The Express.
London, England, 1847-08-03 00:00:00

fThe Court.

derous aspersion on Roman catholic/ at large, by propagating
a certain printed document, consisting of an impious
moody of the Lord's Prayer, in which the neme of the
Blessed Virgin Mary is substituted for that of Almighty
God. On the 16th of June last, Sir E. C. Smith unblush-
ingly declared that this unhallowed prayer was circulated
thioughout & Igium, Switzerland, and Franoe, with the
fullest authority of the church of Rome. On the very
day of his blasphemous calumny a catholic priest oh-
tamed from Sir E. C. Smith the document, and forthwith wrote
to demand en explanation from the alleged printer thereof,
by name Victor Janet, No. 5.5, Rue do Vowed. Paris.
It appears that this individual has bean absent kir tiresl
years, but his successors, Alma and Co., solemnly idlisimelmi
ouch a document was never printed in their establishment
at any period, and unhesitatingly pronounced it to be ea
execrable forgery got up by some protestant esomy. The
Archbishop of Paris has already summoned into his posmema
the said Alvan, to sift this infernal calumny to the shmer,
which has already been indignantly refuted in Belgian.
As this monstrous animation os my brethren in faith has
already obtained an unlimited publicity, I now confide in
the noble and impartial spirit which actuates your journal
to make this solemn denial of it as widely extended.—AS
Is lax CATHOLIC SUBSCRIBER.—August 1, 1847.
SHAESPEARE'S HOUSE.—A number of literary
gentlemen, members of the Museum Club, Northumherland-
street, Strand, have formed themselves into a committee for
the purpose of reining subscriptions among themselves is
particular, and the public generally, to form a fund for the
purchase and preservation of the old habitation of the im-
mortal bard at Stratford-upon-Avon. A nesting, with
this ohji ct in view, was held at the Mansura Club, on Satur-
day afternoon last, and amongst other literary gentlemen pre-
sent were T. K. Hervey, Esq., Douglas Jerrold, Esq. C.
Knight, Esq., Me, Vendenhoff, It. Bell, Esq., Mr. Keeley,
Mr. V. Kelly, Le. Resolutions were passed to the effect
that subscriptions had been entered into, and resolving that i
overtures should be made to the 'rations literary bodies in
London and Stratford-upon-Avon to join in the undertak.
rag, if they Glt so disposed. The urban-lotion lists will also
he open to the public, and it is to he hoped that Shakspeare's
house will never be allowed to fall into private hands, but
that it will soon become national property.
SUDDEN INDISPOSITION OF JENNY LlND.—Great
disappointment was experienced by the frequenters of her
Majesty's Theatre, on Saturday evening, in consequence of
the sudden indisposition of Jenny Lind, which prevented '
her reappearance m " La Fight del Reggimento," as sclver-
tised. Donizettes opera of L'Elisir d'Amore" was, there-
fore, substituted; and in order to mitigate the disappoint-
ment of the public as cinch as possible, placards were posted
outside and faille distributed inside the house announcing
that those who had taken tickets for that eveniag's perform-1
ands might receive somheis for gratuitous admisaion em
Thursday next, when Jenny Lind will personate her popular
character in the first-mentioned opera. This prompt and
spontaneous act of liberality reflects great credit upon Mr.
Lumley, the proprietor.
THE IRON TRADE.—Although the price of Shrop-
shire pigs has been well supported, it would be useless to
conceal the feet that tbs. difficulty mentioned in our last no-
tite, of obtaining former rates fur Staffordshire, yet remains.
The generality of the ironnuistera here have supplied them-
selves hut scantily with that article, and are making efforts
to effect a reduction. For common makes half-a-crown has
been conceded, and most of them have been readily dismed
of; but fair qualities for competition are still firmly held.
The makers, aware of the unitorm nakedness of the land,
as well is the pressing nature of various orders daily ar-
riving in the works of their customers, must be sensible
that it is their own fault if the contest should terminate to
their advantage. More importance is attached to this
ettempt at forcing a reduction in pig iron than its trifling
amount seems at first sight to justify ; but the sellers of
manufactured iron are very similarly situated with their ens-
comers, and the result in one instance will probably be seri-
ously influenced by the other, and thus bear unfortunately
upon the general interests of the trade. In the rail trade
we have not heard of any further display of failing confi-
dence, while the news from abicrod is of a gratifying eke-
rect.r for our merchant manufacturers. Orders are plenti-
ful in every branch, and there is no cloud is the mercantile
horizon indicating any adverse movement.—Birmingham
Ga:ctee.
Loss OF THREE LIVES ON THE RIVER--On Sunday
evening, about half-peat six o'clock, a wherry was observed
by the penple on the Mortlake shore nearly in the centre of
the stream, and making for Barnes. The boat contained
four men and one woman, two men only rowing. The
woman, who was busily employed inhaling out the water that
the boat had shipped, overbalanced htrself and fell into the
water. The two men nearest her simultaneously rushed to
the side of the boat with the hope of rescuing her, when the
wherry lurched, and the whole party were upset. Two
boats which were passing came to their anistanoe, and suc-
ceeded in saving an old man and youth, but the female and
the two m•si who had endeavoured to rive her were
drowned. Up to list evening neither of the bodies had been
found. The names of the parties lost are William Edward
Seeger, aged 18; Jane Seeger, his sieter, aged 20; and
William Bonitos, aged 22.
INQUEST, YESTERDAY. DEATH IN A POLICE
CELL.—ALLEGED NEGLECT Or THE POLICE —Before Mr.
Carter, at the King and Queen, Hich-stioet, Newington, on
the bitty of a cabman, named R'nry Sumpter, who, on the
morning of Saturday last, was found dead in one of the cells
of the Park-place station-home, Walworth. It was alleged
that the deceased had died in consequence of the neglect of
the police on duty at the station.—John Barney, police
constable, stated, that on Friday night last he was on
duty near the canal bridge in the Oid Kent-mad,
where, in a chemist's shop, he found the deceased lying on
the floor, apparently dead. Witness was told that " the
man was intoxicated." Something was given to the de-
ceased to smell, and a draught was given Mm to
drink, whea he seemed to rally a little. Seeing that
he was incapable of taking care of himself witness took him
to the station, and he was locked up in one of the cells.
Did not attempt to find out where he lived. There was no
one there who knew him —Robert Vickery. wheelwright,
1. Hampton-yard, Albany-road, mid that on Friday evening,
about half-past 8 o'clock, he saw the deceased and, two men
on the box of a cab in the Kent-road. The vehicle was
going at eight or ten miles an hour. He saw the de-
ceased fall off the box upon his head. It appeared to
him that deceased was leaning over the splash based to
recover the reins.—Police-sergeant Lynch, 10 P, said that
he was on duty at the station-house when deceased was
brought in. He had his neckerchief taken off, his shirt-
collar unfastened, and was laid upon his back in the station.
About 12 o'clock at night hie master came and saw him.
He then appeared to be slowly recovering. About a quarter
to 3 witness left him in charge of Sergeant Low.—Mr. Vane,
annuitant to Mr. Dry, a surgeon, said that he was called
into the station about 4 o'clock on Saturday morning, and
found deceased quite dead. He found a small lacerated
wound at the back of the head. Death might have been
caused by excessive drinking or by the injury on the head.—
Mr. Superintendent Robinson said that the sergeant who
had charge of the deceased had been suspended by the corn-
tainioners until the result of the inquest was known.—The
coroner said the precise cause of death must be known before
the conduct of the police or any other party was inquired
into.—The inquest was therefore adjourned to have the body
opened.

The Queen and Prince Albert, and the ladies and
gentlemen of the court attended divine service on Sunday in
Wh.ppingham Church.
fler Nlajesty and Prince Albert walked early in the
pleasure ground," and plantations of Osborne.

A deputation from the Oriental Bank, consisting of
Mr. H. Gordon, had an interview with Hirt Orey yesterday
at the Colonial 0tti...0. Major-Gen. Sir H. Smith had an in-
. .

tereilw with Earl Grey. -Colonel Macdonald, governor at
Trinidad, had oleo an int( mew vetterday with the noble earl
at the Cosisl-office.
The Ecclesiastical Commissioners for England had
a special general meeting yesterday, at their office in White-
hall-place.
Despatches were sent off yes•erday evening from
the Colonial-office for the govet nor of Hong Kong.

LEGISLATIVE RACIN6 INTELLIGENCE.—The "End
of the Session" meeting has presented the usual variety o
*Port, and an extraordinary number of very well contested
races. In the Government Stakes, Mr. Strutt'a " Railway
Bill" broke down in the second heat. Much blame has been
attributed to the jockey ; but " Railway Bill" wanted
bottom, and the best judges always expected be would be
distanced in a mane struggle. Tbe Sanitary Stakes pro-
duced a good deal of excitement in the ring at St. Stephen's,
but very little was done, owing to a report that Morpeth's
"Health of Towns" was far from confident. It
was believed by many, that " Health of Towns"
had been made safe by certain parties connected
with the City. But the style in which the went in her
trial over the heavy '• clauses" ground in committee has done
much to reassure the blorpeth party; and " Health of
Towns" was backed freely, while " Vested Interest,"
•• Bumble," "Sir Peter," and " Now, Stupid," have dc-
elined proportionable. "The Navigation Laws" Stake
brought a numerous field. The contest was severe; but
Lord John Russell's "Suspension" came in easy, beating
I,lsl George Bentinek's old hone "Figures " (out of
"Cram," by " Memory") and a large field. Then is very
little doing in the approaching entry fur the " Election
Stakes." " Old Whig" has gone down to a very low figure,
and 100 to 1 have been freely laid against him, whilst " Pro-
tection " is almost in the same predicament. The knowing
one, are holding back for the outsiders. A " Dark " hone
will probably " do the trick," as the old hands confess
themselves completely at fault.—Punch.
FOEGERT r. Por Eny.—Sir,--I write, feeling eon-
vrted that by this time numbers of your coantleas subs riben
Tilly hare ginn, too easily, credit to Sir E.C.Sraitt's mutt stem-

movement was paralysed by a circular sent out in Ootoher
by K. Cantu Gridaine, Minister of Agriculture and Com-
mann affirming that the deficiency to the oorn crops was
elaaa.liaffir alight. K. Cunin Gridaine is a man of small
capacity • and we consider this circular in the light of en
administiative blunder. No punishment can, to our think-
ing, be severs enough fora 'sinister committing such an act
teem eakulation.
AN woe se commerce regulates the markets of a country,
duties are of not the slightest use, for foreign corn paying
heavily for freight cannot compete with home-grown corn.
If a famine comes on, the people inane, and no import duty
an then be maintained. The abuse of the right of pro-
perty leads in that way to riot and plunder.
The French government are now. expeeleseciag this; the
present ministry are not fanatics in Amor elf the protective
system. On this, as on many other rowitione, they have ne
decided opinion ; but they seek to remain in plans by
flitter-
ing the prejudices and serving the interests of the great pro. I
pneton and manufacturers. In 1848 the wheat mop was but'
middling, and the rye crop had completely failed. As early
as the month of July, the average price of wheat in all
France rose to 231. per hectol. In August it rose to
24f., end in the course of October to 25f. 75c. The duty
rising If., prices fell in the same proportion until they came
to 22f. in the first zone, 20 in the second, 18 in the third, and
16 in the fourth. Below this limit, every fail of If. will bring
a corresponding fill of lf. 60e. in the import dui..
Co,
in.
stance, when corn is worth (according to its sone 21f. o,
19f. 911., 171. 90c., and 13f. 90c., the duty is sf. 7 . per hec-
tolitre, that is equivalent to 10f. 70c. (13s. 4d.) per quarter.
Such a high tariff as this in a country like France, ts com-
pletely prohibitive.
There can be nothing more illusory than to think that a
sliding scale is a protection. When corn abounds, even
after the harvest, the reserved quantity of grain which
must be replaced since it had been devoured m immense.
Such a project was objectionable in other ways. It limited
the right of importation to corn, as if the effect of a
famine was not to render more rare and dearer every sort of
provisions, meat, fish, vegetables, and bread.
Several deputies, and chiefly MM. Leon Faucher, Binge',
and Gust tee de Beaumont, proposed as an amendment to ti •
project of taw, to extend this period till the 30th September,
and demsnded the admission, free of duty, in addition to,
corn, of rim vegetables, flour, cattle. and salt meat as well
as fresh, salt and smoked fish. The chamber Valid
that portion of the amendment relative to flour, but Mimed
to prolong the time beyond the 31st of July. As for that
part of the proposal which related to cattle, and attacked the
holy ark, it excited such a storm amongst these member
who were tended proprietors, that the movers of it were
obliged to withdraw it, being certain that they would not be
listened to by the chamber. No sooner, however,
was the law adopted, than its insufficiency was re-
cognised. Government had stated in January, that
an importation of three millions of hectolitres of
corn would be sufficient to fill up the deficiency in the crops
until July. But at the end of April the quantities of corn
imported since the beginning of the year 1847, amounted to
4,143,158 hectol ; and in spite of this inundation of foreign
corn, prices continued to rise. A sort of panic woad
through the country, depreciating all securities,
at6P
V 2
n
works, and causing formidable riots The two Mem
were assailed with petitions, demanding the admission, tree
of duty, of all kinds of provisions. The central congress of
agriculture, held in Paris, in the month of . pril, having
protested against this demand, expired,killed by the ridicule
attached to such a proceeding.
M. Cunin Gridaine presented to the Chamber of Deputies
on the 10th of May, a project of law, prolonging the laws of
the 28th of January and 24th of February till the 31st of
October. Government thus continued to follow the bent of
circumstances. It added to a periol already insufficient, a
second period, which was equally so, forgetting that trade
requires security before everything else, and that the toe
narrow limits in which it may be forced must necessarily
clog its operations. It is true that government has reserved
to itself the power of prolonging the period beyond the
31st of October, if it becomes necessary to do so.
But this necessity is now certain ; and why should
the law refuse to provide for it? It is probable, according
to the disposition in which the Chamber of Deputies is, that
the time will be further prolonged till the Ist of Marcli
1848. The question of cattle and salted provisions still re-
mains unsettled. The difficulty was looked into by
the Chamber of Peers on the occasion of a petition,
on which that body pronounced that it should be sub-
mitted to the Minister of Commerce, in spite of the
opposition manifested be the minister himself. The
import duty which is paid on the frontiers of France
upon foreign cattle is fio f. (445.) per head for oxen ; that
is, about one penny per pound. This tariff„ which was este-
blished in 1822, is completely prohibitive, and has almost
completely put a stop to importation. In 1816, under the
influence of a duty of 3f. per head, imports had risen to
81,000 heads of cattle ; and they were 64,000 heads in
1821. la 1840, in consequence of exaggerated amount of
duty, the number was only 7,433 heads; in 1845,
5,046, and in 1846, only 4,909. Thus, whilst the
population was on the increase, the importation
of large cattle decreased by 76,000 heads, which, taking
meat to be tw;ee as nourishing as corn, would rerresent a
deficiency in the consumption of France of one million of
hectolitre,. The strength of population mainly depends
upon the quality of their food. English sailors and work-
men do more work and are capable of greater efforts than
Frenchmen of the same clam—for this reason, that the foresee
teed themselves better, eating meat instead of vegetables,
which is the principal food of the latter. Whenever the
French workman can get meat he dies more work; and if
the strength of the body is taken into account,
with the capital expended in production, the custom-
house tariffs are keeping France in a deplorable inferiority.
The consumption of meat, which amounts to 68 kiln. per
head per annum in England, to 55 kilog. in Germany, and
43 kilog. in Belgium, is only 23 kilog. in France. In Paris
the consumption of meat has literally decreased during the
last fifty yearn in proportion as prices have risen. It is leas
amongst a million of inhabitants by 600,000 klieg. than it
was in 1789.
The Minister of Commerce has dated in the Chamber alt
Peers that the price of meat had not changed in France tea
the year 1810. Prices rose between 30 and 40 per coat.
between 1822 and 1840 ; and in Paris alone, from
1840 to 1847, it has risen twenty per cent. Beef,
which six years ago was worth 65 to 70 centimes (7d.),
is now worth 80 to 83. Mr. Cunin Gridaine, if be wished to
find this out, had no need of searching into statistics. The
worst consequence of the tariff on cattle is the inequality
which it causes between the divers portions of France.
Whilst it gives a premium to the breeder in the western
zone, it deprives of all means of exchange those of the
southern zone, which being near to Piedmont and
Switzerland would receive meat in exchange for corn.
The result is, that those places in which reaches
the highest price are those in which most money
paid for meat; and the tariff thus joins with scarcity to
make the people starve. The present crisis has certainly
the effect of weakening the moral authority of such a tariff.
It was famine which made the strength of the League and
Cobden against the proteetionints ; end the same circum-
stances cannot fail to bring ea the wow result in France.
In the meanwhile, however, ft maid be matinees not to
extend to cattle end salted provisions the temporary freedom
of duty which hes been afforded to corn and flour. When
the people is hungry, there is no more right to exclude cer-
tain kinds of food than to allow in certain others.

FRENCH CORN-LAWS.
France contains 36 millions of inhabitants, consult.
fug annually 34 millions of quarters of Frain, the country
producing three or four milli-as less than the demand. And
hence, until agriculture shall have made greater progress in
France, she most purchase annually a certain quantity of
grain. The returns prove the necessity. The exports and
imports since 1815 show that France has purchased yearly
more grain than she has sold.
This inferiority of French agriculture is chiefly owing to
two causes—want of manure, and the difficulties in the way
of transport. For manure, it is necessary to have cattle, and
for cattle green crops. Whilst the quantity of land in
England destined to nourish animals exceeds that devoted to
grain, in Francethere is comparatively little meadow ground.
The consequence is, that the acre which returns 21 or 22
bushels in England, gives but 14 or 16 in France.
There are parts of France where the price of corn is 60 or
75 per cent, dearer than in other parts. Whilst it is
but 12 or 13 francs the hectolitre in Brittany, it is often
91 or 22 in Lyons or Marseilles. Were the country covered
with railroads, as it must in time, this difference would dis-
ap. On the Northern line grain is transported from
Antwepear rp toren!, nearly 400 miles, at 3 franca the hectolitre,
as 48 francs the ton. The same corn would cost 12 or 16
francs, instead of 3, to bring it from the Rhine. Thus, in plen-
tiful years, corn is infinitely dearer at the ports than in
the interior. In a scarce year like the prment, corn is still
dearer in remote provinces. And there is a difference of 25
francs, and more, between the markets of east and west. At
one moment corn fetched this year in Strasburg 122 shillings
the quarter.
Such being the state of things, France has the most mani-
fest need of free trade in corn. An enlightened government
would not be blind to this necessity. The Emperor Napoleon
established but moderate duties on the import of corn. In
1818, in consequence of the famine that prevailed, in- ,
ferior lands were brought into cultivation, and the landed 6
interest demanded protecting duties. In 1821 and 1822, the
golden age of prohibition in France, a new tariff was pro-
mulgated ,by which importation was forbidden whenever The nomination for this borough took place yesterday.-
the price of corn lowered in the home market, and exports- Mr. T. A. Green proposed Mr. -Frederick Pothill; Capt.
tion forbidden when the price rose. This was the sliding Leech seconded the nomination.—Dr. Fitzpatrick proposed
scale, copied from England. In 18.32, the necessity of lower- Mr. 11. Stuart, who was seconded by Mr. W. J. Nash.—
ing the tariff was felt. The prohibition to import and export Mr. O. P. Livins nominated Sir Harry Verney ; seconded
was taken off. France was divided into four zones. A by Mr. Isaac Elger.—Mr. li. Stuart then addressed the
duty of 25 centimes was placed upon foreign corn when the electors, and was loudly cheered, amidst cries of " Polhill."
average price rose to 27 francs per hectolitre in the first He was indistinctly heard throughout, speaking in a low tone
zone; 25 to 24 in the second ; 23 to 22 in the third ; and of voice, and the waggon being at some distance from the re-
admired to perform the coasting trade from the Mediter- porters. He said " I thank you for the manner in which you
mann to the ocean ; and government steamers were sent have treated me hitherto ; and as to the representation, the
to the Dardanelles to tow vessels bound to the Mediter- mayor has said truly that it may be some years before you
TSCe/11. are called on again to choose your representatives in pane-
Was it not rash, however, to limit concessions which it meet It is six years since I last addressed you, and on that
was considered necessary to make to a pressing necessity ? occasion I was almost untried. At that time the country
Freedom of importation was to ce in July ; why should it was divided into two strong parties, but they have been
last six months rather than a year? Why the 31st of July destroyed by Sir Robert Peel. In the early part of the Let
rather than the 31st of December ? Was it quite certain parliament I felt it my duty to support Sir Robert
that the crop of 1847 would be more abundant than Peel in considerably reducingo the taxes which bare
that of 1846 ? that it would not come later ? Vessels heavily on the poor ; I the alto
were speedily sent to the Baltic and Black Seas. The lishing some of the excise dutiesl"llllelled the
importation of core, which. in October only, amounted to lower orders. The duties on corn logolowl owodiarzfr
300,000 vets., rose to 638,000. In January government, tion, with a view to placing the burden ow them who MIN
convinced by evidence, prevented to the chambers a project better able to bear it." (The hen. gentleman said something
of law for suspending, till July 31, 1847, the action of the law about the potato failure in Ireland, but an interruptionh herhe
e
of 1832, and reducing to a simple balance duty the tariff of taking place, we could not distinctly understand wat
importation upon all corn and flour. Other projects were, said.) " I have rendered all the assistance in my power to
at the same time, proposed, which might be considered as obtain a separate jurisdiction, and I would call your attention
premiums to increased importation. Foreign bottoms, for to an important measure to be brought forward next session,
instance, carrying corn or flour, were freed of tonnage dues, rev,
Chant
the law of settlement, which may affect tie 1144"
27f. or 78f. 481: (635 h.) per quarter. This rapid rise showed ford rit and
ySchools, As the two parties are now
clearly that the produce of the crops was not (mealtime:l broken up, I feel that 1 shall be left to set solely and entirely
sufficient for this year in France, aLd commerce was already upon my own judgment, but I will do my best to pro•
taking measures to get corn from Dantzio and Odessa. This mote the interest* of the country, the advantage of