The Express.
London, England, 1862-12-25 00:00:00

STOLEN KISSES. —PIESSE and LUBIN'S
NEW PERVITIMI far tbs Wativ
weitiee--84440 Own and
their Sequel. Doz-liteatn. SW U al Offeetr. kW
Ulm &MAIM Is • PrinT Ts.-4. low ica•-streo• alma.

gut entrtoo.

dvsetlcemento tabZolo7 lon "11o~P'r• Lamina Wonky
Tapir, must boo an dr ono% 14, boavalowlemb by Two
o'clock on the day at yablicallon.

COVINT GARDEN.
To-iorararaw Itvonrara, and sad ad ACAS of THY'. 130REIIIAN
GlRL—Arad the paid mole flAatataeYaitomtme,efUWd
NALLIQIIIN DRAUTY AID TAR RLlAT.—Commeaoe at 7.

NAYNABNIY.
To.Neasew !MONO, 001 ANIIILICAN COUSIN. Yam
&Abut sod Backdoso ; Km IL nig-SMILAX
PILINCS OF ABYSSINIA. Xt. Campton and Mins L. Betio.
—And A PAY AFT= THI WEDDING.—Irso Harem.

To-t .6m Emma, TIME TEM ALL Wm Ommtanee
Aylmer.. And the Pantonthae, lIQUIT WITH THE TUFT ,
or, Aselsersin and Sethi. 80ipion. Messrs. Milyto, IL. Power,
and lisilerd; Ifise A. Cations.

.
SIZTANNIA.
Iltandirg Performanar at half-out 12 tomorrow or'y of
Um New Pantomime entitled AMON MAMAS. Abort. lire.
Lae. Tem Omen, er-Chaamioq and hiatwo perform'," Merl,
walk frat.rate Pantaw'etta, a &ppm-

HIGH HAUG AT LONDON BRIDGIL
Tam DAT —lkeda& 4b. 50ea.....Attanom. 54. Ifts.
rt..-moutOw—llardmg. I. Mea.....Afbarsoos. 61%. oe.

LONDON, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25.

" RaJores, ye righteous, this is the birthday of
" the Jnerirtas ; rejoice, ye weak and sick, this is
" the birthday of the SAVIOUR ' • rejoice, ye pi:-
" Boners, this is the birthday of the Riunauzit ;
" rejoice, ye slaves, it is the birthday of the LORD ;
" rejoice ye freemen, it is the birthday of the
" LIBERATOR ; rejoice, all ye Christians, it is the
" birthday of CHRIST." These are the inspiring
words in which Sr. Ai:Totem hails the return of
this great Christian anniversary amidst the ruinous
decline of the most powerful Pagan civilisation,
and the general dissolution of the old Roman
world. And though our circumstances are so
widely different from his, the words of the great
Christian Father are as fresh and applicable to-day
as they were fourteen centuries ago. When he
peened this stirring invocation the strongest and
most perfectly organised civilisation of • purely
material type which the world bad ever seen was
just completing its fatal cycle of civic hardihood,
military conquest, social corruption, and hopeless
national decay. Tyrannical selfishness and unbridled
sensuality, the abuse of power and the lust of
self-indulgence, had utterly eaten out the once
boasted virtue of the Roman, and the mighty
fabric he had raised was falling on every hand
beneath the attack of the invader. Amidst this
wide-spread ruin the eloquent apostle of the
African Church celebrates the advent of a new and
regenerating power—the appearance of • Pi:nce
who was at the same time a Saviour, a Redeemer,
a Deliverer; and the establishment of an empire
whose conquests are not over the persons but over
the wills, the consciences, and the affect'ons o'

men. The triumphs of that spiritual kingdom have I
largely multiplied since then, and its Divine Power ,
has been manifested on the widest @cafe. We still ,
celebrate with sacred joy the advent of its Div;ne
Founder, and recognise in his life and teaching the
germs and principles of a new and noble life for
the individual and the race. Christianity proves
its claim to be the true life and sovereign hope of the
world, not only in the purity of its pfnciples,
but in its practical results. Its success is as yet
only partial, but so far as its influence extends
it not only raises the individual but regenerates
society. To it we owe the idea and the existence
of the English home. It consecrates the mar-
riage bond, lays the foundation of the social
state in equal wedded love, and reveals for the
first time the depth and sanctity of the
domestic affections. Wherever it goes it
carries with it the sacredness o family life, die
true germ of all social progress. The birthday
of its Divine Founder is thus in all Christian
countries appropriately set apart not ()ply or
even chiefly for public thanksgiving, but more
especially for private family intercourse and
domestic enjoyment. It is the tame-honoured
season of family gatherings, when the value and
sanctity of home are inipresaed afresh on the
hearts of its united members. All the enjoyments
and associations of the day are closely connected
with that sacred spot, and help, even in mines
touched with the hardness and huni of the world,
to revive with salutary power, if not in all their
early strength and tenderness, the influences and
affections of home.

But the principles of the Kingdom whose advent ' ;
the Christian world celebrates to-day have a scope '
and application beyond the limited circ'e of family
life. It is a kingdom of justice and trutl-, of
peace and freedom, and those who own its sway
are virtually pledged to co-operate with its Divine
Founder in helping by every means in their power
to further the progress of these principles. This
imposes public duties and responsibilities of the
most distinct and important nature. Those who
bear the Christian name are in virtue of that pro-
fession pledged to resist every form of tyranny
and opposition, every species of selfish aggran-
disement and social injustice. They are bound
to oppose every form of unrighteous vio'eroe
and strife ; to subdue in their own minds, and, as
far as their influence reaches, in otheii, the turbu-
lent passions and violent prejudices which natu-
rally lead to these calamitous restate. Yet, on
looking at the state of the so-called Christian
world, at home and abroad, we are sign—tcai tly
rerr *nded of how much Christianity has yet to do
in order to assure Le triumph of its Brat prirciplel
over the life and conduct of its proles/ohs.
We see in too many instances that, however
much men may act under Christian influences in
their private life, they are often no better than
heathens in discussing public questions and dealing
with their public duties and responsibilities. In
this region any reference to the higher law which
Christianity reveals is not unfrequently treated as
fanaticism by those who loudly claim the Christian
character. This sufficiently proves that the trit"nph
yet achieved by Christianity over communities is
only of a very partial and imperfect kind. Much
of what daily happens around us tends to show that
we have yet to learn the first principles of Christian
freedom, justice, and temperance—so far, at least,
as their wider applications are concerned. In the
conflict which unhappily divides the North American
continent for instance these principles come directly
into play. It cannot be denied that the deliver-
ance of four millions of human beings from a
wicked and degrading thraldom is the real issue at
stake in that conflict ; yet many on this side of
the Atlantic have not only lost sight of this great
fact, but are disposed, when it is insisted on, to
treat it as of small practical account. They ignore
altogether the prime object of that Divine Advent
celebrated to day. It revealed in the most
striking form the individual worth and sacredness

of humanity, and branded

time es the worst form

against the Divine economy of happiness; free-1
dom, and peace which Canna came to set
up. Many, however, looking from the lower
pound of monetary ooevenienos, and judging
the mourned institution by its fitness to

rapport some favourite theory of government,
are disposed to consider slavery no great evil. It
is satisfactory, however, to find that notwithstand-
ing the partial prevalence of this tone on both sides
of the Atlantic, the great cause of humanity is not
wholly sacrificed, nor the hopes of the world dis-
appointed in the progress of that conflict. It
ought to be reoorded as a cheering fact on this
Christian Anniversary that the President of the
UNITED STATES has for the first time in the history
of that people taken decisive action against this
curse of his country and the world. Mr. LINOOLN
ID urging his scheme of Emancipation on the atten-
tion of Congress, says emphatically—" In giving
" freedom to the slave we assure freedom to the
" free, honourable alike in what we give and what
"we preserve. We shall nobly save or meanly
" lose the last, best hope of the world." That at
least shows that one great Christian com-
munity
is gradually rising to a clearer
perception of the higher law of justice which
Christianity enjoins. We have our own public
duties in relation to that great contest ; and first
and foremost amongst them is, as far as possible,
to act justly and keep up the friendly relation be-
tween the two nations. The leading ideas connected
with this Christian celebration are those of deli-

versace and peace, of peace secured through de-
liverance from the selfish passions sad social

injustices that lead to violence and war. In
this direction we may all do something towards
extending the triumphs of the PRINCK of Paxca,
whose advent we recall with gratitude and joy this
morning.

IT is a pity that the action by Mr. HUDSON
against the Benchers of the Middle Temple was not
tried some few weeks earlier. The playwrights of
the Christmas pantomimes have scarcely com-
pleted their work before Mr. HUDSON suggests the
screaming tableau of himself struggling on the floor
of the Parliament chamber for the possession
of a letter-book, with what be calla a "clustering"
of the " grave and reverend" Masters of the
Bench and all the porters of the Society. To those
whose youthful freshness for pantomimes is past,
and who are sick of Harlequin and Panta-
loon, the entrance of the inevitable policeman only
to have his hat knocked over his eyes,
and buried under an avalanche of gigantic hams,
sacks, and sausages, is always reviving. Bat the
daring artist who will have the courage t 3 repla,3
the policeman by Mr. HUDSON, and the mis-
chievous crowd of idlers, shopkeepers, and smrll
boys by Sir FREDERICK SLADE and his brother
Benches, in silk gowns and longwiga, produ.)
a sensation scene, before which the lake scene
the Colleen Bawn, and even Lord Dundreary,
" must pale their uneffectual fires." There is
a well-known entei :ainment famirar to the initiated
at which all the Judges on the Bench and the
eminent Counsel at the bar are nightly burlesqued.
The audience is large—the speculation sucoessfoL
But to appreciate its merits needs special know.
ledge—the rapt auditor must at least be a lawyer's
c'erk or a bum-bailiff. Of Buzfuz without his wig
and gown, neither TOY TAYLOR nor even Diorites
has been able to make anything. True, Mr. Brief-
less in his chambers in the Temp's in dressing-
gown and slippers with a library of empty shel zes,
his feet on the hob, and a pipe of Ohs :co, has

long possessed the stage. Still the silent moments
of a working lawyer's lift—when, artsr the noisy
labours of the day, he retires to the sumptuous
inner chamber of his Inn to discharge the solemn
duties of the mahogany, have defied the plastic
hand of the playwright. But this is the era
of transformations. We literally turn diseases
to commodity. The sewage of towns is utilised—
and, according to some enthusiasts, even the
mud of the streeta, if properly manipulated,
may be turned into gold. The imaginative
Mr. HUDSON has used his materials with in-
finite ingenuity. And though his dramatic
picture was little adapted for the arena of a Court
of Justice, for it was the simple creation of his
own brain, still it is well worthy to be transfers% d
to the boards of Drury-lane or the Adelph.l.
The circumstances which gave rise to the action
are very simple. Dru:ng the late inquiry by the
Benches' of the Middle Temple into the conduct
of Mr. DIOBY Szywous, Mr. HUDSON attended
as a witness in Mr. Szistoes's favour. During
his examination the Benchers handed to him a
book which he recognised as one formerly kept by
him in connexion with the " Waller Gold Mining
" Company." This book Mr. HUDSON put into his
pocket, declaring that. it was his proper..-,
and defied the Benches, to take it fro-n
him. This book, as it appeared, contrned
seventeen letters, it only of them copies of Mr.
HUDSON'S letters, the remainder being copies of
letters written by the secretary of the company,
and one written by Mr. Dicier SEYMOUR. The
Bombers were naturally irritated, and demanded
I the book back. But Mr. Huroost refusing, they
Galled in their set rants and porters, and attsmpkd
to take it by forca. In the meantime, some
one summoned the police to the room. The
violent scene ceased, and Mr. HUDSON went to
the station-house with the pol'oe-constable.
Mr. Boasnows, one of the Benchers, arrived
about the same time, who made a charge of " im-
" properly taking the book." The superintendeat
of police declining to accept this charge Mr. Mun-
son was dismissed. For the treatment thus re-
ceived Mr. HUDSON brought his action. His
complaint was, that he had been assaulted,
imprisoned, and given into custody. The answer
of the Bendier, was, that they were entitled to
make the assault in order to recover
the book, which was fraudulently taken out e their
possession, and that Mr. HUDSON was never iu
fact given into custody. The trial has lasted four
days, and was only concluded yesterday.
After three hours' deliberation the juij were (1:15-
charged without being able to agree upon a
verdict. The result is, that each party will be
obliged to pay his own coats ; and probably Mr.
HUDSON will not think it worth his while to try
his fortune a second time. One object has cer-
tainly been gained. He has had an opportunity of
giving his own version of the insults heaped upon
him ; of having his persecutors, the eminent
lawyers who oCensively cross-examined him, cross-
examined themselves in return ; and of heap-
ing as much public ridicule as he could
upon the Inns of Court and upon those con-
nected with them. As to the legal points
involved, there is not much difficulty. It is clear
that unless the letter-book in question was proved
to be the private property of Mr. HUDSON, he was
not justified in detaining it; whilst, on the other
hand, it is also clear that the Benchers were jus-
tified even in resorting to violence in order to re-
cover possession of the book in question. That
this book was not the private property of Mr.
Hopson is tolerably obvious from its contents—
for only six out of seventeen letters were Mr.

VRESB9 A
unacies. list although the Bineleers may have
Ulm jailbird in haviscrecourse to *lance, tt i■
difficult not to agree with tithe Loso
Cam Juane; that they would have
better consulted their own dignity if they
had allowed him to depart with that divified con-
tempt which he deserved, and not have suffered
the Parlianent•ohamber of the Middle Temple,

where the interests of the profession have been
watched for so many generations by some of the
most distinguished lights, to be converted into a
theatre for inch a scene. As to the question
whether Mr. HUDSON was given into custody, it is
not surprising that the .jury should have
found it impossible to oome to an agreement.
Whatever impropriety Mr. BUNION may have com-
mitted in taking possession of the letter-book, it
certainly was no act of stealing. It is well known
that if a man takes a thing under the belief that
it is his own property—and this was evidently Mr.
EIIINION'S conviction—it is no act of theft, it is no
crime. The distinction between " taking "
and " stealing " is a crux as well
known to young lawyers as the pans
asinoruns to Cambridge freshmen. It is
oomical to observe the instinctive way in which
the old Common Law foxes shrank from the trap.
It was only Mr. BAGBHAWE, who never strays be.
yond the dingy purlieus of Lincoln's-inn, that is
supposed to have committed himself to the charge
of " stealing." Upon this point, however, there
was a conflict of evidence. The police swore one
way, the Benchers another. The jury, therefore,
may
well be excused for declining to come to any
conclusion on the subject. .

This trial, which may probably conclude the
celebrated cam of Mr. DIGBY SEYMOUR, suggests
some useful reflections. There is no reason to sup-
pose that in that case the Benchers of the Middle
Temple arrived at any but a just conolusior.
At all events, it is obvious that Mr.
DIGBY SEYMOUR submitted to their jurisdiction,
and that if he is dissatisfied he may appeal to the
Judges. At the same time it is impossible to say
that the mode in which Mr. DIOBY SEYMOUR'S
case was investigated was satisfactory. The time
was inconver;ent, and the Judges were variable.
Eat the Benchers of the Middle Temple, who were
practically put upon their trial, the other day
at Westminster-hall, when Mr. DIOBY SZYMOUR
brought h's action for the libel in the Law Review,
and yesterday at Guildhall, must now be
able to appreciate the importance of having
a trial conducted in due form. Would it be hyper-
ciAical to ask how they would have been satisfied
if the trial just concluded had taken, place at in-
tervals of some days—but always after dinner—
if, instead of having the same judge, and the
mire jury, the Chief Justice had been replaced
sometimes by one of his pulsar* sometimes by a
Baron of the Exchequer, and sometimes by a Judge
of the Common Pleas ; whilst the twelve jury-
men who ultimately were to pronounce a veil:Pet
se'dom sat for two nights together? Would
they have been satisfied to have bad the evidence
of Mr. HUDSON and the police heard by the jury,
whilst the evidence of Mr. BAGSHAWE rod Sir F.
SLADE was allowed to be gathered from the shot.'
band writer's note.? We suspect not. But if so,
the procedure adopted in the Parliament-chamber
needs instant reform.

CO Coun.

OSBORNE, Du. 20.

The Queen, with Princess Louis of Haase, drove
out yesterday. Cowden Blusher had the honour of booom-
pen) :eg her Majesty.

On Vriday and Saturday in the past wet her Majesty's
bounty and pte alms, to aged and meritorious poor who had
been recommended by the clergy in the various parishes and
districts in and round London, were distributed, at the
Almoniy-office, in Scotland-yard ; and on Monday and
Tuesday in the current week three distributions were re-
' slimed in anticipation of Chistmse.
Three distributions were made under the directing care of
the Lord Bishop of Oxford, Lord High Almoner, and the
Rev. Dr. Jell, D.D., Sub-Almoner, by Joseph Hanby, Bog.,
Secretary and Yeoman of the Armour in Ordinary.
Despatches were received yesterday at the Colonial-oece
from the Govemers of (Marotta, and Malta. Despatches
were sent to the Lord High Commissioner of the lonian
lolanda, sad to the Governor of Oanada.

Sournanrroze, Dec. 24.—His Royal Highnem
Prince Arthr., attended by Major Elphinetono (governor),
embarked from the dock., this day at half-past one, on
bo..rd her Majesty's yacht Airy, Master Commander
Welch, for Osborne. Hi■ Royal Highness was re-
ceived by Mr. P. Hedger and Mr. John Levy, principal
officers of the docks, and Mr. R. Beach was in attendance
on the pert of the South Western Railway. His Royal
Rieman appeared in the enjoyment of the been of health.
The Augsburg Allgemeine Zeitung says :—" The
visit of the Crown Prince and Crown Princess of Prussia
to Vienna, it is stated on the best authority, has promoted
the most intimate relations between the royal guests and
the imperial house. The Crown Primes speaks highly
of the grace of the Empress, who, on her pert, is much
charmed with the engaging ami►bility of the English
princess. The intercourse of the two exalted ladled wri
by no means confined to the nu stings prescribed by the pro-
gramme, for they sought each other's society as often as
they found a moment's leisure, and pawed hours in the
most oonfidential conversation. The Emperor used the
' Du' (the second person) in addressing the Crown Prince,
se did the Empress in her conversed= with the Crown
Princess. Her royal highness did not appear at the theatre,
in compliance with the wishes of her royal mother, and in
accordance with her own feelings, on account of the mourn-
ful event of this tune last year. Her royal highness wore
mourning on appearing in public."
Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge
entertained a select pu.y at diner !Ist evening at her
residence at Kew. . . . . .

The Duchess of Inverness received a select party
at dinner last evening at her apartments in Kensington

The Earl and Countess Stanhope are receiving a
succession of visitors at their seat, Chesaning Park, Seven-
oaks.
Frances Countess of Albemarle and Colonel the
Hon. Peregrine Cast left town yesterday on a visit to the
Hon. and Rev. Richard Cost, at Belton Rectory.
Viscount Mahon will leave town in a few days
to join the oink assembled at Chansons Park, Kent.
The Lord Chancellor has presented the Rev.
Augusta James Parson; 8.A., of Trinity College, Cam-
bridge, canto of Southover !ad All Sainte, to the re ;tot y
of St. Anne, Lewis, rendered vacant by the death of the
Rev. Charles Stroud Green, M.A.
The honorary canonry of Driffield, in York
Minster, rendered vacant by the death of the Hon. and
Very Rev. Dr. Rice, dean of Gloucester, has been conferred
upon the Hon. and Rev. William Howard, M.A., of Christ
Church. Oxford, rector of Whiston, near Rotherham.
The Caledonian Mercury commenced yesterday
the publication of the correspond/Doe between Major
Yelverton and Miss Longwortb, with "An introduction
and explanatory notes by the Hon. Mrs. Yelverton."
A New York paper says that a daughter of the
late Mr. G. P. R. James has elapsed a roues ladle? school
in that city.
EItANCIPATION Socurrv.—Mr. John Stuart Mill,
the Rey. Baptist W. Noel, Professor Cairns', Lillail6lll2i.
General Annan Tbompsoo, Mr. Stansfekl, ALP., Dr. C.
J. Foster, Professor Newman, the Rev. Newness Hall, Mr.
Thomas B. Potter (Manchester). Mr. Duncan M'Leren
(Edisburgh), Mr. B. Scott (City Chamberlain), the Mayor
of Manchester, Mr. P. A. Taylor, M.P., Mr. Hugh Mason
(asiitoepeador-Lyss), and Mr. Edward Mien, have an epled
invitation to become member of the committee of the
6 Emancipation Society.

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