The Express.
London, England, 1866-06-26 00:00:00

Eta Court.

THE WAR.—THE DEFEAT OF THE ITALIANS.
Praising both belligerents for the truthfulness and mo-
deration of their despatches, the TilrlfS proceeds to speak
of the attempt of the Italian army in front of Verona
as ill-conceived though heroic. An advance across the
Mincio, right into the heart of the Quadrilateral, is an
enterprise which no other European army would, under
such circumstances, have ventured upon, but a frenzy to
do something seems to have possessed the whole Italian
nation, and the men in command could think of nothing
better than dashing their heads against those formidable
stone walls. Apart from the immense works to which
the Austrians could have safely retreated, there is every
probability that the Italians were on this occasion also
outnumbered. This failure of the King will probably
break down the whole enterprise in which Cialdini and the
Italian fleet were to co-operate. But, although the
Italians met with so severe • reverse at the very outset,
they will find that they have not fought in vain. The
mere consciousness that they have taken the field unsup-
ported, and have fought not ingloriously, and against
terrible odds, will end by inspiring them with good con-
fidence for the future, and raise them in their own and the
world's estimation.
The Times infers from the fact that the Russian army
has crossed the Austrian frontier that • great engagement
is close at hand. The question during the past week has
been whether the Prussians would be content with what
they bad gained, and stand on the defensive, or whether
they would recall the exploits of the last century by a
campaign in Bohemia. They have chosen the latter course.
The Austrians, whose line is from Prague to Olmutz, will
not be long in concentrating to meet this bold and perhaps
unexpected invasion, and the battles which must decide to
: whom the supremacy iu Germany shall be given will be
fought on Austrian ground.
The Da iii Neuc finds it difficult to foresee the political
and military consequences of the serious reverse which the
Italians have sustained. The plan of attack it is now seen
was to reduce Venetia by assailing the Quadrilateral
from the side of the Mincio, supported by a powerful
force operating on the lower Adige, leaving Garibaldi
to find such employment as he could for his volunteers in
the passes of the Tyrol. The design of the campaign is
simple, but suggests more of impetuosity than discretion.
Bed the Italians under their gallant King defeated the
Austrians at Custozza, the latter would have retreated to
Verona, and under cover of their Maximilian towers would
soon have been as formidable as ever. Not so with the
Italians. The defeat which the King has sustained has
not only driven him across the Mincio, but it may seri-
ously compromise the forces at Polesella. If it is true that 1
the Stelvio Pass is occupied by an Austrian detachment,
and that this is but • first step towards the
occupation of the defiles in the Tyrol, we fear
that the gallant revolutionary leader will find
his portion of the work in the Italian campaign rather
beyond the capacity of the force assigned to him. The
Italian government will do weU to reconsider its scheme.
With a plan of campaign less hazardous, and the support
of the troops who have fought so bravely on this occasion
King Victor Emmanuel may hope to prolong the campaign,,
and, if fortune favours, with the aid of the fleet and the
volunteers, may yet claim Venetia as his own.
The Herald is at a loss to understand the hardihood
which has led the flower of Italy into the very jaws of the
line.—encountering dangers from which Louis Napoleon
shrank even after the victory of Solferino. It is no dis-
credit to the Italian army that it has been defeated, but •
grave responsibility rests on those who counselled so ill-
advised • movement. The Herald then proceeds to laud
the Austrian empire, her deliberate energy, and her pro-
gressive policy.
The Telegraph mourns the defeat of the Italian', though
' it trusts that the temporary check will only add to the
determination of the people, and that the precious blood
spilt will consecrate in their eyes the cause for which
so many gallant men have perished. In the meantime Gari-
baldi may be heard of, and whether he astonishes the
natives of the Bavarian Tyrol, or gets in the Austrian rear
on the line of the Adige, or joining his son Menotti, makes
a dash at Istria, he will, we need not doubt, do good ser-
vice to the cause of his country, and yet further enhance
his own fame as • patriot and • soldier.

BALMORAL, Jose 24.
The Queen and Princess Helena drove out yes-
terday morning.
In the afternoon her Majesty and Princess Helens, at-
tended by the Duchess Powager of Athole and Miss
MacGregor, went out by Invercauld and the blogan water.
Mr. heir left the Castle yesterday.

A Cabinet Council was held yesterday at the ;
official residence of the First Lord of the Treasury,
in Downing-street. The ministers present were
Earl Russell, the Lord Chancellor, Earl Gran- 1
ville, the Duke of Argyll, Sir George Grey, the
Earl of Clarendon, the Right Hon. Edward
Cardwell, the Marquis of Hartington, Earl de
Grey, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the
Duke of Somerset, the Right Hon. T. Milner
Gibson, Lord Stanley of Alderley, the Right Hon.
G. J. Goachen, and the Right Hon. C. P. Villiers.

The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council sat yester-
day. Present—Dr. Lushington, Sir J. Coleridge, and Sir
E. V. Williams.
Despatches were received yesterday at the Colonial-office
front the Governors of Malta, Canada, Newfoundland, the
&thamaa, Gibraltar, and Heligoland.

ARRIVAL OF THE
HIS QUE
DA YEN AT WINDSOR.
(T.)

(BE ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.)

WINDSOR, TI'ESDAY.

_ -
The Queen arrived at Windsor Castle at 8.4:.)
this morning. The ministers will reach Windsor at 2.30
in order to have a conference with her Majesty.

We have authority to state that there is no
truth in the announcement which has appeared in
several of the journals that Mr. Edmund Harrison
has resigned the office of deputy clerk of the
Council.
The foundation stone of the new North Stafford-
shire Infirmary, at Hartshill, near Stoke-upon-Trent, was
laid yesterday by the Prince of Wales amidst great local
rejoicings. This institution, the total cost of which will
be 34,0001., is intended to supersede the present infirmary
for the district, which was erected at Hanley in 1615, buthasi
become untenable from the delapidations caused by mining
operations, and the immediate contiguity of the great
works of the Shelton Bar Iron Company. The new infirmary
will be built on the new red sandstone, just beyond the
boundary line of the Pottery coalfield. The principal
front will have a western aspect, and extensive views of
the surrounding country will be obtained from almost
every portion of the buildings. The main buildings are
designed for the reception of 167 beds, and the fever wards,
which are detached, for 24 beds ; and there will be one
pavilion for the purposes of the out-patients' depart-
ment. The buildings in external appearance will
be of a plain character, showing only natural
constructive treatment of local materials, and a
grouping of the several parts into a picturesque
whole. The internal arrangements will, however, be made
as complete as possible, and will include all the modern
improvements which science has placed at the disposal of
humanity.
His Excellency the Prussian Ambassador and
the Countess Bernstorff arrived in town yesterday from
visiting the Lord Chancellor and Lady Cranworth at their
seat in Kent.
The Marquis and Marchioness of Clanricarde
entertained at dinner last evening, at their residence in
Stratton-street, the Duke and Duchess of Cleveland, the
Marquis of Sligo, the Earl and Countess of Cork, the Earl
Annesley, the Countess Cowper and Lady Frances Cowper,
Viscount and Viscountess Stretford de Bedeliffe and Hon.
Miss Canning, Viscount Somerton, Lord Harris, Hon.
Frederick Leveson Gower, Hon. C. Carrington, Dr. Quin,
and Mr. Dyke.
An English clergyman and his wife left Bombay
on the 30th ultimo for England. They had taken passages
in the mail packet for themselves and their only son, who
had turned Mahommedan. He had obtained a sum of
money front his parents to pay his debts on shore, and to
the grief of his parents when the time arrived for the
racket to leave the son was not on board and could not be
found. His father died on board the packet in the Red
Sea, and his mother died on the 19th inst. on board the
mail packet from Alexandria. They each died, it is
believed, from a broken heart.
DEATH OF THE PRINCE DE CoNnr,.—We regret
to hear of the decease of the Prince de Conde, son of the
Duc d'Aumale, who died of typhus fever at Sydney.
Major Dickson gave notice last night of his in-
tention to ask the Secretary of State for War on Thursday
if it is the intention of her Majesty's government, taking
into consideration the disturbed state of the Continent, at
once to increase the strength of the army and to embody
a portion of the militia, so as to place the country in a
position to maintain the national honour if unfortunately
we should be compelled to assume a hostile attitude during
the impending European struggle.
At Pymore, in Dorsetehire, four swarms of bees
leave been obtained from one stock within little more than
a fortnight.
A letter from Dublin says :—" Bright warm
weather has apparently set in throughout Ireland, and is
looked upon as most timely after the heavy rains of the
earlier portion of June. The growth of potatoes and grain
of every kind has during the last few days been almost
tropical, and the highest expectation of a bountiful bar
vest is anticipated throughout the land. The propitious
change is looked on as specially beneficial from the fact
that farmers, as if by a common understanding, have this
year planted an immense grain and potato crop, in the an-
ticipation of the scarcity of cattle rendering pasturage
less valuable than usual. A fine summer and a good har-
vest would prove the salvation of the country, and raise
it from the depression undoubtedly experienced at present,
as the combined result of past Fenianism, the monetary
difficulties in England, and the prospects of continental
war, certain sympathetic effects of the latter causes being
of course felt at this aide of the Channel."
Immense " takes" of herrings have been secured
within the past few days at Arklow, which being sold at
the vessel's side at 50s. a mace, are at once secured by
libelist, buyers and forwarded in special trains to Dublin,
where they are shipped for Liverpool for curing as the
well-known " bloater."
SIR EDWARD DERING AND THE GOVERNMENT
DEFEAT. —Much surprise and disappointment have been
felt among the liberals of East Kent, at the fact of Sir E.
Daring having voted against the government in the late
division. The letter which we publish in another column,
signed "W. E. W.," is only one of a number which we
I have received on the subject, all attesting the strong
feeling of dissatisfaction to which the vote of the hon.
baronet has given rise. This feeling has also found ex-
pression in the Isle of Thanet by the signing of the foi-
-1 leering requisition :—" We, the undersigned, freeholders
of the eastern division of the county of Kent,
having exerted ourselves to the utmost in securing your
return to parliament, view with extreme regret your recent
adverse vote to the government ; and most respectfully
request you will confer the favour on us to name a day
when it will be most convenient for you to meet your
supporters, and explain why you voted in the way you
did, thereby increasinfg the difficulty and embarrassment of
the government." Sir Edward has to some extent anti-
cipated the request for an explanation, by the letter which
follow that before alluded to, but which, we must confess,
scarcely lessens our own surprise that, on so vital an issue,
Sir Edward should have given an adverse vote to the
ministry whose general policy he was returned to support.
—South Eastern Gazette.
WESTMINSTER ABBEY.—The 'following are the
preachers for the special evening services in July :—July
1, the Rev. Benjamin Jewett, Regius Professor of Greek
and Fellow of Balliol, in the University of Oxford ; July
8, the Rev. Henry Twells, Head Master of the Godolphin
Grammar School, Hammersmith ; July 15, the Rev. John
C. Miller, vicar of Greenwich, and Honorary Canon of
Worcester ; July 22, the Rev. E. M. Goulburn, Chaplain
in Ordinary to the Queen, incumbent of St. John's,-Pad-
dington, and Examining Chaplain to the Bishop of Oxford •
July 29, the Rev. Ernest Hawkins, Canon of Westminster:
METROPOLITAN FREE HOSPITAL, DEVONSHIRE-
SQUULE, Crrr.—The aggregate number of patients relieved
during the week ending June 23 was Medical 822 •
surgical, 581 ; total, 1,403, of which 494 were DM