The Express.
London, England, 1846-10-10 00:00:00

PORTUGAL.

POLITICAL AND FINANCIAL PANIC.—From dis-
patches to Oct. 2, brought by the Madrid packet ship which
arrived yesterday at Southampton, we learn that the per-
plexities in which the Palmella administration has been
entangled, from the very outset of its career, have now in-
creased to that degree th.t a total break-up cannot be delayed
much longer. The authorised suspension of Bank payments
ended on the 3rd instant, and the Bank was just as unable
to meet its engagements as ever. The directors having no
other means of averting impending ruin, applied for a fur-
ther extension of the term. To this the government
replied by a counter application for a loan of 560 contos,
as the only condition upon which the required indul-
gence would be granted. Ultimately the suspending Bank
payments, and the making the notes legal tenders extend
to the end of the present year, was allowed, although
the bank refused to grant the loan. This was nearly
bringirg about a ministerial crisis. It appears the Duke of
Palmate, proposed to his colleagues that they should all go
in a body to the Queen and tender their resignation, but
that they refused to do so before making one more attempt
to raise the required loan from some other quarter. If,
therefore, they should now fail to get the required sum, we
may look for a change of ministry, in which case there is no
question that the present one will be succeeded by a cabinet
of the extreme Radical party, whose ascendancy is becom-
ing every• day greater. The panic in the money market is
increasing every moment, and all business is at a stop.
Add to this the daily expectation of an attempt at
revolution, which the Carlists are well known to be pre-
paring, and some idea may be formed of the frightful state
of confusion and distress the people of Lisbon are now in.
In consequence of the great depreciation of the paper cur-
rency, and scarcity of specie. business of all sorts is nearly at
a stand, as no merchant will either sell to be paid in notes or
buy to pay in coin ; and to make matters still worse, the failure
of the last harvest, and consequent necessity of getting corn
over the frontier from Spain, is draining the country of the
little gold and silver it yet possesses. fhcre are at present
three different rates of exchange for hills on England, viz.,
for notes 47 pence per milrei; for foreign coin (dollars and
sovereigns) 54 ; and for Portuguese coin, 55.—Standard.

ALEXANDRIA, SEPT. 24.
The Peninsular and Oriental Company's steamer
Iberia arrived here in the afternoon of the 19th inst., with
30 asse•gers on board.
The only event of any consequence since my last is the
departure of Waghorn's despatch by her Majesty's steamer
Ardent, which took place yesterday morning (the 23d) at
half-past seven o'clock. The rapidity of its transit through
Egypt is worthy of note, as the distance, upwards of 240
miles, was accomplished, inclusive of stoppages, in the extra-
ordinary space of 20 hours and:io minutes, from the dropping
of the anchor of the Semiramis at Suez to the starting of the
Ardent from Alexandria. The express was carried on
horseback across the Desert, • distance of 84 miles, in five
hours and a half. . . .

With due deference to Mr. Waghorn's laudable designs,
and looking upon the question at issue as one of vital import-
ance to British interests, I must, however, beg to refer to a
former remark on the subject, that as the real race does not
commence at Suez, there consequently should not be any
despatch employed in the transmission of the express through
this country. It is an undue advantage taken to gain time
upon the bulk of the Indian mail, which is never carried
through, nor can be done, in less than 48 hours, besides a
further delay for passengers, making in al three days, in
this manner not giving the public, ignorant of the real state
of the case, a fair chance to judge of the respective merits
of the two routes. . . . .

Mr. Waghorn's aim is to astonish the British public by
bringing home the Indian news so many days before the
present mode of conveyance. But this number of days is not
the result of the superiority of the Trieste route, as it must
be evident that, under the present arrangement, they are
partly gained in Egypt, where a large mail has to compete
with a small despatch box, and partly in the considerable
delay which always takes place at Malta in the transfer of
the mails from one steamer into the other. I have thrown
ou: these hints to show the fallacy of the principle upon
which the decision of this important question has been set
about, and in order that a satisfactory trial should be made
to ,-liscovcr which is the preferable route. The only way to
gain this end seems to be to take the average of the length
of a it ries of voyages by each route, making Alexandria, as a
matter of course, always the starting point.
On the morning of the 16th inst. Don Riccardo Fantorsi,
Neapolitail Consul-General, departed this life at an advanced
age. All the representatives of the European powers were
in attendance at the funeral, which was conducted with all
the dignity bditting such an occasion. A body of marines

from a Sardinian frigate which is at present in our port also '
assisted, and opened the funeral procession with a mused
drum at their head.
Major de Wildembruch, Prussian Consul-General in
Syria, arrived here on the 18th inst., in the French steamer
from Beyrout. He has come to execute the functions of
Consul-General in Egypt.
I transmit you a copy of Mr. Weghorn's time bill, as also
one of the trip performed by Inspector Codrosy and his com-
mission, merely observing that the latter was accomplished
at the unfavourable season of low water in the Nile and
Mahmoodieh Canal, whilst the former had all the advan-
tages of water in his favour.
COPY OF WAGIIOICCS TIME BILL IN SEPTEMBER, 1818.
h. in.
Semiramis Mesmer in eight at Suer, on Shad Sept., 1818 9 0 a.m.
Seinimmin anchored in Sum. rood at lO 110 „
Horse Courier started for fhiro ll 30
Horse Courier arrived at Shoobra 5 0 p.m.
Arrrival at Atfeb, 23rd Sept. 1818 1 SS a.m.
Home Courier from Atfeh to Alexandria, at
Arrival at Alexandria
Deputnre of Ardent for Trieste 720 „
Lost at Suer 1 0
Horse Courier from Sues Isi Cairo 5 $0
Lost aeLltiro (Shoobra) • 5
From Cairo to Atfeh • 50
Last at Atfeb
From Atfeb to Alexandria
Time lost at Alexandria 1 10
From dropping of anchor at Sus la weighing of --
anchor at Alexandria

COPY 01' CODROSY'S TIYE BILL IN JUNE, 1816.
h. in.
Victoria steamer in sight at Suez, on 12th June, 1846, at . 11 30 a.m.
Victor is anchored in Suez-road at.

Horse Courier ',tidied for Cairo
M. Codroey and others started for Cairo In a van. at
Horse Courier arrived at Cairo at

.. 170 „
.. 170 „
0 30 „

l'odroay and party arrived at Mambas at ll 15 „
Codruay arrived at Atkh, 13th Jane, 1846 0 15 „
Left Atiell, per boat, at 0 40 „
An ived at Alexandria at l2 10 „
French government ateamer, Idesaadre, mailed for Mar
milks, 11th J une, 1846 I 30 a.m.
Lod at &tea
'ionic Courier from thara Ma Odra 3 0
Cadresy, in addition, kat
From Cairo to Atfeh l3 0
Lost at Atfeh
From Atfeb to Alexandria
Time lost at Alexandria
From dropping of anchor at thass r vaistilag of -
anchor at Alexandria 42 0

FRANCE.—CoNseurnow OF CORN.—The follow-
ing is a table of the consumption of corn in France at dif-
ferent periods :
Years. Total quantity Each inhabitant.
1700 20,000,000 hectol. ... 100 litres (Vauban.)
1760 24,760,000 „ ... 118 „ illtraibeau.)
1764 25,122,000 „ ... 115 „ Beausohre.)
1781 28,0. 0,000 „ .. 1U „ Drivel.)
1791 29,080,000 „ ... 110 „ Tolosan.)
1811 36,450,000 „ . 13.5 ~ Exp. de is site. de la France.)
1818 40,960,000 „ ... 140 „ (haptal.)
1839 57,621,000 „ . . 112 „ Statddique de France.)
Thus, in one century and a half, the population of France is
not doubled, yet the consumption of corn i. more than
tripled. Since 1815 France has annually imported, on an
average, 800,000 hectolitres of wheat, representing a value of
more than 171 millions of francs. During a period of thirty
years, dating from 1815, the production of wheat not being
sufficient for public consumption, it was necens .ry for twenty
harvests to import foreign corn. The quantity imported ex•
ceeded at one time more than four million hectolitres, namely
in 1832; three times, in 1840, 18-12, and 1843, it exceeded
two millions ; and three times it exceeded one million hec-
tolitres. During the ten other years the importation was
insignificant, or under 66,000 hectolitres. Thus out of three
harvests in France, one is sufficiency, and two do not suffice,
for the consumption of wheat.
TUE BREAD RIOTS AT PARlS.—Thirteen of the
numerous warrants issued for the arrest of persons engaged
in the riot of the Rue du Faubourg Saint Antoine have been
executed. Among those in custody are two young women,
who were disguised in male attire. These girls made them-
selves remarkable for the virulence with which they excited
the mob. AU the rest of the prisoners are young men be-
tween eighteen and twenty years of age, except one who is
thirty. One of these persons was found to have concealed in
his mattress a long sharp knife, with which he had been seen
to cut the cords of the oil lamps, by which some few of the
streets in that quarter of the town arc still lighted. It is
evident, from the examinations taken, that these disturbances
have had no connexion with politics.

BELGIUM.-BELGIAN FEAST DAYS AND FAST
Days.—Belgium, according to official statements, is a terri-
torial mass of pauperism • 2d per cent. of the population, one
million out of four, are desperate paupers, and yet the priest
party, by which the late King of Holland was dethroned and
expelled the Belgian Netherlands, and which has ruled Bel-
gium ever since, through the agency of devoted ministries,
will insist on multiplying religious feast-days for a people
perishing for want of daily bread. For the pauper class who
fast, these feast-days are simply a cruel farce ; but for that
portion of the lower orders, the more skilled workmen,
doubtless, who are in work, and able to procure work, at
wages however reduced, this multiplication of holidays con-
demns them to privations beyond those it is their painful
lot to endure from scanty earnings, though in full work. For
every working day, thus arbitrarily converted into a feast
day, the unforfunata workman is mulcted in the loss of the
one day's wages which he would have had for the day's
work. The evil does not rest there. For the sphere of em-
ployment is not only narrowed positively hut consequen-
tially. The price of commodities is enhanced by the
restrictions thus imposed upon tho power of pro-
duction from a Oven force of machinery and capital.
With small profits as the general rate of trade, for products
to be so cheap as to meet competition, it is necessary to pro.
duce more, au 1111 to economise the cost upon a larger surface
of production. But the capital and machinery, which arc
equal to the six days' work of production weekly, with bene-
ficial results. m-y remain waate and unproductive of profit
by the abridgment of one or more days of the weekly term,
when they cease to be active. The journal du Commerce
d'Aurers, whilst remonstrating against these abuses of clerical
power, states that there is a "certain number of the religious
feasts whose observance is ordered by the Belgian priests,
which are not to he found in the concordat," by which the
Belgian church ought to be governed, seeing that it is of
papal ordination. The priests, therefore, are accused of
assuming to be " more orthodox than Rome."

ITALY.— ItomE.—Overtures have been made, it is
said, by the Pope to the Italian governments on the subject
of the establishment of a federal state in Italy, and that in
Sardinia in particular, the proposition was favourably re-
ceived. Naples will only give its adhesion on condition of
obtaining the presidency, as Naples is the most extensive of
the' Italian' stater, and :on condition that Austria is only
to figure for her possessions in Italy. England, it is said, in-
tends sending a representative at Rome. On the 21st ult. a
consistory was held at the Quirinal. Several bishops were
consecrated. M. Clementi has been appointed Bishop of
Macerate and Tolentiuo, in the stead of M. Teloni, deceased.
. .

SEPT. 23.—A reduction has just taken place in the
duties on Hour and salt; the duty on the latter has been re-
duced from 21 to 2 bajuechi. The result. of the meeting of
the consistories arc in future to be made public in a docu-
ment published to that effect. he present Minister of War
is to be replaced.
SEPT. 26.—For some days past a printed circular
has been handed about in a provincial town :—" Very dear
Brethren—Our holy religion is nearly succumbing. The
intrusive Pontiff Mastai is the oppressor of it. He belongs
to the party of ' young Italy.' His acts show that. Vigi-
lance, then ! Prudence and courage, brethren ! If you
have the courage which I believe you to have, the religion
of the only Son of God made man will triumph. God will
assist us ; for besides the divine arm, we have that of the
world—the right of Ferdinand 1. and the left of Ferdinand
11. In the meantime, do not cease to remind the faithful
that the devouring germ resists in vain the will of the most
High. The devouring germ shall be smothered by us. On
a future day the terrible day of our glory will be published,
and heaven will assist us in the enterprise." The agitation
augments in the provinces. A copy of this circular has been
sent direct to the Pope. A friend gave him another, and
told him the name of the author. Public opinion attributes
it to Cardinal Della Genga. The nomination of the dele-
gates has caused dissatisfaction. It was supposed that
secular deputies would have been appointed.

- -
GEItNiANY.—The German Diet has broken up
without regulating the affairs of the press, so eagerly sought,
not only by public opinion, but by notes and official de-
spatches, demanding a definite decision on an article of the
federal convention, which for thirty years has remained
pending. Two official notes were communicated to the diet,
one from the Cabinet of Baden, declaring that not only
it would not oppose any propositionof the diet on the subject
of the liberty of the press, but that it was ready to take the
initiative with those states whose form of constitution con-
tained analogous articles. With the exception of Saxony
and the Electorate of llcsse, the constitutional governments
of Germany were favourable to the note from Carlsruhe.
The second note was from Vienna, to be commu-
nicated to the states of the confederation. It recalls
the position of the press at the time of the
insurrection in Poland and Galicia, and expresses the
wish that censorship be established on a much severer scale,
sad that it be applied also to publications exceeding twenty
sheets. Prussia is Raid to have adhered to the note, and pro-
mised to make a similar proposition to the diet through its
representative. The affair of the duchies unexpectedly put
a stop to proceedings, as they did not wish to restrain the
manifestation of national sentiments by pacing restrictions
on the press. The wording of the last phrase of the resolu-
tion of the diet respecting the duchies, proves that the note
of the Austrian cabinet has not failed to have its effect. The
diet does not meet again for three or four months. Baron
Munch Bellingbausen has left Franckfort, and is replaced as
president per interim by the Bavarian minister. A strict
investigation has been set on foot, to discover who communi-
cated the resolution of the diet to the Journal des 1.),,ba1s
before it was made public. If discovered the offender will
be punished according to circumstances.
BRUSSIA.—POSER, SEPT. 27. The Augsburg
Gazette of Oct. 3 contains the following paragraph :
" It has been announced that the political offenders were
to be brought immediately to trial, and that the preli-
minary steps were completed ; this is a mistake, on the ton-
t r rL,..nneewr
sa.rr
andes ts
studentsav taken place,have been
andcansutrlinetroouspri.citizen;ii
lanwas stated that the Kammergericht of Berlin intended
tr) ing the accused on Oct. 1 in open court, this is also a
mistake, as that method will not be followed till next year.
The troops are always provided with two or three rounds of
cartridge."
BERLIN, OCT. 2.—The principal resolutions adopted
by the conference of the Zollverein, lately held ut Berlin,
are as follows: An increase on the importation of linen-
threads from .sg. to 2 rixd. the quintal ; increase on twists
from 2 rixd. to 3 rixd. the quintal. According to a letter
from Washington, a treaty of commerce and navigation be-
tween the Zollrerein and the United States is again on the