The Express.
London, England, 1848-03-29 00:00:00

support. And, in consequence, they went off in a
hat
This, we believe to be the truth, and we hope it is
ao. Our opinion upon the Spanish marriages has I,
been as severe as that of any journal. But all the
actors in the nefarious drama have received con-
dign punishment, beginning with Count BREBRON.
And laboecur be to blame, certainly the poor Duchess
of N/OSTPENSIER, much as she has suffered, cannot be
said to have suffered justly.
eWe were sorry to hear
Lord PALMERSTON rather flippantly of the
natural desire id the British minister to prevent the
Duke and Duchess of MONTPENSIER from returning
to Spain, but, on the contrary, to retain them here.
We see no reason for a British minister entertaining
desires and practising interference in the matter. In
the present state of France it is little matter what
prince succeeds to the Spanish throne. That is a con-
sideration exclusively for the Spaniards. We sever
bad just reason, and we have now not even a pretext,
for interfering in the matter. It is of the greatest
liberty should be
restored in Spain ; secondly, that the Spaniards, in
full possession of their rights and independence,
should decide the question of succession. That France
should acquiesce in this decision, whatever it is, is of
great moment ; and in order to France thus ac-
quiescing, it should appear that England had no
dre of intermeddling in the affair. kor this reason
we deprecated exceedingly the few imprudent words
of Lord PALMERSTON.
Independent of policy, generosity, which else has
its policy, should prompt us to waive all that rivalry
and rancour, however originating, which existed be-
tween the House of ORLEANS and our Foreign-office.
If Louts XII. forbore to avenge the injuries offered to
him, when Duke of ORLEANS, Whig ministers. in ac-
cordance with the noble assertion of the rights of hos-
pitality by Lord JOHN RUSSELL, should not too ran-
corously recollect the errors, or the worse than errors,
of Louts PHILIPPE. There is a power that punishes
and "avenges"—a power not of this earth. And we
should bat ignorantly and idly and ungenerously
usurp a character that does not suit either England
or the present age, in pursuing the poor old King of
the FRENCH, as an CEutrus, and devoting his family
to the infernal gods.

GERMANY.
PROGRESS OF REFORM.
PRUSSIA.—We have intelligence from Berlin to
the 26th, the journals of which date have been re-
ceived. On the 25th the King received the deputa-
tions from Posen, headed by the Archbishop von
Puy luski, who made known the wish of tke people
of that duchy, "that a national re-organisation of the
Grand l)uchy of Posen might be granted, such as
would quickly and peacefully take place under the
protection of the King." 'the deputation further
urged that in order to the effecting of this object, a
committee should be named, consisting of men in
whom confidence could be placed, and the nomination
of which would be entrusted to the royal discretion.
The King answered the deputatiou, and said he
granted with pleasure a re-organization of the Grand
Duchy of Posen, which would take place in as short a
time as pus-ible. For that purpose he would grant
the formation of a commission, to be chosen from
men or both nations, Prussians and Poles, who would
deliberate with the chief president on this re-organi-
cation ; and, according to the result of this delibera-
tion, he would make the necessary. arrangements.
But this commission could only be efficacious as long
as the legal order and authority of the magistrates of
the Grand Duchy of Posen were maintained.
Count von Arnim has been named royal commis-
sioner at the forthcoming Prussian Diet.
Numerous meetings took place in Berlin, in which
the subject of the assembly of the Diet was mooted,
and resolutions adopted to the effect that it was de-
sirable that the'present I het should not be called to-
gether, but that new elections should first be pro-
ceededwith.
The King left Berlin for Potsdam on the 25th, and
was received at that residence with the greatest de-
monstrations of joy. It was with difficulty the people
were prevented from taking the horses from the
carriage which drove him from the railway station.
General Tun l'fuel, Governor of Berlin and General of
the Infantry, has been dismissed.
The following answer given by the King of
Prussia to the Breslau deputations was made public
in that city on the 23rd.
His NI sty yesterday returned the following answer to
our proposal to engraft on the promised constitution, popular
representation by direct election, and to promulgate the law '
regulating the direct election without waiting to consult the
States-General " Since I have granted a constitution on
the widest ba-So, it is my wish to grant a popular law
of election, which, being founded on popular election, would
represent aft tie. interests of the people, without distinction
of religious opinions, a, d I intend to lay this law before the
Diet,the speedy assembling of which must take place accord-
ing to the general wish of the country, fir the purpose of
considering the different proposals made to me. I should
decidedly ai tin opposition to this general wish were I to
grant this new law on the elections without the advice of the
Diet. You will, therefore, be c nvened, and as I trust in
your I laity you will inform those who delegate you that I
cannot elver into your propos d so long as the general wish
of the country has not expressed itself."
It behove, the German fatherland--say the magistrates
in answer to the words of the King—to show that the
Prussian nation feel the task which the spirit of the time
has imposed on them, and it behoves all classes in Germany
to bind the mseives together, that they may Prussia
all confidence—a confidence which is only to be expected, If
the Prussian people are able to lift their voice. Momenta are
preeious.—Dreslou, March 23, 1848.—Signed by the magis-
trate and municipal council.
Letters from l'osen of the 22nd, say that the mili-
tary had begun to act. After the departure of the
deputation, the public joy had manifested itself in
meetings, chiefly at the bazaar and in the main
streets. The authorities, however, looking upon this
with a jealous eye, published a proclamation at two
o'clock, in which meetings of more than five people
in public after nightfall were forbidden. This
order was enforced by a strong show of
troops, which occupied the chief streets, artillery
being placed here and there ready for use if necessary.
The reason of these preparations was quite obscure to
the inhabitants, who were not intent on any san-
guinary movement ; and the brutality of the soldiers,
who killed one man by bayoneting him, calmed a
feeling of irritation against them. The matter Was,
however, explained in a proclamation to the Ger-
mans, stating that the preparations made were not
against them, but that they weie intended to protect
the Prussians against any attempt on the part of
the Poles.
At Cologne, on the 26th, the news havingbeen spread
that Prince Czartoryski,the leader of the last Polish re-
volution, with MM. Chrzanowski, Morawski, Bystrzo-
nowski, and Czaplyeke Bolmin, had arrived on their
journey to Poland, an assembly of 800 or 1,000 men
took place almost simultaneously, for the purpose of
assuring the prince of the sympathy of Germany
for Polish nationality. The meeting, bearing the
German flog, proceeded to the Wiener Gaathof, where
they met the prince, and having been addressed by
him, retired with great cheering.
Prince Czertoryski addressed some parting words
before he left for Poland, to the inhabitants of
Cologne, in which he stated that his object was to
establish " a free Poland—Poland without privileges,
and democratic."
From Aix-la-Chapelle, under date March 26, we
learn that the burghers were assembled for their
meeting this morning. News was brought that
Prince Czartoryski, with several other Poles, had
arrived at the station, on their way from Paris to
Posen. This fell like an electric spark upon the
assembly. All reached the station and offered their
congratulations to the heroes of freedom and na-
tionality. Dr. Neuellens expressed the ardent wish
of the burghers of Aix-la-Chapelle for the restora-
tion of Poland.
" All hail to Poland," loudly re-echoed as the
train rolled along with the noble-hearted champions,
for their country and for liberty.
AUSTRIA.—We have news no later from Vienna
than the 22nd, on which day the following imperial
amnesty was issued :
We, berdimual, by the grace of God Emperor of Austria,
Ring of Hungary, Bohemia, ate. &c., in order to give our
faithful subjects a further proof of our confidence, and to
convince them how greatly we are disposed to show favour
even to the erring, we have resolved to make use of our im-
perial prerogative and to adopt the following reodlutions,
especially in regard to our kingdom of Wald' and Lads-
merit, and also Lombardo-Venetian kingdom :-1. All in-
dividuals of the civic body in the kingdoms of Gallicia and
Ladomeria, including the circle of Cracow, also in the Lom-
bardo-Venetian kingdom, who shall have bean on trial, and
are new under the penalty of punishment for high treason
or breach of the internal peace of the state, shall
have the remaining term of their punishment remitted, in so
far so they are not also amenable to the law for other trustee.
—2. In regard to those criminals who have been arrested by
the courts of the said kingdoms, but have not yet been defi-
nitely judged, all further proceedings shall be dropped, sad

no further investigation for similar offences' which may have
preceded this our imperial resolution, shall be pursued. Not-
withstanding all indtvidualsmenticrnedin the first and second
clauses shall be immediately taken beyond the trontien of
our kingdoms, if they be foreigners, and shall not
be permitted to return, except by our special per-
mission. —3. Those persons of the said kingdom
who were concerned in political intrigues or com-
promieed therein, and have been confined to another
part of the country, shall have the full enjoyment of their
liberty. 4. Thom persons who upon similar grounds have
been subject to special prohibition shall be released from the
same.—We confidently expect that by this our imperial am-
nesty the minds of men will be quieted, peace and order
be every where mitered, and our faithful subjects testify to us
that love and loyalty which they have to honourably main-
tained
on divers occasions.—Given at our Imperial
Rai-
dentiary City of Vienna, March 20, 1848, iu the 14th year of
our reign, F3II.I)II4AND. [Here follow the ministers' signa-
tures.]
The excitement in public affairs has happily passed
over, and consequently the extraordinary military
measures which the Emperor was obliged to
command in the midst of the fearful emergencies are
no longer rendered necessary.

BELGIUM.—ATTEMPTED I)ISTURBANCE.--BRUS-
sEte, MARCH 27.—Last night, about 11 o'clock, there was
an attempt at an imessts. About 150 people came out of the
public-houses on the Grande Place, and funning themselves
into a body, went through the neighbouring street to the
Grand Sablon. In the Rue de Rollebesk a pistol was fired
at one of the agents of the police; hut happily withouteffect.
They next proceeded down the Rue d'Or, and Rue de l'Eur-
peruse, shouting " Vive la Republique !" Here th, ir fur-
ther progress was opposed by the sergeants of the city, who
succeeded to dispersing them by giving them heavy blows
with their batons. Several citirms helped the police
in dispersing the rioters, eight of whom were arrested.
A man in shirt sleeves, who appeared to be the leader of the
baud, was among the first who were arrested. lie ex-
claimed that he wee a Frenchman domiciled in the palace of
the Tuileries. His name is Delestre. One of the workmen
who had arrived from Paris had been running about the
streets of Brussels in the morning, wearing an enormous red
cap of liberty. He was arrested and taken to
then Hotel-de-
Vile by the poll.e agenta, followed by • larg cncourse of
persons. It appeared that the poor men was insane.
The lloniteur Beige says: " A gnat change has taken place
here within the last few days. Not a week ago there were a
great number of houses to let, both at Brussels and the en-
virons, on low terms, but in consequence of the arrival of
numerous foreigners the rents have risen, and houses which
have long stood empty are occupied. Prince Christopher,
who long reigned at Hayti, and has been fur some months
imprisoned fur debt, has lust been set at liberty by the cha-
ritable seal of the police director of the prison, who sue-
deeded in raising a subscription of a thousand francs for
paying his creditors and defraying his passage to England."
HOLLAND.—TILE HAGUE, MARCH 26.—1 n the
sitting of the Second Chamber of the States General, yester-
day, the president communicated the following royal mes-
sage :—" Seeing the report, under date of the 21st of this
month, of our Counsellor of State, Count Schimmelpenninck,
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to her
Majesty the Queen of England; seeing the report of the
counsellor, iaetituted by our decree of the 17th of this month,
we have decreed and do decree, that the si coml. paragraph
of the said decree is reported."—A royal message was then
read announcing the honourable dismissit in from the funct inns
as ministers, as blows : Baron Van Zoylea, Van
Nywelt M. J. C. Band, Lieut.-Gen. List, Vice Adm'ral
Ryk, M. Van Son, Count Van Randwyk, Chevalier Van
der Heim, and Chevalier Van Happen; Ins Majesty at the
same time desiring to thank them for the numerous and im-
portant services which they had rendered to the country.
Another royal decree contained the provisional composition
of a ministry during the formation of a definite ministry, viz.:
Coen: Von Schimmelpennincir, Vice-Admiral Rik, M. Dirk
Donker Curtin', M. Lusac, M. Ltahtenwell,und Lieut.Gca.
Nepres, •
RUSSIA.—The Gozetle says that
a private letter from St. Petersburg, of the 10th, states *hat
the greatest confusion prevails in the city. That the Em-
peror was shot at in the tree, and that the }ill pierced his
hat. His Majesty Immediately returned to the palace, and
adopted the mast menecing measures of defence against the

NORWAY.—CURISTIANA, MARCH 17.—You will
be surprised (says a correspondent) to hear that the apathetic
Norwegians are capable of exhibiting a demonstration. For
three consecutive evenings we have had rows, and the third
several thousands were collected, and maltreated the police
so much that the m litary had to be called out, and at least
100 were arrested. You must not, however, suppose that
any politic-1 -im was in view—any social grievance sought to
be redressed ; it arose from some remarks made by the editor
of the Morgenland the day after the news of the Paris revo-
lution arrived. After passing a warm panegyric on the
French and the revolution, he calls on the Swedes and
Danes to arouse themselves, and concludes by saying, "And
we Norwegians must learn that it is action and decision that
is required, not talk grad vacillation. The same evening the
students and three or roar hundred more assembled before
the editor's door and greeted him with hisses and other
signs of disc. probation. The second evening still greater
numbers collected, but in the mean time his friends and ad-
mirers assembled, in order to exhibit a counter-demonstra-
tion, and missiles were exchanged. The third evening se-
veral thousands assembled, when the military were obliged
to act. This feet will show the Norwegian government how
easily a mob may be excited even in these cold regions.

Zbe Court.
The Duchess of Gloucester visited the Queen yes-
terday, at Buckingham Palace.
Prince Albert, accompanied by the Prince of Wales,
Prince Alfred, the Princess Royal, and the Princess Alice,
honoured the performances at Drury-lam• Theatre, with
their presence, yesterday. The Dowager Lady Lyttelton.
Colonel the Hon. C. B. Phipps, and Colonel Bouvene were
in attendance on the royal party.
The Prince of Prussia paid visits yesterday to the
Duchess of Kent, at Clarence House, St. James's; to the
Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, at Cambridge House; and
to the Duchess of Gloucester, at Gloucester House.
The Duke of Cambridge and Prince Frederick of
bee visited the Prince of Prussia, on Monday evening, at
residence of the Prussian Minister, on Carlton-house-
terrsze.
Colonel It, Cannon, K.S.F., was presented by
Viscount Palmerston to Prince Albert, on W.dneschty,
at
the Levee, on being appointed a Knight Commander of
Charles the Third.

Mr. Wyon, of her Majesty's Mint, had an interview
with Lord John Russell, at his official residence, Downing-
street, on Monday.

EARLY CLOSING OF BANES.—The following notice
is being affixed by the Lombard-street banks to the pass.
books of all their customers: "On and after the Ist May,
1848, Maine business will close at four o'clock is the after-
noon, instead of five o'clock, as at present."
THE DEATHS IN LONDON daring the week ending
March 25 were 1,099, or eight below the average. The
return of the Registrar-General must have been sill more
favourable but for the continued prevalence of typhus and
scarlatina, both of which destroyed during the week nearly
twice the average number of persons. The deaths from
diseases of the lungs and of the organs of respiration were
only lac, the average for the week being 225. The births
registered in the week were 1,554. The mean temperature,
44 deg. 7 min.
THE' NEW WAR MEDALS.—The new war Medals
se long anxiously expected by tile naval and military sur-
vivors of the late war, are now almost completed, and ere
many months elapse will be completely distributed amongst
those entitled to them. Both decorations are from the de-
sign of Mr. Wyon, RA., of her Majesty's Mint. The naval
medal, of which we append a description, is at length before
Su Admiralty, but the military design is nut as yet entirely
completed. The former has been submitted to her Majesty,
Lord J. Russell, Earl Grey, the head of the war department,
&c., and Mr. Wyon has been complimented on the appro-
priateness and chasteness of the design which he selected.
This naval memorial is somewhat larger than a half crown
piece. The obverse displays a bust of her Majesty, sur-
mounted by the motto, Victoria Regina." 'f he reverse
exhibits a figure of Britannia on a sea-horse, holding aloft
is the right hand a trident, and in the left an olive-branch.
Taking the medal on the whole, it is the most interesting
record of the kind that has ever been issued. It is proposed,
so far as the distribution of this medal in concerned, to go
back to the celebrated victory of the lit of
after June.
the Ist wil The varil
-
ous battle in which each wearer took part
be signified by bars.
LAW OF LUNACY.—A meeting, convened under
the auspices of the alleged Lunatics' Friend Soc;ety, esta-
blished in 1825 " for the protection of the Bri'ish subject
front unjust confinement on the grounds of mental derange-
ment, and for the redress of persons so confined," war held
at the British Hotel, Cockspurstreet, Tor the purpose of
taking the necessary steps to effect a reform in the law of
lunacy,—Mr. B. B. Cabbell, M.P., presided.—Mr. Luke J.
Hansard moved the first resolution
That the present laws of lunacy are acknowledged on all bands to
be highly defective and contrary to every principle of constitutional
freedom and justice, and that seta of the greatest oppression and ern.
city have been committed in lunatic asylums in consequeace of the
Imperfect system in superintending the same.
Mr. Perceval, in seconding the resolution, looked upon this
question as the touchstone of the moral and religious condi-
non of this country. This question had been before the
country eleven years, and though the society had not many
mighty men amongst them, yet they had those amongst
them who were determined to carry out We object it had in
view. They had addressed the aristocracy, the hierarchy,
the middle and the lower classes, yet how few came forward
to learn the miseries of lunatic asylums, and the murders (if
he might so call them) committed there. During the but
ear the public papers recorded three coroners' inquests in
lunatic asylums, in all of which it was proved that the un-
fertwate persons had had their ribs broken in on both sides.
That was the sort of treatment which lunatics and alleged
un latics underwent in thaws asylums of misery and cruelty.
After some further remarks, Mr. Peroeval complained of the
manner in which alleged lunatics were arrested. In most
cases two men came without warrant., or any other visible
authority, and took the victim by main force off to an asylum,
where he was debarred from communicating with his friends
or proving his sanity. It only required the certificate of two
medical men as to the lunacy of a certain person, and then
the doctor into whose asylum he Is to be removed, may, on
the strength of that certificate, send his grooms, farming-
servants, or any other persons, to seize him. The victim was
not enabled to seterMin the names of the persons on whose
euggestien he waa waned, for there was no law to compel