The Express.
London, England, 1862-04-10 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, THURSDAY

as being very muck " more subdued,"
sod " much less imperious in hie man-
ner, " than he used to be. General
BURNSIDE and Commodore FOOTE are evidently
softening his heart, and if some unlooked-for
change does not take place in his fortunes, we shall
ere long have him added to the list of those pious
pets of aristocratic circles who are now " testify-
ing" at Rome. So by way of keeping up the
spirits of his admirers, the Tinus devoted
itself two days ago to proving that though the
North was moving it was not moving in the right
direction, and "that from emit and from west,
" everywhere, except only from north to south, the
" invaders are victorious." The inference is then
`end ly suggested that it is only a movement from
north bo south that can be at all decisive. Now,
in so happens that the Mississippi River
used to run, as nearly as possible, from
north to south, as anybody can see by a
glance at the map, and the advance of
General &mu's corps d'armie during the last
is weeks has been in a direct line along its banks,
from Mill Spring, where Zols.lcorren was killed,
to hand No. 10, close to Memphis, where the
Secessionists are now making a last stand, a dis-
tance of over 150 English miles. So that if this
advance, the most rapid and most decisive that
the Northern forces have made, be not from
north to south, it must be that the Mississippi
has changed its course within the last few weeks,
and that the Times has exclusive information of
the fact. We cannot help thinking that this
is highly improbable, and that the Times'
account of the operations is drawn from that great
repertory of strategy, the imagination of the writer.
It, ae well as several of our Tory oontemporarks,
seems to derive a melancholy satisfaction from the
fact that the Northern gunboats on the coast and
in the rivers are playing a prominent part In
Southern discomfiture ; and if it will afford conso-
lation to any friend of the Confederacy to have
the fact admitted, we freely do so. But to the
inference that there is something shabby or unfair
in the use of the gunboats we entirely demur. The
fact that the North has gunboats, and knows how to
use them effectively, and that the Southern States
are traversed in every direction by rivers and creeks
on which gunboats can act, was at the outset of
the rebellion one of the things to be taken into
account in calculating the chances of its
success. This superiority on water, like the
superiority in arms, numbers, credit, and mechani-
cal skill, is one of the strongest proofs that the
North is right in forbidding the dismembermestlei
the nation of which it forum a part. There is
nothing less worthy of admiration in crowding gun-
boat& up all an enemy's rivers than in obeying the
great rule of the great master of war, to be sure to
be strongest at the point of attack. Those who pity
the South for being assailed with gunboats must feel
very indignant at our using them in the advance on
Pekin, and more still at our assailing the poor
Tartar cavalry with Annernonn guns. And, logi-
cally, they should expect of the North to lay
down its improved rifles, and attack the Southern
hordes with flint locks, bowie-knives, sad fowling-
pieces. The North, however, will choose its own
modes of fighting, and will use all the means which
industry, ingenuity, and patriotism have placed at
the d'sposal of a free people, to save half the
American continent from the grasp of a bar-
barism which makes the degradation and robbery
of millions the first article in its creed.

Cbt Court.

OSBORNE, Aran. 9.

Her Majesty., accompanied by the Princess
Alice, drove cat yesterday, attended by Lieateaant•Colonel
Du Mt.

The Coaster of Gainsbosough ham succeeded the Countess
of Caled= u Lady-in-Waiting.
Lady and Miss Bowater have left Osborne.

Despatches were received yesterday at the
from the Governor of Halt►

ROYAL HORTICUL?U34L SOCIETY.

Ywdarday was not a vary favourable day for
the laden show, which formed the mooed spring ilk at
these gardens, but the company wee as usual numerous

and frhimable. There was en abundant exhibition of
azaleas, comprising many very chore apecames,
nearly the whole of which were remarkable for that
profusion of blossom, delicacy of colour, sad perfection of
form which fanciers prime. There was elm an extensive
display of rhodociardrear, eirnarim, anrindas, hyacinths,
pansies, amaryllis, sad other blossoms, appropriate to the
season, all of them well worthy of a place in the society's
grounds, sad which were admired the more, inasmuch era
the lower arcade where they were imaged allowed mom
roam for distioct clarification, and a better opportunity fat
examining the merits of the several dowers than was
afforded in the coofioed space of the council chamber when
the previous show was held.

ROYAL BOTANIC Socisrr. —At a special meeting
of the Donate of the Royal Botanic Society held on Tues-
day, the Stit instant, Sir Walter Stubs& Bart., in the
chair, a letter wee read from Sir Charles Phipps, written by
direction of her Majesty the queen, suggest* that the
Earl De La Warr should be elected President of the societj.
His Lordship waa therefore elected to, and aocepted the
office.

Tag ALIZIT MRKOZIAL.--The sub-cortuoittow of
the fund for raising a romaorisl to Go late Prism Consort,
met yesterday at the Mansion Hoses, the Right Hon. the
Leal Mayor in the chair. Mr. Ooedasn (hon. secretory)
reported that the mount reesired op to that time was
44,M., of which 930 f. had bees neelved during the week.
A discussion again arose upon the propriety of adopting the
propositivo of Mr. Gatlin, one of the members of the com-
mittee, for issuing *retribution we.. The committee
seemed to be of opinion that it was a ammo of raking
mealy that should not be resorted So, sad the Lord Mayor
said that be had done all be could to prevent the Goer
mitt*n from pressing upon the poor, sad he was also of
opinion that it had better not be tried ; and it was finally
resolved that the ides should he abandoosel.

We are pleased to learn that Lord Derby's health
cautious' to improve, and that three is every prospect of
We Wag able to leave town early out week.

We regret to learn that the Bishop of London
hie been suffering from a rheumatic attack for some days.
His lordship held a large confirmation at St. Jsmres, Pad-
dington, and, we believe, attended a meeting at the Howe
of Lords on Monday, and was fora short time is his seat in
parliament. On inquiries in St. James's-square yesterday
it was stated that his lordship wee not so well, sad the Lord
Bishop of Worcester consequently confirmed at St.
Michael'', Highgate, yesterday afternoon, for his lordship.
Colonel Dickson, on Civil Service Estimates,
Lissa 3, will move the reduction of the vote for the
constabulary of Ireland, by the sum of
.80,4211.

Sir Graham Montgomery, on Friday, will ask
the Secretary of State for the Homo Department whether
" be is aware of the frequent pomp of homonym through
several of the thoroughfare of the isenopoili, more nips-
cially in Groiniaoriplace sad imon-squaris ; and if he
coosiden it consistent with this safety ol this public to
permit of their so pariah through the &MU both day mad
night."

Sir Joseph Paxton will ark the Diret Commis-
dew of Works on Friday if there is any truth in the ro-
ams/ GM the traffic over the Chelsea Suspension Bridge is
realdsheil by the police, on account of some defect' in the
skeneenre; sad if the bridge will furnish safe accommodation
for the teak arisiog from the Exhibitiou and the Royal
Agricultural Show Meetly to be held in Battersea Park.
We regret to hear of the death, on Monday, at
Ruseall-phos, Fiteropequare, of Mr. Sidney Nelson,
musical ansposer. The deceased, who died of olmilAeLY,
MY Urns of age.

LATN ixtraLLIGENoyL

PRUSSIA.
The campaign of the circulars has not been suc-
cessful in Prussia. Protests are springing up
in all directions. That of the University of
Berlin has been made public. "Placing our-
selves above the vicissitudes of the moment,"
says this protest, "we defend the political
opinion which rests on a conscientious con-
viction, and on the free and independent expres-
sion of that sentiment. This independence and
this liberty cannot be diminished ; it is our duty
to express this conviction respectfully but reso-
lutely. Accordingly we pray your excellency to
excuse the University from paying any heed to your
rescript." A similar protest has been signed by
the professional body at the University of Bonn,
• the only exceptions being the professors of Roman
catholic theology.