The Express.
London, England, 1862-04-03 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, THURSDAY EVENING, APRIL 3, 1862:."'

question of these Spithead forts has nothing to do
with the question of iron-cased ships ! There is,
we would fain believe, a point at which the gulli-
bility of the most gullible of nations passes con*. •
founded. When the British public is in-
formed that the advantage, or the absolute idiocy,
of sinking eleven millions in isolated forts
along the shoals and spits of the Solent, is an
inquiry which they may pursue at leisure, with-
out respect to the larger question (which indeed
is no longer a question) whether the Britiah fleet
at present constituted is so much magnificent fire-
' wood, or whether half-a-dozen French Munitturs
would take the slightest notice of any number of
. forts if there were no English Monitor to warn
them off ; why, we begin to think that it is high
i time for Mr. GLADRTONI to tell us what became
of the person in the parable who intending to build
a tower did not sit down to count the cost. The
person in the parable was a model of good sines
compared with the British taxpayer, who not oily
sits down to build a tower without counting the
cost of it, but without considering whether it can
stand the fire of an enemy's guns or the shock of
its own. Nay, rather with the certainty before
his eyes that the tower he is building is a paste-
board trap.

Ma. E. Bouvraiz has before Parliament a Bill,
intended to relieve clergymen of the Church of
England, who may wish to put off that character,
from various civil disabilities to which they are
now liable. We doubt whether it is generally
known that for an ordained priest of the Church
of England who for any reason lays down his
office, the law, and rules of corporate bodies bone
upon the law, have created a peculiar position
which may be said to be made up of disqualifica-
tions. A petition has recently been presented
to Parliament, in which those disabilities are
briefly set forth. The petitioners, twelve in num-
ber, state that they were admitted into holy orders
in the Church of England, and signed certain
articles of subscription, which they can no longer
reconcile with their conscientious convictions ; that
accordingly they did " voluntarily, but with much
" regret and at great pecuniary sacrifice, resign
" their several benefices and curacies respectively,
" and have reseed to exercise any functions as
" deacons or priests " of the Church of England.
But they have to complain :

That your petitioner, having been thus forced by their
coodienoes to abandon their sacred profession and their pre-
ferments or coracles, now find that they are subjected to
numerous disabilities of a grievous character, which prohibit
them from engaging in any other occupation or profeesion
whatever save that of a schoolmaster ; and that it has
been decided by the Court of Queen's Bench 181 a modern
ease, after full argument, that an ordained pried of the
said church menet free himself from the ohlisiddose of
canonical obedience to the bishop, or casup4 aim*
from correctioo by such bishop for bonne et s-
tkd That by the 78th Canon al 1105, no per-
son, being admitted a deacon or minister, shall from
thenceforth voluntarily relinquish the same, nor afterwards
nee himself in the course of his life as a layman, upon psis
That by the statute 53 George
would render your psii-

be court.
•
WINDSOR CAITL Aram 2. .
nor Mejeety and Prisms Louise evellted in the '
pounds this morning.
Prince Alfred went to London, attended by *e or Cowell,
sad returned in the afternoon.

Viscount Palmerston left London yesterday for Windsor
CUMIe.

To-morrow (Friday) is the day now fired for her
Majesty's departurefrom Windsor Castle for Osborne, unless I
Informatiou should be repaired by telegraph of the sea being
usfavourably rough for crossing, when the royal journey
will be further postponed. The youthful Prime Leopold,
who has been staying at Cannes for the benefit of his health,
is expected to arrive at Osborne to meet her Majesty.
Her Majesty will remain at Osborne until the 213th of the
present month, en which day she will take her &-
wham for Scotland. After a moeth's sojourn at
bar northern resideoce, her Majesty will return to
Wisdom Castle for a few days, and than go to Osborne,
wham she will remain until after the wedding of her Royal
Mlnknem Princess Alice, which will take place in June, at
Caber House, in as private a manner as possible. About
the middle of August the Queen will spin visit Scot and,
and after a mouth's residence there return to Osborne.
Her Majesty will afterwards visit Germany, the reigning
Duke of Saxe Coburg Gotha, trothr to his late Royal
Wilma the Prince Clamart, having adored to give up his
present residence for her Majesty's accommodation, which
kind eller her Majesty will avail herself of. As it is her
Majesty's intention to pass the year In a comparatively
private neinner, it is not expected that she will pay the
Crew. Prince end Princess of Prussia a visit on this mum
skim hot that their Royal Highnesr will visit her M
Oakum

The Princess Frederick William arrived at the
palace at &sassls cm Taseiay, and ematinnrd bet journey
yesterday morning to Berlin. Her royal highneee was met
at Antwerp by the Duchene of Brabant and the Count of
lbadan.

The Marquis and Marchioness of Bath enter-
tained a select party at dinner last evening at their resi-
dence, Warwick House, St. James's.

The Earl and Count Stanhope entertained at
dinner hat evening at their reacienoe to Grosvenor-pleas

the oountele of Shaftesbury and Lady Victoria Ashley: the
Opuntia of Newburgh, Viscount and Viaoottntaw Castle-
rows, Viscount Powerecourt, Lord Stealer, M.P., the
Bight Hon. Sir George Cornwall Lewis, X.P., and Lady
Th Lewis, Mr. Moncktos Xilnee, M.P., and Mr.
Varbiss.

The Earl and Countess Spencer are entertaining
a egad party at Althorp Park, Northampton. Among the
menpany present are the Marquis and Marchioness of Ales-
buy, the Earl of Derby, Earl Granville, Earl Animaley, the
Countess Cowper sad the Ladies Cowper, Mars Marchio-
ness of Ailesbury, Lord Della* Visoouat and Viscountess
Clitden, Mr. and Lady Augusta Start, Mr. Charles Chlrine,
Mr. Payne, Lady Sarah Spencer, de.
The Earl and Countess of Tankerrille will come
to town today from a tour on the Coslineat.

The Earl and Countees of Aylesfortl have left
Claridge's Hotel for Pm:ideates Hall, Coventry.
His Excellency the Ambassador of France and
the Coaster de Rahman setortabsed at dimmer last evening,
at Orivestey House, his Imperial Highems Prince Lucien
&warts, the Drake and Duchess of Sutherland, the Mar-
quis de Galliffet, the Earl and Countess of Shelburne, Lord
and Lady Harry Vane, Lord Frederick Cavendish, Baron do
=ism Sir Roderick Murchison, Hon. Frederick Ilya& Hr.
Omaha, Mr. Levesion Gower, Mr. Bartholdi, &c. Later is
OW evening the Comatose de Rabat& had ►n assembly.

LORD CANNING AND THE NATIVE COIF-

)(UNITIES OP INDIA.

The native communities at India have presented
loyal and grateful addreemie to Lerd Canning, on the eve of
kis departure for England. The native oommunity of
Bombay have requested his lordship to sit for a bud to be
placed in a conspicuous part of the city, and a subscription
has been raised for the purpose. As the Calcutta address
is in Its spirit and sentiments the B:proud= of the general
views and feelings of the country, we subjoin it :

"TO MIS RICELIXNCY EARL CANNING, VICEROY AND

We, the inhabitants of Oalcutta and its vicinity, ven-
ture to approach your excellency, on the eve of your
departure, in order to express to you the regret felt by on
all oa your resigning the government.
_ _

" Diving the eventful period of your administration we
have never failed to admire the justice and impartiality
which have always characterised your actions.
" It is with mingled feelings of respect and gratitude that
we call to mind your humane and merciful conduct to our
unfortunate and misguided countrymen, exercised at a time
when, by moat men, the principles of moderation would
have bees forgotten.
"We thank your lordship for the late extraordinary re-
duction of taxation, which at the very time it lessens the
burdens of the poor, furnishes the bust proof of the pros-
pane condition of the country.
"We en panful for the many liberal measures which
ban adeend your administration ; for the principles of
*dee so ameteatly inculcated by you, rendered doubly
dear by being blinded with a humanity dictated by wisdom
and morimsain.

" la the establishment of the councils of the aspire we
recognise an anxious desire to forward the interests and
well-being of India.

"We thank your excellency for the valuable privilege
which you have conferred upon the community by allow-
ing the redemption of the landed revenue ; and we are
especially grateful for the careful protection of the interests
of the public creditor, which is apparent in the face of the
proclamation issued by your lordship.
" At no time has your excellency been ever wanting in
promoting the welfare of your fellow•creatarer ; the cause
of education never bad a warmer friend.

" We need not enlarge on your many noble and charita-
ble action,.

" We lament the existence of the present disputes and
the bed passions crested by them.
" In acoordance with th 3 benevolent suggestions of your
excellency, we earnestly trust that these our better days
may give rise to kinder feelings, and that resentments of
every kind, among all clams of society, may pass away
and be forgotten. If such should be, it will not be the
least cheerful regnegion in the mind of your lordship, when
patting from the land you have governed so long.
" We look upon your excellency as one who ban saved
this country from peat and impending calamity. The re.
suits us before U 4 :—A mut uy suppressed ; pub lic credit
tneintained ; and pros nnivers d.
"Nothing sow remains but to bid your excellency fare.
well. Safe may you return to your native land; the good
wishes of all attend you.

"Think, at times, kindly of a people by whom you will
always be held in respectful and grateful honour.
"Once again farewelL In the fair land of the West—
if justice and humanity be ever honoured—you cannot but
hold a most distinguished place."

IT INTELLIGENCE..
INDIA.
ABANDONMENT OF THE LICENSE TAX.
We are now in possession of Mr. Ling's statement
of reasons for the abandonment of the license tax,
with the Viceroy's endorsement. The existence of
any danger to the state from perseverance with
the measure is strenuously denied by both gentle-
men—an assurance which the press seems to re-
fun to accept.
The following is the resolution of the government:

LATI

FINANCIAL DEPARTMENT.

Fort William, Feb. 21, 1862.

Bernd report' by the Audike-Geseral of India sad the
Civil Paymasters of Bengal, Yanks, Bombay, the N.W.
Provinces, and the Punianb, on the cash balsam d India
for the months of November and December, MB, and
deanery, 1882

Read also revised estimates, prepared in the financial
department, of the revenue. and charges and the cash
reguirementa of India for the year 186142.
Resolution.—luring three years the financial condition
of India, ommegnent upon the mutiny, has made it news-
Nary that now taxes should be imported upon the country.
Amongst them taxes is the duty on arts, trades, and deal-
bhp, commonly ealled the license tax. The law by which
tide tax is imposed wm passed oo the 16th July, 1861. It
is a tax which has chiefly upon the various classes of
adieus', mechanics, and petty trader*. That these, ea
wall ss the wealthier dames, should, in proportion to their
mss, contribute to the rapport of the Mato, is just in
11 WWI end is consonant with the usages of India ; and the
Governor-General in Council has no reason to suppose that
this principle is not understood and contentedly acknow-
lodged by all. It is the conviction of the GovernorGleostal
in Council that the license tax may be equitably sad advan-
tageously adopted as part of the financial systems of India
whenever the exigencies of the state shell maks it Dearasery.
Bat the Governor-General in Council desires not to tepees

taxes upon any classes without necessity ; and the hapriove-
meat which has now shown itself in the financial eanditioa
of India enables the government to dispose with
the sum which would have been yielded by the lions*
tax. This improvement is demonstrated by the re-
turns lately received under the new system of sooount sad
audit, and by the steady increase of the cash balances. The
cash balances of all India amounted,on the filet of January,
to 18,40,00,000 rupees, which, after allowing for the pay-
ment for all sums due for charges la England, will leave
a net balance in Indi► of more than fifteen mores. As
during the last year oo loans have been mimed ; as in that
time there have been no extraordinary receipts ; sa it is
certain by the returns already before the government
that the actual financial results of the year 1861.62 will
I be more favourable than was anticipated in the estim►tes of
April last ; as most of the branches of revenue are healthy,
and as further reductions of expenditure are in progress,
the Governor. General in Council is satisfied that the

license tax is not required to maintain a financial equi-
librium. He Wu therefore resolved to dispense with it.
The annual sum which the government will thereby sur-
render is between fifty and sixty lace of rupees. This
sum would be collected from ►bout five millions of
payers. As the collection, although not far advanced,
has been begun, the Oovernor-General in Council
determines that, in order to avoid naneemmary trouble and
vexation, and to prevent all doubt of the intention of the
government, the collection shall be abandoned at onos
without waiting for the completion of the budget of the
ensuing year. Accordingly, the Governor-General in Conn-
ell orders that, in anticipation of the law which will be im-
mediately proposed for the,repeal of Act XVIII. of 1861,511
proceedings under that act be stopped, and that any col-
lectienis which may have been made under it be returned
to the payers.

An important measure has been introduced into
the Legislative Council of the Governor-General—%
bill to legalise the dissolution of marriages con-
tracted by Christian converts previous to their con-
version.

Locomotives are now on the rails in the Punjaub.
According to the Delhi Gazette, an ugly rumour is
in circulation of three officers being miming, who
are said to have been murdered somewhere between
Gwalior and Jhausio. "And it is stated that the
remains of their servants have been seen in the
jungle. We give the report as it has reached nu,
coupling it with the expression of a hope, and our
belief, that it is unfounded."
The following is from the Rangoon Times :

Our cotton trade with the upper provinces continued
steadily to increase. We have been informed that there
are boats now coming down with about 51,000 visa of it on
board; converted into English weight, this quantity amounts
to nearly eighty-two tons. The operations of the year in
this single article will probably amount to one thousand
ices. For the first year in which a real demand of this
article from India has been made, the proportion furnished
by Burmah is certainly most gratifying. That it will in-
crease still more, if the demand continues, there can be no
doubt. If we are not mistaken, Burmese cotton now
fetches about Gd. a pound in the English market. The
quantity, however, which has already reached there being
small, it does not figure in the trade returns as from
Burmab.
The Bombay Gazette says :

The cotton produce of this part of the country for the
past year is now in full flow into Bombay. We regret to
say that the native dealers, aware of the increasing clasnaad,
are adulterating the article as sent to market. The evil
has been discovered in time to prevent its being carried to
any very groat length. This practice of the middle•clus
men is one of the greatest hindrances to Indian commercial
prosperity.

THE ROMAN QUESTION.

The hultipendance gives the following account of
the circumstances which led to M de Lavalette's
departure from Reale :
Than has been between him and General de Goyon an
laimeelern to which the embeasador refuses to be subject
any keger. On this point I have the most positive
information. IL de Goyon, having been at Rome
for many yews, instead of confining himself to
his peeve rdk of commander of the French forces, placed
naturally nada the orders of the directing power, is
accustomed to interfere in diplomacy. It follows from
this that in the delicate communications of M. de Lavalette
sad the pontifical government the Ambassador was often
plead in opposition to the Commandant of the French
Army of Occupation. The Italians are full of finesse, and
when they can say to the Ambassador, "But M. de doyen
has told us this—M. de Goyon has told As that," the
valise of the diplomatist becomes untenable. M. de
Goyim has been sesustomed to regard himself at Rome, in
his meaty dside-decomp to the Emperor, as the sal
repreesetathe et his minter ; hence there has arisen an
actual misvalue" between him and the ambassador. The
qualities ate which of them is to be sacrificed is being consi-
dered at this moment at the Tuileries. It is known,
through the Nuncio, If. Ohigl, that M. de Lavalette is person-
allyvery aooeptable to the Holy Father. On the other hand,
by his poetise, and his long relation with the great families
se Rome, X de Goyon ie also able to render important sec-
vies'. However, as it is easier to find a commander of
troop" than a skilful diplomatist, many ponces believe that
M. atia Goya' will be sacrificed ; M. de Lavalette having
formally derired that be will not return to Rome if If. de
Goyon be not removed, and N. de Thouvenel being din.
seed to leave the ministry if M. de Lavalette is not
maintained at his pest. The foregoing I can guarantee.
What is not less certain is that at present there is no in-
testicle of defining, in one sense or other, the policy of the
Emperor in relation to the papacy. It is still the system
of solving slowly, according to occurrences perhaps unfore-
seen but without any violent shock, this difficult papal
prohlem.

(nuna's TniortAre.)
FRANCE.

PARIS, APRIL 3.

The Moniteur of this morning announces that the
Emperor will to-day hold a grand review in the
Bois de Boulogne, of cavalry and artillery regi-
ments.

The Moniteur also publishes the following
despatch from Vera Cruz, dated 7th March :
"General Lorencez has disembarked, and taken
measures that the reinforcements which are ex-
pected should be able to traverse the city.
" The sanitary condition of the troops is satisfac-
tory.”

ITALY.

TURIN, Arm 2, Evmso.

It is asserted that the Clambers will be pro-
rogued in the middle of this month until the end
of May.
The Raba announces the approaching creation
of sixteen new regiments.

SPAIN.
MADRID, Arau. 2, Emma.
The Duke de Brabant has arrived at Seville.