The Express.
London, England, 1864-10-18 00:00:00

AUSTRIA.

The Wanderer of Vienna publishes the following
article, under date of the 14th inst. :
Aocordiug to reliable information, Austria has taken
up a decided part as regards the Convention of the 15th
September. Without deviating from the principles which
have hitherto directed the policy of the Vienna cabinet in
all affairs relating to Italy, the Austrian government has
come to a decision whir& is of the most reassuring nature.
We believe we may state that the Vienna cabinet will
inaugurate a policy of conciliation towards Preece in this
sense—that, without abandoning its passive policy in the
affairs of Italy, it will imbue it with a certain character of
benevolent abstention.

We may add that this change in the attitude assumed by
Austria will not entail any change in the cabinet.
Independently of the resolution taken by the govern-
ment not to oppose the convention of the 15th September,
the Austrian =blunder at the Roman court will receive
instroctions to enlighten the Holy ass so as to prevent
its entertaining wrong Slimier u regards the mission of
Andric

GREECE.
COMMOTION IN THE CONSTITUENT
ASSEMBLY.

A letter from Athens contains the following :

The latest sittings of the Constituent Assembly have been
occupied with • stormy discussion on the subject of the
assimilation of the lonian Islands to Greece as far as taxa-
tion is concerned. One party, cementing of Bulgansta,
ultra-revolutionists, and a few deputies from Corfu and
Cephalonia, demand the immedi►te assimilation ; while the
other, comprising the adherents of the ministry, with the
greater part of the lonian members, and which appears to
be in the majority, desires that it should take place
within a certain determioed period. The opposi-
tion appears to wish to make use of this question
to prolong the existence of the Assembly, 1111 that
Party has proposed to adjourn all discussion on the consti-
tution until the subject was decided. In the first sitting no
result was arrived ►t, and in the second the opposition
members, finding themselves in • minority, left their mats,
sod as the Chamber was then no longer in number, the
sitting came to an end. In the third, high words arose,
which led to blows ; Y. Sooramongas was struck in the
face, and M. Malian, a member of the Bulgarist
fraction, drew • cane-sword on M. Lombardo..
The confusion was indescribable, ►nd the grossest
language was bandied from side to side. In the
midst of the tumult, the deputy Maui rose and
proposed that all taxes should be abolished and re-
placed by an export duty, as in the lonian Islands.
M. Bulgaria and all the deputies of the left supported
the proposal, crying oat, "Since the islands will not
accept our laws, let um adopt theirs'" The agitation was
extreme, and the President, nut being able to suppress the
disorder, closed the sitting. M. Bulgaria left the Chamber
with his partisans, and crowds of persons outside accom.
pulled him to his reddens with erns of " Down with the
taxes! Bulgaria and assimilation for ever!" On the
following day there was • sort of trace, and the Chamber
contioued the discussion on the constitution. The day after
was, however, again as disorderly as the previous ones.
M. Calligas, while speaking in favour of the gradual
assimilation, was hissed, and even menaced by several
persons, who drew their knives, and brandished them over
hie bead. The guard attempted to remove the public, but
was repulsed, and the President, being unable to make
himself heard, once more put an end to the sitting. Y.
Bulgaria was again accompanied home in triumph.

EXPRESS FROM PARIS.

(mom °us owl!

PARIS. MONDAY EVISING.

You will have received by telegraph a confirma-
tion of my contradiction of the reiterated reports
that Napoleon 111. would go to meet the Emperor
of Russia at Lyons. The Potrie, in a note, pro-
bably communicated, now says that the meeting
may be expected to take place at Nioe, and the
rather because, "according to information coming
from the best source," the Emperor Alexander will
remain there from the 21st to the 28th. The Petrie,
however, is instructed to say that the meeting, if it
take plaoe,will be one of pure courtesy, that Prince
Gortchakoft will not be present at it, and that in
point of fact it will merely "coincide" with the
visit to the "Empress" of Russia, which the Em-
peror of Napoleon feels bound to pay in return for
that paid by the Czar to the Empress Eugdnie at
Schwalbach. All this careful wording is taken as
meaning that no political alliance between France
and Russia is as yet arranged. The Prance says
that nothing whatever is, yet settled as to the visit
to the South of France taking place at all.

It seems to be almost certain that the court will
not go to Compiegne this year.
M. Cohen, a leading writer in the France and a
member of the Jewish persuasion, has written to
the editor of that journal to say that he cannot
support its policy in regard to the temporal
power. The France, in a note appended,
relieves him from that duty very graciously
and at the same time betrays a want of confidence
in the cause so dear to M. de la Gueronnibre by
saying that "even if events should disappoint its
conviction it will not the less continue to persist
in it."

There has been scarcely any change at the Bourse.
Business remains dull.

A DISHONEST BANK MANAGER IN PRANCE.

The Correctional Tribunal of Strasburg hes just
tried a man named Hirsch, manager of a joint•stock corn_
pony, known as the Strasburg Discount Bank, on three
several charges of embezzlement, reckless trading, and dis-
tributing dividends whs• the company was in a state of
insolvency. The bank, after nine years' existence, was de-
elated bankrupt in September, 180, and, on an examina-
tion of the accounts, it appeared that the defendant had
sunk nearly the whole capital of the company in specula-
tions at the Bourse, and in other objectionable operation..
He purchased 2,000 shares in the Idontoel mines, using
the funds of the bank for the purpose, and experienced
• heavy loss, which he dissimulated by falsifying the
accounts to the amount of 66,0006. By other
speculations, in Austrian Cridit Mobilier Shares, and
those of the Palace of the liciverml Exhibition at
Auteuil, more than 300,000 fr. were lost, and at a time
when abo►e half the social capital was sunk, he falsified
the accounts so as to nuke the concern appear in snob a
fleuriabing state as to justify the distribution of large
dividends. When the company was declared bankrupt.
the defendant had overdrawn his private account to the
extent of 174,111 tr. Evidence having been heard in sup-
port of the charges, the defendant's counsel argued that
his client bad not been guilty of fraud, and could at most
only be charged with errors of judgment. The tribunal,
however, decided that the charge of embezzling 174,1111 r.
was folly proved, as were those of reckless trading and of
falsifying the amounts in order to deceive the share-
holders ; it therefore condemned the defendant to two years'
imprisonment, and to tar. fine, with all costs.

The Duke de Montpensier and the Count de
Park he.. Jost passed through Vienna, on their way from
Perth to Venice.

A special train paased through Nantes on Sa-
turday, moseying to St. Namara about 800 Belgian volun-
teers on their way to Menke. Thoee men will embark on
beard the Ululate's* and the Florid. steam-packete for Vera
Cruz. Their uniform is becoming, and resembles that of
the Chasseurs de Vincennes, with the esoeption of the
head-drum, which cos lists of a Tyrolean hat surrounded by
a band of yellow twisted worsted.

THE LATE EXPLOSION AT ERITH.

ADJOUILNED INQUEST.—(THIS DAY.)
(nom ova OWN NSPORTZL )

The adjourned inquiry into the death of the un-
fortunate persons killed by the explosion of Xmas. Hall's
gunpowder stores at Erith marshes was resumed this
morning. The interest in the proceedings appeared some-
what greater than on the last ocaudon, there being a much
fuller attendance.

Mr. Poland again appeared to w►tch the ease for the
Maws. Hall. The Lowwood Gunpowder Company woe re.
presented by Mr. Filly, the London agent ; sad Mr. H. S.
Perrin and Mr. Morgan attended on behalf of some of the
sufferers.

Mr. JaMtil George Willey, merchant's clerk, of Bexley-
road, Erith, wee first called and sworn—He said the hack
of my house overlooks the scene of the explosion. Oa the
day in question I was outside of the house looking over to-
wards the river, and I saw the fine flash and heard the tint
explosion. Both the magazines were standing alter that.
Then I saw a second and third dash, and the =guinea were
no longer in existence. lam quite certain that I maw both
magazines after the first explosion. Indeed, I bad no idea
that there were magazines there till after they had exploded,
and I said to my wife that a powder ship is the river bad
exploded.
The Coroner—You are quite positive that you saw both
powder magazines standing after you witnessed the fret
flash and beard the first report
Witness—Quite so.
Thai Cormier then informed the jury that Marrs. Hall
bad communicated to him last Friday that they were desi-
rous that the jury should go to Faversham and Inspect the
stock of barrels in the factory. He had replied that nothing
could be done is the matter till the jury reemembled, but
subsequently be bad received from Mr. Tamell, the solicitor
for Mears. Hall, the following couumusicstion :

0 EXPLOSION AT ZRITH.

" Faversham, Oct. 15, 1864.
" Dear Sir, —I see by the papent that a third inquiry
has been opened by Mr. Serjeant Payne at Gny's Hospital,
and that one of the jury se‘gested that the government
should be requested to send some person to inspect any
barrels now is 7fiewes. Hall's store. As I think the sug-
gestion an excellent one, and in order to give your jury at
Erith the benefit of it, I now, on behalf of Mears. Hall, beg
to request you to have the kindness to send some compe-
tent and independent person down on Monday to examine
Messrs. Hall's stock here (over 30,000, I believe) sod the
cooperage.
" Messrs. Hall inform me that the government have a
cooper at Woolwich, but they do not know him or his
name, be would I think be the right kind of person, but
this I leave to you.

" It would Slim be highly satisfactay to my clients if
you, accompanied by as many of the jury as am make it
convenient to leave home, could arrange to come down at
the same time. Mr. Hall would be in attendance at any
time you appoint, and show you over the stores and any
part of the factory you may think it desirable to see.
" Messrs. Hall would, of conies, be willing to pay the
whole of the expenses of the inspection, it being made at
their suggestion.
" Hoping you will see no impropriety in this application,
and that you will be able to comply with it,
" I remain, dear air, yours very faithfully,
JAmts TAassu..
"Chas. J. Cartier, Esq., Greenwich."

After a brief &measles; the jury decided that it was not
neomeary to go to Faversham to inspect the stock but it
would be desirable to have evidence as to the condition of
some of the barrels which bad been delivered within the
last three months.

Mr. Poland said that plenty of evidence of that kind would
be forthcoming.
Arthur Spinals, a boy who found the letter assumed to
have been written by Rayner, complaining of the state of
the casks, said that he found it in Wickham-lane, near
Plumstead Cemetery. Re heard the explosion, sod shortly
after saw two or three pieces of paper flying about, and he
picked up oce of them out of mere curiosity. He first
showed the letter to a publican and a carpenter, sod then
he showed it to his master, who kept it. His muter said
that be should inform about it. The letter was twice read
to him, first by the publime, next by the carpenter.
The Coroner then read the letter, which the witness
declared to be the same.

By Mr. Poland—l cannot read very welL I picked up
two or three other papers, which I also gave away to dif
ferent persons.
One of the jury asked whether the paper had been es-
ainioed by a strong lens, to see if there was any water-mark
on it.

The Coroner said that had been done. There was no
water-mark on it ; but be believed there would be some
evidence forthcoming to show when it was written.
Mr. J. Loomis, a builder, of Plumetsed, stated that the
last wittier gave him the letter, and be gave it to Mr.
Jackson after the lapse of a week.
Mrs. Dinah Margaret Silver, 111.0111—I am the wife of
Walter Silver. I left Sikh on Thursday preceding the
explosion. I only used to go to the magazine to shut the
window when it was going to rain. I on not see
what was done at Mr. Rayner's magazine. There were no
barges unloading on the Thursday at the wharf. I did
sot go on the river wall. I very seldom went them. Never
tome the bergs.. I never was in Mr. Hall's magazine in
my life. nor was I ever on Bridge-eod.
Sergeant Cox—l renewed summonses fur Alfred and
Benjamin Jones, but I have not been able to Sod them.
The Coroner—These two witnesses are said to be import-
ant, and I was particularly requested to get them hare, and
also two men who unshipped 90 barrels from the Good
Design at Gravesend the previous day. The object of ob-
taining their evidence was to ascertain the condition of the
barrels.

In answer to questions Sergeant Con said that Mr. Cloul.
eon, to whom he had applied, had stated that the permits in
question were out of his employ, and that be did Del hi:ow
their addressee.

Alfred Rayner sworn, son of the deceased foreman—l am
14 years of age. On the manias of the solidest, I bad not
beep up more than a few minutes before the explcaion.
The Coroner—What did you me or bear
Witness —I didn't see or hear nothing. I was smothered
under the heals of brinks and mortar. I was taken out. I
was sensible. I knew the magazine bad exploded, because
it was gone when I got oat of the rubbish. I used to go to
school at ball-past 9, and return about 6. My father
used to do his writing to the magazine always. I did not
use to go into his room when he wrote, but I did °ace. I
hose seen father's writing, arid sometimes put letters in the
post for him, but not lately. About two mouths ago
I posted a letter to Mr. Hell. Ima reed a little, and I could
read that letter, aad the direction was, " Miura. Hall end
Son."

On the letter being h►nded to witness, be said—Pother
did not write on paper like that. Ile used to write
on blue paper. I never heard tether reading letters to my
mother, or my mother reeding lather's letters. I don't know
Mr. Monk, but have seen hint.

By the Jury—l did not see the barges there the night
before, but I have seen them there before. I have sot sees
men boiling their kettles or smoking. Igo to Mr. Davis's
school. I have never seen powder leaking from the casks
when they have been unloading. I have been on the wall
but not on any of the barges.
By Mr. Poland—l have often pasted letters. They were
directed to London.

By the Jury—l don't know wbetber I have ported letters
to Faversham. I did not always read the direction. I
came to Erith on purpose to poet the letter when I did poet
them. Before I went to Mr. Davis'e school, I used to go to
the church school, at Erith. leaver beard my father complain
of the bad state of the barrels, or say anything about them
at all.

Wm. ILickay. of Faversham, muter of the barge Black
Boy ; owners, Mesas. Hall, Faversham. said—The Black
Boy was expressly built for cooveying powdes. She in 36
tons register. I carried only one man with me. I used
to sail in the Good Desigo. At the time the left I wee at
Faversham. My barge came the week before. We came
to and fro none in about eine or ten days. The average
passage op is two days—perhaps more in winter. Some-
times we are op in seven or eight hours; some-
times, when it wee blowing heavy, we were a
week on the voyage laying to. I was delivering powder
a fortnight previous to the blow-up on the Monday. I de.
11 livered about 250 barrels, some in quarters, some in halves,
some in barrels, the largest proportion being in quarter
barreis. Mr. Rayner received them. We put 'petre bags
on the floor—what we call gunny bags. We have nothing
else to use. We always sweep the hold clean. not swab it ;
then we put 'petre bags, and then the barrels. Every one
Is handed. We don't roll them, but lift them. When the
hold is full we batter) down the batches, ►nd put down a
doable set of tarpaulin'. I assist in unloading. At that
time we use dippers, like Sloes in the magazine.
The Oorooer—When do you have fires?
Witnees—Not when we are loading, but we do when it is
all battened down.

The Coroner—Had you aey fire on the last passage !
Witmer—Tot whoa we were &kepi& usloadleg.

The Corooer—But on your purge up ?
Witnese—Yee ; on the plumy when we were hettetel
down we did.

By the Caviler—The jetty was always washed Coen
when the tide Ma up. We wear our ordinary boots wbeo
on the voyage, but not when we come to the wharf. .V.l
the barrels I brought op were sound, no leakage at all. Tte
head of a cask COMPS oat, or the hoops come off. Never vaa
each a thing as their coming to places in handling. Itoycer
used to send frequent messages to me. He need to seal
letters by me. On last voyage I took no letter from 31r.
Rayner to Mr. Monk.

By the Jury—Rayner never oomplained to me about tb.
casks being in a bad state. I never carried powder on deck
on any occasion. I never delivered powder on the riser
from my barge, nor did I ever bring anythiog but a life,
Ere wood or 'petre bags.

By the Jury—Are you not prohibited from burning a Cre
on board !

Witness—No, never, not that I ever heard of ; but
never have any fire when unloading, only when the he'd*,
are an. There is no regulation I know of prohibiting master,
from having fire, and we are coasters. We never run
barrels of powder on the deck. I have bean! that they
have done so, but don't believe it. If they ever have hal
anything on the top of the hatches it was empty casks. it
is impossible fee me to say whether either of the I...rge:,
delivered powder in the river. I never delivered powder to
a steamer. Neither I nor my mate smoke.
By Mr. Poland—When the hatches are on and covrrel
with tarpeuling, in my opinion there is no danger, or who
unloading. I have seen sparks fly on board of us many .
time from steamboats when we are coming up the ricer.
If anything occurs we are on the spot.

By Mr. Poland—The ticket produced is my half•yearly
certificate ; it is of a coasting vessel, trading from Faverbar:
to London and other porta. To get to Faversham we go
right round the Isle of Sheppy since the railway bridge is
building. We me obliged to show lights according to reA•
lation. We must always have lading light" to prevent
being run down. I have seen far more danger of heir.; run
down by steemboata than ever I have by fire. The 'Rene
begs were put on the bottom of the boats to have somethit,
soft to put the barrels on. We tore brimstone and salt.
petre down to the magazine. Mr. Rayner was a very careful
mu. I sever had any fault to find with Mr. Rayner.
By the Jury—l have known barrels let slip oat of the
hand in handling, but never knew of any explosion in come.
queue. The danger in unloading results from "teasers
musing, but we always keep the red flag flying whim unload•
iog. We don't keep the danger flag up till we come to
Sheerness. We don't open all the hatches at once—only
gradually. There is no danger before we get to Sbeernen.
We have the red and green light, the same u other vends.
By Mr. Poland—l do not know that we could have any
other light. Gladstone and Wise belonged to the Harriet.
Neither of them smoked. Jemmet and Barber, of the
Good Design, did. They had cold dinner" while unloading,
bat we do sometimes have fire when lying alongside, when
we are battened down, though partly unloaded.
[The inquest was proceeding when our report left.]

WEATHER REPORT.-(THIS DAY.)

nzIiDAT, OmMa 18. $ 8.11.

B. T. W
Nairn ;29. N.W. 6; 4 W.N.W. en 0.10 1
Lberdesa 2132 47 W.&W. ' 5 W. b '2
Lelth 149,p; I
ro 7 W. TO 1
Ardrossan W.N.W. 6 W. 0.24 4
U Greencase - - -
al Gway ; W.BW. ; W.&W. c 007 3
Valenti& '29.61 51 W. 1 6I W.N.W. e 0.14 4
Cape Clear 29.01 W. I ' N.W. e 3
Queenstown 29.60 W. 1 11 N.W. 02
Liverpool 29.60 501 8. 2 e 0.01
Holyhead 29.66 511 i B.&W. 4 6 &W. b 3
Pembroke U. 656! W.N.W. 2 0 W. oc 0.00
1/suranos .. 1x.73 0 4 N.W. 5 W. e 10.30
Brea 29.76 541 &W. 11 6 W.& W. to 4
L'Orlent 29.7357 W.B.W. 3 ; B.N.W. b
eoch•fort eg 84 50, L&IL 4 2 N.Z. Ibe
Mrmouth 49.700 Z. 016 W.R.W. me 3
Weymouth D 1.701551 W. 2 6 W. loc 0.08 5
09 Portsmouth 19.,43 W.&W. , &W. to 0.07 2
Itindou ':A49 6! W.6.W. S 6 W.S.W. oc 0.03 -
Dover 29.741 W. 3 0 W.O.W. lon. 2
Yarmouth
eearhorough 29.1514 &W. 5 W.R.W. rL 5
13111•614 29.49 51 &W. 616 W.N.W. bo 4
Heligoland 2956153 W.N.W. 3 3 W.&W. c 0.2! 8

111I'DIRSDAT. CO N =Mail THrItfIDAT.
N.W. to &W.. strew. Coast& B.W. to N.W.' odes to
equally. with rolrole.fres& ooze raft
S.W. to N.W., tee* to Wonsan. n W.W. to N.N.W.,
• gale, rata at Wawa. troth.

strong to
showery.
S.W. to N.W.. strong. Scgrnitzt. As nestihere.
squally. with showers.
As next above. Zurna. S.W. to N.W. strew,
with squalls,
tied.
Cautionary signals on all coasts on Monday.

-Wirearnalzelaud. Wean, sad .1.
Clisaaal awl Bay of &+W. laitara
Ara