The Express. — London, England, 1861-01-17 00:00:00

C It. N E".• tPHOisTEIII. lINITU RE I tb• OH Al. FIN. k.. 1 67 la 11.YPMlkl f., I,se b th• rrisem's nestre. HARMONIUMS -23%V MODEL.... M PLUZ. sal 201. Kasent-streot. QT. JAMES'S HALL RESTAURANT, I.. ‘ ...t..givgt ?Imam". ST. wirm La.,m.rs„ tr.. tor Families, Ladies SD4 (it oth frt.; WM. DuNALD, Fropeseter. cb era)reSiS. .f O .CIat,ATISPONppiII adeaMatwate Inteaketlili - li;TaTee7s Lna.taw Tvezdag pr wag lo at th• otex . 10, liouvreastreet, by Two ..*ah co :Lc day of putAleatta•a. II ATICUMIT. I Hn •‘75l:vJ. 4 11 E ;74171a 7 ft THWNQI•F.H ...It sad I:nekateoe Yung VI/10w —And tprEEN I %NIP 111,1 t ( HILUILLY : or, Harlequin end a House ru.•. Herr C Tlit:Ly,lereqs, Miss F. Wriirht, ties!: Weaker. rnt:ccuitinA. Tilts intr.% Tint: toRSIVIN BROTHERS Moors. A. Barris an.l Vomtor. —AAA the pantomime. rallot ROBINSON I'YCAUb. or. LlArlaislas Friday. Jeul She Kt of the Carribbro Moto. W OusilLosor, Ms. A. Yore*. _MT,JAMT.W . 4. Fromm. MT ITTVEV.I;FIt . '.L—THE ISLE OE ST. TRAPErZ. Mews. A Wigan r) . Mr.. Buckingham White. — ATM EN DV lUDS or. Ihr Naught) Ii thateried for tlteMoon. Alersn I*.E.mai k lielenurc SLlsbct SLCaisc.llerbssi. k turner. BRITANNIA. TIN mine THE 1115rFi kb THE OGRE. Messrs. his, parry . Jean us*, &•hy. and Newham . Malik. C Stephan, Ws. S. 14411 t, Vty. A' I .r.i. —Med A MESS AttE mint THE SEA. M. 011,11. R.) 0.. i t. and stuythaots. Mrs. E NIGH W4TLIt AT LONDON BRIDDL DAT-1111.”-Mhx. A. 47m AMMO % td jaa. Tu•akoDaue—flursetzig. GIL AnsiDosS. 9a. 3Da. LONDON, THURSDAY, JAN. 17. SIN BAILING has at different periods of his political life been one of the confidential counsellors of the Crown. He is so no longer, room not having been found for him in Lord PAL LIGNATON'S present Cabinet of Sixteen. But the habit of taking thought about this time of the year as to what measures ought to be officially brought before Parliament seems to be too strong with him to be wholly resisted ; and, as his former colleagues have not this tune asked his advice as to what they should do, he gives it to them with out their asking it. Some people may think that Sir FKAN. I' desires to exemplify the Christian maxim of requiting good for evil, by offering " to " bell the eat " of Reform for a forgetful party. No doubt there are some of his r.-d,rnnt colleagues who would be greatly obliged to anyone that would give the question a dose that would put it to sleep for the next seven years to come. As a mere instrument of party it ban been made to accomplish its object by breaking the pantry-window of office, and running away with the curious rol-nts-rent of coxcombs and fancy pastry, which their rivals had cooked with uncommon care, and which they were prepared to serve up as enough for a national banquet. But this being done, and the other clwf and his troop being turned out of doors, Reform has suffered all sorts of neglect, until at last one tine day last June it was actually Hung out of the window. It is not vi easy, however, to get rid of a faithful question by mere dint of ill-usage. Back it will come again and again when you want wholly to sleep and forget ; or when, in Parliamen tary purple and official fine linen, you dine sumptuously every day. Here it is at the door again, staring you in the face mutely but mean ingly ; and for very shame no one whom it helped to admit to the Cabinet ventures to give it a final kick, or to say openly, Begone ! It is a trying position for noblemen and gentlemen to be in ; and what can be more like true friendship than the proposal of an ex-colleague to take the un welcome creature up in his arms, and quiet it for a time, by dint of such coaxing and tit-bit feeding as may sufike for the purpose? This is one view of the matter, to comprehend which it is not necessary to settle distinctly whether the tender for making away with an importunate ques tion originated in any hint given from above, or in a spontaneous wish to be useful. Sir Favnis tells his constituents that he is, as they may suppose, ignorant of the determination of Ministers, as to what they will do on the sub ject when Parliament meets ; but nevertheless he may have his own reasons for thinking that some amongst them at least would not take it amiss if he were to do this year what Mr. EDW ARD Ether tried to do two years ago, namely, to stifle all further talk of Reform. There is another interpretation, of course, which may be put on the Member for Ports mouth's letter to his constituents, and he is en titled to the benefit of it, inasmuch as it is the construction of his motives and aims which Its pleads for in his own behalf. According to his own account of himself, Sir Faaxets is one of the most earnest Reformers going. What a com mand he must have over his words and actions, for none of us ever suspected it before ! It may notwithstanding be true for all that ; and the right honourable gentleman's way of putting his case is not wanting in ingenuity and reason. Taking his stand upon the somewhat threadbare dictum of Lord BACON, that the best method of innovation is that which is so constant as to be hardly perceptible as a change, he urges that Re form should in future be spelt with a small initial, instead of a capital letter ; and that, instead of a Bill being brought in every twenty years, big enough to serve as the standard of a great ' party, a succession of bit-by-bit measures should be kept going, as the beat means of preventing the accumulation of acknowledged abuses, and averting the need of comprehensive change. We matt say that the aphorism of the great Chancellor is rather an unlucky citation on the question of Reform. In spite of all Mr. DIXON has lately urged in mitigation of the historical judgment passed by successive generations on Flamm RUI/ !I as a politician, we are compelled to regard him as one of the wisest talkers and least effectual workers in the cause of good government that ever filled the place of Privy Councillor of the Crown. What he might have done in his time, or what Sir FIANCIPI BLAIN° might do in his, could he get and keep an administration up to the mark of in cessant mending and making, re-coppering and keel-hauling, new rigging and re-painting the ship of State, whenever and wherever necessary, we don't undertake to say. But the example of the Oracular Keeper of the Seals is certainly not en couraging ; and the personal experience of the Member for Portsmouth as to what may be done by the gradual mode of proceeding is not much to the purpose. Twelve years ago, he tells us, the Prime Minister of the day admitted that the Fran chise could not remain where it was left by the Act of 1832 ; and be reminds us that Sir R..ssay PEEL was understood to concur with Lord JOHN Rresina in 1848 in that opinion. A great variety of partial improvements have from time to tone been introduced since then ; but we cannot call to mind a speech or a sentence uttered in the support of any of them by the right hon. lbarenJt. We very much fear, moreover, that the same remark would apply with fatal precision to those who are most likely to welcome Sir !CCU :VA . ! proposal to substitute & perpetual strra:n ' for a mill-darer and an oc.,i-oonal " aaly rush." Why does not the Member for Portsmouth, when' he is offering us a practical substitute, as he would call it, for a comprehensive change, suggest what might be done in 1861 by way of a beginning? Honest men in bad times arc sometimes forced to snake payments on account ; and their creditors, though sulky, consent to wait for the balance a little longer. But it is a very bad sign when, after elaborate argument in proof of the wisdom of reasonable forbearance, we find no substantial in stalment of the debt proffered. One thing, however, we hold to be now pretty clear, and that is, that unless the Cabinet are minded thoroughly to efface their own proceedings of last Session, and to return to the principles by whose profession they got into power, but which have been ever since in worse than a state of abeyance, it is no use trying to carry a general measure, or to get Parliament, the press, or the people to believe them sincere in attempting to do so. A large and comprehensive Bill they could carry, no doubt, if they pleased ; but they could only carry it by treating the present Conservative Parliament as Lord GREY did that of 1830, elected under similar auspices. The Whigs, in 1831, knew well that they could count on no majority in either House for Reform ; but they told the people plainly that without it they could neither secure for them retrenchment at home nor non-intervention abroad ; and the people, who up to that time had stirred but little on the subject of organic change, responded in such • tone as enabled Ministers to carry their measure, for they were sick of despotic alliances and over If Lord PALNERSToM and his colleagues will not do this, they may undoubtedly take the advice of the Member for Portsmouth, and instead of a whole book of progress ask Parliament to read a chapter or two at a time. As the franchise lies at the threshold of the entire subject, we cer tainly shall not object to any specific scheme which may be brought forward in earnest for the redress of even a portion of tho injustice which every year is aggravating in that particular ; and there are other distinct and definite anomalies which might be dealt with likewise, or which will have to be dealt with ere long. But we cordially echo the sentiment of Sir Passers Bxerso, that if Minis ten have not made up their minds to carry their measures, whatever they be, they had much better not introduce them at all. Ebt Court. WINDHOR CAffrLE, JAN. 16. There was no addition to the royal dinner party yesterday The queen and Wince Consort walked in the Home-park this sailing. The Prince of Wales skated, attended by Lieutenant• Wood Keprel. The Queen and Prince Consort, accompanied by the Primed Wales, Prince Alfred, Princess Helena, Princes. Loolso, nod attended by the Honourable Lucy Kerr, the Honourable M►ry Bulteel, Lord Carney., Lieutenant- Coltmel Kinpcote, Baku... General Hon. R. Bruce, Colonel Ponsonley, and Lieutenant-Colonel Koppl, went to Virgini a Water in the afternoon. The Prince Consort and the Prince of Wake, with the Gentlemen, skated, and the Queen and Princesses remained some time. A Committee of the Lords of her Majesty's most Honour. able Privy Council sat yesterday in the Council-chamber to mender petitions against the ordinances issued on the Bth of August, IK.O. and 19th March, lle6o. by the Scottish Universities' Commnaimera with reference to degrees in medicine and surgery an the University of Edinburgh, from the Royal College of Physicians of Islieburgh, the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, the Faculty of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow and the Royal College of Surgeons of England. Also • petition from the swaths Aisidemicus of the University of Edinburgh in support of their rights, and in opposition to the arguments of the medical corpo- rations on the molter of the ordinances of the Universities (Scotland) Cosiminioners of lith Auvat, 1.09, sod 19th March, ISCO. The Leda present were the Lord Chancellor, the lid of St. Oerans, Secretory Sir George C. Lewis, Lord Cranwotth, the Duke of Richmoosl, au.' the Right Hon. R. Lowe. Mr. Eleip, Clerk of the Privy Council, attended. The Attorney and the Solicitor-General were in attendance as amesion. Mr. R. Palmer was heard by their lordships, and was followed by Sir H. ('aims. Limpatches were received at the Colonial-odios yesterday from the Governors of the West ladies, British Columbia, sad Canada. THE EXPRESS, THURSDAY EVENING, JANUARY 17, 1861. THE ARRIVAL OF PRINCE ALFRED AT PLYMOUTH. PLYMOUTH, J. 10, 12.40 r.u. At 11 oVoalt this morning his Royal Highnesa embeetted lu the Admiralty beige and proceeded to Mount Edgemnhe, the demesne of the Eat of Mount Edgeumbe, whims be partook of luncheon. His Royal Highnees is expected to proceed on board the St. George early this eftemeoe, and will probably sail for the North American statics immodiately after. The Arm, steam-tug, has her stem up, and is in readiness to convey the Prince on board. The dad elderly, blowing strong, bat is fair for the departure. His Royal Highness was last night the part of Admiral Sir Houston Stewart, K.C.8., the commander-in-chief of the port. The dieser party last night consisted of Prince Alfred, the Earl and Countess of Morley sad Rim Coryton, bird and Lady Frederick Kerr, Atheind Sir Thos. Sabine Palley, superintendent of the dockyard, and Indy Higley; General Hatchnem, the conunander-in chief of the western district ; Hon. Cepala F. Egertoo, of the St. George ; Hon. Col. Brig ; Major Cowell, who came with the Prince; Capt. A. C. Key, R.N. P • Lieut. Miller, the flag lieutenant ; Mr. and Mn, Jams, and Mim Montgornerie Cunningham. PLYMOUTH, WEDNZSDAT APTFRNOON. Prince Alfred embarked about 2 o'clock this afternoon on board the St. George, which left at 4 p.m. ander mil and steam for her destiaatkm. TEL DUKE or 801111131 LAND.—We have much pismire in being able to eantradiet the report of the death of the Duke of Sutherland, which appeared in a morning piper yodmday, and in the Wolverhampton C'hroniele, and was copied into the mob( journals. The sosonnta re ceived in town hat evening hum Trentham, we are happy to state, wen sore fsvasadmie, his grace having passed a better night as Tooday. Hia fie* Highness the Duke of Cambridge and kis Serene Higbee,. Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimar have arrived at Knowsley Mall, Lencashire, from London. on • suit to the Earl awl Cm:totes, of Derby. Viecouut and Vicomte= Newport, Colonel the Hoe. denies Macdonald, C. 8., and Mr. and Lady Augusta Start, have also joined the circle partaking in the hospitalities of the noble earl and counters. The Hoa. Captain Stanley has left Knowsley to join his regiment (the Grenadier Guards), in Dublin. The Duke of Cambridge and Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimar will remain on • visit to the Earl of Derby until the close of the week. His Excellency the Austrian Ambassador and the Countess Apposiyi retained to Chandos House last evening from visiting the Marquis and Marchioness of Salisbury, at HALM House, Herta. Hie Zicellency the Brazilian Minister has arrived Cammdish-equare from Brighton. The Duelieu of Inverness entertained a select Arty at dinner last evening at her apartments in Kensing ton Palace. The Earl and CounteM of Airlie are expecte , ' in tees tarty neat week from Alder ley Park. Cheshire, where they have been eta) lag on • visit to Lord and Lady Stanley of Aldetiey. Earl de Grey and Ripon has returned to town treat Newby Rail, Yorkshire. Mr. Yrier, his lordship's diebsr-in-law, is happily nowering from his late fall. The wientew, for the present, is residing at Studley Pub, near Ripon. Lord awl Lady Wm - Lehman are expected in town in w W+ .lays from Kimberley Hall, Norio:b. - - Lost and Lady Stanley of Alderley arrived in town na Tu..ley from .tklerley Park, CLeehire. Tbr noble 1,4 hrr la.lv.hip left Itovar-tree; ye.tvnlay on a visit to Lei liaise:) , at Vito,lsur Castle. LATEST INTELLIGENCE. THE PREACH FLEET AT GAETA. STATEMENT OF THE " MONITEUR." PARIS, TllO 111113A1 The Nynitetr says :—" The object in send ing the French tiret to Gaeta was to give a nark of sympathy to a prince cruelly tried by destiny. The Emperor, faithful to the principle of non-interven tion, never intended to take any active part in the conflict at that place. In prolonging this denionatration be would change its character, and would give encouragement and material support to the resistance of the King. It there fore became necessary to cause the cessation of this state of things. We could not indefinitely remain present at a conflict which could only lead to a greater effusion of blood. By the advice given by France to the belligerents, hostilities are suspended until the 19th instant, and Admiral Barbier de Than will leave Gaeta to-day." VENICE. A c.fliumunication from Venice mays : Venetia is already inundated with the Austrian lank notes to which M. de :ichinerling has given a forced cur. rency, in spite of the promises of the Emperor Francis Joseph and of the horror which the Venetians entertain for paper money. Liemoustrations against thesis notes have already commenced in several towns. At Udine. several mutilated ones, of the value of live florins, h►ve been stuck up at the doors of the archbishop's palace, of the Archduke Ernest's palace, and in several other placee. I may add that this fact, as far as regards the archbishop, was al dressed more particularly to his political sentiments. Last winter this prelate, fearing a revolution, requested sentinels from the military governor, which applicathe was acceded to. That step alienated him from every kind feeling on the part of the people. NAPLES. NAPLEi, JAN. 14. Prince Carignan has issued a proclamation in which he says—" I have come among you to hasten the work of unification and to maintain public order. The government will respect the church and its ministers, provided the clergy obey the King, the statutes, and the laws." The Prince promises administrative reforms, and concludes by expressing the hope that Gaeta will shortly fall, and that the Neapolitan provinces will be ready to make sacrifices for the unity of Italy. ROME. ROMP, JAY. 15. The Diplomatic Corps and the Papal Nuncio left this morning for Gaeta, to congratulate King Francis 11. on the occasion of his birth-day. ROME (vii Turin) JAN. 13. General Goyon has demanded explanation from the Papal government as to the object of the move ment of Papal troops towards the Neapolitan frontiers. Mgr. Merode has refused to give any reply. General Goyon has in consequence referred to his government on the subject. FRANCE. PARIS, ThUMDAT MOILNING. The Illettiteur publishes a decree abolishing the surtax of 31r per 100 kilogrammes on foreign sugars imported in French vessels from countries out of Europe. SPAIN. MADRID, JAi. 16. The Prince of Asturian is out of danger. TURKEY. 00N9TANTINOPLE, JAN. 9. The Porte has demanded of M. Miris whether he can carry through the loan or not. A party in the cabinet wishes to break off the affair. News has been received by the government of the approaching arrival of five more ahipe laden with munitions for the Danube. The Austrian and Russian Legations have ad dressed strong notes to the Porte on this subject. The Bosnian Commission of Inquiry has begun its labours. THE BRAZILS. LISBON, JAN. 16. The steamer Estramadum ' of the Messageries Imperiales, has arrived here from the Brazils. Exchange on London at Rio was quoted 27 to 28i ; Hamburg, 885. Coffee was quiet at 5,300 to 5,500 reis per arroba. Stock, 100,000 bags. DENMARK. A letter from Copenhagen of the ith says : The King, who arrived in this city the day before yester day has just presided over a council of state summoned to deliberate on the affairs of the Duchies and the conflict with the Germanic Diet. It is affirmed by persons likely to be well informed that the council is unanimously of opinion that the government ought to maintain the propositions which were communicated by Mr. Hall to Mr. Paget, the British ministers, after the conferences they Lad on the subject at the request of Lord John Russell ? and that the Ring himself thinks the same. Acooediog to those 'propositions the Danish government will consent to the " consultative vote" which the States of Holstein possess by letters patent of 23rd September, 185$, being changed into a " deliberative" one— in other words, a law to possess force in Holstein must be sanctioned by the States ; but this proposition is only made as the express condition that the Dist at Frankfort shall cense to menace Denmark with a " federal execution." It is further proposed that the share of Holstein in the com mon expenses of the monarchy shall be fixed at 810,000 1 crowns, and that the consent of the States shall be required for any expenses beyond that sum which circumstances may I render necessary. As to Schleswizk, though it is regarded as a purely Danish part of the monarchy, the government, to show a conciliatory spirit., will consent to the rite of confirmation being administered in Danish or German at the choice of the officiating minister in the districts in which the population are of both nationalities. Hereto fore this religious ceremony could only be performed in Danish. Tae FRINCH TREATY. —We have good reams to believe (says the Manchester Examiner) that the time ad ginally flied for the French treaty ooming into full epees tion will be conniderably anticipated. From cirmanudamme which have come to our knowledge, we consider it highly probable that, within a few weeks hence, the Moniteur will announce the Emperor's decision to give immediate effect to the stipulatious of the treaty, and thereby obviate the in. COTIVethiIICOI incident to any further suspense in the com mercial intercom's of the two countries. Some of the Paris journals state that a deputa tion from South Carolina bee arri►ed in Paris, and obtained an audience of M. Thonvenel, Minister of Foreign Affairs. A letter from Berlin states that the severe cold which prevailed during the funeral of the late king caused inner among many of the persons who were present. More than 200 of the soldiers who lined the streets were obliged to go into hospit►l, snd some of them have since died. A number of horses have also perished from the same cause. Prince Sergins Troubetrkoi, the leader of the cesspiracy discovered on the accession of the late Emperor Nichols of Russia to the throne. hes recently died as Moscow, where he had been residing for a short time past, after thirty years' exile in Siberia. " Thereis, throughout the Southern Statee," says a New York correspondent, "an unsettled, feverish, suspicions feeling, that seta at defiance all the ordinary rules of calculation aa well as the ordinary rules of law. It has booms unsafe for a northern gentleman to travel there even with his mouth shut. Some prying petty vigilance °committee will catch • him nod insist upon his speaking. The proprietors of the Herald sent a gentleman of their staff into the interior of South Carolina to gather infor mation as to the state e feeling there. He was seised while in the discharge of his duties by one of these self. seated committees, and detained a day while they subjected him to a searching croes.exarnimition. and read every scrap of paper in his portmanteau. This is but one case of many that have come to my knowledge. the arrests in some cases being accompanied by acts of brutal violence and ferocity." EXPRESS FROM PARIS• true ova core OURESPONDEIT.I PARIS, WEIINEEIDAT EVECetI. The Melia!'Ur contains the folowing complaint of false news relative to French armaments : A journal speaks of the formation of a fourth regiment of Grenadiers of the Guard ; this news is utterly untrue. Another journal hnnounced a few days ago, in an article which, it is true, it rectified the next day, that a certain number of soldiens unfit for a campaign had been sent back to the depAs of their corps, and that all mounted officers had been ordered to provide themselves with horses by Feb. lat latest. We take this opportunity to put the pub lic ou its beard against false news concerning the army, pro mated by journals calling themselves well informed. This exquisite sensibility of the Monitcar would be more reassuring if the official journal were not exposed to the accusation that it strains at a goat and swallows a camel. Simultaneously with this de nial of theformation of a fourth regiment of Guards and the invaliding of some unspecified number of men, there appears in the Mositest do r A ern& an authentic account of a tremendous military measure, which, however it may be explained or glossed over, will, I am afraid, be considered in foreign countries as threatening war. Hitherto it has been usual only to call out half the number of recruits annually voted, the remaining half being only liable to serve in case of extraordinary need. Blit the Motiitnir chi rA rift& of this morning pub lishes a circular from the Minister of War, giving directions that, by the express command of the Emperor, every man of the contingent voted is to be called to arms at once, and assigned to a par ticular regiment. The recruits will then be divided into two portions, the first of which will serve regularly as heretofore, while the second will be drilled during three months the first year, two months the second, and one mouth the third, being all the time equipped like the regular army, and receiving the same pay. You will see that the government journals will have the hardihood to re present this measure as one of economy ! Before the end of the week, perhaps to-morrow, it is expected that the Onixrtibitiontiel is to bring out a grand and very indignant article on the subject of Syria, in reply to a despatch re minding France of her treaty obligations, which is understood to have been received from London. This article will, I dare say, be signed " Bouiface," but the rumour is that the writer is M. de la Guerronniere. It is also said, on, 1 think, re liable authority, that the Coitatitutionnel has in structions to make another splash about a congress and to disavow any attack by Italy upon Austria. The journey of Prince Napoleon and the Princess Clothilde to Italy continues to be talked of, and it is said that they will start early in February. The continued silence of the Moniker with re spect to Gaeta is again observed upon by the Prow, and the Pays, notwithstanding the general tenor of the recent news, cannot bring itself to say more than that the French fleet will " very probably" leave on the 19th. Notwithstanding a fall of if in Consols, the Bourse opened with couaiderable firmness, and when the se cond telegram from London came with a reaction of a, there was • very decided upward movement. The Relate rose 45e. for cash, and 30c. for the ac count, closing at 67fr. 45c., and 67fr. 35c. Mobi lier, nearly recovering the heavy fall of yesterday, rose 17fr. 50c. The Orleans Railway rose 15fr., and most of the other lines from 2fr. 50c. to Mr. The reasons alleged for the rise were the talk of a congress, and a belief in the success of efforts making to keep Garibaldi quiet. Count Walewski, exercising the jurisdiction over the theatres which he possesses as Minister of State, has forced upon them a wholesome reform in the no menclature of their places. The first tier is now to mean the first tier, and not as heretofore the second or third, and so with regard to other places which managers have been in the habit of iniade scribing to the confusion and vexation of the public, who are induced to buy tickets by false pretences. One of the immediate consequences of sending so great a man as M. de Maupse to be pre fect of Marseilles, is a resolution to build a new prefecture for him at the coat of seven millions of franca. The present hotel, which he finds not good enough, has been bought by the municipality for 2,500,000 fr. The department of the Bouchea-du-Rhone is to borrow the rest of the money, 4,500,000 fr., from the Credit Foucier (an institution supposed to be founded for the en couragement of agriculture), to be repaid in the short space of 40 years. It is reported that Mdlle. de Ochoa, the young lady whose dress caught fire at Mdme. de Errazu's ball on Saturday night, is going ou so favourably that no doubt is entertained of her speedy re covery. ITALY. (ROY 013 Y OW7I TURIN. Jaw, _l2. Hassan Ali Khan, Ambassador Extraordinary of the Shah of Persia, hex had an audience to- day of King Victor Emmanuel. Ho brought several handsome presents for the King, in token of his sovereign's friendship, and has made arrangements for treaties of com merce, and other friendly relations, between the two monarchs. This incident, however, does not attract much attention, occupied as we arc with matters of greater moment. This morning a despatch arrived at the Spanish Embassy an nouncing that the Spanish Ambassador at Gaeta has sent off a courier with an answer to the de mand for an armistice, and other proposals of a similar nature. The adoption : Spanish government as an intermediary, instead of the French, or English, or Russian, leaves us still in suspense. However, we may be pretty sure that the Spanish government, like that of Austria and of Rome, wishes to gain time for Francis 11., put ting its trust meanwhile in some reactionary move ment, or some European complication. You may possibly have heard of the present sent by King Victor Emmanuel to Teresita, Garibaldi's daughter, who is now residing with her father at Caprera. It is a diamond necklace with earrings to match, and was to have been preaeuted to Ler on New Year's-day, hut that the stormy pea prevented its being received in time. It is to be hoped that no overstrained notions of abnegation may prevent the hermit of Caprera from accepting a gift which ex presses the warm friendship the giver has fur Garibaldi Meanwhile the Muralists and the republicans are straining every nerve to prevent a better under standing between Garibaldi and Count Cavour, and are endeavouring by every means in their power to render the new parliament impotent for Italian unification. A violent journal has just been started here under the title of Row and Venetia. From its tone you would say that it wan written by desperate fighting luau. But the truth is that it is written by Signor Brofferio, a voluble advocate. With him is associated the advocate Guerrazzi, a man of a similar sort, who has printed a ponderous volume, which he calls his " Apology," and which merely proves that he was always the advocate of the Grand Duke of Tuscany. In spite of such advo cacy, aided by the clerical party, the good sense of the public will preserve us from the catastroph e which would overtake us if the forthcoming elec tions should return a majority tainted with these unpatriotic sentiments. The government will have no objection to see in parliament the best of Gari bagi's generals, such as Sirtori, Bi io, Medici, and Cams, because it knows that they are honest men, desirous of the glory of Italy, and not mere self-seeking intriguers who would change sides if they could gain anything by it. But the government has no desire to see in parliament the writers and declaimers of the new journal I have mentioned ; or Signor Montanelli, who would give Tuscany to Prince Napoleon ; or Signor Pianciani, formerly aervant of Pope Gregory, and now playing the republican ; or other men of similar views, who in a few days would nullify all that has been done for Italy, and set the whole of Europe against us. Certain journals have announced that General Fanti has resigned the portfolio of minister of war. This is not the case. General Fanti has been laid up more than a week with bronchitis, but he has still managed to transact important business. He has given orders that the cadres be prepared for twelve new regiments. He has also ordered that the bersaylieri, which have now a single central office—which is no longer sufficient, as the corps has been trebled—shall in future be distributed in legions of six battalions each, so as to be more manageable. The editor of the Siena, a journal in the pay of Austria, has t diedat Trieste. He was a Brta cian, named Mazzoldi, who came to Piedmont in 1848, and in company with a certain Perego, now compiler of the Giornale di Verona, a reactionary journal, gave publicity to the views now advanced by the advocate Brofferio. PRUSSIA. The following is a translation of the King's speech on the opening of the Chambers. A tele graphic stunnisq has already appeared : Illustrious and hoble Lords end Honourable Gentlemen— I greet you with profound emotion. By the impenetrable will of God the hopes and wishes that I expressed to go from this place have not been somanpliahed. Together with me and my house you lament We King who has been taken from us after long suffering. What my brother's reign was for Prussia, what the country owes to his gene roes guidance, I have no need to recall to the represents thus of the Prussian people, created by the late monarch, Bing Frederic William has left at a very grave time. A difficult mission has devolved on me, bat, with the aid of God, I hope to accomplish it successfully. You will to y assist me in this work. The country has need of • toned counsels and absolute devotion. After having in presence of eminent sovereigns of the Germanic Coefederation that the tiro. duty of my German policy, of my European policy, is to guard the integrity of the Gee man territory, I thought proper to organise the augmenta tion of our army, for which purpose you have unammotudy granted the necessary credit, not only for in messing the number of the troops but for se miring the consistency, duration and ' solidity of the new organisation. The steps taken for this object are in cluded in the legal limits of our military organisation. You will see by the plans that will be submitted to you, that reductions have been effected for the coming year, which will ensure your being only asked for what is indis pensable for ensuring the reicieucy of the army. Prussia hasresources for maintaining her army on a respectable footing. In presence of the actual situation of Germany, ' and Europe generally, the representatives of the country will not abandon the duty of preserving and developing what has been already created, and will not refuse to sup port measures on which the security of Germany and Prussia depend. In spite of the pressure of political affairs we can regard the state of our finances with satisfaction. It is to be hoped that the expenses standing over from the preceding budget will be completely covered by the current receipt.. Funds preserved with care, as well as the excess of receipt' over expenditure for the year 1859, will be at the disposal of the Treasury. The budget has been drawn up with a prudent regard to a correct estimate of receipts, and a careful reduction of the government expenditure. It shows a fresh increase of pro duction, sod the means of responding to all legitimate re quirements, seconding useful enterprises and institutions, satisfying new wants, and reducing the extraordinary additional grants necessitated by the augmentation of the army. Although for the execution of that great measure it will be necessary to recur still, for the present, to addi tional grants and imposts, we need not fear anemia de ' nagement ; we may even hope, that in consequence ef the natural increase of the sour e& of revenue, and of reforms in the land-tax, we shall be able, at no distant date, to dis pense with extraordinary measures for meeting the ex pauses of the state. I rely upon your approval of the bills drawn up for a final settlement of the question of the land-tax. The crown and the country will not be able to dispense for a long time with one of the chief revenues of the land-tax, and the increase of our army will not be ensured till all climes and all territories, as they are all equally subject to military ser vice, contribute iu a degree fair and proportionate to their means to the expenses necessitated by the arm. The commercial relations of the country, al though they have not yet regained the activity which marked them be fore the political and financial crises of the last few.years, exhibit increasing animation. My government has not ceased to devote special solicitude to favour them in all their branches. A measure for extending our system of ?railways is prepared. The abolition of toll-dues and a great reduc tion of those on the Rhino have been planned with the go. verninenta interested. . . _ My government is on the point of entering into negotia tions with the government of Franoe for the arrangement of the commercial relations between France and the Zoll vereia. . . Retuema in the marriage law, as I announced to von at the close of lan session, will form part of your labour s ; ' and I await with confidence the final settlement which you will give to that question. My government will make communications to you respect ing other important propositions. In the course of last year I succeeded in giving en in creasingly favourable character to the relations between the great Powers, by personal interviews with the monarchs and these are guarantees for the maintenance of the peace of Europe. Impressed by the seriousness of the general situation of Europe, my government is rushing incessant efforts to Wag about a revision of the military constitution of the con federation, in accordance with the constantly increasing military requirements of the present time. I confidently expect that these efforts will succeed, provided all the Garman governments and all the German peoples unani mously recognise the chief need of the moment. In Electoral Hewn a difference exists which my mode rate and well-intentioned counsels have not suns:sled in removing. The efforts of my government have been coo ,: stantly directed towanla the re-establishment of the coasta -1 tutional state of things. I regret that the steps which Prussia, in concert with the other States of the Confederation, has taken for some years past, to secure to the German Duchies united under the sceptre of the King of Deuniark • constitution both regu lar and in accordance with the existing treaties, remain up to the present time without result. Prussia, t ogether with her German allies, recognises it as a national duty to obtain now • befitting solution of that question. My government has commenced at a troubled epoch ; but whatever may happen, I will maintain the principles I pro faned on accepting the regency. The experience I have gained in applying them has only served to give me a higher ides of their value. Resolved to maintain and increase the efficiency of our institutions, and to promote energetically the national interests of Prussia and Germany, I find an unswerving adherence to this path the surest guarantee against the subversive spirit which at present prevails in E rou. I sin confident that under my sceptre Prussia will prove, both io the councils of her representatives and the acts of her people, that she does not intend to fall short of the union, strength and glory of her ancestors. I am confident of the loyalty of the country towards me in evil as well ea in goad days. ' On assuming the reins of government I swore to exercise the power whwli God lin entrusted to me in accordance with the constitution and the laws. On moiling that oath I ask you to take towards me the oath of fidelity which you swore and kept to my brother. In presence of God Almighty you will take, then, the solemn oath that you will be my faithful subjec ts , and you sill it...kt me with your property and your blood in the exercise of my rights and the fulfilment of my duties. The sth corps of the province of Posen, says the :trio Prussian flmette, is about to be transferred to Pomerania, while the corps of Pomerania and the 2nd corps aro to occupy the garrinona of the Duchy of Posen. Thin measure has been canned by the dinconteuted fueling which has manifested itself in this last-named province. The Duke of Brunswick Wm sent General von Erlangen to Berlin to compliment the King of Prussia on bin accession to the throne. SPAIN. The Madrid journals of the 11th do not contain any political news of importance. The Senate had devoted another sitting to the apparently inter minable discussion of the bill on military pro motions, and had once again adjourned. The Congress did not sit ou the 10th, owing to the num ber of members in attendance not being sufficient to form a house. The Expoiin calls attention to the painful fact that, according to an official return just published, not fewer than 1,415 homicides were committed in Spain in the year 1859. Another official return shows that in that year there were in the country 15,491 boys' schools and 6,111 girl's, and that the number of pop'ls in theni was net, less than 3,500,9110. LONDOR JOINT-STOCK BANK.-;THIS DAY.) The half-yearly meet in g _ of the shareh o ld e r s w hehl at noon, at the Bank, Prince...street ; Mr. F. 1. GoLDNIN iu the chair. _ The SLCRETARY read the following report and balan sheet : It will be seen by the annexed statement of actsrunt., that including th e sum of 24,534/. 13 s . tel. brought forward from the last half year, and after reserving 60,0001. to tuft`, the losses incurred by the failures of Messrs. Streatteild, Laurence, and Co., and other fimut in the leather trade, there remains for division a net profit of :e.1,5:91r. which with 3,9711. 6s. 11d. taken from the ;manor fund, enables the directors to declare the usuardivide7.l at the Me of 124 per oentum per annum, feu of incom e . tax. It is with regret that the directors have to anuome t so large au increase to the loss as compared with the estimate made in July last ; but since that period several additionsl failures in the above-named trade have occurred, and the estates of nearly the whole of the insolvent bottler are being wound up in the Bankruptcy Court, whereby the expected dividends have been much dt. tninialted. It is, however, confidently believed that the amount now reserved will be sufficient cover every contingency. The guarantee fund, with the six months' interest accrued, amounted, on the 31st %IBM.), to 214,7331. 18e. Id. ; from which has to lie deduct d, ter depreciated value of government sail Indian 'ay.:Mits. as compared with the prices on 30th June last , 6,5001.; and the sum as before mentioned of 3,971 0 . 6.. Ild.-together, 10,4711. Os. 11d. ; leaving the present amount of the fund, 204,262/. lls. 2d. The directors have to announce with deep concern the death of their much-esteemed colleague, Sir George Carrell, which event will render an extraordinary general monies necessary during the present half year to elect a gentle mm to supply the vacancy thus occasioned. The seats on the direction which now become vacant are these of Hese Christy, Fag., Francis Hemet& Goldney, Esq.. Cherie James Heath, Faq., Henry Lee, Faq., George Pollard, Lei and these gentlemen offer themeless for re-election. TI., dividend will be payable on and after Friday, the rah um " Liabilities and Assets. -Dr.: To capital paid.up, 60,000 shares at 101. each, 600,0001. ; to amount due bi the bank, 10562,6581. 23. 6d. ; to amount of • The hue rantee Pond, ' June 30, 1860, 211,3601. 9s. 11d. ; to r 4 months' interest on ditto, at 3 per met. per annals, 3,1731. Be. 2d. - 214,7331. 18s. Id. ; less, decree since the valuation on 30th of June, 1860, io market value of government and Fast Indian secure held by the bank, 6,5001.-208,2:431. Iris. ld. to unditidel profit for the last half-year, 24,53. 13s. tea. ; amount carried to profit and Ms account, 117,717/. 19e. od. -142,252/. 13e. sd. • total, 11,513,144/. 14.. Cr. : By Exchequer Bills, Indi a Debent and peen . went stock, 1,166,7641. 7s. Bd. ; by cash, and discounted, 10,308,3061. 6s. 4d. ,• by budding, furniture. de., in Prinossetnet, 31,9501. • by ditto, in Pall.rnall, 7,125/. -39,0751. ; total, 11,M3,1141. 14e. "Profit and Leas Ace:cont.-Dr. : To current ,o. pence, proportion of building expeures, director; remuneration, bad debta, income-tax, tec., 2.2,54t0. 1.. 2d. ; to amount reserved to cover the lours in. caned by the failures of Messrs. Streatfeild and co., and other houses connected with the leather trade, 60,016/. ; to amount carried to profit and loss, new account, bring rebate of interest on bills discounted not yet due, 11. Me 19.. 2d ; to dividend account towards the payment of half-a-year's dividend, at the rate of 124 per cent. per annum, upon 600,0001., amount of paid-up capital UV* 60,000 shares, 33,52211. 13s. Id. • total, 142,2521. Its. 5:1. Cr.: By balance brought down, 117,7171. 19.. Bd. ; by at. divided profit brought forward from the last half:te st , 24,534/. 13e. 9d. ; total, 142,252/. 13.. 5d." The CHAIIIMAX, after declaring a dividend at the rent 124 per cent. per annum, moved the adoption of the report. He said it was extremely minful to the directors that the large sum of 60,000/. shriuM have to be written off th profits of the last half-year, in consequence of the extraordinary failure of Messrs. Laurence and Co. and their confederates. It was still more painful that gentlemen who had been customers of the bank altao-t from the commencement should have been guilty of sat disgraceful practices. But it was gratifying to be able to clear off, as he firmly believed they had done, the whole of :IA looses, appropriating 60,0001. out of the profits. Hr. TATLER said 00,0001. appeared to him a shoclue; 'sum to have been written off on account of the failure of single firm. (Hear, Lear) How that loss, with to wisdom supposed to be possessed by such a boon should have berm sustained through defaltstions going et from day to day, was to him a most surprising thing That men, who were worse than the wont mini easy criminals, should have obtained such a large ammo. as if it were a Christmas-box, he really could understand. Not merely the dividend, but the character the bank had antlered in consequence. He knew that sham were no looter repAed and held as they as j f by erristelL ees tridd that some explanation would be give! the • Mr. Amasser ?doom, a director, said the honourable proprietor seemed to imply that the directors had woos corrupt motives for assisting Messrs.. Streatfeild and Com pony. (No ' no.) The loss arose from bills which wen discounted for them. The house was an old eat the bills had the appearan a of bong drive for actual Mee of goods, and it bad transpires in the Court of Bankruptc y that they were in GA purposely so contrived so as to appear to represeut re irmisecttons. Mr. Laurence was a master of finanei 1 ingenuity, and made art look like nature. That was th only melt he could give him ; he was certainly a nnoter his owe business. The board was certainly deceived, b that was no reason for imputing to them improper motive It was not to be su p posed that banking business could done and profits earned without some confidence ; and dire tors would not be human beings if they did not occasionall make a mistake. There were banks which never lent env body anything, and the result was that they wee ea year after year paying only five per cent. results of the past management of that bank showed thu a liberal was preferable to a parsimonious tem. lie bank was established 24 years ago. In the 23 year. en. tending up to the close of 1859 the total profit realised a about 1,74000/. The dividends and bonuses easountei 1,491,9131. 19e. 3d. ; there was paid for income tax. Ills. 6d. ; and the guarantee fund was 203,1951. 3a. l Id.. making a total of 1,726,741/. is.. 6d. The siverageyeale profits distributed, in the form of dividend and bonus. in the five years ternduated in December, 1859, were 22: cent.; and but for the loss of the 60,0001.. the profits of 1880 would have been ?2 15.16 per eat. Even with that /ow there was a dividend .1 124 per cent. (Hear, hear.) He admitted that there ld been a want of penetration on the part of the direction Mt regard to that particular lose-(hear, hear) - but he emit. tossed that it was impossible to conduct such an establil. meet as that sucoseriful4sithout confident*. The bad delu of the 23 years termini. in 1831 amounted to 134,110. showing an average of 5,4351. per annum. Considering amount dealt with that did not appear to him a very matter. It had in fact made a difference of only cue coot in the dividend. (Hear, Lott) As regarded 60,0004 now set apart, Le believed it would more the cover the lowa incurred. With these facts hefos them be did not think the meeting could taking a general view, justly complain of the past MR meat of that bank. (Hear, hear.) Mr. TATLEH said he meant to cast no imputation on our of the directors. He thought such a frank avowal as tie of Mr. Moore was Italian amendment of the mischief ; a he hoped the future prosperity of the brink would juttify them in giving the directors aLsolutios. (Cheers.) The report was theu unanimously adopted, and the fis retiring directors were re-elected. A vote of thanks to the directors, :nod of couldenre is them, was moved by Mr. Rim, seconded by Mr. Wow BET, ind passed by acelemation, and the meeting separierdo BANK OF LONDON.-'THIS DAV) - 4. This day the half-yearly meeting of propriet.w. was held at the London Tavern, tiirJ. SHELLEY, ]l. P., in tli• chair. _ . The following rert wax read : " The director* have pleasure in submitting the annexed statement of accounts, made up to the conclusion ..1 the post half year, showing that the balance of profit and 1.41 account amounts to 31,5:0. 12.. 3d. This result en-.ld, them to make the most ample provision (mall outstinilog debts, which on %Lb:occasion arc rendered unusually large by the great failures in the leather trade, and after liquidating the current expenses, allowing for rebate of interest, sod the usual appropriation fur preliminary expenses, *bac re mains for disposal the sum of 11,7311/. 4s. ld. The director , therefore, declare a dividend at the rate of 51. per tient. annum, freed income tax, and they own 4,6001. to th.• reserve fund, by which addition that hand is incresod to 31,000/. The Valance, viz., 23.41. 4.. ld., is transfeind to profit and lam account of the current half•yeer. " Liabilities and Assets —Dr.: To capital paid up. 360,0001. • reserve fund, 27,0001. ; amount received undo the decree of the Master of the Rolls, 4,812/. 16.. 6d.. amount due by the bank on current, deposit, and , dhe , accounts, 1,617,3R9/. 3s. 91. ; amount carried to credit ot profit and loan aCCOUIit. 43,841/. 11.. sd.—Lem a mount paid to customers for interest on their balance-. 12,2071. 19s. 2d. --31. 5 3 3 /. 121 . 3 d• it0ta,2,0130,733/. lls. 11d. Q.: By investmeuts, viz.:-1n Government securities. India Bonds,ke. 29.581/. 15e• ld.; by ditto in f ree hold pre. Dims i n rinn i ne 9 needlestreet, let at &rental yielding 41. pet 40,000!.; by freehold premises in the occupation of the b na h, 35,0101-75.000/. ; by bills disoounted,loans, Ac., 1 317,6001. 7.. 6 d.; by cash in hand, and a t call, 292,921/. I L yd. ; by preliminary expenses, :1,6171. 5.. sd. ;by and buildings at Charing-moss branch,furniture, he., 1,814!. 8..9.1. —t0ta1. 2,060,7 W. Ils. 11d. " Profit and Loss Account —Dr. : To half a year's . rent /spews. at Hesitboffice and Whoriug-crou branch, had a nd doubtful debts, directots' remuneratioa, ac. 15,204/. lis. 9d. ; to rebate of interest on bills discount.' n o t yet due, carried to profit Rod loss new securer. 3,836/. 13s. 5d.: to amount written off—prelimi• Bat y expenses account, 5001. ; ditto ditto, rlist• impenes lease sod buildings, /s c ., 20w...7001 . ; to d i ,:• deed for the 'ratline at the rate of 5. per cent. 62 111: 7 1 4:: n4 .. c fe : Lce llY it n o . 12sw ; e te b r yhAlan4idief.w.tio'ird..ll.l,lo/into:::eterest on the reserve (sail ; to amount now n1.b.1 thereto, 3,4601. ; to ba l an ce osnied to profit sad les , Cr. : By belonce of profit brought from last half we , . 3tl. ; total. 31,U1/. 1.2 a. :id. Reserve : To Waxer, ..I.tko