The Express.
London, England, 1856-09-27 00:00:00

EGYPTIAN EXPEDITION TO DISCOVER
THE SOURCES OF THE NILE.

The expedition to discover 0 e sources of the Nile,
which the Viceroy of Egypt has initiated, and which
has occupied for the last six months the attention of
the learned of Europe—atter delays inevitable to the
development of such matters—has started. The
Count d'Eucayrac de L'Auture, to whom the command
has been entrusted. after having obta:nid on the 20th
of hot July the Viceroy's approbation of the plan,
came to Europe to procure the necessary adjuncts for
the execution of his enterprise. Authorised to select
twelve assistants, he sought in Austria officers of
topographical celebrity; in Prussia a well-informed
engineer; in France naturalists; in England nautical'
assistance; and America has furnished him with an
excellent photographer, so necessary on such an ex-
ploration. He has selected in London, Paris, Berlin,
and Vienna the necessary instruments for observa-
tions of the greatest variety, and nothing has been
neglected that could by any possibility interest the
scientific world. Magnetic observations will not be
neglected. The lutusoria, invisible to the eye, will
be studied according to the custom of the most per-
fect naturalists; geography will rest on astronomical
observations; ethnography, so fall of interest in that
part of the world, will be the object of the constant
attention and particular efforts of men whose know-
ledge has been already proved; photography will lend
to science the most valuable assistance, and will thus
being before the era; of learned men a new world,
sad the people of Europe a ill see all that the expe-
dition has encountered of the interesting and remark.
able. This expedition, which hss for its aim the
discovery of portions of Africa where the foot of the
white man hae never trod, promisee to make as better

acquainted with these unknown countries than we
are area with some parts of Europe.
The expenses of the expedition will he considers
able, as the Viceroy has provided it with everything
that can forward its success, and a sufficient escort
will protect these missionaries of civilisation during
their perilous expedition. Numerous boats with
steamers will transport them up the Nile as far as the
last point where this river is navigable. The
expedition has everything in its favour in the great
experience of its commander, and the generous
ardour of those who take part in it. The Count
d'Escayrac does not deceive himself asto the dead.
ties which attend him ; bat whatever obstaoles he
may encounter he is prepared to meet and conquer.
Thus the problem of the smote of the Nile is near
its solution, and the interior of Africa will probably
be opened to science at the same time that the Red
Bea, through the Isthmus of Buts, may possibly be
opened to the commerce of all people. These two
great undertakings will have bean the work of one
prince, whose name will be carried down to the
most distant posterity ; enlightened Europe re-
gards with interest the coarse of this expe-
dition, and the Emperor Napoleon has given
a mark of his approbation in naming the
Count d'Esoayrao an officer of the Legion of Honour.
The Count started on the 3rd of this month for
Trieste, which he was to leave on the 18th; his
companions join him at Cairo in the beginning of
October, and the expedition will then begin to ascend
the Nile. We shall expect its return in two years,
which will prove a great event in the scientific world;
for whatever happens, the prolonged stay of twelve
learned Europeans in the most unknown part of the
world cannot fail to create great interest. We give
the names of those engaged in this expedition.
Le Comte d'Escayrso de l'Autare, commander of the
expedition ; M. Aubaret, a lieutenant in the French
navy and a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour; M.
Mayer, Mining Engineer, of Brandenburg, Prussia;
M. Richard, Doetor of Medicine and Surgery of
Paris ; M. Boteelawsky, Lieutenant of the First
Pionnters of Metrovits, an Austrian, attaché to the
Imperial and Royal Institute of Military Geography;
M. Della Bala; Count Kinsky of Milan, Lieutenant in
the 47th Infantry, attaché to the Imperial and Royal
Infinite of Military Geography ; M. Oeng, assistant
photographer of Vienna and attaché to the Imperial
and Royal Institute of Military Geography ; Pouchet,
Llanelli des &ince, of Rouen, France; Mr. Anthony
W. Twyford, of London, late an officer in the British
Transport Service; M. De Bai, draughtsman, of
Montreallear-Mer, France ; Mr. Clap% of New
Orleans, photographer; M. Tabonelle, of Elbeuf,
Frame ; and M. Bonnefoy, also of France.

• Now that Captain Richard Burton, so celebrated for
his daring visit to Mecca and Mediae, and his penetration
to the City of Barer, is Abyuinis, is about to atilt ander
the direction of the Royal Geographical Society of London
for Rut Africa for the putp tie of penetrating to Lake
Usianthell, end if possible, to the sources of the Nile, is is
to be hoped that the Forsigivcflice may direct Dr.
Vogel to turn bus steps warn-sathwards from Lake Chad
with the lams objettatil vises.

THE BRUSSELS CONGRESS.

(raom ous owl!

BRUSSELS, San. 25.

The cheers with which the proposition of M. Corr
Vandermearen was passed yesterday appear to have
Riven heart to even the most desponding free traders.
The general determination evidently is to make the
International Free Trade League a powerful ammo.
drake. The use to which its machinery may be
turned is beyond dispute; and its because I am eer-
Min that it has a great end glorious saner before it,
if it be conducted with prudence, that I venture to
offer a few words of caution to the delegates still in
Brussels. At the sitting of yesterday M. Tinier*,
the reporter of the section that bad inquired into the
necessity of teaching political economy in primary
and other schools, ventured to give to that part of his
address which referred to France a political com-
plexion. This was so evident, that some Frenchmen
who were near me exclaimed, from time to time, as
eke orator proceeded, " Ceti impair fort, par cam-
p' sr and appeared to enjoy the audacity of the
speaker amazingly. He had undoubtedly a strong cies
when he could show that while Russia teaches politi -
cal economy in her college., and Spain affords the same
knowledge in her ten universities, M. Michel Cheval-
liar is the only gentleman in France appointed to
hold forth on the subject. But, let me repeat,
M. TilUre was too emphatic. He was evidently
endeavouring to convey more than he uttered. M.
de Brouckare was therefore perfectly right when
he reproved the political bias that had been given to
several of the delegate's addresses; for any reason-
able man might see that if these covert allusions
were permitted, all the governments of Europe would
combine to put down the International Free Trade
League. We can make allowance for men like M.
Pascal Dolma; but when M. Tillers indulges in a
recluse, or a Swiss delegate stretch's his long arms
Over the heads of his audience, and bellows out mal-
apropos phrases about Italian freedom, we must
regard both as enemies to the cause which the Con.
grew has at heart. The vivacity with which two
French delegates rose in the body of the ball when
M. Tilliere had ceased speaking, whi'e one declared
that France had been insulted by more than one
speaker, could in no way surprise the chairman. I
refer pointedly to this unpleasant episode in the
history of the Congo es because I would make it •
warning to M. Corr Vander maeren and his associates
in the new league. Let them once give a political
bias to their association, beyond the proper region of
its activity; let it be' suspected of hiding political
conspiracy under economic theorise, and it will
speedily fall to the ground. Its publications will to
stepped at every frontier. Belgium and England, and
Switzerland and Sardinia, will remain the sole fields
open to its operations. Its. must important precaution,
therefore, is to keep free ot all political controversies ;
still more, if it would succeed, it should avoid the en-
rolment in its ranks of men known chiefly for their
oppoeition to various political r4itnee. We all honour
these opponents of absolutism ' • but their sphere of
activity is not in an international free trade league.
A somewhat grave obstacle to the success of the
International Free Trade League is the extraordi-
nary combination of langu-iges that must pre.
vail at its meetings. My experience of yester-
day of Spanish Getman and English French
is sufficient to demonstrate tie gravity of
the objection to which I refer. Perhaps the most
painful effort of the day, however, was that of Mr.
Swart, who actually attempted the tour de force of
translating a passage from Milton in illustration of
his argument. The membersot the Congress were too
polite to laugh ; but, considering the extravagance
of the exhibition, their restraint must have cost them
a great effort. t mist be confessed, however—and
the question was crevily discuased in the hall—that
Spanish French bea's even Clapham French for in-
comprehensibility. Here is an opportunity for the
advocates of an universal language.
The Congress met to-day at twelve o'clock, in the
splendid gothic house opprelte the old Town-ball, in
the splendid gothic room of the Literary and Artistic
Society. The nddition to the list of pamphlets for
distribution well one on "The Past and Future of the
old Flemish Ports, Bruges, Ostend find Nieuport."
In this pamphlet a c .ntrest is drawn between free
and protected ports. To this proliction, it is asserted,
is due the decline of 11,u4cs, of Nieuport, of Ostend.
" To compare our port ot to-day," said some Mar-
seilles writer, " with the port ot former times, would
be to compare death with life." This state of death,
it is asserted, is the condition of the Flemish porta in
question. I shall return to this pamphlet for the
curious details it appears to include on a very inter-
esting subject.
The Congress was thinly n'tended. The secretary
having read a report of yesterdly's proceedings, the
President proceeded with the business of the day.
In the first place a letter from it M. Policant was
read, asking to be heard on the general question.
He was supported by M. Pascal Dupree It was
arranged that the gentleman should be heard at the
conclusion of the business of the day. M. de
Brouckire then read a copy of the 'dims it was
proposed to send to the King, thanking big Majesty
for the opportunity the free institutions he had
known how to preserve to the Belgians bad afforded
them of calmly discussing the great subject of cus-
, toms reforms. The address concluded with express-
' miens of gratitude for the opportunity given them of

canyiog out their business in Brussels; and of eon.
gratalatton on the brilliant avei that had been
offered to his Majesty on the twenty-fifth anniversary
of his advent to the throne. This address was
tamed unanimously, with the exception of one voice
—that, it was understood, of a Belgian communist.
M. de Breathers then introduced two propositions
to the Congress, which he proposed should be debated
before the rest, vie., one to abolish octrois, and one to
abolish the salt tax. He proposed to allow cue
hour for the discussion of the former, and
half an hoer for that of the latter. Bach
speaker was to be allowed ten minutes. After the
reading of the sections' report on the ootroi, M.
Wolowski, of the French Institute, declared that he
bad been in favour of their abolition, bat he must
codes' that he had been converted to the other side.
In the Bret place he would state that the question
should not have been introduced at all to the Con-
gress. It was a &cal, not a protective duty; and
the object of the Con was to substitute fiscal for
protective duties. He geals
referred the Congress to Mr.
Cobden's letter. He was persuaded that the wants of
the towns made octrois for the present inevitable. It
had been proposed often to abolish the octroie, and
tax bootee; but this would have an effect exactly
like that of the petrol it would supplant, for the
landlord would add the duty to the rent. It had
been said that England was an apt example of the
possibility of suppressing octrois; bet in England
Indirect taxes were more saltily carried out than in
other countries.
Monsieur Faider succeeded M. Wolowski. He
alluded to M. Wolowaki's statement that it was on.
popular to support octrois. He didn't care whether
this imposition was popular or unpopular—all he
wanted to establish was that it was against reason.
It was simply a question—the old question—as to the
preference the world should give to direct or to intl.
not taxation. Thies had maintained that indirect
taxation was the sign of a barbarous nation—in this
case Englishmen and Americas were savage.. It
bad bean said that the °ctni was a fiscal and not a
protective duty : he contended that it was a protec-
tive duty, and a most oppressive one, touching raw
materials—materials of general assumption. Why,
In Brussels there was an martog duty on
wood. There were protective duties in various
twos on shoes, to pond shoemakers ; on
clothes, to protect tailors. At Liege the Wag levied
duties upon everything, even to au-dn Cologne and
pomatum. The meat of the inhabitant@ of Brussels
was taxed to the amount of 32,0001. They had a set
of ocuoi servants, who lounged about the town gates,
peeped into baskets, were particularly severe with
pretty women, and cost 6,000 i. a year. Did they
propose to let meat free through the frostier to re-
serve all the pleasure of taxing it at the town gala P
It wee his belief that a house tax was the proper
substitute for the astral. As regards fiscal denim, if
they must tax beer, for instance, the way was to tax
It In the manufactory and not in retail quantities at
the town gates.
M. de Brost:litre now left the chair and reloaded
the tribune to give the rooms why be had con-
tinually opposed the system of setrois mime 1848.
To abolish the octet* however, was not enough. He
thought that the proposition should be altered: that
the Tuition, instead of being referred to the Inter-
national Free-trade Cones's, should be referred to
the delegates of the various commtritte, aed that they
should be recommended to form Meal committees,
having for object the abolition of this obnoxious tax.
It was not an toternational questiou. There were no
sibyls in Beyond or S w itemised ,and in those countries
where it existed, they were distinct and different
from those of their neighbours. After a few words
hem M. Nasal Dupre, the President's proposition,
°Mat lbe °snipes's declares a wish that some tax
Ise anedlntell tie the lip etas of cotton. and that
immitlese be toned in those ensatriss where octants
added to semen. their abolition," was carried.

The proposition as regards the salt duty having
hem set made, ea beyood the provisos of the Coo.
PM.
The seat proposition wee to the effect that all
dellse as alimentary substances should be at came
emi !Wally eboliebed. This proposition, the unbar of
whY wee M. Berthold, secretary of the Chambr of
Omesesees of Marseilles, was carried unaaisnossly,
after a tow words from M. Pascal Depret.
The third proposition—that of M. D'AnJos—ran
as bellow " That the Congress aspreesse a wish
lkit e high duties ors farriers wises Isykd io Ber
teal iota be reduced." This proposition elicited
awe aleeesies, in the Gomm of which a delegate
WI
that be spoke from hie own permed experisorm.
ekes be said that yam sever saw drunken people
•has wine was plentiful. It woe curled nasal-
mosely. with ale disserstiset woke.
As amendment of M. Pascal Dupree, to that call
be, tor the abolition of all duties on raw staterials,
wk.. that protective duties ors iron and coal should be
gradually bet definitively abolished. was carried
after a abort discoesioc.

Then M. Gamier's propoeiticia—that, indeed, in-
chided all the rest—was pat forward. Briefly
it meant this—that the Congress expensed & bops
that a mural, gradual, and total reform of suns
duties • cartird out io all countries; and that the
Congress reproves all domiciliary visits, prohibition,
reprisals, and premiums on exportation. This propo-
sition, seek elan, of which was voted upon spa-
wat•ly, was carried almost uaanimously.
M. Argonne, of Switzerland, thin spoke on the
financial advantages to governments of commercial
freedom ; and wu followed by Mr. Richard Bird, of
Manchester, oo the high duties still imposed in Rog-
had. He sited in tea duties, as equal to 150 per
net. ad aziorrvi, and noticed that the Chinese re-
*dyed our u.sentactures at 5 per oast.

The business of the Congress now being at an end,
3L Carr Vandermarren read the statutes of his Ic-
Isenational Free Trade League. He announced that
Mr. Cobden hid been appointed its English repre-
sentative. Among other foreign representatives was
IL Moss, for Sp iin. There was to be an international
fond. • central ofhts in Brussels, and a subscriptiou
of 12 francs from each member, together with volun-
tary Babied pt ions.
M. Broacher@ then thanked the International Free
Trade Lesgue for the promptitude with which they
had organised then:we:wee.
After speeches from M. Policant and M. Kaneda,
far Austria, a preposition wee put in from M. Cipri,
requesting that the Cousins would espies • bets
that the governments of Italy would call together •
emigres' at Flo,coce to harmonise their commercial
laws in the ihterest et free trade. M. Cipri spate in
favour of his proposition, and assured the Congress
that it would nave s great effect in Italy. A delegate
having spoken against it, MM. Arrivabrne and
Comeau begged M. Opel to withdraw his proposition.
Withdrawn accordingly.
M. Cogels then pot in a resolution advocating the
simplification and codification of customs duties. The
author of this proposition supported it in • speech
showing the complicated and unintelligible state in
which the Customs laws of Belgium remeited.
Carried unanimously, with the exception of one
voles.

The President, in closing the Congress, hoped that
all to whom he had spoken harshly in the noun's of
the eittiog, would ctribute it to the heat of debate.
He believed trot battle was won. Let them thaok oars
more, and in conclusion. the Association for
the Reform of Customs Duties. (Immense applause.)
M. betake* proposed a vote of thanks to the chair-
man, which was carried with great applause, and so
brought the meeting' of the Collets" to scam.