The Express.
London, England, 1865-03-20 00:00:00

as many Peers and 2d. P.'s on their boasdsim they
can for the express purpose of elseesdtining
themselves in parliamentary battles. It is clear
that legislation conducted in this fashion iaalien to
the spirit of the British constitution. That a man
should be complainant, judge, and jury, all in one,
is monstrous, and yet the system now prevails in
all its force. The regulation that excludes public
contractors from • vote in Parliament might be
advantageously extended to directors of railway
companies, where the interests of their companies
are concerned. A few more decisions like the pre-
sent, and the general opinion will speedily enforce
• change.
A question of equal importance in principle, but
of perhaps greater practical value in detail, has
also occupied the attention of the House of Com-
mons during the past week. It has even been a
roexatts quastio how far the occasionally conflict-
ing duties of the Foreign-office and the Board of
Trade could be most advantageously reconciled. As
matters at present stand, the Board of Trade pop-
seises the knowledge without the means of putting it
into operation—the Foreign-office the power with-
out the knowledge. Lately the divided responsibi-
lity between the Board of Trade and the Foreign-
office with reference to foreign commerce has been
found so inconvenient that the House of Commons
appointed last year a committee to inquire into
the matter. After hearing a considerable mass of
evidence upon the question the committee pre-
sented three recommendations : first, that the
Board of Trade be placed upon a higher footing ;
secondly, that it should have direct communication
with the diplomatic and consular services through
the Foreign-otice ; and thirdly, that the latter
should appoint an officer or officers specially to oor-
respond with the Board of Trade. On Friday the
matter was discussed at considerable length, and,
so ;might be expected, with much diversity of
opinion. The great difficulty was the definition
of the proper relations between the two depart-
ments, and, indeed, it will require no small inge-
nuity to bring them into perfect harmony. For
years the one office has been necessarily encroach-
ing on the other, from the inevitable reason
that our commerce and our foreign relations have
become more and more interlaced. Diplomatic
attachcis draw up Blue-books on the trade and
economical position of the countries to which they
are sent; and consuls (especially in partially civilized
countries) are frequently called upon practically to
decide questions of international law. As the inter-
course of one people with another progresses, an
increasing proportion of any slight difficulties that
may daily occur will certainly arise from commer-
cial matters. The Government appear to have
gone as far towards meeting this contingency as
governments can be expected to do. A first step
has been taken by establishing a new " Commercial
" Division" in the Foreign-office, especially to con-
duct all business relating to the Board of Trade,
commercial treaties, complaints of merchants, and
the like. It is to be hoped that this measure is
only the precursor to a more general change. There
can be no reason why the Minister for Foreign
Affairs should not also be the Minister for Foreign
Commerce, while a consolidation of the two offices
would not only simplify our relations with other
governments, but would be of appreciable value to
our countrymen abroad.

k&TST INT BI.LIII /MOB.
mamma.)
RUSSIA.
ST. PSTERSBURO, Nam 31

Cbt Court.

WINDSOR CASTLE, IlAscs_lB.

The Journal de St.7leterabourg of to-day pub-
lishes an article replying to the assertion of the
Moscow Gazette tbat Ruasis ought to follow her
civilising mission in the south-western provinces
instead of advancing in Asia.
The Journal de St. Petersbourg says :—" What
has recently taken place in Central Asia, had not
the object of extending the frontier of Rims* but
of rectifying it, by acquiring an uninterrupted
frontier line, and of establishing relations with
tribes who know bow to value the blessings of
peace and commerce, and are not given up to
plunder."

Pricoe Alfred, attended by Major Cowell, Lieu-
tenant Haig, and Dr. Bernhardt, wired at the Castle last
evening, from the Continent.
The Queen, accompanied by Princes' Helens, went out
walking this morning.
Princess Louie* rods is the Home-park.
Prince Leopold, attended by Mr. Buff, took an airing in
the grounds.
Prince Alfred went out with the harrier, attended by
Lieutenant Haig.
The Right Honourable C. P. Villiers had an audience of
the Queen.
The Hon. Mr. sad Mrs. Clarks Hurray have had the
honour of being reamed by her Majesty.
Mra. C. Murray wu presented by the Lady in Waiting.
llkitca 19.
Yesterday wu the birthday of Princess Louise..

The Lord Bishop of London arrived at the Castle.
The queen, Prism Alfred, Prioress Helena, Princess
Louise, and Prinoses Beatrice, and the ladies and gentle-
men in welting, attended Divine servies.this morning in the
private chapel.
The Bishop of London preached the sermon.

The Prince of Wake, attended by Lieut.• Colonel Koppel,
bunted with his harriers" at Dutchet, neer Windsor, on
Saturday.
The Princess of Wales, attended by the Hon. Mrs. Stonor,
visited the Botanical Gardens in the Regent's-perk.
The Prince and Princess of Wee bad a tlinner patty
in the evening. The company included the Duchess of
Cambridge, Princess Mary of Cambridge, the Duke of
Cambridge, his Excellency the Turkieb Ambassador and
Madame Maseru., his Excellency the Austrian Ambas-
sador and Countess Appooyi, Lis Excellency the Prussian
Ambassador and Countess Bernstorff, Duke and Duchess
of Argyll, Duke of Somerset, Earl of Tyrone, Captain the
Hon. C. Edgeumbe, Sir William Alexander, Major General
Franck Seymour. the Hon. Mn. Bruce, Lady Caroline
Cost and Colonel Home Punk, in attendance on the
Duchess of Cambridge ; Colonel Tyrwhitt, in attendance
upon the Duke of Cambridge ; Lieutenant-Cienswal Knollys,
and Lieutenant-Colonel KeppeL
The Prince and Princes. of Wake, with the Hon. Mrs.
Bruce and Lieut.•Colouel Koppel in waiting, attended
divine service at the Chapel Royal, St. James's, yesterday
morning.

The communion servioe was read by the Rev. the Sub-
deao, the Rev. C. Parke, sad the Rev. J. R. Wood.
Anthem, "0 Lord give ear" (Gran), sung by Messrs.
Botchy and Benson.
Mr. Cooper presided at the organ.
The sermon was preached by the Lord Bishop of Selisbary,
from Ephesians ch. 5 v. 1.
TllO Duchess of Cambridge and Princess Mary, the
Marquis of &Rebury, the Marquis of Bath, East St.
Germaine, Viscount Sydney, Lord Harris, Lord Crews, and
Lord Lisno►er, attended the service.

A Cabinet Connell was held on Saturday at the
official residence of the First Lord of the Treasury,
iu Downing-street. The ministers present were—
Viscount Palmerston, the Lord Chancellor,
Earl Granville, the Duke of Argyll, Sir George
Grey, Earl Russell, the Right Hon. Edward
Cardwell, Earl de Grey, Sir Charles Wood, the
Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Duke of Somer-
set, the Right Hon. T. Milner Gibson, Lord
Stanley of Alderley, and the Earl of Clarendon.

A deputation, consisting of Mr. Welsh, M.P., Mr. Stir-
Hog, M.P., the Lord Provost of Glasgow, Colonel Dreg-
born, Mr. Morris (town clerk of Glasgow), Mr. Carrick, and
Mr. r. B. Simeon (parliamentary spat), bad an interview
ea Saturday, at the Home-office, with Sir George Grey and
the Lord Advocate, with reference to the Lanarkshire
County Priam Board Bill.
Despatches were received: op Saturday at the Colonial.
office from the Governors of Canada, Britiehrolumbia, and
Vancouver's Island. Despatches were sent to the Cover
non of Gibraltar, Malta, the Mauritius, Ceylon, Hong
Kap', Labuan, New Zeal/rid. the Australian Colonies, the
North American Provisoes, sad Bermuda.

The Court Journal says that while the Prince of
Wa:es was witasasisg the Cluaisey steeplechases on Thurs-
day last, his royal highness had his pocket picked of a
valuable gold watch, presented to him by the Queen.
His Royal Highness Prince Alfred was present at
the service in St. George's Chapel, at Windsor, yesterday
ifternooo.

THE ADDERS OF THE CORPS Lwow
LATIF.
The following is a traselation of the
address of Use Carps 'ltif read Tr!
•

_
President Schneider it 3 o'clock on Saturday after-
noon :

-- •
Bin,—The session of 1865 opens under [avowable sue-
pima. Oalm abroad sad walidesoe at boats tad con-
snugly to be more and more otaradidatad. We congratu-
late ourselves oa these oircumstanws, which allow US to
tarn oar 'Manteca to works of pesos sad internal &audio.

rations.
For upwards of • year put seismal and divers muses
have seriously affected the affairs of the whole world.
The crisis, which has bees law painful in France than
elsewhere, is now greatly diminishing. This crisis will have
once more demonstrated the prodaeoe and solidity of our
trade and manufactures, the progress of which is manifested
by the McNees of oar foreign transactions.
Our agriculture has not completely mowed the effects of
this cries, but its situation has, however, been particularly

Her Royal Highneas the Princess Louise attained
her 17th year on Saturday, wbse the event was celebrated
at Windsor with the cnitomary rejoicings.

THE EXPRESS, MONDAY EVENING. MARCH 20,1t41881;

affected by climactrio circumstances.
Two abundant harvests in sneoessioe, coiendiag with a
great deficiency in forage, eseeed a general fall is prime
which was more distressing to the producer than beneficial
to the mummer.
This state of things, temporary as it is, will appear to
you, sire, a fresh reason for anxiously inquiring what can be
401111 in favour of the agricultural populations, so laborious,
so modest, and so devoted.
For agriculture as for commerce, for material so for
moral interests, there Is no more certain or more powerful
auxiliary than the perfecting and development of means of
communication of every kind—the necessary corollary of
free trade.
Therefore the completion of Inch works as railways,
ports, riven, canals, roads, and irrigation, ought to be
actively proceeded with, in the hope that • few years may
suffice for their radiation.
The populations desire the continuation anti extension of
them works even at the price of fresh sacrifices. In many
places they have themselves already set the example of
accomplishing works of this kind ; the united efforts of the
departments, the communes, and the rampages will not
be too much to achieve the great end desired.
The Corps Legislatif bee received with satisfaction your
Majesty's assurance that the financial situation, relieved
from the expenses of distant expeditions, is such this year
an to authorise a great impulsion to public works without
the necessity of any fresh appeal to credit.
To open a career of individual iuitiative, and the spirit of
emaciation, is a powerful means to augment the general
prosperity.
We shall eagerly sewed your Majesty's views in this re-
spect. It is most important to facilitate the action of com-
mercial operations, and the formation of companies destined
to develop the well being of the working classes, to briog
back within just bounds excessive regulations, and,
with-
out abandoning the guarantees necessary for public security,
to relieve the state from the weight of • responsibility
often illusory and always dangerous.
The council,' general of departments and the municipal
councils, which understand the fruitful results of these
great enterprises, have shown themselves worthy of being
minuted with • more extensive jutisdiotioo.

The Corps Legislatif fully appreciates the importaece of
the bill submitted to it au this subject, and by which it
is proposed to simplify and hasten the despatch of local
affairs. . . .

The marine transport trade justly claims your Majesty'
solicitude ; bound up as it is with the interests of agricu
tare and commerce, it is an element of the national power.
We shall first carefully consider the bill which, with the
object of developing that trade, will subject it to the general
law of competition.
We should have pleasure in seeing removed from our
code' such severities as may be found unneces►ry for public
order, and we shall use all the real called for by the inte-
rests involved in examining the law relative to the provi-
sions] enlargement of accused parties with or without bail,
end the whole law of imprisonment for debt.
Sire, we share your sentiments with regard to public in-
enaction ; it is eminently useful in every society, but it
is necessary in societies hued upon universal suffrage. The
wish of the Corps Legislatif, like your own, is that every
citizen should know how to read and write.
We hope that the development of mend well-being, and
a more liberal nee of gratuities and just encouragements
given by the State to poor communes, may hasten the
moment when all children will enjoy the benefit of primary
instruction. (General applause.)
Religious questions have latterly taken up a larger share
of consideration than usual ; we think there is no occasion
to be anxious about them.
On the one band the great principle of religious freedom
is beyond controversy ; on the other, public opinion bears
witness that you have shown &donnas to the catholic
church by increasing the number of its chapels, ameliorating
the condition of the clergy, and admitting the princes of the
church to the Senate. So much consideration for and support
of religion justifies you in expecting repeat for the rights of
the civil power from the ministers of religion.
All the sovereigns of France ever preserved these rights
intact, and we approve your Majesty for firmly mainniniog
the obedience due to the fundamental laws of the state.
(Fresh applause.)
Sire, we learn with profound satisfaction the pacific
solution of difficulties abroad.
We regret that these questions did not receive from a
coogreas a general and durable solution ; but, nevertheless,
the appeasement obtained re-usurer minds and interests.
In the conflict on the shores of the Baltic your govern-
ment has shown a just reserve, which was dictated by our
good feeling towards Germany and our sympathy for
Denmark.
You were right, sire, to invoke in diplomatic conferences
those principles upon which our public law reposes for the
benefit of thole populations.
We note, with your Majesty, the results obtained in
Mexico, where, thanks to the valour of our soldiers, the
wisdom of the sovereign, and the support of the popula•
Mons, order, security, and industry are resuming their em-
pire. It is fortunate that such encomia prepare the way
for the speedy return of our troepe.
The sudden insurrectioo which broke out in Africa was
quickly put down ; we trust that the Arab populations, too
long blinded by religious fanaticism, will no longer mistake
either the power of oar arms or the friendly intentions of
your government, and that persevering efforts will assure
the development and the prosperity of the colony.
Thus, wherever our armies have borne their flag, wherever
ear diplomacy has offered its counsels, in Germany, Japan,
Algeria, and Mexico, your government, sire, hes defended
moderation, right, and justice.
We thank you for having enabled France to play such
a part in the world. The whole oonatry will salute, with
a heart overflowing with joy, our soldiers brought back by
peace after having added new lustre to the Frenchman*
by their victories in the old and new world. (Loud apple
hatioo.)
Sire, a situation did exist in Italy which caused just
alarm in all seosible and clear-sighted minds.
It was necessary to reconcile the consolidation of the
kingdom of Italy, in part founded by our arms, with the
maintenance of the independence of the Holy See.
The object of the ion of September 15 was to
attain this double end.
By this solemn engagement the Italian government under-
takes to respect the pontifical territory, and to protect its
frontiers against any attack, direct or indirect, thus effi-
caciously guaranteeing the independence of the Sovereign
Pontiff.
On the other hand, by transporting and fixing its capital
at Florence, Italy constitutes herself in a definitive manner.
We reckon upon the exact and loyal fulfilment of engage-
ments which reciprocally bind Italy and France. Then
I are doubtless, sire, events which human prudence cannot
! always foresee or provide against ; but full of confidence in
your wisdom, we onmmend you for haying on this head re-
served your entire freedom of action.
Persevere, sire, in this path of wins prover at home and
abroad.

We understand that Sir Rutherford Alcock will
probably be appointed to succeed Sir F. Bruce as
Envoy Extraordinary at the Court of Pekin.

Al above.

Tim ABAsrama AND Wurrwomt Brim At.
Ocancirtiot —WS oadststaad that Earl de Grey bu a-
poiatad Mr. Reeds' to be a member of this committee la
the pleas of Mr. Pole, recently annotated secretary to tie
Coollllllldoo on Itsilesys. Mr. Randal has seperiatnested
all the experiments with the Armstrong gnus en Se repro-
eentettse of Sir William demotions and the /BM& Oed-
emas Compaay, is which he has an intend
CRYSTAL PALACZ. —.HALT-A-CROW, DAY. ••••841-
TURDAY, MARCH issicee tre mast, 1,194;
&tee by Nom tialcato. 3,611; total Timken, 4.1104

TES LOCK.OUT IN TES IRON TRADE.
--e--

There is unhappily no hopeful feature to report
in eonaegion with this ImamateMe struggle betimes capital
and Mom. Much seepeheites been expressed at the Brierly-
hill executive not being repneented at the meeting at York
on Friday. Before leaving home to attend the late eseseing in
London, however, the emeative had bees eierged with
"showing the white feather," in deterling the North
Staffordshire men. The feeling in London, sad what masy
believed to be the feeling of the majority of the members
of their own onion, combined to inflames them in Wong a
muse which their own views commended. It was the
opinion of these °Moen that it the masters would not se-
cept their declaration already practically made by the with-
drawal of all support from the North Staffordshire men,
and oondrmed by the complaints of desertion mods
at the London meeting by one delegate from that part of
the county, they would not believe their minim to do their
utmost to stop supplies to the refractory men even if they
made it in persoe. Then they my they knew she minds of
the Staffordshire masters well enough to satisfy themselves
that if they should ham consented to the sending of pid-
dled bars to North Staffordshire their mestere would have
deelined such terms, even though they should be approved
by the masters in the north of England. Again, they be-
limed that the Gateshead executive were, by their anxiety
to come to terms with their masters on the conditions al-
mewl, mein contiery to the principles of unionism, sad,
in the estimation of their masters, were weakening the
power of trade associations—combinations which gars to
the numbers of them an influence which should
not be thought lightly of by their representatives.
The executive appear to be greatly encouraged by the pro-
mime of help that they have received from the trade so-
cieties, and smart that any statement to the effect that the
Amalgamated &ginner. will withhold support would be
altogether incorrect.
The rules of the Ironworkers' emaciation empower the
delegates from the districts to determine upon au emigration
scheme for sending out to distant countries any members who
expressing a desire to leave may be elected to that privilege,
the passage money of the emigrants being raised by a levy
throughout the districts'. Many applications have been
I received by the executive for mailman to emigrate, and
they are described se increasing. Probably it is owing to
' this fact that one employer in the Briefly -hill district, who
was a severe sufferer by aortal* of his men leaving South
Staffordshire at the time of the last paddlers' strike, has
advanced some of his men a few shillings' help now sad
again since they have been locked out. The effect of that
strike was, it is asserted, to leave that employer in want of
men for a considerable number of furnaces. There are
statements being made to the effect that several masters
have accepted orders to be delivered within a brief time,
and the inference is that they intend to start their works in
the next few days ; but thesestatemeots are, astir as we know,
merely rumour. Here and there, however, small works are
being put into operation, and in one or two other cases
masters who haves stook of paddled bars are setting on
certain of their mills to supply good customers who are
pressing them to furnish sheets or plates, as the cue may
be. Some more small muter. are, we know, making their
neighbours what they are to do, and whether they ought
not to be satisfied with the declaration of their men, that
they will not support the men who are upon strike. But
the great body of the masters, whose Doodad will be win-
dammed by the proceedings of such makers, are immovable
in their determination not to re-open their works till the
men in North Staffordshire resume work ; sod they look
upon the strife as being pc,hed by the men to an alterna-
tive which will call for the banding together of every
employer in the kingdom.
We learn from the Newcastle Chronicle that the men
continue to migrate to other spheres of labour, numbers
having left Middlesborough for Wales, ad that the move-
ment in this direction will now, no doubt, largely increase.
A question has been raised whether the iroomasters by
their combined action in the look-out have sot been guilty
of a violation of the 3rd section of the Combination Act,
and it has been resolved, in the interest of the workmen,
to instruct a solicitor to prepare a case upon which to take
counsel's opinion.
Collections for the support of the man on strike and
locked out were very generally commemed in the various
workshops throughout the metropolis on Saturday last, and
many of the trade moieties will hold specially-summoned
meetings during the present week for the purpose of voting
money from their funds, and considering the propriety of
placing a levy on their members, in accordance with the
recommendations of the delegate meeting on Wednesday
last.

At the adjourned delegate meeting on Wednesday next
the propriety of proposing arbitration between the opposing
partite is to be taken into oonsideration.

rsousui.
TOINDLY. ON NORTBILN ersaiswar
Iloatoriy. N. to 8.. Ootgra &E. to &W.. fresh to
strong to mlderato, aao6arst4 emrttY'
MOMS 11110 W.

N.Z. to B.L. fresh to Warn= Z. to 8. and W.. mode-
=odors* clear. rate.
As Belt above. lorrazia. B.N. to 8. W., moderato,
Am.
Lima. N.L to LL, fresh,
dear.
Cautious" Nimbi, Batorday, ea all comic
Neethera=beetams. Mamma.. lrolaaL Wake, sad
Nadia. Boutheramltoglah Chemed aad Das of Blocay.
Neotoramisstward liedaad aad North lea.

Taw Nzw Bmca•LOADfik NM TEX Azwz.—lt
is receded that the War Department bee decided to adopt
It. plea of Mr. Sobasider for altering the lingkad riffs into
a broach-loader, sad that 60,000 rides will at cues be con-
verted apes this pies.
The April number of the Westminster Review
wall motels ea article, it is mid, by Kr. Jolts Stuart Mill on
Positivism sad A. Comte.