The Express. — London, England, 1861-09-25 00:00:00

SECOND-HAND PI A NOFoRTES. el:All ER, 1:1•,11.1;. h 21.• • large 3.. ft moot of offromi-hatof 1'i5.1.441,e5, Iq the mo.t egartaed OMIT{, at groan) n .100,1 lora" lki.tent .tnwt. .11 . .OYSEL'N HYUKtrrATICTI A awl COFFEE ‘l.• num \7 ..11.-1 to KNOW mak Mr.ai mad bright, in • ammeent Orr t saviuc. 1404 1 sold. From U. Everywherii. Pfeept.taisleoi fro.. CoLLIs. amok W. .3.0n-Wr. , •L. LC., L 141:111,N, 01.41‘ ,. t. W. Zi Ox'artgo. roopswroirDiorrs. levaillesosati lalWaled f 11w Kamm" Lnivlem Yertgir Poor. b. a$ the ones, 111‘ illeavert•-wast, b 3 7, WI. W. Ole pubiscaine. II A Y MARK CT. Tugs rsiva, THE 8.11..1NCE nP COM YOST. Mr. nowt. —TIIE `4 11‘..ar, kturkatose. C. 11.1111 v . ,, am! Own. gr. 4 . Mr, Y. Ifftvralh.on sED I C. _A 4 4 g 141 • .111.1 .11:IA UN L. —Cgosio:suet;. rittv,•;74+4. mar' i.ay. 'wry. 51. VINII WIT(' PILE. .r, Asc. 11. Wl4l.iscamalw. G. ./.441.1n (.n•in thc I nlta4 L.rlrrcq A. Leclertat,o.aal Nlcaa Wrston. %act otlacr alltcrtalneuenta. MNITAVNIA. THIS E% ESIN.I. Till THE ORPITA Ns , . —The Gr. st Marts.. —ll.llle. r.-lestss Atephiso.—llED .1011 IN HIE DAI:I MI Mr cntslosrst, Mrs. Y. Yasmosid. and Mrs. It. Itssmsvr. _t o osecitisk ss:th 'AWL'S TRIAL/1.--Coommarr at hisllit.ist 6. 1111:0 WATER AT LONDON INIOCER. Ri. !mylon•bm. Aftenvom. 741. MC/i/WW —Mynas& 54. tim...• • Anlarlele. fa. 7m. LONDON, WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 2:i. TO OUR READERS. SVOIZTING INTELIJOENC E. A !Ate ulition of the Express is publimhul every evening (luring the racing roaaon, containiiq the reAulta of tin, day'e Tama Husrfrst has held its annual celebra tion. hi Saturday the Lose Mayon and the City authorities attended with great pomp, and listened, amongst other things, to two orations— the one iu .:reek, the other in English—delivered by two " Grecians," in praise of royal hospitals. The subjects of the exorcises on such occasions are generally chosen with reference to passing events, and the double demonstration of the benefits conferred upon the nation by Christ's Hospital shows a remarkable anxiety to per suade the public of their existence. The truth is, that the Report of the Education Commissioners contains sonic very awkward facts with respect to the foundathoi, and the wonder ix that they have not already attracted more attention. Thu state of the Hospital was, indcyd, elaborately investi gated by Lord linov.:iisvi's Commission, but that was many years ago. It is true that the Charity Commissioners in Duke-street gave no• tice of an intention to hold an investigation, but somehow or other that intention never was carried into effect. When the Duke of Newessri.x and his colleagues proposed to inspect the institu tion, it seems that the treasurer and the other governors objected to any such interference, upon the ground that Christ's Hospital is not intended to supply popular education. The objection was somewhat audacious, considering tho terms of the charter. And upon further reflection the authorities at the Hospital seem to have found out their mis take, for they desired their treasurer, Mr. G nage, to appear before the commiss:un, and to furnish all the information required. Even now that we are in possession of Mr. tlit.riN',4 evidence and the re port of the Commissiouers, it is difficult to trace in the modern " Blue-coat School" any family likeness to the noble original. The youthful en thusiasm of a boy for the munificent founder of a school which be is about to leave for college is pardonable enough. But Mr. (lux's, at least, and probably the Lulu) Maven too, must be aware that "the poor fatherless and motherless " children" for whose " miserable estate" King EDWARD VI. designed the foundation have been robbed of their inheritance, which is now usurped by those for whom it never was intended. The revenues of the Hospital in Cho year ending 1859 were 63,930/. 7e. 101. ; of this sum 6,0001. was derived from the " benevolences" or dona tions of 50101. each paid by twelve gen tlemen on being appointed governors., The number of children in the Hospital varies from 1,100 to 1,200. Of these 800 are in Lon don ; the rest are in tho preparatory school at Hertford, whence they am drafted, when sufficiently advanced, into tf•e London school. Now, there can be no doubt, as the Report of the Education Commissioners says, "that this institution was " inteneed for the poor." The terms of the charter make the matter clear. In point of fact, however, this essential condition seems altogether ignored. The practice of the Committee of the Hospital formerly was either to reject Alm lately every child whose parents had an ineoine exceeding 3001. a year, or to refer any special ease to the general court. Formerly the special cases were rare ; but within the last 20 or 25 years they have considerably increased in number, and in some instances the treasurer admits that "the "income of the parent has exceeded 500/. a " year." This might seem perversion enough. But it is cast into the shade by what is termed the system of "Donation Governors." Originally, and indeed down to the middle of the last century, the gover nors—other than the Lo MAYOR, the Alder men, and twelve Common Councilmen—were appointed, ostensibly at least, on the ground of personal distinction. Since that period a serious change has taken place. For the sum of 5001. any person can make himself a governor. At present, therefore, out of the whole number of governors, which is 485, and was lately 500, all, with the excep tion of the Loan Msvoa , the Aldermen, and the twelve Common Councilmen, are " Donation " Governors." By the payment of 5001. they have acquired the right to present to all the places in the Hospital, with some comparatively few ex ceptions. By these subscriptions, which amount altogether to 6,0001., the revenues of a royal foundation founded for the poor of the realm, and amounting to 57,0001., are placed at the disposal of several hundred private individuals, to be used at their individual discretion. It would be diffi cult to parallel so gross an usurpation, the origin of which is so recent and yet so obscure. But what are the results of this state of things 1 Mr. Ottrur, the treasurer, has already proved that it is rather the rich than the poor who enjoy the benefits of the foundation. But besides this it seems that so far from promoting education, the present system of the Hospital positively retards it. As the boys are not admitted until seven, it is of some importance that they should be tolera bly educated. But it seems that the right of a donation governor is so absolute that it is doubt ful whether the Hospital has legal power to refuse any child who nay be presented. " We have "been inundated with children," says Mr. GILPIN, "who did not know their letters ; " and even after two years at Hertford some of them have been hardly able to spiAL Attempts have been made to remedy this by requiring the children to peas au e , mimetic' M IMMO% but with doult ul success, for some of the donation governess have argued, " I have made myself a governor " hers, and if I choose to send my hoy to this, " which is a large charitable school, it is your " duty to teach him ;" and the argument has been hold valid. Nor is this all. The evidence of the treasurer, to show the singular success which he and his colleagues have had in retarding education by the expenditure of a revenue of some 63,1nn1f. a year, is so striking that it must be given in his own words " We had hoped," he says, when asked whether children were to be henceforth required to be able to read on their admission, "that every parent " would see the necessity of that ; but we paid ' " tively were met upon one occasion, when a child " came for admission, by the fact that hu did not " know his letters. 1 asked the mother what she "could be about! She was the mistress of a " National School ; and I said, • What can be the " reason of this!' The reply was, 'We knew he " was to have this presentation, awl tto reho oee " did not tale Ow trouble to nloctitt him at " 4 Even the boys from the parochial schools, although of an inferior class, come better educated than those pot in by the donation governors. It seems, then, that these gentlemen, who constitute the ruling powers of the charity, are not merely usurpers, but prevent the very object fur which the charity e‘ists. It is clear, therefore, that the system of dona tion governors ought to be abolished. In this re commendation of the Commissioners we heartily concur. But with regard to the other presenta tions, which are now in the hands of the official governors, the proposal is equally sensible. They propose that a presentation to Christ's Hospital should be, like a presentation to Eton or Winches ter, the reward of merit, in order, as the Report says, that parents who bring up their chil dren well, and children who are well conducted and industrious, may look to a place in this great foundation as • reward to be won by them inde pendently of interest or connexion, and as an honour HO less than a pecuniary advantage. CD: Ocurt. BALAIORAL. Sarrntua 23. The Queen and Priuce Cumort: with Print:vim Alive and Prince Louie of Hew, attended divine service yesterday tnornina in the pariah churchof Crathie. The !odium and Gentlemen in Waiting were in attend. apse. The Hey. Dr. Fowler officiated. Dr. Itoberteon was the only addition to her Majesty's dialler party. Despatches were received yeeterday at the Colocial-offico trace the Lord High Commis/Maar al the lonian !eland.. ARRIVAL OP THE GRAND DUKE AND DUCHRSN coNsrAirrims. Yesterilay afternoon their Imperial Highnesses the Grand Duke and Duchess Constantine arrived at Dever by one of the Royal Mail packets, specially retained for the service, from Calais. The illustrious visitors, who were attended by a numerous suite, including the Mareschal de la Corr Tchitcherin, M. Ilawrowits, and Y. Linn, are en mule for the Isle of Wight, the Grand Duke having secured • mansion in the neighbourhood of Binstead, a short dis tance from Ryile. and the property of Lord Downe, where it is supposed these ,:istinguishal members of the Russian royal family will remain fur the ensuing two mouths. Oa landing, their imperial highnesses were received by his Excellency Baron Brunow, the Russian minister, and Mr. S. M. Latham, the Russian vice-consul at lover; hut as the °road Duke travels r nnonnitu as Admiral Itornanoff, there were none of the official marks of honour usually displayed on like occasion,. It was the original intention of the Grand Dula aryl Duchess to proceed direct to Portsmouth oo laodiog, and a special train of the South Eastern Railway had been prepared by the station super intendent at Dover, Mr. Way; but these arrangements were ultimately countermanded, their Imperial Highnesses determining to remain the night at the Lord Widen Hotel, and to proceed by the 9 cm. train today, via Hastings. Great curiosity was manifested by a crowd of strangers who lined the quay on the arrival of the packet to catch • glimpse of • personags so distinguished as the brother of the Russian Emperor, but those who anticipated a line and commanding presence were somewhat disappointed. The Isle of Wight is a favourite resort of the Russian nobility, more than one personage of high rank from St. Petersburg having recently passed through Dover or. their way thither. THE LuRD-LIEUTILYANCY OF DSVON. —lt is ru moured that the Lord-Lieutenaucy of Devonshire, which has become vacaut by the death of the Parl ' , ostracise, will be conferred by her Majesty upon FAA Russell. On entering Coblentz on the evening of the 20th, the Prince of Wales sad the Crown Prince acid Crown Princes rod* in a carriage immediately behind that emu. lied by the King of Prussia, and were enthusiastically theorem!, specially by those of British nationality either reddest in the town or neighbourhood, or who were making a tour in Rhineland. Immediately after the royal carriages came an enormous torchlight procession, coo. Mating of the various societies and corporations of the town, bearing their flags and banners, headed by the chief magistrate and the town council, and numbering in all 2,000 persons. The national hymn was sung by the populace, and the procession made the circuit of the town, sad axe aftermath the royal visitors left the castle 113 apse meioses sad passed through the illuminated streeta. The seem at this time was magnificent, for not only was the town illuminated, but resplendent firm shone on the Rhine bridge, at the magnificent castle of Ehrenheeiteteio on the opposite shore, and on the neighbouring heights. Their majesties Sr. expected to reman at l'oblenta for some days. The Marchieneva of Exeter and Lady Mary Cecil have left Grosseoor•square for Snubley House, near Starn• ford, where they were joined ou Saturday by the noble =argot@ from ammeter. Thu Earl of Wilton and Lady Alice Grey Egerton have arrived ►t Heaton Hall, near Hawheater, from ► tour of visits in Scotland. The Earl and Countess of Shaftesbury have left the lard Wardos Hotel for Wollner Castle. ----- Lord Dynevor has arrived at too Lord Warden Hotel from Calais. The Baron Charles Rothachild and family have left the Lord Warden Hotel for Calais. The Lord Chancellor's rectory of Font's Cray, Kent, has biome recant by the detth of the Rev. Eunch Hodgkinsou Warriaer, M.A., .4 Lincoln College, Oxford, who wu instituted in IM2I. The benefice is worth about 300/. a year, with a house. The Princt.i.s Madill,le in Altortly to leave her seat at Bel irate, on the Lig" Mctßime. to Nara a I'. W dais at the chateau of Moon, lo Loiehady. The Empress Eugeuie paid a visit on Saturday to the Salloil'Aeile, at Bayonne, and woe received by the mayor, the inommitti • of patrone : m, the prefect of the BasomPyrimees, and • number of superior functionaries. Eighty of the children, from three to seven years of age, were ranged at the entrance of the building ; and at one idea the entrance stool twelve little girls i• white, while at the other were drawn up in line twelve boys, each with • miniature musket io his hand, who served as a guard ei honour to the initerial vinare'', and accompulied her to the exercise mole, where the whole body of the children, amouoting to 'mend lUdilball, were ewers,• Mid, Here the COTTIM•I3.IOT of the Lilliputian bend ep. preached the Empress, awl after baying with perfect gravity made the military salute, said, in a resolute tom : " Madame, I come to tell your Majesty that all these boys,* *Mai to the twelve under his orders, " are determioed to be soldiers of the Prime Imperial !" A shout of " Vice M PASO* Imperial's" arose throughout the whole room, and wee ever and over again repoated. The children the, miswirrod with coosidenshle lotelligence • number of ques ting no stibjecte suited to their ages, and went through a variety of exertion. The Empress ordered • quantity of edger and sweetmeats to he distributed among them, and, after expreesiag her natisfactioe, took her departure amidst the acclamation of the children. LATICf3T INTELLIGENCE. JAPAN. ATTEMPT TO MURDER THE BRITISH LEGATION. OILUTZIeII TELIGRAIIK.) POINT DE OALLE, grrr. I. News of a very grave character bas been re ceived hem inn!' Japan, to the effect that during the night of the sth of July, a murderous and evidently a premeditated attack was made ou the intanbers of the British Legation in Japan. Mr. Morrison and Mr. Oliphant were seriously wounded. The rest of thu Legation, more fortu nate, escaped, and took refuge at Yakohania. Tue Impericuse and the Ringdove had been ordered up. A telegram in the nuts sari : An attempt was made at Kanagawa by a band of armed assassins, on the night of the Gth of July, to murder all the imitates of the British Legation. Mows. Oliphant and Morison received several wounds, the rest escaped unhurt. All was quiet on the 21st of July, but the foreign community were very nneasy, Mr. Alcoek is still at Yaklo. The Reimlox was there. The Actteou, the Algerine, and two gun boats at Yokohama. The Japanese government affect much auxiety for the foreign reai4leuta at Kanagawa. CHINA. CANTON, AUGUST 12. The Prussian minister bas failed to obtain a treaty from the Chinese goveninieut. The rebels are reported to be approaching Shang hai, with an army of 100,000 men. Nankin is atilt closely invested by the imperial troops. The port of Tai-Wan-Foo, iu Formosa, ha!, been opened under the treaty. Mr. Sw•iuhoe ham been appointed British vice-consul there. The Chinese Customs and the working of the new treaty cause niuch dissatisfaction to the whole mercantile community. The Chamber of Commerce has summoned a meeting to consider the question. The Emma is reported lost. The Manilla, Rajali (!) Drusan, and Cosmopo litan, are aground in the Yanglitze river. The neighbourhood of Canton is doodad. THE EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 25. 1861. FRANCE. PARIS, SEPT. The Mosu hur of this morning says : "The negotiations between the Porte and seve ral other powers fur the conclusion of treaties of commerce in conformity with those which have been signed between it and England, France, and Italy, nut yet having been turmimited, the Porte has de manded that the application of the treaties of com merce with the latter powers, which had been fixed for the let of October next, should be postponed until the 13th of March, 1802. "France has acceded to this proposition of the Porte." HUNGARY. PESTH, SEPT. 25. Reports circulated by some German newspapers io reference to a proposed meeting of some mem bers of the Austrian Reichsrath with the leading membars of the Hungarian Diet are without auy foundation. THE DANUBIAN PRINCIPALITIES. OONSTANTLNOPLE, SIFT. 24. On Sunday last the first conference on the union of the Danubian Principalities took place here. The Porte, England, and Frame, were iu favour of, and Russia, Austria, and Prussia opposed to, the Union. The conference thus remains without any result. AUSTRIA. VIENNA, SEPT. 24. In today's sitting of the Upper House of the Council of the Empire the government withdrew the bill on compromises in civil muses, because both louses of the Reicharatb dissented from the views it held ou the subject The state of things dully becomes more critical, and a crisis seems imminent. The Municipal Council have neither power nor confidence. The citizens are full of apprehensions of the future. PRUSSIA. BERLIN, S►zr. 24. . _ Councilor Tinesten has been sentenced to-day to three months' imprisonment, the minimum punish ment allowed by law, on account of his duel with General ManteufleL SPAIN. MADRID, Bm. 24. Baron Tecco has not yet presented the ultima tum of the Italian government tu reference to the archives of the Neapolitan consulate. MONTENEGRO. RAGUSA, sere. 24. A conference is to be held to-day at Cettigne on the subject of a suspension of the blockade. The Prussian and French Consuls left to-day for Cettigne, in order to take part in the conference. The Mowing telegram has been received at Mr. Reuter's office from the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company, Sept. 25 : CALCUTTA AND CHINA MAILS. The Valetta, with the above ni.iil:,;eached Malta at 0 a.m. on the 23r1, and wait to continue her voyage to Marseilles at 10 a.m. The Ceylon, with the heavy portion of the mails, WAR to leave Malta at 4 p.m. on the 23rd, and way be expected at Southampton on the 2nd Oct. The Bengal brought the mails to Suez, arriving there ou the 18th. OUTWARD BOMBAY MAILS. - - - The Delta, from Southampton ou the 12th lust., arrived at Malta at 7 a.m. on the 21st, and con tinued her voyage at 5 the same evening. The Masdlis from Marseilles 20th inst., reached Malta at 1 a.m. on the 23rd, and sailed for Alexandria at 8 am. on the same day. MONTENEGRO. A despatch from Ragusa of the 19th states that the advanced guard of the Turkish army, which had reached Zabel, in the direction of Sutorina, and Zaslap, towards Gnhovo, on the road leading to Cettiugne, for a distance of about 20 kilometres (121 miles), fell back during the 10th and 17th on Trehigue and Mobil*. This measure appeared to have been caused by a bold movement of the insur gents under the famous mountain chief Luca Vu calowich. The Serdar, Outer Pa.:lia, at the latest &tea, was concentrating his troops at Trehigne, which he makes his base of operations, and has strongly fortified it. The Vladika of Montenegro had got all his contingents under arms, and was awaiting the approach of the Turkish army on his territory. The Nofinsalities of Turin announces that Gen. Klapka, like Gen. Garibaldi, has refused to take service is the Federal army is America. A letter from Naples of the 19th, in the /t,tiir of Turin, says :—" St. Januarius is, like M. Nicotera, on the best possible terms with Cuddle' ; be performed his miracle this morning at a quarter past 10, notwithstanding the absence of the cardinal from Naples, and the recent arrest both of the Vicar-General Mgr. Maresca and of Ave (MOM of his own chapter. The ceremony took place u Usual, and the immense crowd present preserved the mot exem plary order." EXPRESS FROM PARIS. (ram ous ows column-yo 7.) PARIS, TUDIDAT EVENING. The Constif of inn nrl gives the following ingenious, but not altogether veracious, explanation of the inquisitorial pro m-111pp which have co greatly ex cited the indignation of a portion of the provincial prow - This is what took place :—On the occuion of the Pt* of the 15th August the Minister of the Interior, in his solici tude for the departmental press, thought of proposing to the Emperor, for the decoration of the Legion of Honour, some of its must eminent members. But it so happened that there WAN sus absolute want of the necessity informa tion as to the position and personal character of the princi pal provincial journalists. In order to be hatter infannail in future, the minister naturally applied to the prefects ; but, iu truth, be could not have anticipated that his in structions, which were marked by a spirit of kindoess, should be so ill-understood and so singularly executed. On this note, which, it i 4 taken for granted, comes from the Home-office, the Press remarks : The severity of the concluding passage prevents us from adding anything. The ()pia jos Nationede, in its character of a ;me ad siiiisfait, seem; also to be content, and mays : Whether it was au error, a misunderstanding, or au in stance of mi+judged zeal, we now have this singular attempted inquiry explained to the advantage of the dignity of journalism, and, also, let us say it frankly, to that of the superior administration. We cannot but congratulate our. wives on having provoked the explanation. _ Tlw Trot" however, looking more closely into the matter, does not consider the explanation as either true or well imagined. M. Nefftzer writes : The situation of the journals styled mini-official is so doubtful that we really do not know what importance to at tach to this explanation. If we are to accept it, we cannot but think it is calculated to depreciate the Legion of Honour in the public mind. No doubt, at first sight, the solicitude of the government appears praiseworthy, but, on the other h►nd, there is something painful in seeing the government going to seek in this way for button-holes to put Abend* in. In point of fact, there is nothing secret in journalism, for all the works of the press are aa-orn pliahcsl the face of day. How is it possible that the government should be without information about prov:ncial journalists It is a manifest contradiction to assume that unknown journalists deserve to be decorated. Everybody, even in Paris, knows the must eminent members of the provincial press, and could name them without hesitation, and, we may say it without offence, there are many among the most eminent whom the government will never deco rate; for decorations to the press are now, as heretofore, given, with rare exceptions, not as a reward for genius, talent, and courage, but fur certean opinions and real or pretended services to the government cause. • • • If, therefore, the explanation of the Cousti•otionnel is true. it is stall events improbable. Besides, we remember that such inquiries are not. new in the provinces, and we know of journals within the last year or two that have coin. plained of the inquisition. You will observe that M. Nefftzor confirms the statement which I made yesterday on the very best practical authority—namely, that of an old provincial journalist of first-rate standing—that such iuquiriea had long been a matter of course. M. Boitelle, the present Prefect of Police, has had the good fortune, during some two or three years of office, to make fewer enemies than most of his predecessors. So little Las he made himself talked about, that I believe nine Parisians out of ten do not know his name. I am not about to say anything to his disparagement now, but merely to mention, as a curiosity, and by way of commentary upon Paris life, a new de cree, which will certainly excite considerable attention in the Quartier Latin. For nearly three quarters of a century a preserved fruit shop, "La Mire Moreau," on the quay nearly opposite the Pont Neuf, has been one of the sights of Paris. Many years ago fashionable lathes used to drive there in carriages to eat brandy cherries, preserved plums and peaches, and, above all, little green China oranges in syrup. The luscious fruits were handed to customers by comely damsels, who pre 'touted a silver spoon or fork to eat them with. The character of the fruits and the plate remains unchanged to the present day, but as much cannot be said either for the customers or the handmaids, the former being principally students, and the latter such ladies u students iu their hours of thoughtless recreation love to consort with. More over, the house of La Mere Moreau, instead of standing alone, has now hosts of imitators, and a silver counter, across which Prim e 4 et Ckiaoie are sold, may be found iu almost every considerable street in Paris. In this state of things the Prefect of Police issues a decree, reciting : That there has arisen in Paris a special kind of drinking houses called debits de prune., et chinoin, where the cus tomers are served by women. That it is necessary to submit these establishments to special regulations. Therefore we decree : Art. 1. The keepers of the above establishments are required to see that the girls of the counter should not make themselves remarked either by their costume, by au unseemly attitude, by shocking or provocative familiarity towards passers by and customers, and that they do not partake the libations of the latter. tiubsequent articles provide that all such girls of the counter, as aforesaid, are to be registered, and made to have livrets like other servants. The Bourse was leas firm to-day, but the Route, after a momentary rise, closed at yesterday's prime, 69fr. 30c. and 69fr. 40e. Mobilier fell 2fr. We. There was little change in railways, The Lyons journals state that a marked improve ment has taken plat* in the silk trade of that city, which suffered greatly from the American crisis. The amelioration, they nay, is owing to demands both for home consumption and exportation, which have been made on account of the approich of winter. Many 'moms which had been unocoupied for six months have been set to work, and hopes are entertained that the activity will be maintained by tho receipt of new orders during the autumn. It is rumoured that Mr. Gladstone is disposed to alter the tariff in a sense more favourable to the importation of French wines. The vintage is being carried on with great activity in the south of France and in Burgundy. "In our department," says the Courrier dit Gard, "the grapes are perfectly ripe, and yield a juice of such sweetness and colour that they will produce very superior wine. Moreover, the grapes are of such large size that a greater quantity of wine is expected than at ono time seemed probable." The Jounial rte SeGoe et Loire thus speaks of the vintage in the Macounais :—" The vintage is favoured with mag nificent weather. Everywhere the grapes are fine, there being very few that have not ripened. The belief accordingly is that the wine will be of a su perior quality. Some samples which have already been obtained are rich in colour and in alcohol, and extremely smooth to the palate, in place of being rough, as was at first apprehended." The Italian Opera, Paris, opens next Tuesday. The negotiations with 111Ile. Patti, lately mentioned, cams to nothing. "We believe," s►ys Galignani, " this young lady, in accordance with the counsels of her friends, will retire from the stage end coueert•room for a few months, to afford a season of necessary repose to her voice. Exertions like hers are not to be cnitintted with impunity by human organs of whatever strength." An ununual number of artisles are at present in Paris from Italy and other places. The distracted state of tin Peninsula and the prospects of war in the United States, which hu hitherto proved a profitable place of refuge for vocalists, has occasioned the present influx. THE APPROACHING ELECTION OF LORD MAYOII.-(17113 DAY.) -+ _ This warning, at a quarter past eleven, a de. potation, consisting of between thirty and forty liverymen of the City of London, waited upon the Lord Mayor, by appomuneut. ut the Alansion.house, for the purpose, of presenting to him • requisition, begging that be will allow himself to be placed in nomination to serve for a woad year in the oft3"e he now bolds. Among the deputation were Deputy W Weide, Mr. H. Spicer, Mr. W. C. Fowler, Mr. 316:11fia Mr. Scarnmell, Mr. Camden, Mr. Kearns, Mr. Biuntietir, Mr. Frodsham, The deputation was introduced by Mr. H. Srtetir, who observed that, but fur the rhortneu of the notice convening that gathering, the uutuber present would no doubt have been much larger. He did not receive his own notice, he added, till the previous evening. Mr. Sfr.nwiN then read the following requisition : "TO TUE RItAIT LIONOURABLE WILLIAM crorrr, LORD MAYOR, A.C., "My Lord—The period for which you were elected to serve the Ml* of chief magistrate of the city of London is approaching its completion. We have, as citizens, during the but ten months, been deeply gratified in observing the progressive dignity which, through you, has been conferred upon the office you hold. There have been so many features in your lordship's mayoralty—solid and graceful —ea to render their enumera tion here impossible ; stiffiee it to say, we believe the great respect in which your lordship is held by the citizens of Loudon is so deep, undivided, and universal, and that this fouling finds its natural utterance iu the request which, with the utmost respect, we now make to your lordship—that your lordship will consent to serve a second year as Lord Mayor of this great city. The sacrifices, personal and pecuniary, which your acceding to this request will involve, will be very great; and did we not know the readiness suit extent to which your lordship on all occasions recognises the claims of public duty over private con venience, we could not hope to succeed. The coming year promises to be one of unusual public interest. Events, the shadows of which begin to appear, will require from Loudon's chief citizen the exercise of no ordinary dignity and skill, and also of that quiet, yet im pressive and graceful hospitality, which your lerdship, from past experiences, we know, can so well dispense. The International Exhibition, with its train of distinguished visitors and events—the probable visit to England of large masses of Eughiud's greatest neighbours, the French, their Emperor and Empress—are amoug these events, and will demand from, and give to your lordship, that opportunity which, in a special degree, you are so well qualified to use. Your knowledge of, and constant inter coulee with, the Continent—the frequent residence of your lordship and of the Lady Mayoress in the French capital— appear to ',Mut out your occupancy of the Mansion-house next year as of almost national consequence. For these and many other reasons, we beg most respectfully and urgently to cull upon your lordship to consent to serve us as our Lord Mayer duriug the ensuing year." MEDWIN went on to state that the requisition had appended to it 1,672 signatures, which, with about 25 exceptions, were those of liverymen. There were 6,100 liverymen residing within the seven-mile circle. Circulars had been issued to all of them without any paid agency, and up to 2 o'clock on the preceding day there were 1,403 or 1,500 replies. Of these replies all but about 300 had been opened ; and the result was that !II per cent, of the parties earnestly requested that their names might be appended to the requisition, while nine per cent. de clined to sign it, and some 20 or 30 persons gave reasons for declining. Had the 6,000 living out of the circle been appealed to in the same manner the result would no doubt have been similar ; so that in that case there would have been 3,000 signatures. In the case of Sir John Key's election there were three polls, the highest number being 3,268 ; the second, 2,617, and the lowest; 2,C6. The LORD MAYOR replied as follows :—Mr. Spicer and Gentlemen,—!laving such a requisition presented to me is the most gratifying incident that amid have occurred to my mind, because I look upon it as an emphatic demonstration of the approval by my fellow.citizens of the manner in which I have endeavoured to perform the duties de volving ou me as chief magistrate of this great city. (Cheers.) I have taken no part in this movement, as most of you, gentlemen, are no doubt aware. When, several months ago, some letters appeared in the City Press suggestive of my being re-elected for an other year, I thought it my duty to speak out, and I wrote to the editor stating that I should have had enough of the toils and anxieties of office, that I should be satisfied with my honours, and I should deprecate the disappointment of the just expectations of the alderman who would follow in suc cession. I have to-day to repeat those sentiments. I have had enough of toil and anxiety. lam content with my ho. noun', and I should still be sorry if any alderman aspiring to this office should feel that he bad been put back through my being preferred. You are, however, pleased to say in this requisition that my serving the office for another year might be of great importance. (Cheers.) If that be m—if my fellow. citizens are really of that opinion, I would forego all personal considerations ; I would place myself in the bands of the livery if I could think that was the geteral opinion, and if I could also think that my brethren in the Court of Aldermeoconcurrelin that opinion. As it is, gentle men, I think! must ask you tolet me stand perfectly passive. If it ehonld be the wish of the livery that I should serve another year—an emphatic demonstration ought to prove that—and if the Court of Aldermen should also con cur ; if by an unmistakeable vote in the hall and in the court should be testified the desire of my fellow-citizens that I should serve another year, all I can say is, that I will do then what I promised to do last year, exert myself to the utmost of my humble ability to satisfy the just expectations of my fellow-citizenn. (Cheers.) Mr. RICHARD Groan spoke of the admirable manner in which his lordship presided at charity (homers, and amid that no duke or other person could fill the chair with treater dignity and effect. Mr. Meowrx inquired of the Lord Mayor whether his personal friends were at liberty to do anything they pleased in the matter under consideration The LORD MAYOR thought that if there was a general desire that he should be elected it would not he nece.ary for hiv personal friends to exert themselves; but he should not attempt to lay any embargo on them. (Cheers.) The deputation then withdrew. The .11.1:.imte of Florence contains an account of a name between the Pope and the Duo de Gramoat, oac►- sioned by the order given to a Signor Venturelli, a Sicilian, naturalised in France, to leave Home within a fortnight. "Holy Father," said the duke, " I must trouble myself about the matter, for not only is Signor Venturelli a French subject, but he has even been specially recommended to me by a letter from the privet., cabinet of the Emperor." " I am really very sorry for it," replied the Pope, "but refugia nnhx, Signor Venturelli must leave." " But"— "There is no but in the matter'—"l pray you, Holy Father, to consider that I shall be obliged to make a report on the subject to my government." "By all means make your report." " And that I shall be compelled to demand a large sum as a compensation for Signor Venturelli." " Demand it, by all means." " And that the government of your holiness will be obliged to pity it.' "That remains to be seen." The moat succietsful department of tho whole Exhibition at Florence appears to be the sculpture gallery, In which Magni, of Milan, has two clever groups of " A Girl feeding a Goat with Grapes," and " A Young Loly in a Swing," worked by a small boy, probably Cupid, from his contempt of garments, though he has no wings. Mr. Power, the American sculptor in Florence, has re peated his subject of " A Boy with a Shell to his Ear." There is an excellent " Sleeping Ishmael," "Eve with the Apple," a "Boy Asleep," with his haul on a dog's head, and a new " Dying Gladiator." In alabaster vases and statuette. Barbetti of Florence hurt the palm. There is a bronze repetition of the " Castaway," the statue of t h o London Exhibition in Trafalgar-square last summer. A pair of magnificent carved doo,Ls in wood, also by Barbetti and some ivory carvings by Giusti, of Siena, stand at the sod of this gallery. . . - A curious notice appears iu Monday's Moniteur : Antoine Gastrin entered the 2nd battalion of the Mitten , Train on the sth December, 1812, and on the Ist Septem ber, 1813, he was made prisoner of war ; it appears that he is now missing, and notice of the fact is now given officially. It is not stated whether he has been absent without any news being received of him since he had the ill luck to fall into the hands of the enemy ; but if so, his (lianas must be sumewhat tired of waiting for him. A Berlin letter says that the affair of Lieutenant Stobbe, who killed the waiter at an hotel in Magdeburg, has caused much excitement in the Prussian capital, which has been somewhat allayed by the assurance that the lieutenant will be severely punished. He is at. present under arrest in the citadel of Magdeburg. Miss Cushman, lately arrived from New York, has just passed through Paris, co route for Rome, where she p„+cases a handsome iesidence, and purposes passing the whiter. THE CITY OF LONDON REOISTRATION. (TIIIS DAI.) This morning, at 11 o'clock, Mr. Hansou, tin• newly.appoieted noviaing barriter in room or the late Mr. T. Y. !!'Christie, commenced the of the 114 ”f voters for the City of London, in the court of Conunou Pleas at Guildhall. . _ The liberals were represented by Mr. Sidney Smith PO Mr. Ledger, and the conservative futerests were watched over by Sir. Nukes. The revisiug barrister, in opening the proceediogs, said he hoped he should revive the same assistance from el! parties as his predecessor had done, especially as these west su large a number of objections. It was then arranged that the livery lista should la• taken before the householders, and that the court shoal not sit on Satunlay, that day being fixed for the electum of Lord Mayor. The serious parish lists having been handed in the sum. mark• of objections and claims was submitted, giving the fel. lowing result*: 013.11[CTIONS. To livery voters, by liberals, ; by tories, 2M ; dmibb ro. To householder, by liberals, 402 ;by torles, 81$ ; We, 126. Total, 1,869. CLAIMS., Livery by liberals, 4, by tones 8; householden,by 94, by cerise ; total, 144. The revising Imi-rioter then proceeded with this liverymen ; but no eases of interest occurred during day. THE GREAT EASTERN. (From the Cot* E.raisisrr of Monday.) This grind vesael changed her position in the har bour yesterday morning, and now lies in the Man-of-War Roads, opposite Whitegate. A very good view is now had of her from Queenstowu, from whence her enormous black hull is seen to great advantage amid the ordinary merchant vessels that lie around her, many of which are ships of large size, but all appear very diminutive craft indeed near het. This change is advantageous in all respects, as the vessel is now much better sheltered thou where she was before. uear the mouth of the harbour, where she was abet* some extent in the way of vessels coming iu and going nut. We have al. ready mentioned the arrival on Friday of Capt. Carnegie Lod several other gentlemen connected with the ship, who pro. needed on board on Friday afternoon, when Mr. Searle. of the firm of Schell and Searle, passenger agents to the slip, addressed the pis.engers, who had assernhlcil to hear him. After expressing the regret of the directors at the accident which had occurred, over which, however, they had no con trol, sod which was entirely the act of the Almighty, and their sympathy with the sufferings of the passengers, Mr. Searle state-I that the directors were prepared to meet them liberally and (ably, and either to refund the passenger money, or to send them on by the Ocean Steamship Coin. pany's vessel, the Norwogiou, from Liverpool. A great portion of the first-class passengers accepted the offer of refunding their money, with the view of proceeding by the Cunard steamer; but the steerage passenger,' generally preferred being sent on by the Norwegian. All the passengers are rapidly leaving the ship. and but few still remain on board. As might be supposed, the numbers that went down to have even an outside view of this tremendous achievement of naval architecture were very great. particularly yester day, when, notwithstanding the threatening appearance of the day, all the river steamers were crowded to theh utmost capacity, and a very large passenger traffic was also done by the Passage Railway and the steamers con nected with it. As yet, all that could be obtained by the public gemndly, since the arrival of the vessel in this harlamr, was an outside view ; but on and after Wednesday they will be afforded the opportunity of seeing her interim - , as it is announced that on that slay she will be thrown open to the public. . . . . On Saturday an inquest was held on board by Mr. Henry Harry, c oroner, on the b body of quartermaster William Yana, , whose daused y a blow on the head from one of the handle spokes of the wheel, we mentioned in Friday's paper. Tbsrjury, having head the evidence, the circumstances of which were the same as have been already published by to,, returned • verdict of accidental death. HEALTH OP LONDON. From the weekly return iesued by the Registrar- General, it appears that the deaths registered in Loudon in the week that ended last Saturday are 1,126, which is nearly the same as the numbers returned in three previous weeks. The average number of deaths iu the correspooding weeks of ten previous years 1851-60, after correction for is. crease of population, is 1,284 ; but if the deaths caused by epidemic cholera in the thirty-eighth week of 1854 are not admitted into the data ou which the cdeulation is male, it will appear that the mortality of last week differs little from the estimated amount. The deaths from diarrleca, which fell from 1143 in the lest week of August to 147 iu the first week of the present month, continued to decline in the subsequent weeks ; and is the present return they are las. Six persons died last week from cholera or chronic diarrheas, three of whom were infanta. A shoemaker, aged :IS years, died at ZS, New - etreet Mews, in 3.targlebone, of "choleraic dianiuma ;" the daughter of a Wenner, aged 16 velars, brought from R.atclilf to the London Hospital, of Hie same dilemma ; and a plumber's foreman, aged 44 years, died at 11, St. Mary's street, Lambeth, of "malignant cholera," after 3&i hours' illness. A man died at the age of 49 years in the Maryle boast workhouse of " scurvy and apoplexy?' Diphtheria was fatal in 21 came, 10 of which ma:tined iu the districts oa the south side of the river. Two nonagenarians, both I men, died in the week, their ages being 'AI and 94 years respectively. Last week the births of 944 boys and 666 girls, in all 1,630 children, were registered in Landau. In the ten carre -1 spending weeks of the years 1651-60 the average number war 1,637. At the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, the mean height of the barometer in the week was 7 x 9 . 142010. The baro metrical readings rose to 30Ye3 in. ou Wednesday, and fell to 29'44 in. on Saturday. The mean temperature of the air in the week was 54.4 deg., which is l'7 deg. below the average of the name wee► in 43 years (as determined by Mr. (ilaisher). The mean daily temperature was always below the average, except on Thursday. The highest day tempo- niters in the shade was 71'6 deg. on Thursday, the lowest night temperature was 39'4 deg. on Wednesday. The dif feience between the mean dew-point temperature and air temperature was 6'2 deg. The mean degree of humidity of the air was 141, complete maturation being represented by 100. Thu wind blew ou the last four days from the south west. The quantity of rams in the week was 025 in., of which o'l9 in. full on Saturday. Brewers rural beer-drinkers will be intertated to learn, on the authority of the Bavarian Hop l;a:Ntte, that the crop of that valuable vegetable is this year somewhat wonder ful in Germany. The editor writes in a perfect ecstusy. "Hops!" he exclaims, "hops hers, there, and everywhere. There are sot hands enough to be found for the picking, and wages are rising fast. The harvest is superior to any thing that could have been imagined. Hops of inferior quality were sold at 82 florins the hundredweight. In Nu remberg Altdorfer have been sold at 70 florins, and Holle dsuer at 90 florins ; at Schwetzingen, from one slay to the next, there was a fall from 100 down to 75 florins ; at Her bruck, on the 4th inst., the price was 80 to 85 florins, and a few days after sales were made at 70 to 75 florins, but in small quantities. buyers holding back in the apparently well grounded hope of a further fall. The reduction upon last year's prices is something enormous." The Western Oar remarks that the effect of the war in Americo " must be felt severely by shipowners until lately engaged iu the passenger trade. The vessels by which the great emigration drain from Ireland was con ducted to America are no longer required fur that purpose. The owners of some of the Liverpool steamers hitherto plying between this country sad the United States have withclrawu their advertisements from the papers in conse queuee of the trade haviug so much declined. The fact is that emigration from Ireland to America is suspended, at least for the present, and many who have purposed joining their friends across the Atlantic have, for obvious reasons. changed their intentions. At present there is but little inducement for the Irish labourer or artisan to stake his whole capital in an attempt to better his condition in a country where so much distress and dissatisfaction are stud to prevail." Rol' AL EXCURNION FROM BALMORAL A correspondent writes to us as follows :—" On Friday last her Majesty, accompanied by the Prince Consort, the Penmen Alice, the Prince of Hen e, and several members of the royal suite, crossed the Grampians from Balmoral into Kincardineshire. The royal party reamed the night in the lovely village of Fettercairn—her Majesty, the Prince Consort, and the Princess Alice in forwards Eagle Inn ; the Prince of Hesse and Sir George Grey at M•b uti ald's Temperance Hotel ; and other members of the suite in the house of Mr. Don, merchant there. On Saturday morning her Majesty ordered Mrs. Durward to prepare porridge and milk for breakfast. Mrs. M'Donald, le a rning the quality of her gnats, remarked that she was rut pre pared to serve breakfast to such distinguished visitors ; t• this Sir George Grey replied that surly she could sore them with tea, dry toast, and eggs—a remark which was followed by Mrs. M'Donald appearing with a breakfast which required no apolo g y. Mr. Durward posted the royal party from the top of Glene.k. He wee per fectly aware who hie guests .were ; but beieg commanded to maintain secrecy, he did so till the horses were in harness. About a quarter of an bent before her Majesty started, the fact of her presence in the midst of them became known to the inhabitants, who turned out as fast as pomible. In the morning Prince Albert, the Prince of Hesse, and Sir George Grey, walked 'leisurely up and down the village, inspected the panel , church and churchyard, &c. The royal party left Fetter cairn at a quarter before 10 for Balmoral, by the Cairn re Mount road. over the Grampians. Her Majesty's drive from and to Balmoral would extend over at least nuett miles of the most varied Lod lovely country.—Esiiii' , .iret Courant. 1 'lle Ly, wit De