The Express.
London, England, 1853-03-24 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, THURSDAY EVENING.- , MARCH 24, 1853.

good government is to be conferred upon India.
And upon our success in solving this prishlawt#e-
pends the permanence of our Indian Empire. Is
too late to a,k whether it was wise or go
acquire that Empire; it has become an i rt
of our system, and to lop it off, thou i 1, re-
lieve us of some iscumbrances, wo
tail dangerous weakness. To secure time for proper
reform is the first thing needful, and that is to be
bad by renewing the charter only for a short period
—sonic one or two years, or ar most three years.

Tur. Hindoos considered the decimal system of
notation as too perfect to have been invented by
man, sad they accordingly assigned to it a divine
origin. Aalsrortz believed that it had its founda-
tion in some general law of nature. A comparison
of this system with that in use amongst the Creeks
and Romans tells us at once how it was that these
nations made such trifling programs in arithmetic,
while in all other sciences the former nation at least
paseseded with gigantic strides. Nevertheless,
we are so very chary of using this precious
discovery, that we abandon its aid directly
we meddle with calculations in anything but
abstract numbers. Directly we connect numbers
with weights, measures, or value, we discard
as much as we are able the instrument of calcula-
tion that has Leen an useful hitherto, and wilfully
complicate our reckonings with fragments of all pos-
sible systems of notation. Thus the merest tyro in
figures knows that in the figure 3333, designating a
number of similar things, as counters, the digit in
the first place to the right stands for three counters,
that in the second stands for thirty, or ten times
three; that in the third for three hundred, or one
hundred times three; that in the fourth for three
thousand, or one thousand times three; in short, that
each number increases to ten times its value by being
removed one place to the left. If he were to be
asked to explain the relations of the same
numbers 3333 to each other considered as
representatives of a sum of money, in our
present Nystrom of coinage, he would be obliged to
call in the aid of his instructor, who would te.l him
that the regular gradations of value, according to
ct'te ion, were now gone; that supposing the ez-
digit to the right represented farthings, then
seskoning to the left, the first place to the left repre-
sented a denomination (pence) four times as large as
hidings, that the second place to the left repre-
listed a denomination (shillings) twelve times as
large as penes, that the third represented
a denomination (pounds) twenty times es great
as shillings. In short, that you would have
to multiply the digits in these three places
by three different numbers —4, 12, and 20
before you could tell what they represented in terms
of another denomination. In operating upon the
same number, 3333, in the weight employed when
gold or silver is weighed, we should have to employ
three other multipliers, 24, 20, and 12. It butter
were the substance whose weight were in question,
the multipliers for the four numbers would again
differ, being 16, 16, and 28. And so we might go
on through our whole system of weights and mea-
sures, the fundamental anomaly of which is, that the
ascending denominations differ from each other by a
variable ratio, which also is different from that
which obtains in our notation. The true principle
to be adopted is not only to regulate our coinage and
weights and measures, so that each denomination
shall be the same number of times the value of the
preceding denomination, but that this number shall be
that which is used in our system of notation—ten.
The adoption of this principle throughout our whole
system of weights and measures is at present not to
be thought of. There is, however, no objection, and
there can be scarcely any difficulty, in making a com-
mencement with the coinage. This must necessarily
precede all other reforms, and, according to the re-
port of the Commissioners for the Restoration of '
Standards of Weights and Measures, 21st December,
1841, would be the most likely means of effecting
them.

" In our opinion," say the Commissioners, " no
single change which it is in the power of a govern-
ment to effect in our monetary system would be felt
by all classes as equally beneficial with this, when
the temporal inconvenience attending the change
had passed away." After recommending the adop-
tion of changes similar to those we have urged, the
Commissioners conclude this part of their report by
saying, " We do not feel ourselves at liberty further
to eater into this subject, but we have felt it a duty
imperative on us to advert to it, because no circum-
stance would contribute so much to introduce the
decimal scale in weights and measures, as the esta-
blishment of a decimal coinage."
This was written twelve years ago, and preceded a
body of evidence on the anomalous nature of our
weights and measures, which might have raised a
doubt in the minds of intelligent foreigners whether
the nation which could restrain a universal protest
against such absurdities. could have much claim to
be considered as thoroughly civilised. Since that
time the point of the wedge has been driven in a
little way by the introdocnon of the florin, ten of
which make a pound. This is the first step in the
descending scale of division from a sovereign. We
only want one more coin, the tenth of a florin, of the
value of twopence and two-fifths, and our system
will be nearly perfect, as the farthing will be so
nearly the value of the tenth pert of this new coin,
that the difference will be scarcely. perceptible in
actual exchanges. When new farthings are coined
they can be made exactly of the value of one-thou-
sandth of a pound.
But we meet have the one new coin; value
twopence and two-fifthe. Without it our system
of coinage will not be uniform with our system
of notation. If we reckon by pounds, florins, and
farthings, then one of our multipliers will be 10
while the other is 100. An unskilled arithmetician
would then probably write 333 for three pounds,
three florins, and three farthings, instead of 3303.
It may be said that there is no reason why we should
legislate with a view to the conveoiesee of the igno-
rant ; but is the present case, the clever themselves
will receive the benefit of the simplification • and it is
the duty of a Government, whenever it is Possible, to
frame all its enactments in such a manner that
" those who run may read."
The name of the new coin and of the one imme-
diately below it, which will afterwards come in the
place of farthings, is a matter of trifling importance.
We are a loyal people, and are always willing to fall
back upon our Sovereigns to furnish= with names, and
a VicroaLt or an ALBERT would sound as euphoni-
ously as a CAIOLUB or a JACOBUS. The Wag, how-
ever, to what we want. The name, which we are
told does not interfere with the perfume of flowers,
will have no effect upon the value or the utility of
our coins. What we contend for, what the whole
mercantile community is interested in obtaining, is, a
system of coinage in which the steps shall precisely
correspond with those of our system of notation, and
this as introductory to a system of weights and
measures constructed upon a like plan. Until we
obtain this, we shall be behind every civilised
country in Europe and America.

DISCOVERY OF AN ANCIENT CHAPEL.-A most
Interesting discovery of a beautiful vestige of Gothic &veil-
mature, in excellent preservation, has been made beneath
the bouts at the eoath•esst corner of Leadenhall-etreet,
and directly opposite Aldgate pump. The arches and
vaults on the Mamma( have been hitherto weed SI a store-
house for wood acd other materials, but the extreme
beauty of the architecture, particularly the sculpture and
groking, led to an investigation. After the most diligent
research it was ascertained to be the remains of a chapel
dedicated to St. Michael, and is described by old histo-
rians as " neat A:dgate." It appears to be of very great
antiquity, having been built by Norman, Prior of St. Ea-
therm' of the Holy Trinity, in the reign of Henry
and his Queen Matilda of Boulogne, about the year 1108,
and is new nearly 750 years old. The chapel oonsis•a of
pillars sod arches; its length from north to south is 48 feet,
and its breadth from east to west 16 feet. The walla are

etsastructral with oblong blacks of ciTilit,;inica;tothesseof
Rochester Castle; the arches are of stone, the keys of
which ere beautifully sculptured with knots and other de-
noes. and exhibit at a glance the skilful masonry of our'
ancestries. The chapel has been filled with soil and rubbish
near.y is the c►pitals eit the pillars. From the ground to
the crown of the arches is 10 feet, and, allowing the shafts
to be buried 16 feet, gives a height of 28 feet to the interior
of the building. The iron hinges and casements are still
attach,J to the walls, from which circumstance it is con-
jectured that the structure orixinally 'told on the surface,
nu; that in subsequent years the ground outiode was raised
gradually until at last the relic of past ages was comiiletely
buried. At the riuthern extremity there is an appearance
of an arched passage in the direction of Bt. Katherine's
Duke, the site of which the priory of St. Katharine for-
med" nectipeJ. The feregnivg descriotion is necessarily
brief, but a visit to the spot w naid amply repay the anti-
query, or ether persons interested in the study of the re-
mains of past ages.

• 4 FRANCE.
♦VARI4, w .trunATEvsnato.
rai4g3r6ageor publishes a clefs of the Minister of
litiettiteior, intend to faci &to the tiapsPort of
*a( Frew& °duce fti the Exhibition at
Dublin. They will carried free, both going and
returning, between Havre and Dublin.
The Musiteur announces that the order to set sail
was only transtaitted from Paris to the fleet on
Saturday evening, that it did not arrive at Toulon
until Sunday morning, and that 36 hours after-
wards the fleet ins at sea.

A further advance has been realised to-day in
Rentee, both for cash and the account. The Three
per Cents., for cash, have improved 25c., and the
Four-and a-Half per Cents. 45c. For the account
the Three per Cents. are 15c., and the Four-and-a-
Half per Cents. 30c. higher. Bank Stock, however,
experienced a decline of 10 francs. At the close of
the Bourse the quotations were—For cash, Three per
Cents., 79f. 25c.; do. Four-and-a-Half per Cents.,
103 f. 10c.; for the account,Three per Cents., 79f. 20c.;
do. Four and-a-Half, 102 f. 90c.; Bank Stock, 2,660 f.
The following quotations have been received to-
day by telegraph :—Vienna Metallique Five per
Cents., 931 ; Loan, 1831, 107/; Lombardo-Venetian,
991 ; Bank, 1,395. Frankfort : Loan, Five per
Cent., 97 ; ditto Four-and-a-Half per Cent., 78 ; '
ditto Three per Cents., 521 ; Lots, 2.106., 1381;
Bank, 1,530 ; Spanish Three per Cents., 431 • Bel-
gian Four-and-a-Half per Cents, 991. Berlin :
Loose, Four•and-a-Half per Cent., 1021; Bank, 1061.
Antwerp: Loan, Five per Cent., 1852, 100; ditto
Four-and-a-Half per Cent. Consolidated, 1852, 98 ;
ditto Two-and-a-Half per Cent., 1844, 561 ; E. prov.
Four-and-a-Half per Cents., 991 ; Spanish Deferred,
231 ; ditto 'three per Cents. Interior, 42 5-16 ; Aut.
Metall., 831. Brussels : Loan, Four-and-a-Half per
Cent, Consolidated, 1852, 991 ; ditto Three per
Cent., 1838, 741 • bpanish Deferred, 23) ; Bank
National, 1,738 ; 'Bank Belgium, 9.
PARIS, TUESDAY Evairtio.
An article in the Presse, headed " La Pais
Affermie," containing the rather startling suggestion,
considering its title, that the way. to extinguish the
last and only real danger of war in Europe would be
for France and England to destroy the Russian fleet
in the Black Sea, has excited a good deal of atten-
tion. This article, although by another hand, is a
sentinuation of the one by M. Emile de Oirardin,
congratulating Europe upon an Anglo-French alli-
twee, to which I directed your attention on Sunday.
It is signed by M. Victor Monpurgo, a Greek, who
has passed many years in 'larkey, and is well
acquainted with the political state of that country.
He complains that the government journal, the
Pays, makes far too light of the question, and main-
tains that the constant agitation kept up by Russian
emissaries in all the provinces of the Ottoman Em-
pire is something far more serious than a " momen-
tary difficulty"—far mare dangerous to the peace of
Europe than a " diplomatic incident." It is time
that England and France should look the matter in
the face, and no longer content themselves with half
measures. M. Moupurgo thus remarks upon the
immense importance of the pretensions now set up
by Russia: •
Let it be well understood„ tiro- right of protection claimed
by the Ramer of Russia over the Christians and the
Greek religion in the Bast is worse than the dismemberment
of several provisoes, enforced en Orefield of battle after a
bloody victory. This proteetsease is nothing less than the
right granted to Russia to interfere continually in the in-
ternal Wass of Turkey ; it is a perpetual menace of war ;
it is the annihilation of an empire ; it is the annexation of
all Teary in Europe to the met dominions of Russia ; it It
Nicholas Emperor at Constantinople—the thing, Isla only
the imam On the dsy that Russia shall dispose of the Dar
demean OM will be the absolute ialitress of the Mediter-
ranean, and, entrenched in this position, as in an imprrg-
nahae Seetrew, Ow will dictate kiws to Europe. Today it ie
time to prevent this. To-in mow it may be tou late.
M. Moopurgo, after giving a sketch of the en-
croaching policy of Rums expresses a belief that the
hour has come for France and England finally to put a
stop to it. " One must be blind, he says, " not to
see that Russia in destroying the moral dignity of '
the Ottoman government does but foreshadow her
material destruction, and that unless an impassable
ibarrier to Russian ambition be now erected, the day
is not distant when the Muscovite eagle will float
on the towers of Constantinople."
The Patric says t--" We are assured that the
French squadron at Toulon having completed all its
preparations will leave to-morrow for Salamine."
The squadron, which is commanded by Vice-Admiral
Lassusse, is composed of the Ville de Paris, 120 guns,
bearing the admiral's flag ; Valmy, 120 ; Monte-
bed% 120 ; Henri IV., 100 ; Bayard, 90 ; Jupiter,
86 ; Napoleon (aorew), 90; and Charlemagne (screw),
90 ; Mogador, steam-frigate of 650-horse power ;
Magellan, 450; Sane, 450 ; and Caton, steanvoor.
vette, 260. On arriving at the Levant, Admiral de
Lassusse will be reinforced by the division under
Rear-Admiral Romain Desfoss&, composed of the
Gomer, assn-frigate of 450-horse power ; the Chap-
tal, corvette, 220 ; Heron, 200 ; Narval, 160 ; and
the Seatinelle, 120.
The Russian Black Sea fleet stationed at Sebasto-
pol is composed of 13 sail of the line, viz. :—Varna,
120; Douce Apotres, 120; Rostilar, 120; Sviateslar,
120; Selafond, 120; Trois-Swiatyteli, 120; Sultan
Mahmoud, 84 ; Troia-Isrorchow, 84; Uriel, 84 ; Ja-
gondib, 84; Chabry, 84 ; Czeslen, 84; and Siliatria, 84.
Eight frigates, of 60 guns each, the Agatapol, Midia,
Yovarna, Brailow, -Flora, Misibria, Lizopol, and
Bard. Six corvettes, Oreste, 37; Andromaque,
34; Perono, 34; Gylote, 24; Iphigenie, 24; and
Calypso, 18, with some brigs and smaller vessels.
The Turkish fleet consists of four line of battle ships,
six frigates, eight brigs and oorvettea, sad six steam-
ers of different sizes.

It is notified that the list of invitations for the
ball, which is to be offered by the Legislative body to
their Imperial Majesties on the 28th, being defini-
tively closed
_by the commission, no new application
can be attended to. It is also intimated that as all
the public functionaries are to be in uniform, the
other persons invited are requested, if possible, to be
in court dress.

M. hier do rEcluse has appealed to the Senate
M. the guardians of theconstituuon, spinet hisearpnl-
don by M. Billaolt from the Corps Legislatif on
amount of his having refused the oath.
M. Visconti, the architect, has received orders to
prepare the interior of the done of the Invalides for
the inauguration of the Emperor's tomb, which will
take place on the 6th of May, the anniversary of his
death.

The Council of State has proposed some amend-
ments in the bill for altering the law relative to
To-morrow
which the government declines to accede to.
To-morrow there will be a debate on the subject, of
coarse with closed doors, in which M. Rancho will
support the measure as proposed by the government.
wAnst his former colleague in the ministry, M.
&Wier, who will advocate the ameadmente.
An excellent charitable institution is about to be
formed under the patronage of the Empress. It is
calculated that 30,000 infants born in Paris are an
neatly sent into the country, 20, 30, and 30 miles
from Paris, to be nursed. Stern necessity compels a
vast proportion of the mothers of these children to
confide them to nurses of whom they know positively
nothing, except this, that they must make a profit
out of a miserably small monthly payment. The
natural consequence of this state of things is the
death, in numbers far exceeding the average, of its-
tants thus removed far from the parent's eye. It is
now intended to form six large establishments in the
banlieue of Paris. where children may be received to
be nursed and weaned, and where they may at all
times be visited by their mothers. The Abbe Ray-
mond is to be the director of these establishments,
which, should they succeed, will be an admirable
supplement to the Creches, which have done so
much good.
The section of rural economy of the Academy of
Sciences presented the following list of candidates
for the post of corresponding member vacant by the
death of M. Pavia:-1)r. Lindley, of London, re•
commended by section, and on the second line and
ex era according to alphabetical order, M. Hatse-
burg, of Berlin, M. Canino Itidulfi, of Florence, and
M. Villeroy, of itittershoff (Bavaria). Dr. Lindley
was yesterday elected unanimously by 43 votes.
A telegraphic despatch from Hyeres received jrester-
day announces that the health of the Minister of
, War continues to improve.
The Duke of Padua, Governor of the Invalides,
died this morning.

THE BREAKDOWN OF TILE AVSTRALIAN.—The Van
Diemen's Law! portion of the mail, disembarked from the
steamer Ault!. ili.tn, was placed on [wird the sailing ship
Coromandel, at Sosthampton, yeatirday.

GERMANY.
The King of Wertsmberg has issued an order for
the dissolution of the Bunthensehaft, an association
of students at the University of Tubingen. The
ground of the ender is said to be that the un►ons had
a political character, and are dangerous to the public
peace.
The loan of five million thalers lately concluded
by the Prussian finance minister appears to be
nothisg more than the issue of the remainder of the
21 millions contracted for in 1819 ostensibly for the
Eastern railway.