The Express.
London, England, 1864-12-19 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, MONDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 19, 1864:

"intrigue with Sir Wittrem." Lady WILDE
added in very strong and pointed Impels that
"no threat or additional insult shall ever e4Ort
" money for her from our hands," and ehithr-
ized the money which Miss Taerras had " treated
" for and demanded "as the "wages of disgrace."
This letter was, in fact, the substance of the
libel ; and judged apart from the circumstances
of the case, it would be hard to define
in what • libel should consist, if not in imputing
such motives as this letter imputed. For the de-
fendant it was contended that the letter, written
by a woman in extreme distress and torture of
mind, was not written for publication (it was taken
by the plaintiff out of her father's desk), that it
was written in good faith, and without malice,
and in the hope of stopping the insulting pro-
ceedings of which the writer complained ; and that
the writer believed the statements contained in it
to be true. It was sought by plaintiff's counsel
to affix meanings to the strong words employed in
the letter, which the writer distinctly and expressly
repudiated. The jury were able to compare
the plaintiff's own statements with the
letter. But Irish juries are proverbially
impressionable, and they appear to have been more
favourably impressed by Miss TRAVERS than by
Lady WILDE, whose too literary temperament may
have perhaps betrayed her into writing energetic
prose, when she might with more prudence and
propriety have abstained from letter-In:V.lg
on a subject in which her feelings were
so painfully agonized, and have rather re-
monstrated with Dr. TitevEr.s in person on
his daughter's proceedings. By Sir WILLIAM
WILDE'S indiscretions, as disclosed iii his little notes
to Miss TRAVELS the jury were perhaps more
shocked than by that young lady's mode of resent-
ing them. And her counsel did not fail to lay
careful stress upon the conduct of Sir Wittiest
W.LDE as the principal defendant, in "calling upon
" the jai' to convict the plaintiff o: perjuri, with-
out venturing to come into the box or cmitra diet
"her statement." This was clearly a very weak
point of the defence ; so weak that, on the face of
the libel itself, it is perhaps not surprising that
the jury returned a verdict for the plaintir.
Damages one farthing may be considered to rc
present their estimate of her wrongs.
Tire verdict will probably have satisfied neither
party, but whether the plaintiff is content o-
it can hardly be in the interest of Sir WILLIAM
WILDE to supply the public ear with another dose
of such nauseating scandal.

cbt Court.

WINDSOR CASTLE, Die. 17.

The Queen, with Princess Helena, Princess
Louise, Princess Beatrice, and Prince Leopold, left Windsor
Castle thus morning eta quarter to 11 o'clock for Osborne.
The suite in attendance consisted of the Dowager Cor-i-
-tvss of Mount-Edgcumbe, the Lady Caroline Barringtor,
the Hon. Mrs. Bruce, the Hon. Florence Seymour, Lieute-
nant•Geoeral the Hoe. C. Grey, Major-General the Hon. A.
N. Hood, Lieutenant-Colonel Du Plat, and Mr. Buff.
Countess Blucher also left the Castle for Osborne.
The Right Hon. T. Milner ;I:ibeou arrived at the Castle
yesterday.
Major-General the Hon. A. N. Hood has succeeded
Major• General F. H. Seymour as Equerry in Waiting.

OSBORNE, DEC. 18.

The Queen, Princess Helena, Princess Louise, Prince
Leopold, and Princess Beatrice, errived At Osborne shortly
liter 2 o'clock yesterday.

liar Mejesty crossed over from Gosport in the royal
•ht Alberta, Captain Prince L3iningen.
This morning the Rev. J. Prothero performed Div,l
Szrvice at Osborne, before her Majesty, Princess Helena
and Prince Leopold, and the Ladies and Gentlemen
Waiting.

Despatches were sent on Saturday from the Colo[l'll-
- to the Uovereors of Can►da and the Bahamas.

THE MEETING OF PARLIAMENT.—The day for the
meetiog of parliament is not fixed, but it will probably
be either Tuesday, the ith February, or Thureday, the 9th
accortliog to circommtancol, which cannot yet be funny
arranged.—Olwrrcr.

We (01,87rer) are authorised to say that Sir R.
Alcock has not been recalled, but has been ordered to come
bum* on leave of absence, in order to confer with her Ma.
jesty's government on the state of affairs in Japan.
The council of the Social Science Association
Lave unanimously resolved to bold the Association's neat
autumnal congress in SheihahL

Professor Goldwiu Smith was at New York on
the Gth as a &neat of the Hon. George Bancroft. He was to
read a paper that evening at the regular monthly meeting of
the Historical Society, on the " History of the University
of Oxford." Professor Smith was to sail on the 14th.

Mr. Solomon Hart, R.A., ban been elected libra-
rian of the Hord Academy, to the place of Mr. Pickers-
gal. ILA., Tangoed.

Mr. John CAllcott Horsley sod Mr. Thomas
Feed have been elected from the associate rank to be
Royal Academicians, in the place of Mr. Dyes and Sir
John Watson Gordon, deceased.

Yesterday- morning the Bishop of London held a
general ordination in her Bajesty's Chapel Royal, White-
hall. of which his lordebip is dean. I'rayers were read by
the Rev. J. H. Howlett. M.A., after which a sermon wan
preached by the Rev. E. H. Piraeus, M.A., of Corpus
Christi College, Cambridge.
lIEPI:E,ENTATION OP HARWICH. —Mr. R. J. Bag-
show is announced ea a second liberal candidate for Har-
wich. Mr. Bagshaw pceseases coosiderable property in the
neighbourhood. and was returned io December, 1857. for the
borough, for which he sat until the general election in 1859.
During pert of the time that Mr. 13,..-ehaw represented
I lereich his tether was also member for the borough. Mr.
Bare Law, who tiosuoseasfully contested Great Yarmouth in
I iS47, will have a second literal candidate by his side in Mr.
M. Willa. Both the present members—Captsin Jervis and
the Hon. Colonel Rowley—are cooseryatives. Colonel
Rowley, who was returned in IN.I, will retire at the disso-
lution. but Captain Jervis will offer himself again. Tile
conservatives have not definitively selected a second candi-
date in their interest.

CAPITAL I'UNISH3IENT COMMNS!ON.-3.loetioge
of the Capital Punishment Commissioners were held on
Thursday sod Friday, the 15th and frith inst., at which the
Duke of Richmond, Lord Stanley, !t. P. ; Gathorne Hardy,
El., 31 P. ; G. W. Huot, Esq M.P. ; C. Neste, Esq.,
M.P . ; H. Waddington, req. ; J. Bright, F.sq., M.P. ;
and W. Ewart, Esq., M.P., atteoded. The sacretary, J.
H. Pattefion. Esq., was also present.
THE. CHrlti'll CoPIGHEtiB. It appears that the
decision come to at the Church Congress which recently
tonk place at Bristol, to hold the omit meetly,: at Norwich,
was to some extent prot.sicnial, aa it is subject to the con-
sent of the Bishop of Norwich. A p,;rtte meeting of
clergymen connected with the dimes. of Norwich has been
hell to consider the subject, and hu adopted a resolution
to the effect that it is desirable to carry out the decision of
the Bristol gathering. A provisional committee was ap-
pointed by the meeting for the purpose of ascertaining the
opinion of the diocese on the subject, and in the event of
its being favourable to the holding of the congress st pro.
posed at Norwich, to request the bishop to give it his sanc-
tion. and to preside over it. _

MR. LA DSONE ON THE FINAL COERT or APPEAL
IN ECCLESIA.TICAL StArrEss.—Some time since a memorial
was got up by certain clergymen in the diocese of Exeter,
in which the disadvantage+ of the present court of appeal
were set forth. and in which her Majesty's ministers were
petitioned to obtain an alteration ic the con,titotion of that
tribunal. A letter stating the object of the memorial was
sent to the Chancellor of the Exchequer by the Rev. R. J.
Rayne, vicar of Buckland Monschorum, Devoe. The follow-
, ing is Mr. Gladstone's reply :—" 11, Carlton•house-terrace.
Rev. Sir, —I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter,
and I will readily present the petition which it announced.
There are various propositions in the petition to which I
should feel difficulty in subscribing, but I agree with you in
thinking that the constitution of the tour of appeal is
ecclesiutical COMM is unsetisfactory. It appears to me,
however, with reference to your closing appeal, that it is to
the bishops of the church, in conjunction with the Queeu'a
ministers, that it principally appertains to consider in what
way the constitution of that court may most properly be
amended. Whether as a member of the cabinet, or as an
individual, whenever I may be consulted by any of our
prelates, I am ever ready to give my most careful con.
sideratiou to the subject, of which I consider the wines to
be very grays ones.— I remain, rev. sir, your very faithful
servant, W. F.. GLADISTONE.—It••. R. J. Hayne."—Werfern
Morning Nom

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

AMERICA.

The royal mail steam-ship Asia, from Boston on
the ith instant, and Halifax on the 9th, arcked at
Queenstown at 4.30 a.m. yesterday with 64-passen-
gers and 30,816 dole. in specie. She landed 79
sacks of mails, and two passengers, ►nd proceeded
at 5 a.m. An well. The Aaia experienced &kr
days' strong easterly winds during her passage.
We have reoeived by the Asia a copy of the mes-
sage of President Lincoln to the Congress, which
assembled at Washington on the sth. This im-
portaut document will be found unabridged on our
front page.

NEW YORK, DEC. 8, Evierrna.

Hood has been reprised with the loss of 6 guns
in attacking a blockhouse near Murlnseaboro. His
headquarters are six miles from Nashville.

THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.

No military operations of importance are reported
from the army of the Potomac.
Confederate batteries maintiOn slow practice
against Dutch Gap Canal. This is supposed to be
for the purpose of getting effective range in antici-
pation of an attempt being made by monitors to
pass up the river so soon as the canal is com-
pleted.

alluding to the withdrawal of the principal part of
General Gillmore's array from before Charleston,
putting a stop to further serious demonstration
against that city, also speaks of the services of the
monitors in keeping their position off Morris Island,
by which the harbour bad been substantially closed.
A proposition early in the semmer of attempting
the passage past Fort Sumter with the iron-clads
was laid before a council of Admiral Dablgren's
officers, but after a full discussion a large majority
deemed it usadvisable. Coming to the North
Atlantic squadron, the Secretary alludes to the
sinking of obstructions in the James river in the
following terms :
The naval force had anticipated an encounter with the
rebel fleet which had been in the course of preparation for
two years, but the military commanders, out of abundant
precaution, ordered obstructions to be placed in the channel
by sinking vessels for the protection of the large transport
Beet that was in attendance upon the army, and which it
was apprehended might be disturbed and perhaps en-
dangered in the narrow waters, were a demonstration to be
made by all or any portion of the rebel navy. The security
of the transports waa justly deemed of vital importance to
the army, and required to be placed beyond any coutia.
gONICy.

This division of the report refers also to the
history of the ram Albemarle and its destruction
by Lieutenant Cushing's expedition.
The various river squadrons and flotillas are then
mentioned in order. An account is given of the
part taken by the navy in the Red River campaign,
and the manner in which Admiral Porter's vessels
were extricated from imminent danger by the skill
of Lieut.-Col. Bailey.
An account is given of the destruction of the
Alabama by the Kearsarge, and the following
reference is made to the escape of Capt. Semmes :

The same dishonour marked his conduct on thin accession
u during he whole ignoble career. Before leaving Cher-
bourg he deposited the chronometers and other trophies of
his robberies on shore. When beaten and compelled to cur.
render, he threw overbceol the sword that was no longer
his own, and, abusing the generous confidence of
his brave antagonist, he stole awa► in the English
tender, whose owner proved himself, by his con-
duct, • fit companion for the dishonoured and beaten
corsair. Having surrendered, he cannot relieve himself of
his obligations as a prisoner of war until he shall be regu-
larly exchanged. He, and each of bin surviving officers
and crew, whether received upon the Keassarge or the
Deerhound, are, and will be, held to be prisoners of war
and amenable to the laws which govurn cis :heed commis.
nities. A predatory rover may set the laws of nations,
as well as those of his own country, at defiance, but in
doing so he must abide the consequences.

Speaking of the Florida, the Secretary thus
alludes to her capture :

Subsequently, entering the bey of San Salvador, Brazil,
she encountered the steamer Wachusett, commanded by
Commander Collins, to whom she surrendered, and by whom
she was brought in a leaky and dilapidated condition to
Hampton Roads. Here, while at anchor, an army transport
came in collision with the shattered vessel, which sunk a
few days after, near the wreck of the Cumberland.

There are now in the navy 262 screw steamers,
226 side-wheel steamers, 71 iron-clads, and 112
sailing vessels of all classes, making a total of 671.
This includes vessels under construction. The total
navy a year ago numbered 588, and the losses by
shipwreck, in battle, capture, (ix., during the year
have been 26, so that the actual addition to the
navy since December, 1863, has been 109 vessels.
The present navy mounts 4,610 guns. The list of
vessels constructed for the navy since March 4,
1861, shows 141 steamers of various kinds and 62
iron-clad vessels, besides seven other vessels built
within the same period and since lost. This state-
ment does not include picket boats, and small craft
built for especial purposes.

MISCELLANEOUS NEWS.
The following vessels of the South Atlantic
squadron, Admiral Dahlgren commanding, are in a
position to be made available at a moment's notice
for co-operative movements with General Sherman :
—lron-clads, Lehigh, Nantucket, Passaic, and
Sangamon. Other vessels :—Cimmerone, Wissa-
hickson, Flag, Winona, South Carolina, and a dozen
others, besides two picket boats with torpedo
attachments.

General Early reports that a force of his cavalry
under General Rosser surprised and captured Fort
Kelly, at New Creek, ou the 28th ult. Rosser
afterwards captured Piedmont, and destroyed a
large amount of Federal stores, and all the govern-
ment buildings. The prisoners and artillery were
all brought off, besides 1,015 horses and 1,000 head
of cattle. Rosser's entire loos was only five men.
Louisville despatches assert that Lord Lyons is
preparing to leave for England, on account of his
health.
The steamer North Stafford has been disabled off
Port Royal.
Mr. Chase has been appointed Chief Justice.

The steamer Bremen has returned to New York
disabled.

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
NEW YORK, Dec. 6, Errnwo.
_ _

. -
Gold, 2342. Exchange on London, 255 ; Paris,
2.81 to 2.131. Stocks slightly firmer. New York
Centrals, 1201 ; Illinois, 1291 ; Erie, 94i ; 5-20
Bonds, 109.

NEW YORK, Dm. 8, Evayretc.

Money easy. Gold 239„. Exchange on London,
264 Exchange on Paris, 2.81 to 2.131. Stocks
slightly firmer. New York Centrals, 122 ; Illinois,
1301 ; Erie, 941 ; 5-20 Bonds, 1081. Cotton
steady ; middling upland, 130. Flour slightly
firmer. Wheat good inquiry. Corn dull. Coffee
steady. Sugar good inquiry. Molasses steady.
Petroleum, crude, 49 ; refined, 71.

ROME.
IMPORTANT ACTION OF FRANCE.

The important intelligence comes from Italy
(writes our Paris correspondent) that by au agree-
ment between the French and Italian governments
all the Italian refugees in Rome against whom
there are arrest warrants are to be expelled. This
determination of the Emperor no longer to
pretest the brigands sheltered by the Pope is •
heavy blow to the friends of Francis 11. and the
enemies of Italy in general.
It is positively said that the Pope will give his
answer to the communication of the convention of
Sept. 15 by the end of the year.

(REUTERS TELEGRAMS.)
SPAIN.

MADRID, Dec. IA.

The official Cw.,tte publishes a decree offering
interest at the rate of 8 per cent. on all sums depo-
sited in the government bank of deposit for fixed
terms of from four to eight months, and 9 per
cent. for periods of eight to twelve months.

The Not;cios of to-day says :—" Many despatches
have received from the provinces stating that the
reinstalment of the government has been generally
approved of."

CADIZ, Dec. 18.
The steamer Puerto Rico has arrived here from
Havana.

THE BRAZILS.
(By Telegraph from Lisboa.)
BUENOS AYREf3, Nov. 14.
Exchange, 49} ; ounce% 2,915. Net salted ox
hides nothing doing. Dry American, 32.33, firm.

Wool, 80 to WU. Lumber, 33.40, flat. Fl, r t
to 61, dull. Refined sugar, 18i to 19, dedi.
Imports unchanged.

BOMBAY, CALCUTTA, AND CHINA NIA II.:
ALEXANDRIA, lir,.

The Ripon and Delta left here at 5 p.m. t.

The former may be expected at Mars,
the 23rd, and the latter at Southampton ai., c t
30th instant.
OUTWARD MAIL OF NOV. 27 AND DEC.
The Behar left Suez for Bombay Q:1
12th instant.

THE APPEAL OF BISHOP COLENS ).
(THIS DAY.)

(Before the Judicial Committee of the Privy Counc •

This morning Sir Hugh Cairns resumed his
behalf of the appellant. After recapittilatiu.;
chief points of his argument on Friday. the •. ,
counsel proceeded to say that the next point I,•
to bring under their lordship's notice was the ques..
jurisdiction. He must, be observed, assume eats,
there was no jurisdiction, that there was e..•
jurisdiction, or that there was consensual
tion ; and he visited to keep these three pokt• • ..•
fectly distinct. Supposing there was no jurh.•
at all, the, remedy of the appellant lay in ti.e ~t
that the Bishop of Capetown having no power t
prive him, the proceedings which he had taken ...re ~f t
effect. The very essenes of an appeal was that the
had done something wrong, against which the,. „
• remedy. If he were asked what was
done when • party had suffered as the apie..l.it.:
said he might do, his answer was, that he ,boss' 1 t
original proceedings to obtain redress, or, in other v
to have what had been done declared to be of no ::c••,
As regarded the excessive jurisdiction, the letters ;.it,ct
provided that the Bishop of Natal should be subject to La
metropolitan in the same way that the suffragan i❑ tl.:,
country were subject the Archbishop of Canterbury, to el,-
consemnal juriadictionj he observed that the ;..tet.t
of the Bishop of Capetown had never Lee❑
rendered or repealed. All that was done when
the Bishop of Natal was created, so far a. C.^
Bishop of Capetown was concerned was, that the latt,r v .
sigoed his see; the functions of the metropolitan were not ia.
tottered with. It had been contended on the other 11,1 e tL.t
the Queen had • visitorial power in this case.
that, she had deputed that power to the metropolitan,
it bad no application to the case.
Mr. W. James, Q.C., then commenced his reply for the ;,
pollard. He contended that all the arrangements with resp,:t
to the Bishoprics of Capetown and Natal were Eased on tax
assumption that both weft to be subject to the laws f tb•
Anglican church, under which the Queen had sot rev.e a 1.
thority. Ile afterwards dwelt at some length on the lett,
patent by which the colony of Natal was founiled,
fur the purpose of showing that whereas tl.e
tepee of deprivation end all the pro,eedings conLected
with it took place in Capetown, by the letters patent
establishing a colony, it was settled that no court outside
of it waa to hays jurisdiction in its internal affairs.
[The learned counsel was proceeding with his arguments
when our report left.'