The Express.
London, England, 1864-11-01 00:00:00

LONDON, 111118 DAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 1, IsB4.

ITALY.

(nor out OWN col

TURLN, Ocr. 29.
The commission elected by the uffirj to report on
the projeet of law for the transfer of the capital
has already set to work. Its majority has come
to the conclusion that the acceptance of the minis-
terial bill &ea not imply the renunciation of Rome;
and this opinion, I hear, will be framed is the
order of the day, with which the Chamber of
Deputies will close the general discussion on
the bill , before passing to the discussion of
its articles. Now, the question arises, what form
will be given by the majority of the chamber to the
order of the day ? Will it only repruduoe the vote
of the 27th of Much, and proclaim again Rome
capital of Italy, or will it be done in another and
less explicit form? If P am to judge from
what I heard this morning in the lobby of the
chamber, the majority of the deputies incline for the
adoption of„the amondform, for, to bring forward
again the motion of the order of the day of the 27th
of March, and vote it, they believe would appear
almost &puerility. Be this as it may, of one t
I am certain, that both the country and the majo-1
rity of the chamber are of opinion that the conven-
tion should not be compromised by party spirit or
by any other cause. The opposition, which has
declared both the convention and the transfer of the
capital disastrous to Italy, is very active, and
makes the must strenuous efforts to enlist new de-
puties into its ranks. Amongst the arguments
set forth by the opponent& of the convention, I
heard one this morning which I think deserves par-
ticular notice. I hasten to say that I cannot vouch
for its correctness, and it may even turn out to bei
without any real foundation. I give it, therefore,
for what it is worth, only remarking that it has
found as many believers as the cession of the Island
lof Sardiuia to France found some weeks ago. It
is said that as soon as the French government
knows the real intentions of the Roman court, if it
sees that Cardinal Antonelli is disposed to come to
a compromise, Louis Napoleon will make a proposal
by which Italy shall on the one hand explicitly re-
nounce Rome as her capital, whilst on the other that
city and its territory would be declared free and
governed by a senate elected by the people. The
neutrality and inviolability of both Rome and its
territory would be at the same time proclaimed,
and placed under the guarantee of the catholic
powers, Italy included. You will not have for-
gotten that about a fortnight ago 1 told you of this
solution of the Roman question, which will not sur-
prise anyone who has followed the progress of Italian
politics since Villafranca, if it were ultimately to
turn out to be true. The Emperor has always
cherished it as the only practical means of solving
this question. By presenting the convention to the
chambers, even the new ministers, who before
rowing into power were said to be against it, have
implicitly accepted even this solution—an accept-
ance which has been already endorsed both by the
Italians and by their representatives, since the great
majority of them have declared that the Franco-
Italian treaty and the transfer of the capital must
be voted without any restriction whatever.
The most contradictory news is afloat to-day
about the revolutionary bands of Venetia. Some
say it is all over with them ; some, on the con-
trary, affirm that they are gaining ground and
swelling their thin ranks. Were Ito believe the
first, the Austriaus, having occupied Cadore,
Cerieda, Serravalle, Conegliano, Sadie, Upper
Friuli, and Carnia, are now certain to destroy
the bands, and arrest those patriots who do
not fall under the bullets of their yagers or under
the sabres of their hussars. On the other hand,
the leading men of the party of action affirm that,
according tothe official news they received yesterday
from the headquarters of the Venetiau insurgents, it
appears that there are atill fou r bands of 500 men each
who hold their ground against the 30,000 or
40,000 men Austria has sent agaiust them. This
news, if correct, hi, moreover, of a certain impor-
tance, for it removes any doubt about the sympathy
shown by the population of those Venetian districts
for the insurrection. That the assertion of the
party of action may be implicitly relied upon I in-
fer from the fact that the representatives
of the Venetian emigration in this city have opened
a subscription, with the object of helping the
effort% of those brave patriots. This decision of
the Venetian committee has been thus announced
to the Italians—" The Venetian emigration has
opened a subscription in behalf of those cour-
ageous citizens who with spontaneous initiative
have of late raised the tri-coloured flag on
the Italian soil occupied by Austria. The
Venetian Committee, which has been instructed
to receive the subscription, will do its best
to justify the confidence its fellow citizens have
placed in it." This declaration, which the
papers, with the exception of the clerical press,
publish this morning, is signed by Count Giusti-
nian, and Deputies Tecchio, Finzi, Cavalletto, and
.Nlenegiiini, all Venetians and members of the Ita-
lian Legislative Chamber.
Signor Sella, the Minister of Finance, is busy in
drawing up the statement he will present to the
chamber after the discussion of the convention is
over. From an official return which has been coal-
mufficated to me, I see that, comparing the revenues
the Italian government derived from the indirect
taxes in the mouth of August, 1863, with those
of August, 1864, there is an augmentation of
1,099,4301. If we compare the revenue derived
from these taxes during the eight months (from
January to August) of 1863 and 1864, we see that
whilst in 1863 they gave 75,507,9561., in this
year they reached the sum of 83,881,231 f., thus
showing a surplus of 8,373,273 f. Were theauguienta-
tiou of these revenues to maintain itself at the
same level during the four last months of this year,
time Italian finances would get 12,000,000 f. more
than it obtained from these indirect taxes last year.
Au augmentation was also traceable in the returns
(41863 when compared to those of 1862, for the
former had reached the sum of 120,874,180 f. Sup-
posing the increase to be the same during the four
forthcoming months of the year, it may be fairly
stated that the iudirect taxations of 1864 will bring
to the Italian exchequer a round sum of
133,000,000 f.

ROYAL SCHOOL OF NAVAL ARCHITEcTURE.
The Lords of the Committee of Council on Education, in
conjonction with the Admiralty and the Institute of Naval
Architects, having sletermioed to establish a school of
Naval Architecture end Mamie Eugineerion. it will be for.
molly opened at South Kensington to-day (Tuesday). when
Mr. Merrifield, F.R.S., who has been appointed principal,
will deliver au introductory address. The school is in-
tended for the iestroction not only of Admiralty pupils
from the Royal dockyards and officers of the Royal Navy,
but also for the use of naval architects sad shipbuilders in
wood and iron, maims eagisieers, foremen of works, ship-
wright., sad the public g.lierally. The Admiralty hove
deposited their collection of naval models at the museum,
and have issued an itivitatioti to pnvate shipbuilders to
sfford their assistance in rendering the collection more
complete. It is intended that diplomas shall be given I
to all persons, whether they have received their
instruction at the school or not, who pass the
final examination of the school, provided that they give
• ,tisfactory evidence of having goo. through the course of
practical work recommended by the council of the Institute
of Naval Architects. These diplomas wiU be of two grades,
according to the success of the candidate in the exandnatiou
—the title of the higher grade being Fellow. and the lower,
Graduate of the Royal School of Navel Architecture.
Certificates for success in special subjects, and prizes also
will be given to the students. The school will have a seeeion
at South Kensington from November to April. aid whoa
the school is net open, arrangement. will be made, if pos-
sible, for study in the royal dockyards and is private yards.
The Rev. Joseph Woollay, LLI)., of 81. John's College,
Cambridge, principal of the School of Naval Architecture
at Portsmouth, has been appointed, with the concurrence
of the Admiralty. inspector-general and director of *iodise ;
Mr. C. W. Merrifield, F.R.S., principal; sad Mr. H. J.
Panda, 8.A., of Trinity College, Ceashridge, vies-principal.
011.TNTAL PALACE. ONI SHILLING DAT.—
MoNGAT, OCT. 31.--Achiniesions on **yeast, 2,770; ditto
by seam tickets, ; tratal. 4,635,

SPAIN:

truest ova own coal

7 YADKIN Om 26.
The Progressista party held their meeting here
on fluidity. Contrary to the inirression which
prevailed as to its probable character, it was not
patina Those only were admitted who were sup-
plied with tickets by the committees, and they did
not amount in all to one hundred persons. The
meeting on Sunday was adjourned until the day
following, when there was a still more limited at-
tendance, and ultimately those present came to a
vote by which, by • majority of 66 to 4, they de-
cided not to appealto the electorates, or take any
part is the approaching elections.
I °ogees that I do not find it easy to account for
thisdeeision, or to get others to account for it. It
enema so strange, that a party which desires to be
regarded as an influential party in a state, should
decide in abstaining altogether from any share in
public affairs. The best politicians here say that
the object of the progreaustas is revolution. Bet
revolution for what I—and by. what means f It is
one of the most difficult things in the world to ima-
gine what they are driving at, or through what in-
strumentality they hope to gain their ends. For
the army is no longer progressista ; no doubt,
it is much divided in opinion ; but large sec-
tions range themselves under the political leaderships
of O'Donnell, Nerves:, Novaliches, and the
Conchae, respectively. Only a small proportion of
the army sides with General Prim.
.

Another idea which prevails respecting the pro-
gressistas is, that they are not in a position to show
to the Cortes, and that therefore it is good policy
ou their parts to stay away. "They have neither
a policy, nor men to work one," said a'good judge to
me yesterday. It may be merely a consequence of
the attitude they assume, but it seems to be a pre-
vailiug Idea that the progrtssistas are brokeu up,
and that, fit least mail new events occur, the party
may be regarded as obsolete.

The interest connected with the approaching
elections depended very much upon the part the
progressistas and democrats were likely to take in
them. As the former abstain from all interference
and concern, and as the democrats can do nothing
ie of the Ives, or without A junction with some
other tioo, the struggle will be between " the
liberal Dion," or party of O'Donnell, and the
1r " pure txleradoes," or party of thepresent govern-
ment, hick it should be observed that a number
of the re liberal moderadoes are attaching them-
selves. The impression seems decidedly to be that
the government will have the best of it, and that a
strong noijority iu favour of its measures will appear
in the qirtes.

All dipends, of course, upon the policy the
government may follow. If it is one of improve-
ment iudi setreuchnient, they have nothing what-
ever to apprehend. They have 7.ertainly up to the
present time given good promise ; but I am not
unmindful of the fact that they are acting at this
moment with the prospect before them of a general
election, and that it is the tendency of governments, '
not only in Spain, but even iu England, to become
utterly taimiudful of their promises to the people if
they cantonly command a sufficient majority in the
legislatuke. It has been rumoured here that the
government have not found themselves altogether
in such close accord on some political subjects as
might have been desired ; but I do not find any
foundation for these rumours beyond report, which
very probably has its origin iu electiouering devices.
We air honoured here at this moment with
the company of a great individual. Your Firs*
Lord of he Admiralty, his (Iraoe the Duke of
Somerset/a. es they call him here, el Duque
del Sumpuersette), has come to Madrid with all his
suite, consisting of some dozen post captains, flag
lieutenants, and secretaries, half of them bearing the
name of Seymour. The object of this diplomatic
visit is the subject of great speculation here. The First
Lord of the Admiralty, it seems., was cruising in the
Mediterranean, on bo;rd a government steam yacht,
with the ostensible, or real, object of inspecting
"the fleets of ail nations" (respecting which, as
you are well aware, his grace is so very competent
to judge). Having arrived at Valencia (very sea-
sick), he took the railway, and came thence with all
his staff to Madrid. The Duckey," says El
Libertad, "will visit all the interesting objects of
this city ; he will inspect the city of Segovia, the
Escurial, Toledo, and all the objects of interest
around Madrid. He will inscribe his name in the
books of his hotel (where he occupies the apart-
ments principal), and he will return to his yachty
(they can't wake out how we spell that) with his
suite" (that word they spell better).

MADRID, OCT. 27.
It would be difficult to imagine that in any part
of the world the cession of the protectorate of the
lonian Islands by Great Britain would stand a
' chance of being misinterpreted as it is in Spain.
But here they have g.t hold of au extraordinary
idea, an idea which shows Low easy it is fur lmotions
to misunderstand each other. Amongst Spaniards
of every class the notion prevails that the cession of
Corfu to Greece is only a preliminary step to the
cession of Gibraltar to Spain '. It is useless to en-
deavour to argue even the best informed Spaniards
out of this misconception. " You British," they
say, "love to do justice. It is as just that you
should cede Gibraltar as that you should cede
Corfu. The on' belongs quite as much to Spain as
the other does to Greece." It is of no use to argue
the point that we only held Corfu as a protectorate:
the Spaniards do not understand a protectorate.
Neither is it any use to point out that Gibraltar
is held by us as a fortress. " Corfu," they say,
" also was a fortress. You do not want fort,
reuses; you rely upon your navy and your commerce.
Besides," they continue, " Gibraltar is no use as a
fortress. The nation which holds Gibraltar as a
fortress can only be the nation which commands the
ocean. If we Spaniards had a fleet at Cadiz
superior to your fleet at Gibraltar we could die.
itossess you of Gibraltar in a twinkling." I have
frequently found myself obliged to bring this sort
of reasoning to a close, by observing that there was
very little chance of Spain regaining her maritime
superiority. But a Spaniard is too proud to
allow that. He declines to we the superiority of
iron and coal, knowing very little of the one and
less of the other. He only regards the fact that he
has a very extensive sea-board and some very fine
harbours, of which Cadiz is the chief.
The maritime force of Spain is, however, at a
very low ebb. They have about 2'7 steam-vessels,
of not more than 7,500 horse-power in the aggre-
gate; the greater proportion of these vessels being
of small tonnage. A few years since the government
contracted (I believe in England) for six iron-
plated frigates, but like other and (professedly)
wiser goverutueuts they have found out that wooden
vessels iu iron cases are a mistake. This mistake
has not been corrected. The Spanish treasury has
had no funds to spare for the purchase of men-
of-war steamers of pure iron construction ; and
they are, therefore, compelled to rely upon their
wooden steamers and sailing vessels, which, I need
not say, are not now quite obsolete as effective
agencies for naval warfare.
The Spanish marine, despite its very defective
character, costs the nation upwards of 110 million
reale (1,100,0001.) per annum. Of this amouut the
pay of officers and men consumes about 200,0001. ;
the pay of the personel of the arsenals nearly
2t10,0001. more ; the materials for the arsenals,
232,0001. ; the personel of the guards costa:
(revenue vessels), and of the squadron of instruc-
tion, 127,000/. ; and the materials and provisions
for the same 183,0001. more. More than one-
fourth, therefore, of the whole naval expenditure
of this country appears to be exhausted in those
custom-house operations in which the smaller
vessels are employed, • consideration which ought
to weigh strongly with the government here in deal-
ing with questions of revenue.
And here I should observe that the greet sore