The Express.
London, England, 1867-01-30 00:00:00

FRANCE.

PARIS, JAN. 29.

Mr. Gladstone dined yesterday at the residence
of M. Rouher. He was to leave to-day for London.
The France of this evening entirely denies the
rumours current here that a want of harmony pre-
vailed among the French ministers relative to the
manner of carrying out the reforms of the 19th inst.
The Patrie says :—" We have reason to believe
that affairs in she East have assumed a more peace-
ful phew.,•

Amußars Faint JAPAN.—The Peninsular and
Oriental Steam Navigation Company's steamer Repent
brings from Yokohama, en route for Europe, a company of
Japanese acrobats. They are said to be wonderfully clever,
and we learn with regret that, before teeig for the west,
they will not find it convenient to give us "a taste of their
quality." Messrs. Prior and Grant are the enterprising
gentlemen who have ventured some thousands of pounds
in taking this company over the main on a two years' en-
gagement, and we heartily. wish them all;the success they
can anticipate. There is just a rounich=; viz., seven
adult males, three feminine, and two , all actors ;
the feats in which they most exoel- the butterfly
trick, large and small top-spinning, and thick rope walk-
ing. The youngsters are both clever on the perch (La
Perebe of Lenten's), and must have curious brains to be
able to retain their faculties under a spin, occasionally, in
a large hummer. The eastumes are maguificent, and will
astonish our cockney friends at the Egyptian-ball, whither
the troupe first prooeed, endplay till the commencement
of the Great Exhibition at Paris in May next. Mr. Grant,
who has lived seven years in Yokohama, acts as interpre-
ter, and had, we learn, immense difficulty in getting the
female portion of the company to leave their native land.
No Japanese actresses ever crossed the sea before ; indeed
they are the first trio of Japanese women ever seen in
China.—Friend of Chinat_Dee. 7.
LONDON WORKINO MENK. ASSOCIATION. —A spe-
cial meeting of the members of this association was
held last evening at the Sussex-hall, Bouverie-street,
Mr. George Potter in the chair, to consider an invita-
tion from the Reform League to take part in the demon-
stration proposed to be held by that body on the 11th of
February, and for other business. Mr. George Brooke
moved:—" That the further consideration of the qnestion
whether the association should take part in the forthcom-
ing demonstration of the Reform League be deferred
until Tuesday evening next, when the intentions of the
government will become publicly known." Mr. Davis es-
conded the resolution. Mr. Smith moved as an amend-
ment:—" That the association take part in the
demonstration as a body." The motion having been
seconded, Mr. Bolt moved as a rider:—"That a deputation
of the Working Men's Association attend the forthooming
Reform League demonstration, and that the members of
the association be recommended to attend individually."
On a division the rider was carried by a large majority,
and six members of the association were appointed to form
• the deputation. Mr. Green, chairman of the Tailors' Pee-
-1 tee:Wive association,moved the following resolution :—" That
i the association empower the committee to take immediate
steps to convene a conference of delegates from the trade
unions and trade councils of the United Kingdom, to as-
semble in London on the first Tuesday in March next, to
consider the recent decision of the Court of queen's Bench
affecting trade societies, and the necessary measures to be
taken thereon." Mr. Stacey seconded the resolution,
which was unanimously
Tun THAMES EILBANKHR24TT (NORTH SIDE).—
Owing to a delay in the preparation of the stone for these
works, they are to a certain extent again suspended. It
L understood, however, that immediately on the meeting
of parliament a question will be asked as to the cause of
the great delay which has occurred since the prorogation,
in order to have the state of the works fully explained to
the house.
_ _

One of the smallest elephants ever imported into
England arrived at Liverpool on Sunday last, in the ship
Frigate Bird, from Rangoon. This curiosity is only 3 feet
high, very docile, and, on its way up from the ship to the
house of the naturalist who bought it, went into a public-
house, and, inserting the end of its trunk into a jug of
beer that was on the bar-counter, sucked up the contents,
much to the surprise of those moment.