The Express.
London, England, 1853-06-23 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, THURSDAY EIiENINO, JUNE 23, 1553.

the House of Commons. Great and small prin-
ciples in that hall of hereditary parties 'and inter-
changeable opinions are like pieces and pawns at
chess; sometimes men play with the black, at other
times with the white; but the fortune of the game
depends not upon the colour of the temporary prin-
ciples with which they play, but upon the dexterity '
with which they are advanced and withdrawn.
Such is the result of the system whereby some men
appoint themselves or their sons and brothers to
sham the part of elected and responsible representa-
tives of the people—whereby others buy their Kati
by open bargain from the privileged brokers whom
the great aristocratic factions employ for the
purpose—and whereby others are enabled to
force their way into the Legislature by the
unscrupulous and unchecked use of local and per-
sonal intimidation. In every degree and in every
form we have seen these beauties of the present sys-
tem laid bare during the last few months; yet we
have beheld every effort to apply a remedy scouted
with indignation by tho nominees of bribery and
bullying. Not a single prosecution has been ordered
—not an isolated example has been made. A few
writs were at first suspended and a few commissions
of inquiry instituted ; but the inconvenient precedents
thus set were speedily over-ruled, and now all goes on
with impudent impunity as before. And by way of
preventing the possibility of any general measure of
Parliamentary purification being introduced betimes
next year, the colleagues of Messrs. STAFIVIID,
MACKENZIE, and BERESIORp graveiy propose that
nothing should be done this session regarding India
reform, but that next session should be specially devoted
thereto. A very obvious and consistent course this,
unquestionably, for those who feel that it is the
interest above all things of the faction to which they
belong to stave off electoral reform. So long as
they were in office and hoped to remain there,
they had no occasion to fear the approach of such
an event. The door was shut, and they
believed that they had the key in their
pocket. But now that they arc upon the wrong
side of the door, and the key is in the custody of one
who once before made use of it to admit the people—
the Tories begin to take all sorts of measures "to
stop the way." Tney are all for reform, but it is in
India, not in England. Corruption and oppression
on the banks of the Ganges have, they are ready to
declare, touched their sensitive hearts, and stung
their collective consciences to the quick—but it is
only when the manifestation of philanthropy is
likely to stifle irksome questionings as to the cor-
ruption and oppression perpetrated on the banks of
the Thame3 and the Humber.

For the sake of India itself nothing can be so de-
sirable—let us say rather so indispensable—as a
permanent and thorough amendment in the repre-
sentation of the United Kingdoms. Until that is
secured no real or vital change will be accomplished
in the government of India. The increased power
and patronage which must be vested in the minister
of the day, if it be taken from the Board of
Directors, will run every risk of being
abused until that minister feels that he is
accountable to a house composed of men
who are themselves responsible to really independent
constituencies. Every sound hope of India reform
rests upon the supposition that we are about to obtain
reform of Parliament, for without the latter the
augmented authority and influence of the Supreme
Executive at home can afford no guarantee for a
healthier and honestcr administration in Hindostan.
In the interim, it may be well to take preparatory
steps towards breaking up the old network of
walversation, secresy, and jobbing ; and in this
sense the ministerial scheme bad as it
is—is certainly better than nothing. In
the main the recommendation of the bill of Sir
CHARLES WOOD lies in the fact of its being essen-
tially and all but confessedly a Continuance Bill.
Under it no new lease of power is granted to Leaden-
hall-street. Under it the pyramid of India jobbery
will rest upon a basis of sand. Agitation for India
Reform is only yet in its infancy, and will grow and
strengthen until full justice is done to the millions of
our fellow-subjects in the East, and its growth will ever
be, as it has ever been, fostered in these columns. The
pro tern. measure of the Coalition affords time for more
complete and searching inquiry into the actual plight
of the people, and the actual progress of the country
under English rule. It must be the duty of a new, and
we trust a very different parliament to act upon the
results of such inquiry two or three years hence.
Meantime it seems unlikely that the scheme o
Young Derbyism will be successful. Lord STANLEY'S
Tory counsel is not likely to be followed, and the
House of Commons not likely to throw out the
present bill—unless they could get a better.

ON Thursday last Prince ALBERT laid the founda-
tion stone of the new Asylum for Idiots at Earlswood.
The occasion was one of deep interest, on various
grounds; and there was a warmth of generous en-
thusiasm about the whole observance which distin-
guishes it from the multitude of charity meetings
which are crowded into the London season. We do
not refer to some of the peculiarities° f the ceremony,
which are matters of moral taste, and admit. there-
fore, of difference of opinion and feeling: such as the
three cups of corn, oil, and wine, the contents of
which were sprinkled on the stone; and the pro-
cession of four hundred ladies, who deposited on
the stone each a purse containing five guineas. Nor
will he speak of the ardour of feeling about the sen-
sible and good-natured Prince who presided ; nor bet-
ter still about the thoughts and feelings of the
multitude who came together on behalf of the most.
wretched sufferers, who lie wallowing in mental
helplessness in the centre of our society. The
thoughts of many must have been ot the fate of such
in ancient times, when the helpless were deserted—
left to perish by exposure, because nothing could be
done for them, and the spectacle of their misery was
too much for the sensibilities of their happier
brethren. And the feelings were of joy and grati-
tude, that a better light has arisen to guide us in
their treatment. It is like a new life that we have
learned to befriend, rather than destroy the helpless ;
that the deformed, and the deprived, and the deficient,
and the very idiots of society, are aided, ou account
of the very misery that once doomed them to de-
struction. It is cheering to think how Christendom
is all planted over with asylums for their solace ; and
yet more, with schools for their training: that the
blind are taught to act, and the deaf to understand
and communicate; and the idiots to become capable
of something, however little. We have learned, by
means' of efforts against hope, that there is hardly
one of this most desperate class who has not some
faculty or other that may be educed and trained.
We find that some have mechanical ability ; some, a
great faculty of numbers ; some, powers of memory,
which save them from utter listlessness and blank ;
and nearly all a faculty of imitation which renders
them more or less teachable. We haw; learned that
their health and their habits are susceptible of im-
provement, which intercepts much suffering to
themstives, and much disgust to others. NVithin
the last quarter of a century several schools and
asylums hare been opened on the Continent ; and
now we are to hare one of our own. The occasion is
fully worthy of all the enthusiasm which was
excited by the proceedings of Thursday last. This
is tho second phase of idiot life. But there
is a third, and a far more noble one, which we need
not wait for posterity to institute. As the human

~11,

race advances in its eternal progress the intervals
between its great sieges seem to become shorter. In
the present case there need be no interval at all. There
need not be the delay of a single day in our pre-
=ding to the final stage—of striving for the aboli-
tion of idiocy altogether.
The progress of science, and especially physiologi-
cal science, has shown us—if only we all shared the ,
knowledge—that idiocy is seldom on unavoidable '
accident in human existence, but in the majority of
cases, if not in every case, the result of causes which
are preventible. Physicians who have duly attended 1
to the subject have informed us—and we wish the
fact could be made known over the whole civilised
world—that if we all did our plain duty, it might pro-
bablytake only three generations to abolish idiocy
almost entirely. Five years ago, the Legislature of
Massachusetts sent out a commission to inquire into I
the statistics of idiocy in their state, and to advise 1
measures for the treatment of the social calamity. The
result, as set forth in the Report of the Commission,
first appals the reader, and finally inspires him with
a hope new to human aspiration—old as human as-
piration is in the world. The appalling part is the
extent of the evil. The number of idiots iu the '
State of Massachusetts—a State in which there is a
higher average of intelligence and virtue than in
most societies—is above Lan); that is, more than
one in six hundred of the population. This is the
very lowest computation ; and there is reason to fear
that it is too low. The cheering part is, that nearly
all the cases are distinctly traceable to re-
movable causes. By far the greater num-
ber are congenital cases. Of those that are
not, the evil may be called morally congenital.
The children are born of parents who give them no
moral chance, but corrupt them in infancy with
drink and other vice, destroying the action of the
tender brain before there was any possibility of self-
rule, and converting intelligence and activity into
stupidity and paralysis. Of the absolutely congeni•
tal cases, almost the whole are the offspring of
drunkards, or of diseased parents, or of marriages
between blood-relations. Of the lowest class of
idiots, not one quarter were found to be the off-
spring of temperate parents. Out of 359 cases
which were closely investigated, all but four were
found to be the children of parents who had, one
or both, disobeyed the natural laws of health, and
brought themselves into a scrofulous condition, or
a disposition to brain disease, or had married blood
Irelations. At least one twentieth of the cases
of idiocy in the whole State, where these mar-
riages are not more common than with us, were
the result of the marriage of relatives. Such mar-
riages are supposed to be in the proportion of one in
a thousand ; and the amount of idiocy to be charged
to them is therefore seen at a glance to be out of all
1 proportion to that which results from other marri-
ages. From seventeen such marriages there were
ninety-five children, of whom no less than forty-four
were idiotic—to any nothing of those who were de-
formed, deaf, blind, and unhealthy. While we arc
struggling to preserve the old theological prohibition
against marriage a ith a wite's sister, against which
there is no natural law, we are taking no heed to
nature's loud prohibition of unions between blood-
relations, because no theological speculation has pre-
vented their being legalised with us. The error has
arisen through ignorance—the same ignorance I
which has made our legal description of idiocy and
lunacy too absurd to bear the light of science. I 1
By science we must amend both the one and
1 the other. The old English law declares that "Per-
i sops who are non contpos mentis are idiots ; " that '
those who cannot count twenty pence are idiots; and
I those who cannot tell their age, or who are their'
fathers and mothers: and again, that "a man shall
not be called an idiot if he has the understanding to
; learn or know letters ; " or " to learn by the instrue-
I tion of another." Yet are there among us idiots who
beat all .their neighbours in mental arithmetic;
others who read and write all day long, without any
understanding of what they arc doing; and others,
who can be taught, not only mechanical arts, but a
certain amount of intellectual action. These old
failures at description, and the mismanagemen
founded on them, arise from the metaphysical pre
possession of the unity of the mind, which leaves no
room for the admission of the fact that the mind is
i an aggregate of powers, some of which may be strong
in various degrees, while others are wholly or al-
most deficient. And the violation of physiological
conditions is owing to a similar ignorance which may
be amended from this day forward, now that our
brethren in Massachusetts have furnished us with
facts which must set us thinking.
There are active causes of idiocy among us, which
are happily absent in their new country. A few
cases of cretinism occurring in certain localities in the
United States drew immediate attention, and were
found to result from unfavourable circumstances of

abode—want of good air, and water, and light. Our
Liverpool cellars of a few years ago furnished us
with warnings of the same kind. In the abundant
space of the new country across the Atlantic: the
instances were few, and they were immediately
taken in hand. There is no prevalent practice there
of living over-crowded in dark places, pestiferous
with drains, and supplied with feculent water. The
drunkenness remains a fearful evil with them, ex-
cept in the states and territories which have adopted
the Maine Liquor Law. We have the drunkenness,
and the other evils too. They have a few cases, ac-
cording to this Report, of poorly-fed workpeople,
whose children and grandchildren swell the numbers
of idiots and infirm ; but the cases are scarce, in
comparison with ours. As they exist, we aro glad
to know of them, as a warning to ourselves. Do
not all these facts, with a multitude more furnished
by the Massachusetts Report, indicate to us the third
phase in the history of Idiocy? And does not the
ceremony of Thursday last afford the stimulus to
make use of our new knowledge? All honour to
those who subscribed the 10,0001. for the new Asylum
in the course of that memorable day. They
have begun a good work, illustrative of the second
phase of this touching history, and we hope they will
have their reward in seeing the bowed head raised
in " lifting up the hands that hang down, and
strengthening the ftcblc knees ;" in witnessing
the first gleam of intelligence steal over the benighted
countenance, and a human viiileur taking the place of
animal grossness. We hope they will see their school-
rooms filled with amused scholars, and hear the hymn
resound in their chapel, and the cheerful laugh in
their play-ground. Hut there are many who have not
silver and gold to give to this cause, who, giving
what they have, may give more and better.
There are few of us who cannot do some-
thing towards improving the sanitary condi-
tion of society, either themselves, or by moving
those who have more power. Every inlet of
pure air, every gush of pure water, every re-
moval of a nuisance, every discouragement of intern-
perance, all communication of the special knowledge
required, all furtherance of general education, goes
to lessen the number of future idiots; and never was
there, and never will there be, a case in which pre-
vention was more obviously better than alleviation.
In three generations, if we were wise, idiocy might
be precluded. In three generations: Ours would
be a happy one it' we could make our children the
first of the three. 'rho work must, be individual
at the outset ; that is, every one should set about
it. We are gratified at acing an asylum founded for
the reception of an extremely small proportion of

our idiots. Let us help posterity to the gratification
of haring no idiots to put into any asylum.

TURKEY.

A telegraphic despatch, with intelligence dated
Constantinople, June 13, states that the British fleet
had arrived at the Dardanelles. The French tket
was at Tenedos. Baron Bruck, the Austrian inter.
tettlicio, had leached the Dardanelles.

We have correspondence from Constantinople, re-
ceived via Ga!atz, to the 9th inst. The Ilatti Sheriff
for confirming the rights of the Greek Christians was
solemnly delivered to the Greek Pat t iarch on the 714
inst., in presence of a number of notables of the Greek
church, at the Ministry of Foreign A trairs. It is said
to contain all the substantive stipulations which
Prince Nlenchikoff demanded should be embodied my
diplomatic act. M. Balabinc, Secretary of Legation,
left behind by Nl.ozeroff with the commercial chancery,
received a copy of the document on the 4th, three
days before it was promulgated, and left next day,
Sunday, for Otle,sa, to bring it to the knowledge of
Prince Nlenchikott. On the 9th he returned on
board a Russian war steamer carrying a merchant
flag, which was still at anchor when the mail left.
It was believed by many that the steamer was to
carry away the residue of the Russian embassy, but
this was but conjecture.
On the 6th inst. a tiro broke out in the Custom-
house and destroyed all the business offices, but not
the warehouses mid stores.

The excitement of the people was on the increase,
andithe government was straining averynerve to pre-
pare for war.
A correspondent writes:
CONSTANTINOPLE. J ems 9.
The preparations for war continue. The enthusi-
asm of the people is at its height. It is every.
where heard from the mouths ut the citizens Is
is not we who fear war, but our Pachas. We are
ready for war with the ltussiamt. We arc ready to
' put an end to their interference and encroachments
upon the rights of our nation." This is the language
of the Turkish people. This is the language of
public opinion at this moment ; and it has such an
influence upon the government that, whether they
desired it or nut, they would be forced into the
activity of preparation.
But their preparations are really upon a most
respectable scale. The following items you may
rely upon.
One hundred and sixty thousand redifs have been
called out. These re difs are a militia, but of a far
different character from what is termed a militia
either in England or the United States of America.
Each rcdif is in reality a trained soldier, who, after
having seen five years' sere ire in the regular army,
has been permitted to return to his home with the
condition of his being call«I into service whenever
required. There aro full 300,0(5) of these militia
soldiers in Turkey, and the it spirit and efficiency is
unquestionably good. A single incident—which oc-
curred at the time when Kossuth took refuge in
Turkey—may give some idea of the prompt and
patriotic character of these men. While the "extra-
dition question " was going on, orders were issued to
assemble an army of 40,000 rcdifs at a camp in Roll.
melia. This order was issued in the form of an
invitation or volunteer summons. In two weeks
from the date of its issue, no leas than 120,000 mils
were upon the ground, and ready for action. The
same spirit animates them at the present crisis; and,
no doubt, far more than the number called for will
voluntarily offer their services to the government.
With the 160,000redirs thus summoned, the effective
army in European Turkey will be 360,0(5) men.
The exiled chief of Kurdistan (a fine old man,
and held in high esteem by all who know him) has
offered 45,000 Koords to the Turkish government.
These are all cavalry, and excellent soldiers.
The Pacha of Egypt has made an offer of 40,000
troops—all trained soldiers.
Prince Alexander Kura Georgevies, of Servia, has
tendered his contingent of forty thousand mon, con-
sisting of the Servians—one of the finest races is
Europe—and the hardy and warlike Albanians and
Ai names. Prince Alexander is a Christian; so arc
his people; yet, notwithstanding the intrigues of
Russia by means of religious emissaries, the instincts
of these people have guided them ; anti they are de-
termined, in case of war, to range themselves on the
side of the Turks. The very tact of this feeling in
favour of Turkey, of which they are only nominally
a part, shows that there can be no ground fur the corn-
plaints about Christian oppression so loully trumpeted
by Russia and Austria. K'e'ith these contingents the
Turkish army employed against the Russians will
he near upon 480,000 men. Mehemet Ali Pucha, the
Seraskier (war minister) of the Empire, and
the brother-in-law of the Sultan is appointed
Commander-in-Chief. Ilis energy of characer
is well known. He has accepted the office of
Commander, and has already entered upon its
duties with activity. He has left Constantinople,
and by way of Varna proceeded to the Danube,
along the line of which he intends to inspect the dif-
ferent corps and fortifications. On the morning of
the sth of June his staff left Constantinople, direct
for Schumla. Schumla is the head-quarters of the
right wing of the Turkish army.

FRANCE.
PARIS, WEDNESDA.T ErENING.
Opinions are much divided es to the true practical
interpretation of M. de Nesse'rode's circular. Some
think it betrays an anxious desire to negotiate, and
are of opinion that so much labour would not have
been bestowed upon argument if it were intended to
fight. Others, looking closely to the text and dis-
carding hazardous conjectures, see in it a plain and
unqualified declaration that, if the Porte will not
submit to the Menchikoff ultimatum, Russia will
seek to compel her acceptance of it by force of arms.
So far as the Bourse is concerned, the feeling excited
by the note is decidedly one of disappointment. In spite
of the prevailing indisposition to believe in the pos-
sibility of war, it is impossible not to see that tho
note leases no door open for a peaceable solution of
the crisis, except the humiliation of Turkey and the
abandonmeat of the position which her allies have
assumed. There is not a word from the beginning to
the end, suggestive of a disposition to listen to any
friendly opinions that might be offered by any of tho
powers which are to be made acquainted with the
contents of the circular. The whole scope of M.
do Nesselrode's argument is to show that Turkey
is in the wrong, to persuade the powers, two
of whom have sent their fleets to the Dardanelles,
that they have hitherto totally misunderstood the
question, and to exonerate the Emperor of Itussia
from the responsibility of the war which lie threatens
to commence unless his demands be " purely and
simply " complied with. It is remarkable that the
Russian government scorns to use the miserable
argument put forward by some of its advocates, that
the occupation of the Danubian principalities
under present circumstances would not be an act
of war. On the contrary, it being known that
this is the first hostile step which Russia is prepared
to take, the plain inference from one of the most im-
portant passages in the note is, that the Czar himself
will consider the invasion of those provinces the com-
mencement of war with Turkey. The note says that
after the expiration of the last eight days allowed
the Porte for final reflection, "his Majesty, however
much he will do violence to his conciliatory disposi-
tion, will find himself compelled to take measures
to procure by a more determined at :it tide (unc attitude
plus prenunct'e ) the satisfaction which he has hitherto
vainly eudeavourent to obtain by pacific means." The
phrase" altitude pus pron..ncje,"used as it is in centre-
dist inction to " Pacific ineans,"elearly means war. So
far the note is candid. The strongest part of the
case made by M. de Nesselrode, and argued by him
with that consummate ability with which the world
has long been familiar, is undoubtedly that
relating to the past conduct of Turkey in regard
to the Holy Places. He bitterly reproaches
the Porte for the concessions obtained by
France in favour of the Latins, to the prejudice
of the Greeks, and refers to the " innumerable acts of
weakness, tergiversation, and duplicity," which cha-
racterized the Ottoman authorities when the engage-
ments made with Russia should have been executed.
It is impossible to deny that the Sultan did alter-
nately play fast and loose With the Greeks and the
Latins. This conduct was the result of the deplora-
ble position in which he was placed by M. Lavalettes
ill-judged and short-lived triumph. M. de Nessel-
rode, however, now admits that \Then the affair
of the Holy Place was re-examined by
the Porte in consequence of Prince Nift!'
clultiatre demands, France manifested " a spent

v., air conciliation" during the negotiations, and the Padre if ewitawadad in keeping the asssilants for
et o : souse t.ime at bayole ; asi a few having combed over the end
-Iplumed s. desk in front, attacked he Padre in the rear. and
.1100,10. eanees*ions in such nistiner ns to fake
tleci the Note armee: of a V it:ory gained ()ler pushed
oos moment fur. violently
the
tcthurch, and saved him
g t• • ltu,st in worship, 111111 re-( atubliblied, by from furtherPinjutreyrtutisanedaicnutot :ieimheaadowainidsuainrostlvis:
wan. f •trt.e legitimate conqx nestiuns, the calm- the face. Too p dice eouiluctT
basement of the building, where he remained secure uuttil he
hod been bruken at the expense ,
of the litter." Indeed, bad nut Frahce *hewn this the arrival of the troops, when he was, under their escort,
of
tto the hotel. In the mean time, the Kr: ater part
cned:ahoy spirit, it would have lee en impossibleentrance
i, into the church, the
to hate ctrd any amicable settlement of the first, doors of whicheinwgerdieuiedt police,ni vented their
d wets at oac time ssipposed the main, q.t....i0n rage by thy:wing id'ouptiros protected hp
ldi s, hut a rum.oir
- been circulated that the object of their
by Prince Menchikeff, bemuse his demands hewing
veage.sucs had eca,ted, they withdrew without
with ft lint to the !tole Places were ierceoneileabk eti sting any further violence. Oa their way they met the
• tbe ioneessiane made to M. de Lavalette. But I
Apz,e.wbhicimtthheenyienhetred, and named along to the House
if ivy-i bail been disposed to imitate the moderation of session ; arriving opposite which, a
which she so jitily gives France credit in this I demand way.' made for, this appearance of George mown,
the member tar Kent, who, it was said, invited Gavassi
g a'ti I. *lie would r.ot, iminediatele after the sails-
here. A* the itub:!, did not accept their invitation to
fa ~t orringement of " a very difficult and very at
z.raml' 4 e outn
to them, they went home to their residences in
thotay question," have pressed—and have pressedw mid, and the city assumed its usu .1 quiet
nuxuti r with that uotintiusly menacing tone end appearance in an hour or two. _ _ _ _
attitude for which no explanation, excuse, or npo-
logy is offered in the note- a totally new demand of
an i strain dinar,- character, trenching upon the lode-
pendeneerif theSultanarasovercign prince. The inter-
t", nee if one power in the internal Wars of another
,4.l eeti..nable in principle, and so dil.cult to recon-
cile *Ail modern notions of the laws of nations that
M. de Neiselrode, claiming fur Russia the full
lied free exereiee of those peculiar and
traditional rights or privileges which he has habi-
tually enjoyed in regard to the Greek subjects of the
Porte, iscuretrained to insist repes'edly on the main-
tenance of the oldie qn He claims tor the (peeks
the immunities and privi!eges they have enjoyed ab
a•div.. It would seem as if the rights of itussia
in Turkey ware not susceptible of any other defini-
tion than " such rights as have been of aforetime en-
joyed by her.' Now Russia professes to be satis-
fied u ith the last &man proceeding in theory front
the mere motion of the Sultan fur regula-
ting the religious privileges of his subjects, but
she requires,- tti addition, a solemn act as a guarantee
that this finnan shall not be altered. M. de Nessel-
ride says a " treaty," properly so culled, was never
demanded. Nlenchikolr at first asked for a conven-
tiin, then insisted upon a seised, and finally, ns the
climax of moderation, said ho would be contented if
the Sultan would " immediately" sign a " hole"
of his dictation. Each of these demands Turkey
successively refused to comply with fur rea-
sons touching her sovereignty and independence
which have been repeatedly 'rated. But she might
fairly have echoed Nessielrode's argument, and have
insisted on the stale pia. The rights, such as they
are, were customarily enjoyed under a tirman. To
alter the tenure of a meiely customary right, is es-
sentially to alter the states pas. Russia has no more
right to ask for a treaty, contention, sened, or note
to secure the rights of the Greeks, than a
copyhold tenant at will, "according to the
custom of the memo" would have to call
upon his lord to ensure him his estate by a deed
indented, instead of a simple copy of the court roll.
M. de Nesselrode indeed says that in principle (he
admits in principle only) a contention, or even a
treats-, such as he asks fur, is no new thing. and
wooi.el no more infringe uuam the sovereignty of the
Sultan than the "rysitirbitions already possessed
in Turkey by France and Austria." He
also says tnat Russia has a treaty in fact nlrrady,
for the treaty of Kaynareji passed in 1771 " suffi-
ciently implies a right of surveillance and remon-
strance" by Russia in regard to the Christian reli-
gion and the Greek Church. 'l'o all this
Turkey may still plead the data quo. If the treaty
of lin, nardji he sufficient there is no need of ants.
thee. If another be wanted it is a novelty, and on
that ground inadmissible. In defending himself
against the imputntioe of a desire to overthrow the
Ottoman ein2ire, M. do Neese lrode uses rather as
unfortunate argument for his case. He sass, that if
Russia had ever haremired such a design, she would
have executed it in P:311, when the European powers
were distracted by revolutions, and would have been
enable to mist. Now it is well known that in 1830
Resin was preparing to invade the Danubian
principalities, and postponed the scheme precisely
because the awakening of the revolutionary spirit in
Europe cut out so much work for her at home, that
she had not a soldier to spare from police duty.
'fhe insinuation in the note, that the present difficul-
ties hive been caused by France, althouch in a mea-
sure tree, is calculated t °exasperate the French govern-
ment. The Constitutionnei notices this fact today, and
protdiss to comment upon it to-morrow. None of
the other morning journals have any remarks upon
this important diplomatic document. Several of
then di not even publish it. It appears that doubts
have been entertained whether it would be safe to do
an, for the Issl.petatace Beige in which it was con-
tained yesterday was seized at the post-office.
It will be remembered that by an extraordinary
article in the *cameo.* CO»13141‘14111 of the 7th of No-
vember. I'l'2, the Emperor reserved to himself
power ever the members of his Own family,
which place them at his will, completely
beyond the pale of law. In fact, so sweep-
ing is the wording of the clause, the
Emperor has power of life and death over them.
Nothing has since occurred to show that the occasion
had arisen fur exercising these powers, but to-day the
Mowitrur contains a decree, filling several columns,
in pursuance of the sennerti eonsultum for the regn.
lotion of the imperial family. The issue of this
decree has given rise to a host of conjectures, and
many reports are afloat too scandalous to be here
repeated.
At the Bourse to-day a general decline in prices
took place, its farther progress apparently being
only arrested by the termination of business : the
Fourand-a-Hall per Cents. for cash declined 40e.,
and for the account 30e., whilst the Four-and-a-Half
per Cents. for money also fell 30c.; the Three per
Cents. for cash were more steady, and had even-
tually advanced 15c. In Bank of France shares there
was a decline of if. The final quotations were :
For cash : Three per Cents., 76.60; Four-and-a-
Holt per Cents., 101. For the account : Three per
Cents. 76.30 ; Four-and-a-llalf per Cents., 101.20 ;
Bank Stock, 2,663 f. Northern, 878; Paris and
Orleans, 1,046; Paris and Strasbourg. 890; Paris
and Lynne, 890; Paris and Rouen, 990 ; Lyons to
the Medit., 715; Western, 710; Rouen and Havre,;
Boreaux and Cette, 615.

_
Montreal, June 10.
The Montreal Herald of this morning contaius the foi-
lowing particulars ul the ri it and melancholy loss of life at
Father Govern's anti-catholic lecture at Ziou Church last
evening.
As advertised, Signor Gavarzi meta numerous audience in
Zion Church at half-past G o'clock p m. yesterday. Many of
our must reaps etable citizens, with their faindies, were pre-
sent. About half-past 7 o'clock we went to the door tif
the church, where we found Capt. Ermatineer, with a strong
posse of police, some 20 or 30 men, At this time, end for about
half an hour after, groups of wild, ragged-looking men were
assembled around the door of the church and at different
points between the church and WC:ill-street. We mixed
freely among th,eic people, and conversed with more than
one of th• w who were considered the leaders of the Irith
cathulie party. We were assured by them that they had
only come to the ground to use their influence to prevent a
disturbance, and that we might rest satisfied the lecture
would pass off quietly. We were not, however, satisfied
with the aspect of affairs, and remained on the ground. At
about is quarter to eight o'clock a band of ruffian., we
learn—for, although is eight, we were at too gr. at a dis-
tance to see more than that a general niche had taken place
—attacked and overpowered the police (Captain Erma-
tinger receiving a severe wound OR the head), and pro-
eeeaed to force their way into the :church, from which a
body of titeen or twenty repulsed them, several shuts front
guns ant pistols being fired trout b rth sides. The assault-
ing party were effectually routed; two or three of their
number were left dead or severely wounded on the ground,
but were shortly afterwards removed in cars by their
frien,te. Soon after this occurrence a company of the' 6th
Cairo ronians marched from Craig street, and were drawn up
between the engine-house and that street. All steered per-
fotly quiet, and rein Ont.] so until about • (pander past eight
o'cl.ek, at about which time the lecture was concluded, and
the audience inside the church had begun to !eaves for lone.
At this time the troops were marched across Ging-street,
and took the r position in two lines across Eadeyonde-street,
one line nearly opposite Zion's Church, arid the other some
hundred paces nearer Craig-street. A good deal of heating
and noise prevailed at this time, and on the WWI 'area
side of Craig-street some disturbance with the lowest line
of troops occurred, and two or three shots were tired; in
other riepects all seemed peaceable.
Wo were at this time at the corner of St. James-street
and street, and had a clear and distinct view of the
troops and of the people in their immediate vicinity.
There we saw no violence on the part of the mob—nothing,
Mac.d, but the people hurrying from the church—when, to
our utter astonishment, we heard and saw the troopw tire two
ilistiuct running volleys among the apparently, to us, peace-
able citizens. Thinking it high time to attend to our own
safety, we beat a rapid retreat from this apparent scene of
wanton and unaled for slaughter. This, we leel, is not
the tune to express the indignation with which we saw
British troops deliberately shoot down our peaceful and
on-
offending fellow citizens. We were too far off to ',peek
personally of the conduct of the mayor and of the officers
by whose orders they were oireeteil to fire, but if we are
correctly informed by those who were on the spot, there
was nothing whatever to justify so rash and cowardly a
encecdiog. We must not, however, prejudge their con-
duct on the occasion; but the blood of those who fill calls
luudiy for a prompt investigation into every circumstance
connected with the melancholy affair, and, apparently at
least. wanton massacre.

The following, so far as we have been able to ascertain,
is 'complete list of the fulled and wounded:—Peter Gil
lespie, clerk in Mr. Johnson's store, shot armlet ths head
with a musket ball, and mortally wouoded, although alive
when we lett (since reported dead) ; E. Crosby, clerk, a
relative of Mr. Tyre, of Tyre, Calquehon, and Co., shot
through the heart, and died instantly; James Hutchinson,
cousin of Mr. Ilumhinson, the builder, killed; Mr. Attains,
son of the City Councillor, shot through the lungs, and
mortally wounded; Mr. J. O'Neil, shot through the body,
and expected to recover ; Master Wallace, a lad of 14 years
of age, severely wounded; Mr. Clark, book-keeper at W.
Lyman and Co.'s, shot through the foot with a musket ball ;
Mr. Hibbert, of Long Point, also shot through the foot with
a musket ball; a lad, nephew of Mr. Jos. ph McKay, of St.
Paul-street, shot through the leg ; Mr. Patrick Guy,
shot through the heel with a musket ball ; Mr. Chip-
man, of the National Loan Fund, wounded in the
side ; Mr. McGrath, son of Thomas McGrath, shot
through the body, and killed; a Mr. Hudson,
stone cutter, was killed; a beautiful little boy, five, years
' old, was shot through the leg, and broke the bone ; Mr.
Stevenson, formerly of the Poet-office, wcs severely
wounded in the shoulder ; an unknown man was killed—
died in the house of Dr. M'Donuell. Mr. Sydney Junes
was slightly wounded by a musket ball in the hand. A lad,
whose name we could not learn, was at wounded as to
neees•itate the amputation of one of his legs in the Montreal
General Hospital, and is not expected to recover. Many
others, whom cases we could not learn, were more or less
injured. At the time we write, all is quiet in the city.
There is a strong guard of the Twenty-sixth regiment at
St. Ltwrence Hall, and at the Mayor's residence, and the
streets are patrolled by mounted artillerymtn.
June 10—Noon.
All is now quiet, but another disturbance is expected
to-night. Seven persons were killed hut evening, and six
mart Illy wounded ; ten were otherwise injured. There is
much excitement here. The Mayor is universally con•
demned for ordering the troops to fire without sufficient
cause. . - . . .

From California, by the arrival of the steam-ships
El Dorado and Prometheus, we have received papers
to the 16th May. The news of the mines is of the
most flattering character. The most extraordinary
feature of the news by this arrival is the proceedings
in the House of Assembly on the 2nd ultimo, when a
preamble, declaring that " Mexico has not hesitated
to violate the solemn treaty entered into with the
United States," and "hence we anticipate a speedy
war," was backed up by a resolution that a bill be
reported, " authorising certain persons to organise
10 companies of mounted men, without expense to
the state, and granting them the right to rtpair to a
spot within and near the line of this state where it
touches the river Oils, there to remain so long as they
choose at their own cost, or until a requisition shall
have bees made upon this state for troops, in the
event of a war with Mexico." The Oregon papers
contain nothing of general interest. Poi' tics ran
high, and much party bitterness prevailed.

THE UNITED STATES.
ARRIVAL OF THE ATLANTIC.
LIVERPOOL, WZDNieDAT MORNING.
A telegraphic summary of the following appeared
in yesterday's Erpreas :
"the United States Mail steamship Atlantic, Capt.
West, arrived in the Mersey last night from New
York, with advices from thence to the 11th inst.
She has also, besides the usual mails, brought 207
pamengera and 306,833 dollars in specie on freight.
On the 11th inst. the Atlantic passed the United
Mail steamer Pacific, 90 miles from New York. On
the 17th Inst. passed the Royal Mail steamer Nia-
gara, in tat. :'10.30 N., lon. 37 W.
Amongst the passengers by the Atlantic are Mr.
J. I'. Greaves, bearer of despatches from Wash-
.ngton ; Alderman Tiemann, of New York ; General
Peter Illansevoort and Judge Parker, of Albany.
.‘moogst professionals we see the names of Mr. and
Mrs. Augustus Braham, Miss Fitzpatrick, e,,lne-
diena,, and Mr. Allan Dodsworth, conduct3r of the
Musical Association. The Hon. James Buchanan,
new minister to the court of St. James's, had taken
berths in the Atlantic, but not being ready, has
transferred to the Arctic, the next Collin's steamer.
The British frigate Leander, with the Earl of
Ellesmere, commissioner from the English govern-
ment to the New York Exhibition, arrived at New
York on the 10th instant.

Serious riots riots have taken place at Quebec and Mon-
treal, consequent on the delivery of some lectures by
Father Oavazzi at these places. In the latter city
a number of lives were lost. The following are
some details of the occurrences at Quebec and Mon-
treal. In the latter city the riot, it will be seen,
ended fatally.
Quebec, June 7, 1853.
The lecture pmeeed'd quietly enough all about half
through, when tissarai charged the Boman catholic priest-
hood of Ireland as bring the promoters and the heads of
the Ilibaad Society in (reboil, when a voice immediately
under the pulpit sung out, " It's a lie ; the Roman catholic
clergy hare always put down and preached sw,ing ribaod-
i•m.' Shouts rose from ell parts of the building of Put
him out," and almost immediately a shout we, heard from
the outside, and soon after a rush was made into the church
by a dosen or two individual, who directed their
course immediately towards the pulpit. On the
steps of the puluit, the approach to which was
by a narrow passage on each side, the padre's secre-
tary sad some others were posted, and togethst with

THE EXPRESS, THURSDAY EVENING, JUNE 23, 1853.

LIST NIGHT'S DIVISION.

RECOVERY OF PERSONAL LIBERTY BILL.
Order for second reading read; motion made, and ques-
tion trroposed " That the bill be now reads second time :"
—amendment proposed, to leave out from the word
" That " to the end of the question, in order to ai.el the
words "it be referred to a select committee to consider
whether and what regulations are necessary for the better
protection of the inmates of establishments of a conventual
na'ure, and fur the prevention of the exercise of undue
ii_flavoce hi procuring tire alienation of their property,"
—(Mr. Phinn)—instead thereof :—Question put, " That
the words prupowd to be left out stand ;tart of the ques-
tion." The house divided: Ayes 178, Noes' 07.

AYES.
Aolioeby, 11. A. Cardr.er, Richard
Anson, I ton. Gene: al (iiiiil.toae,lll.l 1.0. W.
Atherton, 1, Mina Grier:en, Vii.c.
hail. y, trawsh.iy Giii,d-nan, Sir G.
B..ines, Itt. Ilta. M.T. ttailii, w)ndham
Will7Edward Gower, lion. F. L.
Ball. John Gr. ce,o. U. J.
}tains. Sir F. T. 0,1111111. sir J.
Ita.s, M.T. Creene, Joan
bell, James ()region, S motel
Bellew, Captain Grenfell, C. W.
Berkeley. C. L. G. Grerille, C. F.
Bethel', Sir Itlehard grey, Sir 0.
Wake, M. J. Hat field, George
BLind, L. 11. Ilannier, Sir J.
B .coyer. George Harcourt, U. G.
rally, John Iheite, Ai thiliald
Bran; 11 n. Henry Haver, W. U.
Bright, John Heard, J. I.
Brothri ton, Jisetb Heathy, D. O'er
Brown, W.Li gas 'tentage, ii. F.
Browne. V. A. Ilerberi, 11. A.
Brett, Lord Ernest Hervey, Lord A.
truce. 11. A. Heywood, Jmnei
Bulkeley. Sir R. B.W. Higgins, G. U. 0.
Bioko, sir T. J. Howard, Lord E.
Bpi; Hen. G. H. C. Hinchiris, E. J.
cartwrli„ Kt Ilini. E. Itatt, W.
Cavendish, lion. C.C. Ingham, Robert
Csyley, E. S. Jotib.tone, sir John
Charteris, Hon. F. .1011 e,. Darid
Cotihrtt, J. M. Keane), Hobert
Gekhurn, air A. J. E. Kennedy, Tristram
Cottle, Walter Ktodb,*WilliaM
(~C.ll, W. H. F. Kirk, William
Collier, N. P. Lahoucbere, Henry
Con illy, Thomas Lennon, J. IL
Cooly, Sir C. H. Lawless, Cecil
Corbady, M. E. Lawlsy, F. C.
Cowper, Hon. W. F. Loyard. A. H.
DAlryisple, Viscount Lewis, Slr T. F.
Denson, .1. E. Locke, Joseph Troll, George
ikot, J. D. Lowe, Robert Vane, Lord H.
I)evereux, J. 7. Lucas, Fred, rick Vansitt.irt, U. 11.
Daily, C. U. Mackinnon, W. A. Tillers, Kt. tin. C. P.
Duke, Sir J. Ill•Calin, James Vivian, J. E.
Dunne, 31 i‘hael 111'51sh.n, Patrick Vivi in, H. IL
Enst, Sir J. li. king.; W. IL Vali, C. B.
Mace, lit. Wm. E. Maguire, J. F. Walinidey, Sir J.
E.LiN, lion. J. E. Massey, W. N. Wilklusoo, W. A.
&awhile, John Matheeou, Alexander %Vilnius, B. M`titiis
Kw is, Witham 111,iths.on, Sir James Williams, William
Faxgerald, J. D. Meagher, Thomas i% then, James
Forster, Charlie Milton, Vi,oount Wood, Itt. Hs. Sir C.
Foriter, J ohs :doh ~worth, Sir %V. Wrightson, W. B.
Forteseue, C. Moork, Viscount loaug, Bt. Hu. Sir J.
Vu; It. M. Monsen, William
Fox, W. J. Moore, 0. H. TiLL/11.
Freentllll. Col. Morris, Darld
French, Y. Merlyn, E. M. L Chambers, T.
Irewen, C 11. Mulgrare, Earl of Inglis, the B. H.

Mure, Colonel
Murphy, F. S.
Murruugh, J. I'.
Nutley., Lurd
Nierrys, Mr D. J.
O'Brien, Patrick
O'Brien, sir Timothy
O'Flaherty. Anthony
thiburne, Ralph
Otw•r, A. J.
Paget, Lord A.
Ste G. B.
I'ee4 Ft.derick
Phillimore, J.O.
Pitidurture, K. J.
l'ittutt, Pruner.
ilkington, James
rollard.Urquoart, W.
Potter, Hobert
Price, su Robert
Rice, E. K.
Itobartee, T. J. A.
'tamed, Lord J.
Ru,ea, F. C. H.
Rua ell, F. W.
Batetr, James
rebut. bald, William
Scully, Franca
scully, Vincent
Seymour. Lord
Scimitar, W. U.
Shee,
Smith, J. A.
Strickland, Sir O.
Stoat, Kt. He. Edw.
Sullivan, Michael
Swift, Richard
'Toured, H. W.
nickname, K. A.
Thompson, George
'l'ownshenti Capt.

. _ .
NOES.
Arland, Sir T. D. Evelyn, W. J. Mitchell, T. A.
A'Coun, C. H. W. Esau, William MuffatLGeorge
Adderley, C. IL Farnham, E. B. Montgomery, Sir Or.
Anderson, Sir J. Farrer, Janes Moore, R. B.
Annesiry, Far: of Ferguson, Joseph Morgan, Octavio,
Ariaithuott, Csea. Pilmer, Sir E. Moody, William
Ardidall, Capt. M. Fatal oy, Hun. H. Alunta. G. F.
A, kw. hat, U. Floyer, John Naas. Lord
Asp' all. J. T. W. Vora*, Wm. Napier, Rt. Ha. Josh.
Batley, Sir J. L Forster, Sir 0. Nicht, Jain
Vaud. J. Freshrleld, J. W. Newdegate, C. N.
Baldock, E. IL Fuller, A. E. North, Col.
Sanwa, T. Gallwey, Sir W. P. Oakes, .1. 11. P.
Barrington, Viscount Gerken, J. M. Pakenham, Edward
Barrow, W. H. George, John Pekington, Sir John
haveson. T. Gladstone, Capt. Palmer, Ruben
Beetuick, Lord It. Gooch, Sir E. S. Palmer, Round.ll
Bestinck, G. W. P. (Jordon, Admiral Patten, J.,W.
Berkeley, Hon. C. F. U. re, W. U. Pellac, Apeley
Biiiihrpo, IL M. Graham, Lord H. W. Possontiy, Ilan. A. G.
Sim, W. Greaves, Edward Portal, Melville
Studien. J. F. B. Greene, Thomas l'owlett,'Lord Wm.
Stair, Cal. Grogan, Edward Prime, Richard
Iloldero, Col. Grosvenor, Earl Pritchard, John
lionhano.C.F.er, J. Gwyn, Howel Itaiherhion, P.P.
Rooth, sir R. 11. 1 1011, air Benjamin Holt, Peter
Bouverie, lion. E. P. Halsey, T. P. Sanders, George
Brine°. M. Hamilton, Lord Claud Sawle, C. B. G.
Brocklehurst, J. Humidor, J. H. &shell, Captain
lissake, sir A. B. liantairy,lin. C.S. B. Seahaut, Visa not
Bruce, C. L. C. Harcourt, Cul. Shelley, Sir J. V.
Luck, L. W. Hustle, Alexander !Whorl, Colonel
huller, sir J. T. Hays., Sir Edmund Mardi, sir Wiliam
Burrell, 84r C. M. Heedhom, T. E. Smyth, R. J.
Eurroughes, H. N. Henley, St Hn. J.W. Smyth, J. G.
Butt, O. M. Hildyara, It. C. Smollett, Alexander
Cairns, H. WC. 11111, Lord A. E. Somerset, Captain
Campbell, Sir A. L Hallam, lord Spooner, Richard
Comae, Sir J. R. Howard, Ho. C. W.O. fkulord, Augustus,
Chewier!, *alma, of Irton, sumuel Stanhope, J. 11.
Chaplin, W. J. Jackson, William Stanley, Lord
Child, Smith Johnstone, Janice Stirling, William
Cholniondelry,Lordli Jone., Captain Taylor, Colonel
Chriatepher, B. A. Kendal, Nicholas Thesiger, Sir P.
i Solon, Lord C. P. Ker, D. ti. Tollemache, John
Clive Erraert king, J. K. Trollop., Sir John
Cohlilahl, J. C. Kinoacote, R.N. P. Todway. B. C.
Cocks, T. C. Kionaird, Hon. A. F. Tyler, Sir tmorge
Codrington, Sir W. Knox, Wont! Tyrell, Sir J.'l'.
Coles, H. B. Kook, Hon. W. 8. Vance, John
Coniwoll, II C. Laing,SAMUei Verner, Sir William
r'orry, 11. L. Langton, 11.0. Walcott, Admiral
Cowan, Chairs Langton, W. 0. Walpole, 8. U.
Craufwd, E. 11. J. Leith, 0. C. Wale-h, Sir J. B.
Croak, Jo- ph LeODOX, Lord A. F. Walter, John
Cru•sley, Frank Leolie, C. P. Warner, Edward
Davie, Sir 11. R. F. Lindsay, ,Ilon. Col. West, F. R.
Davies, D. A. 8. Lockhart, Wm. Whitmore, Henry
Davison, Richard Long, Walter Winnington, sir T. E.
Dsraell, Benjamin Loper, Sir Ralph Wise, Ayshford
Dud, J. W. Larder., Pryer Wooild, S. T.
Duckworth, Sir J.T.B. Lowther, Capt. Wortley, J. EL
Dunes., George Mackie, John Wyndham, General
Duncondie,Hon.W.E. Mad:anus', Jan. Wyndham, William
Dunlop, A. M. MacGregor, John Wynn, Major IL
Du Pre, C. G. Molina, niched' Wynne, W. W. E.
Egertoe, Sir P. Mewl, Sir Henry TSLIALIPA
Egerton, W. T. Miles, Win. Minn. T.
Egerton, L C. Manes, R. M. Butt, Iwo
Elm.ey, Vim. Michell, Wm.
Mt kennel paired for, with Mr. Berkeley Portman against; Lord
Jocelyn paired for, with Mr. Joseph Hume against; Mr. Foley paired
for, with Mr. Kaechboll against.
Mr. George Dorados paired against the timber clause on Monday
night with Mr. Smith (Stockport) fa.

CHATHAM ELECTION.

CHATHAM, JUNE 22.

Tho polling commenced thin morning at eight
o'clock, and for a short time Admiral Stirling had a small
majority. Through the intervention of the gallant admiral
the whole of the labourers and artificers in the dockya►d
were granted a holiday. The polling was very brisk during
the first two or three hours, and by eleven o'clock nearly
the whole of the voters had polled. At that time the num-
bers were :
Vernon 648

Stirling

Majority for Vernon
From th 'Aims the votes were reeorded very slowly, and
at the clue of the poll the numbers were :
Vernon
Stirling

Majority for Vernon
This has been the closest contest that has ever taken
place in the borough of Chatham.