The Express.
London, England, 1864-01-15 00:00:00

THE SLESWIO•HOISTEIN QUESTION.

The following is a despatch from the Foreign
Minister to the Saxon government in reference to
the Sleswig-Holstein question :

EARL RUSSELL TO C. A. MCBEAT, ERQ.

Foreigo-office, Dee. 17.

Sir,—Her Majesty's government have heard with stir-
miss and pain Mt language which has bees held in refer-
ence to the London protocol of May, 1852.
The powers whish signed that treaty, or eventually
became parties to it, must recollect that it was made
binding, not only co Denmark, but also on Great Britain,
France, Russia, and Swede',' who were parties to the
treaty, and oo all other states and powers giviag their con-
sent or adhesion thereto, sad that it was the expressed
object and aim of that treaty not to regulate the mutual
relations between Denmark and Germany, but to serve sea
an emential agreement in the general interest of Europe.
A violation ci the engagement entered into by Denmark
towards Germany in the years 1851 and 1652 is an aims
the reparation of which may be justly demanded. Such
• violation, however, cannot result in rendering a solemn
European treaty invalid towards other parties to it. The
promises made by Denmark in 1852 in reference to Stee-
wig and Holstein may have bees for Austrit and Primula
the prevailing motive for their becoming parties to
the protocol of May, 1852 ; but if those powers do not re-
main faithful to their engagements they cannot with a shade
of justice adduce as an excuse that they were deceived in
their expectations relative to the fulfilment by Denmark of
obligations which had been uudertaken at a former period
in other documents.
The entire bases of treaty arrangements is Europe would
be overthrown if such an excuse for the breach of • clear
sod simple treaty could be admitted. Any sovereign, when
called upon to fulfil his migsgeromita, might say :—" My
reason for withdrawal from such • treaty was that I had
made another agreement with one of the partite thereto.
This other agreement has been violated; my treaty with
you is therefore null and void."
Her Majest's government is convinced that the Conti
of Dresden will understand that if each a hoe of argument
were admitted as valid every missies treaty would
waste paper. 1 refrain from quoting mem in point in which
such • light and inconsiderate mode of interpreting treatise
would prove seriously prejudicial to the German powers
themselves.
For the present it may suffice her Majesty's govern-
ment to declare that they would maids! say departure
from the successicra protocol of 1832 cm the part of those
powers who have aigoed or become parties to thesaid treaty
as wholly incompatible with good faith.-1 have, he-,
(Sigoedl RUMILL.
You are requested to leave • copy of this despatch with
Baron Vat Best.

LONDON MECH....Nita' Issnyvrtore.—On Wednes-
day mooing a mirk wee held at this institution in corn-
niemoratioe of it. 40th anniversary. The theatre and read-
ag-room were tastefully decorated for the occasion ; the
walls were covered with pictures; sad numerous objects of
scientific and artistic interest were exhibited. A large
number of members sat down to tea is the reading-room
and afterwards assembled m the theatre, where the choir
wee taken by Mr. T. A. Reed, who, in opening
the proceedings, referred to the establishment of
the institution, the first of its kind, in 1823,
by Lord Beciugham, Dr. Birkbeek, and others, and to
the national basalts which bad sprung from the many
similar societies called istoexistence by
.its example. The
achievements of modern times, he said, were a fruitful
subject of the historian's eulogiom and the poet's gong ;
but the quiet and unobtrusive agencies which had called
them forth, by stimulating and fostering a love of know-
ledge, wore comparatively unheeded, and of those agencies
medusas institutions were amongst the most potent. The
chairman then urged thu members to avail themselves more
largely than ever of the ninny educational facilities
afforded by the classes, library, reading room, end
lectures, thug accomplishing the twofold object of
securing their own advancement and reflecting credit
on the institution through whose instrumentality it had
been obtained. Addresses were delivered by Mr. Joseph
and Mr. Rees, members of the committas of mensperent,
in which the claims of the institution were duly selareed,
The entertainments of the evening were many sad varied. '
The entire proceedings appeared to give the greatest menial
faction ; and as aaeouocement made during the evening, ,
that the chairmen had brought before the committee of
managers a proposal for supplying the members, at certaia
hour', with refreshments at cost price, with a view of uld-
mately incorporating the club principle with the geeeral
working of the lastitution, wee pealed with applause.
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, SOUTH Kw-
argovon.—We are informed that the Royal Hortienharal
Society will hold an exhibition of ancient and modern
bouquet-holders, to be opened os the 13th July, sad to
matinee for four weeks. Far the this. most artistic and
effective modern bouquet-holders, seeds Sim e Jane, 1861
(the opening of the gardens). they will award three medals
—ow gold, me silver, and one broom The ornamentation
of these bouret-hoiders may be with precise' stones or
their istitstious, enamelling of all kinds, niello work, oe
• any other proems. The competition is open to all nations.