The Express.
London, England, 1862-01-31 00:00:00

felines to be, it is not rational to suppose that he
can long delay leaving the Romans to themselves.
The ultramontam journals are in consternation at
the speech (which they construe as I do), and
declare, with loud wailing, that things are much
worse for catholicism than they were a year ago. 1

NEEDIXWOMEN.

OXFORDSHIRE ELECTION.

We hear much of the sorrows of needlewomen,
sad all know that it is but too true that the lot of this in-
dustrial class is a hard and troubled one. We would, how-
ever, for once call attention to something pleasant concern-
ing them.
Ou Tuesday, the 28th, a joyful gathering of between
400 and 500 members of the Institution for lieedlewomen,
2, Hinde-street, Manchester-square, were invited to spend the
evening at the Stafford Rooms, Titchbourne-street. A large
number of ladies and gentlemen kindly received them there,
who in the true spirit of Christian sympathy and good will
took upon themselves the task of entertaining for the even-
ing their poor sisterhood.
The programme was as follows. There was a liberal tea
at five o'clock, after which Lord Radatock and the Rev.
H. Lumaden addressed to the needlewomen a few words of
counsel and advioe. A piano having been provided, several
amateur ringers from the company present, led by Mdlle.
Pareps and Signor Berdoni, who kindly joined the enter-
tainment, gave to all assembled, for upwards of two
hours, a musical treat. Mdlle. Yampa sang " I know that
my Redeemer liveth," Signor Berdoni " The Lord my
Shepherd shall prepare," &c., after which some lively and
bracing airs followed. The countenances of the poor women,
as they drank in the harmonious pounds, proved that "a
soul for music" is not confined to any class or nation.
At nine o'clock Mr. Whitwell exhibited and explained
his beautiful Scriptural dissolving views, which also afforded
intense pleasure and interest. Coffee end buns were then
distributed before the party separated. The gratitude
expressed by the needlewomen for the enjoyment they had
received was most unfeigned, and afforded full comma-
Mon to the ladies and gentlemen who had prepared the treat
foe their benefit. This institution, at Hinde-street, is, we
are happy to observe, pining increased interest and appre-
ciation from the public : inculcating, as it does, industry
and self-dependence, it deserves to be encouraged.

POLLING.—(THIS DAY).
RLIZTYIO AND DITRRNATIONAL TELEGRAPH.)
(PROM OCR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
STATE OF POLL—On o'CLOcg.
We are without returns from several districts. The
agoras known give the following :
Fans 921
Dashwood

- -
Considerable difference of opinion is manifested
subject of M. de Morny's
in
sallythe
writtenon the
speeches. Nobody denies
that they are, generally speaking, an abuse and a
nuisance, but the question is whether they should
be prohibited by any positive rule. It is pleaded
that many of the best informed deputies, whose
opinions would be most valuable to the house and
the country, have not the gift of expressing
themselves consecutively in public without com-
mitting their ideas to writing. M. de Morny is
taunted with having himself written the speech in
which he would deny the privilege of writing to
others. I have no doubt that he did " write" it,
but he did not "read" it to the house. Upon the
whole, though indisposed to sanction the interfer-
ence in this country with any of the few political
liberties enjoyed, I am inclined to think that the
arguments against permitting members to read their
speeches have the best of it. Royer, Collard,
General Foy, and many other eminent parliamen-
tary men, were in the habit of reading their
speeches, but Benjamin Constant, who drew up an
article of the additional constitution of the em-
pire against the practice, testified that many de-
puties read their speeches for the gratification of
their personal vanity, who were wholly indifferent
about the result of the debate. It is not proposed
to make any objection to a member looking at
notes, as is done in England. The infliction of
long essays read for publication and not to influence
the debate is the evil complained of, and I think
it reasonable that that should be put a stop to.
The Bourse is now a little weaker, but no reason
is assigned beyond the play of transactions conse-
quent upon the approaching settlement. It is
only natural that during the extraordinary spurt
of the last few days a good many speculators should
have overbought themselves. The Rente fell 30c.
for cash and 10c. for account, closing at 7lfr. and
71fr. 10c. Mobilier fell Mr. The Lyons Railway
fell llfr. 50c., and Norther, bfr.; in the other
lines there was little change. The only security in
groat favour was the Italian Loan, which rose 55c.

SCOTTISH AUSTRALIAN INVESTMENT
COMPANY (LIMITED).-(THIS DAY.)

THE METROPOLITAN RAILWAY.

WEATHER REPORT.-(THIS DAY.)

PMl4f. JAIIVAM in. 8 LI.

In May, it is believed, Paddington is to be joined
to Finsbury by • new and distinct thoroughfare. The nil.
way has a width of nearly 30 feet, and its teaselled area is
a mast gmesiul curve, the majestic sweep of white art be
mess at any point, as the whole is well lighted with gas. In
the half of the contract which is being earns i out by Mesas.
Smith and Knight, and which extends from the Great
Western Railway terminus to Euston-square, there yet
remain three pieces to be got through. Ie the Easton-read*
107 lineal yards have to be bored ; in the Marylebone-road,
303 ; and at the junction of the Portland.road, 108. The
extension of the line from Enstooaquare to Finsbary is
taken up by another amatractor, Mr. Jay.
The stations os Messrs. Smith and Knight's moiety of the
line will be five in number, namely, the Bishop's-road sta..
tion Sr terminus, at Paddington ; the station in Chapel-
street, Edgware-read ; and those in Bakeretreet, in Port-
land•road. and in Gower-street. They will be built
substantially, and with some ornamental preimasioss, in the
Italian style. The line of road to admit the platforms will
be widowed to something over 45 feet.

THIS DAY.

This morning that portioiiOl the tunnel of the
Underground or Metropolitan Railway, which is
situate in the Euston-road, and of which Mr. Jay is
the contractor, was completed, and joined to that
position which is contracted for by Mesas. Knight.
The tunnel is now completed from 'instep-square to
King's.cross, and the open cutting is b' 'pidly proceeded
with. The Fleet-ditch is turned, s• eannel is made
seder it for the rapid removal or eth and rubbish
which comes from the destruction . houses in liagnigge.
wells-rand, in the formation of • .anel at that spot

_ _ _ _
JANUARY 31, Doi 4`.*

The half-yearly meeting of the proprietom was
held, at noon, at the London Tavern ; Mr. A. W. YOUNG
in the chair.
The report, which had been previously published, we
taken as read.
The Cuarnmstr, in opening the promein said be pre-
sided at the request of the chairman of the board, in cones. queers of that gentleman's indisposition. They were all
I aware that the business was of a mixed character,
including the sale of lands and the disposal
of wool and other articles on commission. Recently
it had not been considered desirable to sell any
' land, and consequently nearly the whole of the proem ware
derived from rents and commissions. 2,1171. was obtained
by the sale of shares of the Scottish Australian Mining
Coany. The gross profits were 13,2871., and the pro-
posed divided of 10 per cent would leave at the
credit of the reserve fund upwards of 2,000/. lie
then adverted to the acquisition of a large moan.
tity al territory in Queensland, and expressed his con.
viction that it would prove beneficial to the company. A
set was now being made towards that colony, the high lands
of which were very favourable for the growth of fine wools,
They bad secured a half interest in 768000
acres of good pastas land, the rent of which was
10a. per acre. Tie wank Mr. Morehead, proposed in the
first instance to stook this land with cattle, as being the
cheapest. Sheep might_ be substituted for them hercefter.
Mr. KRIIDAL Sheep
the IDOIIOO.
Mr. WARD thought that some other companiee which
had been engaged in sbeefarming operations had not ben
successful, and doubted the wisdom of that company's en.
gaging in thee Might it not be better to convert the
hued gradually into small fneholds ?
The emataitna repeated his belief that the land acquired
in Queensland would prove profitable. He did not deny
that sheep farming wag not uniformly 'nooses'. He led
known men to buy sheep at 3s. each and loge motley, and
he had known men to buy sheep at 30e. each and make
money. There was great activity at present in promoting
emigration to Queensland.
After a short conversation the report was adopted.
A dividend at the rate of ten per cent. per annum we
thew declared ; and the retiring directors and auditors were
re-elected.
On the motion of Mr. Homan, thanks were voted to
the chairmaned his oolleeines, and the meeting terminated
with a Millar atiknowledgese te Mr. Morehead, and the
other officers of the comma, Is Agelrelia.