The Express.
London, England, 1847-08-27 00:00:00

an they act, than a confirmed and persevering enmity to
the laws under which they staffer ?
We will not attempt to add to this clear and effec-
tive exposition of an evil which appears in its results
on the register of every prison included in this report
But on the strength of such results, and others
analogous to them in other parts of the kingdom, we
are entitled to insist (as a primary condition of suc-
cess in all attempts at grappling with crime, when
committed) on the abolition of short imprisonments
for petty offence.

WE have already directed attention to the approach-
ing sale of the house which tradition consecrates as
the birth-place of SHAKSPEARE, and which, doubtless,
was the home of his youth.
Now that the committee is announced, there is
little doubt that the business of subscription will go
on rapidly.
It is difficult to conceive that the proposal should
find opponents. But • letter alluded to, though not
read, at yesterday's meeting, showathat there are some
who see in this attempt a mistaken act of enthusiasm,
which degrades instead of honouring its object, by
bringing down men's thoughts from the works he has
left behind him to the house in which he lived. Ac-
cording to this class of objectors the sole monument
of the poet should be looked for in his renown, and
that which gives it birth. To display all this con-
cern about the four walls within which the poet was
born or lived, is, in their eyes, a vulgar error, unwor-
thy of the sanction and support of those who can rise
to the appreciation of his productions.
To certain thinkers there is a teeth in this view.
But the number of them is so small, that we cannot
anticipate much falling off in the subscription lists
from either their theory or their influence. The im-
pression of the rellyie loci, and the earnestness with
which men seek it, were well illustrated by Mr.
BRACEBRIDGE, who appeared at the meeting as the
hearty and conciliatory representative of the Shake-
pearean Club of Stratford-upon-Avon. While men are
made up of soul and body the union wiil represent itself
in all men say or do. To common minds, and even minds
highly endowed with normal imagination, there is a
haunting presence which lingers round all in the
midst of which the hero has lived, moved, and had his
being. There are few in whom a visit to Stratford
does not awaken a stronger love of the poet, and a
deeper sympathy with his creations. If any-
thing could mar this, it is the vulgar sad
degrading associations from which the result
of the approaching sale will, we trust, free
SHAESPEARE'S house for ever. One of the
resolutions passed at yesterday's meeting calls upon
the press to use its influence in favour of the object
in view. There is little doubt that this call will be
responded to. We would, for our oven. parts, urge
upon our readers the importance of prompt organisa-
tion and speedy action. The sale is to take place on
the 16th of September.
The eloquence of Mr. ROBINS has already pro-
claimed the fact in that unique style which he inherits
from his father. It is necessary, therefore, that the
funds raised should be transmitted without delay to
the proper quartecs,that the admirers of SIIAESPEARE
may save his house from becoming even more de-
graded than it has hitherto been.
Nor let it be supposed that all the money subscribed
is to be absorbed by Mr. ROBINS, for the trustees. It
is true that his patriotic wish that there "may be
several competitors in the field " is only too likely to
be gratified. But it would be better, perhaps, to let
the house go as it will than waste upon the purchase
funds which might be profitably bestowed otherwise,
in many ways little less calculated to honour the
memory. of SHAKSREARE. The surplus raised will be
appropriated worthily ' • of that the subscribers may
be sure. The names of the committee are a guarantee
for so much.
In such a matter it would have been highly desirable
that there should have been only one central action in
London. The affair is necessarily complicated, even
by the existence of the Shakspcare Club at Stratford.
They are, however, the natural guardians of the poet's
ashesand relics. They have shownthemselvcs every way
deserving of the charge by the zeal and liberality
they have displayed on this occasion. But there is,
as appears both from advertisements and from the
statement of Mr. GEORGE JONES, nt yesterday's meet-
ing, a second body professing the same objects, with
a committee calling itself the " People's Central Com-
mittee of the Shalupeare Memorial Fund." 'Mere
is very suspicious indication that this committee is " a
people's central committee," somewhat in the same
way in which the three tailors of Tooley-street were the
people of England. We should be sorry to damp any
ardour in such a cause, but we would respectfully
suggest to all who took part in the previous meeting,
that in this business personal feeling should be put
in abeyance, and that, though Mr. GEORGE JONES
called the first meeting, this can be no reason why
they should not merge themselves in those who act
with the sanction and in aid of the Shakspearean Club
of Stratford, and who possess the countenance of all
that is most respectable in station, acquirements, and
character.

MADRID, Aso. 19.
In the conference which took place yesterday at the
Pardo, the King's final answer to the royal message
delivered by Senor 13enavides was, that he would not
enter the palace till after the expiration of four
months. In consequence of this determination on
the part of the consort, a ministerial council was held
last night, at which Senor Pacheco and five of his
colleagues came to the resolution of resigning. Senor
Salamanca remains as the nucleus about which a new
cabinet is to be formed. It is supposed that the
other ministers sent in their resignation to the Queen
this morning, and that Senor Salamanca has been
charged with the formation of the new ministry.
He will in all probability appoint his own personal
friends, such as Escosara, Cordova, and Roe de Oiano:
and I have nothing newer to give you on this head
than I stated in my letter of last Monday. Meantime
it seems by no means improbable that Narvace will
be recalled to take a leading poet in the cabinet.
Office has been offered several times to the Cortina
faction, but the terms which they insisted upon were
such as Salamanca could not accept. If it is to be
regretted that they have missed power, their motives
are highly creditable, and will tend to raise their
estimation in the country.
That you may lack no detail on the important fact
which has decided the fate of the Pacheco ministry,
I proceed• to give you the accessories which are fur-
nished by the semi-official Correo. It seems that,
not satisfied with the remote day fixed by the King
on Monday for his reception of tenor Beuavides, the
ministry, prompted possibly by the Queen, sent to re-
quest a less tardy interview, which was granted.
" Senor Benavidcs declared respectfully to the King
that his august spouse ardently desired his return to
the palace of Madrid, and the conclusion for ever of
the sad dissensions which had divided them. The
will of the Queen was to forget past differences, to live
henceforth in peace, united with her husband, as her
own happiness demanded as well as the good of the
nation. The king answered, that as a loyal subject he
was bound to respect the will of the Queen,
but that he could not before the expiration of four
months comply with what was desired of him.
Ile started no conditions, moved no exigencies of any
kind, but manifested his resolute intention not to come
to the Palace of Madrid before the expiration of that
term. Senor Benavides in vain insisted upon the
reasons known to all for the King's immediate return.
The King's determination was irrevocable!' The
same paper adds : " We regret the more deeply this
resolution, as the result of the preceding conference
between Senor Benavides and the King had filled our
minds with
.joy, his Majesty having upon that occa-
sion shown himself perfectly disposed to reunion with
his august partner, and exhi oited the most lively de-
sire for the termination for ever of all differences."
It is impossible to read the above passages of the
ministerial paper without wincing at the unpardona-
ble want of tact and delicacy displayed in the publica-
tion of the negotiations upon the palace question, and
in the tone, unquestionably false, with which
ministers have thought proper to dress out this sub-
ject to the public eye. The Queen of Spain is repre-
sented as imploring, with abject submission, a prince,
for whom her thorough contempt is well known, her
subject, to relieve her distress, her unhappy state of
conjugal isolation, by returning to the palace. The
reply is—a slap in the face, a hick—an insult of the
grossest kind, which no ministry ought to
have permitted to be published, much less printed
in their own organ. Who does not see the gross
insinuation conveyed by the monthly arithmetic set
forth, without shame, in the king's answer ? A
French calumny, whispered into his ear, has issued
from his mouth, in the shape of an insulting insinua-
tion, and is blazoned abroad by the press, a public