The Express.
London, England, 1848-04-25 00:00:00

ITALY.

im to be expected.
Two methods have been suggested as means to an
end that many, who formerly 'discouraged it, are now
beginning to find desirable. The removal of the Dank
Restriction Act is one that is talked of in reference,
not to this subject only, but to the general prospects
at home and abroad, from which a new export of
gold is apprehended. Such a measure would probate
give relief to the railway interest by improving rail-
way values, and thereby be a spur to the progress of
unfinished works. But its operation would
sbysetem, in likely
to reach most slowly those parts of the
which, far the object above-mentioned, it would be
most for the benefit of the nation at large that an early
revival should take place. The value of stocks
must rise for some time before the disinclination
to any new outlay is likely to be removed, and Amity
also be doubted whether any effect of the relaxation
in question might not, in the present state of this
kingdom and of the ontinent,be too rapidly absorbed
into other channels, to influence this particular one as
promptly as the stagnation of labour and trade would
seem to require.
A more direct process, specially applicable to
railway undertakings, has, we see, been suggested of
late in more than one quarter. The Edinburgh town
council, for instance, have unanimously agreed to peti-
tion government for an advance of money to the Sco-
tish railway companies, expressly on the grounds of
the importance to that part of the kingdom, of provid-
ing thereby a fund of employment for the d
showing
working-
n produce
classes. A calculation has bee
how much good a moderate amount of pecuniary aid,
which it is proposed the state should give by an issue
of Exchequer bills, on the condition of an equal
amount being jointly raised by the companies, would
effect in the district north of the Tweed. The sum
named does not exceed 1,!;00,000/., to bear interest,
and be repaid within a limited term of years; the
application of the loan to be regulated by machinery,
similar to that provided by Sir R. PEEL'S Drainage
Ad of 1846, but simpler in its character, owing to the
more uniform conditions of the security. This
advance, it is declared, would afford the means of
employing 15,000 men for a period of eighteen
mouths, besides the advantage of restoring contidencc
to the desponding spirits of the proprietary. It
itis
added, that the loan, as it is proposed to distribote ,
would be advanced on the security of some
revenuel6 mil-
lions of capital, yielding an annual
of 600,0001. 1
Similar movements, we see, are in progress further
south. We have recently been shown
now the copy of a
petit on to the Lords ,
of the in course of
signature in Hull, founded on the view already
described as spreading among men of business, and
pointing in general terms to the species ot remedy
mdre particularly asked for by the Edinburgh town
council. It is to the following effect:
From the bankers, ship-owners, merchants, gentlemen,
tradesmen, and inhabitants of the borough and port et Kings
ten-upon-Hull.—That great numbers of the labouring claws
in ports realms are now uuemployed, and that it is of great
importmce to the peace and quiet of her hlajesty's domi. 1
ni.o.r employment should be round tor them as speedily as
pos.ilile. That your memorialists know there are many 1
railway ernpanies, the completion of wh, re projects (incon-
tmtably necessary for the convenience of the public, and
therefore certain to be fairly remunerative to the shans-1
holders), are either at a great loss delayed, or indefinitely
postponed, by the entire withdrawal of confidence, both of
shareholders and capitaliste, Er..m these undertakings. That
these companies would willingly employ very large numbers
of
the above-mentioed unemployed persons, if they could
readily, and at a fair rate of interest, obtain the lands ne-
cessary for the completion ot their works, thereby in
great part removing the dieters and danger consequent on
large masses ot the people willing to work, but unable to
procure it, and at the same time restoring confidence iu one
of t e most important and legitimate channels for the in-
vestment of capital. That your memorialists, therefore,
most respectfully suggest that her Majesty's government
dente some plan, either by authorising loans to railway
oonuanies, through the exchequer loaothern commwise, fissi oroneassrs, with
sanction of the railway board, or isting
such companies by an advance of money on the security of
toe works, to be npaid by moderate instalments. 'That
your memorialitts feel assured the objects they desire would
be accomplished by assistance from.government of the kind
sugre,ted,
is eery trifling in anwunt. That
as soon as it is known that the government is willing to gin'
some assistance, confidence will be restored, and that which
is le
undone,
will be speedily effected by the payment art
arrears from the shareholders, and the renewed wittiness's
of csoitalists to invest their money in the shares or debate.
tures of legitimate railway undertakings.
The opinions and the desire conveyedin this memo-
rial, we believe, are entertainedd in meny other parts
of the kingdom. If these are ot speedily embodied
in similar memorials or in petitions to parliament, it
will only be because of a general itupressior, pro-
duced by the peculiar attitude, that ministkrs, and
especially the CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER, have
taken on the eubject of railway work.. A feeling

VENICE.—The Sardinian general, Della Marmots,
charged with the organisation of the Venetian army,
arrived in Venice on the 14th, and wee enthusiastically

Welcomed.
NAPLES.—Our owncorresPondent atNaples writes
as follows, under the date of the 14th :—We are
within four days of the day of the elections, and no
note of preparation has as yet sounded. We might,
indeed, judging from appearances, be six months I
from such an event. No addresses have been issued
by the candidates, and whether there are candidates
one might doubt; certainly no names have been
brought before the public, and it is to the uncertain
„perhaps" of a friend that I am indebted for the
name of Tito Cacace, an eminent lawyer, and another,
also a lawyer, as likely to come or be brought for-
ward at the ensuing election.
Yesterday (the 13th), another battalion of national
volunteers left for Lombardy by . way of Leghorn al
they were reviewed by the King in the arsenal,
hoanmd
lett by one of the war steamers. Many of those w
I saw were evidently of the lowest classes; many or
most were such as had no means of living in Naples,
and who caught at this opportunity of feeding gratis
for a few weeks, of seeing there untry, adds ot being
caressed and cherished as pe& e generoi yirn•aro.
The government, however, reaps all the advantage.
unquiet, hungry mortals Ave been drawn off, and the
ministry is more at liberty to carry out its plans. At
night, too, the 2nd battalion of the 10thh left by way
of the Abruzzi for Lombardy, or suc other lace
as altered circumstances might render desirable. borne
apology. is made in the official Gazette for the tops
not having left earlier, in consequence of some diffi-
culties at the Papal court ; and by the terms of per-
mission granted by the same court it is attributed tha
not more than one battalion at a time can leave. Gent
Pepe has the supreme command of all the forces, both
of the line and the volunteers. A council ot war was
held on Wednesday, which was attended by Oen.
Pepe, Marshal Labrano, Brigadiers Lire and Scala,
and a plan of operations was laid down for
chinte troops
in actual or possible circumstances. The pa
have all been purged of the weak and infirm,
and
raised from 100 to 100 in number. As proofs of
ministerial activity, first let me mention that the
Minister of Finance, acting upon the suggestion of
Sig. Dupont, has written a circular to all the
tendenti inviting all promisi
ng their land tax
by anticipation, and a drawback
of five per cent. The intendenti are farther
advised to send such remittances to the
treasury weekly. Hitherto, the plan seems to
work well. I have seen many letters from
contributors published in the journals, and in no ease
was the 5 per cent. refused. It is highly probable
that in this way government will be able to provide
against present difficulties, which, after all, are only
of a temporary nature, the finances and resources of
the country being far from unfavourable. Another
circular to the intendenti urges upon them the com-
pletion of public works, such as the erection of
bridges and the formation of roads; they are farther
called upon to send in a particular account of the
quantity of grain in store in each province, with a
view to take off the prohibition which was laid on
the exportation of corn some two years since. At
the same time the Minister of Agriculture and Com-
merce has instituted a commission, consisting of th
s,
e
eminent medical men Laura, Carbonaro, and
with a
other
to review the sanitary laws and regulations,
view to facilitate communication with for
states
midst
and the different ports of Italy. Thus, in the
of agitation, wise measures are being adopted for the
development of the resources of the country, and if
the people will only have patience we may expect
great material prosperity. There is one measure,
indeed, of the Minister for the Interior, the policy of
which may be considered as doubtful. I allude to the
sending of " commissioner'' organiszatori " into the
provinces, with the double object of inquiring into
and correcting all irregularities in the municipality,
and of seeking information as to the character and
condition of the people. The first object of the com-
mission will be likely to give offence to the intendenti.
as implying a want of confidence in them whilst it
may be not unreasonable to suppose that the second
object, the seeking for information, would have be. 'n
more readily obtained through the medium of the
chief magistrates of the provinces, the intendenti,
who from their position and local information must
be best acquainted with the affairs of their respective
districts. There is, too, something odious
le in
and it the very
title of such a commission to a free peo,, is
to be feared that their investigations will give rise to
a struggle of parties in every little municipality in the
kingdom.
Cavalier Ruffo, his Majesty's envoy extraordinary
and minister plenipotentiary at the Russian court,
has resigned his office.
The English embassy continues to be guarded,
too, every night, though, for all that, one sees there
is no apparent necessity for it. We may take it as
an earnest of the desire of government to prevent any
insult from being offered to our country, and such, I
feel convinced, is the feeling of all the sober portion
of society. It cannot be denied, however, that John
Bull is not a favourite. Thus his recent mediation in
I Sicily, without leading to
any definite result, has
awakened a feeling of suspicion in Naples. I did not
tell you of despatches which were brought here last
Sunday for Ancona, for the admiral who left in the
morning. The messenger set out directly in search
of the fleet. What the nature of the despatches was
had not transpired. It was stated, however, as a fact,
that at 'frieete there were several steamers, all char-
tered by government, and rumours of course were I
active.
A party of Englishmen, six in number, were
stopped at Peesturn by a dozen men, most of them
armed. The party were relieved of six gold watches
starling.
and twelve pounds Government has sent
down a party of national guard in search of the rob-
bers. By a decree of last night the exportation of
gold and silver in specie or in bar is prohibited for
the present. The commission for
ointed the compilation of
the ecclesiastical code has been app by the
'Marchese Dragonetti.
There is another circular in the G;orna/ from the
Minister of Finance, to the Director General of
Julicial Taxes, directing that it having been proved
the great deficiency in the customs revenues arises
from the want of zeal, negligence, and open favour
shown in many cases by the employes; that those
who,from physical reasons are incapable of discharging
the duties of their office be dismissed with a legal
pension; that those who have not conducted them-
selves well shall be deprived of office.
By a decree of the 13th a farther reduction is
made in the portage of all journals of one sheet, front
any part of Italy or from foreign parts. The reduction
is one grain for two, so that one gram only (less than
a halfpenny) is exacted for journals coming by sea.
SICILY.—We have dates from Palermo to the sth
inst. In the sitting of the Sicilian Chamber of Peers
on the 29th ult., proxies wete voted valid as in the Eng- I
fish hoase. In the Commons six new members were
elected ;and it was moved by the minister of Foreign
Affairs that a loan of half a million be raised, tor
alleviating the necessities of the state, which were
more heavily felt is Messina than elsewhere. The