The Express.
London, England, 1865-03-16 00:00:00

A farmers' newspaper, called the Agricadteur
Practicing, gives the very astonishing news that a
ball is about to befpresented to the Corps Legialatif
for raising the present nominal duty of 50 centimes
on foreign corn to 2fr. 500., and that the new tax
is to take the name of droit de compensation. We
know that French legislators are extremely inge-
nious in investing titles to disguise the real
purpose of *sir laws. Nobody knows this
better than the Emperor, for the famous
law of May 31 which he sanctioned because he
knew it would give him a lever to overthrow Ithe
republic, was never called a law for the aboiliallert of
universal suffrage, until he described itai Yiipfi in
his coup d'etat decree of Dec. 2,185 L Bit whether
the announoed•nelr duty on corn be called a "com-
pensatory" tax or by any' other appellation, it is
clear that if the rural protectionist organ cited is
well informed, the measure is nothing lees
than a repeal in . a moat essential particular
.—not indeed as regards Mislead, which lately ex-
ports own to Braace—of the principle of Mr.
Coladem's free-trade treaty, and a concession to
agricultural clamour previous to the debate on the
address in the lower house. Ido not think you
are prepared in England for such tergiversation.
The Gauttc de France, always prompt to say
something damaging to the French government,
comments on the news as follows :
The abolition of the eliding scale did not then produce
such marvellous results as we were led to believe by a very
float circular et the Nialeter of Agriculture sad Public
Works. What Sae new duty to point of fact but a re-
seeks mains the repeal of the sliding scale and an attenua-
tion of the effects which it was neommily destined to
produce. Would it not be better candidly to return to the
old system
The commission for the Universal Exhibition of
1867 has held a sitting at the Palais-Royal, Prince
Napoleon presiding. The decision was there come
to that a superficial area of 160,000 square metres
will be necessary for the new palace. The site still
remains undecided. The scheme of the English
oommittee has, therefore, yet a chance.
It is stated that the Duke de Moray's brain
weighed 1,522 grammes, being 232 grammes above
the average weight.
The statement that M. de Moray has left memoirs

to be published only ten years hence suggests the
curious remark that this year 188ö is the last of the
term of twenty years fixed by Talleyrand for the
publication of his reminiscences.
The Bourse was more active than yesterday, but
quotations have undergone little change, except in
the came of Italian stock, which is naturally affected
by the news of a loan.

CITY OF LONDON COLLEGE, LEADEN]

—This evening the Rev. A. B. inter, M.A.. will deliver a
lecture in the theatre of this college on " Venice," illus.
Mated by diagrams sad digeolving views. Mr. F. D. Mamas,
of the firm of Mamas sad Ooldanidt, will take the chair
at 8 o'clock.
The subscription list of the Mackerel and Leech
remodel at the Charterhome is about to be aimed
Dr. Currey, the worthy preacher of Cbarterheme, will be
happy to receive additional armee forthwith, sad the sub-
scriptions of such Carthusian. es have not already for-
warded them.—Guereien.
A NEW lama Baztoicarr.—lt ie stated (says
the Dublin lapras) upon authority the correctness of
which there is so realm to doubt, that her Majesty, acting
nadir the edvice of his Excellency the Lord-Lieutenant,
has resolved to confer upon Benjamin Lee GUiDIIOII, Esq.,
the style and dignity of a baronetcy. This diatiogaithed
mark of royal favour will be regarded by the citizens of
Dublin as a jest and gracious recognition of the minificesoe
and public spirit of Mr. 011/0111.1., al will place them under
new obligations of gratitude to hie Majesty.
STATISTICAL SOCIETY. —The thirty-first &waver-
eery meshog wan Mid m Wednesday, at 12, Bt. James-
square, when the fellows elected the council for the
ensuing mesas, tie.:—President, the Bight Hosoarable
Lord !toughies ; Conseil. Charles liablage, M.A., P.R.& ;
Colonel George Balfour, •A. J. Beieeford Berenford•Hope,
Sir Joke Boileau, Bert., F.B.S. ; *William Jobs Bovili,
Samuel Brows, William Clamps, M.D. ; James Card,
M.P. ;Ed wia Chadwick, C.B. Leonard Henry Courtney,
William Farr, M.D., D.C.L. , F.B.S. ; Right Hon. Earl
Faterione, William Augustus Guy, M.B. ; Jamie Timms
Mainisionk, Faded& Hesdrike, James Haywood,
P.R.S. • William Barwick Hodge, Charles Jellicoe, *Fran-
cis Jourkee, Lame Levi, F.S.A. •, William Golden Lum-
ley, LL.M. ; Matthew Henry Earth, M.P. ; •a
Mogati, M.P. ; Sir Roderick Dopey /durables. K.=
G.O.St.S., D.C.L. LLD. ; William Newmarch, F.R.S. ;
Frederick Purdy, Col. W. H. Sykes. F.R.S. ;
W. Tan. LP. ; Harrington Take, M.D. • Rev. William
W Newell, D.D.. F.E.S. Thom marked •jo new members.
Treasurer, William Farr, M. D.. D.C.L. F.R.S. Honorary
Secretaries: William Augusts* Gay, M.B. ; William Golden
Lumley, LL.M. ; Frederick Purdy.—The fifth ordinary meet-
ing for the maim 1864.5 will be held on Tuesday next, the
list inst., at 8 o'clock p.m. precisely, when Professor
of Oxford will mid a paper on the Statistical:l.Feieca Dandies d the weed " Inconam"
RAILWAY WORKS IN THE Cur.—Beyond Lud-
gate-hill the railway viaduct is complete to Skinseretreet.
rapidly descending on an incline of lees than 1 in 40, in order
that it may beast the level of that steep incline which been
the name of the wealthy aldermen who, about the beginning
of the present creatury, entered into very extensive Wain
speculations, bat which have never yielded en adequate
return on his outlay. When the houses were completed
tenants could not be obtained for them, and they were finally
disposed of as prises in • lottery scheme. The two deserted
houses that threw their dismal shadow over the earth aide
of the hill, and which are the property of the same golf-
willed maidens who own the houses in Shunfard-street,
Blacktriarsrcad, have sucenmbee to the railway. and the
claims of the owners to do ea they like, or rather to do
nothing with their property. have 110 i been respected
by the all-powerful railway companies. Oa the site
of these bowie Sir Morton Poto's workmen yes-
terday laid the last girder which is to cony
the roadway over the costannation of the Chat-
ham and Dever Railway. Exactly at thin point the
line throws off a branch to connect with the Metropolitan
Float:ray Extrados in Smithfield, the junction being at
spot which in a short time will be covered by the impasieg
gad spacious buildings) of the meat market to be oda-
Wished here in place of that which has for so many
years bees carried on in the narrow courts and
lanes between Newistreetzest and Patermatee-row.
The main line °outman its croons in ea open
cutting of some 20 feet in depth until it join. the
Metropolitan or Underground Railway at West
street, a *snow thoroughfare leading up to Smithfield
market, but which is =amorally to be improved to a
width of 60ft. by the corporation, mo as to provide one of
the means of acmes to the Holborn-valley Tiede*. By
means of this junction with the Metropolitan, the Chatham
and Dover will have ammo to the Great Northers Station
at Kingberms, the Midland in the Easton-road, sad the
Great Weddell at Paddington • while, by the Smithfield
brave& it will have mega to the station at Inseam ; and
it will of course give us in return the means of reariisg the
Soudan) and Soatherseters Counties, the Crystal
end the hue of GT•001.61111 and Woolwich.—Poet.
SBCISSION OF • Romani PRIEM—The effects of
the Popes "mad bull" leave been felt eves MOM remote
colooy, aad Taber Mae give is his adhesion to the -eon
of ell liberal seatinesas, the Rev. J. C. Male
bee renouseed the ministry al the Wealth ch m& Mr.
Mola (now Mr. Mill) has a keowledp at mediates. aid ia.
we nadereland, a well informed and gentlemanly man. Of
merge the Regasaiets charge him with goadacia—CoMedo
Observer, Feb. 16.
Tan Birrraii 804.DIER no ISDIa. —There is
something humiliating to the pride a Eagleed in the spec-
Melo now so telly displayed her% of seat sambas, seams-
ally speaking, whole regiments, of her soldiers laoag dews
their masa the prime of lite, sad is the full fence af their
viper aid ellaiesoy, sad loathg the shstlarde maw midair
they ham ea rates Weaned to victory, is coda IS Ma
MOM oaten
soialio games of samba a livelihood.
Mete
must las erase sad mooned is the system whisk
moms ale frees the meitay sewage of the richest
male fa the weed : sad if the mow of tide slaw
endue are set meghtier, dimmesed, and reserved, Y eery
yet, is the day of lehl aad tecaldo, fare badly with leg-
he& —Crecatte Eleglietetais, Feb. &