The Express.
London, England, 1860-11-30 00:00:00

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LONDON, FRIDAY, NOV. 30.

FROM the terms of the formal notice given by
the Metropolitan Board of the purposes of the 1
Bill to extend and oonsohdate their power, which
they intend to re-introduce next session, few per-
sons would suspect that anything was meant at
variance with the self-governing authority and
control in matters of local taxation vested
in our parishes time out of mind. Under
the vague and harmless-looking phrsoe, "to
" make provisions for the making and en-
" forcing of assessments and precepts by the
" Metropolitan Board, and the levying of rates by
" the said Board in certain cases of default," it
could hardly be supposed that there lurked •
scheme of encroachment incompatible with
every principle and peaches of municipal rule
recognised amongst us. By ancient law and un•
interrupted usage every pariah in England has the
undoubted right to make and levy all rates and
charges payable by its inhabitants, whether for its
own exclusive wants, or contributively towards
defraying the wants it has in common with the
parishes around it. Unions of two or three small
parishes under the Poor Law are no infringement
of this venerable right, but simply its practical
adaptation to the changed requirements of the
time. Compulsory rates under particular Acta of
Parliament for county, borough, or national pur-
poses form no exceptions to the universality and
indefeasibility of the rule ; for in every such ewe,
though the obligation to raise a given amount is
laid upon the pariah by statute law, the duty of
levying that amount remains with the parochial
authorities, and, within certain liberal limit', the
time and mode are left to their discretion. In
other words, while each pariah is subjected justly
and rightfully to bear its share of public bur-
dens, it is treated as a free agent having
an intelligence and responsibility of its own,
and not se • menial instrument compelled
to do the arbitrary bidding of any other body in
the State ; still less is it treated as • mere tax-
farm, out of which strangers to its capabilities and
circumstances may draw what they please. The
good old Saxon law, through all the changes and
vicissitudes we have historically undergone, steads I
firm—one of the best, as well as the oldest, things'
in England—let us hope one of the hardest things
to pluck up and burn as a bramble, though
some people may not think so. According to
these new-fangled fashioners of local taxation, the
independent action of the vestries of London, even
in the choice of collectors of rates and the manner
and time of their collection, is a nuisance which
ought to be abated-_a hindrance that ought to
be abolished. Let the vestrymen and rate•
payers of London look to it betimes. Had it
not been for the denunciations of the Press this
et) jectieusble scheme would probably have been
carried through Parliament last session ; and now
we are told that the Bill then dropt is to be re-
introduced next year by Mr. Trim and Mr. Burrow
in their capacity of members of the Board having
seats in Parliament.

Let no one pretend to elude the issue we
have here plainly raised by insinuating that what
we have said is • mere constructive interpre-
tation of various clauses and provisions put to-
gether according to some view of our own. Our
readers shall judge for themselves of the drift and
tenour of the proposed Bill. We shall quote
the Board's own words taken from the last im-
print of the measure as it came from the Select
Committee in the month of July last, and as it is
proposed to re-introduce it in the mouth of Feb-
ruary next. The thirteenth section stands as
fellows

The Metropolitan Board may, to asse of any default or
neglect of ■ny vestry, district board, or other body or per.
son, to pay the amount required by osy precept of the said
fluent or osy pea of such amount, within such time and
in crch meatier es may be meetiooed in such precept,
raise and levy the mosey required by the said Board
in any parish, district, or part ; and fur that
purpose may make and levy a rate of such amount In the
pound as will, is Mete judgment, having reganl to all sir.
cumstances, be sufileient to raise the money so required ;
together with an solditioe to such tomer in the proportion
oue 'lollies to every twenty shillings and the said
Bawd may amulet one or more collectors fur levying any
/U. h rate, and pay bins or then, nay notary, pouudage, or
ell .wance which such Board may deem just and re/amenable ;
and the mid Bien! and the collectors to be appointed by
them shell have the same powers, remedies, rights, and
privileges for levying soy @soh rate as by law are given to
any everssers for levying wirmey for the relief of the poor ;
sad all the expenses et making and levying any such rate
s►al be raised and levied by the mil Metropolitan Board,
in Anldifien to, bat as pert of, the said rate, and the excess,
if any, which may have bow levied beyond the amount of
the said precept, expenses, sod additional sum of one shil-
ling is every twenty shillings, shall be placed to the credit
of the parish ar part in which the same has been levied.

We beg to call particular attention to the con-
cluding passaLm of the foregoing clause. There is an
easy air of assumption about it that is calculated,
we think, to do good, if the vestrymen of the
metropolis have not been menuerised by some
marvellous process, and if the unhappyratepayers in
general have not made up their minds to surrender
their purses at discretion. First we are told that
a precept or draft payable at sight for any
amount the Board may fancy they want may be
Untied to any parish. Then, if the money be not
forthcoming on whatever day the Board shall
please to name, the parish and its collectors are to
stand aside in order to make way for my lords
and their officers, who shall levy the same in what-
ever fashion and at whatever cost may suit them;
and in addition theretoan extra shilling in the pound.
When first we read the provisions touching the
extra shilling, we own that we wen• green enough
to nr.poso that that was for costs of collection ;
but we s..Ki found out our mistake. This extra

NMI( is to be levied as

Cland by way of reward
S of collection is

(henries ; and the three
Jest of the oeiginal precept, ,
sensation, and on foot of the extra shilling in the
pound, are specifically enumerated in the eking
words of the section, which we again commend is
the consideration of all concerned. By way
of a finish we are sarcastically informed that the
excess (which is probable) over and above any
immediate pretences of need, on foot of any of
all of these three separate items, shall be pined
to the credit of the pariah or district.
Neglect or default there may be, of course, on the
part of every parochial or municipal body in carry-
ing out the will of others. But defaulter neglect .in
its very imams a question of time, a question net
capable of being arbitrarily left to the summary
judgment of those who cannot appreciate fully the
reasons or grounds of delay, and which ought never
to be left to the decision of those who have a direet
interest in its foreclosure. What is neglect
or default f A week or a day may be such in a
culpable sense in one parish, and one month or six
may not be such in another. There must, indeed,
be limits and bounds sufficiently wide to meet all
ordinary came ' • and if we found there were such
prescribed in the Metropolitan Bill, it would in
our view have one sin the lees to answer for. But
we ask any fair or unprejudiced man to read the
clause we have given above, and say is it framed
in a spirit of justice or equity f By the terms of
the fourteenth section provision in certain excep-
tionsd cases is made for fixing a period of default on
the part of the vestry, and two months is named
IPA the time within which that body shall at its
peril refuse to make a rate. But the unreality and
hillaciouniess of this provision will be detected at
a glance by any eye practised in the reading of
kpl enactments ; for while the period of two
months is assigned definitely for taking the initir
tory step in the proceeding, every other is left in-
definitely to be judged of at the discretion of the
Board, and it is declared that
If any person or means charged with the collection
of rates shall not with all practicable despatch do and per
all neomeary acts for levying and paying over the
money required by the said board, it shall be lawful for the
Yetropolitan Board/wawa/4 to maks a rate far raising tie
money required by their precept, and the said additicaal
sum, without emonithig the expiration of the &ret limited by
such precept, for payment of the amount or macidate named
therein.

THE dire embarrassments of the Ottoman govern-
ment, and the desperate expedients to which it has
been driven to keep up even the visible forms of
state, have for several days strongly excited the
attention of all who have considered the precarious
system by which the Sultan rules, and the powerful
latent forces which menace its existence. The
Journal de Consiseitinopfe has stated that the Im-
perial government is " re-establishing the credit of
the treasury on a solid and unchangeable basis" by
the odd way of getting a good way further
into debt. We}ieed nut trouble our readers with
the details, first, because they are uncertain, and
next, because they are of little consequence in view
of the economic distress which they betoken and
the political troubles they portend. But what
do our readers think of borrowing some eight-and-
s-half million pounds, and promising to consider
the loan as one of double that amount, and to pay
five or six per emit interest on the larger sum /
For this is, of course, the operation of the French
loan of 16,000,0001., at 63, to which opinion at
Constantinople was resigning itself when the
mail left, because the treasury was empty
and there was every danger that the whole
machinery of government would be brought to a
dead lock. This frightful state of things Las only
one parallel in 'Europe. The Austrian empire, which
nominally belongs to Christian civilization and en-
liehteument, imitates its semi-barbarous neigh-
bour, with the advantage of a better
machinery for carrying out its pLins. The
Turk borrows, as he has borrowed before, in order
Ito effect the withdrawal of his paper-money. Aus-
tria has borrowed with the same professed object,
but can burrow no more ; ru her government re-
solves to issue paper-money again. A decree dated
Schunbrun, Nov. 17, and signed Francis Joseph,
authorises the Mine of notes of the value of four-
pence. These bits of paper are to have the cha-
racter of a new Austrian money, and their falsifica-
tion or forgery is to ho punishable according to the
laws of the currency of higher denominations.
There are, it swim, Austrians with sufficient na-
tional sentiment, or at least sufficient public shame,
to feel ashamed of this latest expedient of their go-
vernment. The A uidrian Gazette says :
. .

We coefew that it is with pain that we look at these
little rap. We are thus, after ten years of efforts and 'seri.
II" mitered to our starting point in this vicious circle.
It is with sorrow that we all to mind that at this time two
years ago cash payment' had been rammed. The most
magas* hopes were then entertained, which, alas ! are
now very far from being realised. Any go►ernment which
places itself in opposition to the spirit of the age weakens
itself, and the first shock may make Its gigantic limbs
totter, if happily it does not overthrow it. The disasters
of the last few years have deeply engraved this lemon on
our minds ; the distress of the present time remind" no of
it every instant, although it does not appear that any ad•
vantage has been pined by it. The Council of Ministers
must at length learn that Austria cannot be moved swept
by the lie< plc and with the people.

Luau Cirmrcuromls Livirraii—The Load Chau-
' callow has nominated all Rev. Allard Cox Hales, M.A.,
of Magdalea Onßego, end meta of Cedar, Oxford, to the
rectory of Woodmeneete, near Hurespiervoint, Sores, la
the room of the Rev. Dr. Henry Wellesley, princird of
New lon Hall ; the Rev. Benjamin Charlet CaMn. M.A.,
fellow and tater of Worceeter College, to the rectory of
Carlos. Ozfonl, vacant by the resignation of this Rev. R.
C. Hales; the Rev. James Mt. John Blunt, ILA., of
MIMI College, Oxford, chaplain to H.R.H. the Prince
Consort at the Chapel Royal, Windsor Park, to the vicar-
age of Old Windsor; and the Rev. Edward Markham
Heale, M.A., of Queen's College, Oxford, Professor of
Classics in the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, to the
rectory of 'rallies, near Huntingdon.

Da. Clots's, FUNERAL—License haring been
grated by the Home Secretary for the burial of the remaine
of Dr. Croly within the walla of St. Stephen's We'rook,
arrangenseule have been made that the funeral shall take
place to morrow (Saturday), et 3 p.m. in conformity with
the express directices of the decreed. the funeral will be
of the plainest descriptioa, without plumes, velvet, or show
of any sort whatever. Only two mourning coaches will
attend holding the WIN of the deceased and the other
his legal and medical advisers. Aa earner wish was ex-
pressed by many of Dr. Croly's parishioneri and friends to
join the mournful proormiun from his house ill Queen-
square to the church, but it is midentood that they will
confine themselves to meeting the corpse in the voitihule of
St. Stephens end then proceeding to their respective pews
and there joining in the pathetic service appointed for the
dead. which will be performed in the simplest manner.
Wsrxit-ivrAit'it Daarrintax.—The taste for pa-
ec.niug water-colour drawing* is still in the ascendancy.
Another collection was disposed of by Messrs. Foster, in
Wednesdey. is the sale were two Neapo-
litan views, by Fyne, sold at 49 and 47 guineas ; is pair of
Scotch sews, by T. M. Richards o, 42 and Brt gamer
other works by Cettermole, F. Taylor, Sidney Ccoper, and
curblibfavourites, sold at prioes varying from 30 to 90
mimeos, and a small Ire work by Turner sold for 78
gamer. The conform realised 1,506/.
On Monday night Mr. Newdegate made lins usual
moral political speech In the rem. at the Ruihy and
Denchurch agricultural dinner, held in Rugby. The chair
was copied by the Earl Dalkeith, who haa been
chosen president of the society in the room of the
late lamented Lord John Moots, to whom on affecting
tribute of regard was paid at the dinner. The *obis chair-
man wle supported by both the member for North War-
wickshire. Mr. Newdepite end Mr. Spooner, also by
*.....eel Nott, Mr. ( hahlicutt, Sir T. Biddulph, Mr. Beach,
rad use) rutry of the county.

Countess pt lhantwkike end La Assuis Yorke, the Earl
and Countess Briseseer, Lord and Lady John Rowell, Lord
Stanley, and the Right Hon. Sir Geoqie and Lady Grey.
In the evening the royal dinner party included the Primus
Alice, Prince Alfred, Prince Louis of Hem, the Prince and
Primer of bagmen, Sir Jame, Clark, Baron von Wester-
vraller, Major and the visitors who arrived
in the afternoon.
The Bawl of the Soots Fusilier Guards played daring
dinner.

Her Majesty's printer hand afterwards performed in the
drawiag-rooes.
The Qum, with Priames Alice, walked in the grounds
of the Oral @ this morning, and visited the Duchess of
Kent at Pressers.
The Prince Comore, acoompaoied by Prince Alfred, the
Duke of Nemo." the Duke d'Alencon, Prince Louis of
Hesse, and Prince Leiningen went out shooting. Earl
Spasm, Lord Stanley, and Sir George Grey had the
honour of aoccopaoyisi the royal party.
Princess Helium sad Priam, Lou..i rode in the Riding.
house.
The Hos. Horatio Stopford and the Hon. Emily Cathcart
have mmoseded the Han. Flora Macdonald and the Elm.
Heaaor Staskry an Maids of Honour in Waiting to the
Queen.

A meeting of the pariabridge ITnivensity Oniataimionere
was held at 6, Adelphi4erterra, OD Tuesday Last. The cow
min present were :—The Bishop of Cheater, the
Bight lion. Lord Stank), the Bight Hon. Sir Lawrentie
Peel, Vioe-Chancellor Sir Wrniam Page Wood, and the Rev,
Dr. Vaughan.
The Judicial Committee of the PrivyOonnell eat yeeler-
, dey. An appeal from British Guiana, , %tart aid=
v. Norton,' lee howl. An amyl from Canada, "
v. Lea," was commenced. The lords present were Lord
Chelmsford, the Lords Justices Knight Brea and Turner,
and Sir E. Ryan.
irrretehes were remind at the Colonisikdles yesterday
froGoversor of MAUL Deepatchee were !iient to the
Governor of Canada.

„
I,ADINZT COUNCIL—There is to be a Cabinet
Council at Lord Palmerston's odlcial residence in Downing-
, street this afternoon.

Their Royal Highneasee the Ductless of Cam-
bridge and the Admen Huy, attended by Lady Geraldine
Somenet end Wood Some Panes, arrived yesterday at
Cambridge Cottage, Kew, from Brighton.

- -
The Earl and Counties Stauhope leave town to-
day for Windsor Castle on a visit to bee Majesty.

The Earl and Countess of Dalkeitl; are expected
at the Duke of Buccleneh's residence in Belgrave-equare in
• few days from Scotland.
The Earl of Cianwilliam and Lord Gifford have
Oft their residence In Belgraveagnare for Paris.
Frances Countess Waldegrave and Mr. Harcourt
have been entertaining a select circle of visitors at Straw-
berry-hill &nag the pot week.
Viscount and Viscountess Palmerston entertained
at dinner last evening, at their residence in Piccadilly, hie
Excellency the American Minister and Mrs. and Miss
Was, the Duke of Newcastle, Lord and lady Wodehouse
lady William Russell, Mr. Flastiags Russell, M.P., and
lady Elisabeth Rumen, the Right Hon. W. F. Cowper,
M.P., and Mrs. Cowper, Biz Roderick Murchison, Mr.
Hayward, and Mr. Delmar

The marriage of Lord Delamere and Mien Augusta
Seymour, daughter of the Right Hon. Sr Hamilton and
lady Seymour, is to be solsonciald the second week in the
ermiug month.

Sir Benjamin and Lady Brodie have arrived in
Saville-row, from Broome Park, Barmy.

The ()owing of age of Mr. Bates Van do Weyer,
aided son of the Belgian Minister and Mallow Van de
Weyer, was celebrated on Tuesday lad, at New Lodge, by
• ball men to about 180 meideed in the asighbousitord.
The band of the Bede Fusilier Guards attended, sad &Wag
wee kept up with great SailThl4l3o, interrupted oily by sup-
per, which wee nerved at 12 o'clock. On a previous day all
the persona employed on the aids bad been regaled with
old Bogliek fare of road beef sad plum-pudding, followed
by • ball in the servants' bal.

Spring flowers are already making their appear-
ance. we (MamaJura Ckroaide) haws before um a little
bouquet of primroses and daisies, pawed in the suntan of
Nis Filch, of Yonlahant ; and a few days ego we sew
bunch of violate picked in the neighbourhood.

We (Chelmsford (;hronicL) have this week to re-
cord the death of John Adsy Hardee. Req., whose long life
has been devoted to antiquarian studies. Mr. Repton was
the eldest and only sway* son of the late Humphrey
lepton, Req., well known as the great authority on Lud-
wig' prdenieg, which he prowled both by his literary pub-
Umlauts and by the practise] exhitiltion of hie Mato In
early life Mr. Jahn Adey Mapes. was espied is the restreg
tics of the male of the Priem liardenbusg in herds. He le
specially endeared to the What/lents of Springfield as
baying been the howler, architect at the chapel of ease,
dedicated to the Holy Trinity, in that parish, sad also
of the picturesque infant school belonging to it. The
Museum of this tows has also to thank him for many
valuable suggestions and contributions. Mr. Repton was
more publicly known as the oldest contributor to the
Gostiemen's Aftwazine. Other literary publications were
indebted to him for his able delineations of art and anti-
quity. With oue exception, Mr. itepton wee the oldest
surviving member of the Antiquarian Society.

The University of Pettit has been reopened, and,
to the great delight of the Hungarian population, the open-
ing diacourees were given in sonorous Magyar. Not a few
of the auditors actually wept on hearing once more their
native tongue in the halls in which, for eleven long year*,
German—the language of the foreigner and the oppressor
has alone been spoken.
The June of Courts Ride Volunteers will be in-
mooted by Colonel M'Mardo, CB., in Richmond Park to-
morrow at 3 o'clock, p.m. The battalion will parade In
Hinds-bench-walk at 12, and march from thence to Water-
loo-station, over Blackfriars.bridge, arriving at Richmond-
ration about half•put 1. The firing will be with blank
airtridge.

News has reached Cape Town from the Zambezi
mimetic. Dr. Liviagstom wee pursuiog Lie diecoveries with
hi soul arm He wee about to proceed without any
atomp up to the Makalolo country. A mail-bag from
the Cape had been lost at the entrance to the Kongoite
Harbour, by which Dr. Livingstoce had been prevented
from hearing of ►ay news from the Caps. Tee Ma Robert
was entirely disabled, and the psrty were therefore about to
proceed on an overland journey, and on their return they
expected to find a sew steamer ready for them with which
they would try to reach the great lake Nyassi by the Ro-
wer river, said to flow out of it, and to be navigable 100
imam ill length. Parameter Semite, late of the licumwse,
but recently transferred to the Lyra, wee drowned in sea.
log the bar at Zemdbar with dispatches for Dr. Lhriaguttono

ANNIVERSARY OF THE POURS! RNVOLVTION.—Yea-
tank), being the thirtieth anniversary of the Polish Revolu-
tioeof lirdo.3l, the Polite refugees resident in London at-
tended& funeral service, which was performed by the Rev. Z.
Podotaki, at the Roman catholic chapel, Soho, for the repose
of those who fell in the national struggle. Later in the
day, a meriting was bell at Sweet Chambers, Duke-etreet,
Bt. James's, under the presidency of Colonel B. Wiereinski,
wbostrongly urged his countrymen to bear with patieucetheir
present unfortunate lot, pointing out Italy as an example
which will be followed by every other oppressed nation.
Major Ssulmewild, Mr. Babe, and other gentlemen followed,
all of whom dwelt on the internal development and the
nevor-dying national spirit of their country as evidence of
Polish vitality, and while rejoicing in the triumph of Italian
hidependeune expressed a hope that the day for Poland's
emancipation must come too and with an avenging weight
on their spoliators, who, during their recentl meeting in the
capital of Poland, must have been convinced by the recep-
tion of the Pelee that they have nut forgotten the wrongs
indicted on their country. A similar 'beetles was held in
the evening at the Whittington Club, at which numerous
speeches were delivered.
PIRJUKY IN TAE Rcvlstrn HARRINTER'a GMAT.
—At the ordinary sitting of the City justices, at the I
Guildhall. Canterbury, yestenlay, a labouring man, of the '
name of William Lemur, upwards of 70 years of ego, was
placed at the bar on the charve of wilful and corrupt per.
jury before J. 0. Malcom, the revising barrister, at
his court, held in the Guildhall, Canterbury, on the 16th
.4 October last. On the omission referred to the defen-
dant swore that he did not receive any relief from the
relieving of of the Bridge Union, in the month of
Stroh nor at any time during the previous twelve
months. Yesterday the relieving officer to the al
Union deposed that during three weeks, ending remedi;
on March ith, 14th, sad 21st, of the present year, the
defendant received relief crmisting of 3.• in :
Is. Rid. worth of mutton, and two (pattern loaves of 1=
amounting in the whole to Tie. 3d. per week. He gave the
limner to the defendant Lims,lf. The defctidant was °an-
mitted for trial at the next asinvre.

The Brussels buillpenclance publishes a letter
which Prince Murat hes just addressed to one of
hie friends, relative to the kingdom of Naples. The
prince, while declaring himself an advocate of
Italian unity, pronounces for the system of
federation which would leave the autonomy of
the different states untouched. He also
speaks in strong terms of the policy which
the Sardinian .government has followed towards
, the Two Sicilies. The Leapetedance observes
" It is well to remember that the Murat family
conceives that it has rights to the crown of the
Two Sicilia,. It is evidently in his character as
a pretender to that crown, and not as a mem-
ber of the family of the Emperor of the
French, that Prince Lucien has written and signed
this sort of protest. His opinion, in spite of the
devotion towards Italy upon which he says it is
based, is not sufficiently disinterested to have
any weight. It is easy to see in read-
ing this letter that it is impossible for a
pretender to the throne of Naples to
ap-
prove of the unification of Italy, as it has been
effected by the will of the people and the interven-
tion of Sartlinia, since the very stroke which
abolishes the kingdom of Naples sweeps
away all the dynastic hopes which a pre-
, tender might nourish. This, perhaps, is the secret
of Prince Murat's letter. As to the accusations
of corruption and violence which the Prince brings
against the voters of the Neapolitan and Sicilian
populations, they have been already laid down in
the protests of Francis 1., and we must oppose to
them the denial which we maintained when they i
came before us under the signature of the Minister
of Foreign Affairs at Gaeta."

GAETA.

NAPLES, Nov. 29.
The garrison of Gaeta has made a sortie, in
order to capture the strategical positions of the
suburbs.

The Neapolitans were repulsed by the Sardinians
with great loss.

SARDINIA AND THE RINSE TOWNS.
BREMEN, Nov. 29.
A oon.vention was concluded between the Hansa
Towns and Sardinia on the 20th September for the
extension of their mutual commercial relations.
This convention has been ratified within the last
few days.

•
It appears from recent communications that a
general belief is entertained in Italy of the speedy
departulls of Francis 11. from Gaeta. Provisions
are running short, although the communications
with the States of the Church are still open ; nor
is ammunition believed to be so plentiful as was
supposed. As long as the ex-King continues under
the delusion that a permanent reaction is possible
at Naples, he will hesitate, and no longer. Per
▪ recently arrived from South Italy, who have
the means of being well informed on the subject,
assure me he has not the slightest intention of
burying himself under the ruins of Gaeta.
The Peter's pence movement his, in common
with all other ultramontane "dodges," received a
considerable check by the decree of the 24th No-
vember. The remittances from enlightened, and
by no means catholic France, will be few and far
between. Still no pains will be spared
to stir up the faithful. Among other petits
raoyene, recourse has been had in the city
of Tours to the following puff collateral :
A grocer of that ancient capital of one of the fairest
portions of France advertises, in theJourticti d'hidre-
et-Loire, that he has decided upon putting aside
for the Holy Father 10 per cent. upon his profits
on his celebrated chocolate known as St. Peter's
chocolate, which gained the prize medal, kc. kc.
All counterfeits liable to, &c. kc.
During one of the long sieges in Flanders, at
which Louis XIV. was present, the commander-in-
chief of the besieged city sent a flag of truce, with
his compliments, and begged to know which were
i the King's quarters, in order that the fire might not
be directed that way. A similar courtesy is related
in the Prase, on the part of the besieging force outside
Gaeta :—The ex-King ham an attack of hynioptysis
—whatever that may be. The Neapolitan Doctor
Prudente has gone to attend upon him ; and until
the doctor issues a bulletin announcing the con-
valescence of his patient, the bombardment of the
place will not begin.
Great satisfaction is caused by the belief, gene-
rally entertained, that in future the system of
government candidates at the elections, openly and
avowedly, and it may be added, defiantly supported
by governmental action, will be discontinued. I
have already drawn the attention of your readers
to the importance of this subject.
It would appear that Europe is destined to hear
ere long of Polish nationality. Letters from Posen
state that the Polish journals openly declare that
Poland must be again the Poland of other times.
"Neither a German Poland—even with a constitu-
tion—nor a Russian Poland—but a Poland inde-
pendent, and extending to her ancient limits." The
correspondent in question says :—" The hatred
against Germans and Huainan is intense. In
certain circles, they are only designated by inju-
rious and insulting nick-names."
The Bourse opened heavily, with little doing.
Animation was restored by the intelligence that
the Bank of England had lowered the rate of inte-
rest to 5 per cent. A general rise in securities im-
mediately took place. The Rente left off at
70fr. 40c. for money, and 70fr. 35c. for the account,
being a rise of 25c. and l&. respectively. Crddit
Mobilier left off at 777 fr. 50c. money, and 770 fr. 25c.
the account, being a rise of sfr. and of 7fr. 50c.

ITALY.

PARIS.

THI/lIIDAT EVERIC.

--4-
THE OPERATIONS BEFORE OAETA.

(nom on Noma.

OIALDLNFS HEADQUARTERS,
NOLA DI GAETA, Nov. 20.

In order that you may appreciate the difficulties
General Menabrea has to contend with in carrying
out the siege operations of this place, I must enter
into some details. This town, which is divided
into two distinct parts—the lower and the upper,
the first of which is called Castellone, the other
Molt—is situated on the smiling shores of the
gulf, amongst pieturesque groves of orange and
olive trees. The Forman Villa, the favourite re-
sidence of Cicero, stood below the terraces of the
bill where the upper part of the modern town has
been built. The main street runs parallel to the
shore of the gulf, and leads to the road towards
Gaeta. At about half a mile from the town this
road divides into two ; one following the shores of
the sea, the other branching off in the direction of
the mountains. The latter is the Via Conederis to
Rome. For awhile it skirts the foot of Monte
Coma and then rises up through the defiles of the
mountains, where the town of Itri stands. It is
from the point at which the main road to Gaeta
branches off towards Itri that Monte Cones turns
on the left, in the direction of the Gulf of Gaeta,
forming a narrow valley, which is screened by its
broad blank. There is no road, for indeed the
paths which skirt the foot of the mountains do not
deserve the name. It is by following the foot of
Monte Conca that we reach the two other end-
nences called the Capucini and Monte Sant Agate,
which command the rounded hill at the base of
which stands Gaeta. This bill, which is now
called delta Torre d'Orlando, thus forms an inte-
gral part of the famous fortress, and enters into its
system of defence. Batteries over batteries have
been thrown up and dug in its flank, so that it can
at the same tune ooinmand the narrow defiles Of
Monte Conca and the shores of the open
sea. It is only by silencing these formid-
able batteries that the right side of the
fortress can be approached by a besieging army.
But to place guns and mortars on the heights of
the Capuoini and Monte Sant Agate, you must
begin by making a road to them, and road there
was none. This, therefore is what General Me-
=threetherefore, is now busily engaged in constructing. One
of these roads leads from the Via Conaularis of
Itri to the seashore, on which the Borgo stands ;
the other skirts Monte Ounce, and joins the former
at the foot of Monte Sant Angelo. No one who
has not visited the country can judge of the difficul-
ties of this undertaking. The base of the
valley, and the foot of the mountain through which
these two roads must pass, form a continuous up
ma down, and are obstructed by stones of an enor-
mous else. The working of the ground is rendered
still more difficult by the rainy season, which lets
already begun. In consequence of the abundant
rains the soldiers are obliged to work in the mud ;
and the soil is so slippery that they can
' warmly stand on their feet. General Cthlruigtou
was really surprised when he was told by Menabrea
that the two miles of roads already achieved had
been the work of only ten days. These roads are
constructed by parties of soldiers of the line, who
get extra pay of two soldi • day, and a glass of
brandy besides. It is noticeable that when the
working parties—which are every two days
exchauged—belong to the oth and 10th Regiment',
in which the Lombard and Piedinoutese element
predominate., the work is more quickly done than
when the majority of the working men be to
the more southern provinces of the peninsula. The
superiority of the northern element is thus proved
in au unmistakeable manner. The Neapolitans
within the walls of Gaeta are perfectly aware that
the Sardinbuis are working on the other side of
Monte Conca, and one of their occupations is to
throw now and thou shells in that direction •
but if we except • few cases of wounded
no serious losses have been inflicted on the Sal,
diuian army. But whilst the projectiles of the
enemy are doing but little harm to the working
parties, or to the out-posts, on this side, they are
destroying the house.' of Bo go, which, as I said
before, stands on the shore of the gulf, at about

half a mile from the gates of Gaeta. This village is
occupied by a battalion of Piedmontese Bersagliari,
but batteries have not been erected, nor will they
be. It is, therefore, a useless work of destruction
the Neapolitans are engaged in when they shell the
houses of this place. The population has naturally
emigrated to this town or the neighbouring villages,
but some poor fishermen who had not the courage
to leave their homes were sacrificed on Saturday
morning, together with a woman and a child. A
shell having burst at the door of a cottage, six per.
sons were killed and two greatly injured by the
explosion.

It is indeed a cowardly act of barbarity to shell
a village which had already been sacked by the
disorderly Neapolitan and Bavarian soldiery, when
they were driven out of this town of Mole. But it
seems thst Francis 11. wants to prove to Europe
that he well deserved the nickname conferred upon
him after the bombardment of Palermo. He is
the worthy eon of his royal father. You must not
forget that the Sardinians have never answered,
even by a single shot, the fire from Gaeta. Nor
could they do it, for not a pieoe of artillery has yet
been mounted against the besieged tows. It will
be at least a fortnight before General Menabrea is
able to carry out his plan of attack. The roads
must be finished, and then the batteries must
be constructed and mounted with their powerful
artillery. The Piedmoutese general intends to open
fire with at least 90 guns, and to endeavour by
this means to spread terror amongst the demoralised
garrison, who in all probability will compel the
King to leave the place or capitulate. If, how-
ever, the garrison can get under shelter, then Gaeta
may be able to resist for many months more, should
the French fleet persist in protecting it by prevent-
ing the Sardinian admiral from attacking the for-
tress by sea.

RAILWAY COLLISION NEAR DARLINGTON.

DARLINGTON, THURSDAY NIGHT.

A collision has taken place on the railway at
Croft, near this town. A goods train ran iuto s train of
empty osal waggons. The extent of the violent is not
yet known, but it Is supposed to be somewhat serious,
inasmuch as the south mail train was delayed three hours
inconsequence.

THE COLLIERS IN THE WEST RIDING.
THREATENED STRIKE.
--•--

The various colliery owners iu the districts of
Ardsley, Morley, Gildersome, Drighlington, Birstal, Chu-
well, and Birkenshaw,are under notice from the Miners' Union
that, unless the colliers in the employment of the respective
firma receive an advance of wages to the extent of 10 per
mot., from to-morrow (Saturday), they will all leave their
employment. The notices expire this (Friday) evening.
The employers have yielded en advance of '35 per cent. during
the last four years. The employers have stated their psi.
ton to the delegates of the union, and have in vain urged
their inability to grant this new demand. In a long inter-
view between them, the masters expressed their strong cue.
victims that it would be utterly futile for them, in the pre.
sent state of trade in Leeds and Bradford, to seek fur a
corresponding advance in the price of coal, and that the
result must be, if the demand were persisted in, the closing
of their pits, and leaving the &drier.. to be supplied with
coal from other and more distant districts, as, indeed, they
believed would be the case if the prices of coal were
further advanced. The delegates maintained that an
advance would be readily conceded by the public, and
had only to be sought. Some of the delegates avowed
that the colliers did not receive en adequate share of the
profits arising from the employment of capital, and it was
their desire and determination to endeavour to realise such
a share. The meeting ended without any amicable arrange-
ment being come to, and the crisis is just now a threatening
one. The employers have expressed their determination
not to yield, and the colliers have announced a meeting of
their body to be held this (Friday) afternoon, at Walton
Moor, to amides. what step shall now be takes.

A letter from Turin, in the Gazette du Midi, states
that the diligence trots Xwat Ong la, having 19 passengers in
and on it,upset a few days ago, and but fora post which hap.
pity stood in the way, all would have been precipitated to the
bottom of • precipice. This accident was not (says the
letter) caused by the quantity of snow which had fallen,
but by the fault of the administration, which had placed a
weight of 3,000 kilogrammes on the root of the carriage,
although the quantity is restricted by law to 1,500 kilos.
Tait BIBLE IN BILGIIIM.—The Obsereateur of
Bnosola publishes a commankution from St. Trond, is
Belgium, which states that four days hack, at this latter
place, an extraordinary scene took place. A non expand
for sale at a stall in the market place a number of Bibles
of the Evsnplioal Soolety : a person bought one, stuck it
on the top of a pole, sprinkled it with turpentine, and set
it on Sr.. Whilst it was burning he loudly denounced the
society foe distributing Bibles. On this a crowd which had
assembled rushed on the dealer', stall, tore the Bibles to
pieces, and scattered the fragmenta about. This led to a
tumultuous scene, and the gendarmery bad to interfere,
and to make several arrests before order was re-established.

THE POPE AND THE EX-ROYAL FAMILY OF A.
PLEB.—The Oiorriak di Rona, of the 20th instant, mys :--
" On the 20th of this mouth there suddenly arrived at
Civita Vecchia from Gaeta her Majesty the Queen Dowager
of Naples, under the strictest irscoeratro of the Cotuiteas of
St. Cecilia, accompanied by most of the priores and prin.
()asses of the royal family, her children and their suite. She
theooe proceeded to this capital. At the railway station
she was met by Cardinal Antotielli and Monsignori Stella
and Ricci, of his Handel'. household. The roy:Il party went
directly to the Apostolic Palace on the Quirinal, which hie
Holiness bad placed at their service. The three malteds
above named did the honours. The major demo of St.
Peter immediately presented his homage to the Queen.
Yesterday the Huly Father, preceded by his court, at half.
past 3 in the afternoon, paid a visit to the Queen Dowager,
who, with her august family, came to the bottom of the
staircase to receive his Holiness. In the apartments the
Holy Father had • long conversetion with the Quota
Dowager and her family. me Queen presented to him the
personages of her suite, who were admitted to the honour
of kissing his feet. The Holy Father, after giving his epos-
tolical blueing, was reetioducted to his carriage by the royal
finally, and returned to the Vatican."
REHIONATION OF A ROMAN CATHOLIC BIdHOP.-w
We understand that within the last few day. a communica.
tion has been received from his Holiness the Pope, woe*
ing the voluntary resignation, sent in a short time ago,
Dr. Briggs, the catholic bishop of Beverley, which
Wieder the whole county of York. Dr. Briggs, who is up•
wards of 70 years of age, was the oldest bishop iu connexion
with the Romeo catholic body in the kingdom, and the
grounds of his resignation are old age and infirmity. Before
the hierarchy he wee president of the College of St. Cuth-
bert, at lislusw, near Durham and the Bishop of Track
also vicar-apostolic of the noriheru district, which included
the counties of Durham, Yorkshire, Lautaishire, nu, and
was much respected. On Tuesday last a meeting of the
chapter was held at York for the purpose of electing a vicar
capitular, or administiator of the dinceao, uotil the appoint.
meat of a successor to Dr. Bi lime, when the Rev. J. Render,
of York, was chosen for that office. lu the course of next
month another meeting of the Roman catholic chapter will
be held at York, over which Cepheid Wiseman will pre,itle,
when the names of three persona suitable to Mt the vacant
office will be selected, and submitted to the Pope, one of
whom, in the ordinary mouse, will receive the appointment
to the bishopric of Beverley.—Leeds Afercirry.
Tax Nzw PRESIDENT.—Mr. Lincoln, Mint) his
election, has been quietly receiving such as climes to call
upon him at the Executive Chamber in the State Capitol.
Crowds of houeet and etunly though rough-looking fanners
come in to see their old friend, „Hone-ms Abe," and shake
him by the hand. They find him the same jovial, pleasant,
amiable, affable, story-telling companion, while they
cannot but aduiire the remarkable ahreatlie aK, the keen
insight into human nature, and the active intellect which a
tuomeut's conversation in sure to develop. He has a
pleasant wind and smile for all, and hie ohleet friends say
that they do not see that he lass given way one particle to
the natural self-esteem which most men woad develop
under such eircurnstautus. Hie facial contortions arid
animated gesticulations are the name u ever, and, though
sonic may deem them undignified, all admit that they are
expressive. There ia no likelihood of his ever being ensue.
demote], for he says a thing emphatically, yet urlunely.
New Turk Tints. _ _

LEITZDA FOIL MONTX VIDEO, BVENtis AVRER, AND
PARAGUAT.—On the bit January next and thenceforwardt
the former British rate of postage between the Republic of
the Uruguay (including Monte Video) and the United
Kingdom, tamely, one chilling fur a letter not exceeding
Asa an ounce in weight (which postage was reduced but
ear under a postal emaciation which the legislature of the
Uruguay has refused to nitify), will hu reimposed. Front
the wine date the British postage upon letters for Burned
Ayres, or any other put of the Argentine confederation, as
well as upon lettere for the Republic of Para Quay, which
Wee reduced siinultaueously with the peetape to the l'ru-
gitay, will in like manner 14 raised from biX pence to one
shilling for a latter not exceeding half an ounce, and will
thus 14 made uniform with the British rate to the l'rugoiy
and Brasil. For heavier letters the postage will incense
acoording to the usual stale. The pnetage must, he hereto-
fore, in all caeca be ptid in adenine, or the lectern cannot be
forwarded.--By command of the Postmastcr-Genend.
ltorruatn Her, Bectetary.—General Post-ottice,
bar!!, 1901
OItEETAL PALACE. ONE SHILLING DaY.••••
Tar/MOAT, Nov. 2't —Admissions on raiment, 3109 ; ditto
by mmioa tickets, 2GS ; total viastors, btl7.

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