The Express.
London, England, 1866-06-29 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, FRIDAY EVENING, JUNE 29, 1866.

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ME ATLANTIC TELEGRAPH EXPEDITION.

The directors of the three English companies
directly interested in the success of the Atlantic
cable met yesterday on board the Great Eastern,
at Sheerness. The Telegraph Construction and
Maintenance Company, which mannfacturea the
cable, and the Atlantic Telegraph Company, were
supplemented after the abortive attempt of last
year by the Anglo-American Company. This last
association owed its existence to the legal his last
which beset the raising fresh capital for the
experiment of this year, and has in fact first inte-
rest in the profits of the Atlantic cable when laid.
Most of the directors of the other two companies
have a considerable stake in the new one, and it
was to inspect the final arrangements, and to see
the Great Eastern and her precious cargo for the
last time before sailing, that the gathering of yes-
terday was held.
To the uninitiated eye the great ship seems in
a state of considerable disorder. It is not merely
that her deck is bestrewn with a heteroge-
neous medley of blacksmith's shops, forges,
trunks of trees with the bark still clinging to them,
metal work, complicated wheels, ocean buoys,
barns, tents, and cattle-sheds. The ugly hulk of
the Iris, from which the remaining coils of the cable
are being rapidly paid in—the other floating but
nondescript succumb', purveying food and necessa-
ries for the voyage—the steamers full of cheering
excursionists hovering near the conclaves of elm-
neut scientific men, anti the ' of labourers and
seamen busily employed on esictrilin receiving and
stowing away the cargoes constantly arriving, madehe
the scene of yesterday unlike anything else in t
world. Perched above all this turmoil might be
seen Commander Moriarty, R.N., serenely continu-
ing and noting his observations of the sun. This
officer has again had special leave granted him by
the Admiralty to accompany the expedition.
The party of visitors yesterday included the
Duchess of Argyll, the Marquis of Porn, the
Hon. G. V. Fox, the Assistant Secretary to
the American Navy, Lord Houghton, Sir Charles
Bright, M.P. ; Mr. John Pender, chairman of the
Construction Company ; Mr. R. A. Glass, its
managing director ; Mr. S. Canning, engineer in
chief ; Mr. Clifford, C.E. ; Mr. Thomas Brassey,
Captain Hamilton, Mr. Wiliam Fairbarn, F.R.S. ;
Professor Thomson, F.R.S. ; Mr. Cromwell Var-
ley, Mr. Cyrus W. Field, Mr. John Penn, F.R.S.;
Mr. Chatterton, Mr. Latimer Clark, Mr. Shuter,
Mr. J. R. Robinson, Mr. J. C. Parkinson, and
others. No formal inspection of either cable-
tanks or the great ship itself was made. Luncheon
VMS served in the grand saloon, where Mr. Pender
presided, and at which a few brief speeches were
made. It had been intended to limit the toasts to
the health of her Majesty, that of the President
of the United States, and success to the expe-
dition. Popular feeling was, however, too strong,
and Mr. Cyrus Field and Lord Houghton had both
to respond to an almost unanimous call. Earnest
hopes for a triumphant issue to the great experiment
about to be made, and expressions of affectionate
regard for England and America respectively, made
the staple of each speech, Lord Houghton laying
some stress upon his consistent endeavours to pro-
mote the good feeling existing between the two
nations. The party then returned to town, and
the Great Eastern was left to the busy workers
making the last preparations for her eventful
oyage. clock on Saturday she is ex-
pected to leave her present moorings and to pro-
ceed direct to Berehaven. Last year, it will be
remembered her stay there was only until the
shore end of, the cable was laid by the Caroline.
On this occasion she will take in fuel at Berehaven
for the voyage across the Atlantic, front the tenders
already sent out to meet her, and will not effect a
splice with the shore end and fairly commence her
task until at least ten days from the present time.
As has been previously stated in this journal, the
process of testing invented by Mr. 'Willoughby
Smith is of such a character that tests for insulation
will be constantly carried on, and the communication
between ship and shore continuous. Mr. Smith
accompanies the Great Eastern as electrician-in-
chief, while Professor Thomson, F. R.S., is to act
as consulting electrician in case of unforeseen
emergency, much as a physician is called in if the
patient's case baffles ordinary rules. Mr. Crom-
well Varluy will be stationed with Mr. Glass at
Valentia to give advice, also as a consulting
electrician, so that the public will have the
advantage of sound scientific knowledge should a
serious hitch !unfortunately take place, and the
painful necessity- of " guessing" arise. The great
point ior congratulation seems to be the precautions
taken not merely to avoid accident, but to rob acci-
dent of its sting. It is agreed on all hands that
the grappling-ropes and machinery prepared for
this yc.sr s experiment are fully equal to any strain
likely to be put upon them • while the arrange-
ments made fur reversing the process of paying
out, and immediately recovering the cable should
the uncering indicator point to a fault, have been
put to every variety of test. Yesterday artificial
faults wore created experimentally at 600, 1,200,
and 1,500 miles, and were instantaneously detected.
As the change from paying out to picking up will
only occupy a few minutes, it follows that a fault
would probably be discovered before the part of
the cable containing it had left the ship. To cut
the damaged part out, resplice the vast rope, and
resume its laying, would be a comparatively easy
matter, so that it is fair to assume that the con-
tingencies most to be dreaded are fully guarded
against. Assuming this to be the case, and all to
go well, we may look for telegraphic communica-
tion between Great Britain and America about
the last week in July.

Abat an/f iffilitztry.

ADMIRALTY, JrtilL 28.—APPOINTSIEICT8.—COM-
inander R. H. M. Molyneux, to the Doris.
Lieutenant H. H. Molyneui, to the Bellerophon.
3lidshipnian J. H. Martin, to the Victoria.
S•:rgeon Dr. J. Henry•, to the Hector.
Acting Assistant Surgeons R. G. Bird, to the Victory
(additional), for service at Hasler Hospital ; and Dr. J. S.
Lewis. to the Antelope.
Master's Assistant J. G. Fowling, to the Dee.

CONVOCATION OF THE PROVINCE Or CANTERBURY.
—Both houses met yesterday. In the Upper House an
address was read from the General Convention of Pro-
testant Bishops in America commenting on the real firm-
ness and love of the church evinced b 7 the Right Rev.
Dr. Gray, Lori Bishop of Cape Town, in reference to the
case of Dr. Colenso, the Bishop of Oxford proposing that•
reply should be forwarded to the convention. The Bishop
of London saw difficulties in the way of discussing the
address. The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Bishop
of Ely, and others, thought they should express their
satisfaction with the communication, and • motion
was made to the effect that • committee be appointed to
draw up an address in reply, which was ultimately agreed
to. The house proceeded to consider certain questions
submitted to convocation by the Bishop of Cape Town
through the Dean of Maritzbnrg at the last session. The
discussion resulted in the adoption of the following reso-
lution :—" That in the opinion of this house the church of
England holds communion-. with the Bishop of Cape
Town and those bishops who lately with him in synod de-
clared Dr. Colenso to be ipso facto excommunicated." The
house then adjourned. In the Lower House the discussion
on ritualism was resumed. On • show of bands being
taken the motion of the Dean of Ely, was carried by
38 to 9. The Dean of Westminster proposed • rider
to the resolution, but it was not seconded. Arch-
deacon Denison proposed another rider, which, he
said, had been accepted by the Dean of Ely, as follows :
" That with regard to the six points of ritual which this
house specially discussed in the report, the judgment of this
house is as follows That the use in parish churches of
the surplice is a sufficient compliance with the directions
of the church. 2. That without pronouncing on the le-
gality of the vestments prescribed in the First Book of
King Edward VL, or of altar lights, the house considers
that they should not be introduced into any parish church
without reference to the bishop, and that a similar refer-
ence should be made with regard to the introduction of
incense in the simpler manner described in the report. 3.
That the house expresses its entire disapproval of the
practice of ceasing persons and things, and of all elevation
of the elements after consecration, and considers that the
presence of non-communicants, excepting in special cases
to attend during the celebration of the Holy Communion,
and the nee of wafer breed are to be discouraged." This
was agreed to. Some conversation on diocesan synods fol-
lowed-, without, however, any results, and the house ad-
journed shortly before 7 o'clock.
The inquiry into the charge, preferred walnut
tha management of the sick wards of the Paddington
workhouse was concluded yesterday by Mr. Fannin, C.B.

THE BANK RATE OF DLSCOUNT,

(From the Daily New.)
It is a long time since any manifestation of
policy on the part of the directors of the Bank of
England has produced so strong an effect upon the
financial and mercantile community as that occa-
sioned yesterday by their renewed refusal to recog-
nise the strongly pronounced tendency of the money
market and to reduce their rate of discount.
Apart from the check which has been given to the
otherwise improving course of the stock markets,
the credit of the country is lowered abroad, if
only by reason of the doubts and apprehen-
sions which the feebleness and hesitation
of the Bank court are so well calcu-
lated to engender. It is no wonder if
foreign bankers and merchants suspect, from
the Bank's timorous policy, that there must be
something very rotten in the condition of our
financial affairs, for here, in the very focus of in-
formation, even some of the best informed and
shrewdest men of business find themselves asking
the question, in the teeth of their full knowledge
of the existing situation—Have the Bank directors
any peculiar information at their command which
impels them to regard so distrustfully the probable
course of events/ In truth, however, it is under-
stood that the Bank directors are influenced
merely by the considerations already frequently
referred to, and the chief of which are an
unwillingness to part with the government autho-
rity relaxing the Bank Act, and the comparative
lowness of their reserve, in face of the approaching
payment of the dividends. It is evidently useless
to combat these views with argument, or to point
out that, if the Bank directors will but themselves
give the much-needed signal of confidence, the
dividend money, with a large mans of additional
notes to boot, will instantly flow back to the
Bank. The directors have evidently made up
their minds to carry out their harsh policy to
its extremest limits, no matter if in doing so
they add immensely to the unpopularity of an
establishment which ought to be the National
Bank.' aiming at the support of the national - com-
merce. It is some consolation as against the pre
sent hard interference with business that the eyes
of the mercantile community are at last being
opened—by its own upholders too—to the evil
operation of the Act of 1844. Yet it is painful to
reflect that, in thus keeping up to the latest pos-
sible moment the rigidity and remembrance of the
late panic, the Bank, by repressing business, are
paving the way for a plethora of idle money, and a
consequent financial outburst in due course of time.
Though painfully surprised by the Bank's
inaction, merchants yesterday were disposed to
suspend judgment until they should be in
possession of the weekly Bank return, which,
pursuant to the absurd arrangement now in
force, is wilfully and deliberately withheld
from them for the space of one business day. Their
surprise will be increased when they find that the
coin and bullion have risen in the last week
191,2791., and the reserve no less than 474,079/.
With more than fifteen millions of gold in its cof-
fers, and with five and a quarter millions of re-
serve, the Bank directors consider themselves jus-
tified in exacting a 10 per cent. rate of discount.
They have only themselves to thank if captious
persons infer that there must be some connexion
between their inaction and their eagerness to in-
crease their stock of government securities, which
this week has risen upwards of 200,0001., following
the increase of 50,000/. in the previous return, and
of 265,051/. in that of the week before.

ftlussir.

HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE.
Last night Mr. Hohler appeared for the first
time in the character of Elvino, in the Sonnambula, and
achieved a decided success. His performance was admir-
able, and indeed left little to be desired, in regard either
to voice, execution, or expression. The quality of his
beautiful tenor voice can scarcely be excelled ; and it was
evident that lie had thoroughly studied the spirit and
character 'of every note of the music. an actor he
has made a great step in his art sin Aces his first
' pearance in the Puritani. He was attired with great taste
and judgment, and, with his handsome face and person,
he looked the character to the life. In his acting, too, as
well as in his singing, there was animation, vigour, and
variety, and the result was that he completely gained the
favour of the audience. Millie. de Murska's Amine was
Icharming in every respect—in the marvellous brilliancy of
her vocal execution and in the exquisite dramatic feeling
which pervaded every scene. The opera, in its ensemble,
1. I went off with great spirit, ar.d was altogether a delightful
entertainment.

SPEECH DAY AT HABBOW.

What " the Fourth of June" and " Electio►
Saturday" are to Eton, what " Apposition Day" is to St.
Paul's, and " Founder's Day" to Charter House, that is
" Speech Day" at Harrow a day glad and joyful
to old and young Harrovian' alike ; a day on which
old schoolfellows whose paths have lain in opposite
directions, perhaps in a different hemisphere, for twenty or
may be thirty years, meet and shake hands in the old
" school" or over Byron's tomb, and talk over their Har-
row days, and over their former schoolfellows, dispersed
over the world, or perhaps departed to a better one. One
advantage, however, " Speech Day" at Harrow has over
" the Fourth of June," and that is that it is almost in-
variably fine, while " Queen's weather" scarcely
ever deigns to come down from Windsor Castle
to Eton on the day of all others that it is
wanted, for the sake especially of the lady visitors.
Yesterday formed no exception to the rule ; it was fine
summer weather, such a day as is not often surpassed in
England, even in the month of June ; and never did liar.
row look more lovely. The slight shower which fell in the
afternoon, just as the company finished luncheon, passed
away as quickly as it came, and served but to cool the air
and lay the dust, and make an agreeable place, if possible,
still more agreeable.
The visitors had nearly all arrived ►t the bead mutes
and the other masters' houses by half-past 12, and soon
after that hour Earl Russell, Lord Verulam, Sir John
Neeld, and the other governors and distinguished visitors,
accompanied by Dr. Butler, went up the old familiar steps
and tooktheir seats in the schoolroom, where theprizepoems
and speeches were delivered according to ancient custom.
One well-known face was absent, that of Lord Palmerston,
who, as is well known, used to come down on this day
regularly to his old school, and was present on the last
occasion just two years ago, when he was accompanied by
the Prince and Princess of Wales.
The speeches were well and carefully delivered, the
youthful performers throwing themselveswitii great energy
and spirit into their several parts.
As the distinguished visitors quitted the school and
came down the steps they were severally greeted with
cheers such as none but public schoolboys know how to
give forth. The Bishop of Peterborough, Mr. Bereeford
Hope, Archdeacon Wordsworth (a former head master of
Harrow), Sir R. IPeel, and Sir Robert Montgomery, were
singled out by the boys for " three cheers," but the
loudest and heartiest cheers were reserved for Earl Rus-
sell, who walked down to the head master's house with the
Countess Russell on his arm, and followed by his
daughters.
3:

CRYSTAL PALACE. ONZ SHILLING DAT.—
THCRSDAT, Jeans 28. Admissions on payment, 9,753 ;
ditto by season tickets, 1,828. Total visitors, 11,581.
HIALTH AND STRINGTH RISTORID NY DU BARRY'S
DI'LICIOI3IIRIVALMA AtiliCA 1000, which dares w 6 host ma
ditane ar hicosassiesee dyspepsia (indligestkaLph, sallima,
comumptioa, debility, oonsiipaties, tatio IL=
Tom, bilious, liver, sad stomach covaplaindiantral eaves Any
it. cost to other ranedies, and Is the beet food for intuits
60,000 cures annitally.—Ds Barry and Co., No. 77, Regent-street,
London, W. in tins, at la. lid. ; lib., is. Id. ; lilts., Mt :
nibs., SOL ; also MEL Gracechurob4trest ; it. CliiisifigGs ; IS. In.
sad 1611, Oxierastresa ; sad at all Grosera—{Advartlsentesa I