The Express.
London, England, 1864-05-17 00:00:00

THE WAR IN DENMARK.

(isoa ova avvvw. ooa

XIDDELFART, PLI Illunszicu,YAT 1L

The news of an armistice overtook me at
Odense on my journey hithes-ward. For several
days past there had been a rumour in Copenhagen
that some such arrangement would soon be made.
If Denmark were only content to raise her block-
ade of Prussian ports, and yet to leave Prussia
in quiet possession of Jutland, it was clear
that she oould obtain a suspension of hostilities.
Englishmen must not fancy themselves the bene-
factors of this ill-used little country bemuse the
wet is momentarily stayed. We owe something
more to Denmark than merely procuring a short
respite from her despoilers. Negotiations are now
on foot regarding a permanent peace. England
has cut the poorest imaginable figure since first our
unfortunate ally was assailed by German armies,
and is bound in honour to come forward, even at
the eleventh hour, and save what she has signally
failed to protect. But I will not expatiate upon a
very sore subject with these gallant Danes. It is
moms to state three facts, which should be
reasobered both in and out of the London Con-
fersoce.

Nothing whatever has yet been done by England
towards rescuing the Danish monarchy from de-
struction. We reasoned, expostulated, and, latterly,
threatened. Our national opinions were treated
with contempt ; Sleswig and Jutland being completely
overrun. Secondly, this diplomatic triumph of
obtaining a truce between the belligerents has been
wrung, not from haughty Prussia, nor strong-
handed Austria, but from poor dismembered
Denmark, who yields up ber one mauls of attack ix
exchange for empty promises. Thirdly, the German
powers have made tbeir original crime in invading
Sleswig still darker by numerous acts of atrocity.
They now stand before Europe as unblushing rob-
bers, treating the claims of their own bewildered
peoples with contempt ; leaving Frederic of
Auguatenburg, the Frankfort Diet, and the in.
habitants of Holstein out of sight, whilst they
calmly appropriate a neighbour's territory. We are
apt to bury disagreeable topics, and I only put for-
ward the above forcible appeal, lest your readers
should forget, amid rejoicings that bloodshed is
stayed, how much it behoves us to support a just
I cause, although now its battle is waged not in the
field but the council chamber.

Placards, posted up at every corner, announce
that hostilities are suspended, and groups of
soldiers gather eagerly round them, or stand talk-
ing loudly in the street, with au air of anything but
pleasure. Nobody seems overjoyed, as it had often
been prophesied they would be, by bearing that for
a whole mouth the enemy will remain inactive. A
lovely evening makes the Belt look blue as some
Mediterranean gulf. Means of timber are scat-
tered along the shore, and leaves come greenly
forth upon the trees. What with sunshine and
pretty scenery there is all that nature can offer to
cheer the Danish army that watches this important
strait. And yet I observe sad faces arnoapt them.
After so much suffering for old Denmark, she seems
deserted, and the soldiers who had hoped against
hope for foreign help look very pave. I must
close this letter to catch the outgoing mail.

IDDELF "RAN PRRDKRICIA, MAT 12.

General congratulations and rejoicings over the
reported naval victory. No particulars yet received
at this place, beyond a telegraphic summary, in
which Austria is described as thoroughly beaten,
off Heligoland, with the loss of one vesseL Cer-
tainly the armiatios will begin very pleasantly for
Denmark, should this glorious news be confirmed.
It has greatly encouraged the Danish soldiers, who
were rather cast down by hearing that their go►ern-
ment bad agreed to a truce.
My journey through Fyen afforded a striking
contrast to the same route as seen amid snow
storms and icicles two months ago. The country
was then concealed by a white mantle of snow :
the trees were frosted over till they looked like
silver wire-work, and it was bitterly cold. Now
everything speaks of approaching summer. Fields
and hedges are green with ripening vegetation,
whilst the fine high road between Nieborg and
Middelfart is covered by clouds of dust This
latter change may scarcely seem an improve-
ment, especially when travelling " extra post,'
as did our party yesterday afternoon.
These post waggons are very comfortable, being
well sprung, and having high backs to the seats.
We chose an open carriage, as the weather made
the rumbling three-horse coaches, which I described
on a former occasion, anything but tempting. Our
vehicle was what the French call • char-4.banc. Two
lean horses trotted sleepily along in front of it.
They did not seem to have any connexion with the
equipage, other than such complimentary going
before, and the driver, in royal livery of flaming
scarlet, slept peacefully upon his well-cushioned
seat. A pleasanter mode of seeing this highly
cultivated island cannot be imagined. No hurry
nor confusion, but a quiet "jig jog" between
groups of picturesque cottages, with woods and
green cornfields stretching far on either hand.
Sometimes • large building stood half hidden
amongst the trees, the residence of a gentleman
farmer ; frequent parish churches showed their
square towers above the clustering hamlets of
a rich and thickly peopled district. An equality of
positiou characterises Fyen, as it does the rest of
Denmark. Few possess more than • bare compe-
tence ; but poverty, in our grinding sense of that
word, is unknown. Take any village throughout
the Danish kingdom—you find its pastor a learned
man, with perhaps an accomplished family circle
around him, but their house is thatched like all
the rest, and their life differs outwardly very little
from that of the honest blue-coated farmers, whose
homesteads are scattered over the parish. These
may possess, and often do, • liberal education, vet
their hands are bard with labour, and their families
assist both in the dairy and the field. Then conies
a class of yeomen, the back-bone of Danish society,
each living on his own scrap of land, with • comfort-
able cottage and a well•trimmed garden. Their sous
work near Lome, under larger proprietors, or
wander out into the world seeking some better
fortune. But there is always • thought for
the old house where they were born, and in
times of danger one sees volunteers, from
distant American settlements, returning to
defend the soil of Denmark. It is truly a country
worth fighting for. Not that the climate or pro-
! ductions can compare with those of more favoured
regions. labs has nothing to offer her people save
what they earn by patient industry, but Danes
enjoy political liberty scarcely known elsewhere,
and • social condition which even Englishmen may
i navy. I said that poverty is sot found amongst

this fortunate northern people; and, having run
through a short list of the classes that compose
their rural population, I can only add a mention of
village artisans—the blacksmith or the carpenter—
for there are neither great landlords with castles
and pleasure grounds, nor mere day labourers own-
ing no property at all. After this praise of Danish
country life it is only fair to remark that
80 years since their prosperity had not
begun. Travellers then described the Danes
as miserably poor, whilst many oppressive
laws hindered their development. No sudden re-
volution has produced this marvellous change. A
gradual course of liberal reform abolished the rem-
nants of feudalism, leaving Denmark free to im-
prove herself, but leaving also a loyal and contented
spirit amongst the people. Popular institutions
were only granted some sixteen years ago by a
monarch whose faults are already forgotten, though
his patriotism will long be remembered. I allude,
of course, to his late Majesty Frederick VII., than
whom a truer Dane never breathed. Events have
called to the throne a prince well worthy to con-
tinue what his predecessor began ; and if Christian
IX. is not swallowed up by Prussian encroachment,
he may leave the same reputation in public, and
can easily achieve a far better one in private life than
did the boisterous, warm-hearted Frederick
Our journey was enlivened by few adventures,
the country being provokingly orderly and civilised.
An occasional halt for refreshment at some way-
aide inn enabled the sleepy driver to keep up his
courage with potations of very weak beor. I no-
tioed that carts were watched and ploughs were
guided by grey-headed men or lade under fifteen.
It was so, without exception, from one end of the
country to the other. Women often assisted ; but
the bone and sinew of early manhood had marched
to defend their homes, and were now either toiling
with musket and knapsack across the moon of
Jutland, encamped upon the islands of Fyen and
Alsen, or, laid low by German artillery, had found
a resting-place beneath the burial mounds of Son-
derborg and Dybbol. We passed a company of
infantry on the road, and fine young fel-
lows they were, keeping up a swinging
pace, despite the weight of arms and
rations. One soldier, who was near his own cottage,
was accompanied for some distance by a wife and
child. She ran out to juin him, and took his mus-
ket over her shoulder, while he carried the delighted
infant. So they continued until just before we
trotted out of sight, when I perceived that the mus-
ket bad returned to its ordinary keeping, and the
child was once more embraced by the poor weeping
mother. For a month to come her husband cannot
be hurt, unless he accidentally blows off his own
fingers ; so she has • chance of seeing the fatigued
and dusty warrior of yesterday's march safely back
without a wound.

This morning I walked out along the Belt, and
with my glass could see an Austrian Beatty pass-
ing up and down amongst some brushwood on the
other side. The armistice was stated to begin at
twelve o'clock last night, so we can observe the
enemy in perfect security, no chance of a stray
rifle bullet interposing its check upon our enjoy-
meat. I made out a detachment of Austrian cal-
rainier, who were halted near an opposite village ;
their breastplates and helmets shone brightly in the
sun, and they had a splendid appearance. Of what
use such heavy cavalry can be in modern warfare is
another question. We know that for a month the
straits are secure from attempted passages of Ger-
man troops, and when that time has expired it is
thought that peace must crown the Conference, or
that Denmark will have powerful friends. No
songs, no cheerfulness amongst the soldiers. This
armistice has depressed all ranks, and very natu-
rally, for they think it a sign of defeat.

CALCUTTA, CHINA, AND AUSTRALIAN
MAILS.

The Peninsular and Oriental Company's steam-
ship Delhi, with the Calcutta, Chine, sod Australian mails.
arrived at Southampton yesterday. She brings l( pr-
esagers, and a general oargo, Maladies 604 bales at raw silk
valued at 50,0001. sterling. The Delhi spoke the stoma;
Syria upon the 11th, and the Baroda sod H.M.S. Himalaya
on the 14th inst., both steeriugnouthward. Her Maisie?'
slips Foxhound, Royal Oak, Marlborough, sod Hibernia
were at Malta.
GIBRALTAR, Mar 12.

A large EogUsk veeeal, same mamma, has been wracked
on the African coast, sear the Spanish settlement of Mbo-
mou. Three of the crew were drowned. Seven of them
were taken to Tangier in a Riff boat. The wreck has ed.
Wady broken op. Her Majesty's gunboats Redpole and
Norris bars been despatched, the former to save whatever
has been left of the ship and cargo, and the latter to bring
over the crew from Tangier.

_-lien Majesty's steemer Tamar leaves foe Malta ea the
14th, when she will await the snivel of the Himalaya.
Both ships will then proceed to Corfu, to bring away the
British troops oe the withdrawal from the lonian Islas&
of the British protectorate, and their anaszation to the
kingdom of Greece.
Accounts from the Went Coot of Barbary say the supply
.1 wool was Dot abuotlant, cod it was reported that the
fieltan would, after the presentclip, prohibit iteezportatiom
Prim ruled high, and difficulties in commerce between the
Moors and Europeans had been experieeired.
&thugs oo Loudon, 90 days, 50j to 501 ; on Paris, 5.32 ;
as Mainsails% 5,32 ; Madrid, 8 days algid, par.

Vice-Chancellor Wood's paper on Parochial
Missies Women, reed at the Martaderster Church Cooper,
is published ea a pamphlet by MAN Emily Faithf aIL
CCLTIVATION or TOBACCO IN QVIZNILLIID.—Tbe
Qeceserand Times, of yesterday, in referriag to the culti-
vation of tobacco. rya that it has tritely Woo attractiog
mosiderable attention. Mr. M. Murphy has now • crop as
one acre of land near Booval, which is said by New South
Wales grower. to demoostrata that • brat-class leaf and a
rood cropcan be grows in this colony. Mr. Murphy Learn&
to ester hugely into tobacco manufacture, sad
bas received • screw prom from Sydney for
the purpose. H. cootidently. expecte to tura out
an snide
.equal to American, in quality as well so rip.
pearabas. The cigars made by him are prouounoed by core-
petest ledge. to be first clam, but of coarse wasting in age.
Mr. Oltuldeta willcomumoos the manufacture of tobacco
on • largest:also within • day or two. He expects to be sh:e
to turn oat two cot. per week. The supply of the leaf I.
Queoaslaod is sot equal to his raquirements, sod he hes
ordered • largequantity of Atnatena from Memos Jones,
of Liverpool. Mr. O'Sallivan Mates that the beet 'maple
of tobacco ke has yet received has bees from
Mr. Bulwark of the Etald•lll. He has also obtained • good
ample from Mr. N'latoah, of Gladstone. A greet number
of farmers around Ipswich are growing well quantities of
the weed, and, from the debuted crested by Mr. O'Sallieta,
we base so doubt that a greet breadth of lard will bemire
next memo. Tobacco was grows is this colony sweaty
years ego, by Mr. Thom, what he gathered three mops is
are year, the sewed being actually superior to the test.
We hope that the mistake will not be made that our New
Beath Wales friends fell into, of growing coarse kinds, sod
workiag up rubbish with the prim* leaf.—Ariebau Coo.
rarr, March 18. _ _ _

; [ vertiablitent)—HOLLOWAY'll OISTKINT AND
FlLLS.—bolter than a dome —These purely vegetable ortrecte
can be eddy sad cffectivoly used by all persons .taming hole
Internal or Internal &floosie. The dlreelitme wrapped round
every pot of Waisted sod every box of pills are amply eaftelent
to geed W. most &Weekend encounge the moat timid When
Wade makes Its spooned and renteMee are eagerly
after. nod Ira be found more effectual thee Holloware Int
edits( on& mewl% Use pales of the dissard sad tie selieseL
Belk deemwl sad pals parity awl venom every ossigessid
pin of=
the bairn body. It will ad do to am then as see day
them ou the aed deo* snerminace mot In
Mil MGM is raillelot

AMERICA.

(nom ova smut 00111118PONDRWT.)

NEW YORK, MAY 4.

The suspense in the war operations is exercising a
very unfavourable influence on business. Since the
panic in the stock market a few days ago, there has
been a total cessation of speculation. A
number of gold mining schemes that were in the
market before that have been completely withdrawn,
and though money is again becoming plentiful people
are afraid to stir—afraid to build, or order, or
contract, or purchase anything. Prices are all in-
flated, and there is a general feeling that should
Grant's movement be successful, everything—gold
included—will fall 30 or 40 per cent. What adds
to the general doubt is the recent extraordinary
legislation of Congress. The new tax bill which is
now under discussion adds 33 per cent to the duties;
and as importations were made on an enormous
seale in anticipation of it., 50 per cent. for 60 days
was clapped on by resolution in order to check the
tide till the new bill had passed, and as this was
done at a day's notice, of *ourse both buyers
and sellers were thunderstruck, and just now stand
gazing at each other without knowing well what to
do. Then the attempts to put down speculation in
gold by penal enactments add to the uneasy feel-
ing. Political economy, 1 need hardly tell yon, is
a science not much studied here. The notions of
the great mass of people on the laws of trade are
very much such as prevailed in England in the
middle of the last century. The belief that foreign
trade is a losing business unless you receive part
payment for your goods in gold is all but universal,
and cannot be shaken. It is always difficult to get
Amerimas to study any question, and it is doubly
difficult with regard to this one, because it is one
with which every man in the community is so
familiar that he laughs at the notion of his not
understanding it. The consequence is that just
now everything that helps to put a total stop to
importation, and " keep the gold in the country,"
is hailed with delight, as if keeping gold in the
country was of any use as long as it did not find
its way into the treasury. The new tax bill is, I
think, framed with a good deal of wisdom and
moderation however ; theheavy burdens are as far
as possible thrown on the luxuries. An increase, and
a great increase, of taxation was absolutely necessary
to sustain the gove runient credit, and though the
present bill will of course be denounced in England
as a protectionist measure, there is not much to be
said against it by any man who understands
the country. Nobody who knows anything of the
state of society here will ever seriously maintain
that the Federal government ought to open its ports
and rely for its revenue on direct taxation. The popu-
lation are scattered over too great an area, is too
impatient of the visits of the tax gatherer, and its
incomes are too variable to make this mode of
raising money either cheap or productive. The
bulk of the public expenses will have for years to
come to be paid by import duties. One of the
great difficulties the administration has to contend
with lies in the ignorance of the Western members
of everything relating to finance. Their heads are full
of melisersl fallacies and crudities, and as humility
and docility are not amongst their virtues, it is no
light work to prevent them embodying their fancies
in acts of Congress. They are so convinced that
the high price of gold is wholly the work of design-
ing speculators, that they introduced no leas than
100 bills for their punishment; and it was with
great difficulty that the committee on finance, to
whom they were referred, managed to condense
them into the one just passed—and which, by the
bye, is as harmless as the prejudices of these
prairie birds would allow. I doubt if these Western
farmers are, however, after all, much more deficient
in economical knowledge than the English country
gentlemen of twenty years ago, and they are at
least terribly in earnest about the war. It has
been made abundantly evident by the events of
the last two years that the sceptre has depaited
from the East, and that it is the States of
the Mississippi valley that are hereafter to shape
the destinies of the country. The governors of
Ohio, Illinois, lowa, and Wisconsin have called, as
I told you, for 80,000 militia to guard railroads and
garrison forts. That of Ohio alone has turned out
35,000 strong already.
I am sorry to have to return to the Fort Pillow
massacre, but as it is not improbable that it may
give the war a bloody and barbarous complexion, it
is desirable that the world should thoroughly un-
derstand the nature and atrocity of the deed. The
Atlantis (Georgia) Doily hatelligencer of April 22
contains the following telegram :—" Richmond,
Wednesday, April W.—General Forrest's official
despatch, announcing the capture of Fort Pillow,
has been received at the War Department. Five
hundred out of seven hundred men composing the
garrison were killed. All the officers were killed.
General Forrest's loss, twenty killed and sixty
wounded." You will see from this that the
story got up by the Richmond editors, of the
massacre having been provoked by a "desperate re-
sistanoe," was false and unfounded. Forrest could
hardly have lost leas than 20 killed and GO wounded
by a single volley, and his fire before entering the
fort can hardly have injured a man of the garrison.
So that 500 out of 700, including " all the officers,"
werelniurdered after the capture. The Congres-
sional Committee have returned to Washington
with their report. They examined 57 witnesses,
including a negro who had been buried alive, but
being but lightly covered, made his escape. An
inspection of the dead bodies has revealed the most
horrible cruelties—pricking out of eyes with
bayonets, the nailing of men to boards and then
setting them on the, Sc.

THE ZOOLOGICAL Socian's GARDENS, RIOHICT*B-
- bright sky and geoid weather of yesterday
iodumal a very large number of Talton to speed their
Whit-bloodily holutey in the Zoological Society's Gardens.
The gates opened to the public at 9 o'clock, end from
that hour tdl late in the afters:aloe a continuous stream of
holiday makers passed through them. The lilacs and horse-
chestnut trees. now just in full blossom, varied by the vivid
rjul the recently expanded foliage, not yet sallied by
smoke, presented a simians appearance, and to-
gether with the attractive series of living 'Dimas, some
1,790 in camber, seemed to be fully appreciated by the
sightseer.. At the closing of the gates at 'upset it was
secertainal that the total number of visitor. had bees
31.1017—tb• largest number sew recorded in one day mime
the gamier were aliened to the public. It io only right to
add that the conduct of the people was excellent, and that
no cases of mi.behaviour nor of injury to the society's
valuable colleetios of aninia/a bad occurred.

MANCNINSI24 SIIIIVNIILD, AND LINOOLNIINDIS
NAILWAL—Tbe total aspeosso of this °mossy's railways,
iscladias nonfat tolls. duty, /to., from Jos. 1 to May 8,
1884, summated to 112,69101., on assiast 112,4781. for the
00T4.0•Ibuit Period of 1163. The PrwPortiom of th• South
Jusotame receipts writ° this company from Jac, 1 to
May 8 amoostad to 1 1731 , as ',Mast 11,0971. for
the oovrespowator period 1163, sad the orpoooso to 5,7731.
as smash OM