The Express.
London, England, 1862-11-19 00:00:00

THE ROMAN DEBT.

The Siacie, in an article on the Roman debt, re-
marks that the MOM parsons of the Holy See has given way
on the question of usury ; formerly the taking of interest
for the use of money was strictly prohibited as contrary to
Scripture ; race the bull of Benedict XI V. on the subject,
relaxations have been introduced; and now the Pope him-
self is one of the most eager of borrowers. The lending of
money at interest would probably have remained for ever
under anathema had not the Popes, from their neosesitiee
as temporal sovereigns, learned the advantages of borrowing.
The debt of the Holy See is now comparatively so great that
it is difficult to understand whence the payment of the
arrears of interest is to come. Its amount is oo less than
407,925.251 francs, or nearly sixteen and a half millions stet,
hog. The interest of this is not far from a million—as
immense sum for a country without commerce, industry,
or agriculture. Before the separation of the Marches,
Emilia, and Umbria, the revenue was about millions
sterling ; but it is greatly ler now, sad small as it is, much
of it is cossumed io the collection. In France the expense
of collection is 14 per Gent., in Hoene it is 31 per cent. Out
of the remainder the Pope has to pay the interest of the
national debt, the expenses of the army, of the aorta of
law, police, and his own establishments. No one can tell
what the papal revenue is at present, but there is
good reason to suppose that it is not more
than a third of what it was formerly. One
would expect the Holy See to snit its expenses to
its present resourer, but such is far from being themes; it
is prodigal beyond all bounds ; it supports brigandage in the
mountains and forests of the kingdom of Naples ; it lavishes
money on feasts more pagan than Christian in their charac-
ter ; it maintains an army that is of no possible use ; it is
constantly adding to its debts ; and the time will very soca
oome when it must reply eves to its creditors, Now yam -
mus. Whether these two ins* words will satisfy the said
creditors ia another matter.

ALDERMAN SAMMONS, M.P., AND MIR COMM-
roarte.—Lost night, a crowded public lamella( of the
electors of the borough of Greenwich, residing at Deptford
and Barham was held at the Jimmy Institution, High.
street, Deptford, to bear an Wrens from Alderman Wo-
man, M.P. Having touched upon the most important of
the events of last essaioe the worthy alderman remarked,
upon the subject of the public expenditure, that it was very
y believed that a great reduction would be propossd
generally government next session. In reference to the war is
America, be said the government were the beet judges
whether or not mediation on the part of the pest powers
was likely to be productive of good result,. Expressing
hia sympathy with the sufferers in the oaten districts, he
said he looped they would be amply podded for by the
voluntary efforts of the public, but should it be otherwise
be would cheerfully give his vote for aid from the national
enehequer. Seers other topics having berm touched epos
a vets of Qualm to and coefidenos la the boa and worthy
alderman was esonimonaly paned.
REPERENNTATION or Torus.—Notice is given
in last eight's °wear that the Speaker will issue his war.
rust fora sew win for the election of a umber for Tot-
lisejs the mom of the late Mr. Thomas Mills, at the end
of leaden days.