The Express. — London, England, 1860-12-17 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, MONDAY EVENING, DE SECOND / -HA ND PIANOFORTE& PUP UAL& mil Os. bore a bop simelerat el Saisommay by Ye ant islossel Nab" at orasey mewed Deka . lagaabitrest. 1 : 180: 1:1118'8 HALL RESTAURANT, isassialsast sal PimaMx Tam" Mass. Waft. few ?masa lAA" NY t DONALD. Prerarilsr. Cie enirefsg• Wmlllimmalm triWis7 7 4gYzirm76" Laudon bomb, Tam mummi bm •6 Ile dim 16. limerabememesk by Tee Work IS the dig mf pablbmilmm. 11•1111•1 M. Taw 'imam • N UNIQCAL Iff ed =oodels. Loom Camp" mod Nis Aim Ws. I Tunrilasis.—OTOlT T MI LL Yr. Clippmodels; lam IL Ilowarl—And MT lITIIiaNDI 01101T..-Osonars sit TIUMCIMML Mg Brom% WWI OWL Mr. P. Malllmor WM Munc.—lXT ODIMMILN 110111 MIL Itrors._Tairer, Mar owerrt Mormlors . Mir Marrse.—AM TIM MILIMILLDI OM 7 Immue. Tall LO IT. AN Or M • WWI. Matra Ashby mell Waft Cam•-•4211.11/411Sill IUN MM. Noma awl Nary; lira IL Mew NETT =.—Osnamse al hallimilT. samanna. us 11Mills41130011 TIE WWI JONATZAW Irma... The lledeche Assise.—K4spe .r., —nu WOOMBOR. Iles. W. CeembeL Its. . lasa—Aai TER PLUM nom. NW L Ckylen.—Connimeeal heilipmet h. MOH VAT!! AT TONDOS 111DOIL Tan DAT —llimung Oh. 1a..... Anaemia. Si Oa. Teannaim—Nasalm In no— Anwar" en be LONDON, MONDAY, DBC. 17. The Russians have done us a real service, if the Chinese news they forward is true. The despatch received at the Foreign-office on Satur day afternoon brings intelligence from Pekin of the 9th November, a date twentyeevan days later than that of the advice. by our own mail. The information given to the public is defective on many points of great interest. We should have liked to have had the aasuranoe that all the pri soners have been restored, although this must surely be assumed. It would be also satisfactory to know what proportion, however small, of the expenses of this costly war we are likely to receive from the treasesy of the Emperor Of CHISA. But the great fact is one which everybody will receive with a pleasure height ened by the circumstance that it was little expected. Peace is made. The army has been extricated from a false position, end Pekin is evacuated. The achievement is so important that the terms on which peaoe has been made will not be too nicely scanned at home. Lord now gin beet ;tidge whit is wee and passible, and if the next mail fails to bring us intelligent), ci acts of sanguinary retribution and reprisal which some of us at home have clamoured s for, it will be because he saw that acts of that cha racter would only involve us in new and endless embattlements. From the moment our forces moved up from Tientsin our Plenipoten tiary had only • choice of evils. His reluctance to take Pekin arose from his fear of destroying the Government, and the same thought governed his treatment of the city. The eventual advance on the capital was simply a measure of coercion caused by the capricious sad wanton seizure of our country men by the Tarter General, acting, there is reason to believe, without the complicity of the Chinese Commissioners. There is not the least ground to suppose that Lord ELois at any time ex pected from the occupation those perma nent political results which have been pre dicted here as certain to follow that measure. Otherwise, having been compelled to take Pekin, be would not have neglected to make the pressure of British power felt there in • higher degree than he has actually done. The Chinese have never had their capital taken by a foreign enemy before, but they must have had their notions of what such an event was like, and the impression left on their minds by our short sojourn there must be, that it was after all no very terrible calamity. It is now however evacuated. The material guarantee, which we are told had been acquired, is given up. We shall probably hear in time that this was • condition of the pesos, necessary to get the 'Lermaa back, and to prevent the removal of the seat of goverument to a city beyond our reach. Lord Knits has been compelled to sign • peace without requiring the' previous return of the EMPLSOS to the capital of the Empire ; but if the third article of the Treaty of Tientain is maintained, we may confidently ex pect that he will not this time leave the difilcult commencement of settled diplomatic intercourse to an inferior hand, but will take care to have • per eons' interview with the IMP/SOIL Our with. drawal from Pekin will of course be talked of throughout China as a compelled retreat; that, however, was certain from the moment we marched thither, and there is no help for it. The great point will be gained if we get our little army again within reach of our ships, and get out of the country with out leaving any open questions between the two go-' venuneuts. If the demands of Lord Ewtx have been no.lersze, as we expect to learn, the stipulations to which the Chinese have assented will probably be fulfilled, for our most experienced agents in the East bear witness to the general punctuality of the authorities there. On the other hand, an overreaching policy on our part is sure to defeat itself. We may force the signature of a treaty, and exult in apparent success ; but a period conies when our force is withdrawn, and we are involved in costly wars. Tiie verdicts given in two recent actions against Railway Companies, for bodily injuries sustained by passengers, illustrate • defect in the present state of the law of compensation which, in the luterests of justice and of the public, urgently re gistries amenduieot. The principle itself is of course beyond discusmon. Every wrung must have its remedy, and a passenger who has suffered an injury that renders him unfit to pursue his calling, or deprives him of the natural enjoyment of life, has undoubtedly acquired • right which must be ascer tented by the intervention of the law. It is for • jury to assess the diunage after hearing contra dictory evidence as to the nature and ex tent of the injuries sustained and the , degree of lusa resulting to the plaintiff. Lord Ca a esscx's Act brings back the old Saxon system of money CUlUpelliittlUil for bodily injury ; but it omits the principal recommendation of that system—the establishment of a fixed standard of redress. It may be said that the lose of health, of memory, of a limb, is in some sort incapable of adequate compensation ; fur what is life with out the means of living, or the faculty for its en joyment f Bodily injuries, however, are fairly calculable (if we may be excused the expression), in an objective sense, on ascertained don, and according to fixed rates. And it is for want of • tariff of money compensation that it happens that, in the course of a long action and a tedious con flict of evidence--shat with partisan doctors mid surgeon., ri Company disposed (in self-defence) to put a ;einem:ger at the most niuderate figure, and the paasmger's attorneys diaposed to assess him at the highest price —the principled oempeneso tins is shifted and obscured until it become almost imperceptible in the verdict. Take the two cams tried last week, for example. In the one the plaintiff was a commercial traveller, at a salary 27151. per annum, which it was stated in evi dence "was to have been raised next year to 3001." To this unfortunate gentleman the result of a rail way collision was that he was laid up for months M a watering place, condemned to absolute repose, and to warm saltwater baths. It was the opinion of his medical witnesses that he would probably be unable to resume his business as a commercial traveller ; and, though on the other side it was suggested that his symptoms were exaggerated, the latest testimony of the surgeon who examined him while the trial was actually going on was to the effect that he had really sustained serious in jury. The jury gave him damages, 2,0001. In the other case to which we are referring, it appeared that the plain' tiff was a corn and flour factor, " thriving in business " (after a period of ill moms), and latterly "paying income tax upon " 6001. a year." Evidence waagiven that the plain tiff had sustained injury to his brain and nervous system ; that his memory was weakened and his eyesight impaired. On the other hand, a surgical opinion was produced, that the " ultimate re " oovery " of the plaintiff was " more " than probable." The jury found for the plaintiff—damages, 1,2001. Now, the precise mama for the difference of damages in these two cases is not immediately dis oernible. The commercial traveller was con sidered to have suffered permanent injury to his back ; the corn and flour factor, at least a tem porary injury to his brain and eyes. Both were incapacitated for business, and to both time and business were the means of livelihood ; though the income of the one was a fixed and limited salary, and of the other a speculative and "thriving" trade. Did the jury consider the loss of a small fixed salary worse than the arrest of a "thriving " business ? " Or the injury to limb more serious than the injury to brain and eye sight? Or did the surgeon's opinion that ultimate recovery was more than probable outweigh the evidence that since the accident the plaintiff could not remember the occurrences of the day before, and that all things, even flour, turned yellow to his sight I We are not concerned to account for either verdict. We are not sug gesting that the amount wee in either case too high or too low. But the obviously shifting and arbitrary standard of assessment strikes us as a defect injurious and oppressive in its operation. The want of some fixed principle of calculation tends to litigation and prevent. settlements. It exposes Vie Railway Compathee to extortion, and subjects the sufferer to inquiries and investigations which tend to increase any injury to his health. The present uncertainty is therefore an evil to each of the parties immediately concerned in an accident, and the general public is interested in the redress of every grievance. It is therefore on behalf of the administration of strict and simple justice, that we contend for the advantage of a fixed tariff of money compensation for bodily injuries sustained by pas. sengers. The question which would then be submitted to the jury would simply be the extent or existence of the alleged injury. The pecuniary result being known beforehand, it would very seldom happen that resort to an expensive mode of inquiry would become necessary. Medical investigation would of course still be essential, but that evi dence, which now goes for next to nothing with a jury, who naturally look on every surgeon as a partiean, would be elevated to its proper station, and, whether the inquiry were made in open court or not, would be regarded according to the attain ments of the practitioner. If such • tariff as we have alluded to could be frosted we are satisfied that not only the railway companies but the public would be benefited. The subject is one well fitted for consideration by the Railway ciation. They could obtain from a competent actuary a table of rates embracing every possible case for compensation, so as to combine certainty with fairness". By the adoption of such • table an equal economy would be effectedai costs and in oompamion. KNIGHTHOOD OF COLONEL ANDREW SCOTT WAUGH, F.llB. The knighthood of Colonel Waugh Surveyor- General of India and Superintendent of the Great Trigonometrical Survey, is an event that will I doubtless be gratifying to many of his friends ; but it will scarcely be considered by men of science, whether in India or at home, as an ad uate re cognition of his long, useful, and distingu ished pro -1 fessional services. Men of comparatively small claims, whose names are hardly known out of their profession, on being appointed to judicial and ptlier functions in the colonies, are made knights bachelor as a compliment due to their official posi tion, and few will be disposed to question that in such a case the occasion is properly met by the award. But Colonel Waugh belongs to quite a different clam of claimants for honourable notice. He has been for thirty years a prominent member of a corps (the Bengal Engineers) which Las always been fertile of men of a high order, emulous of honourable distmetion, and in every way capable of achieving it. On the retirement of Colonel Everest, iu 1843, from the office of Surveyor-Ge neral of India and Superintendent-Genmsl of the i Great Trigonometrical Survey, Colonel Waugh was, on the recommendation of that eminently scientific officer, appointed his successor, and that he has fully vindicated the high character then given him, and his capability to carry out the great trigonome trical and geographical survey of Ind* dnittsxl by Colonel Everest as, of its kind, a "coloesW series of operations without parallel perhaps in the history of mankind," has been repeatedly acknow ilelgel hy the scientific world, as well as by the Hon. Court of Directors and sucoessive Governors- General, who have from time to time honoured hint with their warmest approbation and thanks. Colo nel, now Sir Andrew Waugh, has obtained the highest scientific honours which this country can bestow. He is a fellow of the Royal Society, and in 1887 he was awarded one of the two royal medals of the Royal Geographical Society " for the encou ragement of geographical science and discovery." On this °mason the Hon. Court of Directors, iu • letter to the Governor-General of ludia in Council, said :—" This recognition of the services of Lieut.- Colonel Waugh, in prosecuting during the last thirteen years the operations of the great trigono metrical and geographical survey of India, it highly honourable to that officer and gratifying to us." We confidently trust that at no distant period the name of Sir Andrew Waugh will be en rolled in amociatiou with the Most Honourable Order of the Bath. Lord Bloaaldd, British Ambassador to Vienna, sad Lord Napier, Armor to Mt. Petersburg, are shoat to be raised to the teak of Privy Councillore. The Hon. K M. Erekeiue is appointed Secretary of Esuhaasy at Constantinople, in suceorion to Mr. Hanle Lumley, who Is appointed Secretary of Embassy at Ht. Petersburg. - ----- ---.• The Rev. Mr. Maurice hag returned a lengthened ariewer to the sikiress presented to him some time since. He considers he has Do right to b. called • learned theolo gian, sof can he assume to linneell Aug vocal oeel in behalf .4 the working-armee. The Rev. Henry Julian Bigrby, M.A., has been licensed to the perpetual curacy of Nt. Thomas, South• borough, in the perish .4 Toebridge, county .4 Kent, and dilator ..f ceuterbury, Lately erected sad e s oorecnitedi Ma. Nandi Pugh, teams. The Rev. Jouetluta HenryLovett Cameron hes tom presented by the 1-#11.41. sod CLaj.ter el We.tailuater to the Vinarage of Shoreham, imam amity sad gilt earl* Clianao D l lO. The Royal dinner party yesterday colaprised the Duchess of Cambridge, the Primer Alice, the Prince Alfred, the Princes Miry of Oaasteides, Prince Loeb of Hems, the Duke of Allied, the litessels et Ohandoe. lady Geraldine Illosisseest, Vbeosall Sydney, Lord sad Lady Chumhdl, Bic 0. 0. and Ledgibevea Lewis, Ideut.- General and Duly Alice Peel, Bane von Westerweller, and Lieut.-Colonel Puma The band of the Scots Fusilier Guards played during dinner. The aeoond dramatic paidartnaase this sewn took place in the evening. The ocenedy gm that by Mr. Tom Taylor, entitled the Biagi in Me Wood, played by the Haymarket company. At a quarter before 3 o'clock to-day her Majesty held a private investiture of the Order of the Bath. The Prime Consort, Great Master'of the Order, was present. Lieut.-General Bir Charles Yorke was havestedas a Mili tary Knight Grand Cross. Major-batted Thome Aimhew Lerman (civil), Colonel Anthony Coninghant Ster ling (anitary), George Lloyd Hodges, Esq. (civil), mad the Right Hon. Sir Edmond Walker Head, Bart. (civil), were all introduced, knighted, and invested as Knights Commanders of the Bath. Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Pratt, Med Royal Welsh Pollan (military). Edward Anderton Reads, Eel., Bengal Civil Sinks (civil); and Francis Otway Mayne, Fag., Bengal Civil Service (civil), were introduced and received from the Queen their hedges as Companions of the order. Albert William Woods, Req. Lancaster Herald, Registrar and Sersetary of the order, attended. Virmonst Torrington and the Hoe. Mortimer Seekville West were the Lord and Groom in Waiting, and Lard Charlie Pits Roy and Major Du Plat were the Equerries in Waiting. His Royal Metals, the Prises of Wales arrived hom Oxford in the afternoon, attended by Major-General the Hon. R. Bruce and Lieutenant-Colonel KeppeL In addi tion to whom the Royal dinner party included the Prince Alfred, Princess Alice, Prince Louis of Hew" Prince and Princess Leiningen, the Marquis and Mutitisam I Nor manby, Colonel the Hon. Sir Charles Phipps, Dr. Bab; Baron von Weitereeller, Major Cowell, and the Rev. A. P. Stanley, from Oxford University, who arrived on a visit in the afternoon. 80WDAT. The Quite and Prince Ceased, the Prince of Wale., Princess ARes, Prince Alfred, Prince Arthur, Primmes Helena, Primers Louise, and Priam Louis of Hems, the ladies and isetlesieu of the mart, and the domestic home• hold attended divine service this rimming in the private dispel. The Rev. Arthur Peurhyu Stanley preached the WOIOO. A Cabinet Council was held on Saturday at the official residence of the First Lord of the Treasury, in Downing-street. The ministers present were Viscount Palmerst on , the Lord Chancellor, Earl Granville, Sir G. Cornwall Lewis, Lord John Russe ll , the Duke of Newcastle, the Right Hon. Sidney Herbert, Charles Wood, the Chancellor of the Exc uer, the Duke of Somer set, the Right lion. T. M*a i or Gibson, Lord Stanley of Alderley,liir George Grey, the Right Hon. C. P. Villiers, and the Right Hon. Edward Cardwell. Tb. Chancellor of the Exchequer arrived in town on Saturday from Rewarder. Castle, Cheater. The Jedicial Committee of the Privy Council eat on Stherhity. An appeal from the Admiralty Court, the Zest Lethisn (part beard), was conlnded. Judgment was per• Deepatehee were received at the Colonialcthee on Satnr from the Governors of Malta, Gibraltar, and Mauritius. were not to the Governor of the North Amanna Provinces, the West India Islands, and British Columbia. PIETIVITINS TO THE PRINCE ;OP WALES Al 017011 D. The deanery at Christ Church wan on Wednesday evening heenerred with the promisee of his Royal Highness the Priem of Wales, who graciously accepted an Invitation to dine there on that day. The following had the honour of dining with his royal highness :—The Very Rem the DIM and Mrs. Liddell, the Vice-Chaaeslior and Mrs. Jeans, Hon. Lady WdMenison, the Hon. Mrs. Follower, air Thames West, Hart., and Mies West ; the Warden of New College,the Regina Profaner of licelesieeticel History, and Mrs. Stanley. In the orewieg Ma. Liddell gave a grand soirte, when the oammay wee aegissented by the Duke and Duchess of liselboroegh, Lord and Lady and other distinguished visitors from Blenheim Palace ; Lord Hamilton, Lord Newry, Lord Kershaw, Earl Brown low, Dr. and Mrs. Acland, ha, kc. The oonipany num bored upwards of sixty. On Friday evening the prince honoured the Vim. Chancellor with hie company to dinner at Pembroke College, when a distinguished party was invited to meet hie royal highness. The company who had the honour of dining with the prince were the Vice-Chancellor, Mrs. Jenne and Miss Jenne, Major-General the Hun. B. Brew and Mrs. Bruce, Lisutswint-Golonel Koppel, Lord Newry, Right Be,. J. W. Harley, M.P., Mr..l. H. Lang, Si.?., the Dean of Christ Church and Mrs. Liddell, the Resins Professor of Divinity and Mn. Jawbone, the Principal of Bt. Alban Hall, the Principal of Bt. Mary Hall, and Mr. Neiman William Senior. At a later hour the Vine-Chen ostler and Mrs. Jenne gave an evening party on an exten sive scale, which was attended by the fliteot the university, including most of the heads of houses and professors, with their wives and families. The guests amounted to upwards of IW. It is rumoured that her Majesty will pay a more pro longed visit to Osford than her recent one when the Pruatio of Wales has the honorary degree of D.C.L. con ferred upon bus, after the completion of his studies at Ounbridge. It le acme currently rumoured that Frew= Hall has beep take. permanently by the Queers, as the future residence of the younger hmuches of the royal family who may pursue their studies at Oxford. Their Serene Highnesses the Prince and Prim ers of Waimea witatesed the performanosa at the Adalpbi Thisbe on Friday weals& The Princess de lieaufays, accompanied by the Countess Barad( sad Baron &Oaten, ham taken her depar ture from the Brunswirk Hotel, Jerroyn-strest, for Paris. The Duchene of Hamilton and family hate arrived in Arlington-Arlen from Sootland. The Duchess of Sutherland will leave town to day on a Alt to kor Majesty at Windsor Castle. The Earl and &Maims of Westmoreland hare left the Si. George's Hotel, for Apethorpe Park, North amptonshire. The Earl and Counteas of Winehilsaa and Lady Pkwenos Peget left the St. George's Hotel am fiatardar for indwell Park, Ashforl Franc a@ COUlltella Waldegrava and Mr. Harcourt, ILP., •rc eataradoing • saw& circle at Nuns Lam Ozoo. Viscount and Viscountess Palmerston leave turn todayoo a visit to her lisdasty at Windsor Castle. Lady Victoria Ashley and the Hon. Lionel Aabley arrived in town oa flaturday from visiting the Countess Cowper, at Wrest Park, Bedfordshire. Colonel the Hon. W. P. and Lady Kama Talbot ere staying at Knoweley Put, Inneaahire, on a visit to the Paul and Countess of Derby. Sir Jaime Weir and Lady Hogg and family have arrived from Brightoa at Oarttori-gardens. The Countess of Maoclesield gave birth to a Em. at, Mirburn Castle, Tatsworth, oa tha lith. Mr. Hope Johnetoue, the young gentleman at Eton whose leg was broken at foot-hall a short time since, is going on favourably. The Earl of Jersey L. quite reco vered from his serious illness. A letter from Rome of the Bth ooneludes as fol lows -" While lam closing this a hand of young men is passing under my windows, singing Garibaldi's hymn. It is not long sines a similar freak would he quickly followed by gendarmes and prisoo, and now I suppose they will be left unmolested. This cannot go on long, and one of the diplomats here told me today that we should have a change wooer than was expected. CAi virrd (yard." A letter from Melbourne by the present mail mentions that a solid coke of gold, worth 9,500 f., the pro dace of the crushing of only ten tons of quarts from a reef near Inglewood—a locality scarcely known twelve months ago—had been sold to the Bank of Now Booth Wide*. This bank had also purchased at Sandhurst • cake weighing about :101 ounces, the produce of 31 tons of quart:, and it is lammed that the same reef will prudues 30,0001. a year for many years to come. CEI9: Lela ,trrimuGENcir. REPOitTED PEACE WITH CHINA. FOILSIGN-0171CP., torc. 15. Intelligence has been received at the Foreign office this afternoon through St. Petersburg from Pekin, up to the 9th of Nov., stating that peace waa concluded on the 26th Oct., and the ratifica tions exchanged. On the 6th Nov. the allied forces evacuated Pekin, and the Emperor was expected immediately to return to his capital. A TRUCK AT GAETA. CHANGE IN THE POLICY OF FRANCE. (nom ova anew. anistroirDert) 3101. A DI GAM, Dic. 10. Mars it appears is going to retire within his tent, and leave to crafty diplomacy the final settlement of the southern Italian question. I had scarcely posted my letter of Saturday when I was informed that a French man-of-war had arrived with im portant despatches for Admiral Barbier de Tinan. I hastened to Cialdini's head-quarters, where I heard that a truce of fifteen days had been nego tiated by the Emperor Napoleon, and that in all probability the French steamer referred to was the bearer of the official intimation of the French Cabinet. It seems that it is especially due to the influence of the English government, that Louis Napoleon was induced to change his line of policy towards Francis 11. The truce proposed to the two contending armies, and already accepted by the Sardinian government, has been proposed by France, in order that Francis 11, should have time to consider his case, which is tantamount to a timely recommendation that he should give up the idea of resistance. At the ex piration of the fifteen days, if the besieged King persists in the defence, he is told by the Emperor that the French fleet will leave Gaeta, and aban don him to his fate. These, lam told, are the very words of the imperial ultimatum. Francis IL will be greatly surprised, for, till the other day, he firmly believed that France would never allow Admiral Pavan to bombard the place. The Sphinx of our times having sud denly changed his mind, I do not see how his once Sicilian Majesty can persist in keeping up the struggle. I am, therefore, inclined to think that before the expiration of the truce the son of Fer dinand 11. will have left the last den of Bourbonic tyranny, and h►ve set his foot on the land of exile. NAPII33, Dic. 11 (vls Marseilles). Fresh reinforcements of Sardinian troops are ex pected. The steamer Dora, having on board 760 Garibal diens, has been lost near Tarracdna. The Garibaldiane are supposed to have been saved. General Dunn, on whom life en attempt was lately made, is still alive. NAPLES. Ds% 13. The mobilised national guard, destined foe Upper Italy, has been organised. The Naples journals highly approve the project of the Minister Minghetti, which aims at adminis trative decentralisation. It is said that 2,000 pontifical troops are about to march against the town of Ponte Corn, to over throw the provisional government established there in the name of King Victor Emmanuel. PERUGIA. Dac. 16. The province of Viterbo continues in a state of insurrection. It iii &alerted that the French are preparing to evacuate the province. MARSEILLES, Dsc. 17. The report of the loam of the atoamorDora has not been confirmed. The Naples journals received here assert that the Abruzzi and Calabria are quiet, and that the revo lutionary movement in the province of Avellino had been partially suppressed. The same journal also states that the Lieutenancy at Naples is en gaged in arming the National Guard, who are to be despatched to Upper Italy. MILAN, BUIDAT. The Perseveranui of to-day publishes the entire pamphlet, "The Emperor Francis Joseph I. and Europe," the publication of which has been an nounced in Paris. The author of the pamphlet laments the state of things in Venetia, and says that it is impossible to stop the Italian movement which aims at its deliverance. The poosesaion of Venetia is the permanent cause of the financial and military weakness of Austria. The treaty of Campo Formic disposed of Venice against law and right. The sacrifice of Lombardy was more inju rious to Austria than would be the loss of Venice. The author concludes that the interest of the peace of Europe demands the cession of Venetia by means of compensation as the only solution of the ques tion, and that Europe would be grateful to the Emperor of Austria for such a solution. FRANKFORTANMFIE-MAIIM, SATURDAY. According to reliable information Lords Bloom field and Loftus, English ambassadors at Vienna and Berlin, have been summoned to London on account of deliberations on the question of Venetia. It 11, 1860. EXPRESS PROM PARIS. ABOLITION OF PASSPORTS. (nor OUR OWN 001EINPONDIIIT.) PARIS. SUNDAY EVESI3O, I cannot but sincerely applaud the (apparently) unconditional abolition in France with respect to British subjects of that passport system against which I have so often written. I should, indeed, have been more rejoiced had the French govern ment boldly swept away the whole nuisance, in stead of giving to my countrymen a privilege over its own citizens as well as those of all the rest of the world. Still the good feeling manifested by the measure is most satisfactory, and I entirely agree with the Patric that it is one calculated to multiply' very considerably the interchange of friendly rela tions between France and England. At the same time, before I frame and glaze my passport as an historical curiosity which I shall have no farther occasion to use, I cannot help asking one or two questions, and I am far from putting them in a captious spirit. The words of the note in the Moniteur are that British subjects will, from January 1, by way of reciprocity, be permitted to "enter and circulate in the French empire" with out passports. Does the word "circulate" imply the permission to leave the empire without showing a passport ? I must presume so, for otherwise the boon would be nothing at all. Englishmen have never found any difficulty in landing at Calais or Boulogne for want of a passport, and since 'the construction of railways it is very seldom indeed that any, traveller is asked to show his passport in the interior. The real difficulty has always been to get out of the country without one. Is it meant to be said that after January 1 any Englishman may step on board the Folkestone boat at Boulogne without being put to more trouble than a Frenchman would be in coming from Folke stone to Boulogne 1 Row is the privilege to work ' A Frenchman, an American, and all men whatso ever, British subjects only excepted, must show a passport, or the authorities will not allow them to go on board. How is a gendarme to know an Englishman 7 His natural answer to a man claim ing the special privilege would be "show me your papers." Now it is the essential distinction of au Eng lishman from all men in Europe that "papers" are no essential part of his identity. If you must have " papers " of any kind the boat may go away while you are looking them up, and the " reciprocity " fails. There would practically be less difficulty at Boulogne and Calais than in other frontier towns less exclusively used by Englishmen. Take for instance the Pont de Kehl over the Rhine, which is crossed several times every day by crowds of all nations going to or returning from Baden Baden. How is the respectable and polite func tionary who watches that bridge to know an Englishman from anybody else ? Merely speaking bad French would nut be found a sufficient identification. It seems to me plain that until the passport system be altogether done away with, it is impossible in the nature of things that Englishmen unprovided with them can be secure from annoyance and delay. The Opinion Nationale says that the omission in the description of M. de la Guerronniere's new direction of the words " press and colportage," is highly important, and that the change was made by his request. The theory of the change is that the press, "being free," does not require to be "directed," but only to be "advised and en lightened." The distinction would be of greater raise if the power of inflicting warnings had been repealed. Let us hope that this further reform will follow the meeting of the legislature. THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA. QUEENSTOWN, SUNDAY. The Royal Mail ateanuthip Canada arrived here today at 11.30 a.m., embarked mails, and pro ceeded for Halifax and Boston at 4 p.m., all well The following telegram haa been received from the Pe nimular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company, Dec. 15; OUTWARD CALCUTTA AND CHINA MAILS. MALTA, Ore. la The Ceylon, with the outward Cdoutta and China mails, arrived at seven, and sails at mid night. All well. THE FSENCH MINISTRY or THE INTERIOR.— Yestenlay's Muniteur announoee that M. Billault, minister without portfolio, has been appointed Minister of the Interior during the absence of M. de Peniguy. M ALTA _Our correspondent writes from Malta on the 9th inst.:—" The Princess of Yoatenegro and suite have out left Malta yet, not liking the rough 68% of lest night The princess will now probably visit Home before Patin Captain A. R. Elliott, of the steamer Modern Greece, belonging to Mr. Rance, of London, suddenly, aa the vessel was about to quit the port last night fell down the after hatchway. He survived about an hour-and-a-half, but was never sensible after the accideut. A coroner's in quest was held this day, and brought in a verdict of ' Acci dental death.' It is a very common practice on board steamers to leave the hatchways unoovered,• on a dark night it is very dangerous both to passengers an d crew. Captain Elliott had been in the Itoyal_Navy and commanded a tnuts port during the Russian war." Mit. GRANT Dori.—The Nationalites of Turin ausitances that the general elections for parliameat are fined for the 30th of January next. According to the same has Mr. Grant Duff, member of the House of Commons, has been for the last three weeks at Turin on • sporial mis sion. He ha since left for Genoa, whence he will go to Southern Italy, sod afterwards to Spain. The Nahoisaliiis does not give any details as to the nature of the mission at tributed to Mr. finuitliuff. _ It is understood that the Atlantic Royal Mail Stearn Navigation Company will not have a venial to des patch from (lalway to America to•norrow (Tuesday). The service will, therefore, on that occasion, be necessarily omitted. THE UNITED STATES. THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE. QUEENSTOWN, SUNDAY. The Royal Mail steam ship Africa, Captain Neill, from New York on the 6th instant, arrived here at 8 p.m., landed all her mails except those for Liverpool, and proceeded at 8.16 p.m., all well. She brings 40 passengers and 17,5811. in specie. The steamer Asia, from Liverpool, had arrived out. The following is a summary of the President's Message, delivered at Washington on the 4th inst. The first topic discussed is the revolutionary crisis. Mr. Buchanan asks why, while the country is eminently prosperous in all its material interests, the Union, the source of all these blessings, is threatened with destruction. The cause, he says, is close to hand. It is the long-continued and in temperate interference of the Northern people with the question of slavery in the South, which has given rise to servile insurrection, and inspired the slaves with vague notions of freedom. Hence a sense of security no longer exists around the family altar. Mr. Buchanan maintains that the election of Mr. Lincoln involves no provocation for disunion, and states that the South is iu no immediate danger therefrom. He considers secession revolutionary, and denies the doctrine of constitutional secession. He next contends that the Federal government • has no right to coerce receding States into submission, and that coercion is impracticable. The relations with all foreign Powers excepting Spain are declared to be amicable and satis factory. Some suggestions are made in reference to the purchase of Cuba. As the disputed title to the island of San Juan is under negotiation with Great Britain, it is not deemed advisable to make any allusion to the subject. The President regards the visit of the Prince of Wales as a most auspicious event, and says that its consequences cannot fail to increase the kindred and kindly feeling which he trusts may ever ac tuate the government and people of both countries. The financial condition is briefly discussed, and considerable reductions are shown in the annual expenditure. The message concludes with lengthy remarks about the necessity for modifications in the tariff, to meet deficiencies of revenue. WASHINGTON, Mo. 4. After the reading of the President's Message the following amendment was moved and carried : "That so much of the message as related to the perilous condition of the country be referred to a select committee, composed of one member from each State." The message is condemned by those of extreme opinions, from both North and South. In Charleston the pacific tone of the President's message caused considerable surprise. ARMOUR-CLAD VIRtRZI. FOR RUSSIA. —A 001Te aposcleat of the Lerner Herald soya : "The third naval power in Europe intends not tobe behind•band inputtingon her armour, now that England has her 'Wamors,' and France her ' Moires.' Thu Russian Admiral, Count Putia tine, left London on Wedoesday evening last for St. Peter sburg, taking with him, for Imperial approval and ratifica tion, the drawings and contract for an iron-plated vessel of war, which is to be built forthwith on the Thames." CHINA. --.-- OW9 ore own COUICIPONDIDIT.) CAMP BEFORE PEKIN, Ocr. Li The Chinese authorities in Pekin appearing d i , posed to temporise and endeavour to evade the demand of the allied commanders that one gate the city should be occupied by our troops, benefi t , were constructed behind a brick wall, affording excellent cover, at a distance of 190 yards from the north wall of the city. Last evening those belon g . ing to the English were armed with four 68-pounder guns and three 8-inch mortars, and the Chinese were informed that unless the gate was thrown open at noon to-day the guns would open fire. They had offered no resistance to our works while being constructed, and evidently bad neither means nor desire to prolong the conflict. Accordingly they signified this morning their acquiescence, and at 12 o'clock the gate was opened to us, and occupied by detachments of the 87th Foot and Bth Punjaub Infantry. Our sentries are now upon the wall s , and the English and French flags are flying ove r the gateway. It is anticipated that all difiieulties are now at an end. Pekin is at our mercy, and the ratifications will probably be exchanged and the army on its way back to Tientsin in 10 days, The greater part of the force will winter in Tientsin. It is not intended that the troops should enter the town beyond the gates ; indeed it is believed that such a proceeding would cause a universal tumult, of which the mob would take advantage to pillage the Chinese city. Nine more prisoners, viz., eight sowers of Fane's Horse, and one French soldier, wore brought in and given up yesterday. They are the remains of a party of fifteen who were sent to- gether from Pekin to a fort in the hills 30 or 40 le ilea distant. There they were divided into two parties, one consisting of Lieut. Anderson, of Fane's Horse, Mr. De Norman and five sowers, the other of three Frenchmen and five suwars. Of the first party, poor Anderson, De Norman, and one sower died ; and of the second, two Frenchmen and one sowar. They were very badly treated, and there is n doubt their deaths were caused by the cruelty of their keepers. They were loaded with chains, and scantily fed. Nothing has as yet been learnt of Captain Brabason and Mr. Bowlby. The latter was not with this party at all ; the former was with it at first, but was sent back from Pekin in com pany with a Frenchman to take some message to the allied commanders, so at least the sowar who gives a statement of what occurred states. It appears that they made no resistance when taken prisoners on the 18th of September, Lieutenant Anderson, who commanded the escort, thinking if they did so they might compromise Messrs. Parkes and Loch, who, you will remember, left them in search of Sankolinsin ; they therefore gave up their arms quietly, and for two days were allowed to re tain their horses, and were treated with kindness. They were taken to Pekin, and then to the Empe ror's summer palace ; there their horses were taken from them, and their sufferings began. The sale of articles taken from the summer palace for the prize commission terminated this morning. 8,0001. were realised ; a large sum considering the small number of articles sold. The fur coats, embroidery, jade stone ornaments, and Chinese copper enamel brought very high prices. The whole sum to be divided is insignificant, being somewhere about 30,0001. The weather continues fine, but the mornings are getting very cold. The view of the mountains to the north-west of Pekin is very beautiful, especially in the evening when the sun seta behind them, and shows the outline in strong relief against the glowing sty. THE REPORTED PEACE WITH CHINA. Yesterday's Moniteur Biqa :—" The Emperor's ambassador at Bt. Petersburg announces by telegraphic despatch, of to-day's date, that the Russian government has received the news that Baron Ores and Lord Elgin entered Pekin on Oct. 22, and that peace was signed on the 26th. The ratifications were exchanged on the mane day. The Emperor of China who, on leaving for Mantcboona, hadconferred on him brother, Primes Kong, the powers fleece. eery for treating, was disposed to re-enter his capital, which Um allied troops were beginning to evacuate." Tax Emertims's Erruitis.—The Empress is again amongst us. Her Majesty was met at Amiens by the Em peror on her way to Paris. Persons present say that the meeting wee very affectionate, the Emperor finding her Ma jesty looking much more healthy than when she left. The Empress, lem told, speaks in raptures about the cordial way in which she was greeted in England, from her Majesty the Queen at Windsor down to the most humble British subject. The hearty cheering of the people seems to have had great effect on this gentle-hearted and impressionable lady. I should not be surprised if you have another imperial visit paid you ere long. I will take this opportunity of observing that • number of the must unkind sad false reports have circulated amongst your own countrypeople as to the cause of her Majesty's late tour. The London clubs appear to have indulged in a considerable amount of speculative gossip on the subject. One idler writes me that four different stories are in circulation, and coucludes by saying—" Now come, old fellow, let us knew which is the real reason." The four statements I refer to have not, I believe, the slightest foundation in truth. The cause of her Majesty's visit to Scotland is very simple, and one which ought to drown the voice of sandal and invite our sympathy. Her Majesty. as all the world knows, for • long time past has not eujoyed very good health. The death of the Duchess of Altai, to who.,, she was sincerely attached, occurred duriug her Majesty's cerernionial rid! to the south with the Einperor. The Empress never recovered the shock which her sister's death produced. On her return to Paris a nervous and die spending humour appeared continually to possess her. A change of scene was advised, and a complete change of habit of life deemed necessary by her medical advisers. A previously contemplated visit to Soodard was decided upon, which, amongst various suggestions, seemed to please the Empress best. Such is the simple story of her Majesty's tour, by the way during which she kept up a coustant eorrespondenos with the Emperor, frequently, I am told, expressing herself deeply touched at the personal and public attention of our northern frisada—Paris Correspondent of LIUNCH OP • GRIXIL 111.10• TE..—On Saturday last was launched from the yard of Mr. l'itcher, at North. Beet, a screw steam frigate, called the Amalie, after the Queen of Greece, it having been constructed by ,siler of the government of that country. The Amelia is a vessel of 1,33 S tons, and is pierced for • battery of 30 guts of large adibre placed under cover of a spar-deck. Her length between the perpendiculars is 200 feet, her extreme breadth 38 feet, and Nordepth of hold Id feet. Her engines are direct actin of 300 nominal horse power, and have lees constructed by Mears. Humphrey, Tennant, and Co., of Deptford. The Amara was built under the official three tiou I.f Spyridion Mavrojani, Mr. Melee, and Mr. Spat dion Athaniudum Montme—the last au experienced °dicer of the Greek navy. The Amatia is much the hugest e, that hoe been built for the Greek goverunicut, and, as might naturally have been expected, tie launch was made the occasion of a Kenton of the pruscipal Greek merchants of the metropolis. The lirt,t minister was unable to attend, but the Gonsultieueral of Greece was present as the representative of his gm el moot. After the launch, which was a must successful rue, the visitors were invited by Mr. Pitcher to aortal,' of a dejeAritr, which hail been provided for the ossaiiiim. health, of her Majesty the Queen of England, of then 31., jesties the King and Queen of Greece, and other toed. appropriate to the occasion, were drunk. The service.. which England rendered to the establishment of Greek nationality were duly acknowledged by the Greek gentlemen who responded to the several testa, whilst the Wiwi& of so hue • vessel from a Thames shipyard must have mournfully reminded them of the contrast with those time,. whet. Athens was saved by her own " wooden walls," and when Salamis and Mycale were uo lees renowned luau and Tbermopy _he. FIRE AT MILLWALL—RIFIJNAL Tit AIM IT Fiat- MEN.— On flaturdav evening last., at six o'clock, a a1t.114 , 10$ out in a timber buildiug on the extensive promises id e. .1. Mare and Co., ship builders, West Ferry sued, Mill wall. The engine and lire brigade from Illeasrs. Brown mid 4enstos, auchor.makers to the Admiralty, uoJer tie . te r. Mon of Mr. Rubella, were immediately la. although a supply of water was available, and the nue Imo , . have boon quickly extinguished, they act. ref ~,1 Jot. 'ion, soil the detached building was destioyb 11. The on duty sent for the London Brigade, and the .04.ts` front WeScitme•iwimarti, directed by Mr. Meidniin ; "h , • I Ihouse.laue, hr Mr. Eiderton ; unit St. Zat.iitti, lit Mi. Bridges, arrived„ but were also refused adults...at.. l i r