The Express.
London, England, 1847-04-27 00:00:00

PORTUGAL.

From our Lisbon letter, publislied yesterday, it will
be seen that the British envoy and admiral, though pro-
mising, at first, merely to protect the person of the
queen from violence and her palaces from fire, at the
same time offered counsel to her Majesty in a series of
propositions. These were as follows :
1. That the constitutional charter. with all Its political
and individual guarantees, without restriction, should be put
in force and faithfully executed.
2. That the Queen should name a ministry composed of
persons whose good character and political sentiments may
offer guarantees to public opinion, and who may in no
meaner show themselves adherents to the system pursued
sines the Gth of October.
3. That the swims!. Cortes should be convoked as soon
is possible. .. .
, 4. That all the nieensards demo* jpy thetminieters in the
name of the Queen, In defiance of the power con-
' fttrred by the charter, should be &clam&
6. That all appoin meats, however, in7te of late, be
I annulled.

6. That all the unfortuna to people transported to Africa
ahnuld be restored to their country sea to their families.
7. Ia ease of the Queen's aoseptisg these conditions, the
British government will use its utmost efforts to procure
general adherence to her government.
Our correspondent, in his letters to tho 21st, repre-
sents the Queen as hesitating to accept these condition&
And he also represents Count Mello, at the head of
the insurgent force south of the Tagus, as about
to adrance towards Lisbon on that aide.
Some of our cotemporaries, however, state that
Mello had reached the left bank of the Tagus, and
menaced Lisbon; that the Queen had changed her''
ministry, according to their counsels; and t.hat the I
British marines had landed.
Unless this news has been brought direct by
despatches to the government, we should say that,
considering the dates, this requires confirmation. A
report of this nature was current in Paris, but re-
ferred merely to the occurrences of the 11th and
12th. The Queen had then asked for aid of the'
British admiral, and it had been promised for the
protection of her Majesty's person. Nay, the admiral
promised to land marines to nave the palaces from
fire ; in pursuance of which a steamer anchored off
the quay near the Necessidades, and the Canopus
anchored opposite the War-offise.

BERLIN, Arm. 21.

Before I resume (as promised in a recent commu-
nication) the analysis of the memorable debates in
the United Diet on the address in reply to the king's
veech, I cannot avoid referring to the truly remark-
able change which has been suddenly effected in the
public mind since the publication of the report of the
discussion. During two or three dars after the king's
speech had been delivered, the public appeared hilt
afraid and half unwilling to pronounce an opinion
respecting it. Certain Mena of dissatisfaction, it is
true, were manifested, but it was quite apparent, even
to the casual observer, that the good people of Berlin
deemed it prudent to keep their thoughts as much as
possible to themselves; or, if they did give utterance
to them, to communicate them only to parties with
whom they were well acquainted. And now what a
change ! In the cafes, in the celebrated Condaoreien
and Bieralmben of this capital, in the reading rooms,
and more particularly in the admirable Berliner Zei-
ttings-Halle (the resort of the journalists and
literary men of Berlin), opinions on the king's speech
and on the various political questions of the day are
expressed with a frankness and a warmth that re-
mind one of old England. If the United Diet lead
to no other result than that of having aroused the
public mind, and of having infused into it a'
lively sympathy for the p.tlitical and social develop-
ment of this powerful monarchy, it will have already
effected much good. I must hasten, however, to add,
that whilst various opinions respecting the king's
speech aro openly and fearlessly circulated, all allu-
sions to his Majesty himself are couched in terms of
respectful and even affectionate attachment.
To return to the debates, it must be stated that a'
remarkable discourse was pronounced by the Baron
Von Vinare. He objected to the address, as drawn
up by the committee, and to the amendment, or ra-
ther to the alterations proposed by Count Von Arnim,
principally on the ground that his Majesty required
no answer by mere words, but by deeds. It would
be useless (he said) to refer to the example of con-
stitutional countries in that respect, for Prussia was
not a constitutional kingdom. In the former there
existed a responsible ministry, who would be main-
tained in power by a favourable address, and ejected
by an adverse one. The speaker then proceeded to
point out several omissions in the patent of
February 3rd, with reference to the provisions
of former laws, and denied that the convocation of the
diet, in times of war, is order to vote supplies, would
be a matter of great difficulty ; " but," added the
Baron, " if it be really impossible in war time to as-
semble the diet, another expedient may be devised, as
is the custom in that fortunate country whose system
of government is the result of centuries of experience
and of =paralleled hereditary wisdom (eine
Er-bevel:ha ohnegkiehen). There the ministers do not
fear, under such imperious circumstances, to risk their
heeds for the safety of their country, and, subse-
quently, to apply to the representatives of the people
for a bill of indemnity, which would not be withheld.
That is the legal way of proceeding. Such an excep-
tion must be made only under circumstances of the
most stringent necessity, and mast not be made a
rule." The speaker was proceeding to argue against
the presentation of any address whatever to the King,
when he was interrupted by the marshal, who In-
formed him that the diet bad already resolved to
present one, and that it could not revoke
that decision. After considerable discussion between
the speaker and the marshal of the diet, the former
resumed his seat.

The royal commissioner of the diet remarked he
had often heard his Majesty state that he would as-
semble the diet incase of war. With respect to the
last speaker's observations regarding the heads of mi-
nisters, he (the commissioner) could not state that the
members of the government were not disposed to adopt
the plan set forth in the baron's speech ; for it was
not they, but the supreme head of the state, who con-
tracted national debts. That made all the difference.

Herr Mewieeen, after denying that the patent of
Feb. 3, conferred on the diet greater powers, with re-
spect to taxation, than had been promised by former
laws, and after quoting certain facts in proof of his
assertion, remarked that the diet had a noble mission
to fulfil—that of restoring the troubled harmony be-
tween prince and people.
Herr Milde descanted on the disadvantages of no-
minating a lesser out of a greater body, and of making
over to the former all the powers of the latter, as pro-
vided by a portion of the royal patent of February 3.
Whea he first read that patent, he asked himself
whether it was a law which would give general
satisfaction to the people, and he was compelled to
answer " no." He concluded by opposing Count
Von Arnim's amendment.

The Prince Von Wied suggested that it would be
advisable to insert in the address a paragraph, humbly
begging his Majesty to take into consideration the
possibility of assembling the diet periodically.
Herr Conze next rose, and was proceeding to read a
long. speech in favour of the amendment, when he
was interrupted by criessf "No reading." The mar-
shal of the diet observed (somewhat uneeremon;ously),
that if the hoe. member could not deliver his discourse
without reading it, the beat thing he could do was to
remain silent. The hon. member immediately sat
down, amidst much laughter.
Herr Naumann maintained that all the promises
set forth in former laws bad been fulfilled in the
patent of the 3d February, and that, although the
diet had been divided into three parts, each of those
sub-divisions partook of the nature of an imperial
assembly, inasmuch as it emanated from the provincial
states. The hon. member concluded a long speech
(in which he endeavoured to meet all the objections
raised against the patent) by declaring his intention
to vote for the amendment.

H.R.H. the Prince of Prussia.—We have heard
that it has been said that the ordonnanoes [of
February 3) proceeded from the distrust en-
tertained by the king's council. By virtue of
my birth, I am the first subject of the
king, and by virtue of the royal confidence, his
first councillor. As such I solemnly declare, in my
own name and in that of the other members of the
council [here all the members of the government rose
from their natal, that no distrust insinuated itself
into the breast of any one of us, when we were dis-
cussing those ordonnances. But there was one prin-
ciple that we did enforce, viz., that the rights and
liberties of the states should not be guaranteed by
those ordonnances at the expense of the liberties and
rights of the crown. It was in accordance with that
pnnciple that I took part in the work in question,
and I cannot suffer the reproach to pass unnoticed
that distrust existed on the part of the crown or the
cabinet

The debate was brought to a close by the rejection
of the amendment of Count Von Arnim, and the
adoption, by a majority of 3-‘7, of the address of the
committee, with some unimportant alterations is
certain parts, as proposed by Herr Auerswald. It
may be added, that the two extreme parties (it is
difficult to give them characteristic names at present
—but perhaps the " ultra-loyalists" and the " ultra-
liberals" will do) were equally defeated.
Some disturbances of rather a serious nature took
place this morning in the markets in this city, in
consequence of the exorbitant price asked for
potatoes. According to the Allgemei e Preussisclie
Zeitimg of this evening, large quantities of corn
(purchased by government) win shortly arrive in
this city.
P.S. The disturbances were renewed this evening,
and at the time I write this postscript, 9 p.m., there are
large crowds assembled in one of the leading squares.

BELGIUM.—BRUSSELS, APRIL 15.—The state of
the young crops is ttott eatisfeetery, and great hopes are en-
tertaintd of the coming harvest being an abundant one.
RUSSIA.— ODESSA, APRIL 2. The governor-
genera! recently called a meeting of the principal merchants
of the place, to reads letter from the emperor, contradicting
the reports of a prohibition on the exportation of grain, and
stating on the contrary, that all obstacle to the exportation
of that article of food sbould be removed. The letter con-
cluded by calling upon the merchant* of Odessa to keep the
prices of grain as lute as possible. The gevcinor.general
reilucsted the merchants to send a reply to the emperor.—
DebaU.

rig court.
The Queen gave a juvenile party yesterday after-
noon, at Buckingham Priam, in celebration of the birthday
of H.R.H. the Princess Alice. Her Majesty the Queen
Dowager, and 11.11..11. the Duchess of Kent, arrived at four
o'clock. The nobility and gentry, who had been honoured
with invitations, arrived at four o'clock at the palace, aomm-
',allied by the juvenile members of tkeir respective families.
The Queen and Prince Albert, with their mina visitors,
entered the library, where the juvenile guests had assembled,
accompanied by the Prince of Wales, Frince Alfred, the
Princess Royal, and the Princess Alice. Mr. Span had the
honour of exhibiting his Marionettes, and Mr. 'Henry Bar-
nard had the honour of attending, and performed appropriate
music on the rian,forte. The Hungarian instrumental
vocalists, Messrs. Weiss, Zorn., Schwarts, and Grunzwag,
had also the honour of performing for the gratification of the
illustrious party. Refreshments were afterwards served in
an adjoining saloon. The band of the Grenadier Guards
was in attendance on the terrace in front of the library.
Her Majesty and Prince Albert honoured the per-
formance of the Philharmonic Concert with their pr exece
yesterday eveni,.g. The Royal suite consisted of the Coun-
tess of Charlemont, Hon. Mew Kerr. Hon. Miss Cavendish,
the Lord Chamberlain, the Earl of Morton, Lord George
Lennox, Major the Hon. Robert Boyle, Captain Francis
Seymour, Major-General Wensyss, and Colonel Bouvcrie.
H R.H. the Duchess of Kent, attended by Lady Augusta
Bruce, Sir George Conner, and Lord James Murray, also
honoured the performance of the Philharmonic Concert with
her presence.
- - —•

Lord Ashley had an interview with Sir George
Grey yesterday at the Home-office. Lord George Hill hod
en interview with the Earl 01 Clarendon yesterday, at the
office of the Board of Trade. Mr. Montgomery Martin had
an interview with Lord John Rumen yesterday, at his offi-
cial residence in Downing-street. Mr. Wickham, chairman
of the Stamps and Taxes, had an interview with the Chan-
cellor of the Exchequer yesterday, at his official residence in
Downing-street. Boron de Goldsmid, Earl Bathurst, and
Sir J. had interviews with Sir George Grey yes-
terday. Mr. Dennittoun and Mr. Augustus Craven hail in-
terviews yesterday with the Earl et Clarendon.
The ecclesiastical commissioners for England had
• committee meeting yesterday.
Despatches from the Governor of the Cape of Good
Hope were received yesterday at the Colonial-office.

SHANSPEARE SOCIETY.—The sixth annual meeting
of the members of this society, established for the printing
and distribution of works illustrative of Shabpeare and his
contemporaries, was held yesterd ty at the rooms of the
Royal Society of Literature, St. Martin's-place, Trafalgar-
square. Mr. J. Payne Collier presided. The council, in
their report, stated that if the growth of the society during
the past year had not been so rapid as formerly, it had arisen
out of the council's desire to give to the subscribers the utmost
that could be expected for the annual payment. It had been
originally intended that the latest work of the last year should
have been the first of the present ; but, on consideration, it
was held that the state of the funds would allow the
issue of another volume for the subscription of 1816 ;
and in consequence the issue of the first book for 1847 was
unavoidsbly delayed. It would, however, be found that, at
the close of the year, the number of publications had not
been diminished. They had last year reported the fact,
that the Duke of Devoiekire had placed at the di.posal of
the society a series of valuable sketches by Inigo Jones, il-
lustrating the court entertainments of James I. and Charles 1.,
from which fae-similes had lately been taken, and the letter-
press work confided to the members of the council, Mr.
Peter Cunningham furnishing a memoir of the artist from
new and original sources. Mr. Planchd had undertaken the
costume department, and Mr. Collier had promised a court
drama of the time, to which some of the drawings apply,
from theorieinal manuscript; besides superintending tkrough
the press the two masques of Ben Jonson in his own hand-
writing, preserved in the Bri ish Museum. The council
honed that the work would be included in the subscription
of the current year. The receipts of the society teethe past year
amounted to 6931. 16s. ad., and the payments to 4411. 165.,
thus leaving a balance of 2521. ISs. 2d. The report was
adopted, and was followed by the election of six new mem-
bers to the council.
MIDDLESEX HOSPITAL.—ID consequence of the
recent inquire into the management of the above hospital,
H.R.H. toe basks of Cambridge visited the establishment
yesterday, and inspected the various departments. It is un-
derstood that, in reference to this visit, his royal hidhneas
' will be present at the next especial court.
INQUESTS, YESTERDAY.—PLIYING WITH MA-
cxtxaay.—By Mr. Bedford, at the Plough, Carey-street,
on the body of Timothy Lawler, aged 13. The deceased
worked with his father, at Bulfield's Papier Machil Works,
Wellingtonetreet North, &rand, and on the afternoon of
the 13th inst., while alone in the room in which he was em-
ployed, he imprudently began playing with some steam ma-
chinery, by thrusting hisnght hand between two iron rollers
revolving at full speed, grinding paper to a pulp, and before
he could withdraw it, the rollers had drawn his arm in as
far ea the shoulder. His screams brought assistance, and the
engine was instantly stopped ; but the machinery bad to be
taken to pieces before It could be extricated, when it was
shockingly mutilated. He was removed to King's
Collage Hospital, where, subseqw.ntly his arm was
amputated, aiid he died on Friday last from the
effects of the injury. Verdict, "Accidental death.".—
A NEWLT-BORN CHILD DISCOVERED IN HAT.—By Mr.
Higgs, oa Saturday, at Edmonton, on the body of a new-
born female child. It appeared from the evidence that on
Tuesday last, John Raynham, a carter in the employ of Mr.
Burnett, of East-pole Farm, Edmonton, purchased a load
of dung in Milton-yard, Cloudesley.terrace, lalington,which
be threw up into his cart, and on his return home be shot
the contests into one of his master's meadows, where it re-
mained until Thursday afternoon, when on one of the ferns-
labourers turning the heap over, he discovered in the miidle
the body of a full-grown female child, fresh end recently
born. The police were made acquainted with the circum-
stances, and the body was examined by Mr. Hammond,
surgeon, but that gentleman could give no decided opinion
as to the precise cause of death. The jury re.tarned a verdict
in accordance with the medical testimony.