The Express.
London, England, 1856-12-25 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, THURSDAY EVENING. DECEMBER 25, 1858;

Such thoughts have been revived of late in the
minds of those who have had most occasion to cos-
template the position and prospects of our countrymen
on the Continent. For a long wares of years we have
thought of them on Christmas-day, if not without
wonder that they could find anything in a foreign
residence which could compensate to them for the loss
of native and national privileges, yet without the
solicitude which the present aspect of affairs may well
awakeo. In reviewing the countries of Europe this
Christmas, we cannot but speculate on what our
countrymen may have to witness in the course of the
coming ye3r ; and we may reasonably wonder how
much they are prepared to endure without coming
home. As the Americans say, "Look at Europe
Only seo ! There are Poland, France, Italy, Spain,
Greece, and Sicily, fallen from liberalism into
despotism And how do our countrymen take it?'
Thou who are there to save their lives by a good
climate, end holders of public office on behalf of
England, are of course not in question here. How is
it with the rest? Why, some write home that it is
very shocking to seethe gallant French nation muzzled
and managed by an usurper ; or the sensitive Italians
bullied and dragooned by au Autrian soldiery : "
say they, "what can we do? My dear friend, it is
the way of the world ; it is the actual state of things
—we cannot help it, and so the less we think about
it the better." The consequence is that all political
virtue dies out of the hearts of such people. If they
do not miss the free speech, the generous modal care,
the patriotic aspirations of home, they may as well
lin under an autocrat as under Queen and Parlia-
ment ; bat how do we feel about them on our histori-
eel and religions anniversaries? How can we draw
*sea hamewards in thought, to mingle in our national
lestivoist Sven since last year there has been a
bree deedspoent of despotism on the Continent;
and further changes, within a short date, are u cer-
tain ILO anything future can be. Already we find
ourselves so far liable to suspicion and insult in
despotic countries that we are glad to be able to
come away, lest we should grow restive or suspicious
—demoralised in temper one way or another. Already
we see the day at hand when thousands of British
will have to make their choice between full sequin-
once under the yoke of Roman Catholic despotism,
or living in a suspected, insecure, and degrading
position, or coming home, probably with broken
fortunes and without a prospect. While this day
wishing health and all good things to friends far
away, who are wishing the same to us, and emu-
lating oar English observance of the day, we cannot
but feel misgivings as to how long the conditions of
residence abroad may be compatible with the tru
British qualities which have placed us first among
the nations of the earth in our union of prac-
tical liberty with social order. If those far
away bad rather succumb to despotism than
defy fortune, let them stay : but let them
take the name of the country in which they are
living, and no more call themselves Britons, nor share
in our national thanksgivings and aspirations. If
they find them/elves driven to a choice between re-
maining free and continuing prosperous, let them
come home, and see how they shall be welcomed.
There is no man who shall have surrendered wealth
and use far freedom's asks and the honour of his
nation who will not find himself repaid a *wand-
fold by the sympathy and pride of welcome which
will await his return. We may salute «toms far
away with sours apprehension and aningleimg en
this day—e day standing between a bead peel
year and a threatening future one; bat wfin events
have ones shown us who, of the friends far may, are
true Britons, there will be no quaver er \Siltation
in the cheer with which we wish them joy et their
Protestant freedom and ever expanding British fiber-
tie. Theirs shall be a merry Christmas!

Zbe Court.

WINDSOR, Du. 21.

The dinner party yesterday included the Princess
Royal, the Doke of Cauhridp, Lady Elisabeth de Roe, the
Roo. Ma. Grey, Colonel Tyrwbttt, sad Mr. Gibbs.
The Duke of Cambridge took leave of her Majesty this
esernbig, sad Mat Windsor for Loader, Weeded by Colonel
Tyrwbltt.

The customary distributions of her Majesty's royal eha•
titles to aged aid meritorious poor who had been ream-
goaded to the Lord Bishop of Oaford, as Lord Sigh
Almoner, by the dew and other pumas in the various
parishes I. lesdoss, took place is the put sad merest week
at the Almonryofba, in Whitehall, seder the dinetion of
his lordship, the Rey. Dr. Jolt, Bab•Almoaer, assisted by
Joseph Hamby, ifsq., Bostetary,ad Yeoman in Ordinary.
- '

LOrd St dq of ilderley 101 l tows yesterday for Alder-
ley-puk.

. .
Viscount Nineteen arrived hs London yesterday non-
log, and returned to Broadlands In the afternoon.

Lord Noma», Mr. Thump, M.P., and Mr. Danlop,
M.P.. Wife du rusts ea Monday evitleg of Mr. W. E.
Baiter, M.P.. at Dana's.

_
The Earl of Stamford and Warrington hu given
a plot of load la etraadel-street, Moseley, sass Stourbt idp,

for the site of a new bending for a Mechanics' Isetitetio

The Worcafe►shire Chronicle reports the death of
Colonel Clutton Brock, which took place on Tneaday, et
the gallant celonere country eat, Penes: Conn, after a
painfal Muse of long derctloo. By hie Os* the °ninthly
of the Worcester Militia becomes vacant.

We (Cheolenlaam Paosniner) regret to state that'
Captain Little, the well-known steeplechase rider, met with
a severe widest when out with the Doke of Beauferes
hounds es Taseday. The load, from Me resent wet wea-
ther, wee very slippery, aad in about tan Minutes after the
bust the captain's horse, in taking • stile, fell, throwing
the rider and rifling over him. The iejmies sustained
were serious; besides severe hushes, the pliant esptain
had *rib broke.. Captain Little woe conveyed to Bad-
ssiatomboles, where he had medical essistince, and he I.
mow going ea welL

Tie otolfoothoot Excitation easouaces that at the
wet gonna election a astorminsd attempt will be made to
get rid of the political control of the Date of Boonton over
the coatribstory boroughs of Monmouth, Usk, and New-
port. A local intemaster of noted enterprise and ability is
asstissed as the intended liberal candidate at the forth-
coming desolation of peellashet.

Thi Right Hon. H. Lsbootthere, Coloalal Secretary,
U about le meet a sew family earasioa ea his property at
Stormy, Somerset. The ..strut has brew already takes
by s Loudon dim, sad sweats to about 16,0001. The
works mete be mended with immediately.

Ws (Gbh) aadorstand that a Treasury commis.
gas bee Dan Sewed, appointing Lord Parham, H. Ear
&yaw Beg., MP., 1. K. Bread, Beg , CM, Bobart
BewllaLot, Erg., CM., Professor J. T. Way, J. B. Lewes,
Beg., sad Bontheosol Seine, Bog., M.D., to baptise Sato
the moat effeetaal seam of distributing tke seeress ei town.
sad of applyiag It to baneadal sad prodtabis

EPISCOPAL LIBEZALIET.—TM Lord Bishop of
Gloucester sad Bristol providled lodelassolthio ova expeare,
for every candidate for the mast erdisatioe, sad Caroled
that all their seeds should be promptly sad liberally esp.
Tbe vast of s palms at Bristol has thus sot bees
Mid by the right rev. prolate to be as emu for arileetiog
the thee si borpitallty.
DIM OP DR. PARIS, THE PRESIDENT OP THE
COLLION 01 Parsiciens.—lt is with very Macon regret

that we anaernee Oa death of this eacelleat sad dials.
gabbed mu, whisks:mewed yesterday taming, at half-put
eight e'eleak, at his realism* in Dover-stmt. Few men
bare rd se hag, end at the s►me time so honourable a
career. For half a century predeely Dr. Paris bad prim:-
Used as a physicists, end had then to the very highest bemoan
which it was i. the power of his professional brethren to be-
stow. He was born at Cambridge on the 7th of August, is the
year 1785, and at twenty-two years of age ►e was thaw
physicisa.to the Westminster Hospital—a most gbusguhud

-, •
henoar for so yoga,/ a MS, and he oratinned in the active
exercise of his profesaissal Ostia until witkia a tonal& of
his death.

DAY.

Tb. moths: this morning was hardly such, in the
metropolis at least, as the nation have been accustomed
from time immemorial to associate with the festive sum
of Christmas. Len might then was a w►ite frost, end the at-
mosphere Wu eseeediegly tees. Early in the mornieg there
was a dull grey fog of considerable density, under the ope-
ration of which the relics of ste frost speedily disap•
peered; but as the day advanced, the overhanging mist
seemed disposed to vanish, sa if coascious that it had no
businue to show itself on an oeusion so fraught with sheer-
, fat infloences. The bells of the metropolis sang their
. .

merriest peals both on Christmu•eve and after daybreak
this morning. when there MU everything in the upset of
the metropolis to harmonise with the advent of the
groat holiday of Christendom. At midday the poor were
feasted bountifully on the time-honoured Eoglish cheer of
roast beef and plum pudding; sad similar provision was
made for the entertainment of the inmates of the veritus

charitable institutions, end the children of many of the
public mhos& The prisoners in the gaols, too, were not
forgotten, the prima regulations being so far relaxed
ea to enable them to feel that they WOTO not considered
to have lost their penonal interest in the grand jubilee of
humanity.

BANQUET TO THE AMERICAN
OFFICERS OF TEE RESOLUTE.

PORTSMOUTH, DM 24.
The banquet of the Mayor sad Corporation of Ports-
mouth to Copula Hertatein and the officers who have
brought the Resolute, Arctic discovery ship, to England,
wee given last night at the Portland Hotel, Seethe. Every

member of the corporation was present, with the empties
of one or two who were prevented being so from illness or
other causes. The Mayor, Charles Croat'sller, E q., occu-
pied the chair, and amongst them present were Captain

if ortotoin, of the Rosolat;. M.jor:iletieral Breton; the

Lieutenant Ooserner, Lord George Lennox, Colossi Foster
(Commandant of Royal Artillery), Colonel Wright, Capt.
Harris (her Majesty's ship Illustrious), Mr. Crorkey Malted
States Consul for the district), Aldermen G. C. litigant,

1
Alderman Bramble, Alderman 0 nen, Alderman Gauntlet',
Alderman Orange, Alderman Beechen, Alderman Sheppard.
Alderman White, Colonel Eyre, R. E., Colonel Perim,

Captain Richards, Captain Crister, the Rev. J. P. 2.143. M,
vicar of Portsmouth, Major Nelson, of the staff. Dr. B•

Scott Mr. Ashby, secretary to the

Major VeHanoi, dtc. The Commander-in-Chief, Sir Cf. '
Seymour, was absent, owing to the recent death of his

brother. The other *aeries Olean present were First'

Lieutenant Wells, Dr. Maccoun, Dr. Otia, secretary. Mr.
Grinnell, of the United State*, was also an honoured gust.,
The band of the 22nd Regiment performed during the
evening a series of pieces in a very admirable manner.
The touted "The Queen" wu given by the CHAIRMAN,
and was drunk with load applauw.

The CHAIRMAN then gays the tout of " The President
of the United States," and said he wee sure it would pro.

dues a reverberation if feeling is the bouts of all who
drank it. (The tout was drank with great enthusiasm.)
Alderman Biumnis gave the tout of His Royal High-
nese Prince Albert aid the other members of the royal
family." (Applause.)

The MAYOII, raid the ant tout was is Tehran to the
occasion that had called theta together. That occasion wig

for the remembrance of the restoration to this country of
the let ship the Resolute. It bad been hcped that the
szpedition of which the Resolute formed a pin would have
been successful in its search; bat that was not the result.
It was unimseassary to say anything as to the het
of the stesadonment of the Resolute, and how she
escaped fn. the ICI. The captain and °Seen who had
brought home that ship were, however, the representatives
of the American people, and the town of Portsmouth could
not do less than make some demonstration of respect towards
those °Scan. (The toast was drunk with the greatest ap-
plause, the ebeeriog being repeated two or three timer.)
Captain Hairerranissid—Myeelf sad brother racers are
sent to your shores on a mission of friendship—(loud sp-
plause)—and we have received from you a welcome that
we did not expect. (Chews) To the people of Portsmouth

we return thanks for the oompliment they have paid to the
adman who have brought to England the Boolute, for it
was ono of the first towns that held oat tits hand of friend.
ship to se. Ho (Captain Hartatein) hoped the union of the
two flogs of Britain and America, which had been &room-
pushed es board the Baclute, might cement the friendly
smogs WlllOll already existed betweea the two conctrks,
and provost that good feeling being damaged. (Cheers.)
Captain Hartatein concluded by proposing ",The Health of
the Herr end the Members of the Corporation."
The /taloa reissued thanks.
Aldermen STLOANT prcpmed " The Health' of the Ameri-
can Consul end Vioo Consul," and expressed a hops that the
oosesion that had brought them together would be a soiree
of continued friendship for the Inters.
. .

It,. CatMitY, the American Consul, retained thanks,
and said—Yr. Mayor and gentlemen, my official duties as
lb* sommenial represeatative of the liaised States for this
district have required my more frequent presence is the
more emstnacial town of Southampton, and I have there.
fen bees deprived of the pleasure of forming many personal
aequistanote Is this Imo commercial bat otherwise moil
important port within my onsulate. And while I meet
naturally regret seek dieprintlea of personal acquaintance,
I especially after the desuestvaticiaa of this sualag, sur-
rounded as I am by sub mum Marta and genial spirits, I
have the unalloyed satisfaction to feel that the tout which
I am called upon to acknowledge is divested of any per•
weal compliment to arid, and most be considered
se a fresh evidence of that growing friendship
sow springing op ia the hearts of your sountryncen, Mr.
Mayor, towards miae—a friendship which every good sea
mast hope will endure, inuesse, and Boarish to all eternity.
I meet, however, be permitted to join with you in the
tribute of praise which is so justly due to my worthy
friend and most efficient repreeentative, the Chevalier Pap.
palardo. He is knows to you all, and appreciated wherever
he is knows; and you all will admit that, on the retina of
the Resolute, which yes have now met to celebrate with
eine boson. he has exerted himself with admirable tun,
sleepless seal, and indefatigable attention. His conduit
has dished the highest commendations from the Americas
odors of the Resolute ; and although it will be my duty to
report him meet honourably to my government, I feel
booed to make this public acknowledgmeat of the high
opinion I entertain for him, not only as my representative,
but as my friend. It is nearly fourteen years that I have
bad the honour to be American consul for Bonthemptan
sad places adjoent, and daring that long period
of time I have had every opportunity of study.
fog, and I hope of forming • correct opinion of, the
lloglish character. I am satisfied, notwithstanding the
fay estarior be generally wean on fint sequaintaace., that
Jells Ball has • big heart—in fain that his heart to the
part of his body. One touch of nature makes the
met
kin, and nee touch of kindness will make Jobs
Ball's heart overflow with theism reedy milk of hums
Madness. I have, therefore, sot been at all 'throned by
HO manner la which you have received this pledge of affair
Ihrei es the pert of the government, from the Quin who
alma% rather than is adorned by, the diadem which the
1111111111.11 Ills humblest of her subjects. I should have bees
llNippiatiti had one jot or tittle been omitted. Yes
he* am all that could be dons; bad you done leis, ;on
had egg Milled the expectations of those who know what
ossemine sestiments pervade the English people, sad hew
well eed 'ruefully they are accustomed to earns theme
Nations% sot only by word but by deed. Hardly a yam
peemo_boll me ham of some individual seta of kindness; per.
NOW hit Ihir Maio or subjects of out kindred nations
M eadi Merh, as the high sue, but the pude'
mmplimeat by my government to yours, and
by years as imesially acknowledged, forms an era th the
barmy of the twesationa of which all posterity, as well as the
mesas pnentloo, mat reap incalculable bonds.
Although it has fallen to the happy lot of America to in-
augurate this most suspicion event la See amnia of nations,
I am an, from the manner is which England had applauded
the est, that Ind the untie* positions of the two countries
been reversed she would have deo as we have done, sad
that she has sow so greater wish than fa tome opportunity
to ciao wherein she weld .rove that in such acts she will sot
be excelled eves by her Bret-bon daughter—America.
Even is this est Zealand must fled the imprint of • kindred
rues ; and whoa oiled upon to point to that which she eon
olden her greatest honor, she ean,,Uhe the mother of the
Orwell of old, point witl:affeetionate pride to her now kV-
grown offspring—Ameries—and lay, "In the vigorous
growth of my child, and in the bleb position ehe bee at-
tained is the family of nations, do I fled my ehief glory."
Yes, gentlemen, England should glory in America's pro-
sperity.ltmenla rejoices whoa she hears of the therms, of
British prosperity and the exteesion of British empire
in a legitimate direction, for the knows that such
leatensioa Is accompanied by those emblems of eivilisatioa,
the Bible, the newspaper, sad the plough—she knows that
wherever the busier of Bt. George waves there will be
food Modem of opinion, freedom of epee*. personal
liberty, and that tininess! benefactor of mankind—eon-
meree ; and therefore she rejoices. Wby should not Erg-
land else rejoice If new territory be placed varier the benign'
Inflanes of or institutions, which ensure like benefits to
the world at urge, and give self-governsuat to and develop
the natural resonate of the eountrise that may join oar
salon The world is loge enough for both natio= to fulfil
their respective manifest destinies without soothig his. eta
diet with each other. The Best seems oesallerly die Add
of sedge, whereto the elvilleiag duties of England mod eell.
Usue to be employed. The West would appose MI Is
both geographically and otherwise the sphere is alga
America rather than England should lea the lollessai
which the Anglo-Baaon nee have never failed to exordia
amend semi barbarous people, or over aadevelepod

muffle& At all eyes* while the hair of
the two (*settles are now warmed towards eadt other
by t►is hippy event, it becomes the duty of both not only
to totter the present kindly feelings, bat to adopt such
ileum as will guard against anythiog that may tend to dis-
turb them. Let us hoar no more talk of war between Eng-
land and America. If the words should be uttered or
printed, let us refuse to hear them Or to see them. Let each
be chary of the other's honour and feelings as our own. Let
us always remember that bard words too often lead to hard
blows, and that as both nations speak the same language,
whatever is written or said about either is diffusely circu-
lated, and the full force and meaning is felt and appreciated.
I would not be undentood to deprecate the free discussion
in either country of the domestic sffsirs or polities of the
other, but let it be done in kindness and with kind words,
"Nothing eztannate, nor set aught down in malice." If
difficult questions arise, they will be settled by that good
common sense which distinguishes both nations, provided the
preposterous idea is done away with that either nation wishes
to insut the other. When I recently heard the possibility of
a war between the two countries spoken of, so unnatural
did the idea appear to me, that I found myself repeating an
old nursery rhyme, as familiar on ear side of the Atlantic as
on yours, with the transpositions of a few words th►t made
it appear to me peculiarly applicable, and it may not be in-
appropriate on the proem Geese on torepeat them:

Let dap OW* le hunt red bite,
For OM Bs& Sam go ;
Let Terbs awl Ihmelans growl and Wit,
For %a et rim ko.
But AmalnAmena gionad never let
Thar saw paniess rine,
Their rat liag Ire were never made
To tear ugh caws hie
- -

And I recommend both Engßib and American mothers
to adopt this version in teaching their children. Yes, gen-
tlemen, a wer between England and America, which this
happy event is calculated to make mil remote, if not int-
poesible, would be so fearful a estastrophe, that an awful
' responsibility would net epic whomsoever should strike
the first blow, and both Englishmen and Americans should
remember the very trite and quaint but valuable maxim
that if neither will strike the first blow then there con be
no fight. Bo appalling would bet each a catastrophe and
unnatural, that if it should ever take place, the very fiends
in hell would laugh In mockery, the angels in H
would weep, humanity itself would shedder at the spec•
tad.. It would be in violation of the first principles of
, would be 'secreted by all lovers of their Mad, and
In dimthediencis to the law of the great Ruler of the
uni v . (The epeach of Hr. Crathey was listened to with
the greatest interest, and elicited load applause.)
The MAYOR then gave the toast of ^ The Armies and
Navies of the United Stales and Great Britain."

Lieutenant WILLS, United States navy, in responding,
said—they (the American officers) felt they were not
strangers in a strange land. (Cheers.) They bed always
loved the Queen of England and the people of England, I
and they would carry back to the United States a thousand
gratifying recollections of their visit to this country.
Mr. CROSLET, in also responding, said the time might
come when England end the United States would have to
form a coalition for the defence of common interests and
cmilieation. If that time should come, England had only
I. ask the United States, and then those States would be
ready to join the mother nosentry la the defense of those
principles which each nation so highly priced. (Chun.)
MajorC I BRETON and Captain Haunts, R N., also
returned thank on the part of the British army and navy.
Several other touts were proposed, end the whole matter
passed cff is the most estiefactory manner.