The Express.
London, England, 1866-06-06 00:00:00

MISCELLANEOUS TOPICS.

In the opinion of the Times Lord Redesdale was not
successful in encountering the objection to big
proposition to exact in all cases of railway schemes
coming before parliament a certain subscription con-
tract guaranteed by a certain proportionate deposit—vis.,
.bat it would put an end to new railways altogether,
inasmuch as it would exclude from the work just those
persons—the contractors—who alone can be induced
to undertake it, while it would not bring back subscribers
to railway enterprise. It is to be hoped that the select
committee to which the question has been referred may be
successful in discovering some acceptable alternative
between what, we fear, would be obstructive legislation
and no legislation at all.
The Daily News states that an impotent change in the
Mahommedan law of succession to sovereign power has
been sanctioned by the greatest Mussulman authorities.
The Viceroy of Egypt demands, and the Sultan consents,
that the eldest son of the Viceroy shall be considered the
legitimate heir to the Pachalic, instead of the eldest
prince of the reigning family. Hitherto the Pacha's
brother, Mustapha, has been considered by him-
se'f and others, the heir presumptive. An here-
ditary Pachalic in Egypt is much better suited to
the genius of the race and the climate than any unequal or
one-sided European domination. Indeed, it is worthy of
remark that, after all the successive influences and inter-
ferences of European powers in Egypt, that country and
its rulers seem more Mahommedan than ever, and more
closely linked with Constantinople than with any Euro-
pean capital. To this we have no objection, provided the
Mahommedan princes do not shrink from borrowing from
Europe those principles of government and inheritance
which have been found conducive to stability and peace.

Lord William Hay will move in the House of
'Commons on the 19th—" That in the opinion of this house
no scheme for the redress of the grievances complained of
by the officers of the Indian army can be complete or little-
factory which deals with such grievances only as were re.
ferred for inquiry and report to the royal commission of
1865 ; and that it is desirable that every petition or memo-
rial which has been presented by officers of the Indian
army, alleging a breach of the rights and privileges guaran-
teed to them by act of parliament, should, alike in justice
to the officers and in the interest of the public, be investi-
gated without delay."
THE Nawsrarza Pans FUND DlNNER.—Several
members of both branches of the legislature have expressed
their intention to attend the annual dinner of this
institution, at Willis's-rooms, on Saturday next. In
addition to the singers whose names have been previously
announced in connection with the mus cal portion of the
entertainment, Mdlle. Enequist and Mdlle. Morensi will
contribute their voc►l services.

THE CHINA Mzsszort.—On Monday, his Excel-
lency Pin-Ta-Jin and suite, accompanied by Cap..ain Brine,
R. E., went to Windsor, where royal carriages a- 'sited
their arrivaL After visiting the Castle, St. Gawp's
Chapel, and the royal stables, Mr. Moon col veyed them to
the Royal Arse maL the dairy, Frogmore-gardens, Shaw
farm, and the Prince Consort's mausoleum. At two they
lunched with the Rev. Dr. Balaton, and were shown over
the Eton College Chapel, Upper School, playing fields, lac.
After calling on the Rev. Dr. Goodford, Mr. Moon escorted
the Chinese commissioner by the Long Walk to the rhodo-
dendron drive, the obelisk, Virginia Water, the ruins, the
fishing temple, and Norfolk farm, where the party paid
their respects to Major-General Hood. After viewing the
vinery at Cumberland-lodge and the Royal Cottage, Mr.
Moon escorted the visitors to the White Hart Hotel and
the Brocaa. His excellency returned to town at 7.30
p.in., and in the evening dined with Viscount Milton,
M.P., Lord Houghton, Lion. Mr. Thurlow, Le., at the
Garrick Club, and afterwards attended the Countess Fitz.
william's assembly.