The Express.
London, England, 1864-12-22 00:00:00

FREAKS OF GERMAN DUKES.

The example of the Hessian Chamber appears to
be contagious. The Diet of the little Duchy of
Hanhalt-Coethen, in its sitting of the loth, ap-
pointed a commission to inquire into the best
means of putting an end to the anomalous situa-
tion of the country, the sovereign of which, in con-
tempt of the constitution, promulgates laws re-
jected by the Chamber, derisively adding to them
the constitutional formula, " The consent of the
Diet understood."
Meanwhile the affairs of the Electorate of Hesse
seem to be taking another turn. It is now asserted
that the mental state of the Elector has at last led
to the interference of the members of the electoral
house, who have communicated with the Federal
Diet for the purpose of inducing it to declare the
incapacity of the sovereign and the necessity of
appointing a Council of Regency. I'rince Frederick
of Hesse, the heir, is regarded as the probable
regent.

RUSSIA AND THE DUCHIES.

La Patric publishes the following :

We have received from Munich the almost textual pas-
sage of a despatch which Prince Gortchakoff has just
addressed to Count de Stackelberg. the Russian minister at
Vienna. The object of this despatch is to inform the envo►
of the Emperor Alexander of the new attitude the cabinet
of St. Petersburg has thought fit to assume as regards the
candidateship of the Duke of Oldenburg.
`• Russia," says the despatch, " does not positively
abandon the Duke, whom she still considers the legal pos-
sessor of the rights which have been transferred to him ;
but, circumstances having - been modified, it no longer
thinks it advisable to lend to that prince the active support
of its influence, either with the two great German Powers or
with the German Confederation. The new situation which
result, for the cabinet of St. Petersburg from the f►mily
alliance recently agreed upon between the houses of Regis
and Denmark impose upon the Emperor the duly of abstain-
ing from an► step of a nature to weaken the power which
recent events have left to King Clu.stian
We repeat that this peonage is almost textual.

Thus, it appears that the government of the Emperor
Alexander does not wish, in separating itself openly from
the Treaty of London, to destroy the internationsl claim
in virtue of which Christian IX. reigns in Denmark.

FRANCK
A Paris letter in the ',dependance of Brussels

Says :

The hopes entertained that the legislative session would
be opened on the 15th January will not be realised. It is
now certain that the Senate and the Legislative Body win
not commence their labours until towards the middle of
February. The Council of State is about to begin the ex-
amination of the budget, but will nftesaarily have a short
vacation for Christmas and the new year. There can be no
doubt that the ruling powers have determined to commence
the nen= so late with a view to make it shorter. I have
been assured that the budget and all the bills intended to
be puma during the session will be presented at the same
time, so that there will be a possibility of continuing the
discussions without interruption, which will certainly tend
to shorten the duration of business.

SPAIN.

A 31adrikl letter of the 18th has the following

The motive which ietermined Queen Isabella to recall
the Nervaer ministry was the extreme sensitiveness of
public opinion in Spain. The people are visibly not in a
humour to be governed absolutely by Sister P►trocinio, and
as it is the clericals who aspire to a crovade against the nee-
Latin races in America, there is a general belief that Mar-
shal Names, if he remains in power, will send pacific ri-
structions to Admiral Pinson.

Another letter of the same date in the lifessager
de Bayonne says :
M. Laurie yesterday afternoon presented to Queen
Isabella the list of persons whom he proposed OA members
of the cabinet of which he was to be the head. Her Ma-
jesty requested him to come again at Bin the evening. M.
Isturix, thinking that they would then have to take the
oaths of office, directed his future colleagues to be in at-
tendance at that hour. But they did not take into account
the incident' which paned in the palace immediately after
M. Laurie left. The Queen was told that the proposed
combination, consisting entirely of members of the
liberal union, would contribute to Increase the irrita-
tion of the prove:mists, and render the situation more
difficult. This observation was not without effect on her
Majesty. for she immediately sent for Marshal Nerves; and
entreated him, in the name of his patriotism, to withdraw
hie resignation. He requested a short delay to consult his
colleagues, and the result was that all of them 'greed to
continue in office ; so that when M. Isturis went to the
palace ►t the hour appointed, her Majesty informed him
that she had not accepted the resignation offered by the
Duke de Valencia and his colleagues. I will not attempt to
describe the disappointment felt by the ministers-expec-
tant.

(arum's =La.:gums.
BANK OF FRANCE.
PARIS, THURSDAY.
The Bank of France has reduced its rate of
discount from 5 to 4} per cent.