The Express.
London, England, 1865-12-26 00:00:00

ITALY.

FLORZNOF., Deo. 21.
The stormy scene of yesterday has been followed
by a very quiet sitting to-day. But nothing of all
that must needs follow from the event' of yesterday
has been settled. All is in suspense. The ministers
announced that they had determined on the course
they intended to take under the circumstances, the
gravity of which they were far from concealing
from themselves ; but that for reasons of par-
amount consideration they were unable to de-
clare their intentions to the Chamber. The
" reasons" in question, of course, alluded to the
absence of the King from Florence. But he ar-
rived in little more than an hour from the time
when the ministry made the above communication
to the Chamber ; and we shall doubtless hear

what is intended to-morrow.
It was considered remarkable that Signor Chiaves,
who has been in the ministry only a few days, was
the speaker selected for making the above commu-
nication to the house, while the President of the
Council, La blarmors, was present. And men think
that they see in the fact an indication that the
ministry intend to resign en inasse. It is thought
likely, however, that the King may refuse to
accept the resignation of La Marmara, and desire
him to form another ministry. There are not wanting
materials abundantly sufficient for the oonstruction
of a cabinet to the full as able, and leas damaged
in public opinion than the present. Perhaps the
selection of a finance minister would be the most
difficult task in such a reconstruction of the cabinet,
as, also, the duties to be confided to him are in the
present aspect of affairs by far the most ardu-
ous. There are, however, available men for
the position, without a second time trying
the terribly hazardous experiment of calling
to the management of the finances a man who has
yet to make acquaintance with the first principles of
finance. Should it be attempted to form a cabinet
out of materials selected in part from the Left,
Signor di Lucs might be offered the portfolio of the
Finances, with every expectation of finding in him
a competently able, and, at all events, a practical
financier. Should it be intended to attempt still
to exclude the Left from all share of power, Signor
Avitabile, formerly director of the Bank of Naples,
would bring to the office considerable experience
and proved financial ability.
It would be more difficult to supply the
place of the President of the Chamber fettle_
factorily. How long the Italians will con-
tinue to be able to confess such a fact with-
out blushing is an interesting question ; but it
seems to be admitted as a foregone conclusion at pre-
sent that it is necessary in the selection of minis-
ters for the formation of the Italian cabinet to
choose men who shall be agreeable to the Emperor
of the French. And it is understood that no one
would fulfil that sine qutt non condition whose name
did not present a guarantee for the scrupulously
exact execution of the Convention of the 15th of
September. La Marmora amply fulfils this condi-
tion. He is, whatever his other deficiencies may
be, an entirely trustworthy man, and be is trusted
at the Tuileries. Ratazzi has rendered himself
impossible. Ricasoli, though not liked at the
Tuileries, might probably be deemed trustworthy
there, and considered to present sufficient guaran-
tees. But it is believed that the baron would in-
sist on the dissolution of the Chamber as a con-
dition of accepting office ; besides that, he is known
to be little acceptable to the King.
The best solution of the crisis would doubtless be
that La Marmora should undertake the formation
of a new cabinet. He offended the entire Chamber
grievously yesterday. But the offence was not of
such a nature as to alienate any man from him
permanently. He very manifestly lost his temper,
and spoke words which he would not have uttered
otherwise. And it was well understood that the
turn the discussion had taken was specially calcu-
lated to try his temper. It will not be forgotten—
or rather perhaps in the hurry and interest of
more important events it will have been for-
gotten—that La Marmora was formerly driven
to dissolve the Piedmontese parliament thrice.'
And it has ever since been the fashion with
the men of the Left to twit him with this, and to II
accuse him in consequence of it of despotic aad
coup d'etat tendencies. It is none the lees true, I
however, that it was La ?glamor& who prevented
the King and the Court party from attempting a
coup &tat. And the injustice of the accusation,
to which the President of the Council alluded with
some bitterness in the Chamber yesterday, is par-
ticularly galling to him.
La Marmora is not a brilliant man. Even as a
soldier his ideas would probably be found to be
characterised rather by pedantry than genius. But
he is a safe man—au upright, honourable gentle-
man—trusted on his own side of the house, and
respected on both sides. There can be little
doubt but that he is on the whole the man best
adapted for the moment.

A Malta letter, under date of Valetta, 20th
December, announces the rupture of the Malts and Sicily ;
cable. During the temporary interruption telegrams will
be sent over to Sicily, for hrammission to their destination
by telegraph, by mesas of ace of her Majesty's ships.
The Aminanes (gun vessel), Commander H. B. Wooloombe,
left with the brat leatott of telegrams as the ISch inst.
CiLINISE HOLIDAY.—The Chinese kept high holi-
day oo the 4th inst., it being the feast of "Pat ``oat ship
bung," or mid-autumn. At this time the Chinese busbasd.
man reaps what be has sown, and to the manner of oteerving
what we would call the harvest home, sets an example as re-
cards the atteetion be pays to his devotions at this festivity.
The " earth's lucre's@ and foul*" is celebrated by votive
offerings to the hen chs,of heavvo," sod the
" earth." The graced shoat the domestic altar is
sprinkled with wise and oil, gold sad silver burnt paper.
I laminae offered, sad the usual animist of crackers fired, off
I to eseelorle the ceremooy of thanksgiving sad rejoicing.—
Melbourne paper.
A school wan recently opened near Zanesville,
Oldo, whenburglary, poeketeicking, trial" in gambling,
eountorfeitieg, ke.. wen, virtually taught. Quito • clam al
yonog boys bed bees amain& wises the ealeteses ci the
iortitutiou" was at once discovered and terminated.—
I I New York Tribune-