The Express.
London, England, 1848-03-22 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY EVENING, MARCH 22, 1848.

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NOM
lAA, T. N. Dawson,lln.T.V.Horantan, E. Arndt/sham, Id.
Achend,Blr T. D.Dessing, J. liollum. Lord Renton, J. C.
Adele, IL I. Denison, W. J. Howard, llon. C.Repton. U. W.
Adak It A. B. DisenelL B. Howard, Hon. E.Reynolds, 1.
Alenewisr, N. Don, J. W. Hudson, O. Ricardo, 0.
Ana" Vi ftug*.l.6.l elan W. Me, E. It.
Ana" Vied. Sir C.Eze, Vlas Bich, IL
T. C. Douro, . of Inglis, Se R. H. Richards, H,
Drognesoad, H. Jermyn. Earl Booilliy, J.
F',lBt. Drunrrond,ll.llJorna, J. Ruhrout, Capt.
Armabaill, Mr A.Duckworth, Sir JJotelyn, Viset . Russell, Lon 7.
Asimottong, R. B. Duff, G. 8. Johnstooer
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Ind Durroombe,lin.O.Jorsor, Sir W. Rutherford, A.
must, Loyd Doncht, J. Jones, Capt. Itadleir, J.
. 3, Donde; Adm. Kernel, Hop. 0. Bandar; O.
,J., jun. Dundee. Sir D. Kier, 11. holt, lion. F.
11. J. Duda; 0. Knoz,lCol. Shops, G. P.
L. H. Duarte, F. P. labouebere, H. Seyrner,
Workly, Du Pre, C. G. Langston, J. 11. Seymour, for H.
Beam P. If. T. East, Sir J. 11. lasoellehllon.W.Seymour, Lord
BarbT. Ihrington, Viso. Lemon, Sir C. Matto
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Isloott, W. Elliott E. Lech, J. Simeon, J.
Dslww, L IL Elliott, tie. J. Dilate, J. honey, R. A.
limbo% J. Fatcourt, J. B. B.Long, W. Smith,BLlln.R.
Swalsok,Lard O.Es/us, W. Lowther, 11. Smith, J. A.
Beelteiew Capt. Palmer, J. Mackensie, W. Smith, M. T.
Berthey, Illn. H.Pellowes, E. Macnaniara, Mapimyth, J. CI.
Birch, Sir T. B. Verso; .1. WOreirez. J. Smollett, A.
W. &Ferguson, OA. AVNarghten,Sir Enorners, J. P.
Boidilimi=. G. reelelleoll, Mr R. M'Taggurt, Sir J.Somervilla,SirW.
Brnithig, W. noiliott, J. Megan, W. 11. Spearman, H. 3.
Bourke, R. B. Fitzpatrick, J. W.lidabon, The o'o.B-pooner, R.
1 liowlow_Ado. Et sroy, Iln. 11. Maitland, T. Stafford, A.
Boyle. OIL Pitzwilliam, 0. Mangles, R. D. Stanley, Hn. E. J.
Bracklsy, That. Moyer, J. Manners, 14. G. Strouleid, W. It
neargetow T. W.Forhes, W. 'torch, Earl of Stanton, W.ll,
Brand, T. Fordyce, A. D. Marshall, W. Staunton. sir 0.
B. Fortencue, C. Martin. C. W. Stephenoun, R.
Brine..
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Fortescue, Iln. J.Mosterroan, J. Strutt, Rt. Iln.E.
Broodier, 11. Vol, IL M. Matheson, A. Stuart, H.
BrOaraaa, E. D. Fon, 8. W. L. Matheson, J. Iltuarr, J.
Brooke, lord Proestun, Col. Mathcoon, Col. hurt, 11. 0.
Brooke, Sir A. &Ordway, V.re. Maul; Foe Sutton, J. 11. 11.
Bruce, C. L. tiaskell, J. M. Maxwell, Iln. J. Tension, E. K.
Buck, L. W. Oilhon, BLlBLT.llelgrind,Vbiet. 'reorient, R. J.
1 Buller, BU J. Y. Gladstone, W. E. Meta, Sir IL Thompson, Ald.
Bunbury, IL IL Glyn, G. C. Mika, I'.IW. S. Tollemacha, J.
Burghley, Lord Gordon. Adm. Miles, W. Townley, R. 0.
Busterld, W. Gore, W. It. 0. Milne; R. M. Townohend,Capt.
Clibbell, B. B. Goring, C. Mitchell, T. A. Trelawny, J. 8.
Compoeil, Iln.W.Cloulionn, 11. !Atwell, W.
Trevor, llon. 0.
Carew, W. I.
P. Liraham, Sir L !Atwell, W. Trollops, Sir J.
Carter, J. B. Granby, Marg. Moody, C. A. Turner, IL
Condenser, VlazGreenall, 0. Morpeth,Viso. Turner, O. J.
Onandbh, lln.C.Greene, T. Monson, Gen. Trite, Cola C. J.
Cavendish, Ho.O.Orenfell, C. P. Morris, D. Vane, Lord H.
Cayley, E. S. Orenfell, C. W. Mulgrave, Earl Verner, ihr W.
Charter* lin. P.Cirey, Si 3
O. More, Col. Verney, Sir M.
Chichester, lal. J.Grey, R. W. Napier, J. Vesey, Hon. T.
Childers, J. W. Oregon, E. Noel, non. 0. J.Vivian, J. E.
Christy, 8. Groisvenor,l4.o. Norreys, Sir D. J.Vivian, J. li.
Cl
J. Haug; F. R. Nugent, Sir P. Vwc, it. 11. R.
any, Sir W. Hallyburton, 14. O'Brien, Sir 1.. Wolpole, 8. 11.
Clements, 110. C.llamillon, D.I.C. O'Connell, M. J. Waarlshd,, Sir J. B.
Clerk, Sir 0. Harris,oowald, A. W O.
Clifford, 11. M. llostre, Ann. Copt. Owen, Sir J. Watidno,ll. Col. L.
Cochrane, A.D.R.llawes, B. Parke, C. W. Wasru, J. T.
Cocks, T. 8. Hay, Lord J. Paget, Lord A. Wellesley, 14. C.
Oodrington, W. Hayes, Sir E. Paget, Lord C. Wesg4.l.
Coke, Iln. E. K. Hayter, W. 0 Paget, Lord 0. Weethe.d. J. P.
A1,01,11,.k 11. A. Ileodlam, T. E. Palmer, Rob. Wlllooz, M.G.
e.Sir Ylleald, J. Palmer, Roo. Williaransi,SHlL
Cole., 11. B. lloathoute, 81rW.Palmeraton, Via. Wilson, J.
Colvile, C. It. Ileneo.ge, 0. 11. Loner,
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Wilson, M.
Compton, 11. C. Henley, .1. W. Patten, J. W. Wood, Sir C.
Corry, M. E. Ilerries,BLlln.J.Pecl, at R. Wood, W. P.
Corry, dt. Iln. ll. Heywood, J. renaaM, Col. Worcester,Marg.
Cotton, Iln.W.ll.llildrard, R. C. Perfect, It. Wyld, J.
Chrper,lin.W.F.ll.lges, T. L. Peto, B.M. W)vill, U.
Cnoir. W. 0. Hodges, T. T. Philip; Blr G. Yorke, Hon. G.
app, W. Hood, Sir A. Plowilen, W. IL
Currie, 11. Hope, Sir J. Power, N. Tetanal.
Ch IL Hope, 11. T. Posey, P. TufasU, 11.
Darner, Iln. Col. 'booby, J. Bowdon, Col. 1141, Lord IL

tion, not of still older hands more attached to tradi-
tion and routine, but altogether new ones. The old
ideas and maxims of either whig or tory are evidently
effete, and unsuited for the new order of things. Lord
PALMERSTON, a politician in general wide
awake, nevertheless made • speech on Monday
night which might have served for the year
One. And Lord JOIIN RUSSELL uttered another
some days previous in which he betrayed
the old panic-stricken feelings of 1792. This will
never do. PITT and BURKE were all very well for theire
day, but they cannot be repeated, any more than th
war can be enacted over again, and the 800 millions
of debt multiplied. The statesmen of the generation
that is closing, are at the end of their tether, and
have exhausted their financial, and intellectual, and
political resources. And England, as well as the rest
of the world, must have something new, quite new,
in things at least, if not in men.
Parliament and government will, we trust, be
wise enough to go along with this onward move-
ment. And hitherto, indeed, the sentiments upon
foreign policy, evinced by both, are highly satis-
factory and liberal. The conduct of' the British
ministry with regard to Switzerland and Italy has
been beyond all praise. Its recent step of recalling
the squadron from the Tagus, in despite of the en-
I treaties of the Queen of PORTUGAL, marks a wiser and
a fairer policy than has hitherto been ob-
served by us in the affairs of that kingdom.
The ORLEANS family are about to remove their head-
quarters to Spain, where they are to sink intrench-
ments, dig mines, and open batteries against the
republic. They will only draw ruin on themselves
by such acts. But we have nothing to do with them,
except to prevent any such machinations from being
made here. We are for granting to the exiles all the
rights of hospitality, and even all the con-
solations of courtesy. We are delighted to
see M. GUIZOT made at home at one of our
neutral and intellectual clubs. But the condition is
evident, that there be no foreign politics, no reaction,
no intrigue. England must be neither a Coblents
for aristocrats, nor a chapel of ease for communists.
Our policy must be that of the most strict and inde-
pendent neutrality.
There is one sentiment, one attitude, which we
should peculiarly avoid, for it is one too apt to be
assumed by our somewhat aristocratic government.
It is that of disgust or panic at the ultra-democratic
doings of our neighbours the French, or of other states.
Much may occur in France, as much has occurred in
America, displeasing to the ideas and tastes of English
society, and members of that English society may
think themselves at liberty t• tura up their noses at this
vulgarity. Such sentiments may go further than
social conversation, may burst forth in protectionist
speeches, and even be visible in ministerial harangues.
Nothing can be more dangi roue than this, trivial
as it may seem. A great portion of the length and
bitterness of the last war sprung from social
antagonism. And our press and our public men
will have much to answer for, if by un-
ceasing sneers and repeated diatribes, they resusci-
tate feelings of rancour between races, classes and
policies in England and in the rest of Europe ; for
we have now not only France in revolution, but
Europe. If we are to relapse under tory government,
and to undergo the ascendancy of tory
.ideas, as we
did during the war, we shall be alone in the world
—that is, our upper classes will be alone. And in such
a position exclusiveness and insolence would infallibly
provoke their ruin.

Do the Admiralty ever " take stock ?" We know
that every honest man in trade does. To take pe-
riodically an inventory of his property, with the
values annexed, is a convenient, rational, and instruc-
tive system. It tells the merchant or trader whether
he is conducting his business to a profit or a lose,
whether his capital be locked up in an improving or
a deteriorated stock, and generally settles the point
as to whether he is realising the object for which he
set up in trade. It very often settles the question
whether he is solvent or bankrupt. If he happen to
be an owner of steam boats, it may serve to ascertain
the result of many years' policy, for if he find himself
with a numerous, sound, serviceable, rapid, powerful,
efficient fleet of well-reputed steamers, which would
any day fetch a lair price in the market, he may be a
rich man. lf, on the contrary, he finds, on taking stock,
that his steam-ships, which cost him so many hundred
thousand pounds, are no better than a set of old tubs;
if they are behind the average speed of the day; if
they have turned out little suited to their service ; if
one drew too much water, the next be crank, the
next a slow coach, the next with an excess of power,
the next too short, and the rest capable of carrying
merely coals and engines, with no room for cargo
or passengers on a long voyage ; if he find the state
of his stock such that year by year it has deteriorated
rapidly, so as to leave him out of the whole fleet,
only one or two tolerable ships; then assuredly he
should pronounce himself bankrupt, or at least will-
ing to retire from business, in favour of any one who
will take off his hands the stock, liabilities, and assets
of hie injudicious administration.
Do the Admiralty ever take stock? is therefore a
most important question, especially as regards their
steam fleet, and more particularly at the present mo-
ment, when that steam fleet is said to be the main
cause of our present and rapidly increasing expendi-
ture, and when it may have some chance of being
called into action. We remember a very large com-
pany, owners of a considerable fleet of steam ships,
that never took stock ; their directors were afraid to
do so ; the reason was, that they had contrived to con-
struct and get together a miserable collection of ships
so bungled and mismanaged, that year after year they
became deteriorated in value much faster than they
earned money : the manager was afraid to take stock,
and simply put down as the value of his stock all he had
paid for it in purchase and alterations. The capital
and revenue were speedily swallowed up. Calls for
money were made on shareholders so fast that they
could stand it no longer. One fine morning the
shareholders of the company got together and deter-
mined to take stock. They put down each ship at
what she would fetch in the market, and found that
the losses exceeded 100 per cent. on the capital—
that their were so unso erviceable, and in such
bad reputethat their sale would not pay outstanding
liabilities. The manager was at last dismissed, and
the company broken up. It has now for several
years disappeared from the face of British seas. Our
practical readers will readily recognise it by this de-
acription.
An important and urgent question therefore it is
for the proprietors of the steam navy of Britain, " do
the Admiralty ever take stock?" do they put down
the number and names of their serviceable steam
ships at war, and opposite write the coat of each from
the beginning, including alterations and repairs up
to such investigation ? do they then put in the next
column her present value, estimated by competent arbi-
ters, able to state with a business-like approximation,
the present value compared to the cost of an equally
effective new ship of the same class? If they do,
will they shew their books? If they do not, would
it be impertinent if we were to beg permission to
have it done? Nay, might we not suggest that
the Rublie should appoint a couple of quali-
fied inspectors or book-keepers, or surveyors,
specially informed on this point, just as railway
shareholders annually appoint auditors to examine
the accounts of directors: and could we not find au-
ditors who are capable of putting down our stock in
the capital account at what it is worth ? We see no
difficulty in doing this; and if it were wisely and ho-
nestly done, it would tell this " nation of shop-
keepers " that which in their private trade they know
to be of such vital importance to their honesty and
credit, viz, the real value of this part of our stock in
trade for naval warfare. We don't see why the
nation should be more remiss in the statement of
their capital account than any other joint stock com-
Palg; doubt it will be objected to this vulgar shop-
keeping principle, that it is not applicable to public
establishmentslike the navy, that it would be impos-
sible to find personscapable of framing such estimates
adequately; that they would require an experience
and knowledge of values which no body in the navy
poems. We are quite willing to coacede that in
the navy it might be difficult, but we are mach mis-
taken if the nation have not at least half a dozen
men who could make a tolerable approximation. It
is difficult in private business to take stock judiciously
and honestly, nevertheless, we do it every day, as
beet we can. By way of a beginning, let us try.
We have now before us a tolerably correct return,
from official sources, of the names and sizes of war
steamers of our national stock. It is taken from an
ill-kept honk of the Admiralty. We say ill-kept, be-
cause they have so contrived it as to keep out of sight
many of the more important items, and to give an