The Express. — London, England, 1865-12-26 00:00:00

JOHN BROGDKN'S PARIS FIRST CLA SS an 6 LONDON PRIZE MEDAlA.—Manotactory, 14 lien tietta-street, Coven London, W.C. This establishment In cloned at 6, and on at 1 o'clock. _____.---------... ___ WITHERSTON mid SON, Goldsmiths and Jews Don. lave Reidy for inspection a Great Variety ot JEWELLERY, of ilia utast Designs, suitable tor WEDDING PRISENTEi and ISW-Y DES GIFTS. Tall-neali Nast, S.W. _ _ MESSRS. LONDON must have a SUPPER a nd MUSIC Natter (tontLamm —Remember, we walt i tagn at "EVANS: the Covent-garden Opera, ad the the Qrrorefils. TO 003.RISPONDLNTS. AdverO sem ente Intended toe The lame" London Beenteg par, must be at W OS" 10, &avede4fteet , oc by Two -• ou Ow diva PablacswAL HAYMARKET. Tuts EvganKt SZOTHSR SAY. Heart &Ahern. Buck 'tone. and Compton Mimes Nay Moore. Snowdon. &C. clone IN all HAYMARKET. Messrs Farm and nailer , Waxes Keeley, Howard & Wright —And SHUCKING EVESTS. PR/N=3M 11114 VIM'S, QUILT LODOINGS.—Attar which IT IS REVILE TOO LATE TO MEND. Mews. Vining, G. Melville, T. Mead, D. Manly, A Cabmen, P . Mara J. O. there, G. Yu ng, and R. Coaled; Mem L. Moon sad IL. Rodgers. LYCEUM. THIS Svzsrge, TEI ILLUSTRIOUS STILANGICIL—Atter which TUE MAST= OF R ddAVIeNSWOOD. Wawa Feebler. Jord.n. VC2IO. Emery, Wlleornb, FiLowstelek. end DMUS Mesdames 'rennin, Idsworthy. Levens, and C. Lealeroti. BRITANNIA. Eviorms. OLD DADDY LONGUES) AND KR REGENT CIRCUS: OR, TIDE FACE FOR THE GO LDIN AP —OImPLE:I. I)mm and Madame Stertambeah. elver Beraniu. — And JOU& THY MORMON'S DAUGHTRB.—Commence at 61. HIGH WATIM AT LONDON-MUDD& TO Dpi Karsla& Altermn. eh T. TOalloas011—• Mossimit. 425.....Afte1t50011. lAa. LONDON. TUESDAY. DECEMBER 26. Tam. great house, the "Executive Mansion" at New York, with its clerks, and " all the machiner y "of a regular Governmen t, " are destroying - nianism in the United States, and it is not impro bable that the cause itself may Taniah in a vulgar riot. Already the New York newspapers which fostered the Fenian delusion are threatening its leaders with the terrors of the city police, but the quarrel which has broken out between the members of the Fenian Government may yet anticipate the action of that force, and render it unnecessary. It seems that the latest offspring of the revolu tionary spirit is no more exempt than older Governments from the machinations of sedition and the attack of destructive passio A f orm idable notice has appeared in the New York journals, being nothing Less than a pro clamation by " President " O'ht.ixonr warning the citizens of the Irirh Republic of " traitors " in his own Senate, and announcing that "he would know "how to punish domestic faction." After this terri ble announcement, which in energy exceeds anything issued from Dublin Castle, who can doubt that the Fenian haves real government T But admonitions are not enough ; there must also be trials, and in the present constitution of Fenianism these make • game which two can play at. It seems that the quarrel arose about money, nominally about the ' bonds of the Irish Republic, and it has now re sulted in the " impeachment "of all the persons originally concerned in the " Government." The Fenian Senate have impeached President O'Mx- BONY, and President o'3ls.uoNY has impeached all the members of the Senate who took action against him. Each party declare that they alone are con stitutional, and they charge each other with " abusing the confidence of the Brotherhood, with " misappropriating, squandering, or dishonestly "using its funds, and with base and treasonable "betrayal of the cause of the Irish Republic." Nothing worse than this has been alleged against the Government of Queen Vicrosia. These gentlemen ought to know what they are saying. Their candid opinion of one another was not needed, perhaps, to enlighten the judgment of impartial observers, but it may be useful to those who have hitherto fur nished the funds over which the Fenian Presi dent and Senate are quarrelling. It seems that about three weeks ago the Senate, which had served summonses upon President OWAHONY and R. D. KILLIAN, the Secretary of the Treasury of the Fenian Brotherhood, to appear for trial on the charges on which they were to be impeached, pro ceeded to try those persons. 014.suosr and KILLIAN, who had disregarded the order to appear, were "found guilty," and the Senate expelled them from office. W. It. ROBERTS was then ap pointed the new President of the Brotherhood. O'ManoNY, however, was equal to the occasion, and met this proceeding by serving a letter of im peachment on the senators, and declaring their offices vacant ; so that now the Fenian have two Presidents and two Senates, at open war with one another. We are told, and can easily believe, that Irishmen in all parts of the Union are taking sides in the contest. Perhaps this intestine quarrel may satisfy their instinctive combativeness, as well as the more sanguinary encounters with this country and its dependencies, of which we have beard so much. After this struggle, however, it will be difficult to reinstate Fenianism in its old importance before the world. For some reasons we could have wished that the display had been postponed for a month or two. Our Government, our press, and our judges have been treating Fenianism as a very serious thing, and we are all committed to that line. We cannot suddenly change ground ; Mr. Justice KEOGH must be kept in countenance ; whereas this ridiculous demon stration suggests to the world that we have been making too much of an absurd imposture. This, however, is a matter as to which we have no choice, and perhaps on the whole it is better that Fenianism should visibly collapse amidst the laughter of the world, than owe its suppression entirely to stern justice. THE BRITISH Muset; n. —A refreshment room has just been opened at the British Museum for the con venience of the general public visiting that establishment, in addition to those recently set apart for the of and the readers. The purveyor, Mr. R. H. Muffit, has been appointed by the trustees, upon the express condition that be should supply light refreshments of every description. and of the bast quality, at a moderate cost. Visitors from a distance have long felt the want of this acoommodation, which formerly was only to be obtained outside the walls of the museum. This addition to the oomfort of visitors has been procured for them by the principal librarian, Mr. Panizzi. The entrance to the public refreshment room is from the Greek and Roman galleries. THE "REuICY DOE UM " DISTRIBUTORSHIP. —We have been informed on authority that it is not the inten tion of government to fill up the office of distributor of Actium Donnm made vacant by the decease of the Rev. Dr. Montgomery, and that the payments to the ministers will henceforth be made through the paymaster of the civil service. A like course will, we believe, be adopted in regard to similar offices when, in course of time, they lapse through the decease of the present occupeata.—Northera ROYAL COLLEGE OF St. - aGeoNA.—From an analysis of the calendar of this institution just published, it appears that there have only been five baronets on the council of the college since its establisbmest in 18(3, viz-, Sir Reared Home, who filled the office of Presideat in 1813 and 1821; Sir David Dundee, who filled the same office in 1819 ; Sir Astley Poston Cooper, In 1827 and 1830 ; Sir Benjamin Collies Brodie, in 1844 ; and the recently appointed Sir William Fargusson. And there have only been four knights, viz., Sir Charles Blithe, Sir James Rale, Sir Wiliam Blothrd, and Sir Anthony C.srlisk. From the annual report of the college, it appears that the income during the pest year amoonted to 11,634/. 4s. 84., end the expenditure to 12,0 -V. 18i. 51., being as excess over the former of 451/. 13s. 6d. There are about 14,000 members on the list. and nearly 1,400 fellows of the college. Mr. Thomas Wormald, the senior surgeon to St. Bartholomew's Hospital, is the President. 4 11 4 4 • CATMAT INTXJAGENOIL _.....anirenin to thodillatrf. and Ale reale% Ga " ^ Illocredthi l imiows of . dellyfige with divided commis and traitoes in s their midst, the whole power of England, undid, as OM 11111.0, us for the council of I The Daily Here thinks it prepostero ..-- FRENCH nitaisco. The bintoty of England as read by the Time , Victoria to look for mimeos to parties in Eagland to enable them to light their battles. The petition for the pewss beyond ooutroveray that the only macii , lay which • ream of Governor Dialing I. the means adopted for drag• can be relied on for keeping a basses between revenue R i ng th e mother country into a local dispute, from which and expenditure is a popular assembly re and the it has every reason to stand aloof. It will sot oome alone ; nation that provides the twee. The misfortune of M. it will be accompanied by petitions adopted at great public Fould's report to the Emperor Napoleon is that under the meetings of the inhabitants of Victoria, expressing con& present omistitution of France the sunorincements of re donee in the local ministers and approval of the acts of ductions can only be evidence of good intentions on the the Queen's r..,......qativ, which mig ht make the part of the 'overlie:eat. It is not by the reports of bold .; of Co lo nial — Secretaries of Sta te peme before ministers, but by the resolutions of popular weembliee, ' , stemm ing in this dispute. There is danger tbat that these things are to be effected. Moreover, the state- I false cou fidenoe will be fostered in the opponents of mote of the Finance Minister being to a person of ordinary i the government in Victoria by mammas of support from iotelligence and leisure, quite incomprehensible, there . this country which could not pceribly be realised. The is another reason why such public) opinion as exists ia ! home government has not the power to interfere with sny France cannot be brought to bear with any effect upon the . effect, and if it had the power and used it, the result would lissome. Thus we have been in the habit of attaching 1 __," .. only bete strengthen the assembly and utterly destroy the the word "sinking fund" the notion of a fend sat __.,.. e... I, legislative masa. All it is the legislative council must exclusively for the reduction of debt, and are, e ''' or° ' I some out of the contest with its power to serve the colony startled to be told that during the current year the action earioaely impaired. of the sinking fund was purely nominal. It is hoped that l Tha Herald describes the peace with Bhootan as a die in 1867 it will be to longer necessary to draw upon honourable peace—a pews mode in open violation of the the sinking fund to meet the ordinary expenses, and , ,_,,,, „,,. preliminary condition laid down by the Viceroy in what secondl y , that la fond itself will lie ,_ reweree ,,„_ """" _,_,_''' w was declared te be his ultimatum to the Bhooteas them mortseisttiee 1. to 00 ... , el we me "'" m e v." m i ry selves. The British now stand in relation to the Bhootesa manner, in charging the fund with exPewele which will ea schusud power in the eyes of all Asis. By the Indian gradually disappear, and supporting it by revenues which the recall of Sir John Lawrence, the Herald deeply will gradually increase. When we ask what these revenues fre ts to my, is looked upon as a neoemuy ~,,,,,,,,,, consist of, we are refined to an estimated surplus of of his share in the natioctal degradation. 720,0001. for the year 1867, and to other guarantees and Of Sir Charles East lake the Tdersph mays :—His resources—whatever they may ones. It is with such has, warmest admirers could not claim for him an exalted generslithe that France must be ecnteot. place in the history of English art ; hie bitterest enemies had seartely the boldness to deny that his work was elegant and graceful. Bat he did more than paint ; he made valuable contributions to the literature of his probe/don, and he represented it as regarded its relations to society and the state with dignity and tact. He was far indeed from being the leading whiter of an age which, to quot e no others, produced Turner and Landow ; but it may be questioned whether a man more original and determined— ' a man with greater force and intensity of character—would have been so well fitted for the precise position to which he was elected. It rats with his survivor/ to appoint a worthy suceeesor ; and never did the Academy stand in greater need of a chief who should know how to deal with the altered cooditioss of art.polities in England. The Star accompanies an exposition of the actual fuse - Itions sod capabilities of the Jamaica Commission with the remark that that body is at last in a fair way to get over the difficulties! which obstructed its organisetioo. That there were any such difficulties is not perhaps highly creditable to the disinterestedness and patriotism of English public men, for it cannot be doubted that there was in - many quarters a reluctance to encounter the incon venience and trouble of the work such as we do not usually expect to meet with when Englishmen are called uponn to render a service to their cou ntr y . It s not likely, er fore, that the oomposition of the commission will be in e very respect exactly what the Star and those who think with it might have desired; but we may at heath° all well contented with the personal honour, integrity, and ability of its members. OUR CONTEMPORARISS. (THIS DAY.) ITALY. A letter from Florence in the Journal des Debats, dated the 23rd inst., says : According to rumours which were current yesterday wooing. the mien bas elided in • partial reoonstitution of the cabinet. Gamed Ls Marmots remains president, and at the Feeeign.OßlCe. and M. Lanza will replace M. Sella as Minister of Finance. Some other minor changse will be made in the di ff erent department% Unfortunately it is to be feared that this com binatioa will only result in the adjournment of the crisis, not le Be removal. What hap wed yesterday in the chamber is the indication of this. Although the dismissal of the ministry has been sonouneed official the chamber has r educed to two months the power of provisionally charging the budget, which was demanded for three. This is the first time that such • thing has taken plate in Italy. It has been affirmed that the real cause of this decision is the circulation of • rumour that G en eral La Marmon was entrusted with the rersostitution of the cabinet. The Journal des Dilfrats has the following remarks founded on the recognition of Italy by Saxony : Saxony, which raised difficulties In reference to the recognition of the kingdom of Italy, has at length decided on following the example of Bavaria, which State had more neurone than or an to sulk and hold herself aloof. the But against the positive interests of • country and all the exigencies of public opinion neither sulking nor family rancour ma stand out. Aloes among all the states of the Zoliverein, Hanover purges in its laicisation. It has appropriated the proud device, Stians si tennes, ego non: and it would willingly add, "Perish Gamma sommerei rather than • principle." The °hied of lissover is perhaps to astonish the world by the firmness of its attitude, and doubtless it will not hasi tate to understand that its dignity requires nothing more —that heroism is not for every day, and that reason counsels it to enter into • compact with the ideas of • hen age which places the interests of the people before the fantasies ot sovereigoa The Hanoverian' themselves, thine especially who have relations of commerce with 'tidy, are perhaps of that opiaion. stn VIM= STATE& Expressing the seam of relief induced by the close of the Alabama correspoedenoe, and recognising signs that the day must soon arrive when nations will be compelled to !submit their disputes to some international tribunal, the Daly News thinks it may be useful at the same time to state once more the principles of internatiosal law which Lord Russell sad Lord Olareedon have laid down, and the consequences that must follow from them. In b rief them amount to this :—We have taught the American and every foreign government that the measure of a neutral's duty toward a belligerent is the British Foreign Enlistment Act : that having this set on our statute-book we are not called upon to do anything or expect scything mere. If snob are the principles which are to be applied to the people of Oil country when they are next engaged in war, it is not difficult to aoticipate the fate of the British mercantile navy. But let as hope that there are some men in parlia ment who will discern the character of this argument. If the statutes of England and America are so utterly useless it ought to prove that muse change in the laws of both countries wee imperatively seeded. And it seems that Lord Re-sell actually suggested to the American govern ment the propriety of making some change. It is, however, idle to make any such su ggestion before some mode of settling the existing disputes upon this very subject has been agreed to. Indeed, according to Mr. Adams, this was the very suggestion which the Americas government pressed upon the attention of the British government at the commencement of the civil war, sal which was then rejected. The question, what are the duties of a neutral? must precede the question, ought the statute enforcing them to be altered? Means should there fore be taken to ascertain whether during the American civil wee England performed her duty. This can only be dens by referring the matter in dispute to a commission ; and now that Lord Russell and his successor have refused to refer the metier, it can only be done by the lute% len- CD' ei3llll. OSBORNE, Drc. 25. The Queen, Princess Helena, Prinexcs Louise, Primo Arthur, Princess Beatrice, and her Serene Llighnedis Princess Hoheuloh% attended the sery at Whipeingham Church this morning, where Rev. G. ice Prothero attioiated, and administered the holy aacirmaest. Moo of parliament. In a second article the Daily News shows how much of the present desolation of the conquered Confederate States is the mere result of the social policy practised by several generations of Southern citizens, and that in much of their diatom the slaveholding ar4tocracy are but reaping the retaibutioa of their past selfishness. The capital by which the material life of the slave states was kept going supported by the North. It the slaveholding class will not learn to see how they may prosper better than they have ever dam, by a wise partnership between their own land sod skill, capital from the North, and the labour which they have at coma:sod, on the sound conditions of adequate wages, regularly and punctually paid—if they cannot do this, nobody can help them, for prosperity can be had only on the terms which the new times prescribe. If they do not prosper, others will take their place and thrive. That the result of the Alabama correspondence is un satisfactory, cannot, the Post thinks, be ascribed to us. Happily the dispute has give* rims te no rill-feeling. We have not beau able to grant the United States all that was demanded of us, but we have good reason to conclude that the amity which has hitherto subeisted between the two countries remains unimpaired. The Herald, which compliments Lord Clarendon very highly, thinks Eagland has a grievance in that there is no court of international arbitration to decide on the numberless vexed questions of the American blockade which still remain nuadjudicated, or to do justice to the authors of such outrages as the firing upon a vessel in' the neutral waters of the Bahamas, or the murder of a British seaman near the Cape of Good Hope. As 1 , American and Eriglishmen are each left with a complaint, it is, perhaps, as well that these should be allowed to balance one another, instead of being further employed as the material of a discussion which was feat becoming acrimonious. In the interest of peace this discussion may be allowed to drop. The Star thinks the important resolutions oonceruing the affairs of Mexico which have been simultaneously sub mitted to both branches of the American legislature un doubtedly reflect the popular opinion of the United States, and probably the prevailing sentiment of Congress. There I is the best security, however, against precipitate action in 1 1 the fact that Mr. Charles Sumner is the chairman of the one committee and General B.nks that of the other, and we may remember the ultimate reeponsibilkty rests with the President, who is to the last degree unlikely to add to the difficulties of reconstruction the far greater embarrass ments of war with the chief military power of Europe. The Americans have everything to gain by delay. Imperial solicitude for the cause of order in Mexico must by this time be greatly diminished ; and if the advocates of the Monroe doctrine do not unwisely stir up the dying embers will soon be wholly extinguished. CHRISTMAS AT SAN DRINOIIASL—The annum Christmas presentation of beef to the cottager on the royal estate at Sandringham took place yesterday morning. On the terrace at the west front of the house were pro vided tables, on which were placed about fi fty stone cf beef, cut up into pieces of venous time, and placed in four different quantities, representing the several ya. debts, the whole being tastefully decorated with holly end other evergreens. At about half-past nine the presentation took place. His Royal Higbee.. the Prince of Wales, ace oompanied by the Marquis of Carmarthen, Lieutenant -Op coral Knollys, Limitenent-Colmel Koppel, Fisher, and Mr. Holzman, came out on to the tense., sad gave away the beef, her Royal Highness the Prince.. of Wales being a spectator of the interesting proceedings from a window. The recipients, numbering at least 250, comprised the whole of the cottager. in the parishes of Sandringham, Babingley, West Newton, and Woleutoes, and those emu pying the cottages of the Prince of Wale. at Dersingbani, as well as a number of aged widows of Dereingham, not residing on the royal estate. The size of the gift was governed by the extent of family of each recipient a man and hi. wife recei ved three pounds'weight, and one pound extra was given for eaoh child. Their Royal High• names the Prince and Princess of Wales, with the Marquis and Marchioness of Carmarthen, Lieutenant-General Koollys. Lieutenant-Colonel Koppel, Mr. IL Fisher, and Mr. Holzman, attended Divine service at the little church in the park, which had been very tutefully decorated with wreaths and feetoonr. The Rev. G. B. Moron, B.A„ officiated and preached. The Duke of Northumberland and Lady Louie& Percy left his grace ' s residence in POI46IIO.IKIIIAre at th e close of the pod week to pees the winter at Torquay. i The Marquis and Marchioness of Salisbury are surrounded by a select party at Hatfield House, Herts. el The Marquis and Marchi e u ese of Bath are re-1 miring company at Longleat, Wilts. The Eari and Countess of Leicester are entertain ing a select party of visitors at Holkham Hall, Norfolk. At Wallack's, New York, Mr. Frederick Robin son, from the St. James's Theatre, London, had made a I successful dcfelf. Miss Lucy Rushton is to manage a new I theatre there. President Johnson has reason to be pleased with the almost unanimous endorsement given to the foreign and domestic policy of his message by the American press. Out of 400 journals that have commented upon the message, there are but six that have taken him to Wk. Such unexampled unanimity is a proof that the old poli tical parties in the United States are broken up. A letter from Rome of the loth says :—" We I I are at present in the enjoyment of most delightful weather SIB FITZROY KELLY AND THE MALT TAX. In the midst of a good deal of banter the Tones mks if I he". and Rome is gradually filling, in spite of all the Sir Fitzroy Kelly really and honestly believes that the malt false rumours by which botelkespers in Florence endes. duty is a tax of 20,000,00 K a year on the British le ? your to prevent travellers from moving southwards. The Dom he believe that the gnostic.° is of " mount hn . Roman hoot is very well organised this year, under the pewee to the owners sad cu lti va t or , n y t h e hin d ?,, D o es Colonna , of Prince Doria—the president, Prince 1 Colonna, being absent from Rome. The meet was at a he really think that the Chancellor of the Exchequer has favourite only just to take off the tax , and t hat there ends the spot yesterday—the tomb of Cecilia Matins, on I I toe Appian Way, and those who attended were rewarded question ? As you walk through an asylum you ask your by--e run. Mr. Hogg , the beldame°, is in his saddle conductor, " Does this man really think that he is made of ..,.._,.. a capital cork? Does that other man really think that be can fie ?I M...._, b ,... aviag about recovered from the bad accident he Does that other think that her Majesty owes him ten 1 ''''' w"" at lad spring's steeplechase, and a newly. 1 millions sterling, and that other that he mu live noon water • imported Foglia whipper-in adds to the effectiveness of I a lone? The answer is that no sane person can possibly know 1 the P ack * " from his own experience what is the medium through . The constitutional reform adopted by the Diet which the insane see things. We cannot gauge their optics, of Stockholm has mused as much satisfaction in Norway as 1 or measure their impressions. Sir Fitzroy flies tar away in Sweden. The King himself sent t h e intelligence to the above our modest level. Why he dose not fly away President of the Council of Norway in a telegram commene. altoher, and become a nimbus, or a cumulcvstretus, or a lug with the words, "Honour to the Swedish nobility!" "mare's are tail," it is not in our power to say. When little That despatch was received with enthusiastic applause. An children see • performer doing a feat more than usually opinion is general that the reform will not stop at the curious or monstrous, they exclaim "Do it again !' W e Swedish 000stitution, and that Norway will consent to do not ask that of Sir Fitzroy. lodised, it is unnecessary. I revise thecompact of union. He will do it again. But we should like to see him surpass i King Charles XV. of Sweden is to leave Stock , himself, if he can. The sober truth is that, after the most holm for Christiania on Jan. 3. His Majesty will remain I woeful calculation and the nicest adjustment, the existing in Norway about three weeks, so as to return to the Swedish I malt duty is found to be considerably ander the proportion capital for the fête to take place oo Jan. 28. According of the other dutieslevied upon alcoholic stimulants. Were to the terms of the constitution of Norway the King must 1 the malt tax entirely abolished it is most doubtful what, make a stay in that kingdom every year. good it would do to the tenant farmer, except as a cm.. " The intelligence appears to be confirmed," says sumer, like all other large employers of labour. In other the Courrier du Commerce, " that the Queen of the respects— in the Medeas on land, the licensing system, and Belgians is in a situation calculated to give fresh hopes for the management of many matters of general utility—his the dynasty of that country." position does admit of improvement, but then his poll- The Press of Vienna states that a letter was Beal friends do not help him in that directioa. found a few days ago in one of the Post-office boxes, -- ' addressed to " The infant Jeans in Heaven, to be given to MISCELLANIOUR TOPIC& have a The Times asks the Irish Fastens. if any there be who St. Peter." It contained the prayer of a child to greet number of presents at Christmas. still believe in Fenisnism, only to look at the ridiculous figure which their brethren in America are now cutting, Mdlle. Ehlers, the young dancer whose clothes caught fire at St. Petersburg some short time beak when and consider bow far below the eabbageisrden level the on the stage, was not able to resist the effects of the prestige of Irish nationality has halm in the persona of dreadful berm which she received, but expired last week those patriots who are now making themselves the laughing. In great taint,. stocks of the American public, and th e whole world the 11 : .AL P ALACE . -- Ores SHILLING DAs. .. confidant of Fenian baseness. Let them lay to heart the MONDAY. Dee. 25. Ade:Maim. on paven ' set, 1,710 , lesson which they are thus enabled to lean without risk to Amu by we ticket., 977 ; wail visitors, 2,687. . 4 THE viruEss, TUESDif EVENING • , EOEMBER - 26, 1865. bemuse to crowds of promeneurs keep away their ordinary clients and distract the attention of chance customer,. The fifteen days privilege of the stalls has, however, taken too deep root to be easily abolished, and upon the principle "Live and let live," it is quite fair that the poor but ingenious Paris artisans, who every year devise new Cluistas m toys at prices adapted to eve r y purse, should con tinue to enjoy their annual strip of space on the broad causeway of the Boulevards. Oolda are likely to be caught to-night at the midnight mass, which according to custom on Christmas Eve will be celebrated in every church in Paris. At the fashionable church of the Madeleine, it is given out that the voices of two formerly celebrated artistes, now noble ladies, will be heard—Baroness remembered at the Opera as Cruvelli, and Baroness Caters, iite Lablache. The King and Queen of Portugal, Prince Napo leon, and Princess Clotilde will meet at the Tuileries to-day, at a grand gala dinner, to which the corps diplomatique is invited. To-morrow, Christmas day, there is to be a theatrical performance, ball, and supper, court mourning being suspended for the occasion. The King and Queen of Portugal leave Paris on Tuesday. ITALY. FLORZNOF., Deo. 21. The stormy scene of yesterday has been followed by a very quiet sitting to-day. But nothing of all that must needs follow from the event' of yesterday has been settled. All is in suspense. The ministers announced that they had determined on the course they intended to take under the circumstances, the gravity of which they were far from concealing from themselves ; but that for reasons of par amount consideration they were unable to de clare their intentions to the Chamber. The " reasons" in question, of course, alluded to the absence of the King from Florence. But he ar rived in little more than an hour from the time when the ministry made the above communication to the Chamber ; and we shall doubtless hear what is intended to-morrow. It was considered remarkable that Signor Chiaves, who has been in the ministry only a few days, was the speaker selected for making the above commu nication to the house, while the President of the Council, La blarmors, was present. And men think that they see in the fact an indication that the ministry intend to resign en inasse. It is thought likely, however, that the King may refuse to accept the resignation of La Marmara, and desire him to form another ministry. There are not wanting materials abundantly sufficient for the oonstruction of a cabinet to the full as able, and leas damaged in public opinion than the present. Perhaps the selection of a finance minister would be the most difficult task in such a reconstruction of the cabinet, as, also, the duties to be confided to him are in the present aspect of affairs by far the most ardu ous. There are, however, available men for the position, without a second time trying the terribly hazardous experiment of calling to the management of the finances a man who has yet to make acquaintance with the first principles of finance. Should it be attempted to form a cabinet out of materials selected in part from the Left, Signor di Lucs might be offered the portfolio of the Finances, with every expectation of finding in him a competently able, and, at all events, a practical financier. Should it be intended to attempt still to exclude the Left from all share of power, Signor Avitabile, formerly director of the Bank of Naples, would bring to the office considerable experience and proved financial ability. It would be more difficult to supply the place of the President of the Chamber fettle_ factorily. How long the Italians will con tinue to be able to confess such a fact with out blushing is an interesting question ; but it seems to be admitted as a foregone conclusion at pre sent that it is necessary in the selection of minis ters for the formation of the Italian cabinet to choose men who shall be agreeable to the Emperor of the French. And it is understood that no one would fulfil that sine qutt non condition w hose name did not present a guarantee for the scrupulously exact execution of the Convention of the 15th of September. La Marmora amply fulfils this condi tion. He is, whatever his other deficiencies may be, an entirely trustworthy man, and be is trusted at the Tuileries. Ratazzi has rendered himself impossible. Ricasoli, though not liked at the Tuileries, might probably be deemed trustworthy there, and considered to present sufficient guaran tees. But it is believed that the baron would in sist on the dissolution of the Chamber as a con dition of accepting office ; besides that, he is known to be little acceptable to the King. The best solution of the crisis would doubtless be that La Marmora should undertake the formation of a new cabinet. He offended the entire Chamber grievously yesterday. But the offence was not of such a nature as to alienate any man from him permanently. He very manifestly lost his temper, and spoke words which he would not have uttered otherwise. And it was well understood that the turn the discussion had taken was specially calcu lated to try his temper. It will not be forgotten — or rather perhaps in the hurry and interest of more important events it will have been for gotten—that La Marmora was formerly driven to dissolve the Piedmontese parliament thrice.' And it has ever since been the fashion with the men of the Left to twit him with this, and to I I accuse him in consequence of it of despotic aad coup d'etat tendencies. It is none the lees true, I h owev er, that it was La ?glamor& who prevented the King and the Court party from attempting a coup &tat. And the injustice of the accusation, to which the President of the Council alluded with some bitterness in the Chamber yesterday, is par ticularly galling to him. La Marmora is not a brilliant man. Even as a soldier his ideas would probably be found to be characterised rather by pedantry than genius. But he is a safe man—au upright, honourable gentle man—trusted on his own side of the house, and respected on both sides. There can be little doubt but that he is on the whole the man best adapted for the moment. A Malta letter, under date of Valetta, 20th December, announces the rupture of the Malts and Sicily ; cable. During the temporary interruption telegrams will be sent over to Sicily, for hrammission to their destination by telegraph, by mesas of ace of her Majesty's ships. The Aminanes (gun vessel), Commander H. B. Wooloombe, left with the brat leatott of telegrams as the ISch inst. CiLINISE HOLIDAY.—The Chinese kept high holi day oo the 4th inst., it being the feast of "Pat ``oat ship bung," or mid-autumn. At this time the Chinese busbasd. man reaps what be has sown, and to the manner of oteerving what we would call the harvest home, sets an example as re cards the atteetion be pays to his devotions at this festivity. The " earth's lucre's@ and foul*" is celebrated by votive offerings to the hen chs,of heavvo," sod the " earth." The graced shoat the domestic altar is sprinkled with wise and oil, gold sad silver burnt paper. I laminae offered, sad the usual animist of crackers fired, off I to eseelorle the ceremooy of thanksgiving sad rejoicing.— Melbourne paper. A school wan recently opened near Zanesville, Oldo, when burglary, poeketeicking, trial" in gambling, eo untorfeitieg, ke.. wen, virtually taught. Quito • clam al yonog boys bed bees amain& wises the ealeteses ci the iortitutiou" was at once discovered and terminated. — I I New York Tribune- (non OUR own MURDI What on the face murder, although an a et an early bout on SA ltechdalo-road. The ci single man, en ulcil Armstrong, of Thomas Rocbdalsroad. The James M'Mauua, age neighbourhood of Hoc weaned wore UOILDOW beeping company NS, Thompson street, band. Between 12 Catherine Langden so Chop in Rochdale-roe was there, Issoirs counter, and swills was makin g • pure Lanese, • Are you I PROW, " No, notbh He said, "I.lCoec tel " Vulgar„do )on ca some foul language knows y o ur Bmitl to a single woman. that a son of Mr. countered and a. Mlianns followed to the corner of Dowd, acoompani Vat his hand on C This is her." Ii Ire. Smith. Dow woman." M•Mant sod Dowd rejoine M'Mantio took off off, but Catherine and his wife. D along Thompson-a ran after them oil to them, be strucl at the moment, ti the ground was f distils:le from h when he was laid Smith's house, in Neu in the hand and it is also kW it wee not stereo the useasisted ey the knife would i may base been bloc!. if it were man, but he has sod his wages we the time of the was taking off 1 will be brought court, this moo FATAL ACCT —Os Thursday occurred close which a plate's of Ks, lost his day in his now him*, is owls goiog round th boo two trains and it is sups*, taproot, 1110 01 saes* imedgil canner,—Sons M▪ w Maw boo albeiit.t is as much a eall ▪ fra leave cossidered whether lb • iii bsiedly often 0404112 in I Jitiosur clasp in the 1 of new-born ehil, Yes e r ac hids now ;mimes the do iba @dream dildisulty givise lig a lleged to have been must TNT& A° We given this important an s a tteution, and we have at w e act s hould be passed m aking i ith penal ser vitude, or imps w cd • the court, unlawfu roue bodily harm hit phil .during its birth, o o - in cam such child he . the child was ample With !apse to the a we think that no person s et Mak offence upon an i &odd be tried upon • separate amid bs retitled to bo s kim ere ft : obould be ar tore murder nose b age point upon whi bps essoldwid are almost int d e se gabsi montane* of dealt If to the judges. We thin 17poe mother importsat poi el opinion apinst tl witesasen whom we he low rzeoptions, in favour of II I. ',sem of public meantime, so molt • weight of authority. that se set be peel* god divesting thatiaboro • the greobote of the pi as may be aeasiderei nice i • o llsty the public the the law These are other remotions et have taken oedema viz 03 The propriety ot allowing se se a court of law to missiosi Tbe mod* in which the aro perogstive of moray by the Eic (1) The preseet state of the b of brolly which is held to • respoesibility it criminal or Is obvious that these difficult d igital crimes only, but pervade Ws criminal law. They there< r- eamprehensive treatment the • under which we act will that while we should not hi dation to your hisieet M o uld fail in our duty did • , • 's attention to them as All which we humbly sabot. lion. LiTTIIR OF THE MUR The following is • cop . , alias Forward, wrote the ohildma murdered is Lee committed the crime : " Hurriedly velem). " Aside, Aside, my poor, • a L amid boar up no loos was an se et true, kind mei past which you have not al taider oestpanbit, true kin act of my life towards you I re member, put it side by • Coul d you have seen • more bless me to havingsaved you the to you have before though • have dome today witha • God, there is no evil in my awful anguish. . I had sot one bops, remyou, m erchWhen I fin y t po g the obilibun from Mr. Wb l • them that I thought to ma, and we would • many reasons which me I oould not oommu • dear little things se • , they thought of our as • felt that love which lie •• anything could kill eleotii the last month would do I • -a, cannot owe to love r rl bleb—b7 one belief an ge, dark, Gott eyes as • ne to me—that Men i. ist, liveliest memory of • lien at the last he turni lo bleat me as be smile es, as if by sane wag • wise front you. Poor mie know of spiritual Milo • poor, tired old man. Ay, watried, sad sod, and w mama herself to aoquie tamed to be even then as ire waive. And so my ris ▪ ether fierce and dreadful ti xis wry capacity to beer sat ad They did not suffer. You its hive sodured. But, Anal I got before roe! Do no ry a 411 me to tnisb. Ili n lay Will you not corns to me' do wideve my purpose. Yi honourable. To share cd revs you suffer-jog on Way you will know a in him who has sever deoi husband, who will be to C 42 wool lies for you ad e is where I west to play the lice labs what I used, sad i wore, my wife—my poo turn Want, unable to moo falling on your loved hieh sore. Angie yos I, Leto sod womarpated write Wings I breathe an an iy hook until you know 14 lot others do so. Let dby doings. God bless you NEW ZEALAND. - The following telegram from the Colonial Secre tary, Wellington, New Zealand, ham been banded to us (Times, second edition) for publication by the New Zealand Government agent in London ; "The native insurgents were surprised during the present month, and 186 Rau-Hau fanatics have s urrendered or were captured, and have taken the oath of allegiance. The friendly natives have gal lantly aided in suppressing the Ran-Haus. " Parliament was prorogued on the 13th October. " The Stafford ministry 1s in offioe. Expendi ture reduced. Revenue improving. West Coast gold fields' returns fast increasing ; they yielded during the month 44,045 ounces." The telegram bears no date, but October is doubtless dared to. the . month rel (fauna's mixamims.) CALCUTTA AND CHINA MAILS. MAR-scut LEs, DEO. 26. The Pens, with the above mails, arrived here at 2 a.m. yesterday. The mails left for London at 11.30 a.m. Free pratique. The Ripen, with the heavy portion of the above mails left Malta at 6 a. m. on the 24th. She may be expected at Southampton about the god January. OUTWARD BOMBAY MAIL. The Tanjore from Marseilles on the 20th Mat. reached Malta, at 11 p.m. on t he 22nd, and left at 4 a.m. on the 23rd for Alexandria. FRANCE. (nom ova OWN 001 PARIS, SUNDAY. M. Fould's financial report, which I said yester day had been " discounted " in a favourable sense on the Bourse, appears to-day in the Moniteur. It undoubtedly gives a favourable account of the financial position : but then he speaks of the budget, not of this year, or of next, but of that of 1867, and it remains to be seen whether something or other will not occur to prevent the fulfilment of the promises now held out. It is very long since the Emperor declared his intention to have his budgets in "equilibrium," and accordingly his finance ministers always make out their estimates with a surplus. But then there conies the inevit able "rectified budget," which as invariably shows a deficit when the accounts are wound up. M. Fould now says that the budget of 1864 is balanced by a deficit of st) millions. He only ventures to hope that the budget of 1865 will make both ends meet, in stead of showing the surplus of 7,312,000 f., which his estimates had antioipsted. As to 1866, coming nearer to current facts, he is reduced to confess that he has not the materials for anticipating bow it will turu out. 1867, however—that land of promise— is encouraging, and it is upon his estimates for that year that the matter of course encomiums of the official press are built. Be shows that the reduc tions about which so much stir has been made this autumn amounts to 30 millions, thus distributed : 14 millions reductions in the budget of the Minister of War ; seven in the Ministry of Marine ; six in that of Finance ; and two or three millions in the budget of Public Works and the ministry of the Emperor's household. But from this saving has to be deducted an augmentation of 4 millions. do that the real reduction projected amounts to only 26. Apart from figures, the flexibility of which we but too well know from experience, the really great feature of the financial report consists in the repeated asser tion that a " pacific" policy is assumed as the bards of all the minister's calculations, and the strong affirmation of the soundness of the principle of the sinking fund, which many modern French financiers have contested. On this point M. Fould's language is most emphatic and remarkable. He says: The revival of the winking fund. so favounible to the future of our finance, is all the more useful and opportune. because it is a protest against those facile and dangerous doc trines which tend toeocumber the future for the benefit of the present. By fulfilling its engagemeoteto its creditors the go vernment will take advantage of the state of peace which we are enjoying to reduce its debt and con solidate its credit. Your Majesty will transmit to future generations the advantages of the greet things aocomplished du rin g y our reign, without saddling them with charges out of proportion to the benefits. From the fact of no allusion being made to the Luxembourg Gardens as a source of assets, it is conjectured that the project of confiscating them must be given up. The following is the summing up of the Patrie, in a sense of course favourable to the government, of the financial report : The floating debt is now 772 millions, which was 808 on the let of January last ; the reduction of Treasury bills to • figure below 100 millions, the maintenance of • mode rate rate of interest during the put year, a material sag. mutation in the exports and imports of the first ten month. of this year, are all matters tending to prove that our financial situation is gradually improving, and that the measures submitted by the finance minister to the Emperor's approbation are destined to triumph over our gas abuses and habits of extravagance, to augment sources, and increase our prosperity. It is rumoured that Mr. Gladstone has decided upon a low uniform duty upon all French wines, whether in cask or bottle, and that the duty will be is. per gallon. This is capital news for the wine growers, and also, sal think, for English consumers. 1 fully anticipate that, owing to the greater com mercial aptitude and more scrupulous, tradeemanlige honesty of English merchants, it will shortly be easier to get good French wine at a moderate price in London than in Paris. We have had to-day and yesterday the best imi tation of a London fog that I have ever seen in Paris. There are two or three degrees of frost with it—just enough to keep the streets clean. The usual stalls for the sale of Etrennes are in course of erection on the Boulevards. The shopkeepers along the line from the Madeleine to the Bastille oppose this fair, not so much out of jea lousy of temporary rivals, who sell articles of too low a value to be serious competitors, as CAPITAL PUNISHMENT. REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS. The following is the report of the Capital Punishment Commission as finally, and it is believed unanimously, agreed to. Several of the commissioners have, however, signed a supple mentary pungent* stating their belief that capital punishments might now be safely abolished : To Till QUITS 'S YOST ISCITLIAST 111.7ZSTY. We, your Majesty's commissioners appoioted "ta inquire into the provisions and operation of the lain now in force in the Milted Kingdom, med., an d by vinoe of which the punishment of death may be io. (tined upon primes convicted of oriole crimes, and also into the manner in which capital sentenne are carried into exec ution, and to c ertify to your Majesty under our hands end male, or under the heads sad seals of any five or more of es, our several proosedinp In the premises, and at the same time to report to your Majesty our opinion whether any and what alteration is desirable in such laws or any of them, or in the Meaner in which such muteness are carried into execution," humbly report es follows : I. We have beep occupied a considerable time in taking evidence' upon the questions referred to us. Many witnesses have bees examined, and a careful summary of their evidence precedes this report. In addition to this oral testimony, certain questions have been addressed to, and answers received from, nearly all the nation of Europe, and some of the States of the United Slates of America, with regard to the laws relating to the punishment of death existing In thaw eciantries rupee tivsly. The opinion of all her Majesty's judges in England, Ire. had, sad Scotland, es well m of other eminent criminel lawyers, have been moaned neon the expedience of mak ing say alteration in the laws under which the punishment of death may now be inflicted upon persoss convicted of pertain crimes. In answer to this request some of the judges have sent in statements of their views, while others have attended before the commission and verbally stated their opinions. The whole of the evidence, both oral and doonmeatary, will be found in the appendix. 2. The oommisaioners forbear to enter into the abetted gaieties of the expediency of abolishing or maintaining capital Famishment, on which subject differences of opinion exist among them, bat they are all of opinion that certain alterations ought to be made in the existing law. 3. The only crimes now practically punishable with death is the United IC iegdom are treason and murder ; we ry perictiral4, because in Scotland there remain many other offences which are stall is point of law liable to be so punished, though in fact such a ems never occurs. We strongly recommend that this anomaly be no longer allowed to exist, and that all such obsolete laws be repealed A list of these offences will be found in the Appen. 4. We have then, fink to consider whether, assuming capitalp un ishment to be retained, we should recommend any change in its present application to the crime of treason, and upon this point we have come to the oonclu sion that no alteration is neared. The statute of the 11 and 12 Vie., c. 12, commonly called the "Treason Felony Lot," without in any way atcogatingithe ancient law upon that subject, has introduced a sew and more merciful law, which, in all but Oasis of extreme gravity, will pro bably supersede the former. The maximum punishment under this act is penal servitude for life, which seems suffi ciently severe in cases of constructive treason onsecom pealed by overt ads of rebellion, assassination, or other violence. With respect to trams of the latter character, we are of opinion that the extreme penalty must remain. 5. We now arrive at the cousicieration of the crime of murder and its punishment, and in treating this difficult question we think it convenient bristly to refer in the first instance to the existing state of the lac 6. By the law murder is the unlawfully killing soother with malice aforethought, and this definition appears to us to be correct in principle. Unfortunately these words have not been confined to ex prees malice aforethought, or as it is sometimes called malice in fart, bat have received a lees natural construe- Mon which hu long been adopted as the settled law of the lead. It hes been held that malice in its legal sense far peen nothing more than a wicked intention to do Wary to the person of another without any JOSS abase or excuse, and that where a man is killed in cones. quince of any such wicked intention the law will infer malice aforethought, though no express enmity or prm conceived design can be shown ; not indeed a particular, but • general maim aforethought, arising from the ex. tame depravity of disposition shown by the sit. This doctrine of implied malice aforethought goes even beyond this, and is carried to such an extent that the law always Infers it when a persist in the art of committing a felony, even of a trifling nature, kills another, though there mai be in fact no premeditation, and no intention to kill, or do serious injury. tration When homicide is committed in the perpe crimes of great enormity, such as those enumerated clause 12, this inference may be not improperly drawn. 7. The extreme severity of this construction has bass somewhat mitigated by the law of manslaughter, which is defined to be the unlawful killing of another without malice express or implied. IA order to reduce the crime from murder to manslaughter, the law allows evidence of pron. cation to be given to rebut the inference of malice, which would otherwise be drawn from the act of killing. Herr however, *pia certain arbitrary rules have been traduced Into the law, which most materially skid its beneficial operation. It has beau established by the decisions of our courts that no provocation by words, or looks, or gestures, however contemptuous and insulting, nor by any trespaes merely against lands er goods, is sufficient to free the party killing from the guilt of murder, if he kills with a deadly weapon, or in any manner showing an intention to kill, Or do grievous bodily harm. In these mem, though the sudden nem of the provocation may rebut in point of fact the express malice aforcikougtr, it is not allowed, on account of its supposed insignificance, to overcome the genera& metier aforethought, which is implied by the law from the wickedness and cruelty of the deed. Without enter. lag into the many nice aud subtle distinctions which prevail upon this subject, it is enough to say that the practical result of this state of things is most unsatisfactory. A man who. in a sod den fit of panne, mowed by insult to himself or his wife, kills the person who offers the limit, is, by law, guilty of the same crime and liable to the same punishment as the assassin who has long meditated and brooded over his mime. A great majority of the witnesses whom we have examined have expressed a strong opinion that this branch of our criminal law requires revision and amendment, at least so far as the punishment is con. earned, and we have unanimously arrived at the same con clusion. 8. We proesed, therefore, to offer such recommendations as we think eapedient for altering the present law of murder. It appears to us that there are two modes which the change may be effected. 9. The first plan is to abrogate altogether the existing law of murder, and to substitute a new definition of that crime ; confining it to felonious homicides of great enor mity, and leaving all those which are of a lees heinous description in the category of manslaughter. 10. The other plan is one which has been extensively acted upon in the United States of America, where the common law of England is in force ; this leaves the &W -ein of murder and the distinction between that crime and manslaughter untouched, but divides the crime of murder into two classes or decrees. solely with the view of confim tng the punishment of death to the first or higher degree. 11. We have given both these plans our serious consider- anon, and we see of opinion that the required change mlie Ds best effected by the latter, which involves no disturbance of the present distinction between murder and manslaughter, which does not mike it nemenry to remodel the statutes relating to attempt to murder, and does not interfere with the operation of those treaties with foreign Powers which provide for the extradition of fugitives accused of that crime. The object proposed can be attained by a short and simple enactment. providing that no murder shall be mourned with death except such as are particularly therein meationed. These should be called murders of the first degree . ; all other oth murders should be called murders of she second de gree, and punished es hereinafter recommended. 12. We recommend therefore: (I.) That the punishment of death be retained for all murders delibentely committed with exposes malice afore thought, each malice to be found ass fact by the jun. (2.) That the panishmeat of death be also retained for all murders committed in, or with a view to, the perpetratioe, or escape after the perpetration, or attempt at perpetree non of any of the following felonies :—Murder, WMw raps, burglary, robbery, or piracy. (3.) That is ell other awes of murder the pnaishmenhe be penal servitude far life, or for any period not lees than sense yews, at the diesettoo of the court. 13. Our attention lies been called to the frequene failure' of *lees fin ores of infanticide. The aims at infaatieide. as distinguished from murder is general, is sot known to the English law. The moment r" 001114