The Express.
London, England, 1864-02-18 00:00:00

'RESS, THURSDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 18, 1864.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

PRUSSIANS AND AUSTRIANS.

The Wanderer of Vienna energetically protests
against Marshal Wrangel's pretensions to occupy
Holstein. It says :
The majority of the Germanic Diet has expressly declared
to Austria and Prussia that it had refrained from opposing
the passage of their troops into Holstein on the condition

that the power of the federal commissioners should be left
entire. If, indeed, the federal troops had resisted those
of the two great powers, the latter would have found them.
selves in a most embarrassing position. And now the Pros.
shun threaten to drive out those who had shown them so
much condescension, and intend to ocznpy Holstein on their
own account. If there be such a thing as injustice in the
world, wens it here. We trust that Austria will be able
to induce Pruesia to relinquish this measure, and that in
any case the Austrian troops will take no part in it.

RELIGIOUS "PERSUASIONS" IN IRELAND.

The last census of Ireland, full tables of which
were issued to-day, divides the religious professions of the
people into established church, Romeo catholic*, presby-
terians, methodists, independents, baptists, quakes. "all
other persuasions," and Jews. In looking over a table
showing the religions professions of persons as described by
themselves, included tinder the bead of "all other per-
suasions," we find some curious particulars! 112 people hare
written themselves down simply as "Christians," and 68 se
"High Church." Then there are 51 "Christian Inset-
Bee," and 40 " Brethren"—not Plymouth brethren. 28
rack themselves as "Disciples of Christ;" 14 are " Dar-
byites," 9 "Kellyites," 3 " Walkerites," 3 " Mommonians,"
and 1 " Cameroniso." 9 simply declare themselves "Be-
lieves in Jesus," 6 as "Members of Christ's Church," 8
as "Sinners saved by Grace." We find also such deeds-
-11 nations as these :—" Brethren in Christ" (2), " Church of
Christ" (2), " The Word of God Alone" (2), "Self-opinion
or the church of God," (1. One man writes himself down
"a saint of no sect," and a man and a woman say they are "of
no particular persuasion." Two go a little further than the
last, and say that they are " undecided." Two others are
" doubtful ;" 44 males and 28 females say they are of "no
religion." One is • " philanthropist," another a " po-
sitivist," and another • "Cromwellian Protestant."
There are 4 socialists, 21 freethinkers, 20 secularists, 19
deists, 1 unbeliever (a woman) and 1 atheist. Two
are " rationalists," 2 " matmialieta," and 2 avow
themselves to be "seekers." One is • " Puseyite." The
Unitarians are divided under the heads of " Unitarians"
simply, of whom there are 3,800; " Unitarian presbyte-
rises," 201 ; " non-subscribing presbyteeians," 167 ; and
" Ari►ns," 32. Several of this denomination, however, are
naked under the general head of " presbyterians."
The figures of the general return are all follows :
Established church—males, 339,314, females 354,013 ;
Roman catholics—mates 2,206,053, females, 2,300,212;
presbyterians—males 254,734, females 268,557 ; methediMe

. _
—male' 21,290, females 24,109; independente—mllll2,ll2,
females 2,420 ; Imptista--rnales 2,141, females 2,096 ; society
of friends or quakers—males 1,680, females 1,680 ; all other
persuasioos—males 10,846, females 7.932 ; dews—males 200,
females 193,

ANTI•MALT TAX MEETING AT
WOLVERHAMPTON.

Yesterday afternoon, at the Agricultural Hall,
Wolverhampton, • meeting was held in favour of the
repeal of the malt tax. There were about 200 of the
principal farmers present. B. McKim, Req., took the
chair and read a number of apologias for non-attendance,
among which was one from the Earl of Lichfield, in which
he said :—" There cannot be two opinions as to the injustice
of the tax as well as its inconsistency with free trade.
The only question I do not feel satisfied upon is the extent
to which the farmers would look for relief as compered with
the 2d. or 3d. income tax." One was from Lord Dart-
mouth in which he said :—" I have only, I think, to say that
although in principle • thorough advocate for the repeal of
the malt tax, whether viewed as an impost on the coo-
sumer or upon the producer—for the agriculturalists of this
country are interested in both the above considerations—
yet, as Kr. Newdegate observed the other day
in the Hones of Commons, I am not pre-
pared to assert that so large a sum of revenue
can at once be surrendered. However, I heartily wish the
movement for the repeal of that tax success." Another from
W. Foster, Foi., :—" Although I cannot go so far
asto promise that I could vote for the absolute and imme-
diate repeal of the excise duty, I certainly sympathise is
the movement the farming interest is making." And Gee
from Alexander Stavely Hill, Esq., saying Yon have
my hearty sympathies with you in your efforts to obtain
the removal of the tax oa malt." Speeches were made
in favour of the object of the meeting by tenant
farmers and manufacturers of the town, and resolutions
were paseri to the effect that the repeal of the malt tax was
one of material importance both to the producer and con-
sumer, while it prevented the farmers from making the
best use of their land, and oompelled the labouring classes
to pay twofold value for one of the daily necessities of life.
That the feeling of the fermate of the country was opposed
to the continuation of the tax, and they ought to be repre-
sented in parliament. That the high sheriff be requested
to call • county meeting. That while taxation had been
reduced on the beverages of the middle and upper classes,
that of the lower classes remained undimiaished.

The meeting was very enthusiastic, aad refused to haw
any opposition.

THE REPEAL OP THE MALT TAY.

Yesterday a vary large meeting took place in the
Corn Ex Ruey.
Mr. C. M. who presided, read a letter from
Mr. Newdegate, M.P., in which that gentleman
write., in explanation of his speech in parliament :
"It would have been very injudicioos on my
part if I had at the outset repudiated the first
attempt. on the part of the government to meet the re-
ouiremente of the sgriculturista, in the matter of malt,
not being, as I stated at Wtrwick, prepared to vote for
the immediate and uncooditional abolition of 6,000,0001.
of renew—the amount derived from the malt tax.
I am folly sensible of the anomalous and unfair positive
in which the excise restrictions of the malt tax prow exclu-
sively upon the agriculturists as it now stands. For malt-
ing 'a but a process in the consumption of a portion of
agricaltsral produce into another form. I quite amour with
those who think that the sgriculturiste ought to be mom-
peosated or rewarded; but I do not coocur with some of
those who can etrenonaly agitate for the repeal of the
malt-tax, as might be understood from my speech at War-
wick. For with these pumas the relief of the farmer and
his labourers are matters of quite a .encoders ommiderstica,
and in these real object. Ido not concur. You will oblige
me by reedits( this to the meeting on Wednesday,
and by erpressiug my regret that I cannot leave London on
that day."
Resolutions were passed condemning the malt tax, sad a
pstitica wasadopted praying for its meal.

THE INTERNATIONAL HOTEL COMPANY.
(THIS DAY.)

This afternoon the fourth ordinary general
meeting of the above company was held at the Inter-
sotiomil Hotel, Loseloo.bridge.
The half-yearly report of the directors, which was
adopted, slates that although the hotel receipts, as
shown in the accosate, are act so large as at one
period were anticipated, the trading profits upon those
receipts must be wondered very satisfactory. The gToes
receipts for the period ending December 31, 1863,
have been 13,6661. Os. 11d., the expenditure 9,1031, 25.,
giving a set profit of 4,5511. 18a. lid., which, after deduct-
ug 1,9191. 41. 7d. for interest on debenture loan and mart-
pge debt, will, with the amount of 1,2131. 12s. Id., brought
over from thetas& accouet, lean to the credit of profit and
loss available far dividend, the stun of 3,8471. 6s. 9d.
This sum would produce a dividend at the rate of upwards
of 9 per cent per annum oo the half-year, but the whole
amount would then be absorbed, and the directors, having
regard to the future, consider it more prudent to moan-
: mead a dividend at the rate of 6 per cent pee
sanine, which will enable them to Garry forward • wane
lof 1,4021. 111 e. 9d. to the credit of the next half-year's
account. The hotel business, although still much below the
capacity of the hotel, is in • healthy Pete, steadily norms-
-1 in., and a vomits consexioa of a permanent character is
being established.
.1a the present wiroants there is • con.
siderable reduction ta revenue in newt of club reoeipts—
the Southwark Club having in tact ceased to exist. There
is, however, *very reason to hope that the toes is only iell2
panty, another club, to be monied "The International and
Mercantile Club," being is pose. of formatioo, the sub-
ecription to which being mart lower, • proportionally loser
number of members maybe expected to join it. The direc-
tors hare pleasure in amnesties that a hitherto compara-
tively useless spine on the ground loaf of the hotel has
been recently converted, at small expire, into dining and
refreshisonrooms, is which, as far as on be judged from a
short experience, there is every reams to believe a no-
fitable local badness will be don. The directors still eater.
taro the *trios expressed in • former report that no
material injury will souse to the hotel from the opening
of the enemies lies of railway to Charing-crass : feeling
cosedeet that say loss sustained by the passing onward of
moms travellers who might otherwise have remained at
the hotel will be fully tionnessated by the env sad rapid
commasicstios now established between it and the west mid
of Loedoo. The diresten take the opportunit of contra-
dicting various infonsed reports in consorti-
um the future existence aad coationesse of the hotel,
which if allowed to pals winkled might canes ussanaes•
is the minds of the preporieters.

Attertemait Maus VIA PANANA.—The mail
steam packet eamennairation Wares Andralis and Tag
-
laud will riormasece not later than the Ist of March, 1865.
The subsidies for coaveying the malls between Panama
sad Sydosy will amount 100,0004 a year. The voyage
Interims throe two porta is to be performed In 37 days. sod
the whole dietaries between England and New South
Wake is 50 days. It is calculated that the Levee at post
to and from Asstralia. vii Panama, will be sea month INS
than by way of led's. There are tow seven Hass of
sleamen io commies with Panama that will act as feeders
to the Poetic mail steam line to Amtralia--via. throe

taws logisad sod Oolos, two Wiliam Pima& sod
California, me betimes Passim sad C6lll, sad sae be-
' tweet Nasals sad Oinks! America.
' The whole number of national bank' organimed
ea the 12th of Jassmy was 306, hsvimg ea espemite
supi-
tsl of 32,634.1100 dole., divided mese timaty-three Males
sad the district of Oolumbia. Bias the 12014 • dam
peaks have ban added to the above. with • symboled wady
2,600,000 doh.—Par York Herald.
0111111TAL PALMA •••• ON/ Szturero DAY.
Pm. 17 .—Admirioss oa pps~mst, 1,411; ow frr SWIM
Berate,l,o7l ; total, 2,