The Express.
London, England, 1863-02-12 00:00:00

CHINA AND JAPAN•

Hong Kong papers of Jan. 1 say that no events
of importance had taken place in China or Japan
during the previous fortnight. In the latter coun-
try nothing authentic can at present be ascertained
with regard to the real state of the government.
The nobles continue to leave Yeddo. The English
legation are all at Yokohama, according to the last
advicen, which reach to the 15th of December.

It is evident that in the present conflicting state of parties
among native politicians, while reports of assassinations are
rife, the Mikado himself being included in these reports as
among those assassinated, the representatives of foreign
nations cannot have much official correspondence with the
Japanese authorities ; as, indeed, they can scarcely tell
who the real authorities of the country are. The foreign
communities are still In a state of expectancy as to what
view will be taken by the Western powers of inch murders
as that of Mr. Richardson. By the decision which is arrived
at in this case, will undoubtedly be determined the next
position to be occupied by foreigners in the country ;
although it is far from certain that the Japanese will not
seek to trample upon foreigners still further.
The Rumiaos are said to have the following fleet in
Eastern waters, chiefly at Nagasaki, ready to loin the
allies in suppresriog the Chinese rebellion :-1 Corvette,
21 guns and 281 men ; the Bogatin flag ship ; Calavala, 10
gun corvette, Commodore Tshebescoff ; Novick, Riede, and
Posadnick, 10-gun brigs, 180 men each; Rasbonwick,
Nyasnick, and Merge gunboats, each 4 guns and from 80 to
100 men ; Abreck, despatch boat, 2 pins and 80 men
America paddle-wheel steamer, 4 guns and 120 men ;
Japanitz, transport, 2 guns, ►od 140 men. The North China
Herald, from which we quote the foregoing list, says that a
portion of the fleet may possibly sail for China imme-
diately to act agaiost the Taepings. Admirals Popoff
and Kuper have conferred on the matter at Hong-Konr,
but their plans hare not transpired. The British forces in
China seem to have instructions against quitting a defensive
attitude.

Shanghae continues to be as busy as ever, and to push
forward plans for municipal improvements.
As for the rebels, the little that has been heard of them
is to the effect that they are in distress for want of supplies.
Her Majesty's ship Bouncer went to Nanking recently, to
inquire after some British junks that were missing. Her
commander, Captain Creasy, was received by ilsnwang
at the east gate of the city, and his inquiries as to the
I I
jests were kindly replied to; be did not encored, however,
•
I. discovering any clue to them. Harming told Captain
Cressy that there were 2,000,000 el Chilies* inside of
Hoskins. The walls of the city bad been greatly strength-
ened, but them were signs of distress about the people.
Kattwaas asked Captain Creasy for some European soap
and candles. Nothing was said as to the rumour that the
T.eping leader bad left Nanking and gone to reside in
Chang-chow, on that this report must at present be viewed
as unconfirmed. Chang-chow is a ssoood-class city, situated
of the east bank of the Great Canal, 75 miles from Nan-
king, 45 from Chin-kiang, 54 from Soo-chow, and 115 from
Sbanghae. It is said that the Bouncer, having shown an
aptitude for this sort of *orrice, will pay another visit to
Nanking to demand four Sepoys who ware taken at Bah-
ding. Captain Creasy will no doubt return without the men,
but if be ceo bring farther reports of how affairs stand in
the Teeming camp, his errand will not have been thrown
away. There is a doubtful morality about this system of
espionage, for the Taepinp will And that all the informs•
idols they convey, or which is otherwise acquired by the
Bouncer, will be used against them.

AUSTRALIA.

VICTORIA.

Our advises from Melbourne are to December
26. Parliament adjourned on the 19th of that
mouth for the Christmas holidays. From tho ter-
mination of the debate on the financial statement
—which was protracted over several nights, although
no amendment was proposed—to the adjournment
of the house, the Legislative Assembly was mainly
occupied with the eetimates. The Treasurer anti-
cipates that the revenue of the year 1863 will not
exceed 2,945,5001., and the expenditure has been
cut down within the anticipated receipts. The ac-
counts of the year 1862 will close with a balance
of 56,968/. to be carried forward ; and Mr. Haines
estimates that at the end of 1863 he or his succes-
sor will have 9,1341. with which to open the ac-
counts of 1864.

At a monster meeting of the inhabitants of Mel-
bournet the following memorial to the Queen has
been adopted :
_ . To not Qunot'sMOST Excetuarr Mammy.

The humble memorial of the undenigoed, loy;landdutiftd
subjects of her Majeety,rmident in the colony of Victoria,
in Australia, in public meeting assembled,
Humbly sboweth,

71at your memorialista beg leave to approach your Ma-
Piety's throw with the expression of their true and hearty
loyalty to your 111.ajeety's authority, and of their inviolable
attachment and devotion to your Majesty.

Thal your messorialiste have had nesrly sir years' impe-
rious, of the mares of administration pursued in this part
of your Mssesty'i dominions by his Erosnosey Sir Beery
8a5k1,4140.8. •
That your memoriallete, es the result of swab expetiesee,
do soot sineerely be,i.va that the governmeot of his Hied-
Isney Slr Henry Barkly hes been, from the drat, grounded
on principle' of the wisest ard soundest policy, designed to