The Express.
London, England, 1867-01-29 00:00:00

A FRENCH PORTRAIT OF HR. GLADSTONE.

The Nord contains the following description of
Mr. Gladstone's appearance at the banquet recently
given to him in Paris:—" As soon as the applause with
which the toast was received had ceased, the illustrious
English statesman, with that eloquent facility which we
all know, at least by reputation, thanked the Political
Economy Society, and discussed the influence of
men of science on the progress of governments,
the peace of the world, and the approximation
of the two great civilised nations of the West. He dwelt
on the reciprocal benefits which the treaty of commerce
could not fail to confer on both England and France, and,
on this head, adroitly introduced a panegytio as original
as it was characteristic on Cobden, and an approval of the
enlightened firmness of the Emperor Napoleon. Then
taking a rapid survey of the past and future he said :—' I
have abolished or reduced the taxes on 1,400 articles, and
I look forward to the time when the Custom•houss will be
merely a recollection. If it be permitted me to do this im-
mense service for England and to prepare the way for a like
one in other countries, I shall never, gentlemen, forget the
aid which the learned and distinguished statesmen who
surround me have given in enlightening the intellect
and preparing public opinion. This day is at once for me
an honour, gratification, and a treaty of alliance.' It
would be difficult to convey the effect produced by this
remarkable speech, which lasted for three-quarters of an
hour. Of fair height, the forehead large and bold, the eyes
brilliant and strongly fixed, Mr. Gladstone speaks in turn
with a warmth, a persuasion, and a logic which enchains
the hearer and forces upon him his own conviction, after
the manner of doctrinaires; at other times, with a slightly
ironical smile and with a fund of humour which rivets
his audience, and lends attraction to the force of his
eloquence."

Lord Derby has had a slight attack of gout. It
promises to yield to treatment, but it is necessary that he
should as much as possible remain in the same tempera-
ture. The Cabinet Council to-day will therefore be held
at Lord Derby's house in St. James4.square.

The Earl Percy left Northumberland House on
Saturday, for Albury Park, his seat in Surrey.
The death is announced of the Countess of
Devon. The sad event took place at Powdmham Castle on
Sunday. Her ladysLip was married to Earl Devon in
1830 ; she was sister of the late noble Earl Fortescue,
and is aunt of the present earl. The deceased lady leaves
two children Lord Courtenay and Lady Agnes
Courtenay.

At the meeting of the Royal Geographical So-
ciety last evening, Sir K. I. Murchison, Bart., president,
in the chair, a paper was read "On the Best Site for a
New Capital of India," by Mr. George Campbell.

Gustav Freytag, the author of " Debit and
Credit" and other novels, whose popularity is not con-
fined to Germany, is a candidate for the representation of
Erfursh, in theNorth-German parliament.

The Bremen ship Maria, Captain Meyer, is
shortly expected at Ragusa, with the library, painting,
and other effects of the Empress Charlotte. The cargo
consists of 622 chests, insured for 20,000/.

A few days ago, being a fine, cold day, one
Ernest Mabner jumped into the Rhine at Mayenoe, and
swam a considerable distance with the stream. The hardy
swimmer has long dubbed himself " the German apostle
of health," and by example, as well as precept, endeavours
to make his countrymen as indifferent to cold and fatigue
as Tacitus says they were.

The United States' government is preparing for
an active and vigorous campaign against the hostile
Indian tribes of the extreme west. Troops, horses, and
munition+ of war are being concentrated at Leavenworth,
Omaha city, and other points on the Upper Missouri, and
the campaign will begin with the opening of spring. All
the military posts on the plains are to be strengthened at
once. A general attack and =mare is feared from the
Indians, and the frontier wittier. are in great dread of
their lives.

Sixteen thousand dollars have been aubecribed
in New York for the families of the unfortunate men who
were lost from the yacht Fleetwing, and they are to have
a theatrical benefit in that city, at which the principal
New York actors will perform.

The Union announces the approaching marriage
of the Princess Marguerite of Parma with the Infante Don
Carlos, nephew of the Counties de Chambord. The cere-
mony, it says, will take place at Frobadorf on the 4th of
February. The princess was born on the Ist of January,
1847.

The Mhnorial of Amiens states that the town of
Lille learnt with affright on Saturday last that M. Point,
head of an important bank in that place, had died sod-
denly in the night, and that the house the neat morning
had stopped payment. The liabilities are estimated at
fifteen millions of francs. The mete are not as yet
known.

Mr. Smith's third and fourth lectures at Man-
chester are upon William Pitt. The subject of yeetertlity
evening's lecture was that tort of the youthful premier's
administration which preceded the war. Mr. K. Yates
Thompson took the chair.
The post of Historiographer Royal of Scotland
has become vacant by the death of Mr. ()wage Brodie,
who held the appointment many years.
The Enghsh independent announces that the
Rev. Henry Christopherson, late minister of New College
Congregational Chapel, St. John's-wood, is about to take
orders in the Church of England.
SPECIAL SERVICEE AT ST. PAUL'S.—The following
are the preachers appointed for the special services for
February :—February 3, the Rev. Daniel Fox Sandford,
M.A., militant minister of St. John's Episcopal Church,
Edinburgh ; 10th, the Lord Bishop of Ripon ; 17th, the
Rev. Henry Peril Liddon, M.A., prebendary of Salisbury,
and examining chaplain to the Biahop of Salisbury ; 24th,
the Rev. Dr. Moberly, late head master of Winchester
School.

DECORATIONS IN EXTREMIS. —ViSCOIIIIE de lit
Gueronniere has received the Grand Gordon of the order
of the Guelphs from the et-King of Hanover. MM.
Cohen and Seemlier, writers in the Prance, have been
named knights of the same.
METROPOLITAN FRES HOSPITAL, DRVONSEIRE-
SQUARE, Ciry.—Theaggregate number of patients relieved
during the week ending an. 26 was—Medical, 821 ; sur-
gical, :568 ; total, 1,389 ; of which 657 were new canes.

LATEST IiTELLIGENCE.

WPM% TELEGRAMS.)
PRUSSIA.
BERLIN, JAN. 29.

The English Ambassador at Berlin, with Dr.
Windthorst, formerly Hanoverian Minister of
State, will negotiate with the Prussian government
for the restoration of the Hanoverian royal pro-
perty to King George.