The Express.
London, England, 1848-04-14 00:00:00

t

508.] LONDON, FRIDAY, ♦PRIL 14, 1848. THREEPENCE.

Pears, Aron 13.—Nsor Loan, —; Tbres per Cants., 501:4611:
Piro per Cents., MC Poor-and-Halt. Pomo,
Fin.; 1140, —; Dn. 1612, ; Ib. Tb —; Do. Tgro-andeae
Had, —; N Tics Rental. ; Roman Loan, SA • Treaieury
—; Bank Mare*, 1125 ; P.:change on L. no tram-
melons.
era. Paris and Orleans, 450 ; Paris and Room, 313 ;
Roo^n and Harm, 170; Abrn.on end Morselling.
bourg and Ills, 77 50 Centre Vieroon, 22250; balms sad Boulogne,
; Bordeaux, 3/17 50 : North, 334 25.

SOWITIBM PATRIOTIC SOCIETY POR IMPROVING
Ttifi CommTtoN OP TEE LABOURING CLASSRB.—A public
meeting was held yesterday, at the Freemasons' Tavern, for
the purpose of forming in London a branch society in con-
nexion with the Scottie's Patriotic Society. The Chisholm,
M.P., presided, and, in his opening observations, described
the destitution which existed in many parts of the Highlands,
whirls was principally to be ascribed to the ignorance of the
people, who were without the power to make a proper use
of the resources within their reach. The principal objects of
the society were—the improvement of the husbandry of the
crofters by the introduction of better methods of cultivation;
the promotion of the field-garden system; the improvemen
of the cottages and gardens of the p reentry, and the reel-
dences of the labouring classes in towns,; the promotion of
agricultural education in elementary schools; and the esta-
blishment of seltsupporting agricultural schools where
needed • the extension of the fisheries ; and the
establaiment of district loan funds for assisting
the industrious labouring under temoorary difficulties.
The secretary of the society, who formed part of a deputation
to this metropolis, then entered into some details of the
working of their plans, which had been generally tatters*.
troy, and had considerably improved the condition of the
peasantry, although a great deal yet remained to be done.—
Dr. Mackenzie, another of the deputation, followed to a
similar purpose. lie concurred with the chairman in ascrib-
ing the prevalent destitution to tie want of education, and
not from any defect in the country or climate. He was antis-
fled that the means were attainable for renderiag the pea-
an ry independent and proaperous. He had male =attempt
to carry out the views of the sevety on the extensive pro-
prey in his charge in the troth of Scotland, and generally
with satisfactory results.—Lord Abinger then proposed the
first resolution, which expressed the approval of the meeting
of the objects and policy of the society. He described the
eoedition of the peasantry on his own estate, who
paid their r.uts entirely from the produce of their farms,
but who were barely able to support themselves last season,
in consequence of the failure in be potato crop, and other
causes.—The Rev. Dr. Cumming seconded the resolution,
which was adopted unanimously.—On the motion of Mr
Luke J. Hansard, secone4d by Mr. Mattlieson, M.P., sup-
ported by Mr. A. Campbell, it was then resolved that mea-
sures should be .alien for the formation of a London branch
in support of the present toasty. The arguments urged by
the speakers tended principally to show that the Highlands
of Scotland contained everything necessary fur the support
of its population, if better means were adopted for develop-
ing their resources. Several gentlemen condemned the
principle of emigration, as tending to the detriment
of the country at home, which was manifested by
the amount of land at present in an uncultivated
condition.—The Chairman observed that one of the
benefits recently worked by the society was the employment
of 200 persons who had previously been dependent on paro-
chial relief.—Resolutions, appointing Mr. Cameron secretary
and Capt. Forbes treasurer of the aew branch, and snaking
other arrangements in furtherance of the object in view,
were supported by Mr. Whin, Mr. Cowan, M.P., and other
gentlemen, after which the meeting separated.
ROYAL FREE HOSPITAL.—The anniversary festival
was held last evening at the London Tavern. The Earl
of Harrowby presided. The usual loyal toasts were greeted,.
in consequence of some remarks from the chairman on the
subject of the recent demonstration in the metropolis, with
very warm manifestations of loyalty. After the toast of the
evening, " Prosperity to the Royal Free Hospital," the re-
port of the committee for the past year was read. It stated
that difficulties had arisen from a long-accumulated debt
(occasioned by the practice of giving relief beyond the ex-
isting means of the hospital), which was ascertained to
amount to upwards of 5,3001. They could congratulate,
however, the governen on the fact, that upwards of 3,0001.
of that debt had been paid off during the year, whilst
fresh liabilities to an amount of 9001. bad been
incurred • mil towards the payment of the remnant of the
old debe( which was 2,2991. 17s. Id. on the 31st December,
1847), they were happy to state that there were legacies re-
ceivable to the amount of I,oooe The health of Lord
Robert Grosvenor followed the toast of the evening, which
his lordship acknowledged by proposing a similar compli-
ment to the chairman. The remainder of the toasts were of
the usual character. The subscriptions announced during
the evening amounted to about 8001.

HOSTILITIES BETWEEN
DENMARK AND SLESWICK

HOLSTEIN.

BATTLE NEAR FLENSBURG

HULL, FRIDAY MORNING.
The Hamburg steam packet has arrived. The
Borsenhalle of the 11th inst. contains the intelligence
subjoined
" Hostilities have seriously commenced between
the forces of Denmark and those of Slebwick-
Holstein. A very fierce battle has been fought
near Flensburg, in which the Danes, having
a decided superiority in numbers, as well as in their
cavalry and artillery, the Sleswick-Holstein army
was defeated, and compelled to retreat towards Rends-
burgh.
" The loss of life has been very great on both sides.
"The Danes entered the city of Sleawick yesterday.
"The Prussian troops have been ordered to advance
in order to support the people of Sleswick, and, should
the King of Denmark, in ietaliation, stop the passage
of the Sound, his territories are to be invaded."
Another account says that the Danes, under the
command of the king, carried a position fortified by
entrenched breast-works, and occupied by a torte of
ten thousand men, supported by artillery and cavalry,
The scholastic volunteers of the Holstein army
fought with great courage, and sustained severe
losses. Late on Monday afternoon two addi-
tional battalions of Prussian infantry of the Bth
Regiment, with six pieces of heavy artillery, passed
through Hamburg en route to Rendsburg ; and
on Tuesday, two additional batteries of light
fielLi pieces were expected. This Prussian
force now amounts to 8,000 infantry, to which
will be added some cavalry, so that altogether this
contingent force, when concentrated in Holstein,
will amount to about 10,000 men of all arms. The
contingent forces from Hanover, Brunswick, Olden-
burg, 'Mecklenburg, Bremen, and Hamburg, will
amount, when concentrated, to about 10,000 more; so
that, with the Holstein forces now in the field, the
Danes will have to contend against a force of 30,000
men.

NEWMARKET CRAVEN MEETING.

THIS I/AY.

/41 SHIPPING.
MAILS Aantirtn.—Dublin, 3; Waterford, 2; Donagha-
dee, 1; Guernsey, &c., 1 ; French 1 ; Flanders, 1.
LONDON, April 14.—Wind this day at noon, W.N.W.,
fresh breeze, and fine clear weather.
PORTEIMOUTH, April 13.—H.M. steamer Dee did not sail
yesterday, as reported. The London, from New York to
London, which put in here yesterday, after being on shore
on the Owers, has been examined, and found to have stts-
tained no damage.
The barque John, of Bedford, twenty-five day. from New-
port to New York, was spoken in lat. 34 N., long. 36 W.,
with loss of one boat and one pump disabled, having ex-
perienced very heavy weather, by the Mira, off Falmouth.
FALMOUTH, April 12.—Arrived : Chelra, Coquimbo,
with loss of bulwarks and stanchions, and busts stove ; Age-
neroix, Buenos Ayres.