The Express.
London, England, 1863-04-03 00:00:00

ROYAL NATIONAL LIFIBOAT iNarrrurmsr.

Yesterday a meeting of this institution was held
at its house, Joho-street, Adelphi ; Tuomas CaAnua,
Req., F. R.S., V.P., in the chair. There were also present :
Admiral W. H. Hall, C. 8.; Colonel Fits Roy Clayton; W.
H. ifiartert Esq.; Capt. N. P. Ryder, R.N.; Alexander
Boetefeur, Req.; Capt. Ward, R.N., inspectors of lifeboats
to the institution ; and Richard Lewis, Esq., its secretary.
A reward of M. was voted to the crew of the institution's
lifeboat at Pedstow for their gallant services in retelling,
daring a heavy storm, on the night of the 18th ult, the
mews, coediting of 13 men, of the brigantine Pandema, of
Plymouth, and schooner Betsy, of Brizliem, which had
stranded on the Doomed Bar Sands,: off Padstow. The
thanks of the institution were also voted to Mr. Daniel
Shea, chief officer of the Coastguard, for putting off in the
lifeboat on both the above occasions. This lifeboat is called
the Albert Edward, after the Prince of Wales. By a happy
coincidence she was also instrumental in rescuing a ship-
wrecked mew on the very day that his royal highness
arrived at his middy, oat the 9th November last Re-
wards amounting to 53/. 7s. were also voted to the crews of
the lifeboats of the institution at Rye, Wincbelsea, Tyne.
mouth, Middlesborough, Fraserburgb, Dundalk, Berwick,
St. Ives, and St. Aedrew's, for putting off with the view of
rendering assistance to vessels which had signal' of distress
fly*, but which did not afterwards require the services of
the lifeboats. Some of the services on these occasions were
of a very laudable character, and were attended with con-
siderable risk. The lifeboats of the society are often called
out during heavy gales of wind, in reply to signals of dis-
tress, especially in the night time, from easels which did
not ultimately require their help to land shipwrecked
pampa, the easels succeeding in getting out of danger.
It was reported that the institution bad, during the pad
three months, voted 4441. 16s. Bd., for rescuing, by its life-
boata and other means, 2133 persons from different ship-
wrecks on our coasts- During the poet year it bad ex-
pended 12,953/. on its lifeboat establishments and lifeboat
mews. The committee of the institution, therefore, ap-
pealed earnestly to the public for continued support to
assist them to carry on its great and important work. A
reward of 61. was granted to six fishermen for putting off
and rescuing three oat of seven coutguard men, who had
been capsized from their boat while proceeding to board •
vessel during squally weather off Greenmail; on the comet
of Doeimd. Four men unfortunately perished on the dee-
aces, notwithstanding the gallant and prompt endeavours
that were made to save their lives. A reward of 21. was
also voted to two fishermen for saving ear race'
who boat had eapsised in • heavy sea off Fah; on the
not of Limerick. It was reported that the Mayor of
Liverpool and the Lord Lieutenant of Cardigan had, during
the past month, convened public meetings for the purpose
of presenting some silver medals of the iestitution, which
had been voted by the society to different persons, for their
gallant exertions in saving life from shipwreck. The M-
aladies had, during the past month, sent • new lifeboat to
Parthleven, on the Cornish coast. The boat was the gift
of Mr. Roberts, M.P., who had also previously given the
east of • lifeboat to the institution. The committee decided
to seed • new lifeboat and transporting carriage to Fishguard,
on the Weah coast, in lieu of those at present there. They
also desided to call the boat the Sir Edward Penott, after the
honourable tamed of that name, in acknowledgment of
his long sad valuable services to the lifeboat cause, as
chairman of the preparatory committees of the isstitatioe.
A letter MA reed from the Hamburg Lifeboat Society, re-
. queetieg the co-operation of the National Lifeboat Indite-
' tion in *Mug • lifeboat at Heligoland. It was reported
that Mr. F. R. Mover' had presented to the institution
2621. 10a., to made it to place • new lifeboat on the oast.
A lairpey of 2061. 16s. bad bees received by the institution
from the assentors of the late Him Gridge, of Yarmouth.
weedded that Mena. Hoare, the beaker; had gives the
society a &cation of 50 guides, and that the principal
Lemke bankers had also receetlycoetributed to its foods.
Adadral Sir George Sartorial lauded to the ioditution
711. Bs., which be bad collided for it-50 goitres* of which
amount was from Mr. Henry Greet, of BleckwalL Pay-
menta mouldier, to 5701. having beim made ea various
lifeboat establishment; the ptheeediep dosed.

Lommom Gairsam.Ommisus CoarrAms(Lnarrip).
Dab me** Math. weiroadrog March 29,11,0171. lfha 14.

Freedom and Slavery in the United States. By
Baer= WILIOTIUSLY Nom, London : James
Nisbet and Co.
The Rev. Baptist Noel has written this work
evidently under the profound conviction that at the
present time in America, not only is the great prin-
ciple of human liberty seeking to vindicate itself
against a powerful and determiced oligarchy, but
that the process of vindication applies a crucial test i
to the morality and religion of the world. Whether
the Christian nations of Europe, and especially
England, will give their sympathies to freemen
who are fighting for freedom, or to slaveholders
who are fighting to make slavery the corner-stone
of a new dominion in the earth, is not, we trust,
a question now to be decided. Were it possible that
it could be decided in favour of the slave-
holders, it would certainly be a very clear
demonstration that our professions of religion, and
our advocacy of social morality, as well as our attach-
ment to political liberty, were only a vain show.
To many, however, the true conditions of the
problem which our American kinsmen are working
out in tears and blood are not clearly known : the
ingenuity and sophistry of interested persons, and
of the journals which are their organs, have sur-
rounded the simple issue of freedom or slavery
with so many collateral questions that the unin-
structed judgment is confused, and hesitates in its
decision. The object of this volume is to clear
sway this sophistical rubbish, and to exhibit in its
singleness the sole cause of the American quarreL
The author places the character and objects of the
two parties in startling juxtaposition before his
readers. On the one hand, we have men
whose warmest zeal has been manifested
in the promotion of education, of religion,
of the absolute freedom of man. A nation
impatient of restraint, having learned from history
how frequently even that restraint which at first
was wholesome has degenerated into insufferable
tyranny, giving way. therefore to occasional bursts
of passion or enthusiasm, but on the whole moving
in the right lice of civil and religious freedom, and
making progress in civilisation and intelligence at
a rate hitherto unparalleled in the annals of the
world. A grand and vigorous nation, filled with
vitality, which catches to its bosom the exiles of
every land, and whatever may be the form of
tyranny under which they have lived, or the
misery of their degradation warms them into new
life and a keen sense of liberty, and infuses into
them the spirit and influence of true re-
ligion. On the other band, we have •
body of men whose sole object is to oppress
their fellow-men, who have staked their national
and individual lives upon the chance of being able,
in spite of the human race, to reduce a portion of
that race to the condition of the brute creation ;
who, to effect this, forbid all education, sophisti-
cate religion itself, and corrupt the very Word of
God ; who cover labour, which dignifies man, with
diabonour ; and, setting at nought the funda-
mental principles of justice, proclaim it necessary
for their existence that millions of labourers should
be robbed of their hire ; a body of men who cover
their basest instincts with the mask of religion,
and make the gospel of charity and mercy the
pander to their vilest passions. All this, and
much more Mr. Noel sets out, but he does it in
sorrow rather than iu anger ; and this, in some
places, is carried so far, that the reader will feel
occasionally indignant at the author for writing so
calmly of such unspeakable horrors. He is right,
however, to let the common sense of his readers
draw its own conclusions without prompting ; and
we are quite sure that no one who peruses his
volume will afterwards sympathise with slave-
holders.

Memories of the Past, and Thoughts on the Present,
Age. By Joanna BROWN, M.D. London :

LOugmans.
A series of essays on a variety of subjects, em-
bracing reminisceuoes of the French revolution, of
the peace of forty years, with animadversions on
Buckle's theory of history. Thoughts on America,
its people, and prospects ; on the present war, which
the author attempts by a curious process of dpriori
reasoning to prove hopeless as regards the subjuga-
tion of the South. The book embraces many other
topics too numerous to be catalogued here, Upon
all of them the author speaks with a calm decision,
and a 9uaint gravity of style, which interests even
where it fails to convince.

The West India mail which left Southampton
yesterday io charge of Commador %heal", R.N., yea the
largest ewer known, sad emisise of upwards of 100 seeks
of letters sod pompoms. TM* wore 26 sub* for Ja-
maica, 72 for Paws., 20 for Mexico, 10 for Losmonrs. 12
for St. Moms, sad 11 for the Fla& West Isdis UM&

NEW YORK, Kamm El.
The spring campaign is fairly opening, and we
have from all sides accounts of "brushes," which
indicate clearly that collisions on a great scale
are not very far off. Hooker's army is
said to be in a capital state of preparation,
and eager for the fray, and as the roads are rapidly
hardening there is every prospect of their
being gratified before long. There was a very
spirited cavalry affair three days ago on the Raps•
hannook, the first real cavalry combat which has
occurred in Virginia since the war began, and in
which one of Stuart's brigades received a very severe
mauling. Its commander, General Fitzhugh Lee,
sent a half jocose challenge a few weeks since to
the Federal General Am-ill, commanding the
cavalry in his front, who was an old schoolfellow of
his, in►iting him to oome over and fight him. The
latter took him at hic word, and on Monday
crossed at Kelly's Ford, a few miles
above Fredericksburg, with one battery of ar-
tillery, bapturing and dispersing the force guarding
it, and then pushed on towards Culpepper in search
of Lee, who soon made his appearance with his
brigade and two batteries. It was instantly
charged and broken, and driven two miles, till be
re-formed in front of some earthworks, where he
again renewed the contest, and with a similar re-
sult. The Federals returned at nightfall, bringing
off sixty prisoners, and very jubilant. As their
cavalry on the Potomac has not hitherto done much
to distinguish itself, the affair has put the men in
high feather, and thus has had an importance out of
all proportion to its military results.
The news from the south-west is curious and
vague. We know for certain, however, that
Admiral Porter was a little too fast in saying
he had heard the signal of the Yazoo Pass
expedition above Haines's Bluff. It turns
out that it was a week ago still in the Tullabatehie
River, deluged by a battery of five guns on the
banks, which one of the iron-clads had been shelling
without restate. This comes by way of Rich-
mond, and is very vague. From the Mississippi we
hear that large bodies of troops and several
gunboats are pushing up the Gap behind the first
expedition, and the Federals are doubtless by this
time in sufficient force to do their best. If they
fail in forcieg their way down the river their cap-
ture is pretty certain, but perhaps this is the best
guarantee that they will force it. From Richmond
also we hear of Admiral Farragut's having
attempted to pass Port Hudson with a portion of his
squadron. The story goes that the attempt was
made in the night, and that only one gunboat got
past, while the Mississippi frigate was burnt, and
Farragut retreated down the river with his flagship
disabled. Since " the raising of the blockade" at
Charleston, however, people are rather cautious
about taking the statements of the Richmond
papers an pied de la lettre, and the feeling is increased
in this instance by the fact that the Whig states
that the reading of this news in the Confederate
Senate produced a " lively sensation," which
is by no means the language they usually
employ in describing the feelings of those
legislators on hearing of a victory. What
makes the affair all the more suspicious is that the
very same paper speaks of the " depression pro-
duced by our (Confederate) disasters in the south-
west," but promises that full compensation will
speedily be derived from the operations of their
army on the Potomac. The Examiner of a day
later, however, in an article evidently intended to
prepare the public mind for something disagreeable,
makes the following rather remarkable statements :
—" The active operations of the chief Federal
army are now commenced, and either a decisive
battle or the retreat of General Lee must be the
speedy consequence. The latter contingency is pos-
sible, but not probable, and another heavy
struggle over the line of the Rappahannock may be
safely anticipated." After speculating on Hooker's
plans and strength it adds :—" If, however, the Con-
federate general's force is not sufficiently numerous
to prevent the completion of the mancenvre, it is
supposed no course remains open but to fall back
on some point nearer Richmond, and give the
enemy battle at a greater distance from his base."
This goes far to confirm the opinion which has
been long prevalent, that his force has been largely
reduced to reinforce Beauregard and Bragg, and
that diminished resources of all kinds will shortly
bring about a still further narrowing of the Southern
circle of operations. The scarcity of food in-
creases every day, and as supplies of every kind
are seized everywhere for the use of the army, the
sufferings amongst the civilians, and particularly
amongst the women and children, whose husbands
and fathers are absent, are said to be terrible. The
fall of Vicksburg would of course intensify the dis-
tress by cutting off the immense stores which are
now drawn from Taxa& and which are in reality,
until next July, the sole reliance of the Con-
federacy, for there is little doubt that the region,
even of the Mississippi, is absolutely stripped of
everything. Gold is selling in Richmond at a pre-
mium of 650, and foreigners are flying north by
every flag of truce in great numbers.
The feeling of irritation here about the fitting
out of Confederate men of war in English porta
' continues to increase, and there is a strong move-
ment now being made to induce Mr. Lincoln, in
MO any of the " Emperor of China's " fleet put
to sea, to call an extra session of Congress, and
adopt retaliatory measures. It is said that if four
or five more rovers get afloat, they will drive
American ship. off the sea, and place the whole
carrying trade in English hands, which is probably
the object at which the English shipbuilders are
aiming. So it is proposed to meet this by levy-
ing on all British ships entering American
ports a high tonnage duty, so as to
lessen in some degree the feeling of exhilara-
tion which is now supposed to be caused in Eng-
lish shipping circles at the depredations of the Ala-
bama. I am unable at this moment to state what
is the precise rate proposed to be levied, but I
remember that under it a Cunard steamer would
have from 7,000 to 8,000 dollars to pay every time
she came into port.
The " Black Brigade," under Saxton, in Florida,
which a late report declared to have been all cap-
tured and hanged, have now been heard from, and
are advancing rapidly into the interior, driving
everything before them, and capturing large num-
bers of prisoners.
The following is from the Richmond Examiner
of the filth inst. :
Gad was said os Saturday et 425 premium, as advance
cif 200 par mot. within s seek. We make the meremee-
meet with no design of soles into a disquisition as the seb-

- - -
The extracts which we give to-day from the Southern
journals are unusually interesting. They complier, an !
official report of the recent raid of rebel cavalry near
Fairfax Court House and the capture of Colonel Stoughton. !
and General Stuart's commendation of the officers in com-
mand. The defences of Charleston are described by the '
Mobile Register sa absolutely impregnable. It says that no
floating thing can breast unharmed the batteries of Sumter, '
Moultrie, and Battery Bee ; that the attack will be a fearful '
shock of tremendous forces, and will test the quality of ships
and irou.dads against powerful batteries more conclusively '
than has ever been dons before. The fight with the Chilli-
cothe, on the Tallahatchie, opposite Fort Pemberton, is '
minutely described by the Richmond Enquirer.
With regard to the late attack on Port Hudson sod the
firing heard at St. Helena on the 13th indent, the Jackson
Aliasimippias of that date confirms the theory suggested by
us yesterday, by stating that General Banks's movements
against Port Hodson had commenced ; that General Weitzel
was supposed to be about making a diversion in the rear
of his position ; and that the attack would probably be made
by our combined land and naval forces.
The Richmond Examiner of the 19th has an article which
is evidently thtended to prepare the public mind of the
South for serious reverses to the Confederate arms on the
line of the Rappahannock. It says that the active opera-
tions of the army under Hooker ere now commenced, ad
either a decisive battle or the retreat of General Lee must
be the speedy consequence. The latter contingency is
possible, but not probable, sad soother heavy struggle
over the line of the Rappahannock may be safely antici-
pated.
It continues to state that if General Lee's face is not suf-
ficiently numerous to prevent the completion of Hooker's
manmuvre, it is supposed that no course remains but to fall
back upon some point nearer Richmond, and give the enemy
battle at a greater distance from his bass.
The Richmond Enquirer given the following ac-
count of the late Confederate raid upon Fairfax
Court in a letter written by the hero of that ex-
ploit :
My dear Sr,—You have already seen something in the
newspapers of my recent raid on the Yankees, though I see
they all call me Mosley instead of Mosby. I bad only
twenty-nine men under my command. I penetrated about
tea mass in their lines, rode right up to the grasend's
head-quarten, surrounded by infantry, artillery, and
cavalry, took him out of bed, and brought him on. I
walked into his room with two of my men, and shaking him
in bed, said, "General, gel up." He rose up, rubbing
his eyes, and asked what was the meaning of all this.
I replied, " It means, sir, that Stuart's cavalry are in pos-
session of this place, and you are a prisoner." We also
surrounded the head-quarters of Colonel Wyndham (acting
brigadier of cavalry), but, unfortunately, he tad gone down
to Wsahisgtoe. We got his assistant adjulant-geoerd, and
alsohis aid, anAustrian, Baron Wordener. There was an ins.
moose amount of all kinds of stares collected there ; but I
was unable to destroy them, as they were in houses, with-
out destroying the town. The horses we brought off wen
mostly very fine, belonging to officers. If I had had enough
, men I could have brought off hundreds. It was my per.
pose to have reached the Court-house by twelve o'clock at
night ; but it being very dark and raining we got lost, sad
were delayed two hours, so that we did sot have over an
hour to stay in town. it being eueseary for us to pass out
of their lime before daylight. In oomineout we Famed within
two hundred yards of the fortifications at Centreville, and
were bailed by a sentinel from one of the redoubts. A
Captain Barker, from New York, here made a desperate
attempt to get sway. He dashed out of the reeks and
tried hard to reach the fort, but a sbotlfrom us of my
men convinced him that it was s dangerous uodertaking,
and be came back. At Centnivillethere was a fere* of
about two thousand, cionsistinglof infantry, artillery, sad
cavalry. In the vicinity of the:Coeirt-heave ens cavalry
and one infantry brigade were cusped. There were
' shoat two hundred just in the town. We easily captured
the few guards around the town, as they user dreamed
, we were anybody else but Yankees *midi they saw a pistol
. pointed at their heeds, with a &mad for a scare der.—
. Yours, do., Jon, 8, Mosey.

J. E. B. larninr, lliajer-Oseseal Comeseding.
We read in the New York Time' of March 20 :
Avery few days now, we bevel a peed pepeier Ma-
Amnon la WWI of the Vases sad the pronseetise of the
war, beside anamersiale rather, but set Yes velesble
asestiags held nightly is the mime wards fed the any.
The sew vitality, the riling oink the hopeful amity, its
growls' determination ;of the people, is sheers is psalm"
mare stelkingly them this. Thebes* ewer the of Bev
but waver meeting seems better sal sinew thee lie ens
whisk sea before.
The Loyal National Loupe, which held He inthinal
meeting at the Aoseany of Assn lest Wards, sight,
meets is its °waned segenty st the!Cooper Lethal. this
evening. It is ea emaciation apse to all who are kepi.
with so genets and bat Gee parpose.‘ geleblisind to fee.
ward the lama of so sealer party. Demensta,
limns, and Couservatives, inn frees the North sad the
Son* meet together sad jets Made fir maned New&
and support is upheld* the pest eases of ealienel free-
dom sod mike. It wee sw• Waling Dethemele win were
the orators at the meeting Let week, sod two gallset
Southern Unlocked; we to be the chief speakers to-sight
We have no more effective popular orator se the geasitep
then General Ham:atom of Tema sad the feet Bat be is
to speak twilight is enough to ell say building is New
York.
The sante paper contains' the following reesatke
respecting the office of Provost-Marshal-General
and the Conscription Act :
Ole of the most important "ciliary ellen la the essetry
is that of provost-mcuthal-general, created by the reseed et
of Congress for enrolling and eallieg oat the mach cif the
United States. The duty devolves upon the proven-
mershal-gesersl to pat this act in operative sad see to Be
proper thforonseet he all the sates end territerie• He
most devise raise for the conscription, rem enaisseemiss;
receive reports of men drafted, furnish Bets of sit deserthee
from our armies, who are to be arrested by his sabre-
natal, and is ell other respects to take ears that soldisesere
provided for the public defence, and that thine wile ere
called out we kept in the service. Hie odes is mob a
bureau of the War Department, mad It is ap-
parent that among the most perplethei end importent
executive duties pertaining to that depsrtamet will be
thrown into the hands of the Provoirt-Mieshal-Cleesed. The
Conscription Act nukes it the duty of eubordiaate or dis-
trict provost-marshals to inquire into end report to the
Provost-Marshal-General all treasonable practices." Upon
the report of the Provost-Niushel-Otheral to his superiors.
the question of arrest in such mew will taro, so that the
entire class of acts which have hitherto excited so mock
feeling—arbitrary arrest for alleged disloyal pastier—will
stand hereafter upon the supposed responsiodity of the
Provost-Marshal-General.
That the office is one calling for the most energetic bad-
nen habits and the highest executive talent ie evident.
And the fact that Major-General Metier was as gene-
ally named for the politica shows the isopernaw
attached to it in the popular mind. Bat the milltery reek
given by the law to the Provost-Marshal-Coreeral is wily
'that of colonel of cavalry. It wee not possible, therefore.
with soy regard to the proprieties, for Major-Genera
' Butler to accept the The President has settled the
matter by the appointment of Colonel James B. Pry, of the
Adjutant-Genand's officer, to be Provost-Marshal-General.
We do but repeat what is common fame whoa we proliounoe
this as appointment eminently fit to be made. Colonel Pry
is as officer of thorough military education, of rare executive
ability and much practical experience in wizening men.
He was chief of staff for Major-General Buell daring the
entire Kentucky and Tennessee campaigin of the latter, sad
it is admitted that so armies ever placed is the field, lest
or West, have sorpsmed la disciplies and nebility the
army of General Buell.
The sot of weeniptioo may woe be a practical fact la
• few weeks the enrolments will he perfected, sad every-
thing ready for a draft. The draft will be greeter or
smaller in proportion to the good or ill success of the,ge-
recommit in reclaiming deserters. It is the direct perweal
interest, therefore, of everyone to aid the amenities/sheds
in their search after deserters. Foe every deserter retuned
to the army there will be ono citiseu less to be drafted.
The militia force of the country is divided by the Con-
scription Act into two classes. 1. All able-bodied male
citizens, married or single, between the ages of 20 and 35.
and, in addition, all unmarried men between the ages of 35
and 46. 2. All manied able-bodied male cinemas between
the ages of 35 and 45. None of the sewed clam sea to be
chosen till the first clew shall be exhausted. The Justice
of the conscript law is manifest in this, that it makes it the
interest of all such as would swipe the draft to give their
active aid in the return of deserters ; sad wins • draft
does come, it makes it the interest of the sewed class to
see that the enrolment of the first clan is perfect, sad the
conscription therefrom thorough. Thus the law will have
strong allies among the people, who will see it seforeed.
But there is also humanity in the law. It allows every
drafted person to furnish a suintitnts, or to pay a wan net
exceeding 300 days. to the government, which will pur-
chase his own exemption. With the amount. thus received
by the government it is expected that soldiers sow in the
field will be induced to re-enlist when their present terms of
service expire. There is little doubt of the success of the
plan.

SYMPATHY WITH POLAND.—Last night a crowded
public roestios of the iababitatits of Woolwich, Cheater),
sad Plumstoad was beld at the Towa-hall, Willianistreet,
Woolwich, for the purpose of expressing eympatby with
the Poles. The chair was occupied by Mr. W. Amereteia,
M.P., sad at the commeecemina of the proceediess a {Wee
was read from Alderman &dooms,. M.P., expressing hie
approval of the objects of the meet*, resolutions is acme&
aria with which were usesimously adopted.

THLZORAPHT IN FRANCE—From the material{
recently collected for a large telegraphic map of Framc.,
sow iu mune of coostrudios at thollinistire de l'l•drioure
it appears that the total length d telegraphic wires worlds(
since Ist Jsoulry of the present year, is filt,22S kilometres
(the kilometre is live-eighths of a mile), spew-did 12,000
having boon added towards the mad of 1862. The lives, the
wires of whidi ore supported on palsy soostatute a {mirth
of 30,000 kilometres, or about three-learthe of the areamt-
terse°. of OW globs. The snubs, of pole. est up is 400,000
if placed all is a line seed to end, they would assure sheath
6,,watetail2,kliteilimtrn.hnizoitreLaTb.9o,u.ooolll.l.4.4.o.bkikeeetres.wiramas;s7orkamhilarimooot°....;:limaistbecompri.birsPgialughowteisehrufiemoat
series of wires. The ant earns to trauma despatches at
once Magnet distend*. es for initiate, from Paris direct to
Madrid ; the deetieatioe tbe sires of this *erica is istrari-
able. 'be semod series is also for direct trausuiimioes, but
to sows moderate distaste's ; is this series the wins may be
variously tembioed, so as te eetaldieh aa isstestaneouo
oommumeation betwees any two esstmes of population.
Thee, Strasburg rosy be made to cornspocal directly with
Baying*, by a wise ming dirmsgh Lyons, Nice. Marseilles,
sad Toulouse. A third swiss el wine mooed . together the
chief towns of the depirtmeste, sad • few of the moat im-
portast manufacterisg &Mkt., Red se Deed for commuoica-
tioa between mie department ail soother. Tba fourth
series *monies the wires that cessuoct his secoedary deices
with those of tits chief tows, sod the 6fth consists of •
series of auxiliary wires, for the perms* of eetablisbing
momentary communiastium betimes some d the preceding
series.—rhalionani.
Da. Ds JONutl'it BwowN COD LIVER On..
—Hospital, , sod private practice. dl famish luee•
uterable caws talgrvanne Dr. de Jongtis Uhl has luvo eduituleteted
with the happted results is Coissuinption sod all Messes' it the
I Chest. No reused, so rapidly restores the. shausted elhriepp
' improves the nutritive fulictions. stops Of dinntals6rs etsisciatioe:
checks the persplratioe, quiets the mush sod espeetarallein,
or produce. a more mai bed sod favourable influence ow the
local imor,dy. —Sold only to repealed bottles, Is. M. es. Old end
by Dr. ds loneb's agents. Amor. Raeford, sad Co., 77, Weed,
Undo*. and ehesdais.--1 Adi ettlseuutit. I

§IOOND-HAND PIANOFORTES.
=Ajax max. sad WOOD bays a Imp miselmeat
aseemilemil Planobyrtis, by the meet esteeehed mho; es
gmealfillialeel grketet-40L Reitentalayelt.

gilt •xprttiO.

ro. O.OI.IISPONDINTIL

laweellimeents Intended for ".111;17pr-;;" Leaboe Evening
=mist be se Quo odes, le, Bouveel•4lbeel. by Two
I, es ibe day cd gebbeaeleo.

gArmAizzr.
OD Banat MoNDAT, mum( ADO ABOUT NOTHING.
yre.r.. Howe, Ocnaptou, lama: Hoodlums R.lO. Tw* &e.
BUCKSTONI AT BOHR—And BORROWING A HUSBAND.i
Mu Marls Hawk, etc.

LYCEUM.
Ow Henn MoirAT, A AUDDRN ATTACK. Mews. More sad
Wlddlcoreb ; Mlr Bland° wad Mn Lee.—Awd THE DOW
MOTTO. Mena Yachter, Shore. Bre:wham, sad itaysierwl
Mesa C. Leeleroci, X. Terry, and IlkwortAy.

BRITANNIA.
To-Ntoßlow 'Timm TOR COURIXR 01, LYON& Mews
Reynold& Bird. and Drummond . Mrs. Z. Yarnold. —JEAN NI E
DEANS. Mr. BI sad Mrs. & Dian —And THE RETURN
OY THE WAN Mr. and Mrs. Cranford.

MOE WATER AT LONDON NALIDCUL
TEN DAT —WeirslAL IL Ms. ....AllineoL 16 •9CL
1000asow.41arales. !6 ao•—•ifterlogo• 2h. UAL

LONDON, FRIDAY, APRIL 3.

MR. SCHOLZFIELD has succeeded in getting his
Bill for the establishment of Partnerships with
limited liability read a second time. Expe-
rience unfortunately proves that, notwithstand-
ing this partial success, the Bill is by no means
secure. Only last year a similar Bill reached the
same stage, but was ultimately rejected. And,
indeed, within the last twenty years, it must be
remembered that all attempts to accom-
plish this contemplated legal reform have failed.
The arguments in favour of the principle of Mr.
&BOLIVIA:1.1;S Bill are conclusive. There is not
a single speculative lawyer, political economist, or
small capitalist who is opposed to the measure.
If the question be argued upon general
grounds, it must be admitted that when
two or more parties are willing to con-
tract on certain terms, they are prima
facie entitled to do so. If any restrictions
are to be put upon them, those who propose the
restrictions ought to furnish cogent evidence of
their necessity. If the principle of limited liabi-
lity were still an open question—if there were no
such things in this country as joint-stock compa-
nies in which the liability of each shareholder is
limited—the cam might be different. But, as was
pointed out more than once in the course of the de-
bate a few days ago, the principle of limited liability
has been conceded, and, as Mr. MstrNs added, the
advantage of the concession has been proved
by the number of persona who have availed them-
selves of it. According to a Parliamentary return
no fewer than 2,334 companies have been regis-
tered between 1857 and the end of 1862, exclu-
sive of joint-stock banks. It seems, therefore,
idle to say that the facilities afforded by the
new legislation to small capitalists are not fully
appreciated. The only question now is whether
the same facilities might not be extended further.
At present any seven persons by signing what is
called a memorandum of association may form a

company. And the liability of each member of
such a company may be limited to any particular
rum. Now, why stop here? What reason can
there be against permitting three or four
persons to constitute themselves limited partners,
or against four persons constituting themselves
limited partners, and two others unlimited part-
ners? This is a species of contract which is re-
cognised in every other system of law except that
of England. Acid if anyone chooses to take the
trouble to look into the Code de Commerce which
forms a principal chapter in NAPOLRON'S great
work, he will find the several kinds of this peculiar
partnership accurately defined. That Code has
been adopted by many of the nations of Europe,
and the same law has been adopted in the several
American States. Whatever the objection to such
a partnership may be, it certainly is not that of
giving practical effect to the principle of limited
liability by a fit legislative enactment.
Mr. THOMAS BARING, indeed, says that if Mr.
SCHOLITIZLD'S Bill is adopted "the whole founds-
" tion of oommerMil security" will be destroyed.
But even if this great capitalist were serious in his
alarms for the "mercantile morality" of England
—which, however, the &r imos-Gimes'. seemed
to doubt—he is only repeating what was said
again and again by Lord Ovmsrows and other great
bankers, when they vainly opposed the principle
of limited liability some few years ago. The
amusing thing is that Mr. SCHOLIFIRLD'S Bill
introduces no new principle. Indeed, accord-
ing to Sir linos Cis, there are means
even now by which the institution of a
partnership of limited liability may be esta-
blished. The only effect, therefore, if the
Bill were to become law, would be to permit that
to be done directly which can be done now indi-
rectly, or by the aid of an ingenious conveyancer.
As the law stands at present, if the clerk of •
mercantile firm is paid in proportion to profits, or
receives a salary in the ratio of profits, he is not
liable as a partner ; but if he receives a share of
profits he is liable as a partner. Again, a man
may furnish the whole capital of • trad-
ing partnership, and take securities for re-
payment, yet even if he stipulates for 15 or 20
per cent. interest, instead of a moderate share of
profits, he pill not be liable as a partner. Such
irrational distinctions it is impossible to defend.
But the fact that they exist implies the fact that
partnerships with limited liability practically exist
also, so that Mr. BARING% dread of revolutionising
the foundations of Euglishoommerocis superfluous.
The only effect of Mr. Scuoisriar.a's Bill will be
to facilitate the establishment of such limited part.
nerships.
- In an ordinary partnership, according to the

_
law of England, every partner is liable to the
whole extent of his fortune, and hitherto any one
who shared in the profits of a concern has
been considered a partner. Such wu the

principle established by a judgment of Chief Jus-
tice Eras at the end of the last century. It is
now proposed to modify this principle. A man is
not to be made liable to his uttermost farthing
because he is interested in a commercial concern.
So long as the creditors have notice that an indi-
vidual is not responsible for more than a certain
mom, they are not to be allowed to sue him for
more than that sum. Creditors may or may not
deal with a partnership of this sort. That must
be at their own option. But if they deal
with full notice of the nature of the part•
nership, they have nothing to complain of.
The advantages of such partnerships are obvious.
A man starting in business may have no capital.
His friends or his former master may be very
willing to assist him. If the friend or the master

want to lend him money, the young man has no
security to offer. If either proposes to take a share
in the profits of the concern, he is in danger of
being made • partner. In this dilemma the
capitalist finds it difficult to move. Again, what-

ever facilitates the employmeSl of **spits' rd.
motes commercial activity and increases the pros-
perity of the country. There are of course sissy
small capitalists who would be very willing to
embark a small sum in an undertaking, but who
would hesitate to do so if their whole fortune
would be jeopardised. The object of Mr.
SCHOLEYIELD.B Bill is to meet both difficulties. A
man is not to be made liable merely because he
lends money, nor even because he is entitled to a
certain proportion of the profits. There are,
however, two points in which the Bill in question
is manifestly defective. In the first place, although
it is clear that all partnerships in which any of the
members are only liable to a certain sum ought to
be ear-marked or registered, it is equally clear that
there can be no necessity for registering any other
kinds of partnership. It is to be hoped, therefore,
that clause 18 will be modified. In the second
place, it appears to us that no partner whose
liability is limited should be allowed to take part
in the management of the concern. A limited
partner ought to be looked upon simply as a per-
son who supplies a certain amount of capital. The
others should conduct the business, and should of
course be liable to their last farthing. This is the
principle generally adopted in other countries, and
its soundness is not to be questioned.

Cbt eourt.

WINDSOR CANTLE, Aran. 2.

The Queen, accompanied by Princess Louis of
Hems, drove out yesterday afternoon, attended by Lieute-
nant-General Hon. C. Grey, Equerry-in-Waiting.
. .

Prince Arthur, attended by Major ilphinstons, arrived at
the Castle last evening from the Ranger's Lodge, Green-
wich Park.

Prince Alfred, and Prince Louis of Hesse, rode on horse-
back, attended by Captain Westerweller.
Colonel the Hon. A. H►rdinge, C. 8., has succeeded
Lieutenant-Colonel the Hon. D. de Hoe, as Equerry-in•
Waiting.

The ancient and royal charities amcselated with Mau day
Thursday were distributed yesterday to 44 mid men, and
44 aged women, in Whitehall Chapel, with the customary
ceremonial The number of each sex corresponds with the
age el bar Most Oestrous Majesty the Queen.
At 2 o'clock a processioc, coexisting of a detachment of
the Yeomen of the GYM!, under the commend of Sergeant-
Major King (one of the yeomen carrying the royal aline in a
gold salver of the reign of King William and Queen Mary),
The Rev. Dr. Jell, sub-almoner, Joseph Hanby, Esq.,
eronstary and yeoman of the almoury, and his aasietant,
acoosipanied by six children, two from each of the parishes
of St. John the Evangelist, and St. Margaret's, West-
minder, and from St. Mnryle•Stnod, who bad been
selected for participation in this privilege for their good
conduct, proceeded from the Almoery•oftice in Scotland-
The arrival of the procession having been signified to the
Lord Bishop of Oxford, Lord High Almoner, and to the
Sub-Dean of the Chapel Royal, the Rev. Francis Garden,
M.A., they, preceded by Mr. Liogerd, Sergeant of the
Vestry of the Chapel Royal, met it at the entrance, and
took their places immediately after the yeoman with the
alms.

The whole procession they &droned in the following
order, en. :

The Boys of the Chapel Royal ;
The Gentlemen of the Chapel Royal ;
The Priests of the Chapel Royal ;
The Sergeant-Major of the Yeoman of the Guard;
The Sergeant of the Vestry ;
The Lord High Almoner;
The Sub-Almoner and the Sub-Dean ;
The Children from the National Schools ;
The Yeoman of the Ahnonry and his Assistant ;

The Yeomen of the Guard.
The procession passed up the centre aisle to the steps of
the altar, aid the Lord High Almoner, the Sub-Almoner,
the Sub-Dean, and those forming the procesmion, having
taken their assigned places, on either side of the chapel, the
royal alias being deposited in front of the royal closet, the
afternoon service (a special service for the occasion) was
im-
pressively read by the Rev. Dr. Vivian, Senior Priest in
Waiting, commencing with the Exhortation, 0011111SliON
Absolution, &c. ; 41st prim (The Grand Chant). First
Lesson, St. Matthew, 25th chap., from v., 14, to v. 31.
For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a
far country, who milled his own servants, and delivered
unto them his goods."
First Anthem (41st Psalm). —" Blamed is he that con.
sidereth the poor and needy ; the Lord shall deliver him in
the time of trouble."—Sir George Smart.

1/. 15s. distributed Meech woman. T 3 each man shoes
and stockings.
Second Anthem (A Prayer)—" Hide not Thou Thy face
from us, 0 Lord, and cast not off Thy servants in Thy
displeasure : for we confer our dm unto Thee, sod hide
SIOi oar unrighteousassa. For Thy TIMItC)'• sake deliver no
from all our sios."—Farrent.
Woollen and limn cloths distributed.
Third Anthem —(6lst Psalm, 6th verse) :—" 0 Lord,
grant the Queen a long lite, that her years may endure
throughout all generations." 7th vase—" She shall dwell
before God for ever : 0 prepare Thy loving mercy and faith-
fulness, that they may preserve her." Ll2od Foam, 113th
verse—" As for her enemies, clothe them with shame : but
upon herself let her crown flourish."—Nate.
Purses distributed.
Second lama, St. Matthew, 25th chap., begin v. 31, to
tha sad : "When the Son of man shall come in His glory,
and all the holy angels with him, thee shell He sit upon the
throw of His glory."
Fourth Anthem.—(lsaiah 63, Ist var.)," Who is this that

cometh from Edom, that Y glacier's in his apparel, Ms.
Telling in the greatness of his strength! I that speak in
righteousness, mighty to 'ave." 16th ter.—" Doubtless
Thou art our Father, our Redeemer ; Thy name is from
everlasting. Matthew 21st, 9th var. —" Hosansch to the
Son of David ; Maned is he that °meth in the name of the
Lord : Llosannah in the highest! Amen."—Arnold.
Then followed two prayer composed for the occasion.
Then followed the prayer for the Queen.
Earth red purse contained the usual gold sovereign, and
a-

further sum of U. sod 10s. as • maimutation in lieu of
provimons, formerly issued from the Lord Steward's depart-
ment of the Queen's household.

Each white purse couteinsd.the Manoday coin, consisting
of 4d., 3d., 3d., and pence in silver amounting to 44 pence,
these of her Majesty.
The clergymen from her Majesty's Chapel Royal who
Weeded on this occasion vex, the Sub Dean, the Rey.
Francis ()sedan, ILA., Re.. Dr. Vivian, Rev. T. Halmos%
J. Clarke Haden, J. V. Poveb, and C. Parke.

The gentlemen from her Majesty's Chapel Royal in at.
tendaoce were Basra Chapman, &ruby, Alachua, Cum-
mins, Lawler, Benson, Thomas, Wynn, and Fester,
Yr. Cooper presided at the organ.
One of the Alaunday women, Catherine Osborne, aged 77
years, a Flemish woman, who married a soldier of the 3rd
Regiment of Fusilier Guards, died a few days ago, and was
buried on the 31st Ida This woman was on the field at
Waterloo succouring the wounded British soldiers, and
binding up their wounds by means of her own dream torn
into bandages. The Lord High Almoner kindly granted the
royal bounty for this distribution to the members of
Catherine Osborne's family.
The purses were made upon this occasion by the poor
children of the iodestriel schools recently esteldiehed in the
Victoria Dock-reed.

Oa Friday and Saturday in the past week,and oe Mooday
and Timidity is the correct week, her Majesty's royal bounty
of sa. with, and the royal pie alms of 13s. each, were dis-
tributed to aged sod descrying poor who bad been previously
selected by the Lord Hugh Almost and by the Sob-
Almoner from those who had bola reoommeoded by various
elargynim is London and its vicinity. The number relieved
amounted to Dearly 1,000 permits. The diatributme was
arranged and 000dacted by Joseph Hanby, Esq., secretary
sod yeoman of the Almonry in Ordinary.
Despatches were seat yesterday from the Colonial-offiee
to the GOTOTZIOII of Canada, Gibraltar, Malta, Umloa.
Hoeg-Kos.g, sad

Karl Cowley, we (GaFirms) understand, intends
giving • state diluter sad westing party on Wedneedikr next
to celebrate the marriage of the Prises of Welsh hie lord-
shiP.• absent* is gegland when the ceremony took pines
having prevented his doing eo at the time. A splendid
illumination is being prepered in the garden.