The Express.
London, England, 1866-01-22 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, MONDAY EVENING, JANUARY 22, 1866.

"sheltered here daring the put month" may be
soon put forth as the climax of efficiency.
We doubt, however, whether this is the precise
result desired by the public, and it would be much
more satisfactory if the projected scheme of
universal "police assistance" included some saving
clause, by means of which relief to the destitute
would be secured. The statistics quoted prove
too much, and the ominous liberality which has
virtually put a premium upon refusals to shelter
gives us a significant insight into parochial motives.
We are far from saying that the police will, if ap-
pointed, act with intentional harshness or cruelty,
but their daily avocations, and their familiarity with
imposture and crime, while eminently fitting them
for dealing with the worst class of tramps, make it
at least doubtful whether the poor victims of mis-
fortune will meet with full justice and considera-
tion at their hands. The Honseless Poor Act was
passed to keep our streets and doorsteps free from
the helpless wretches who formerly congre•
gated there throughout the night, rather than to
decrease the numbers sheltered in casual-wards; and
by placing a police office between destitution and
relief, it is far from certain that we shall not
frustrate the good effected by the watchfulness and
labour of the last few years. The inspection of
workhouse tramp wards, the examination of beds
and linen, the prevention of irregularities, and
the suppression of the shameless orgies we
have all shuddered to hear of, are matters
which may be left with undoubted ad-
vantage to the metropolitan force. This
is now done, and the public may rest satisfied that
a repetition of the infamous shed scenes will be
impossible. Bat the duty of adjudicating upon
the claims of urgent necessity is a more delicate
• one, and until the nature and limits of the police
" assistance " to be rendered are more fully known,
we shall be disposed to watch with considerable
caution a scheme which seems to have the dimi-
nution of relief rather than the decrease of desti-
tution to recommend it.

with them. Them is to proof or presumption or shadow of
either against the survivors. If we pity the Gruel fate of
the deed, let us at least forbear to make unfounded imps•
tations upon the living.

TOPICS.

The worst that has been stated about the Great Pastern
Railway affairs, says the Tines, haa been substantiated by
inquiry. This great railway, with its 22,000,0001. of
capital and its 700 miles of line, will just pay its own
expenses. Of fair commercial profit there will not for
some time be any vestige whatever. The traffic would
have repaid mart bountifully any fair outlay on the original
eo•strnctioo ; but the capital account has been so reek.
lowly expanded, and the preferential charges are so heavy,
that all profit is interoepted from the representatives of
the fist adventure. However, the Times trusts that
better things may be in store for this unlucky company
when the committee of investigation, who have obtained
• thorough knowledge of its affairs, and who will be under
no necessity nor even temptation of making things any
pleasanter than they are, step into the places of the eon-
damned directors and take upon themselves the duty of
attending to the company's finances.
The Timee notices the ‘ariona arguments pro end eon.
respecting an ocean penny postage. At present sufficient
letters are not carried by the mail packets to defray the ex-
pense incurred. By merchants the present charge is quite
inappreciable, and so far there is more reason for enhancing
the rate than lowering it, but there is another kind of cor-
respondence which is at present restricted by the expense.
The Times suggests that the present rate might be retained
for letters posted within a certain time of the actual de-
spatch of the mails, while letters posted earlier might be
paned with • penny stamp. Such en experiment would
be so far safe that the money cheerfully paid for special
privileges would probably almost maintain the receipts of
the Post-office at their present amount, while the duties
accruing from ordinary letters would be so much more
income.
The Daily News remarks that if every populous town
would do as Manchester has done ; establish a Discharged
Prisoners' Aid Society for its own district, and carry out
the scheme with as much ability and zeal as we have seen
displayed in Ireland, we should soon experience such a re.
ductiou of the criminal claws as would mark an epoch in
our social history. In Ireland, under Sir W. Crofton 's
method of dealing with criminals, the discharged prisoner
who wishes to do well can do well, and 80 per cent. are
actually known to be doing well. The Manchester people
are wise in refusing to wait till a general system is pro-
vided, and in propane to retrieve as many of their own
convicts as they possibly can. The scheme, however, will
not be complete till it comprehends discharged prisoners of

both sexes.' While these women are uncared for, we shall
never succeed as we might with the men, and never effect
any adequate rescue of the children.
The Post is anxious it should be understood that all and
every communication, confidential or otherwise, which has
been sent to Governor Eyre, was previously submitted to
the cabinet, and read, probably revised, and certainly ap-
proved, by the Premier. Mr. Cardwell is in nowise indivi-
dually answerable for the administrative conduct which
was sanctioned, if not directed, by Lord Russell, and it is
needless to add that a vote of censure passed upon the
Colonial Secretary would affect the whole cabinet. The
government must stand or fall upon its Jamaica policy, and
to suspect Mr. Cardwell is to distrust Lord Russell.
The Herald thinks that Earl Russell is likely in a politi-
cal sense to realise in the matter of reform the fable of
Acteon devoured by his own dogs. The very rank and file
of liberalism are in open mutiny, and by publio meetings,
letters, and officious deputations of "working men," are
threatening the government, and trying to dictate terms.
This is significant of the fate that may possibly overtake
the government.
The Daily Telegraph treats of the diplomatic relations
between Rome and Russia, assuming that when Rome has
to reckon on Italy alone she will not care for the patronage
of Russia, and will no longer tacitly acquiesce in the
Polish policy of the Cur. The Telegraph also writes upon
the death of Lord Edward St. Maur, and the reported death
of the sculptor Gibson.
The Star looks for some serious debates in the coming
session upon the Irish national schools and the education in
the Queen's Colleges, It is confident that the liberal party

would never consent to the grant of public money to be
spent in the propagation of any particular creed. Religious
observane,es and theological teaching should be made
optional merely, and not compulsory as at present. Under
these conditions the liberal party might probably counte-
nance the granting of a charter to the Catholic University,
should such be the wish of Ireland, though at the same
time believing it to be a retrogressive step, and one by no
means really calculated to serve any section of the Irish.

On Wednesday, Feb. i, the benchers of the Inner
Temple will meet in their parliament chamber to elect the
new reader. The appointment is worth 300/. a year.

The practical suggestion made by Sir F. Crossley,
Bart., M.P., a few days ago, for the relief of the sufferers
by the cattle plague, has been adopted at Halifax. At a
meeting of the subscribers to the Lancashire Distress Fund
in that borough, it was resolved that the surplus, amount-
ing to 2,0001., should be appropriated to assist the small
farmers and others who are una'ole otherwise to meet the
loses by the disease.

The cattle plague is rapidly extending in
Cheshire, in the neighbourhood of Birkenhead. One farmer
in that locality, who has lost the whole of his stock by the
plague, has become insane. The district inspector assured
the Birkenhead magistrates, on Saturday, of the singular
fact that none of the cattle imported from Ireland had died
from the malady. A meeting of magistrates will be held
in Cheater on Wednesday, at which a resolution will be
submitted asking the government to appoint • " day of
public fasting. humiliation, and prayer," in view of the
present ale's.

There has just been prepared for the signature of
the President of the United States a patent for 45,000
acres, selected under the acts of Congress of 1862 and 1864,
along the line of the first section of the Central Pacific
Railroad, being that part which has been finished, duly
equipped, and put in complete running order. The patent
or grant is elegantly embellished with the coat of arms of
the United States, surrounded by the symbols of agricul-
ture and commerce, and is accompanied by a map of the
Union exhibiting every State and Territory, and the line of
route for the Central and Union Pacific, as well as the
proposed line of route for the Northern Pacific.
There are three newspapers in circulation in
Natal, the Witness, the Times, and the Mercury. A writer
in the last complains that 11l of them "have `more
or less evinced a bias on the side of Coleeso."
Upon the excitement caused by the bishop's arrival, the
proprietors of the Mercury published a supplement devoted
exclusively to the controversy between the two parties in the
church, which may be called a fourth newspaper. It bears
the name of the Church Chronicle, and is to be published
weekly, or as often as matter arises. Its leaning is towards
Bishop Coleneo ; and the churchwarden of the cathedral,
writing in it, complains that there is "no newspaper in the
colony edited by a devoted churchman, or our cause would
be differently represented."

Major-General M. P. Lowry, who commanded
a division of Confeder►tes at the battle of Nashville and
elsewhere, and who surrendered to Sherman in North
Carolina, has taken to preaching. He has two Baptist
churches in Tipesh county, Mississippi.

The Peninsular and Oriental steamer Euxine,
which left Southampton on the 6th for Marseilles, to re-
lieve one of the company's steamers as that station, having
therefore no mails or passengers, met with terrific weather,
when probably not very far distant from the unfortunate
London. The precaution which was adopted by the captain
of "easing the engines to quite slow," and "heaving to
with head to west," is one (writes the secretary) which
the commandoes of the company's largest and most
powerful steamers have been compelled to resort to very
frequently during the last two months. The vessels have
been put about to avoid the danger of a high following
sea, and the steam power has been need for hours simply
for the purpose of keeping the ship moving gently in a
direction opposite to her destination.

At a meeting held oc Saturday by several in-
fluential gentlemen at the George Hotel, Aldermanbury, in
oompany with some of the survivors of the unfortunate
steamship London,—viz, Mewl. Munro, Wain, and
Wilson, passengers, Edward Gardiner, steward, and
several of the crew—it was unanimously resolved that a
committee be formed to meet et the same place this after-
noon in order to ascertain what steps may be deemed neon-
eery to raise subscriptiou towards auiatiog the present
necessities of the survivors, and also to make some compli-
ment to the captain of the Italian barque who so bravely
rescued them. A deputation will also be firmed to wait
upon the Lord Mayor for the Name purpose.

!be court.

OSBORNE, JAR. SI

Her Majesty, accompanied by Princess Helene
and Princess Hermann of Hohenlohe, drove out yesterday
afternoon.
Prince Christian rode on horseback, attended by Colonel
the Hon. A. Hardinge.
Prince Leiningen arrived from London, and dined with
the Queen andlltoyal Family.
Princess Hermann of Hoheolohe joined her Majesty's
dinner party.
Lord Augustus Loftus arrived from London, and also bad
the honour of dining with her Majesty.

JAN. 21.

The Queen, accompanied by Princess Helens and Prince
Christian of Sleswig.tiolstein, drove out yesterday in a
carriage and four.
The Dowager Duchess of Athole and Colonel the Hon. A.
Harding. attended.
Lord Augustus Loftus had an audience of her Majesty
yesterday, and kissed hands on being appointed her
Majesty's Ambassador to the King of Prussia.
The Earl of Beesboroagh and the Earl of Cork also had
audiences.
Lord Beesborough having resigned the office of Master
of the Buckhonnda, kissed bands on receiving from her
Majesty the woad of Lord Steward of the Household, in
place of the Earl of St. Germane, resigned.
Lord Cork kissed hands on being appointed Master of the
Buckhounds.
The Lord Chancellor arrived from London, and had the
honour of dining with the Queen and Royal Family.

A committee of the Lords of the Privy Council sat on
Saturday at the Council Chamber, Whitehall, to consider
certain matters relating to the cattle plague. The lords
present were The Lord President, the Lord Privy Seal,
Earl Russell, Lord Stanley of Alderley, the Right Hon.
Sir George Grey, the Right Hon. T. Milner Gibson, the
Right Hon. H. A. Bruce, and the Right Hon. G. J.
Goachen. The committee was attended by the Attorney
and the Solicitor General, Mr. Baring, Mr. Waddington.
Mr. Arthur Helps, and Mr. E. S. Harrison.
A deputation from the Foreign Cattle Association, con-
sisting of Mr. Charles Hicks, Mr. John Houck, Mr. G. C.
Graves, Mr. Van Thal, jun., Mr. E. Price, Mr. W. G.
Guerrier, Mr. Jas. Brewster, and Mr. B. B. Baker, bad an
interview on Saturday with the following Lords of her
Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council, at the Privy
Couacil•office, Whitehall, viz., the Lord President, the
Lord Privy Seal, Lord Stanley of Alderley, the Right Hon.
Sir George Grey, the Right Hon. T. Milner Gibson, the
Right Hon. H. A. Bruce, and the Right Hon. G. J.
Goechen. _

Despatches were sent on Saturday from the Colonial-
office to the Governors of the North American Provinces
and Bermuda

VISCOUNTESS PALMERSTON.—We understand (says
the Sunday Gaaqic) that, within the last few days, Lord
Russell, on behalf of the Queen, has offered to Viscountess
Palmerston a peerage in her own right, with remainder to
her son, the Right lion. William Cowper. It has, however,
been declined with many grateful expressions of the sense
entertained by Lady Palmerston of the kind intentions of
her Majesty, and of the honour intended thereby to be
paid to the memory of the late premier. Lady Palmerston
desires no change in her position, and is content with the
distinction of being Lord Palmerston's widow.
THE ADDRESS IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS.—The
Obscrre r states that the Marquis of Normanby is likely to
move the address in the Lords is reply to the Queen's
speech, which will be seconded by Lord Morley.
POLITICAL BANQU ET% —Earl Russell gives a
grand full draw parliamentary banquet on Monday, the
sth proximo, at his official residence in Downiog-street
The Eal of Derby will have a parliamentary dinner on the
same day.
The Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone (Chancellor of
the Exchequer) received Sir Alexander Coctburn (the Lord
Chief Justice), Sir Francis H. Doyle, Sir F. Rogers, the
Right Hon. Thomas Milner Gibson, M.P., Mr. Edward
Hamilton, M.P., Mr. Childers, M.P., Mr. Tits, Mr.
Molvill, Mr. Airy, Mr. Repington,lMLlErskine May, &c., at
dinner on Saturday evenicg, at his residence on Carlton
House-terrace. the. Gladstone and family arrived in
town ou Saturday from Hawarden Castle, Flintshire. The
Right Hon. Benjamin Disraeli has issued cards for a parlia-
mentary dinner on the sth of February, at his residence in
Upper Groavenorstreet.
The Duke and Duchess of Newcastle have been
entertaining during the past week, at Clumber Park,
Worksop, the Earl and Coantess of Westmorland, Viscount
Canterbury, Lord Courtenay, Lady Rossmore, Hon. Robert
Temple, Lord Arthur Clinton, Captain Synge, dx.

The Duchess Dowager of Sutherland is much
better, although unable to leave her chamber.
The Earl and Countess of Cawdor have a...ived in
town from the family seat in Weles, preparatory to the
wedding of Lady Victoria Campbell, their eldest daughter,
with Lieutenant-Colonel Lambton.

The Right Hon. B. Disraeli and Mrs. Disraeli
have arrived at Groavenor-gate for the season. .

The Bishop of London leaves town this day, and
will be absent until the opening of parliament. On Tues-
days, the 23rd and 30th inst., the weekly levees will be con-
tinned at London House, St. James's-square, u usual, when
the bishop's chaplains (who are in daily communication with
his lordship) will be in attendance.
The next examination for direct commissions will
begin on Monday, the 9th of April. _

The Irish Time. has been requested by Mr.
Gregory, M.P., to state that the announcement that he had
been offered and had declined a lordship of the Admiralty

Mr. Benjamin, ex-secretary of the Confederate
States, is studying English law, in the chambers of Mr. C.
E. Pollock, in the Temple, with the view to being called to
the English bar.
In a letter to a commercial firm t'ue Chancellor of
the Exchequer states that it is the intention of the govern-
ment to submit to parliament the assimilation of the duty
on bottled wines to the duty on wines in wood- there being
One uniform rate of duty of ls. per gallon upon all wises.
The Dover Chronicle says that the directors of
the London and Chatham Railway Company have evinced
their appreciation of the service of Captain Hoed, of the
Belgian Royal Mail Steampacket Belgique, in the assistance
that gallant officer gave to the llamphire by presenting
him with a service of plate of the value of 150 guineas.
Appropriate and substantial acknowledgments have also
been paid to the officers of the Belgique.
The judges in Ireland have resolved to proceed
with the Fenian trials till the assizes, about the 17th of
IFebruary, if necessary. There are 27 cases still to be dia.
posed of, but the number may be increased indefinitely by
fresh arrests.
We (Northern Whig) believe we are right in
stating that one, at least, if not more, of the Dublin detec-
tives has arrived in town in pursuit of Stephens, the "Head
Centre," who, it is supposed, is in the neighbourhood of
I Belfast. It has even been rumoured that he has been traced
by the detectives as far north as Newry.
An estate and insurance agent, named Jobn
Crawahaw, who resides at Horsfortb, was committed for
trial on Saturday by the Leeds magistrates on the charge of
obtaining goods from the railway companies in the town by
false pretences. He had for some time practised, without
discovery, an ingenious system of fraud. Having by some
means ascertained the names of persons to whom goods
were consigned, be sent some one whom he met in the street
to the railway stations for the parcels, which appear some-
what carelessly to have been delivered up without question.
So many parcels. however, failed to reach their destine.
tion, that inquiries were set on foot, whioh led to the de-
tection and apprehension of the prisoner. Property worth
601., which bad thus been dishonestly obtained, was re-
covered by the police, but this, in all probability, represents
very imperfectly the extent of the robberies he has com-
mitted.
A correspondent of the Times writes :—" I live
near the Smallpox Hospital at Highgate, and in going to
town daily hardly a week passes but what I ale a smallpox
patient going to the hospital in a public cab. Yesterday,
for instance, in cab No. 3,900 I saw a patient wrapped up
in blankets, with a face one mass of eruption, going to the
hospital, the driver having bailed me to inquire the way.
This cab would, in all probability, take a return fare to
London ; perhaps, a lady with some children, and the re-
sult rosy be laughed. Ls there no law to prevent this?"
DEATH or THE GlovEssos or Names.—Colonel
Maclean, Liautasantatosarner of Natal, [ornately Liente.
nant-Governor of British Kalfaaria, died on the 17th of
November.

Nairn
Aberdeen
Leith
Ardrossan
Greencastle
Valenti*
Cape Clear
Liverpool
Holyhead ,
Penzance
Brest

Rochefot .
Plymouth
Weymouth
Portsmouth
London
Yarmouth
Scarborough.'
Shields
fielder.... 1

B. T.
- -
19.361 SO
19.4340
29.66114
29.5446
99.62 41
N.69:44

49.74146
29.67;47
19.88 60
30.00 62
90.04 64
50.24146
29.86;61
29.8961
49.91'61
,',51.86 62
.129.81161
29.09 45
12.05411