The Express.
London, England, 1864-12-15 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, THURSDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 15, 1864;

applicants of 79 per cent. as compared with the
preceding year; in the county of Nottingham, a
decrease of 92 per cent.; in the county of Lincoln,
• decrease of 80 per cent.; in the county of
Stafford, a decrease of 72 per cent.; and in the
East Riding of Yorkshire, a decrease of 83 per
cent. These figures are, from one point of view,
so eminently satisfactory, that it is not surprising
that the bath-test should be popular with those
interested in the repression of vagrancy. But
it may be doubted whether they do not prove
rather too much. When repugnance is so sur-
prisingly and widely displayed, it seems probable
that the dislike is not altogether unreasonable or
ill-founded. We know that
Even from the body's purity, the mind
Receives a secret sympathetic aid,

and that to object to personal cleanliness is I
an unpardonable social sin. Yet such of us as
shudderingly encounter our morning's tub when the
frost is at its hardest, or have experienced diffi-
culty in securing rapid reaction of the system
after immersion, may sympathise with the ill-fed,
weary, shivering wretch who dreads a compul-
sory dip at night, and who avoids all workhouses
where they are enforced. It is true that the tempe-
rature of the bath is to be regulated each day by
the workhouse doctor, and that there is a stipula-
tion exempting invalid paupers from its operation.
But we all know the latitude which is almost
necessarily given to the administration of
parochial law, and it may be pertinent
to ask what guarantee the poor have
that a merciful and liberal construction will be
put upon this clause. Given an ill-tempered, •
tyrannical, a cruel, or an indifferent official, and
what becomes of the expected consideration for the
pauper's state of health ? Besides, many of these
people never know what the buoyant, elastic feel-
ing of complete health is. Their originally feeble
constitutions are weakened by cold, hunger, and
fatigue, and to be plunged at night, it,./cns ruler,
into even a tepid bath, savours of punishment
quite as much as of precaution. Captain GaLroiv,
when writing on the art of travel in uncivilized
lands, advises his readers not to exact personal
cleanliness from the natives they employ, and re-
marks that, however essential frequent washing
may be to the well-fed, well-housed, and well-
clothed, it is a positive and substantial hardship to
insist upon it where exposure is inevitable, food
scanty, and climate severe. Our pariahs at home
are subject to the very conditions specified by this
experienced traveller, and the fact of its not being
possible to enforce the bath-test in every work-'
house seems an additional ressonfor dispensing with
it altogether. The first duty of the authorities is
not to punish imposture, but to relieve distress, and
it is unfortunate that there should be an apparent
confusion between the two ideas. Those guar-
dians
who are unwilling to incur the expense of
providing baths will of course find their wards in
greater request than ever, just as the difference of
a few ounces in the quantity of bread supplied
places the liberal Union at a disadvantage. At pre-
sent there seems to be no limit to the discrepancies
in workhouse rule. Restricting our observations to
the treatment of vagrants, we find in the metro-
politan workhouses alone different varieties of
forced labour, different quantities of forced labour,
and no forced labour at all. Nor is there greater
uniformity in the nature of the food supplied.
Hunches of dry bread for breakfast or supper at
the option of the pauper, hunches of dry bread for
breakfast and supper, bread and broth, bread
and gruel, and bread and oatmeal, are
obtained in different localities according to
the disposition of the master or the orders of the
parochial board. The sleeping-places for "casuals"
vary from lofty, well-ventilated chambers wherein
barrack-bed and shelf are furnished, to under-
ground cellars for men, and outhouses where
women are packed three in a bed ; and one Union
has already been accused of converting the new
system of cleansing on admission into a luxury,
by the simple process of allowing the pauper to
turn on the hot water tap at will, and to so revel
iu the comforts of a warm bath. When all excla-
mations of surprise are met with, "Our guardians
"like this," or, "Our guardians prefer that," or,
" Our guardians would never consent to the other ;"
and when further examination into the subject
shows that these gentlemen are but very slightly
amenable to control, it is to be feared that the
"ifs" and " mays " of a permiative measure will
largely modify the good it is designed to bring
about.

LATZST INTMLIGENOZ.

(nuns a micaAIL)
AMERICA.

ARRIVAL OF THE ETNA.
QUEENSTOWN, DLL 15.

The Inman steamer Stns, from New York on the
3rd inst., arrived here at 8.30 &m. to-day. She
brings the mails, 710,245 dols. in specie, and 166
passengers. She landed 29 passengers, and pro-
ceeded at 8.40 a, m.

NEW YORK, Dzc. 3,

The Richmond papers believe that Grant is pre-
paring an early demonstration against Lee, who,
they say, was never so well prepared to receive him
as now. The Richmond If7ng thinks that Grant
has sent troops to Port Royal to co-operate with
Sherman.

The latest intelligence from Tennessee reports no
further Sghting, but says that Hood's forces were
thought to be demonstrating in the direction of
Murfreesboro' with Federal General Steedman
closing on his rear and General Thomas in his front.
Richmond papers state that a portion of Sher-
man's cavalry sent to Savannah River to communi-
cate with the fleet at Beaufort was intercepted and
dispersed. Beaufort is supposed to be Sherman's
destination.
Louisiana advices state that Banks is soon to
return to New Orleans to resume the command of
that department under General Canby.
The Confederates are constructing formidable
defensive works at Alexandria, Louisiana, ren-
dering it impossible for the Union gunboats
to ascend Red River. Mr. Allen, the Con-
federate governor of the State, has organised
ten regiments of negro troops at Shreveport, where
they are engaged at present in strengthening the
defences of the places, but are regularly drilled and
disciplined. Governor Allen was endeavouring to
induce the Confederate government to incorporate
them into the army.
Captain Semmes, of Alabama notoriety, arrived
at Bagdad, Mexico, on the 15th October, on his
way to Richmond, viA Matamoras.

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

NEW YORK, DEC. 3, MOILNLIG.

Money easy. Gold, 229. Exchange on London,
252. Exchange on Paris, 2.83 to 2.131. Stocks
dull. New York Centrals, 120 ; Illinois, 12911 ;
Erie, 93,i ; 5-20 Bonds, 107 h. Cotton slightly
firmer; middling Upland, 128 to 130. Wheat and
flour slightly firmer. Corn quiet. Provisions
tending downwards. Coffee slightly firmer. Sugar,
good inquiry. Molasses heavy. Petroleum, crude,
48i to 50 ; relined, 69.

THE REPULSE OF GENERAL HOOD.
DETAILS OF THE BATTLE.
DESPATCHES FROM GENERAL GRANT.
The following is the official despatch of General
Schofield, announcing the repulse of Hood at
Franklin :

Franklin, Nov. 30.

Major-General Thomm,—The enemy made a heavy and
persistent attack with two corps, commencing at 4 p.m. and
lasting until after dark. He was repulsed at all points with
heavy loss—probably of 5,000 or 6,000 men. Our loss is
probably not more than one-fourth of that number. We
have captured 1,000 prisoners, including one brigadier-
general. JOHN SCHOPHELD. Major-General.

The correspondent of the Nor York Tribune gives
the following additional particulars of the battle :

Four miles moth of Neahville, Dm. 1.

General Schofield yesterday fought one of the prettiest
fights of the war, resulting most disastrously to the rebels,
with little loss to ourselves. After three days' skirmish-
ing, the rebels crowded our first line of works yesterday
afternoon, and at 4 p.m. made a most desperate attack on
our right and centre, forcing our lilies to our breastworks,
which were thrown up from river to river in an open field
on the Cumberland Pike, which ran through the centre of
the field.

At least half the rebel force engaged endeavoured to
pierce our centre, and came down viciously on Wegner's
division, which after desperate fighting fell back, and
Many's rebel division of Fr►nk Cbeetham's corps, got inside
our works and captured two gnus. Our centre was not
broken, however, end, better still, General Wegner sue-
cesstally rallied his troops, who charged on the enemy,
recaptured the two guns, and drove the division over the
breastworks, capturing one entire brigade end its comman-
der.

At 4.30 the battle was waged with asab►tiog vigour, the
enemy having made daring half an hour several attempts to
break our centre.

The Union position was a magnificent one, and the result
of these four days' work was magnificently grand.
All this while the rebels had appeared in sad out of our
right. The plan was to pierce our centre and crush our
right wing before dark. A portion of our infantry was en-
gaged three•quarters of an hour firing on the rebel
columns, wEo stood their ground Ike madmen.
During every charge made on our right and centre volleys
of grape and canister were poured into their Linea, and
only darkness prevented the sacrifice being more awful. It
is said that no violater shot was used by the rebels during
the day, but they fired shot and shell.
After the first break of Wagner's division and its recovery
our lies never budged a step. All was quiet after 10 p.m.
It was not only one of the prettiest but cleanest battles of
the war. The massive slaughter of the enemy was owing to
our wholesale nee of canister and grape, and our selection of
the grotto I.
The battle was fought in an open field, with no trees or
undergrowth, or other interruption. The enemy's loss in
killed and wounded approximates 7.000, and we have over
1,200 prisoners, and one general officer, and several field
officers. The colonel of the Fifteenth if issisaippi, a northern
m►n, of Illinois, was wounded and taken prisoner. Four.
fifths of his regiment were killed, wounded, and captured.
Our loss does not reach a thousand.

General Bradley, of Illinois, while gallantly leading his
troops, was severely wounded in the shoulder. Our loss in
field officers is very small. Our troops behaved band.
gamely. Schofield commanded on the field, Stanley on the
right, and Cox on the left. General Stanley was wounded
slightly in the neck, but remained on the field, and is all
right to-day.
I have told you all slang the programme of General
'll. as would electrify you, and this is but the prologue of
U. ,ttle to come off.

After our dead, wounded, and prisoners were and for,
our army fell back to this point, and are io line of battle
while I write. Up to this time, 3 p.m., the enemy hu not
made his appearance. The Third Cirri of Veterans are in
readiness, and a battle is expected bet ore daylight to-morrow.
All government work is suspended, and all are under
arms, from General Donaldson down to the unscientific
labourers.

The falling back of our troops was accomplished at
it o'clock this morning, and bridges are burned across Har-
peth River, to retard the transportation of rebel supplies.
The cavalry was handled prettily by General Wilson.
A. G. Smith's carps is in line of battle, and the situation
is particularly grand. Forts Segley, Morton, Cairo, and
Houston are alive, and the inf►ntry movements perfectly
satisfactory. something must immediately transpire, and
General Thomas is ready to strike, no matter how the rebels
move.

The following official despatch has been received
at WeAington :

To Hon. E. M. Stanton.
City Point, Va... Der 1.
_ _

The Rirhmowl Examin,r of ho•d►y admits that General
Sherman .ill succeed in reaching the sea coast. Other
papers admit that he has crossed the Oconee.
(Signed) U. S. Giwci, Lieutenant-General.
City Point, Va., Dec. 1.
. . .

General Gregg's cavalry was soot south this morning so s
reconnoissance, more particularly to disoover if the enemy
were moving troops south.

The following bu jut been received in »lathe to it:
"Headquarters Army. Potomac, Dec, 1, 8 pan,
. _. _

" To Lieuteciant-Gesseal Gras t.

" I have just beard from General Greg. Hie despatch
la dated 3.45 p.m. He reports having *splayed Sissy

Greek Station, whieh was defended by infantry and
cavalry In the weeks with artillery. He espinred
two pieces of artillery, but bad no means to bring
them off, so he spiked them and destroyed
the carriage*. He had 190 prisoners, 8 waggons, and 30
mules. He burnt the depot, with 3,000 sacks of oorn, 500
tales of hay, a train of an, a large amount of clothing.
ammunition, and other government stores, sod destroyed all
the shops and public buildings.
" The 2nd brigade, Brigadier General Gregg commanding,
bad the advance, and is reported to have carried the enemy's
position most gallantly. General Gregg is now returning to
camp.

"No information could be obtained of any troops passing
southward, either cavalry or infantry. The bed of the
branch road from Stony Creek was seen to be guarded, but
no rails were laid. At Dnvars Station, south of Stony
Creek, much property was destroyed, and a large amount
of railroad iron found. An effort was being made to
destroy it by fire whim the staff officer who brought the
despatches left. The enemy showed sign. of having con-
centrated, and were following, but the officer thinks Gregg
will reach camp at midnight.
(Signed) "Gm. G. lawn, Major-General"

(RXITTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

ARRIVAL OF SPECIE FROM MEXICO.
ST. NAZARIE, DEc. 15.

The steamship LOllBlB3lO has arrived here, from
Mexico, with 5,000,000 fr., 2,000,000 fr. of which
are on account of the French government.

THE MAURITIUS MAILS.
MARSEILLES, DEC. U.

The Messageries Impiriales steamer Moeria ar-
rived here at 10 p.m. to-day with the Mauritius
mails.

PRUSSIA AND THE DUCHIES.

The Abend Post of Vienna says tint Austria
will never tolerate the annexionist pretensions of
Prussia. This declaration by a semi-official
journal shows that the rumours of Austria and
Prussia being agreed as to the destination of the
Duchies are premature.

The rumour alluded to a few days ago that
France for a consideration would be disposed to
countenance Prussia in annexing Holstein and
Southern Sleawig, is now revived ; it is said,
moreover, that Russia is a convert to M. de Bis-
marck's ambitious pretensions. The St. Petersburg
journal contains a violent article against the Duke
of Augustenburg's
The Butsdicifter of Vienna openly accuses the
Zeitung of Berlin of assuming the mask of
friendship in order of make a hypocritical war on
liberal and constitutional Austria :
" If we had not a mustitution and • Reicharath at
Vienna," says the Boeschoftcr, "and if, instead of •
Schmerling ministry, we had a Clam•rhun cabinet, the
worthy Z, it 1, tig would probably hold out its hands to us
with warmth. But the constitution of February exists, and
Austria has not the slightest desire to renounce her poet•
tion in Germany."

In those two points it is that the Vienna journal
sees the whole secret of the attacks directed against
that power by the Prussian print, which, in the
opinion of the Botschafter, " acts with admirable
but rather too transparent perfidy." Following up
the tame tone, the journal accuses the Kreut:
Zeitung of seeking to thwart the internal de-
velopment of Austria by throwing brands of dis-
cord among the members of the cabinet, and by
flattering Count de Meusdorff for the purpose of
humiliating M. de Schmerling. "What can be
more curious and edifying," observes the L) hat',
in noticing the dispute in question, " than this spe-
cimen of amenities exchanged at the present mo-
ment between Vienna and Berlin, between the two
allies of the previous day 1"

SPAIN.

The Correspowlencia of Mmlrid says :

A journal attributes the delay in military operations at
Santo Domingo to orders sent from Madrid. The apathy
with which the commanders of the Spanish troops are re-
proached is caused by the unhealthy season and by the
truly extraordinary number of the sick. However that
may be, the government will declare in • definitive manner
to the chambers what opinion it entertains as to the reten-
tion or abandonment of the island. But, before coming to
any resolution of such importance, it will wait to ascertain
the country's wishes, through its representatives.

LAW INTELLIGENCE.
(TRW DAY.)