The Express.
London, England, 1862-02-12 00:00:00

SPAIN.

MADRID, Fn. 10.

It is asserted that the decree for the settlement
of the debt of 1823 has received the royal signature.
The Minister of Finance is actively engaged in
the settlement of the redeemable debt.

M. Mon has accepted the Presidency of the
Congress.
ILiDRID, Fn. 11.

It is said that France consents to fix the amount
of the Spanish debt of 1823 at the sum of twenty
million francs.

NAVAL AND MILITARY.

ADMILAIST, Fn. 11.—Arroncratzrzs.—Lien-
tempi A. G. B. Res, to be Berlientenant to Rear-Admiral
Kuper, C.B.
itecondalasterJ. R. Osborn, to the Asia, for *orrice in
the Dart.
Logineer H. W. Elgar, promoted to the rank of Wet
engineer.
Acting First Clan Assistant-Engineer W. Pads* traas-
ferred from the Asia to the Indus as supernumerary.

CHATHAM, Irn.ll.
The Defeoce,lB, Caßt. Powell, C. 8., Ina to here
left her moorings at Folly Point to4loY bat after her
steam was got up it was found that her mew propeller
could not be got into working order, and every attempt to
repair the defect failed. She is believed to have sustained
some injury by taking the pound when lying in this har-
bour.

PORTSMOUTH, Fri 11.
The Enryalus, 51, screw frigate, this morning
hoisted the flag of Rear•AdmLal Augustus Leopold Kuper,
C. 8.. the new commander-in chief on the East India and
China station, appointed to relieve Rear•Adminl fir James
Mope, L.C.8., in the Imperious,.

THE HONOURABLE LRTILLERY COXPANY.

MUSIC.

--•--
CHEWY'S NINF3TRELS.

"The original, well-known, and only Christy's
Minstrels," as they correctly designate themselves, com•
messed their fifth London season at the Polygraphic Hall,
in King William-street, on Monday evening. Being at ,
Covent Garden Theatre that evening to see the successful
production of Benedict's new opera, sod not being able (a
Lord Castlereagh is reported to have once said) to be, like
bird, in two places at once, we missed their opening;
but we heard their second performance last night,
and found ►hem as clever and amusing as ever—
ts attractive too, for the hall was completely filled
in every part by an audience who seemed heartily to enjoy
their entertainment. There is really nothing now•a-days to

be said about the Christy's Minstrels. They have been
everywhere, and have been heard by everybody both in
London and the provinces, and have gained a popularity
quite different, both in kind and degree, from that of any
other band of musical Ethiopians. They alone of their
tribe have become not only popular but fashionable.
Their melodies are found on the counters of our moat
eminent publialzerg, and are warbled by line ladies
.in the most elegant drawing•rooms. In Moms.
Boosey's Musical Cabinet, a publication containing the
mad classical music of the day, there is an ample
selection of the soup of the Christy's Minstrels. And they
really Seem, their popularity. Their negro ditties, very
characteristic and exceedingly droll, ere never coarse,
vulgar, or offensive in any way to good taste ; while their
serious melodies, often graceful and pretty, are sung with a
simplicity of style and truth of expression not always to be
found among performers of higher pretensions. Several of
the solo ainpre have fine voices; and as they all Ow very
cleverly on various instruments, they accompany their
vocal pieces with great delicacy and spirit. We have no
hesitation, therefore, in advising the moat musical of our
I readers to hear these minstrels, if they have not done so
already—they will not be disappointed.