The Express.
London, England, 1865-12-21 00:00:00

whose plain black contrasted oddly with the bright
scarlet robes of the judges with w=hom
one they
of sat.
those
It
is perhaps unnecessary add
Englishmen was the writer of this letter.
Before the occupants of the reserved places had
all taken their positions, the cardinal arshbishop,
the bishops, their vicars-general, crucifix-bearers,
train-holders and suite, came from the sacristy
through the gate at the rear of the high altar, and,
after • short interval, descended its steps and
passed in slow procession down the nave, to wait
the arrival of the King. Here, again, the imagi-
nation was carried back to olden times. If the
people c=h=ide, or the quaint costumes within,
looked moliteml, this long file of princes of the
church seemed to represent antiquity itself. The
style and semblance of the jewelled mitres, the
massive gold croziers, the richly-embroidered vest-
ments, the violet, the green, and the red silks
which marked the rank of the different prelates
present, wars all older than the building we were in ;
and whatever other changes Brussels has seen, it is
more than possible that precisely such • procession
as we pow beheld issued from the same m-
oiety, to walk as solemnly down the same full
save, say when Philip the Good of Burgundy or
the &sperm Charles V. held the chapters of the
Golden Elea°e here long centuries ago.
A kolirse murmur, which soon swell' into a deep
and continuous roar of welcome, followed by a
flourish of trumpets, which sounded marvellously
stage-like, tells us that the King has arrived at the
Place °staid& Then do the hundreds of harps,
violins, drums, and wind instruments stationed in
the tribune above the organ break into • triumphal
march, and looking down the long range of bayo-
nets and bearskins, the ownersof which are standing
in rigid attitude at attention, we see a slight move-
ment among the effulgent croziers and mitres, and
in a few minutes more the acolytes, with silver
crucifixes and candles, and the prelates and their
staff, are seen to be slowly returning towards our
place of vantage ground. Next, the kind, mild
face of the refined-looking King is recognised,
and impulsive loyalists cry, " Vive le Roi ! "
until • general "Hush !" which has to be
more than once repeated—rebukes their too fervid
zeal, and reminds them of the sacred character of
the building we are in. Bowing silently right and
left, and repeating the salutations where, as was
often the case, be recognized a face be knew, his
Majesty passed gradually through church and choir,
and, with the three Princes accompanying him,
took his seat under the crown-capped canopy to
the left of the altar. The prelates and staff likewise
filed into their places, and the triumphantly con-
gratulatory bunt of the drums and trumpets gave
plain to the solemn tones of Stadtfield's Te Deum.
The voices of the hundreds of singers stationed
in the second gallery below the huge organ at the
end mingle harmoniously with its strains—
mars are doffed, and handed flat and limp to the
ecclesiastical servitors in waiting behind the episco-
pal thrones—the red skull cap of the chief prelate
and the tonsured heads of the rest, bend forward in
silent prayer—the King kneels, while others stand,
as if overcome with excitement and fatigue ; the
gorgeous crimson and gold missal is obsequiously
held before the Cardinal while he invokes God's
blessings on a free people's choice—and with a re-
verence to the lighted altar and another to the
tribune of the King, the dignitaries of the church
again pass with stately step down the passage in the
crowded nave, followed in turn by the royal party
as before. More joyous strains from the many
instruments, another glimpse of the gorgeous pre-
lates before they pass fies.lly behind the altar into
the sacristy, more tumultuous cheering, "Vive
le Roi," and sonorous trumpeting outside, and then
the vast congregation of princes and statesmen, of
priests, soldiery, and people, are seen good-hu-
mouredly pushing towards the doors, and joyously
commenting upon the popularity of their constitu-
tional monarch and the security of his throne.
It is impossible to close this record of the cere-
monies attending the accession of Leopold 11., and
to pass, as I propose to do in my next, to the pre-
sent attitude of political parties in Belgium, with-
out again warmly acknowledging the never-failing
courtesy of the court and municipality. A card
from the Minister of the Interior, enjoining all
civil and military authorities, all masters of cere-
mony, and all officers of police, to ensure the bearer
free ingress and egress wheresoever and whensoever
it was presented ; another card from M. Anspach,
the Burgomaster of Brussels, similar in character,
but applying only to the functionaries within
his jurisdiction ; and a written order from
M. Jules de Vaux, minister resident and
private secretary to the King, directing all
officials of the palace to promptly admit the holder
within its gates under every conceivable circum-
stance, are among the facilities which have been
afforded me. They were proffered, moreover, with
a graceful readiness and a manifest desire to oblige,
which made them doubly valuable ; and it is im-
possible to spend even a short time here without
remarking—now in the enthusiastic shouts of "Vive
la Reins d'Angleterre," "Vive le Prince de Galles,"
both in the Senate Chamber and from the crowd
outside it, now in the unaffected welcome given to
the humblest Englishman--how hearty and deep-
seated is the affectionate regard of the Belgian
people for their friends and neighbours of Great
Britain.

THE JAMAICA QUESTION.—A meeting convened
by requisition and attended by some 1,500 persons, Ins bell
on Tuesday evening at the Guildhall, Cambridge. In the
absence of the Mayor, the chair was taken by Mr. G. E.
Foster. Letters ware' read from Profemor Grote and Dr.
Wheys'', expressive of their sympathy with the object of
the meeting, which was in favour of full inquiry into the
outbreak in Jamaica and its suppremion. The proceedings
were of a most disorderly character, and it was with
difficulty some of the speakers could obtain
a hearing. A
resolution wasmoved, thanking the government for the
promised inquiry, and especially for the suspension of
Governor Eyre during its program ; but to this an mead-
ment was moved and declared to be carried, " That it
would be unjust to Governor Eyre to peas any opinion upon
his condeet pending such inquiry."
THE PROPOSED CONVERSION OF THE METROPOLIS
Drro Mustmrsurtra.—At a meeting of the bt.Psnonui vestry,
yesterday, & communication from the vestry of St. Junes's.
Westminster, was read, with a copy of Mr. Beanie's resolu-
lion for conferrieg municipal powers on the metropolitan
boroughs, sod abolishing the powers of the irresponsible
magistracy as well as the Metropolitan Board of Works,
and asking the cooperation of the vestry, by appointing
delegates to a meeting of all the vestries and load board'
to counter the question. Mr. Roes. in moving the appoint-
ment of five delegates from St. Pancras, highly approved of
the project, end said the funds of the corporation of London
ought to be distributed over the whole metropolis. It was
monstrous also that they had to raise fonds which were
disbursed by an irresponsible magistracy and Pam pews
sioners over whom the ratepayers bad no metro,. Mr. J.
R. Collins seconded the motion, and Meson North, Fur.
nies, and others gave the proposal their cordial
and it was mead unanimously ; sad Messrs. 11am, Collins,
and Funds', with the churchwardens, were appointed.
PRIVATE BILLS.—The number of private bills fee
1 mut session at the Billoffice of the Hones of Lords is 646.
I Last year the number of bills was 595.

Mr. P. H. Rathbone, the President of the Liver-
pool Chamber of Commerce, entertained at dingier last
orrenleg, at the Law Society's Booms, the Bight Hon. Lard
Stanley, KT' the borough and county members, the ex-
presidents and members of the Chamber of Ceouneres, and
• number of other gentlemen.
Lord Sulfur, on risicg to reepond to the taut of his
health, was received with loud applause. After briar
acknowledging the kindness of his reception, and dwell-
ing upon the political obligation of rank, he spoke of the
fusion which has taken place in the country of the great
mercantile and manufacturing classes on one hand, and
the great territorial body on the other. Both were now alike
interested in the war upon our great national enemy
pauperism. Men whom fortunes has been acquired in the
great towns were becoming influential landowner", and
among the landed classes the disappearance was almost
complete of the prejudice against bringing up their children
to industrial occupations. The noble lord than proceeded
to speak of chambers of cooramerce in general, sad the
meow which they can and would render. " There
is another question," said his lordahip—" I mean
that proposition which has been often made, to create tribu-
nals of commeroe, special nuns far the teal of commercial
questions, in connection with thees chambers. You are of
worse ewers that on* taihtnele raft on the essdinsnt, awl
are said to work remarkably well. In Frame at least they
powers very large powers ; they are very generally resorted
to, sad it is asserted that the number of appeals from them
is fewer than from the ordinary civil courts. I don't,
however, wish to be understood as giving • positive SWIM
sin of opinion upon that question. It her sever been
fairly analysed, either, as far..as I hoe seen, in print or
parlismentan discussion. I know that there are greet
obstacles to the establishment of rash tribunals, assi 1
believe it would be fair to put the matter in this wsy—that
the preponderance of mercantile opinion is In favour
of their establishment, and the preponderance of legal
opinion is against it. Thus couch is certain, that judges os
the bench have complained of the difficulty of meting Maas
disputes from the special knowledge which they require
and that anything in the nature of • more ntmeed Gs
authoritative system of arbitration would by many canoes
engaged in budnms be considered es a peat boos. I repeat
it—l don't go further than that. I feel this is a qusinea
ripe for consideration—hardly rips far action ; bet I deal
forget, and I hope you will remember, that it is one el those
suasion§ which were specially named at the faandation of
the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce. Mien nos Se
question which that body ought to molder. and with
roped to which it ought. if pesible, to take some action.

THB FINSBURY sxraNsioN OP THE
METROPOLITAN RAILWAY.

Yesterday the the official inspection of this line wee
roads by Captain Tyler, government inspector at railways,
previous to its being erased shortly for passempr traffic.
Tim eissnination was commenced about 11 o'clock, In the
preesses of • number of gentlemen connected with the
Metropolitan Railway. Captain Tyler first Inspeated the
telegraphic apparatus by Spagnobitti, and the levers ia the
sigoal-box at the junction of the lines sear the sew
Fardogdosatreet station, and also at the est:saes of the
Clerkenwell tunnel, where at the peewit moment
some works of • rather extraordinary character
are being carried out by the contractor, Mr. Belk,
nadir the supervision of Mr. Annstroag. On the
out of the Clerkeswell tunnel another is being made,
14 feet below that already axithieg and now nssd for the
daily traffic of the line to and from Paddington. The new
tunnel will extend about 700 yards in the direction of
Bing.earees, and the remainder of the distance to the latter
station will be an open cutting. From close loth. entranos
of the Farringdonatreet station the auxiliary line, con-
Dieting of two sets of narrowiange mils, will graillually
slope towards the mouth of the new tunnel, the course
of the entrance to which will be just above the roadway
at the opening into the swath end of the Clerkenwell
tunnel. Over this auxiliary l which ine, is entirely for the
swim of the Great Northers, Midland, and London, Chet-
ham, and Dover Railways, it is estimated that at least
750,000 tons of coal will be carried from the north to
the south of the Thames daring the first year's traffic.
From the entrance of the Clerkenwell tunnel the officials
proceeded to the newomd what will be the permanent Far•
ringdon-street station. This building fame Charles-street,
and is situated on the east of the temporary station now in
use. Is is a large and commodious structure, similar in
character to those on the macs line, with which the public
are familiar, the booking-offices being on a level with the
street and the platform; of which there are several in the
cutting below. At the south end of thenewFarringdonatreet
station there ere two openings beneath the girder bridge
which crosses the street above. Through that on
the right the line leads to • junction with the
London, Chatham. and Dover, at Ludgatra.hill, and
also to a loop line furnished with • mixed
gauge for the accommodation of the Great Western Rail-
way, and passing beneath the site of the intended new meat
market at Smithfield. The narrow gauge rails of the Me-
tropolitan Railway proper are takes beneath the left
opening, and running round the base of the
north wall of the cutting peas beneath a co-
vered way at the end of St. Johnatrest, Clerkenwell,
and under Charterhouseatrest, emerging at the Aldeesgate
*tattoo, a spleodid building, 300 feet long and 70 feet high,
with lofty brick arched, retaining walls, and arched roof of
IMO and glass. Its construction is something similar to
that of King'saross, bat it appears to be of much larger
dimensions. The distance between the Farriogdonatrest
sad the Aldersgateatreet stations is about • quarter of a
mile, and from the latter through the left half of the
station the line is continued through covered ways and
cuttings to the temporary wooden Moralists station in
Little Moorfields at the back of Finsbury Pavement, the
railway is its route from Aldersgate station having passed
beneath Redcrosastreet, Whitecrossatreet, Milton-street,
and Moor-lane. The dietetics from Aldersgate-street to the
Idoorgateatreet station is nearly half a mils ; the total
length of the line f rem the junction near the Clerkenwell
tunnel being about • mile.
The loop line, of ter passing beneath the site of the market,
eaters the southern half of the Alderegatastrest station, and
will be thence continued on the south of the Metropolitan
rails Little 3loor6eldawhere • terminus for the accommoda-
tion of the Great Western traffic will be at once erected. A
portion of the mixed gauge rails upon the loop line, on
which the Great Western traffic from Paddington will be
taken to the City, has been laid, but the cutting from near
Aldersgste station to Moorgate has yet to be cleared
of the soil, and the line laid in mellows' for the passage
of trains. The permanent way telegraph, signals, Sm., of the
Metropolitan Extension from Ferringdocatreet to the
City station in Little Moorfields, are completed, ready for
the immediate opening of the line. On reaching the Moor.
gate station, Captain Tyler returned again along
the line, examining the points and signals, • special
trein being at his disposal. The examination lasted
several hours, and on the whole appeared of • favourable
character. With regard to the opening of the line for
public traffic, that may be expected daily, and could be
done with ease this week, if passed by the inspector. The
extension to Finsbury will probably be opened in time for
the Christmas traffic, and if not, at least by New Year's.
day. Yesterday no day was fixed for that event, though
the officials anticipated an immediate commencement of
traffic.

THE "SPIRAL ABC LESION IST " AT THE CRYSTAL
PALACE—The task which Signor Ethando sets himself to
do on the central platform of the Crystal Palace is in its
way quite se greet an achievement es Blondin's rope walk-
ing, or the most hazardous anent weer attempted by the
Alpine Club. A mast, some thirty or forty feet high, is set
up on the platform, and round it, at some considerable dis-
tance from the stem, winds a plank, spirally arranged, and
finishing on a broad " truck " at the masthead. Signor
Etbendo jumps upon a globe ninety inches in circrunferenee,
and, upon it, weeds to the top of the spiral column, lad,
when his audience is 'efficiently astonished at his daring
sad eaceees, he performs • fest ten times more difficult—
nriaa ~that of desoendiog by the same road De bad
a
wed in the same manner, with only this im-
portant iligisrsoao, UMli<sraaae, be is now going bosky's& ki-
dded d &swat&