The Express.
London, England, 1864-05-04 00:00:00

NIGH Wg2ILAT LONDO! SUDS&

TI Doi7JWorodog. Ob. Ittra.....Albrows. Ok. 44%.
INNICS3OI/ Mornay, lb. 0n.....An0r00m 3L SOIL

LONDON, WEDNESDAY, MAY 4.

THE campaign which has probably by this time
opened in Virginia is the most critical since the
commencement of the war. After numerous
efforts in various directions, it has been conclusively
proved that until the army of the Confederates in
Virginia is defeated it is vain to expect the sup-
pression of the rebellion. In order to conquer a
powerful antagonist his great armies must be de-
feated, and it is certain that the Confederate
army in Virginia is now the most formidable
body of troops in the field. During last
summer and auto= the great efforts of the
Federal were directed to the West. The
Mississippi was cleared by the surrender of Vicks-
burg, and the whole of Tennessee was secured by
the capture of Chattanooga and Knoxville. The
seaboard now claims attention. The pos-
session of Mobile would cut off the Confederates
in the South from all access with the outer world,
and if the chief ports on the eastern seabord
should fall into the hands of the Federal', the
cause of the Confederacy would be reduced to no
ordinary straits. Wilmington and Savannah are
the ports by which the Confederacy practically
communicates with other countries and obtains
many of the necessary supplies for carrying on the
war. Let the Confederacy be deprived of these
porta, and it will find considerable difficulty in
maintaining its military position.
It is not to be denied that during the present
year the Federal have met with no sort of success.
The expedition of Sesawr effected nothing ;
whilst the Confederate officer, Fosses; has cap-
tured an earthwork (Fort Pillow) on the eastern
bank of the Mississippi, and threatens to penetrate
even into Ohio. It may be reasonably conjectured
that the Federal, having a great enterprise in
hand in the East, have weakened their armies in
the West as much as possible ; and this may ac-
count for the late successes in that quarter. Unless
General LEE has a sufficient number of troops to
resist the attacks of General GRA/VT in Virginia
and in North Carolina, the brilliant exploits of
General FORREST will only prove that the Confede-
rates did not understand their business. For it
will appear that when the Confederates ought to
have been concentrated they were dispersed—
when they ought to have been in the East they
were in the West. If the great attack upon
Richmond succeeds, the predatory operations of
Foautsr and his mounted infantry will be utterly
futile. In the meantime, however, they may
cause much private loss and misery, and perhaps
convince the farmers of the West that they
have no hope of permanent tranquillity
until the South is subdued. But the Con-
federates have not been satisfied with operat-
ing on the eastern bank of the Great River.
They are operating on the western bank. It is
difficult to believe that the success either of the
North or of the South in these regions can mate-
rially affect the result of the war. No doubt, if
the Federal" should sussed at Richmond, their
occupation of the country West of the Mis-
sissippi would facilitate their again ob-
taining possession of that region. On the
other hand, the conquest of Richmond and the
eastern seaboard would lead inevitably to the same
result It is by no means clear, therefore, that
the Federal will really obtain any benefit by pro-
secuting the war on the West of the Mississippi.
Indeed, the only possible benefit which can be
derived from such an enterprise is the employment
of a certain number of Confederate troops, which
if they were not so employed would swell the Con-
federate armies in the East ; and the only possible
defence of the Federal" is, that they are employing
men who could not possibly be employed else-
where.

It is not to be supposed that the particular plan
adopted by General Gasrrr should be made known
to the public. But it is tolerably clear that that
officer has determined to make a grand effort to
overcome the Confederate armies in Virginia.
There seems no reason to doubt that Gnarr has
been really placed in supreme command of the
United States armies. Since the beginning of
the war no officer has shown himself more
thoroughly independent than General GRANT. It
is impossible to prove that his own plan has been
adopted ; but he bas reorganized the army of the
Potomac in a fashion which, until the present mo-
ment, has not been experienced. He has re-
arranged brigades and divisions, dismissed some
officers, and placed others in new commands.
Above all, he has succeeded in getting the whole'
of the Northern armies under his control.
A vigorous attack upon the Confederate
armies in Virginia is the one object at which
Gitx:4.7 aims, and it is clear that be has been
allowed by the Government at Washington to use
the whole resources of the Republic to accomplish
his design. It is admitted that the army on
the Itspidan has been reorganized according to
the General's own heart. But besides this he has
employed himself in directing every man who could
be spared, from Washington down to Florida, to
concentrate upon Richmond. The army under
SHERMAN at Chattanooga and at Knoxville is quies-
cent—a constant stream of troops has been pour-
ing into Fort Monroe on the north side of the
James River, and, according to the latest accounts,
" large numbers are being transported from Port
" Royal," in the immediate neighbourhood of Sa-
vannah, to the same rendezvous—soother army is
assembling on the south side of the James River,
whilst GRANT himself is said to be watching the
movements of Len with 110,000 efficient troops.
Thus from three points north, east, and
south-east—three armies, each sufficiently strong to

resist the attack of General LEE, are about to
advance upon Richmond. Their communications
with Washington and with each other by
sea are ample. The only danger is that the Con-
federate officers may succeed in annihilating
one of them before either of the others can come

to its aid. To

capacity of the

failed in bin
be wee not e

although it may

authority had been enlarged,

I wooded. Bat Gaaarr hag no such excuse. He occupies
the position, and is clothed with the substantial au-
thority of aCommanderin•Chief. If, therefore' he
fails, he will fail because the army opposed to hi".
•
is more powerful, or occupies a more advantageous
position than that of his adversary, or because the
officers in command of the Confederate armies are
more skilful than those who command the armies
of the Federal..

gig Coun.

OSBORNE, NAY 3.

The Queen and Princess Helena, attended bythe
Hoe. Mrs. Broom sad Lord Alfred Poet, drove out yester-
day idloroooo.

Prises Lowenstein arrived on a visit to her Majesty, and
returned to Load= to-day.
Prince Arthur, attended by Major Elphinstone, left
Osborne far Owenerioh•park.

Dearatchar were received yesterday at the Coionial•ollee
train the Governors of Hoag Bong, Ceylon, Gibnatar, and
Yalta Despatches were ant to the Governor or labels.

THE DRAWMG-ROOM.

By command of the Queen a Drawing-room was
held yesterday, at Bt. Jainefs Palate, by the Prima' of
Wales, on behalf of her Majmly. Presentations to her
Royal Miens= at this court, an by the QQIIII.ID'S Osamu*
to be considered as equivalent to presentation to her
Majesty.

The Priam and Princess of Wass, attended by the Ladies
and Gentisenen in Waiting, end wooded by a detachment of
Um Royal Horse Guards, proceeded from Marlborough
Rouse and arrived at St. James's Palms at about 2 o'clock,
where their Royal Highsemse were received by the Rietares
of the Robes, and the peat officers of state of the Queen's
household.

The Priam= Mary of Cambridge arrived at the Palm"
attended by lady Geraldine &menet and Colonel H.
Panes.

The Grand Duke and Grand Dubow ot Macklanbargh
Strada: arrived, Warted by Lady Caroline Curt sod Bunn
Plessoa.

The Duke of Cassbridse arrived, attended by hi. equerry,
Colonel T'yralait.

Prince Edward of Saze•Weimar was present at the Draw.
*room

The Primer of Wake took her station in front of the
Throne, amompanied by the Priam of Wale, and the other
members of the Royal Panay.
The Princes@ of Wales wore a train of rich black silk,
trimmed with crape and jet ormunente ; a petticoat of black
silk covered with maps sad bouillosnew of black tolle,aren-
merited with jet eters and butterflies. Headdress, tiara of
jet with black feathers sad
The Priam* Mary of Cambridge ware a train of rick
black corded silk, trimmed with ruches of elk point d'Alee=
con and bouquet of silver wlasetems, a petticoat of black
stile covered with talle,4trieueed with peat d'Alescon sad
silver whesteare Hesd-drem, a diadem of dianmede
mounted acilver wheatmeal, feathers, and silver tulle
veil,
rte
veil, , middle*, and terrines of pearls tad

The Grand Durham of dbckle•barg Straits wore • black
satin train trimmed with bee, a pettiocat af moire antique
trimmed with rieb lace and satin ribbon, • stomacher of
pearls and dimmed; • dimmed neeklam, sod • disdain of
pearls and diamonds, with while feathers and white veil.

- The Prises of W. were the uniform of the 101 h
Hamm of which regiment hie Royal Highness is coloaa,
with the Order of the Garter sad the Star of Wis.

Ti ti i Foreign Ambamedare end Ministers having bees
introduced in the order of their precedence, the following
had the honour of being presented to the Primus of Wake
on behalf of the Queen :
By the Austrian Ambemedar, M. de Biegelebers, Privy
Councillor to the Emperor, and Plenipoisnlinry.
By the Promian Ambeeneace, Maoism as Balsa, actual
Privy Councillor of the King, and Plenipotentiary.
By the Danish Minister, Bares Holger de Resinkrenta
Berrelnry to the Legation ; Baron de Calamities*, Man-
bide& bibs King, and Omni:Mgr of Uplifts ; and Baron
de Bertoucla, Chamberlain to the King. sad Oramaglor of
Leptis..
By the Bight Has. the Secretory of State, the Boon de

Besot, Pleniotectiary of the Geriasuio Cootederatiou.
On this occasion the Lady Mazy Wood ofßeiued for the
Countess Rowell sod the Earl de Grey end Ripe. ofliciaMd
for Earl RunasiL

The diplomatic circle was attended by most of the forsiga
mieiatem

The general circle was atteaded by most of her Majesty's
ministers.

ROYAL ITALIAN OPZILA.—Their Royal Highnesses
the Primes aad Primers et wase beamed the perfornameeess
at the Royal Italia& Opera with their premise last eyealag.
Thew royal highimases were aroorapsaied by her Royal
Higbee. the Dashers of Cambridge, the Grand Mellen of
Meobheberg•Steslits aad the Prisons May ; the iliestriess
party ocoupyieg her Majesty's box. Tb. hoses was
crowded with fashionable oreepea,y.

Viscount Palmerston is still suffering from his
atter& of gout. It is doubtful witothar tire noble lord will
bo able to be proorat is the Howe of Commas to-morrow,
as was expected.

The Karl and Counter of Laneaborough enter-
tared ►t dinner yesterday, at their residence is Great
Stanhope-street, his Eacelleacy the Minimise of t►e Nether.
lands, the Earl aid Countess el Errol, Earl and Constar
of Ansa, Vie:cant Crichton, Lord and Lady Farnham,
Lord and Lady Dishy and the Hos. Mime Dieby, Lady Rata
I Greville, Sir Samuel Hayes, Mr. and Mn. Cooil Faso, sad
1 Mn. Wells.

On Friday Mr. Grant Daft will call attention
kith* report of the Public Schools Commission; and move—
net the state of the higher school education in England la
not satisfactory, and cells for the early attention of her
Majesty's goTersiaent
PROPOSED GALLERIMS AT SOUTH KiNSINGTON.
The commissioners appointed to award the prudent, for the

dasigos submitted in conmetitioa for the galleries met oe Fri-
day for the final decision. There were present, Lord Echo,
in the chair, Mr. Tile, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Ferguesoe, and Mr.
Pennethoree. After further examination and diamenioe,
they awarded the gnat premium to the design distinguished
by the motto, " Ad °gni on-40," &a. ; the mond to that
marked "To build well," Aw ; and the third to that in-
scribed "Pro Rege et Lege," tic. This report haring been
forwarded to the Chief Commissioner of Works, the Right
Floe. W. Cowper, and the letters opeeed, it was
ascertained that the first premium, of 4001., had berm
awarded to Captain Fowke ; the sewed, of 250 L, to Pro-
fessor Ken ; and the third, 1501., to Mr. Borthwick. We
=demised the &ciao= were emakeces.

FOREIGN-OFFICI, Arco. 30.—Earl Rumell, her
Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, has re.
coned a moth, dated 16th ult., from Y. Baleares, minister
at this court from the Argentine Republic, Makin that it
is DO longer wry for pence's going to the Amentise
Republic to °Maio ebe vim of Argentine oossakr spots
to their peamports.—Glarefte.
WrarmiNeras SCHOOL—The annual election of
the scholars of St. Peter's College was held oa Tuesday,
May 3, is the Jerusalem Chamber, by the amal electors ;
the Deans of Weetmioster and Christ Church, the Master
of Trioity, and the Rev. G. W. Kitten sod the Rev. H. J.
Hothara. examiners. Merle. Trevor, Mackey, sad Jerseys
were elected to studentship of Christ Morels ; sad Mews.
Sim, Lase, sad Cherimell to ethibitiom at Trinity, Cam-
bridge. The Triplett Exhibitions were obtained by Mmes.
Sim and Tombola', and the Thomas Exhibition by Mr.
Pember. Os Nasdaq means the maul banquet of "old
Weetminstas" took pleas in the hall, under the presidency
of the dens. Coven were laid for 90, sad about 75 set slows
to dinner. Dean Stanley pre the usual Meats of "The
Queen" "The Royal Family," "Fluent," Re., sad the
Queen's scholars recited their epigismie, the two subjects
being "Dux regit examen," cod " VadDlll dams° est."
The epigrams made reference to every cosconsble subject
ranging from the Duke of Welliugtoe's Lade 11S4),
bcWi and Pepper's Ghost, to Mr. Jobs Bright's Reform
Bill, and to the eacodorous Thames. The school broke up
yesterday for three weeks.
DEATH OF Mn, FRANK E. SmaniaY.—The death
of Mr. Freak Smedley, the welLiniciina sallow, occurred os
Sunday affiensoos, at his town midway, Grove
R•Mot'sPerk. Mr. Bmodley's novels—" Prank Fairleillel
or. the Adnotares of a Private Papal." " Lewis Amadei:l
and " Harry Coverdale's Colartablp"—had a wide and a de-
served popolerit Hie hat work was volume of humorous
poetry, celled "Mirth and Metre," written io coujunctim
with his friend, Mr. Edmund Yates. Mr. Smedley wee in
hie fiftieth year. The muss el hie death wee apoplexy.

.4r3.1." LAW

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