The Express.
London, England, 1866-01-29 00:00:00

INDIA.

The advioes from Calcutta are no later than those
rid Bombay published in our impression of the 20th
instant.

CHINA.

The Overland China Mail says that the news
from Peking is rather important :—" The Empress
Dowager (it adds), anticipating the arrival of
Sir Rutherford Alcock, did not think it any longer
safe to keep the reins of government in her own
hands. She must have found that she was drag-
ging and being dragged into a dangerous course,
which might ruin both herself and her dynasty.
Like a judicious person, she yielded in time ; and,
whether we rejoice or not, Prince Kung is again at
the bead of the affairs of the state."
The following additional items of news are from
the China Mail :
Sir Rutherford Alooek, having recovered the money lost
at the mouth of the Peiho, will by this time have safely
arrival at Peking, sad assented the important poet tem-
porarily occupied by Mr. Wade. Sir But 's poet is
at matelot& sayer difficult one than when Sir Fralariek
Brace first arrived at Peking. The wounds inflicted by
foreigners are gradually healed up ; and as fast as time
flies, so fast does the imperial government forget the woe
sod misery of past days. Bir Frederick found himself in
the Meese capital when it was still fashionable to be
humble towards those who awed the foreign dynasty
when it was in their power to exclude it for ever
from China ; and as Sir Frederick neither asked
for new concessions, nor hinted at the deal-We-
ems of hastesieg certain reforms, he was welcomed
at Pelt' , sad, we would almost my, the kwernmeat re-
gretted his departure. Sir Rutherford antra at a time
when the flood of foreign predominanoe is fast receding.
His is the task to cell upon the imperial government for
new activity—for progress. the mo.t unwWoome sound to
the ear of the Ta- sing. His bands will therefore be full
of labour and toil ; he will have not a small IMatilt of oor-
respondence and tiring interviews, before the government
will spin yield sad enter into some arrangements that will
enableenterprising men to transplant Western civilisation
upon the soil of the Celestial empire.
Piracy still appears to be prevalent on the coast.
The British barque Bentick, which left Hong Kong
bound to Ningpo on the 4th Dec., commanded by
Captain James Thomas, while at anchor in Chino
Bay was attacked by a piratical junk at 2.15 a.m.
on the 9th. All hands were called as soon as it
became evident that the yeast! was to be attacked.
The
irates came near the port quarter, hove on
several stink-pots, and discharged pis-
tols as she ranged alongside. The crew
rushed to the firearms which were on deck,
and wished to fight for their safety ; but
the captain, thinking that the better plan would be
to offer no resistance, ordered them below. The
pirates boarded in numbers, and called for the
captain, whom they desired to point out where the
opium and treasure were stowed, asserting that
from private advises they had received from Canton,
there was a large quantity of both on board. After
dragging the captain about the hold, and rifling all
the lockers, &c., they at a given signal simulta-
neously left the ship. On mustering the crew, two
were found to be missing, viz., James Collier and
William Tally, both able seamen ; the rest of the
crew were unhurt; the vessel then shaped her
course back to Hong Kong, where she arrived on the
14th December.