The Express.
London, England, 1858-04-06 00:00:00

'ME EXITESS, TUESDAY EVENING, APRIL 6, 1858.

Tin 11kILY !Odin LONDON MORNING
..11111,1■=g41=1,112" Trine alairse. sal et
-71a-W.aim awl was et lb ~11 sine-la tin BM=
=tsal la Os NOW
oSO leMlf.a==. Pew
"lirhaste, rims IS SWABIA AID nip
lettwimilistMwar.rins Les sla:=l4
LT DAILY YL LID IMOLT.

Mild Moline
I? ILICLU NM £L& MINIM ADVIIIITMIIIII
Is r =NW winweass. INA Weedizweir briskome Ws • slag
win Ifte
sod rift 11=1•6". =srarimllwit =/bw al wads AK
a*Awr le ow
itrzwime wow Insbawis womos Ingo IIWOWIA: elt
ilitriAlitirb=ralw ma by mein
Eweak W. WWII' Ws
we 111•1111011 AD NNW rat garplia.gponir. wig la
W Mean was.

tree •xartfoo.

TO 901

avenbasso. taiiiimilor •71bs 1117••M' li;;Ze• Mufti Pew.
Mma to st dr alb% MOlsesulerireit. by Teo MONA es AI
Wybilfteiss.

Tim ivilit. UNMQUAL MAIM. Yea Bodmions. CM*
'sodas run..... 4 am." ; Mo*.'sl/4111a4 KmV.
—PLUTO AND PiOSISRVISIL , min I. WWI, Min
►w Welsim, —LH MY IMUstIMIVI MOST.—Oommonn st T.

PIIIIOIIIIIIIII4
Two Wnimi. ?Ha 1170:11 RICHANOII; The Oren vmd•
741.0 AID /A Alloolllllll.l. Mr. C.Am .—AadIitAXVILL
Il saucu OF 111111111.1.F.—Ogsastbalt prig.

sm art.
Tow gyms*. TN II 00N11101010,. thwagewiel ha. bird:
Dame TIPP OP LYONS. Ur. now"
L Ostawaar. AM TOOLOOLOO AAP WOOLOOLOO.
bran Parisi mad Widdleam\—Omemsaal MP put&

MOH WATT& AT LONDON ENDO&
MatZzaSwaim
S ft. abs Allmam h. lisl.
ersirts. %Ala. Afterme. a. la

LONDON, TUESDAY. APRIL I.

CEMTAIELT this is a very remarkable blander of
Mr. Bust's. On the 6th of January last Sir
J.twas HUDSON set this gentleman, our Secretary of
Legation at Turin, a very simple sort of diplomatic
copy, the essential part of which consist; of the
following words : " I have been instructed to ask
" your Excellency whethe► the Sardinian Government
mean to object" to the proceedings taken by the
Neapolitan Government in the case of the
Cagliari. These words, set forth with all distinct-
ness in Sir Lona Iltmson's draft note, were
chan;rd by Mr. ERSKINE into the widely
different words, " I have been instructed to acquaint
" you► Ercelleney that her Majesty's Government
" ars disposed to object" to the proceedings. Sr
Jam 1117D40M, supposing that his instructions had
been correctly carried out, did not take the trouble
to read through the note when brought to him for
signature, and it was sent in to the Sardinian
Foreign Office, u drawn up by Mr. ERMINE. From
the 3th of January then, the date of this note, until
the end of last month, the Sardinian Govern.
ment was under the impression that the advisers
of her MAJESTY had made up their minds
not only that the Neapolitan proceedings were
illegal, but that they, on behalf of the British Crown,
were disposed to protest against them. It is mud-
loss to point out how completely such a declaration
as this altered the position of the Sardinian Govern-
ment in its relation to the Government of the Two
&cities, with reference to the affair of the Cagliari

The advisers of his Sardinian MAJZSTT had
definitively made up their minds that the cap-
ture of the vessel and crew was illegal.
They had done so on grounds with which oar
readers are already familiar, and which have
nowhere been more clearly or broadly stated than
in the admirable despatch of Count Caroni. of the
18th of March last. " The Cagliari on the high
" sees," says the Sardinian Minister, in that high-
toned and lucid state-paper, " was a fraction of the
" Piedmonts*. territory, and the Neapolitan force
" had no greater right to arrest there the iadividuals
" who were embarked on board her than it would
0 have had, had they been overtaken in the port of
Genoa or the streets of Turin." With regard to
the argument attempted to be raised on the sup-
posed recognition of Neapolitan jurisdiction by the
owner and captain of the vessel, it is effec-
tively disposed of by Count CAVOUR in a single
sentence: "The rights contended for by the Sardinian
" Government an international rights, founded upon
" the principles of public order and sovereignty,
" which cannot possibly be invalidated by the acts
" committed by one or more subjects, especially
" under circumstances in which the latter were de-
" prived of liberty of action."
Although, however, thus intimately convinced of
the illegality of the capture of the Cagliari, it dose
not follow that the Sardinian Government would
have proceeded at once to the decisive step of de-
manding the restitution of the vessel and the libe-
ration of the crew, had it not been for the intima-
tion conveyed in the note ef tlie 6th of January,
that the Briti.h Government also were disposed
to object to the Neapolitan proceedings. We are
not, however, left to inference in this matter. On the
very face of the despatch sent by Count CAVOUR on
the 18th of March to the Sardinian representative at
the Court of the Two Sicilioe—the despatch which
conveyed to the Neapolitan Government the cate-
gorical demand for the restitution of the vessel and
the liberation of the crew—the despatch which con-
cluded by declaring that, in cue of refusal, the Sar-
dinian Government would have " to take such mea-
" mires as the gravity of the ease and the offended
" rights of the State may require and suggest"—on the
vary face of this despatch, reference is distietly made
to the identity of sentiment and intention between
the British and Sardinian Governments in the affair
which fortes the subject of the communication.
" I am aware," writes Count Cavort', in the despatch
of the 18th of March, " that the British Govern-
., went, in the official and written communication
" made td the Government of Sardinia, has coasi-
" dered the capture of Me Cagliari spots the same
principles contended fo► by re, and has expressed
" a hope that Me hag's Gorennweent would oppose
so open a too/Warn af ow rights of nations." both
is one of the evidences of the influence naturally
produced on the action of the Sardinian Government
by the declaration of the 3th of January, that the
British Government was disposed to object to the

Neapolitan proceedings in the cue of the Cagliari.
It appears to have been on the 10t.i of March that
Lord MALI/Es/flirt first received any intimation of
the existence of the note of the sth of January, when
a copy was left with him by the Sardinian Minister
at this court, the Marquis D'Arect.to. On the 13th
of March Lord M ttulanuar writes off to Sir
JAME. Honaox for explanations; on the 18th he
receives the explanation that the expressions in the
note were the joint result of the Secretary of Lega-
tion's blunder and the Enirofs carelessness; and
ander the same date he despatches a reprimand, ter.
tainly not more severe than the circumstances war-
ranted, to the effect that Mr. ERSKINE'S conduct, in
making so material an alteration in the sense of so
important a letter without calling the Envoy's often,
tion to it, was quite inexcusable.
Up to this point no fault, it should Deets,
can be found with Lord MALIIESBURT : com-
paring the note of the sth of January with Lord
CLARENDON'S despatch of the 29th of December,
on which it professed to be based, he discovered •
discrepancy, the meaning of which he was bound to
inquire into, and the cause of which, when weer-
Wined, he was equally bound W animadvert upon,

The serious question relates to the effect of this dis-
covery on the relation of the two Governments. On
the 22nd of March the Marquis D'Axtouo, referring
in terms to the note of the 6th of January, enclosed
to Lord MALESSEURY the despatch of Count
Cavoun, demanding from the Neapolitan Go-
vernment the restitution of the vessel and
the liberation of the crew. The Marquis,
in his note, intimated that this demand had pro-
ceeded on the principle upon which her MAJESTY'S
Government had founded their expressed " disposi-
" tion to object" to the Neapolitan proceedings, via"
" that the vessels of war of the Navy of the Two
"Dicilies had no right to pursue or capture the
" Cagliari beyond the limits of the territorial juria-
" diction of the Kingdom of Naples." On the 23rd
of March Lord MALEESUCRY answers this commu-
nication, and, after intimating to the MARQUIS that
his note will be duly considered, proceeds to explain
that her MAJESTY'S Government had no cognisance
of the note of Jan. 5, and that the statement in that
note that her MAJILSTY'S Government "were disposed
" to object" to the Cagliari proceedings, arose out of a
blunder,aad had led to a reprimand. The reply of the
Marquis D'Axtomo to this communication strikes us

as being drawn op with great tact, spirit, and ability.
The MARQUIS din only, he says, measure the import-
ance of such a misunderstanding as that in question
by the influence "which an assertion so positive,
" coming from her Britannic MAJWITY'II represent•-
" tive," must have had on the Sardinian councils. In
• question of this nature, however, the Mauling
ventures to think that facts should be weighed rather
than expressions, and that it her MAJZSTY'II Go-
vernment should be now convinced of the
illegality of the Neapolitan proceedings, "the
" two Cabinets, relying upon the same principles
" of international law, may act in concert to demand
" that which is their due." The MARQUIS concludes
with declaring that, " even if abandoned to its own
" resources, the BING'S Government has fully decided
" to follow up this affair with the prudence and
. moderation which have characterised its acts
" hitherto, but also with the energy and firmness
" which the feeling of right and the national
" dignity inspire."

The communication of Lord MALIIESBURT has, as
our readers were informed yesterday by our corre-
spondent at Turin, excited no small astonishment
in the Sardinian Cabinet. The feeling is general
that the liberation of the English engineers has been
mainly due to the vigorous proceedings of Sar-
dinia; and that if the British Government, content
with the bare liberation of these two prisoners, means
to act upon its disavowal of the explicit declaration
of its own Envoy, it can hardly escape the reproach
of having first excited Piedmont to make a display
of energy and resolution towards Naples, and then
abandoned her, when by her means its own imme-
diate purpose had been served. There is not an
honest man in England who will not feel com-
pelled to ratify this judgment ; there is not,
we trust, any political party to be found
who would not repudiate and disavow such an act of

meanness. To the British Parliament must be com-
mitted the task of watching in this matter over the
honour and character of England. We cannot with-
out indelible disgrace leave Sardinia to prosecute
this just claim unsupported and unsustained ; our
own accounts with the King of NAPLES are not by
any means settled : duty, policy, honour, alike
indicate that our true line is to act in firm concert
with those who were the first to point out the right
mine, and the first to act upon it.

Abe Court.

WINDSOR, Aram 6.

The Queen nod Prince Consort, with the Prince of
Wales Princess Ado*, and younger royal children, walkedon the Eset-terram yesterday aft& noon, attended by the
Lam and Gentlemen in Waiting.
The Queen and Prince Consort walked in the Rome Park
this morning.
The Prince of Wales and Prince Alfred rode out on bores-
beak Mended by Mr. Gibbs and Lieutenant Cowell, R.E.

. ,
Aiwa Arthur and the Prittonern Helena and Louira drove
toVirghtia Water in as open carrlege and four.

Despatches were receivrd yesterday at the Colonlal-odloe
tram the Goversols of the North Americo prow ',nor., the
Governor of Heligoland, the Lord High Corozzlnioner of
the India Islands, cod the Governors of St. Helena, the
Gape of Good Hope, Ceylon, Hoag Hoag, end the Mauritius.
Deopeiehes winsome yesterday from the Colonial-dace to
the Governor of the Cepa of Good Hope.

Her Majesty and thePrinoeCon+ort,withthePriop
al Wales and the youthful members of the r,yal family, ac-
cord* to premed arrangement', leave Wilthior Castle ma
Xmas, rat for Beckiagbela Palace.

His Royal Higbeeme Prince George of Saxony
left Parresee's Hotel, Bagravli, yemeesy afternoon, on a
stein, her llnlesty at Withear Castle. WI royal high-
ness has boa attending the "tondos." of Lay Week,
celebrated by CudinalWiseman, at St. Ilery's, Moorfkids,
On Maanday Thursday the prime reselved etaunnaloa
early, sad afterward@ ambled at the masa On Pride, art
Nato day be was she at the Nam eintrele, end on Easter-
day we mead at the high saes, at which the cardinal
assisted pontifically gad preached the sermon.

His Excellency the Ambassador of France left
town yesterday afternoon on a visit to her Mejesty at Wald-
sot Castle. The countess was prevented obeying her Ma-
jesty's commands by Indisposition.
The Duchess of Inverness entertained a select
circle at dinner, last evening, at her aparnnenta in Hewing-
toe Palace.

The Duke and Duchess of Wellington will re-
turn to Apeley Hutu' M-morrow, from Claremont Lodge,
Norfolk.

The Duke and Duchess of Argyll will return to
Argyll Ldp on Friday next, from Cliefden.

TM Dike of Rutland is pining the recess at
Ivuir Gals.

The Marquis and Ninrchioness of Stafford will
return to town et the litter end of the week from Lilleehell.

The Earl and Cotuitesa of Harrington are expected
In town early east week from Eireann Castle, Derbyshire.
Lord and Lady Londeaborough have returned to
Orientals Pink, Yorkshire, after passing the winter months
at Casten with their Isaily.

.
Lord and Lady Ohmlaton will come to
tows to-morrow nom BramptrnsPark, Huntingdon.

. .
Lady Garragh has arrived at the Queen'. Hotel,
Upper Norwood.

The Bishop of Exeter and Mrs. and Alias Phil-
p/0 have arrived at the Claemdoa Hotel.

Sir Cornewall and Lady Theresa Lewis and Miss
Lister set rowing the recess at flarpton Court, Radnorshire.
81: Cornwall will return to town to-morrow.

Mdlle. Louise de Corneille, great granddaughter
of the great Corneille, bas just died at Algae, Mortal.
Count de Morn 7, at a meeting of the shareholders
of the Mantle de la Loire, hold a few days ago, caused it to be
aanoaeo:d that be resigned the ehainnaarhip of the board of

only poet of the kind b• had rot Maid.

His Excellency Count de Platen, Swedish IHiniater
to the Court of St. James, ?kited Portsmouth yesterday to
inspect the dockyard, &e. Haring been himself in the navy,
his eseellesey tales mach interest in such establiehoseets.
Admiral Sir George Seymour, the commander-In-chief, ea-
tartaiaed the count end his suite at the Admiralty Home.

---
THE QUEEN'S BOFNTY REVlVED.—Formerly it
was mina, to send • preempt from the Qoes to any peer
mates wife who had three children at • birth. The idle of a
railway porter at Canterbury, named Lep& a short tints
wince three children, and the Rev. Yr. Holliods, vicar
t f St. Donptan'a, pent a statement of the fact to the proper
(platter. Lout week she teceived, through Colonel Phipps,
6/ from the garen.—Sowth Easter,. Gazette.

Trurtz BAR—The removal of this well-known
arch, the work of Sir Christopher Wren, le in coot/mph.-
Uca, and as for many reasons it would be a pity to destroy it,
• suggestion has been mule to place it at the entrance to one
of ate parks.

THE BASTER BANQUET AT TSB
MANSION HOUSE.

__._

Yesterday evening, pennant to usual nem, the
Lord Mayor entertained her Maiindy's Wadies, mad &brilliant

°trete of the nobility and gentry, Including the leading mem-
bees of the corporation. Coven were laid for 280. Amongst
the company were the Duke of Cambridge, Lord Burghersh,
Aide-do-Camp; the Marquis of Salisbury, the Berl and
Counter of Hardwicke, the Duke end Dacha.' of Northum-
berland, the Earl and Countess of Derby and Lady Emma
Stanley, the Lord Chancellor, Lady Chelmsford, and Mir
Therger ; the Karl of Dunoughmore, Lord Stanley, M.P.,
Lord John Manners, M.P., the Bishop of Bath and Wells
and the Hon. Mir Eden; Lord Henry Gordon Lennox, M.P.,
Lord Viscotmt Chelsea, Lord and Lady Amelius Beauclerck,
the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Mrs. Disraeli, the Hon.
Spenoer and Mre.Ponsonby, Sir Into Basthope, Bart., and
Ludy Essthope ; Mr. Mowbray, M.P., her Majesty's Judge
I Advocate-General, Sir Fitzroy Kelly, M.P., Attorney-
General, Sc.

Lord Derby arched early, accompanied by the Countess of
Dd:Zsad Lady Emma Stanley and Lord Stanley, and was
followed by theChanoslior of the Exchequer. There
were so demonstrations either in the drawing-room or the

Egyptian Hall on the appearance of these diiiinguiahed per-
Os
the removal of the cloth,
The LORD iMATOR gave in succession " The Quell',"
" Prince Albert end the rest of the Royal Family," and
" The Army and Navy."
To the last-named toast,
His Royal Highness tne COMIIIANDICR-IN-CHIRF briegy
returned thanks. With respect to the British army, he might
say, without meaning any disparagement to the other meat
armies of Europe, that there was none so ready to spring
forward ar the call of country and of duty. To be noticed
in such a distinguished assembly was a high honour to the
British army ; and he could assure the Lord Mayor that in
the most distant lands so distioguished an honour would be
deeply appreciated by his fellow-soldiers. The company
might believe him that compliments such as had just been
paid were not thrown away, but would stimulate the British
soldier to renewed deeds of bravery wherever he might be
called into action. (Cheers.) Ile believed it would be quite
hapweible for a country like England to calculate the mind
when her army might be neglected, and therefore he hoped
that in that great city and throughout the country the IMMO-
Mty would be felt and submitted to of keeping the army in as
great a stars of efficiency u it exhibited at the present mo-
ment. ("Meu,_lastar," and cheers.) -

nevi r faltered • moment In their loyalty; above all, th ,oe
wh.,, In spite of their own countrymen, exerted themeelvu
to save the lives of such Knglialt men or woman as might
have been throws into their power. If we are prompt to
purdah I trust we shall be equally ready to reward, and to
mambar that our task in lodt* is not to wage an Whorl-
misfits and exterminating warfare, but aa soon u possible to
heal the deep wounds which that vast empire has sus-
Snug, and to crown our conquest as itoon as pos-
sible with tae blessings and advantages of peace. I shall
not on the present occasion refer to a single topic of mere
political interest; I shall not refer to a subject which must
be of neat interest in this metropolis, namely, the measure
which has been for some 'ears in agitation for the recon-
struction of that ancient corporation over which your lord-
ship so worthily presides, except to nay that I trust that when
diecusatin shall have softened many upends", it may be pe-
Able to piece this great corporation in • position wore oozed'.
tent with the requirements of the ageorithout in the slightest
degree detracting from its dignity, power, and usefulness. I
tw't that, whatever thathiessure may be, it may secure for
the City of London •aucceasion of chief magistrates sufficient,
as reenark•ble for public virtue, and possessing as high pub-
lic end private character' as have on the whole distinguished
their predecusors. I have again, nay lord, to thank you for
the honour that has been done to myself and my colleagues,
and to promise, whether our stay in office be long or short,
our best exertions and abilities shall be devoted to the service
of the country. Our duty will be to promote the cattle of
e orin this country, no matter what may be the prompt-
political feeling, and I hope that our countrymen will
give as credit for a wish to perform our duty, and to endea-
vour to e.rn the sympathy, support, and goodwill of all
cleues of our fellow subjects. (Chess.)
The next toast was, "The House of Lords," for which
The Loan CHANCELLOR briefly returned thanks ; after
whir% . . _ .

The Duke of CAMBRIDGE gave the '• Lord Mayor."
Hi. LORDSHIP having briefly acknowledged the compli-
ment, proposed " the House of Commons," coupling with it
the name of the Chancellor of the Exchequer. He undertook
fur the City of London that whatever tarot might be thought
necessary for the service of the country would be cheerfully
submitted to by himself and his fellow citizens.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that he bad
en many OCCBMODA bad the honour of returning thanks for
the body with which his lordship bad connected his
name, and it would not be necessary for him in repeat-
ing those thanks to remind his lordship of the
medial relations which had always subsisted be-
tween the House of Commons and the City of
London. He knew that when the health of the Hones of
Consincess wee proposed on the part of the City of London,
that It was no more idle ceremony, for the corporation had
always proved itself ready to maintain the independence of
the Hones of Commons. With regard to the difficult poaitlon
which he had the honour to occupy at that moment he must
thank his lordship fur the very encouraging manner in
which, on the part of the citizens of London, his lordship bad
promised to come forward and supply any deficiencies that
might be found in the exchequer. (Laughter.) It was cer-
tainly true that that exchequer was not in a
very blooming state • but, after the declaration
which had just been made by the chief of the
wealthiest city in the world, he would enter into the
rather difficult task of preparing his budget with much
more confidence than be should have done if he had int had
the honour of dining at the Mansion-house that day end
receiving such a handsome offer on the part of the ety of
London. (Continued laughter.) He had no doubt that this
willingness to pay new taxes would have a moat favourable
effect on the public securities in the morning. He recol-
lected with pleasure that hie lordship was himself a member
of the House of Commons, and with greater pleasure that he
generally sat on the same side of the house with him (the
Chancellor of the Exchequer), and on most occasions went
out into the same lobby. He could assure his lordship,
however, sea member of the House of Commons, that he
was not influenced by political feelings in acknowledging the
compliment which had just been paid to that body. He had
had the honour of dining with mazy lord mayors, whig and
tory, and he had seen in them all the enure anxiety to pre-
serve a friendly connexion between the legislative and mu-
nicipal bodies.
" The liar," " The City Magistrates," and " The Lady
Mayoress," were subsequently given and duly responded to,
shortly after which the company retired to the drawing-
ram.

The dinner and wines, which were in great *bandanas and
of the highest quality, were furnished by Messrs. King and
Brymer. Mr. Harker, the City toastmaster, gave the " Lor-
ing Cup" •ith hie natal efficiency.

FOUB7H :.MUST OF THE POSTMASTER-
OENER4L OX THE POST-OFFICE.

This morning was issued the fourth report of the
late Postmaster General (the Duke of Argyll) on the Post-
ale', it being that far the year 1857.
It appears from the report that lest year the number of
poet-otiose in the United Kingdom wee increased by 235,
making the whole present number 11,291. Of these 810 are
head post-oftbes, and 10,291 sub-poet-allow. 295 road
letter boxes (some in towns sad some in rural districts) were
put up lest year, making the whole number 703. At 1,011
plates free deliveries were established fbr the first time last
year; and at 297 other places., including Dublin, Bristol,
Bath, Exeter. Oldham, the thickly inhabited district round
31.useleater, Perth. and the neighbourhood of Belfast, the free
delivery was extended or otherwise improved. Measured are
in progress, though they roust necessarily proceed gradually,
for still further improving the postal service in the suburban
district. These mediums include an acceleration (where
this hu not already been accomplished) of the general post
letters arriving in London by the night mails; the extension
to all places within six or seven miles of London (Isolated
houses and buttered neighbourhoods excepted) of a late
evening delivery, so that lettere leaving the London office
about 7.30 r.m. rosy reach the bands of the public the MIDI
night, instead of remaining undelivered till the next morn-
ing; a greater apprach to equality in the periods between
the deepstehes trim London; and, where recital*, MA*
numerous despatches and collections, longer periods for post.
ing, and an earlier morning collection. So far as its object
was to expedite the interchange of correspondence between
district and district, the system of postal divisions in London
is mill, owing to the want of offices, only in very partial
operation. In some districts no suitable building, or even
sate, has yet been found ; and in others unforeseen a-
mulet' have arisen to retard the completion of the ar-
rangements, even when considerable progress had been made.
During the last year 59 additional towns were provided
with day mails to or from the metropolis of one or other of
the three parts of the United Kingdom, and some of them
with mails in both directions. Supplementary mails, more-
over, being the third despatched from or to London in a
single day, were established with Manchester, Liverpool,
Birmingham, Cambridge, Southampton, Sheffield, and other
towns. The distance over which mails are now conveyed
within the United Kingdom by railways, mail coaches, dm.,
mum packets, boats, and foot messengers, is nearly 130,000
mile" per day.
The following shows the number of letters delivered in the
United Kingdom during the last year, with the rata ot M-
ummy and the proportion of letters to population :

Numher of
Letter. laDR
UST •
4:0 41311110611
41
61

loom.*
m cool Op PrePortloo of letters
oumtor la to
liAl. PoPlastloa

Englund
Irellad

Scotland

tToltri Rinotdom

About St I 71 to tech persDn.
o 24 7 o

I I 16

At Leeds the proportion is u high es 24 letters to each
person, at Glasgow and Birmingham 27, at Liverpool 29, in
Dublin and Manchester 30, in Edinburgh 36, and in Lon-
don 43.

As compared with 1866, this number shows an increase of
26 millions ; and as compared with the year previous to the
introduction of penny postage (1839), an Menses (emittieg
franks) of 428 millions; making the present number of lettere
more than sixfold +Yee it was in 1839. During the last five
years the rate of increase in letters, as compared in each
instance with the number in the preceding year, has been se
follows : —1863, 81 per cent. ; 1864, 8 ; 1866, 21 ; 1856, at ;
1867, 51; average, nearly 6.
Of the whole number of letters last year nearly a quarter
were delivered in London and the suburban district.; and
counting those also which were deepatched, nearly one half
pealed. through the London office. The number of letters
given in the foregoing statements include colonial and foreign
letters delivered in the United Kingdom as well es inland
lettere. The great bulk, however, are inland; the colonial
and foreign letters forming lees than one-fiftieth of the whole
number delivered. According to an official return in a
recent number of the Journal do St reterallourg, giving va-
rious Russian postal statistics for the year 1866, the whole
number of tetras posted in Rotate wee about 16,400,000, or
almost exactly the same as the number posted in the single
city of Manchester and its suburbs. The number of regis-
tered letters last year warn rather more than a million and a
quarter, or about one registered letter to 400 ordinary letters.
The number of newspapers delivered in the United Kingdom
last year as in the previous year was about 71,000,000, nearly
three-quarters of which bore the impressed or news. '
paper stamp, the others having been paid by postage stamps.
The proportion of colonial and foreign newspapers and books
sent through the post is much greater than that of letters;
fur while of letters the portion, as already stated, is less than
one fiftieth of the whole, of newspaper s and books it is
about one fifth. This difference is probably owing, in pert,
to the means by which large numbers of inland newspapers
and books ate distributed otherwise than through the post,
not being available for newspapers and books sent here from
abroad, and to the rates of postage on colonial and foreign
let len being much higher, compared with newspapers, than
is the case with inland letters. This great disparity in the
rates of postage gives rise to much petty fraud in using
foreign and colonial newspapers for letter writing. The
number of letters returned to the writers last year, owing to
failure in the attempts to deliver them, was about 1,700,000.
Owing to the same cause about 680,000 newspapers were
also undelivered, being about 1 in 122 of the whole number.
There were about 6,000,000 of book packets hat year. The
average weight of a book packet is about five ounces and a
half, and the average postage about 21d. Excluding official
packets, the average weight of an inland letter is
rather more than a quarter of an ounce; that of
• colonial letter rather mere than a third of an ounce; and
that of a foreign letter rather more than a quarter of an
ounce. The average postage of an ordinary inland letter is
about lid. The average weight of a newspaper passing
through the poet-office is rather more than two ounces and a
half.

Daring the last year, 138 new money eider offices were
opened—viz. 9.5 in England and Wake, 9 in Ireland, and
34 in Scotland; making the whole number 2,233. Not-
withstanding the depression of tr.do during a largo part of
last year, there was no falling off in the number of money
orders!, bat, on tho contrary, a considerable increase, though
not so great en in mealy previous years. The greatest num-
ber of orders ever paid in England and Wales in one day was
on the 24th December last, whoa it was upwards of 38,000.
It need scarcely be suggested that the large number on that
particular day must be attributable to the common practice
of making prevents at Christmas, and to the money-order
offices being closed on tie 26th.
The rate of posters on letters conveyed by private ship
between this country and all parts of the world has been re-
deiced, where it beton exceeded that sum, to a uniform
charge of 6d. the half ounce.
The rateof increase in the gross mynas in the two years
was as follows:-1866-England nearly 6 per cent.; Ire-
land nearly 6 per cont.; Scotland nearly 7 per cent.; United
Kingdom rather more than 61 per cent. 1867—England
rather more than 6 Ear cut.;lreland about 21 per cent.;
Scotland about 61 per rent. ; United Kingdom nearly 6 per
cent. The increase of expenditure properly appertaining to
the year in 1867 was at the rate of nearly 21 per cent., as
compared with 44 per cent. in 1866.
The net revenue, taken an the difference between the
gross revenue and expenditure properly appertaining to the
year, is an follows:-1856-1,194,3981. 1867-1,322,2371.
Increase-127,8491. This increase is at the rate of rather
more than 10 per cent. as compared with 7 per cent.
in 1566.