The Express.
London, England, 1853-11-18 00:00:00

FRANCE.

l'AltIS, Titritsnty EYPNIKO.
The Monaco,. contains an at tide explaining sad
justifying the course taken by the Emperor in relation
to the food crisis. Flom the emphatic way in uhich
the principle of letting commerce alone is laid dux,,
it would be easy to see, were the fact not other% ise
known, that the goverunn nt hos been softly prts,d
by ignorant importunity to regulate the price sad
interfere with the distribution of corn. The
Moulton. says: " The state cannot escape this
alternative, *All or nothing.' It once it t,,ashes
a single element of commerce, it embarks
upon a fatal course in which it cannot
stop. The substitution of the state for the action of
industry is at once materially impossible, finauti-lly
ruinous, and politically foolish. It is for commerce
to supply the deficit in the harvest. What Nevoid
be impossible, absurd, on the part of a govenmient
is simple and easy for a whole nation." The defi-
ciency in the harvest is estimated by the .ILEaftar
at ten millions of hectolitres, and it is stated that
3,600,00) have already been imported from America
and the Levant.

The committee appointed by the Emperor to en-
eider the question of the iron duties is about to report
in favour of the principle of reduc.ion, and will, it is
said, propose a diminution of from 20 to $0 per cent.,
but the protectionists will be glad to learn that the
committee is in favour of the maintenance of the
" zones." Nevertheless the party of monopoly and
restriction in commerce is in consternation. The
i free-trade tendencies of the government are likely to
be further developed, and a decree is shortly t xpt cted,
lowerite, by per cent. the import dutits upon
a great variety of products. The sp..cial
question about the octopi duty on iroa iu
the city of Paris is hung up for the
moment. The municipal council, as you arc aware,
proposed a large reduction in considerutieo of the
dearness of wood, and with a view to encourage the
use of iron in building. The city finance comtuntte
opposed this innovation. The Council of State hare
reported iu favour of it; but the Emperor, :cho is
severely pressed upon by the " native wool' in-
terest, declines to confirm the report for the pret•ent.
The matter awaits the issue f the general question
of the iron duties. It is scarcely doubtful that the
cry of the manufacturing ipterest for greater facili-
ties for the importation of coal will be attended to,
and that in spite of all opposition a large reduction
will be forthwith made.

The Bourse has again been very calm. The Threes
closed with a rise of Ine. The Rouen Railway fell
life., and in the other lines there was not more then
2fr. or 3fr. change one wily or another.
The meeting of the Council of the Bank of Prange
to-day was unusually prolonged, and gre::t dith renee
of opinion prevailed miring the !numbers. I under-
stand they have neither raked the rate of interest nor
shertened tho date of b:Ils admitted to discount, but
but they have resolved until further order to diminish
by 30 per cent. the proportionate sums they bane
.hitherto been in the habit of advancing upon the
deposit of railway shares.
I am told this evening, though I by no moans ven-
ture to guarantee the fact, that M. lis4tlef will go
to Fou'ainebleau to-morrow, but will hare before
Vely Fuchs arrives there.
Prince Ghika's family has arrived in France, and
the Hospodar himself is expected in Paris in a few
dais.
it is rumoured that the Austrian Minister for
Foreign Aftars, M. Buol Sehatmein, is about to be
replaced by M. Ficquelmont, tlr_ author of the
pamphlet, " Europe and Lord Palmerston." Should
the news be confirmed, the question of " Austrian
neutrality " must be eunsideeed more doubtful than
ever.

THE WEST INDIES.

(UT EI.ECTUIC TELE(:UAI.U.)
(}MOM OUU OWN CoIatti.VONI.ENT.)

SOL' itiAMPION, FamAy.
Arrived, the Solent. pier clats are :—Janiaica,
Oct. 27 ; St. Thomas, Nnv. I. Amongst her cargo is
specie to the value of nearly one million of dollars.
At Demerara, fever in its most malignant km
had begun its ravages, confining itself, however, to
new arrivals and the shipping.
The weather was favourable.

- 4.
HAYMARKET.

The Cure for Lore, which rat on with undimi-
nished success, was followed 1 ist night by a new co.:tie
opera, iu one act, ealied Lovc's Alarms. As a drama this
piece time most trifling description. 1: io innocent of
subject, plot, or it tercet, being noshing but a wing of
mugs, ballads, duets, and concerted pieces, intermixed
with little bits of trivial and insipid dialogue, and enlivened
by some buffoonery and practical jukes bum Mr. Compton.
Perhaps there was more meaning in what was
sung than in what was spoken ; but if so, the per-
formers kept it among themselves; for, iiecording to the gene-
ral and laudable custom of English singers, they took care
that not an intelligible word 10,ould reach the audience. Of
the music—which is by Mr. Edward Fitzwilliam, a ycuog
composer who has written many pretty things, sud whose
talents we have repeatedly had occasion to notice, it
would be unfair to speak iu very decided terms, for it was
very imperfectly executed. The Haymarket company,
ti stang and excellent in some respects, is iesite incompetent
to the performanee of opera. There are otiiy two performers
who have any pretension whatever to the character of singers
—Mies Featherstone and Mies °mimetic—and they are, LS
yet, little more than debutantes. Alcs loathe ratoue is highly
xifted by nature ; she is scry bauelsome—b.autiful me—
sa face and person, and has a superb contralto voice, of
which, by proper cultivation, an immense deal may be
made. but thiseultivation has not been givan. Her execu-
tion is unfinished and her style untormed ; in abort, she
has almost everything to learn as an artist. Miss Ortuonrte,
also possessed of good natural gifts, is of about the same
calibre as Mira Featherstone in artistic a; taMment. They
are both promising young ladies, but at pres. rat wholly unfit
to hold the position ofcrstne donne. Mr. W. Ferret' is pressed
into the service to enact a lover and sing tenor, though
singing is altogether out of this clever and agreeable actor's
way. As to the concerted pieces, they were out of time and
out of tone, and the conductor had a hard task sometimes
in plying hie baton to keep them from falling into utter
confusion. Through all these disadvantages we could per-
ceive that there were many pretty things in the music;
graceful and flowing (though not very oi iginal) melodies,
and ingenious and pleasing (though sometimes overlabcured)
orchestral secompaniment,:. The piece had the semblance
of success, as slmo,t all musical pieces have on their hest
performance. There were many zealots friends who
exerted themselves at the end of every sung to obtain so
encore, though they succeeded only once or twice, and
even then with much opposition. '1 he applause at the can-
elusion was partial and mixed with disapprobation ; but it
was sufficient to bring the principal performers before the
curtain, to make their bows an curtsies as usual.

EXETER HALL.
The London Sacred Harmonic Society commenced
their season last night with, apparently, a fall complement
of subscribers—the ball being crowded in every part. The
performances consisted of Dr. Elvey's festival anthem.
" The Lord is King," and Handel'a '• Israci in Egypt." Dr.
Elvey's anthem, which consists of some dove pieces, both
chorus and solo, was composed for the last Gloucester k
tival and favourably received ou its production there. It is
at least equal to the composer's previous efforts. Of courr
the great teature of last night's programme was Handeia
sublime oratorio, in which grand choral writing and poetic
imagination are combined as only geniis and learning of
the first order can combine them. Some of the choruses ut
this oratorio are severe testa of choral efficiency. "He sent
a thick darkness," and " The people shall hear," for
instance, are full of difficulties of mere intonation
by reason of the chromatic intervals 30.1 progressions
with which they abound. It is not often that these diffi-
culties are satitictorily overcome, and they certainly were
net in last night's performance. The chorus was frequently
unsteady, nervous in attacking points, and often so unde-
cided iu intonation that it was difficult to decide whether
the harmony was major or minor. There was a want ot
resonance in the sopranos, the result either of timidity or
disproportion of numbers, and the general elect was such
as to leave no doubt that a great improvement would result
from a reduction of the performers to one-halt the large
number which is paraded in the programmes as a feature
of attraction. Both this and the otter Sacred Harmonic
Society lay great stress on the enormous numerical strength
of their chorus and orchestra ; in the one case stated at ,tlt,
in the other SOO. Now, even granting this to be the fact, and
supposing, moreover (which is much more than doubtful)
that all these 700 or SOO are competent performers,
it would be impossible that so large a body should execute
with precision and consentaneousnesa any music but that of
the simplest and most diatonic character. Chromatic in-
tervals and passages of any rapidity will always he matters
of uncertainty where so many militants are concerned.
The London Sacred Harmonic Society, instead of announc-
ing " eight hundred perf.rmers," will do much better by
weeding and selecting until they reduce them to a mode-
rat! number of really efficicot artists and amateurs; and
wemay then hope to hear the " Israel in Egypt" in Al its
poetic grandeur, unmarred by executive failures. The solo
singers of last night were Mires Birch and Stabbed:, Mr.
and Mrs. Lockey, and Messrs. Lifter and Lawler.

HERTFORD, WARE, AND WELWYN RAILWAY
It is proposed to make a hue between them points, and to
unite with the Great Northern at Wtil./a and Hntticld.

Irt)e Court.
.
WINDSOR, Nov 17.
Ilse second dramatic performance at the Castle
woo a wok plue this 'menial. The pieces selected
tt.l6 uccsuan were • comedy in three acts, by. Mr.
r asst e IWO/qtr., entitled the ' Game of Speculation,"
sad • comic drama in use met by Me Charles Mathews,
estsied Little foddieluse ;" sued the parte wen filled
seeoritieg to she rolbwitirt progr•mo,
GAME OF SPECULATION.
Mr Anil& Ralik
Por Harry Lager
Mr. J. F. Cathcart.
WI •
Mr. Frank Matthews.
Ear. twos
Freeeectol Mr. Buil Baker.
Weems& Mr. Suter.
madam Mr. Addison.
Frederick Hebb
Demo Mr. Clark.
;Hawk Ma. Melfurt.
Miss K. o,.iver.
usier Kiss Desborough.
Om llama
LITTLE TODDLEKINS.
Jean Rabies's Browasenith, E.q. Mr. Charles Mathews.
gawky Behicombe, Esq.
Certain Littlepup
Ananthis Mrs. Frank Mathews
Altair B• Miss Min M. Oliver.
Soso Miss Ellis.
ihtleter
A...wut director Mr. George Ellis.
Tio the ore arranged sag the scenery painted by Mr.
norms
jler Majiity the Queen and Prince Albert entered the
Rah, wh.re • temporary stage had been erected,
at sicht u'ehick. secompar,it d by the Duke and Duchess of
Beal..i.t, the Davie+ of Kent, the Duchess of Cambridge
sad M•.ry, and wile! meinhers of the royal
iia. 'he Belgian Minister, the Marquis
of AS. mon, Ide Grey, Lord and Lady John Russell,
fir l'hAr:.• and Lady Mary Wuod, the Right lion. Edw.
Cardyen, And the :cities an,i gentlemen in attendance. The
pulormsnees immeeli•tely commenced after her Majesty
aid her eltutrious circle had taken their seats. The
flutens private bend was in attendance in an ante-room.
Re'reshinenis were din the Throes-room.
The Wilowing had the honour of receiving invitations to
witness the dramatic performance, viz : Madame Van de
Weyer, the Dowager Merchieness of Diwnehire, Lady Mary
Rood, Lady Charle. Fitz Roy, Lady Caroline Barrington,
Lady Frances Brute, the lion. Mrs. Gordon, Colonel the
Hon. Chatles and Mrs. Grey, Colonel the
Phipps. Msjor-Generel and the Hon. Mrs. Scott, Major-
General Sir Thomas and Lady Willshire, Sir John Milky
Buie, the Rev. W. and Mrs. Canning ; Lient.-Colonel
Fakir, commending nfilccr ; Captain Waist% and the Earl
of Mount Cherie., of the lat Life Goer& ; Colonel Dixon,
commanding officer; Contain Wilkinson and Captain Mey-
rick. 2ail Battalion Scuts Fusilier Gauss; Mita Con. Air.
H. Co:, Mr. Frederick Cox, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Mills,
MTh Itiss Agnes Mills, Mr. Gibbs., and Mr. Glover.
The Qua+, with the Duchess and Princess Mary of Cam•
bridge, walked is the grounds adjacent to the Castle this
morning.
Prince Albert we% out shooting, accompanied by Lad
John Russell, Sir Charles Wood, end the Right Hun. E.
Cardwell.
The Marquis of Abercern and Earl de Grey are expected
to remain on • visit at the Cssde.
The dinner party yesterday included the Duchess of
Kest, the Duchess of Careiriage, and the Princess Mary.
Laly F. Howard. Baroness de Speth, the Rey. Lord
Wrintherley Rumen, Lnrd and Lady John Russell, Sir
Charles and Lady Mary Wood, the Right Hon. E tweed
Cardwell, Colonel the Hon. Cheeks Grey, and Baron
Knewheck.
The Bead of the let Life Guards attended during dinner.
Her Majess Privet- Band efterwards attended in the
ty'
Curie sad performed the following selection:
overture, ..7amoa"
Alletretto.“ilph.teamir Kaadelmoina.
Sdeoni.t 30.3 ;find movement)
The Lord Chancellor, the Marsjuis of Lansdowne, DWI
Granville, the Duke of Argyll, a iscoarit Palmerston, the
Earl of Clarendon, the Dab* of Newcastle, the Chancellor
of the Itschequer, Sir Junes Graham. the Right Hon.
Sidney Herbert, and Sir Wiliam Meluworth were present
at the Cabinet Dinner given by the Eirl of Aberdeen on
Wednesday evening.
A deputation frets the Committee for promoting Albert
Park had an interview with Sir William Moleswertla, at
the Office of Work, and Public Buildings in Whitehall'
place, yesterday. The deputation eons std of Mr. Wm.
Tyler (chairman), Messrs. J. 3. Biwerbank, F.H.8., John
Barnett, Thomas Dm, J. J. Downes, Henry Spicer, Jacob
Vincent. W. C. Birch, W. B. Cooper, and James Lloyd.
The Commissioners for inquiring into the state of the
Corporation of the City of London set yesterday in the
Privy COUalri MECO. Present : the Right lion. H. La-
bouchere, the Right Hon. Sir J. Patteson, and G. Corse-
wall Lewis, Esq.
Despatehes from the Governors of Hoeg Kong, Cer
los New Zealand, Malts, sad Gibraltar, ware received yer-
terday at the Colonial-office.

Queen Marie Amelie, who had embarked at Genoa
on the 7th, arise( don the fallowing day at Rosati, on the
east of Spain, at a short distance from the frontier of
France, below Tort-Vendres. Her Majesty had arrived in
good health, and had borne her voyage very well.

TIIE STRIKES.

-
THE PRESTON TURN-OUTS.-DISTURBANCE
- - --------

LN BLACKBURN.

Yesterday evening Blackburn was again the scene
of a disturbance. which created great alarm amongst the
peaceably dispos..l inhabitants. Throat/bent the day knots
of men and women (Preston factory operatives) were to be
men strolling up and down the town. some
...

- 4 We'll n be content
Till we get the ten per cent."
But they:did not attract any particular attention Welty
searched the omnibus that met the 12 o'clock train frogs
Preston, in the hope of finding some " Preston masters.
No fest, however, was manifested till dusk, when the num-
ber of Preston operatives was considerably augmented by
the Blackburn factory hands. Then they savagely asked
and looked for the Preston masters, saying that they (the
mate's) had some to Blackburn to induce the masahis•
Suers there to stop their mills, or work short time, till the
'Proem dispute was settled, so that the Mukha= hoods
could act so ma•idc 'oily sepport the Preston turn-eats es
they had hitherto done. The LM parson that ezperismeed
the fury of the mob was Mr. Hoary Nightingale, femme&
to Mr. Batters% manufacturer, of Prestos. He was
followed from the Ball, up Tharreek-fold, sad to
Union-sliest, where he took nfoge la St. John's
Tavern. Be rushed into a bedroom, sad immediately
afterwards fainted from the stoats of the severe kicking and
Wows ho had experienced. Mr. Grath, tailor, of Preston,
was able attached, ►et he was sot mace haft He warped
hem his assailants into the shop of Kr. Woods, bookseller,
hem whisk it was saisolusord that be was seta saasufse-
tura, hat a height of the aeon*. The mega, math dis-
appointed, left their minded victim, eat retraced their
steps to the Ball Hotel, in which they assideatly *speeded
there wen dill several victims to the tea per cent. move-
moat. [The Bull, we ought perhaps to state, is t►e Ba-
tboy et Blackburn every Wednesday, and there maw
heaven ham all parts of Bluish's., most weekly to tressed
busloasallte ether Prestos chaps:however, cams oat of the
iaa, and that so enraged them that they kept up a volley
of hires, peons, he., till between sight and miss o'clock,
when Ws. Baseem, landlady of the Ball, gave the mob
permistioa to said two, four, or six of their number to
mink her bow. They immediately took advantage of
the pnesissios, sad in • very short space of time three
compasies, each headed by a soma% were in quiet of
Preston manufacturer, in order, if found, to give them
up to the fury of an enraged mob. Their search, however,
was in vain, bet it append to satisfy them, and also the
thousands of lawless individuals who were waiting outside.
One of the inspectors said to a servant as he was poising
through the kitchen, " It's very well you've let us look
through, or else there would not have been a whole pans

of giro' left in your house to•night."
Every minute after sit o'clock it was expected that
an attack would be made on the Bull, and, with the view of
preventing that and a general riot, the watch committee
and the superintendent of police concentrated all the con-
stabulary force of the town (about 19) and the fire brigade
in the old market-place, in front of end eontiguoue to the
Ball. Shortly after that step was taken the borough ma-
gistrates were called together to consider the propriety of
sending for the soldiers. Before the magistrate', however,
met (many of them living at a considerable distance from
each ether) the crowd had dispersed, red the tem' appeared
tranquil. A general opinion was expremed throughout the
evening that as Blackburn is the seat of periodical disturb-
ance" soldiers should be stationed in the town continually.
Between eight and nine there could not have been less than
five thousand operatives in front of the Bull.

Tits PRESTON STRIKE.—A my lengthy memo-
rial has berm adopted at • delegate wresting of the work-
men, sad forwarded to the Homo secretary.

ANOTHER F.STAL ACCIDENT ON LORD MAYOR'S
Der.—Mr. George Yule), a master painter, 33, Murray-
meet, who, it was stated, had had one of his legs broken
by the breaking of a board against the Globe Office, in
Lombard-street, while the civic procession wax passing,
died sa Tuesday at St. lltionmes limpital. An inquest
was bald yesterday, and the jury returned a verdict of
"Accidental death," expressing their earnest desire that
the police commissioners, not only of the City, but of the
entire metropolitan district, would give orders that on all
future processions no stands should be permitted to be
meted upon the pavement of any street in the line of such
procession.