The Express.
London, England, 1860-04-27 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, FRIDAY EVENING, APRIL 27, 1860.

the present exposure, ought to be at once made a
standing rule in every bank in London. The trouble is'

so small as to form only a trivial consideration. The
recurrence of this particular form of fraud will thus
be obviated for ever. The hint, too, is worthy of
being promptly acted upon by other establish-
ments than banka. The mute testimony of the
bankers' pass-book—perhaps a falsified duplicate
—can no longer be relied upon implicitly.
Another consideration which start& prominently
forward is the striking proof once more presented
of the complete fallacy of the system of audit
now in fashion. A system which limits the duties
of the auditor to the mere checking of a few
totals is worse than useless, because it contributes
to inspire a deceptive sense of security. The
duties of an auditor ought to be of the most
searching character, and his office ought to rank
with that of a director. The report which will be
submitted this day at the meeting of shareholders
in the Great Indian Peninsula Railway Company
mentions the fact that the capital of that under-
taking has now increased to eight millions sterling
as a reason for raising the salary of the two auditors
from twenty guineas to fifty guineas per annum.
What effectual audit can be obtained for so
wretched a pittance ? The farce had better be
done away with, and the money presented to a
charity.

The discovery of the Union Bank frauds has not
unnaturally led to a revival of the discussions re-
specting the relative advantages and disadvan-
tages of private and joint-stock banks. Few
private banks could survive such a shock
as that just sustained by the Union.
The public confidence in the solidity of that
bank is of course supported by the knowledge
that there is a large body of wealthy shareholders
in the back ground, liable to their last farthing ;
but this very consideration, whilst highly reassuring
to the customers, seems to have a tendency to in-
duce a certain looseness of practice on the part of
our great joint-stock establishments. Against the

inalversations of the private bankers, Air JOHN
DEAN PAUL, and Messrs. STRAHAN and BATES,
there is to be set a long list of grievous frauds in
connexion with joint-stock companies. The career
of WATTS, SADLEIN., ROBSON, AZDFATH, and Pin-
imams, to say nothing of the revelations of the
management of the Royal British Bank, Liverpool
Borough Bank, and Western Bank of Scotland, in-
dicates that, although associated capital means
safety to the public, the general sense of vigilance
is by no means so keen as it ought to be.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

• -

JAPAN
The state of matters in Japan appears to be
getting worse, and the foreign community• to be
living in apprehension. On the 26th February two
Dutch captains, Captain De Yoe, of the brig
Christian Louis, and Captain Dekker, of the
schooner Henrietta Louise, were murdered in Yoko-
hama. They were walking through the streets,
and, it is said, had given no offenoe, being respect-
able quiet men, when they were attacked by
some Japanese with swords. Captain De Vas
was killed almost immediately, and Captain Dekker
was pursued a short way before he was despatched.
No cause is assigned for this act. " The Japanese,"
says the Chiaa Mail, "are a high-spirited people,
and have been known to commit suicide when
insulted by foreigners ; it is not impossible that
the unfortunate captains may have committed I
offence without intending to do so, or they•
may have been sacrificed to expiate the acts of
other foreigners. The burial of Mr. Alcock's
servant was attended by officials. The mission
to the coal mines is said to be a failure ; but it has
been found that Hirado coal can be advantageously
used by all steamers when it is mixed with an
equal portion of Welsh coal. The imitative powers
of the Japanese must be very great, for muskets
and rifles are now made by them as well as in
Europe, and the retainers of the princes are
daily taught their exercise and use. At Hako-
dadi good feeling exists between the foreigners and
Japanese, and articles are exported from there
which are held back at the other ports. Copper,
iron, tin, and coal exist in the island of Yeso ; and
the ores are said to possess from 75 to 85 per cent.
of flue metal. Russian influence is there said to
be supreme ; there are always two Russian men-of-
war in the bay, and large consular mansions. The
Japanese ministers to New York were to have
sailed before this time in the Powhatan, and one
of their own steamers was to accompany them
under the direction of Lieutenant Brooke, late of
the United States surveying schooner Fenimore
Cooper."

AUSTRIA.
SUICIDE OF BARON BRUCK
VIENNA, Aram 26.

The Merges Pod of to-day says : " A post-
mortem examination of the body of Baron von
Bruck showed that a cut had been made upon
the neck from the windpipe to the spinal
column, but only superficially. Neither the ca-
rotid artery nor the large vessels lying beside it
had been injured. The arteries at both wrists had
also been laid open by incisions, and from the con-
sequent loss of blood death had ensued."

VIENNA, TRU/MOAT A/TR:WON.

When the body of Baron Bruck wee judicially
examined yesterday, a cut, which extended from the
jugular vein to the fore part of the throat, was
found. The unfortunate man has also inflicted
wounds on the inner part of both lyrists. Tho
contents of the stomach are now being analysed by
the sworn medical authorities.

VIENNA, FRwAT.

Tho official Wiener Zeitnng publishers the follow-
ing facts in connexion with the death of Baron von
Bruck :

"In the evening of the 20th inst. Baron von
Bruck was heard as a witness in the process relative
to the frauds of the late General Eynatten. His
examination gave rise to further inquiries, which
would probably have led to his confrontation with
other witnesses and accused parties.
Under those circumstance* the Emperor issued
an autograph letter on the 22nd inst., in which his
Majesty said, I temporarily remove you from
office, according to your request, and provisionally
transfer the charge of the Ministry of Finance to
the Councillor of State von Pleuer.'

"This autograph letter was remitted to Baron
von Bruck on the evening of the 22nd instant, and
on the morning of the 23rd the baron was found in
bed bleeding.
" On the 25th a judicial post modem examina-
tion took place, the result of which was announced
in yesterday's telegram."

THE VOTING IN SAVOY.
PARIS, FRIDAY MORNING.
Tho Paris papers cantain the following telegram,
dated Chambery, yesterday evening :
" A banquet wax given in the theatre to comme-
morate the result of the voting, and iu honour of
M. Laity. Covers were laid for 800 persons. The
number of ayes recorded will exceed 100,000, and
the number of nova, together with those who
abstained f►om voting, will be about 1,200."

FRANCE.
PARLS. TM:RADA; 3.40 P.M.
The Bourse has been animated, and closed firm
at higher prices.
Reuter 70.50, being an improvement of g since
yesterday.

AUSTRIA AND PRUSSIA.
VIENNA. Amin W.
It is asserted that since February last Austria
has been proposing to Prussia an alliance between
the two countries, on the basis of a mutual gua-
rantee of their respective territories. Up to the
present time Prussia has not consented toguarantec
Venetia to Austria.

SPAIN.
MADRID, Arm XL
It is believed that Marshal O'Donnell will leave
Tetuan in order to return to Madrid.
The result of the negotiations for peace is not
yet known.

CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.
PLYMOUTH, THURSDAY.
. . . .

The Phobe, Capt. Strutt, has arrived. Her dates
March I:3; kW Melees, March 31; and Aaces
rw;rfastant.
. - . . . .

Trade was reviving. The Supremo Court bad declared
free trade in money. The haulm had raised the intereot on
dcpoeita from 4to ti per cent. Pricer were well maintained
upon all imports. end bushier wan generally guy ottuud.
There was still plenty of room fur immigration, all those
now in the eolmty being employed on contractors' works.
Farm labourers were much required. The wine -growers
and dealers were greatly alarmed at the reduction
of the duties on French wines awl spirit,. The
commission for inquiring into the vine disease hail advioed
the farmers lad to mix &messed with healthy grapes in ma-
nufacturing wine.
Parliament was to meet on the 27th April, the Petition
having been delayed • fortnight in expectation of the
arrival of Sir George Grey. A rumour was current that
the government of Canada had been offered to him, and the
colnisee were afraid that he would ideation the Cape.
Great excitement prevailed in comeequenee of the land-
ing of thirty men town Western Auotnilirt, who had re-
ceived a co*ditlonal pardon, and a determination WAS ex-
pressed to pia an act excluding ouch pereong.
Plane had been invited for new house* of parliament, the
estimated coat of which was 60,000 f.
La Seine des Clippers had arrived with French troupe for
China . • their conduct at the Cape was very dieorilerly, and
several were convicted of theft.
The fund for the relief of the Jew,. in Morocco amounted
to ROW., which wag remitted by the Pliodat.
The Maine liquor law heal been applied iu the Paarl dis-
trict. . _

A letter had been received from Mr. John Moffatt, stat-
ing that the inissieu to the Zambesi territory met with
gnat difficulties. No news hed been received from Dr.
Liviuptone.

Gdignani dePcribea an extraordinary contrivance
for transmitting sound to very large distances, which has
just been presented to the Academy of Sciences by the
Abbe Imborde. As the w•tion of the electric Amid may be
transmitted to any distance, "it follows," says GabMiani,
" that, if properly modified and improved, the apparatus w•e
have described may enable permits in P.ris to hear a tune
played in London, or even at St. Petersburg."

d.

THE B.MPRESIVS BALL.

(howl Odlignani.)

The splendour of the scene presented on Tuesday
night at the bat rostsmi given by the Emperor at the
Hotel d'Albe, and which, for the last few weeks, has been
the great topic of expectation, was such as has scarcely ever
been surpassed. The Emperor made his entry shortly after
eleven in a black domino which he only removed during the
evening to substitute for it a blue one. The Empress, who
arrived soon after, was attended through the rooms by
Prince de Metternich. Her Majesty also wore a domino,
which, to the general surprise, she never took off ; report
having affirmed that she was to appear as Diana, the
Huntress. Her Majesty only remained a short time. The
costume of the Princess Maithilde was of a most unusual
description, as the texture of her skin was completely -
darkened to represent a copper-coloured Indian, and to suit
a curiously picturesque attire, lightly fastened together.
The Princess Clothilde showed exquisite taste in • most
charming costume of a Bergere in the time of Louis XV.
Prince Napoleon appeared in a domino. The guests were
received by the Duke sad Duchess de Teacher la Pagerie,
whose courtesy and attention were unceasing.
Dancing commenced early, and continued daring the
night, but three quadrilles in particular stood out in bold
relief for their beauty and originality, and the costumes of
which had been previously arranged. In the first were
represented the characters of the fairy tale which delighted
our childhood, Puss in Boots; the second was composed
of the favourite personages of the Italian Carnival, such as '
Punchinello, Harlequin, and the rest; while the third, in
which the four elements were attempted to be imper-
sonated, gave to the admiring spectators one of the most ,
lovely sights ever presented in any tall-room. The
Countess Wolewska represented water, being dressed as
lindine. She wore a coronet of diamonds, surmounted by
a conch shell of diamonds and opals. Behind floated on
her shoulders marine shrubs. Air was personified by the
Countess de Morny, who wore • headdress of diamonds
with wings at the sides, her hair being powdered with
silver, whilst behind were to be seen light pinions. The
Princess Siviskowska represented earth. Her head-
dress was composed of a crenelated tower in
gold, ornamented on one side with a cornucopia
from which fell flowers and fruits. Fire was re-
presented by the Princess Coartoriska, daughter of Queen
Christina ; she wore • diadem of flames of gold, her hair
being powdered with gold, and flames of the same metal
were intermingled with her hair. In each quadrille the
ladies were dressed nearly alike ; and in addition to the
leaders mentioned above, were to be seen the Countess de
Persigny, Madame Niembitowska, and Mille. Sivewiboft,
the Countess de Moray, the Princess de Metternich, Madame
Nirerdriecka, the Countess de Portulee, the Countess de
Labedoyere, &c.
This last-named quadrille was compeeed solely of ladies,
four for each element, and each four being dressed alike,
with almost the sole difference that the display of diamonds
and precious stones was somewhat greater with some of the
ladies than with others. But such was the admiration
excited not only by the richness of the costumes, but by
the beauty of the ladies who took part in it, that a univer-
sal supplication arose fur a repetition of the dame, and the
request was moat kindly acceded to.
At two o'clock the curtain which hung between the paler*
of the garden corridor was raised, and presented a sight the
magnificence of which could scarcely have been imagined,
unless in beholding some picture by Paul Veronese. This
was the banquet-hall, which to that hour had not been
opened. The corrislor led on to galleries, which extended
down both sides of the hall. At the farther end scenery
hail been arranged so as to vanish into distance; a fountain
sent up its waters in the foreground, and on them
an electric light was so adjusted as to give the
watery spray as it rose and fell the appearance of
frosted silver. The scene was must beautiful, and called
vividly to mind those abodes only read of in the Arabian
Nights. The centre of the hall was reached by two wide
staircases, and in its wide expanse were disposed twenty
tables glittering with plate and crystal, and covered with a
supper of a most sumptuous description. The attendants
consists.' solely of pages attired in • costume of the richest
kind—silk, velvet, and lace—of the pith century. A party
of musicians, also dreamed must gorgeously, played during
the supper.
The Emperor rat down at one of the tables but did not
remove his mask, even while taking refreshment. Eight
ladies were seated near him ; the Countess de Moray
at one side and the Countess Widewska at
the other. At the supper table of the ladies of
the court were to be seen the Princess Cluthilde
and the Princess Mathilde. As soon as the first pirty of
guests bad withdrawn, another descended, and in continued,
until all that pleased bed supped. Dancing was resumed
afterwards, and the /Fie did mot temiinata until six in the
morning.
Perhaps there was never seen a more magnificent dim-
play than on this occasion, or one in which every person
have bestowed so much attention to
t=uld to y
csrry out the various details of the cos-
' Ennis.' erloptod. Expense seemed to have leen totally
disregerslesi both by the giver of the fete Ulla by the iuviteiL
and the first rough expense of the entertainment before
a guest had entered the rooms is estimated at
L not less than 400,00Dfr. The display of diamonds
was somethiue wonderful, soil the dr.:saes were
generally remarkable for their fidelity. Anent." the cos-
tumes noticed for their historkal correctness :Led splendnur,
• were these worn by three English officers ; Captain Lunsley,
in the character of the Earl of Essex ; Colonel Burualk. y as
Gustavus Adolphus ; sod Captain Manse, as Francis .

TES SUICIDE OP BARON BRUCE.

(From the Timex.)

•
There is an omen in states far more terrible
than cornet or eclipse. There are signs of weakness and
impending ruin more certain even than lost battles and dis-
membered provinces. Before the storm braks out in
France in 1848 black clouds had gathered round and
an unusual heaviness had filled the an for months.
There bad been a vague and fearful expectation of on-
pending evil, induced by the feeling that ruins were
stricken with judicial blindness and men in high
places were demoralised awl corrupt. The unhappy
empire of Austria shows signs of similar import. To those
who look below the surface the late gilantic frauds are
more discouraging than the loss of Milan or the threatened
insurrection in Hungary. Not only are the branches of the
state likely to be torn away by the storms of popular pas-
sion, buts slow disease is withering the trunk, and all will
be a dry and sapless block together. A tAesram which we
publish gives a darker side to this gloomy history. We
now learn the melancholy circumstances of Fermi Bruck's
death. This statesman, justly considered one of the ablest
in Austria, and the only minister who was capable
of retrieving the finances of the state, has just put an end
to his life in an agony of despair and shame. It will be re-
membered that a few days since the resignation of Baron
Bruck was announced, and that immediately after came
tiding of his death. The mysterious sequence, which at
once gave rise to the most painful suspicious, is now fully
explained, and there need be no more delicacy on the sub-
ject. The minister was dismissed for complicity in the sys-
tem of hands, which seems to have extendal from Bohemia
to Trieste, and he has expiated his offence Ly cutting his
threat, after having, as seems to be suspected, swallowed
poison.

We learn that the Emperor is carrying on the examina-
tion and the punishment of the arming-doers with a rigour
which verges ou cruelty. The Chevalier Revolt.lla, an
intimate friend of Bruck, and the leading merchant of
Trieste, has been ►pprehended, thrown into prison, and
treated like the lowest criminal. Brambilla and Mind.,lf°,
two other commercial magnates, have shared the mine fate.
But it is not in the Adriatic provinces alone nor in Lou .
hardy that these frauds have taken plwe. Arrests have
been made in other parts of the empire, and every-
where the accused have been treated with equal severity.
Conimiariusis sit in Vienna, Prague, and Trieste to examine
the documents which can throw light on these transactions.
It is seal that for weeks before the apprehension of
Revoltella eat his companions their iss.ka and papers
were under the scrutiny of euus.saries from Vicuna.
It may well be aid that • reign of terror exists in
Austrian society. Although a man of claw conscience
may not fear fur himself, yet no one knows how
far his neighbour is free from the taint of that
corruption which the government is so tardily bent ou
punishing. The details of the frauds are still kept strictly
secret by the government, but it is known that the amount
is enormous, that they extended over the greater part of
the empire. foul that the parties implicated are numerous
and of high station. The military advisers of the Emperor
are urging him un against such men as ItevoltelLx, 11114 with
an obvious motive. The alleged villsny of tile civil service
and of the tanitraets.rs may serve to excuse the incapacity of
the military authorities, or even to cover their own delin-
quencies.

THE DEBATER ON THE SAVOY QC2Rrln\.-3L.
Prevamt Pitradul writes iu the Dile, fe :—" We eau
laugh:et:nal how the English paddle ha: at length liecuitie
weal yof hearing di.43nutione day after day a to what mew.
!urea ghoul.' have 'seen taken to hinder the sainevation of
Sawn,. This eternal debate puts us in mind the pityei.
tutus in Mini. re, Who held it voneultatien .41 a man who had
kern dew: a week, in order to find out huw his death might
have beau prevented."