of the Hon- Mr. Cotton, son of Viscount Combermere, with the wealthy heiress, Miss Fletcher, will be solemnised in London in the (tonne of the month, as ►oon as the health of Lord Kenyon, her guardian, will permit of his assisting at the ceremony. We regret to announce the death of Lord Rivers, which occurred on Saturday, shortly before midnight. His lordship's death was sudden, owing to heart disease. The distress of the family was further increased by the death of Lady Rivers, who expired shortly before 8 yesterday morning, after a short illness, from congestion of the lungs. The late Lord Rivers was a Lord in Waiting to her Majesty the Queen from 1841 to 1846, and from 1853 to 1858, and was again reappointed in June, 1859. His lordship was a deputy-lieutenant of the oonnty of Dorset, and colonel-commandant of the Dorsetshire Yeomanry Cavalry. It is Mr. Sandford's intention, on the motion for going into committee on Representation of the People Rill, to move, " That it be en instruction to the committee that they have power to insert clauses establishing new con stituencies with a franchise calculated to give a direct representation to the working classes." On Friday, Mr. Baxter will call attention to the large sum out of the assessment for the relief of the poor in Scotland spent annually in litigation ; and ask whether the government will undertake to provide a remedy for so crying en evil." On Civil Service Estimates, Class 4, Lord H. Lennox intends to move the postponement of vote 19, for the erection of buildings at South Kensington to contain the natural history collections of the British Museum, until the house is made aware of the nature of the trust to which the management of the new museum le to be entrusted, and of the measures recommended by ber Majesty's government for the improvement of the consti tution of the British Museum, and for insuring proper parliamentary responsibility in its management. . LATEST INTELLIGENCE. ' AUSTRIA, PRUSSIA, AND ITALY. • The /ndipendancs contains the following : • Judging of the situation, not from the resistance which the populations still offer to the explosion of a terrible struggle in Europe, but from the desires of some of the statesmen who govern it and the acts to which they com mit themselves, it must be admitted that we were never nearer war. The Journal des DO.hate says : The despatches of to-day are not more assuring than those of yesterday and the preceding days. We learn from Florence that all the soldiers who are out on unlimited leave have been called in for sers Ice by an order of the Minister of War. The Arenir National says :—" Both Prussia and Austria are determined not to disarm, but there is a difference between the two—Prussia will not, and Austria cannot." The feeling of the Austrians is thus described in a correspondence from Vienna : Uneasiness, anger, and indignation are the feelings which animate every class in Vienna. Austrians were never so much Austrians as at the present moment. The manner in which the Cabinet of Berlin is forcing on war, its base less recriminations and humiliating provocations have roused the most peaceable and least excitable citizens, and still more the army, the nobility, and the young men. Every one has become a patriot. The Emperor, after reading the last Prussian note, said to Count von Mena dorf, " Count, it only remains for us to fight, and fight we will." It was under this feeling that Austria intimated to Baron Von Werther that she would not disarm in Venetia. On the other hand the following extract from the Florence journal Italia breathes the spirit of all the latest news from Italy : Illusion is no longer possible. It is time to open our eyes to evidence, although what we see appears incredible. Italy is threatened and directly provoked by Austria. And yet Italy has hitherto been altogether on a peace footing. She has fewer men under arms than she had in 1861, 1862, 1863, 1864 and 1865. It is time, and humble as we are, we take upon ourselves to say it—it is now time to act. If Austria means war, Italy will not shrink from it. The Opinions of April 30 says : In the exceptional circumstances in which Italy is now placed the ministers have thought it to be their duty to resign their offiees and to place them at the disposal of the President of the Council with a view of facilitating any new combination which the King might consider desirable. Upon this General La Marmon asked Baron Ricasoli if he was prepared to form a cabinet, to which the latter replied that he did not think the time was come for a new minis terial arrangement. The Postzeitung of Frankfort contains a telegram from Florence stating that the Italian government had determined on the formation of a free corps to be under the command of Garibaldi. The following notice has been issued by the Austrian authorities at Trevisa : By imperial decree all soldiers on leave or os the reserve list of the Lombardo-Venetian kingdom, of whatsoever regiment, corps, or troop, are called to arms, and must immediately present themselves in the respective military offices, under pain of being treated as deserters. The pre sent notice will be published, not only in the usual way, but from the church altars by the respective clergymen. (Signed) nacre. The Pangoio of Milan says : All the information arriving from Venetia agrees in re presenting that even in 1859 there were not such move ments of soldiers, nor were military measures adopted with so much haste and on so vast a scale. The Archduke Albert has arrived in Verona. His staff speak openly and haughtily of the approaching campaign. Here at Verona they calculate on the commencement of hostilities within ten days. (aurag's rzaso asits.) ITALY. FLORENCE, APRIL 30, EvianNa. The Chamber of Deputies to-day unanimously approved the following resolution introduced by Signor Mordini : " That at this momentous crisis every preparation for war should be made." The bill presented by Signor Scialoja, the Minister of Finance, authorises the government to provido by royal decrees, and by extraordinary measures the financial means necessary for the de fence of the country. The Minister demanded that the bill should be immediately discussed. The Deputies are accordingly holding an extraordinary evening sitting to discuss the bill. It is stated that the Minister of the Interior has made the necessary preparations for the mobilisa tion of the National Guard. THE JAMAICA COMMISSIONErS. (rime a coaassronrinrr.) Mr. Maule, the Jamaica commissioner, left Southampton for London on Sunday. Mr. Gurney, the other commissioner, left Southampton for the metropolis yesterday. Mrs. Gordon, the widow of Mr. Gordon, who was banged in Jamaica, la expected in England on the 12th inst. She would have come to this country in the Shan non, which arrived at Southampton on Saturday, but her friends did not like to send her in the same ship with the commissioners, as it might have caused some embarrassment. Governor Eyre will arrive in England next month. Arrangements were made for conveying Mr. Gurney to London immediately on his arriv►l to vote in the great contest respecting the Reform Bill. He mentioned, how ever, to his friends in Southampton that he could not have conscientiously voted unless he had heard the whole of the important debate on the subject of the bill. One can hardly imagine the sacrilege the two commissioners made in undertaking a laborious, prompt, and important inquiry in such • climate as Jamaica. They are both advanced in years, and are not enjoying robust health. Mr. Maul. particularly enjoyed the homeward voyage. He was very communicative, and many of the pas sengers, without reflecting on the delicacy of his mission, entered into familiaioonversation with him. He did not hesitate to answer any questions put to him in apparently the most unreserved manner. To the utmost aurpriae of all the passengers, however, they found, on comparing notes, that they bad not the slightest idea as to the opinions of the commissioners on the important questions respecting the Jamaica insurrection, which those gentlemen are preparing to submit to the government. A PARLIAMENTARY SPIRITUALIST.—The follow ing curious letter appears in the Times :—" Sir,—The Chancellor of the Exchequer, in his speech on Friday night, introduced the name of Lord Palmerston into the debate in a manner which has caused much surprise to many who like myself, were supporters of his policy. It was argued by the right hon. gentleman at some length that the late Prime Minister was favourable to the prin ciple of reform, and that there was not the slightest right to suppose that he differed from the opinion of the rest of the cabinet in respect to the early introduction of a bill to that effect. Since it is inferred that those who were his supporters have deserted his policy in voting for the amendment, permit vie to say on the best authority that there is no reason for supposing that Lord Palmerston intended to bring forward a• reform bill in the present session, and that he certainly would not have consented to the introduction of such a measure as that which is now under the consideration of the house.—l am, sir, your obedient servant, Reim Durros. —l6, Halkin4weet West, April3o. Mrraoporffrax Fain HonPrrag, Dnvolnuffsn- MOANS, Cm.—The aggregate number of patients relieved during the week ending April 28, was—medical, 948; surgical, 671 ; total, 1,817, of which 855 were new ems. CZYSTAL PALACE. ONE SKILLING MORDAT, APRIL 30.—Admissions on payment,l,7ol ; ditto by season tielcsts, 1,606 ; toanl visitors, 3,210. FRANCE. PARIS, NAT I. The Conatituitionnel of this morning publishes an article showing that, should war break out, France will in no way be responsible. " France," says M. Paulin Limayrac, "has remained entirely neutral. She has reserved to herself complete liberty of action, and will not be drawn into war against her will by any occurrence whatsoever." SPAIN. MADRID. APRIL 30, Eviorixo. Senor Oloraga has appealed to the Progreuiat party to attend in large numbers at the great national fête which takes place every year on the 2nd of May, to celebrate the granting of the con stitution. HUNGARY AND CROATIA. InigTll, MAT 1. The sittings of the committee, composed of the Croatian deputies and members of the Hun garian Diet, appointed to settle the question of the union between Hungary and Croatia, will probably terminate this week. Prince Esterhazy continues very ill. THE ROUMANIAN ELECTIONS. BUCHAREST. APRIL 30, Evisrnia. The result of the 64 elections is now known here. In all these cases the deputies elected are sup• porters of the government. (Rzuma's wawa.) ITALY AND VENETIA. PREPARATIONS FOR WAR. FLORENCE, Aran 28. All the intelligence received here from Venetia confirms the magnitude and precipitancy of th e Austrian military preparations. It is calculated that the present strength of the Austrian army in Venetia will be augmented by 00,000 or 80,000 men, and that by the Ist May, or within a few days from that date Austria will have assem bled a total effective force of 180,000 men in that province. On the 25th inst. the railway line will be opened from Padua to Mouselioe for the exclusive use of the military ser vice. The bridges of the new railway from Padua to the Adige and those on the line from Verona to Peachier& are guarded by military detachments. The Austrian government has offered a premium to the contractor for laying the railway line from Padua to Rovigo, if he shall finish it within the month. Orders reached Istria from 'Trieste on the 23rd inst., calling out for immediate service all the sailors of the imperial fleet, a great number of whom were discharged when the reductions were made last year. Fortifications and redoubts erected after 1859 along the coast of Ding* Pirano, and Veruda, are being demolished, and war vessels are being concentrated at Pola, where works to place the fortress in a defensive condition are being actively proceeded with. Active preparations are being ma d e b Italian government to meet the event of vrar. Thi s morning (28th inst.) General Cialdini had An in terview with the King, at which Generals 1 4 Marmora, Pettinengo, Menabrea, were also present. It has been decit the volunteers in all the provinces brigands in order to facilitate the cone troops ordered by the ministry. An inspection has been made of the Capua and Gaeta, in consequence engineers have received orders fora execution of the necessary repairs ane tion of some defensive works than abandoned from motives of economy. the greatest activity prevails in the arsenals and workshopa. The serve is being rendered fit with all possible despatch, and been received at Castellamare partition of war material and every kind. General Petitti has works of repair at the fortifications has reported in favour of their inure pletion. Several batteries of artille Pairs for target exercise at the cam) The seventh company of Pontonnier that city for Piacenza, by order of War. A considerable force of . artillery is expected shortly at Cardano. tensible object of this movement is' at the camp of Somme, but it is believe been ordered in view of the event Lucca cavalry regiment has left Milan Porsuolo, and will be cantoned part' and the remainder at Term This had three years service in the ' brigands. L Et, and Petitit 64 decided to ar m I ces infest s & b r concentration e t The P'Ant .r tee.', °under% ng the fortin g ," at .ying del for the p rom f of mof whi c h the ' o s vab and the oo mp h. '... de to be w' „ t e a the that lad be ta ho wer e of ray At Napli t t 'ter vrm, „flied toot the governnurni ...,..7 a ht to artillery i n re , bide t for strip Sa i il ( nd orders ha ve , e we grit e for th e pee , a s the provisionof Warutilti as inspected th e , ma of Pairs, and o t`j: immediate tom rtillery have WI! ' The deck: camp of Ceram: 00r17.% u of niers has alto left • ea u upon r of the Min*, r the of infan daat try • and • ,the 7.lardano. The ea Kr t .' a t is that of exacts yd - i. Levi t believed to bare "direeta ent of war. Milan for Lash/ ;' part in that Uwe Chia regiment be 1 field against As i • ?VINCE OP Oak , This wa DAY.) • ine serimod the deter op of Irma to al Hist t e= p ea vaat clock, and was seem w a s a 1 ar-general of the p a well felt he regist r ar ; . b o om hue. He was mend eteth, the probed.; of rge lumbar of dimes, wain Oil Yerc hal* tell* psi emit lir. Ch USE. which ha molded is the Upa *verdict Anne's Bestre‘ by Mr. P Ixford, SeMrm, At the &mph, and Arm. nee of & absent oa same d . Kr. Be on moment of kepi to de wallthe tunLv. aid he had preunisils while # in the Issi mita heeini Ad received true bit 'Pew te.. 7 aceive with mach ads - were nr loyal and Ogle be c ut e B person. I dusk yet . 4 n° j_ . or the loss I lan uncle, his late Nang P and t r. ith insure psedsd her ne shoreiching married, if !ntirely concur is yen ' in l o are sniping t ooras i rag cattle whiskwan of the United lists Al I trust that its . immured of mynas* maintain the Manes d the sup] the ly praytkeethe WM. !f l u est on the (aid& sal t I as and clergy fer tie at„, negllisn blessing on the sees of the ben Wends d 'There jelisar. d ul l e n T. Inds ins CONVOCATION OF THE PROVI TERBUIY.-(THIS D, This morning the Archbishop opened the convocation of his province. at the Jerusalem-chamber at 11 o'clock, panied by Dr. Travers Twin, the vicar-p rince ; Mr. Francis Hart Dyke, the Knyvett, the apparitor ; and Hr. Watts. by the Venerable Archdeacon Bickersteth, the Dean of Westminster, and a large n archdeacons, and proctors. Lain prayers the convocation was declared open. THE UPPER HOUSIt. The Archbishop of Canterbury presided House, which assembled in Queen Anne' , There were present the Bishops of Oxfoi Gloucester and Bristol, Lincoln, St. Au} lates. The Bishop of London was abeam ill health, and the Bishop of Exeter on r age and infirmities. ADDRESS TO THE QUILN. The Archbishop of CANTERBURY said he the Queen the address agreed upon in both houses of convocation, and had Majesty the following reply :—" I recei faction the renewed assurance of your ate attachment to my throne and per for your expressions of condolence for te. rained by the death of my lamented uncle, the King of the Belgians. I accept with rim your congratulations on the approaching daughter the Prince's Helena. I entirely feelings of sympathy with those who are from the effects of the disease among to so great an extent in many parts am thankful that a large portion of is as yet free from this calamity, and gross may be arrested by the Divine bier., used for this purposed. You may be assured desire to promote the efficiency and maintain theestablished church, and I earnestly pray' of Almighty God may abundantly rest zealous endeavours of its prelates advancement of true religion, and of _ my people." Petitions were presented from various anidassikt praying their lordships to use their influence is prate* from parliamentary aggression the Irish bowl d tY United Church of England and Ireland. THE LOWER HOUSE The Venerable Archdeacon Bickersteth, BD., psi► entor, presided in the Jerusalem-chamber. See vote present the Dean of Canterbury, the Dean of MOOS of Westminster, the Archdeacon of Tauntaa, tie lA , deacon of Montgomery, the Archdeacon of bawl s the Archdeacon of Westminster, the Archdesca d the Archdeacon of Salisbury, the Rev. Dr. Jebb, tks Canon Hawkins, the Rev. Prebendary Gibbs, the Br. It Nazar, the Rev. Lord A. Hervey, the Rev. Lati Compton, the Venerable Sir George Prevost, the Rev Henry Thompson, the Rev. Canon Blakesley, the is Canon Stephens, the Rev. J. Randolph, and a kw number of proctors representing the various dioceses sink province. Nrw MEMBEBA. The Rev. George Urquhart Dickson Fagan, ILL, Oriel College, Oxford, rector of Stoke Rodney, net Wells, and prebendary of Wells Cathedral, took his sal on his election as proctor to represent the chill d diocese of Bath and Wells, in the room of the EA Edward Aislabie Ommanney, MA., vicar olGulyNKOt near Bristol, who has re=ign L The Rev. Edward Trollope, M.A., of Wit NA, Oxford, Rector of Leasinghain, near Sleatord, sad Pr ot.' dary of Linooln Cathedral. took his seat on his ela tion I proctor to represent the clergy of the diocese d Wok in the room of the Rev. Henry Mackenzie, ILL, who by been appointed to the archdesconry of Nottangbm PrrmoNs. A considerable number of petitions were prossisi fora sovhdenoouries, ruri-deconal chapters, and inibiideldigf ten In favour of an extension of the episcopatoXl i M i l adverse legistation with regard to the Irish eh 'Walling mam with • deceased liner l 4 for which stands for second reeding in the House des* mons to-morrow) and on other subjects. By order of the Archbishop her Majosty's sown to is addren from convocation was formally sobbing to in Lower House. . . CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY. -THIS D.U. The 67th annual meeting of this institution ind place this morning at Exeter HAIL In the absence el president,' the Earl of Chichester, from inner, till adi was taken be the Bishop of RIPON. On the plattelsolgj the Bishops of Carlisle, Grahamstown, and Sai Psi Hoag Kong), the Dean of Melbourne, Canons Wiwi" Boyd, Osyton, and Sale, the Bev. Dr. lran, Lord Wriothesley Russell, Colonel Sir 81,21 Edwardes, Mr. R. C. L. Bevan, Lieetensat Horsley, the Han. A. Kinnaird, M.P., Sir 1 1 :9.4 General Alexander, Mr. C. E. Mudie, Mr. II! (chairman of the Middlesex magistrates ), Colonel Martin, he. From the report it the t and i s , ..;:f to ordinary tai inLr inco y m e e z a pe ni n olin tur tel to w 146,a — , 41 ._, 11. : . 144 556 1 . 17 ‘ 41 " leaving a surplus of 1,6491.4 a 51. The local funderear:. the missions and expended there upon the opareik o " society, but independently of the gene fund. 1111 ,11 included in the foregoing figures, and lamented 1 0 .) _ 7 7 20,0001. The sodety has at present 148 insionar. 278 clergymen, 21 European laymen, 9 Eueepets..27Z teachers (exclusive of mimionaries' wives), sad 2,1 331 .; and country-born catechists and teachers of all ekeene,!: sent from home. The number of oammunicanes 19,828 ; in 1861,21,064 ;•in 1862, 21,261 ;in 10 3 3 s. in 1864, 18,124 ; and in 186 5 , 14,155 . The rehires 7, New Zealand mission had not been rece ived oe ainesels the disturbed state of th it country. On the motion of the Bishop of C.imosi.e , seoasded the Rev. W. PAESKEIAII WALSH, the report Irat=lllll AmoiiLte d other speakers announced were uss 7 H. B. tM S. Jones, missi est o th nary e ItefiZ.CeB4yulionfr a nd lissell, late missionary in Bengal. - - - Mr. Ayrton, on Thursday, will m ore that 111 at be issued for the election of members for lioteeit Os the same day the writ for Windsor will be I°94 _ _2 Mr. Brand, and that for Northallerton by Colcuel7:" Mr. Bryan intends to ask the AttorneY for Ireland, on Thursday, if his attention has been on; to a statement publicly made, to the effect that the 10. Chief Justice of the Queen's Bench in Ireland , 011/ naming eentemie of death on a prison er at Tullled° b b. . year, was enable to mad the sentence, althetib written for him in large handwritin3, and that his 1 01 7. stat req; ear ed . Read,t and ia suhadontetannthLurasmyisdaoarreta:ii. of mk som th e e etb seatuit er the perfonasnee of that solemn duty ; and whither low State for the Home Departmentwhet her it is the OOP of the (armament to continue , by order in cosset stM L ig slaughtering classes of the Cattle Disease Act of 180, the 12th of May ; and whether any special exemptieeo t_t e slaughter of dimmed animals will b e made for the 11 7 "; A of Meting the effect of chloroform or any eth er "Pr — curative treatment. The market for sheep and pigs a t Chippeabill Wilts, was re-opened last week. ...LOT ibex were new ~. aad ba ea& tv As adj • ISM 1111 ..late, Mr. M 11141 of Ibe made, 110110111 be /MI feria -The for dri Ow i seat! 4* Vida charge. partner Mr. 1 Ce 's a r i l WY on inglY r t!Sigal ti.e ~i.,."i _ Ur Wag took Ali take eithe shoal "U' Birt 7 1 of ti eeed 121, ado run dime The awn offs