The Express. — London, England, 1860-08-03 00:00:00

r 2 country 60,000,000/. sterling of taxes, being far more than an equal population is called upon to pay in the United States ; and that we Con go on with safety to our institutious, or that the people can bear the strain of that enormous pressure. (Herr, hear.) France may be our enemy. Ido not believe she is. (Hear, hear.) There may be enemies abroad, but I find nobody who can point them out. I can, however, point to an enemy at home, and that is this 4101001.1.1, this wicked policy, which espalie: p r e en to minima t from the labour anal indu s t r y o f th e this enormous, and ruinous sum from year t o year. (Cheers.) What is the result in every other country ! If somebody had told the mi. niter of Loilis XIV. that his extravagance would end in ruin to France, be would be answered, ma I shall be answered, that the country is rich enough, the glary of Tesoro ie worth more than your sordid considenitions of pounds, shillings, and pence. France mud keep • great p.,ition in Eun.pe ; there is no burden which France will not ...lily by its elasticity reins itself under and support. Rut have we net seen his family exiled, the aristocracy of der! e.autry overthrown, and another branch of his family b un.hott from the iroos. Hays we not seen hal country reduced to ruin and anarchy ? stud if we mole the same course, h am not hiskwy written the mow lessou for other couutrise as for Frame? There is DO path au easy, so slippery as that we are now following, if year after year these enormous expenses continue, until the time will roam when some voice throughout the country will ask who has deceived them, and then will have to pay the penalty which all men in authority must pay when they have not discharged the duties which belong to their station. It is because I believe that this cours of policy will lead to these results that I oppose with all my heart the rewalutice of the noble I. and in d o ing s o I feel the strongest conviction in my conscience that I am doing what is Mot not more for the people of whom I am one, than to the monarchy under which I live. (Great cheering.) Mr. NEWDEG.tTE said the inference from the whole spee , h of Mr. Bright was, that he was jealous of England standing in a position of independence towards France, sod wished to excite the feel• hogs of the people against the government for the course they were DOW pursniog. He bad talked of our most eminent military authorities as a collection of lunatics. His object either was to vex and delude the public or to prevent .this country from mournind • position of indepeoleme. Sir F. ta ILLMMIII said there was reason to believe that morn' of the work% proposed were not necessory. The total cost of them works would cot be confloed to the mere ow abortion, but would involve • large annual expenditare far ironing. No we had been made nut for any of the had works, except pettier. at Portsmouth. Lord It. MONTAGU said that the extracts from letter read by the hon. member for Birmingham really proved n-thin i z. Nor did his sneers at ministers and loot.. Pro hahlv the boo. menalyr, if he had the chases of becoming toe himself, would mot sneer at either lords nr (.1 la%(h.) The reeurreure of panics proved that we were sot wife, and even if an invasion were not possible, the go ys :anent ought to take the mime they ouw propeeril. On the question of probability of Menai." the goveniineut were certainly better authorities than the boo. member for Bit , mingham Mr. WHITE admitted the necessity of preserving our dockyards and aresea/a from sudden attacks, but suggest e d, heft. they committed themselves to this vast expense, they ought to bare • preliminary impure as to what pro ;airtime of the national property deposited in those aniemile and dockyards ought to be kept near the cows. All experieoce showed that where • pro per 'feeling animated the people. they were out mean antagonist& in ease of invasion, although they were out enrolled in the regular army. Let them remember whet bad been oleos by volunteers in Switzerland and In America, and doubt not that a home, Die A never was so eons as when lighting for tfa t et and their institution.. The large sums that had been extirpated in building forts ou the south rout were regmled by the people of that district as so much money wasted, and he Islieved the present proposal was an error In the mme direction, but on a much Lager scale. (Hess, bear.)__ sat'. NAPIER said, when he entered parliament in 1841 he het but just returned from the Mediterranean, where be b.: lan opportunity of seeing a very fine French fleet. That fleet presented a wonderful change to what he had been accustomed to witness of the state of the French navy. The ships were well manned raid well officered, and ia every respect eficient. He could not help contrasting with that fleet the British fleet in which he was serving, and he found it inferior in numbers, inferior in size, and inferior in manning ; and he felt that should the two come into collision, we should not be so certain as we had liven in times past of maintaining our superiority. He pointed this out to the Admiralty when be came horse. Tire galLiet complained of the reduction of the Asst in the Mediterranean, and asserted that our naval fortis within the last twenty years Lad fragrantly been in such a state that it would have been unable to resist • well-organ ised attack from the fleet of France. An impression pre vailed abroad that the introduction of steam into the navy rendered • blockade impossible, but his own opinion was that it rendered it far more perfeet, and that there never had been such a thing as an effective blockade until the present moment. With the fine ships we now possessed It would be very easy tobleckadethe ports of France and pre vent an invasion ; and under such tin:unwraps:es he was at a loot to imagine why parliament should for a moment entertain a proposal for 'operating such enormous sums upon fortifitatices. (Hear, hear.) It wag perfectly right to fortify our sea ports gradually, but to depend upon say fortifications that could be erectesl for our security from Invasion was simply aleurd. The experience of the govern- meet in the erection of fortifications was not of so sathise. tory a charrater as to justify • further experiment At Portsmouth they erected forts to defend the port, and.they were then obliged to fortify Portedown-hill in order to de fend the forts. (Hear, bear.) Then again with regard to Dover. The fortification of Dover was a whim of the Duke of Wellingtoo, and every man of common a nee woukl say that the mooey which had been e pe no boo I was entirely dire en away. No o one would delay that the late N orioles on co ontemplated the invasiou of this country. He assembled at Boulogne shout .1,000 vessels of various descript and between 2uo,uno and 300.000 men, and all he wanted to reader his s hem: sirs-redo' was 4$ 110Url . command of the chancel. That command he never obtained, and so Irani as our fleet was maintained in a proper state if of efficiency it never would be obtained. Without a naval force to protect them such fortifications as those which the uolde lord at the heed of the government proposed would he wholly tundras ; for stronger works were erected by Russia at Sweaborg, arid yet they were inadequate to resist • naval attack, being utterly destroyed without the lone of a man on the part of the attacking fleet. If our ships were properly manned all the talk about fortifications might be set aside. What was wanted was not fortifications but such au increase in the numbers of our ships of war as would en a bl e e a t o r e . tain our position as mistress of the seas. Mr. CORRY saki he entirely approved of the policy of the government, and that for the very reason that in the event of danger we must mainly rely upon our fleet. (Hear.) Mr. B. OSBORNE complained that the house was not asked to carry out the report of the Defence Commission six mouths ago. If the aspect el again made the proposed defences essentially necessary. why was only a part of the plan to be conks) out. and why were 004 the whole of the forsifintices completed at once? He could not reconcile the present proceeding with the treaty with France, for we were arming to keep out our friends and cus tomers. He denied that the present state of the army or navy is France justioirl the Teo eh of Lord Palmerston in intrsittrinsj this proposition. Th e N o ne argumen t s were need on Fiance with regard to the armaments of this country as were used here with regard to the armed strength of Fracas.. He did not object to strengthening the se-abussol, but to the proposition of useless, land fortifications. He also objeeterl to the composition of the commerioo, gees. tinned its compettucy, and urged that they had not taken sufficient evidence. Mr. 1101:SMAN &teak.] the coon* taken by the government in appointing the Defence Commission in fol. tinient of a pledge to the how, approved of its coolpo. ilium, and concurred in its reaurnmendetuma. Ife Hire d th e adopting of the resolution, and only regretted that at did not qo further towards the rapid and immediate completion 114 the work.. Sir F. &WITH said he was prepared to show the house that nalee. prvriios were made for • large increase of the land force, they' would sot lime the number of men Deers - to man the works and to supply an army in the field. With reprd to the fortifications at Portsmouth, u an en pacer, Le was afraid that the scheme was aot the best that could be devised ; sad he warned the government against the impoliey of forming hoes which they would be enable to thfrisl, and whicl-.., in the event of capture by ea enemy, wssuld hem a strong arm 41 Attack. ith regard to the fortilk-atiou of Loudon, he believed that any project for the defebee of the metropolis. by fortiflestioas was a perfect absurdity, aol he was glad that the government slid Dot coritermlate any expenditwe of money for so futile an oh job. Whvt was really required was 'inefficient array lathe field ; awl he believed that such an army, composed of men who I's! a stake in the material prosperity 44 the country, was prorated Sy the volunteer movement. He trusted that Portsdownhill works would be omitted from the estimate, that the fortifkutio n of Loolon would not he attempted, mot that 1.110. Artl,o 0.1.,1 M. , 111.1 10 taken to keep up an efficient army in the held. (11.,,r, herr. I Lord P.tLIIKILITI/N-- Flefore the diserou nn clues I am minims to make a few minas moo the statements which g i‘ee been auk by Yahoos bssn isseiolsers in the course of rbe debate. Mr I . fc. sal Iselsial :tie. the nierober for Brutal (Mr. Berkelev Las been exceedingly eloquent in des...tarring the ina • gnigh.h notion of fortiticatious but if I r,eollect rightly whirs, we have objected to the ballot es un- Fil;aish Ise hair commenter.' stnaL;ly quo the low ground is wc love takes. (Laughter.) Now, I Yuma see what there un•English in fortification.. At one time th. country ;au studded with fortress..., and every muter resi• sews was fortitiol. I amp .se h... (read has heard of Berkeley Coale (l aug h t ,.,.,_. hich I believe eras at nee tins. • place .4 streactli. l e poi.l of Let, the shot* of Earthed, acotlsuwl, mesa i n ,L u m j a f u ll of placer which at • tome .4 la . trend &sushi were fortified &galore attack. (Hear, bun 1 Now, our danger is ant from within, but hue with. out ; and all we ask is that the prim:ride that was formerly 4.0,41 f o r our security within shall be appried for our even. rite from attack (rum alreed. (Hear, hear.) la point .4 fast, tic advantage of fortification 103 initial that the 6 sea. member Ur Brighton. when he informed the house %first if he had intended to t a ke port in the .!elate he wwdd have r.ine Iftlfr 100101 . 011, eaturally raid test h. will have fortified hinusell. (Laughter.) I think the hoe. member lamented or intimated that it would be a Uttar arrangement if our dockyards ware goad in a more Wend situation. (Laughter.) - - Mr. WHITE said the noble lord's joke was a very good sea, but some* remark bad been made. Lord PALMERSTON—The hon. member for Liskeani certainly suggested that the store for naval timber should be more inland, ('' Hear, hear," from Mr. Osborne.) I think the argamm ta of my bon. friend who began the debate are not likely to sway the decision of the - house. The ben member (or Birmingham was ecceedingly elorment in sum porting the motion of my hon. friend, but, so far as I could collect the course of the argument of the hon. member, he dwelt more upon • variety of schemes which we have not adopted them he endeavoured to show that the plan we have adopted was one undeserving the attention of the holm. Theban. member enumerated a great number of the schemes, which be preesemed elated and totally fiat for adoption. I perfectly agreewith him in his criticism, but it so happens that the plans to which he has referred have nothing to do with the proposal of the government. The hon. member denounces as insane all those who differ from him in wi nker, and in so doing he reminds me of the anecdote of • man who had • difference with the rest of the world. He thought them all mad, and they voted him med, and es there happened to be a majority spinet him they shut him up. (laughter.) The hon. member for Birmingham will, I trust, find himself in regard to this vote in • similar situation. (Laughter.) He thinks everybody wrong ex cept himself--that the whole nation had gone wild on the subject—and I trust the result well be that the majority will be as great against him as it was against the unfortunate individual to whom I have just referred. (Laughter.) It has been said that it is wrong to attempt to fortify, and some allusion has been male to the fortifications of Paris. Now, the fortifications of Kris are not undeserving of consideration, because I believe that if therm fortifications had existed in 11414 or lels Paris would not have been so sly oc cupied ea it was. (Hear, hear.) It is very true that the Emperor Napoleon was deprived of the co-operation of a large body of troops he had left behind him indifferent po sitions, but that is the very mason why the fortification of Paris would have placed him in • better posi tion. There was a National Guard belonging to the city, and with fortificatioes • eland might have I been made sufficient to have enabled new troops to have arrived. (Hear, hear.) 117 bon. friend the member for Liskesal compl ain, of say attempt to defend the entire coot or Loudon by mea n of fortifications. Our proposal is not to defend the entire coast, but to protect certain pointed great importance, which form the cradles of our navy, and without which we should lose our maritime power—a power which everybody who has spoken tonight admits to be essential as our first line of defence. (Hear, bear.) My boa. and gallant friend the member for South wark (Sir C. Napier) says, "Dive me a fle t, doable it or treble it, and I will undertake that no enemy shall lead." I am not surprised that my hon. friend should deal lightly with fortifications, inasmuch as be has • way of his own in deal ing with fortifications. A military friend of mine once met my hon. and gallant friend on the northern frontier of Por tugal. lie was mounted on a mule, and was followed by • marine with • musket on each shoulder, looking very much like Robinson Crum". (Laughter.) He stripped my military friend, and said," You are • military man - tell me how you would take • fannies." My hissed began to explain how to make breaches and zispags, and so on, when the gallant admiral interrupted him with, " That's all very well for you, but it won t do for me. 1 sin going to take the fortress of Valencia, but I mean to take it with • letter." (Laughter.) And the gallant admiral kept his word. He wrote • letter to the governor, »Il* lam that if he did not surrender at dis cretion he would make hint do so, and the fame of the gal lant admiral was so great that the governor surrendered. ter.) Now, fortifications would euable an inferior 1 1 0 4 1: 11 :0 bold out for • certain time against • superior force, and time in war is • gnat deal, and sometimes everything. What we want to do is to protect our dockyards and certain other important points from being taken by • coup de main. The hon. member for Litheard has objected to the fortifi ' cation of l',rrtalown Hill. Well, that a a matter for con sideration, but it is an unquestionable fact that with the modern improvements in artillery, whoever had possession • Portedown Hill would have no difficulty whatever in de etroving the royal dockyards. I deny again that these works would involve any greet increase to the army in tune of peace, whilst they would effect a considerable saving in the matter of barracks, and in war time you would have the militia and other auxiliaries, which would give you means of manning the I iff erent works. Thegallant offiriersays you minuet make glowers • month, and I know then isminerally an impression amongst military men that it lakes • long time to make a soldier. But we have seen that the contrary has been the case with the militia and the volunteers, and I know one instance, that of the Devonshire artillery, which was equal to the practice of the line. Beside., there are but two gunners wanted for each gun. The rest ere all handspike men, and have nothing to do with the direction of the piece. You must not, therefore, multiply the number of gunners at the same rate as the guns. I say, then, that is peace these work. will not require an increasedarmy, and that in war they rosy be filled with troops of • less trained description, who will _be perfectly competent to defend them. I say that if you had not these works, and having dockyards; to defend, you would be obliged to bare • larger number of men, and there is this great differ ence between laying the money out in works and laying it out on men, that if like Lycurgus and the Spartans you call for men, not stone walls, and maintaiu these men for • whole year, they will be no use the following year unless you still maintain the same number at the same expense, whereas if you lay it out in works, you are so moth stronger by all the money . you lay out. I haze been accused of varying my opinion in this matter. I deny that I have date so, and assert that on the contrary I have laboured for ten years in furtherance of the object which we are discussing to-nigh.. But that is no proof that we do not hops for improved friendly relations with Farce through the means of the commercial treaty. Why this couunission was appointed twelve months ago, long before the commercial treaty was proposed, and therefore totally unconnected with it ; and although we trust that the treaty may lead to • continuance of more friendly relations be tween the two countries, that forms no ground, in our opinion, for abandoning plans which on mete! deliberation we lielieved to be necessary. I hope and trust that the present peaceful relatono between France and England may remain uninterrupted; but I am convinced—and ilia is coninion sense, independent of military or naval kn.% ledge --that the only way to secure yourself against attack is always to be ready to defend yourself, and that when you are strong enough for that purpose you are mat likely to remain at peace with foreign nations. On the.* grounds I claim the vote of the hon. member for Birming bani, for if anything would be more than another likely to endanger the continuance of peace, it would be that • country wealthy like England should remain exposed to the risk of attack or assault without having any means of repelling the attack or resenting the insult. The country looks to us to do our duty, and for that we have only to look at the great force which has been enrolled as volunteers. The country desires that parliament should act in unison with that feeling which the people have dis played. To reject • motion which will at a mode-ate ex pense lay the foul:elation for making a great accession to our means of defence will be a misfortune which I hope will not happen. (Cheers, and erase, " Divide.") Sir M. PEW tone to speak, but was met with so much interruption that his first sentences did not reachthe gallery. He was understood to say that he felt the committee were not in a position to deal with this question on the pound that they had not sufficient information before them. TIN report which had been presented to the hokum would on • careful perusal show that it did not touch the question in all its bearings, and consequently the committee would not be justified in coining to a conclusion at present. He objected to the land defences which were recommended in the report. (Hese) If the committee were to ask hint for profs and instances he would point to the siege of Sebastopol. The committee would recollect that when the united armies approached that great fortress the south side was unpro tected, and be would ask whether they did not see earth. works carried out which kept the united strength of England and France at bay for some months. He would ask the committee to consider that it would be an impossibility to land an invading army, sad that it should march to Lotelon without the mane means being taken of defending them selves. Englishmen would show the same practical mode of defending thernaelves as the Russians did at Sebes- Lepel, and there would be plenty of time to carry out earthwork". He would ask whether the government were justified in coming to the house and asking for this vote, which in case of danger would be obtained at any moment. (Lou! cries of " Divide," and great interruption.) They were spending lj million of money in sheathing vessels of war, and they were altering the artillery of the country, and if them fortifications were proceeded with, other altera tions must take place. The government were not justified in proposing this enormous expenditure without givi „ie. fur ther time for consideration , and he felt that they had not suMcieut time. (Load cries of "Divide, divide.") He would not attempt to go into other questions, because be saw the impatience of the committee to come to it division. But he would again say that he felt the importance of the subject, and that the government were not justified in hurrying it on. He ghould be compelled to vote against the motion. (Divide, divide.) The committee then divided on the amendment, and the numbers were : For the resolution 3:14 For the amendment :V.I-220 The resolution was again put from the chair, when Mr. BRIGHT suggested certain modifications of the scheme. Lfird PALMER TON made a few remarks in reply. Mr. MONSELL moved as an ►mendment to add to the rainiution„ "That, in the absence of artiller, and engineer ing information, it is Dot expedient to incur any °renew dinary expenditure in constructing permanent work. ►t PortAdown Mr. S. HERBERT could ant assent to the amendment, and after a short discuseimi, extending to the whole scheme, the committee again divided, when this amendment was aspitived h J 16:1 to: 7. Farther explanations were asked by Mr. Bawer and Sir H. Wittoroisr, sod given he Lord . P A LIALKATON. The resoluti on was i nfinitely agreed to, and ordered to Le reported. Lord PALMERSTON intimated—Wald loci cries of "Ob, "I —that the Civil Servios Estimates would be taken at the morniii4 pitting this day. ECCLESIASTICAL COMMISSION, kc., BILL. This biR was read • third time and pared. REFRESHMENT HoCitEst AND WINE LICENSES ( I RELAN DI BILL The house then went into committee an Rik hill. FRI TIIE EXPPS SS, Y, DA _ be aged ON and • w dame for the bows daring which liasel e l bonsai eh be creed on Suodays, Etc., added. BLEACHING AND DYEING WORKS BILL —HZ GISTEATION OF BIRTHS (SCOTLAND) BILL. The Lentil ansendotente to time bills were considered and weed to. AUGMENTATION OF =ALL BENEFICES GYM LAND) AND INFANTS MARRIAGE ACT AMEND MENT BILLS. The above billy were read a third time and pored. The other mien were dispelled el, and the house ad journed at a querteelest 2 o'clock. I‘ . lll t 04, v' MN AUG 'UST ALL TEAS 1* MERCHANTIVAFIt3. T o NSW 801JCHONO, guaranteed, per lb. MOORE BROTHER/ bad als, laedeo-beldie, City. BZ 80N ' El WATOHZEL Affection of oriehooloo*—Xecoad rook add watedies, to 100 ted=r i l m te 10 Botioos. fiend for &MP deserlpitre of oway •11ctloo of watch sow sada. - I " reeist to sil ports of the world.-311 and 14 Lndeetoaln. LQ Islabildiod 174. SWERT FIIMIGATION.—PIESSE and LUBIN% RIBBON of BRUISIB.--Lbtht It, blow out the IMO, and as It smoulder • &avant rawer will rise Into the sir. Enough tee • moath's daily use ts • hoz ie. (itateced at Ns Vann' Rall.)—Perhmeury laden, 2, Few bad-strut. PARLIAMENTARY DIVISION. HOUSE OF COMMONS.—Avoun 2 FORTIFICATIONS AND WORKS, Considered in committee :In the committee.) Ques tion wain proposed, " That it is the opinion of this committee that, towards providing fur the con struction of works for the defence of the royal dock and arsenals, and of the poets of Dover sad Port. land, and for the creation of • astral arsenal, a stun, not exceeding two million pounds, be charged upon the conso lidated fund of the United Kingdom, and that the commissioners of her Majesty's Treasury be authorised and empowered to num the said sum by annuities for • term not exceeding thirty years ; and that such annuities shall be charged upon and be payable out of the said Consolidated Fund :"—(Visoount PrOrnerston 4—Amendment pro posed , to leave out from the words " committee that " to the end of the proposed resolution, ia order to add the words "as the main defence of Great Britain against prosaion depends on an efficient easy, it is not now ex ent to enter into a large expenditure ou permanent and fortifications :" (Mr. Lindsay :)—Queetion put, "That the words pro posed to be left out stand part of the proposed resolu tiou : "—The committee divided ; Ayes XB, Noce 39. NOR. Bass. If. T. James, B. Smith. A.. Bright, I. Kershaw. J. Staellaoti, M. Buxton, C. Lawson, W. titans:chi J. coningham, W. Leatham, E. A. Sullivan, H. Crook. J. Wems, J. 'Bodine, G. lialgielsii, B. HaelLvoy, E. I% esthes , t, J. P. thlitryn, L. L. Monson, W. J. White, J. Dostilaa, sir C. O'Dotoighne. The N ins 's, B. 11'0. lernsoy, Lord Patinture, B. Williams. W. Greene, J. Peto, Sir S. H. Willoughby, Sir H. Gurney, il. F . Wyli, J. Hadfield, G. ' Arington. J. TELLTIN. Hennessy. J. P. Shelley, 8111. V. Lindsay, W. S. Hodgklasen, O. Smith, J. B. Berkeley, IL F. Per Govensi KUM.ast. Against Government. Kr. Warn Colonel Sykes We. Deaden lir. Baxley Kr. Hardy 11r. G. Outlaw The "ayes" included Mr. Gladstone and Mr. M. Gibson, sad also the leaders of the conservative party; but the majority is chiefly composed of liberal members. Sir J. Graham was present during the debate, but took no part in 1 the division. Ctir Court. OSBOILNE, Accuerr 2. _ ------ Her Majesty and the Prince Consort, accom panied by the Hereditary Grand Duke and Duchess of Mecklenburg-Strehts, Princess Alice, and Prince Philip of Wurtemberg, drove out yesterday afternoon in an open carriage and four. A second carriage followed with the Couoteee of Desert, lady Qirulioe Coat, the How. Flora Macdonald, and Baron Wesekatera. Colonel the Hoe. IL Hood attended on bonieback. Prince Azar.. and Prince Adolphus of Mecklenburg &relit: rode on horseback, attended by Major Ephinstone. Her Majesty's dinner party included the Hereditary Cra — d Drke and Duchess of Mecklenburg-Strelits, Princesn Alice, Princess Leiningen, Prince Philip of Wurtemberg, Pr;nce Leiningen, Lady Caroline Cast, the Hon. Mrs. T. M. Blidulph, Colonel Jeffreys, C. 8., commanding depot batta lion at Parkhurst, and Major Elphiratone, R.E. The Hereditary Grand Duke and Duane and Prince Adolphus took leave of her Majesty this morning, and crossed over in the royal yacht Fairy to Gosport, from whence their royal highnesses went to Kew. Prince Philip of Wurtemburg has also left Osborne. A deputation from the Committee of the British and Foreign School Society had an interview with the Lord Pre sident of the Council yesterday, at the Privy Council-0111re, on the subject of education in Wales. A deputation from the Waterford Chamber of Commerce and Harbour Board had an interview with the Right Hon. T. Milner Gibson yesterday, at the 06ce of the Board of Trade, OD the subject of Harbours of Refuge. Mee.ings of the Cambridge University Commissioners were held at 6, Adelphiterrace, on Tuesday and Wednes. day. The Commis s i oners present were the Bishop of Chester, Lord Stanley, M.P., the Right Hon. Sir Lawrence Peel, the Rev. Dr. Vaughan, and Horatio Waddington, Esq• deputation, consisting of Captain Mangles, the Hon. R. Dutton, M.P., Mr. 3fonimer, Mr. Crombie, Mr. Scott, and Mr. Stepp, had an interview with the Right Hon. T. Milner Gibson yesterday, at the Office of the Board of Trade. The Harvard University has invited the Prince of Wales to visit their institution, and, according to the Boston papers, the invitation has been accepted. His Royal Highness the General Commanding in-Chief will hold a Levee at one 'clock on Wednesday next, the Bth inst. The Earl and Countess of Derby and Lady Enuns Rowley intend to remain in town until after the marriage of Lord Skelmerwlale and Lady Alice Villiers, second daughter of the Earl and Countess of Clarendon. The Earl Spencer, who came to town from Os borne on Wednesday evening, left by nulway the same even ing for Yorkshire. Viscount and Viscountess Barrington are about to receive a distinguished circle at Beckett House, Berks. Their al Highnesses the Duchess of Cambridge and Prin cess Mazy, and the Hereditary Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg-Strelita, will honour the noble viz °oust and viscountess with their company. - . _ Lord and Lady Headley and family have left town for Orford Houle, Surrey. The Bishop of Rochester has appointed the Venerable Archdeacon Grant, vicar of Rumford, to be his examining chaplain. Mr. Augtistua Paget, Secretary of Legation at Berlin, left town hat evening to resume his duties in that (vital_ Halifax papers announce the death, on the 16th alt., of the lion. Brenton Halliburton, chief justice of Nova Scotia. A letter from Rome says that Cardinal Wiseman —under the judicious treatment of Dr. Pantaleoui—has re covered his health so far as to be able to leave Rome for Castel Gandolfo, where he will have the advantage of country air, and will also be in the immediate neighbour. hoed of the above•mentioned physician, who is melding for the summer at Albano. Some interesting experiments took place on Tuesday evening off Osborne House, the marine residence of her Majesty, in the isle of Wight, and also in Cowes-roads, sith Professor Way's electric light, and which we believe are preliminary to more important experiments about to be carried out by the government. The annual meeting of the members of the Archeological Institute of Great Brit in and Ireland will be held next year hi the city of Peterborough. Stamford, Crow Lind, Thorney, Caistor, Bonn, Thurlby, Pothering. bay, and other surrounding places will afford to the ex cursionists many beautiful examples of medieval art, and will also be attractive as possessing great historical interest. At a meeting of the vestry of St. George's, Hano ver-squire, which was held yesterday, Sir John Shelley moved the adoption of a memorial to Mr. Cowper against the introduction of the horse ride. After an animated debate the resolution was adopted by a large majority, and • memorial was speed to. It is stated in • pamphlet on the "Newspaper Press of the Present Day" (just published by Messrs. Saun ders and Otley), that "the Lincoln, Rutland, and Stam ford Mercury is the progenitor of the provincial pram ; in deed it is the oldest paper extant, next to the London Ga cdte. The Landon Goutir, the Lincoln, Rutland, and Stamford Aferesiry, and the Edtaurylt Gazette are the only papers now existing which made their appearance at the latter end of the seventeenth century—between 1664 sail 1700." A letter from Tunis (Barbary) of the 15th nit. rya that the scum of the Neapolitan and Sicilian police, spies, and assassins, has found refuge there, and that their number is so great that the lodging-houses in the place being insufficient to contain them all, many had been re ceived into the Roman catholic monastery, under the pro tection of the bead of that institution. G R LAT NORTHERN HORFITAL, ING'S-CllO6B. Number of pationta fur the week ending July 28, 733, of which 323 were sew ewe. :07D -HAND PIANOFORTE& CIAXIIII=, .ad Ce. bees a Imp amortment of by Ur wet estemsd makers. at greatly vetheed prbee-201, Degoebetrest. gbe erpregifs. TO 00111113PONDENTS. Ldvertliementa Intended for "The Express" London Inning Paper. moat be at the aeon 10, ik)uverlo-atrcot, by Two o'clock on the day of pablicatko. Tens zyrrnro, HALLOWE'EN. Me EN . Lmlereqe—THE OVER LAND ROUTE. Messm Cblimendalo), Campeau, Earicalasse, and C. Mathews; Mrs. C. Mathews. —RIB EXCELLENCY. Mr. sod Mrs. Charles Mathews.—And SHOCKING svErra, ylawgzars. Tate EVINTNO, THZ 0011,16/N BiOTHIM. Mews. Heat.. G. Melville, Meadows, end Gramm ; Mrs.Weeton. —l' NE FILL TEICH! BLE. —AN AMBUSCADE AT INICERM ANN. And THAWS MAMMA Wm Carlotta Ledercel.—Commence at 7. DIUTANNTA. rifts imam, IVA'S soils lig: Clan St. Came : Mr.. 7 •nolds.—The great MACZNEY In Ma renowned ENTERTAIN. ICEYT.—RAI BENT AND AGONIES: or, The Spectre Nan with the Bleeding Buszont.—And LOUIS XIY. * THE ORGAN BOY. RIDE WATU AT LONDON NUDGE. THIS DAT —Morphia EL Sm. Afternoon. 311. 25ni. To-nollow—lforsdny MA Kat Afternoon, 3h. :Um. LONDON, FRIDAY, AUGUST 3. THE debate on the National Defences in the House of Commons, last night, justifies the posi tion of those who, looking with doubt and suspi cion on the Government scheme, demanded that its merits shoWd at least be fully discussed before it was finally adopted. The scheme certainly does not improve on acquaintance, while, objectionable as it is in itself, it is far more so in the consequences which it naturally, if not necessarily, involves. The discussion last flight mainly turned on the two vital points of efficiency and economy. Will the proposed fortifications really add to our security, and will their estimated cost cover the probable outlay involved in their erection ? Uit can be shown that these works are necessary. to our national safety, or will contribute to it in any con sidersble degree, all opposition would be silenced. The country, as Mr. SIDNEY HER BERT justly said last night, is alive to the importance of the subject, and anxious to take all prudent means for efficient self-defence. But what the nation wants is real security, not a vain parade of comparatively useless works which, under the plausible plea of national defences, would inevit ably lead to a system of extravagant expenditure, and largely add to the permanent burdens of the country. While quite ready to vote money for the national defences, it wants some definite assur ance that its liberality will not be abused, and the funds voted for defence squandered on ill-con structed and comparatively useless public works. How does the proposal of the Government stand the test of real public utility ? Mr. SIDNEY HER BERT frankly explains that the proposed fortifica tions, if erected, will not destroy the chance or greatly diminish the risk of invasion. But in order to estimate the proposal of the Government aright it must be looked at in connexion with the Report of the Commissioners, on which it is founded. Lord PALMERSTON'S resolutions are avowedly based on the Report, and embody a number of its recommendations. But the recommendations of the Commissioners all hang together, and to a cer tain extent involve each other. The adoption of Lord Patezasron's resolutions is in fact the vir tual acceptance of the Commissioners' scheme of national defence. We have already repeatedly pointed out the confusions, contradictions, and extravagant requirements which render this scheme useless and impracticable. And the discussions of last night strongly helped to discredit still further the authority of the Commissioners. Mr. Bamwr's criticism of the Report, though severe, was neither uncalled for nor unjust, and it was certainly fully appreciated by the House. He showed from internal evidence the influence of strong professional prejudice in the Report, and that it simply embodied a foregone conclusion. What else indeed could be expected from the Commission i Mr. SIDNEY HERBERT says, but on the principle of "nothing like leather," every officer consulted on the subject of the national defences recommends the increase of the special branch to which he belongs. And half a dozen military men would of course recom mend extensive fortifications and a large addition to the regular army, as the Commissioners do. Professional men, invaluable as witnesses on the subject of national de fences are, as Sir Roezar Pr.'s', truly held, the worst judges in the world of what is best to be done. In the present case it is quite clear from the Report that the strong professional feel ing in favour of a large increase to our present military establishment, unconsciously Maimed the judgment of the Commissioners. They immensely overrate the facilities for invasion, and underrate our existing means of defence. They attempt to show, for example, that a hostile landing might easily take place at any part of the coast, and that, if effected, "our insular position, so far from being an advan • " tage, might prove a disadvantage for defensive " purposes." Again, as Mr. BRIGHT pointed out, while making the most of the facilities afforded to the army by the railway and the telegraph, they treat them as of small account in considering the question of defence. "Doubtless," say the Com missioners, "the defence would be somewhat " aided by railroads and the telegraph." It can scarcely be wondered at if the recommendations of men so obviously prmjudiced are looked upon with suspicion. But apart from the authors, the sug gestions are in themselves utterly contradictory and impracticable. Fortifications costing at least twelve millions, and probably twice that sum, are recommended for the avowed purpose of economising men. But the works would require at least 70,000 soldiers to man them, a large proportion of which must belong to the regular army. Now this would involve of course a large permanent addition to our military forces. The Government proposition only involves at pre sent half the works and half the men recommended by the Report. But if the half is accepted, the whole may, and most probably will, soon follow. And, after all, we really have no assurance that we should then be at all more secure from invasion than now. But while the additional security we should derive from those works is little better than nomi nal, their cost is not only real but enormous— almost incalculable. Mr. Batouv's earnest de nunciation of the profligate expenditure which the adoption of such a scheme must inaugurate is peculiarly seasonable. During the last 25 years we have steadily increased our annual expenditure for military purposes until from 12 millions, at If VW : 3, 1860. which it stood in 1838, it has now reached the enormous sum of 30 millions. And what have we as a return for this great outlay I Only a greater sense of insecurity and a fresh demand for additional national defences. It is clear enough that additional outlay does not necessarily involve additional safety. Were the present large vote for military purposes doubled we might still be as insecure as lat this moment, and there would unquestionably be many who would even then complain of our defenceless con dition. Something more than money is needed— wisdom, patriotism, political courage, and sound policy. The nation at this moment relies far more on the volunteer force, that costs nothing, than it would do on the most costly system of fortification that could be devised. Meanwhile this miserably imperfect and contradictory scheme will almost inevitably be employed as a pretext for all kinds of lavish expenditure, unless public opinion is roused to check effectively so ruinous a system. No strong opposition was, indeed, I offered to the Government proposal ; but when the true character of the policy it represents is under stood, it will be impossible for any Government to carry it fully out. A looser or more fallacious proposition than this fortification scheme was never put forward by a Government. It commits us to expenditure, of which the 12,000,0001. set down in the Report of the Commissioners is only a trifling part, and whia is practically unbounded ; and it does not give us real security. Here is its dark feature. The Government gladly recognises the excited state of public feeling, not, however, to meet it with a just satiafsction, but to make it an excuse for an expenditure which will leave us as much at the mercy of the panic-mongers as before. If the labour of three years were anticipated, if every work contemplated in the Government plan were already constructed, and every gun already mounted, it would still be as easy as it is now for a ravaging French force, such as Mr. HIIRBFRT described last night, bent only on mischief, to find hundreds of points on our coast where it might do a great deal of damage. Mr. HERBERT pointed to that danger as if he were taking some precautions against it, and he does nothing of the kind. He leaves the field open to the alarmist, and the coast open to the enemy. The conduct of the Government is without excuse. The country and the House of Commons grudge no amount of money it de mands. The objections made to these fortifications have not turned on the greatness of their cost but on the misapplication of the money. Why, then, with the people and Parliament ready to support them in any measures they may propose, do not they give us a real scheme of national defence ? The navy is not manned—cannot be manned — because a nation, which has millions upon millions to throw away upon contractors and to bury in fortifications, cannot afford to give the seaman the value of his services. All our naval plans have broken down hitherto for this reason, and not a hand is put out to remedy the evil. And while this is the state of the navy, what is the condition of our old national constitutional force, the Militia ? Every now and then we hear from the Treasury benches a rheto rical flourish about its strength and efficiency, but our military statistics tell a different tale. Accord ing to the War-office return of the 26th ult., moved for by Mr. A ',coca, the full quota of the English, Irish, and Scotch Militia regiments at that date was but 82,634 men, and the number actually enrolled only 44,986 men. Let our rulers give the Navy fair play and it will defend our coasts. Let them give the civil population opportunities of military organisation and it will be quite ready to receive any foreign visitors as the case may require ; but let them not go on year after year to exploiter the patriotism and squander the resources and delude the expecta tions of a generous and confiding people. THE SOUTH KENSINGTON MUSEUM. The report of the select committee, occupying 7 folio pagesoras issued this morning. Havingarrived at the opin. ion, that the museum in respect of its action as well throughout the United Kingdom as in the metropolis is exercising a bene ficial influence, and that it is fully deserving of continued parliamentary support, the committee tuna their attention to the state of the buildings at South Kensington, and arrive at the conclusion that • a Ichtional space for the accommodation and exhibition of the art collections should be provided at owe. Captain Fowke states that the cheapest mode of obtaining this space would be to complete the quadrangle of brick bed 4 eirs which was commenced by the Sheepshanks, Vernon, and Turner Galleries, sod to glaze it over. He estimates that this might be done for 17,0001., and by doing so the art collections now in the Iron Museum would be placed in safety, others not properly shown would be efficiently ex hibited,whilst apace would be provided in the Iron Museum to receive and exhibit the architectural casts procured as models for the houses of parliament, which at present lie unexhibited in buildings at Tharnewhauk, costing an annual rent of 4901. The danger srising from the use of the wooden schools and dilapidated houses renders it equally necessary to remove these build'ngs, and in stead of them to provide at once safe br'ld logs for official residences and the art training schools. The cost has been approximately estimated by Captain Fowke aC 27,0001. The committee recommend these works as matters of extreme urgency, the completion and covering in of the quadrangular court as • means of rescuing much valuable public and private property from a receptacle quite unfit for it, the removal of the wooden schools and the dilapidated houses from considerations of safety and therefore of real economy. The iron building and the temporary brick buildings the committee see no occasion to disturb at present, they can be usefully em ployed, and may well be allowed to stand for some years to come. The committee " are by no means anxious to involve the revenue in large expenses fur mere ornament. The museum is yet in course of formation, and they think it unwise to commit the country to a heavy expense in antici pation of its wants. The committee recommend that any plan which may be adopted fur the buildings to be erected should be capable of being worked into a general plan which would at once fully occupy the ground, and be sus ceptible of a proper amount of decoration. Such a plan has been laid before the committee by Captain Fowke." Friday, the 20th ult., was one of the hottest days of the seamen in New York. The heat was intense, and there was not the slightest breath of air stirring. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. an oppressively warm temperature pre. railed, a dead, heavy heat, which rendered exertion exces sively uncomfortable and caused profuse perspiration. At 10c m. the mercury in the thermometer stood at 90 degrees ; at noon it was 92 degrees, with an upward tendency ; at 2 o'clock at 92 degrees ; at 3 o'clock, 93 degrees ; at half-past 3,94 degrees ; at 4, rather less, with a downward tendency ; at 5 o'clock, 93 degrees. A letter, addressed to the U nita Itnliaiui , contra dicts a statement that the inhabitants of Melazzo were hos tile to Garibaldi, and says that nearly all of them had left the town before the battle. It was a number of gendarmes escaped from Palermo, joined with those of Melees), who entered the deserted houses and threw boiling oil on Gari baldi's men. A letter from Rome in the Monde says : " General de Goyou is to quit Rome on the sth August. The cause of his departure is not timely known ; but no one believes that he is going on simple leave of absence, sod this supposition is confirmed by the fact that the Pope, in a reception given him two days ago, made him • magni ficent present consisting of the portrait of his Holiness in • cameo. The Pope is represented in the act of giving his bleating and wearing the thus and cope, both of which are enriched with precious stones. The cameo has a trance o f gold exquisitely worked iu the Etruscan style, and is deco rated with diamonds, rubies, and pearls." LATEST INTELLIGENCE. EUROPEAN INTERVENTION IN SYRIA. PARIS, FIUDAT. The following has been ported up at the Boum. " All the powers have agreed upon the conditions of a European intervention in Syria. The confe rence will assemble at three o'clock to sign the con vention in reference to the measures to be taken in common." The Convention which was agreed upon in the sitting of Monday last contains sir articles, deter mining the common co-operation of all the great Powers. The following is a summary of its contents : The intervention will last only as long as the Porte shall deem it advisable. A pre vious agreement is necessary for the re gulation of all the military operations, and in order to determine the effective of the expeditionary forces who are to be maintained at the charge of the respective powers. A separate article stipulates that the French troops already on the point of embarkation shall start without waiting for the contingents of the other powers, unless the representative of the Sultan at Paris should receive information from Syria which would render all intervention unneces sary. As soon as all the great powers have adhered to the plan of the Convention, as modified in the second sitting, their representatives will re assemble in order to sign the Convention, and the additional protocol which has been drawn up at the request of the Turkish Ambassador. The representatives of the powers will then com bine the two documents in order that they may receive, in a fourth sitting, the sig natures of the plenipotentiaries. It is said that Prussia, which till now has only been represented at the Conference by a charg4 d'affaires, will, when the definitive signature of the convention takes place, be represented by its minister, Count Portales, now absent from Paris on leave. ROME, Niacin. 2. The Pope has addressed an energetic letter to the bishops of S).-ia. His Holiness laments the massacres of the Marmites which have been committed by the Drums, and expresses his horror of the barbarities of the Turks. His Holiness further speaks in high praise of the French expedition, and exhorts the princes to repress the excesses of the infidels, and to arrest the enewies of morality, justice, religion, and social order. GA RI BALDI IN MESSINA- EVA CUATION OF SICILY. • PARIS, FIIDAY. The Monitcur publishes the text of the conven tion signed at Messina between General Clary and Colonel Medici, which is merely a moitary con vention for the evacuation of Sicily from motives of humarity. ME44INA, JULY 29. Ganlaldi has entered the town amid great enthusiasm. The convention signed between General Clary and Colonel Medici stipulates the evacuation of Sicily. Four thousand Neapolitans will guard the citadel, and will not bombard the town unless Garibaldi attacks the citadeL The outer forts are occupied by Colonel Medici. The artillery of Garibaldi bas arrived. The Neapolitan troops are demoralised and refuse to fight. PALERMO, JULY 31. Signor Depretis will modify the Ministry by choosing only such members as are favourable to Italian unity. Signor Crisps will re-enter the Cabinet. Count Litta leaves for Turin to-day. MARSEILLES, Amur! 2. News from Messina state that Garibaldi is pre• paring 300 vessels to transport troops to the main land. The preparations have been witnessed by travellers. BAVARIA. MUNICH, AUGUST 2. Baron Wendland, Minister of ti,e King of Bavaria in Paris, has arrived here. Ho is about to join the King at Grafenborg, and will accompany his Majesty on his visit to the court of Berlin. CHINA. SHANGHAI, MAY 30 (vii Trieste). A great panic has prevailed among the natives, owing to the approach of the rebels. Allied troops having been landed to keep the city, coufidenes is partially restored. The native banks are closed. Trade is suspended solely in con sequence of the movements of the rebels. _ - HONG KONG, JUNE 7. The steam transport Asaistanco has been totally lost. All ou board were saved. AUSTRALIA. SYDNEY, Jut! 13 (vit Trieste). No active pleasures have yet been taken against the rebels in New Zealand. MELBOURNE, JUNE 19. _ The commercial depression continues. The crops are promising. The following are the departures of gold ships : the Leaping Water, with 39,629 ounces ; the Yorkshire, with 42,288 ounces ; and the Maidstone ' with 48 , 784 ounces. The Fidus has been totally wrecked on Kangaroo Island, We read in the Mato Times of the 20th ult.:— " Colonel Cement, of the French staff, who distinge'shal himself in the Crimean and Italian munpaigns,pamed through Malta on Sunday night, by the last Eugli.h steamer from Marseilles, for Beyrout, on a special mission. His instroo- Hoes, which were transmitted by telegraph, are believed to refer to an examination of the character and efficiency of the Turkish forces for the preservation of order in Syria, and should his investigation be unattisfactory, to report upon the steps that would have to be taken in case it be determined to land a French division from Algeria to pro. tect the Christians in Syria. The French strainer Eupbrate, which arrived yesterday from Marseilles, had on board a French general and several other officer., and twenty-nine soldiers, of the French commissariat, who are proceeding to Bcyrout." THE FRENCH EXPEDITION TO SYRIA. —A letter from Toulon announces, under reserve howcver, that Rear. Admiral Bonet, recently prcmoted to that grade, will be appointed to the command of the Sect which is to transport the army to Syria. The same letter, dated June 29, states also that all the orders that lout arrived up to that date concurred in enjoining that the troops, materid, mad trans port fleet should be kept in a state of readiness to get off at tv enty-four hours' notice. ARRIVAL OF HER ROYAL HiiiHNDOI THE DUCHESS OF SENT AT EDINIICROH.--Yesterday (Wednes ' day) afternoon, at 10 minutes past 4 o'chwk, her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent arrived at the North British Railway Station here, from King's Cross Station, London. The train, which we. Cendllaegl by Mr. Fisher ' superintendent of King's-cross Station. consisted of a royal I carriage, fitted up in a neat and commodious manner, two I other carriages, a luggage van, and a troth with the private carriage of her roval - highuess. The royal duchess left Frog more Lodge on Tuesday morning at II o'clock, attended by Lady Augusta Bruce, Lord James Murray, equerry-in waiting, and Dr. Brown. the medical attenslaut of her royal highness, and proceedeal by the Sorith-Weidern Rail way ea mete for Scotland. On the arrival of the train at Edinburgh, a considerable number of people were waiting, anxious to get a glimpse of her royal hi g hness. Sheriff Gordon was in waiting in his official eara,ity. The duchess immediately drove to Barry's Hotels Queen-street. It was her intention to have taken •drive iu the course of the after noon to Cransond-home, but in cousemenee of the un favourable state of the weather it was psotponed till to-slay (Thursday). We understand that bet nod Isi,dinees will not return to England before the mouth of September.- - Edis4ury4 Daily Cuaraid. I r.