The Express.
London, England, 1867-03-04 00:00:00

HOLBORN.

Tins Error No. MY TFeiN NEXT. Mr. Belmere: lbws
Foote and Lennon.—And ELTING SCUD. Messrs. Neville, WA.
more, Ishii,. %%Melee, Ac. ; Mesdames F. Jommba, C. denuders,
Drib Foote. ltddes, Lennon, Raymond, tn.

RatTAIMA.

Tem Err.vtvo. TIIE LAST LINK OF LOVE.—To cnnclnde
with TIIK I EIN"Ess or TIE PEARL ISLAND .la, THE
THREE KlM:Omit OF PEARL, OOLD, AND SILVER. Mn.
Lane 31151 iteol4. —Gems of Melody Plrst.rate Pantomimist&

RIOR WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.

TNT§ DAY —monling, Oh. Am.
TO-NORRoW—Nursing, lh. Mtn,

lh. 1344
--Alternouu, 111. 54111.

LONDON, 3InNDAY, MARCH 4.

Tim thirty-ninth Congress of the United States,
which brings its sittings to a close at noon to-day,
will leave no inconsiderable name in history.
Elected during the first presidency of Mr. LINCOLN,
wile GRANT was still investing Richmond, and
SHERMAN was preparing, at Atlanta, for his won-
derful descent upon Savannah, it was constituted
rather with a view to the vigorous prosecution of
the war Gem with the expectation that it would
preside over the restoration of peace. It repre-
sented the vigorous reaction which had taken place
ill favour of Mr. LINCOLN and his admin;stration,
and it was specially charged with the duty of
actively suryorting his anti-slavery policy. It con-
tained the lest elements of the Republican patty,
and embodied the earnest spirit of the people
in the new and better mood to which
reflection and experience had brought them. Bet
when it mumbled for its opening session in De-
cember, 1 Siis, thirteen most eventful months had
passed since its election, and all the circumstances
around it had entirely changed. The Confe-
deracy had collapsed, and no organism' force was
in arms against the Federal Government. The
Anti-slavery Amendment to the Constitution had
been rat tied by the States, and might already be
considered to be virtually law. Mr. LINCOLN had
been deed for more than half a year, and Mr.
JOHNSON hail taken his place. The PRESIDENT
met Congress, after a legislative interregnum of
nine months, to tell it that the war was
over, that he had already reorganized the rebel-
lions States, that the work of reconstruction was
going on as merrily as a marriage bell, and that
all which remained to be done in order that the
the restoration of fraternal affection should be
complete was to admit loyal Southern representa-
tives to their seats in Congress, and to let the by-
gones of the war be bygones. There was thus in the
opening of its first session the germ of a conflict
between itself and the PRESIDENT, and that con-
flict has altered the whole condition of American
politics, reversed therelations of the two co-ordinate
branches of the government, and changed the
course of American history. Congress met to be
told that, in its absence, one of its functions had
been discharged by the PRESIDENT, and that it
had but to give its formal sanction to his work
by admitting to full partnership in the govern-
ment those who had been in arms against
it. Fortunately for the Union, more
fortunately for the freedmen, and yet more fortu-
nately for the North, Congress paused and deli-
berated. It had recognised two things as essential
to a permanent settlement of the country, and of
these the first was the security of the freedmen in
their newly given rights and liberties, and the
second, the exaction from the rebellious States of
certain irreversible guarantees of future safety.
While, therefore, legislation for the freedmen was
pushed forward, and the Freedmen's Bureau and
the Civil Rights Bill were passed over the PRESI-
DENT'S veto, a long, searching, and elaborate
inquiry by a Joint Reconstruction Committee
resulted in a moderate and most equitable pro-
posal to amend the Constitution. It is greatly
to the credit of Congress as a legisla-
tive and deliberative body that it was
ready to propose this compromise, which
for the sake of peace allowed all that Mr. Joux-
soe had done, and only sought to make the foun-
dation he had so insecurely laid the stepping-stone
to better things. In that moderation Congress
found its strength. Urged by violent counsellors,
it was able to disregard them so entirely that its
first proposal was an olive-branch to the Parmelee
and the South, and in its justice and moderation
was universally satisfactory to the North. But
Mr. JOHNSON had not then even begun to realise
the possibility of defeat. Ho was so confident
that his policy was universally popular that he re-
jected the proposal of Congress with disdain, and
threw down the gauntlet which Congress so re-
solutely picked up. Then followed the appeal
to the people in the past autumn, when
the time had conic for the election of
the fortieth Congress. By Mr. Jonssoten
own choosing those elections turned on the ques-
tions between Congress and himself. The issue
set before the people was the supremacy of the
PRESIDENT over Congress, or of Congress over
the Pintsinesr. Of two co-ordinate powers at
deadlock one must be set aside. Mr. JOHNSON
passionately appealed to the people to set the
Legislature aside, and Congress, with nearly
equal passion, but with more dignity and greater
force of reason and argument, decided against the
PAESITO:NT. That the answer has so thoroughly
and finally settled the questien in favor of the
Legislature is due to this thirtymiuth Congress.
The moderation of its earlier reconstruction
the admirable defence of that policy which the Re• j
construction Committee issued, and the ceaseless

labours of the Republican party to instroctthepeople
on the great issues which were before them, met
with their reward in the greatest political victory
of modern times. The position of Congress among
the powers of the Federal Union was as decisively
changed and heightened by that victory as the
position of Prussia among the nations of Ems ipe
was altered and elevated by the victory of Sadowa.
This thirty-ninth Congress hands on its powers to
its successor increased and strengthened by their
exercise. It bequeaths to future Congresses a
greater p..sition and wore unquestioned authority
than any which it received from its predecessors.
It has fought a •mat battle for its place and
power in the Government, and has won the fight.
It has vindicated for the legislative body
its appropriate supremacy over the executive
individual, and has concentrated in the
hands of the national Legislature the increased
powers of the national Government. The Federal
Government came out of the war with a new
strength, greater than it had ever felt before.
This thirty-ninth Congress has wrested this new
strength from the hands of the executive, into
which it hail naturally come, and has left it to be
exercised by its successors of the legislature.
Henceforth the Federal Govennuent will be as
strong and efficient es it was weak before the war ;
but the new strength and efficiency is all under
the control of Congress, which henceforth, next to
the English Parliament, is the most powerful and
important assembly in the world.
The immediate legislative results of the thirty-
ninthCongresswill not be large. The reconstruction
question has overshadowed everything else, and
the unhappy dispute with the PREsioesr has pre-
vented even that question from advancing to a
final settlement. The way has, however, been
cleared, and the fortieth Congress not only inherits
from its predecessor a distinct policy, but the
power to carry it out. The Freedmen's Bureau,
the Civil Rights Bill, and the acts conferring the
elective franchise on the freedmen in the District
and the Territories have marked a new era in
Federal legislation, and form a noble monument
to the labours of this Congress. Of course the
body has net been without its weaknesses. The
increase of the pay of its members was most ill-
timed and injudicious, and some of the references to
foreign affairs and relations have been most unworthy
of a great Parliament. The Tariff Bill, which has
lingered through two sessions never to become law,
has shown a patriotic desire to consider the claims
of every clamorous " interest," but an entire
ignorance of the most fundamental principles or
political economy, and neglect of the most modera:e
counsels of financial wisdom and experience. Nor
has the language of leading men always been what
could be desired. Perhaps, though, we forget
that the public mind is still agitated by the swell
of the great storm which has so lately passed over
it ; and that the quiet dignity of peaceful times
can only be expected to manifest itself when
the agitation is over. The new importance of
Congress will import new dignity into its
procedure and new gravity and thoroughness
into its debates. That new importance will date
from the time of this thirty-ninth Congress, and
its members will take with them to their homes
to-day a conviction, in which posterity will abun-
dantly justify them, that though they have not
been free from error and mistake, they have made
a permanent contribution to the future welfare,
strength, and stability of the Federal Govern-
ment. They have not left the divided Republic
holed and whole, but they have made such a
step towards it, that the great work of reconcilia-
tion can but prosper in the hands to which they
leave it.

THE EXPRESS, MONDAY EVENING, MARCH 4, 1867.

portant department et our internal ColllllllCreo. Vilna tb•
advantage of obtainisig agricultural statistics has hem
generally acknowledged, it seems a singular cunision not
to übt in manufacturing statistics also. The "oration to
of the more importance since our home trade eertainly
more than &Sables our forego commerce both in magnitude
and estimated value.

PROPOSED LEGISLATION ON JUNDAY

TRADING.

The following is a copy of a bill to amend the
laws relating to selling and hawking goods on Sunday,
brought into the House of Commons by Mr. Thos. Hughes,
Lord Claud Hamilton, and Sir Brook Bridges :
" Whereas the practice of Sunday trailing prevails exten-
sively io various parts of England, and the law is insuffi-
cient to prevent the same, be it therefore enacted by the
Queen's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice
and consent of the lords Spiritual and Temporal, and
Commons in this present parliament assembkdomil by the
authority of the same as follows :
" 1. No person shall, on Sunday, hawk, cry, sell, offer,
expose for sale, or deliver in the way of his trade, or cause
to be hawked, cried, sold, offered, exposed for sale, or so
delivered, any goods, wares, merchandise, or other things
whatsoever (except as hereinafter excepted); and any
person who shall commit any such offence, anal shall be
convicted thereof before a police or stipendiary magistrate,
or before any two justices of the peace, shall forfeit and
pay any sum not exceeding 20s. nor less than is., as shall
be adjudged by such magistrates or justices: provided
always, that no person who has not before been convicted
of any offence against this act shall be liable to more than
one penalty for any offence against this act committed on
one and the same day.
" 2. The provisions of this act shall not apply to the sell-
ing, offering, or exposing for sale or delivery of any
article or thing for medicinal purposes ; nor to the selling,
offering, or exposing for sale without public cry, nor to
the delivery, of nny meat, fish, poultry, game, or vege-
tables before the hour of 9 o'clock in the morning ; nor
to the selling, offering, or exposing for sale or delivery
of any milk or cream before the hour of 10 o'clock in the
morning or after the hourof 1 o'clock in the afternoon ; nor
to the selling, offering, or exposing for sale without public
cry of any pastry, trait, or any beverage which may law-
fully be sold without a license before the hour of 10 in the
morning and after the hour of 1 o'clock in the afternoon ;
nor to the selling, offering, or exposing for sale without
public cry, nor to the delivery, of any periodical publica-
tion before the hour of 10 o'clock in the morning ; nor to
the exercise of the ordinary business of the keeper of a
cook-shop, eating-house, or coffee-house before the hour of
10 o'clock iu the morning and after the hour of 1 o'clock in
the afternoon ; nor to the exercise of the ordinary and
lawful business of a baker, licensed victualler, or keeper
of any inn, tavern, hotel, public-house, house licensed for
the sale of beer or of exciseable liquors.
"3. If any person, having been once convicted of an
offence against this act, shall be again convicted by any
magistrate or justices of the peace of any such offence,such
person shall for every such subsequent offence forfeit and
pay any sum not exceeding 40e. nor less than 20s. fur every
separate act of selling, offering, or exposing fur sale or
delivery on one and the same day, as shall be adjudged by
such magistrate or justices.
" 4. In all cases in which it shall be sought to prove
any previous conviction against any person under this
act, a certificate containing the substance and effect
only (omitting the formal part) of the record of the
conviction of the previous offence, purporting to be
signed by the proper officer having the custody of such
record of conviction, or a certificate of such previous con-
viction purporting tobesigned by the person whoshall have
acted as clerk to the justices or magistrate before whom
such previous conviction shall have taken place, shall,
upon
.proof of the identity of the person of the offender, be
sufficient evidence of the previous conviction, without
proof of the signature or official character of the person ap-
pearing to have signed the same ; and if any person what-
sower shall wilfully and knowingly utter a false certificate
of a conviction for a previous offence against this act, or if
any other person, other than such proper officer or person
acting as such clerk, shall sign such certificate as such
proper officer or person acting as clerk, every person so
offending shall be guilty of a misdemeanour, and, being
convicted thereof, shall be liable to imprisonment, with or
without hard labour, fur any period not exceeding six
months.

Solo, Mr. Lawler.

"1 All penalties or sums of money ordered and ad-
judged within the City of London or liberties thereof to
be paid under this act, and not otherwise appropriated,
Audi be payable to the chamberlain of the City of London,
in aid of the funds of the said city, and all penalties
or mans of money ordered and adjudged within any
county, city, borough to be paid under this act, and not
otherwise appropriated, shall be payable to the treasurer
of such county, city, or borough, or other perm duly
authorised to receive the same, in aid of the funds of the
said county, city, or borough.

" U. All prosecutions for offences punishable by this act
shall be commenced within seven days neat after the com-
mission of the offence, and not afterwards.

"7. This act shall not apply to any city, town, or
hamlet, containing at the last or any subsequent census a
population of less than 10,01.10 persons.
" 8. This act shall apply to England only.
"9. This act shall cows into operation on the 7th day of
October, 1867."

Mr. Beresford Hope writes to a contem-
porary a letter, in which he states that the rumour
that he is to be raised to the peerage is " totally void of
the least foundation," adding—" I have never desired or
sought that honour, directly or indirectly, from any
government, and no government has ever proposed it
to ine."

THE PRINCE OT WALES IN THE RUNTISH-FIELD.
_On Saturday his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales,
attended by Major Teesdale, proceeded to Slough by the
10.:10 a.m. train on the Great Western Railway, for the
purpose of hunting with the royal harriers at Stoke-dace,
the residence of Colonel R. H. Vyse. His royal highness,
I on arriving at Slough station at 11.12, was received by
Major-General the Hon. A. N. Hood, the master of the
Prince of Wales's harriers, and his anal highness then
rude across the railway bridge on Ins way to Stake-
place, where there was a large muster of the nobility,
gentry, and farmers of the vicinity. The meet was
upon the lawn in front of the mansion, Colonel
%pie, on the arrival of the Prince and his suite,
receiving the party awl conducting his royal high-
ness to the house. After some slight refreshment the
Prince and hie followers remounted, when the hunt was
commenced under the supervision of Mr. King, the hunts-
man. The day, though a cold piercing wind was blowing,
was beautifully clear and bright. A hare was soon found
in the Smithlands, a field on the gallant colonel's estate,
and after affording a good run "piss" was taken on Mr.
Cantrell's farm. The hunt then went back across Mr.
Botham's ground, and once more found on Mr. Nash's
land, the here, after an exciting chace, being taken near
Gor,m-green. About three o'clock in the afternoon, after
the bunt was over, the Prince and his party returned to
Stoke-place to luncheon.
ARCHDEACON DENISON ON RITITALISIL—DI com-
pliance with a request from the Archdeacon of Taunton,
the Mentiag Post publishes the following letter:—
" Kant Brent. March I.—Gentlemen,—l have to acknow-
ledge the receipt of a circular from you, dated Feb. 25,
enclosing a report on ' excessive ritual practices.' .Having
from the first, privately and publicly, done what has been
in my power to discourage undue and excessive ritualism,
and having myself adopted no unusual ritual practice of
any kind, I venture, nevertheless, to say in reply that any
step towards a decision in the law courts, or an interference
by parliament, is, in my opinion, not only cm Min to fail in
its object, but is, in itself, unwise and improper to be
taken. I have the honour to be your faithful servant,
GEoRGE A. DENISON.—J. Abel Smith and R. C. Hanbury,
Rips."
THE LENT PREACHRILS.—Wednesday neat will be
Ash Wednesday, on which day will commence the famous
course of Lenten services in her Majesty's chapels royal in
London. At 12 o'clock on that morning there will be
Divine service in the Chapel Royal, St. James's Niece,
the Bishop of London, as dean of her Majesty's chapels
royal, being the prer.cher. The service at the Chapel Royal
Whitehall. will commence at 11 o'clock, with a sermon by
the Very Rev. Dr. Alford, Dean of Canterbury. Full and
complete lists of the Lenten preachers are given in Mr.
Hansard's " London Diocese Book," itica, published by
Messrs. Rivington. The list contain■ the names of many
of the most renowned and famous divines and theologians
of the day.
FUNERAL OF EARL BROIVNLOW.—The interment
of the remains of this nobleman took place on Saturday
last at the family burial place at Belton, Lincolnshire. The
remains were conveyed from Menton., France, where his
lordship died, and arrived at Grantham station at mid-
night on Fnday, whence they were at once taken to
Belton House. The church joins the hall grounds at a
distance of some RIO yards therefrom, and in consequence
the cone's' proceeded thither on foot. The funeral ser-
vice was impressively conducted by the Rev. A. G. Wool-
ward and the Rev. Lord Alwyne Compton amidst the
breathless silence of a crowded congregation. There was
a large attendance of spectators, among whom the greatest
decorum was preserved, and the bells of Grantham
Church rang a dumb peal on the occasion.

The Stoubty Gitzt tte understands that a consider-
able number of promotions in and nominations to the
honours of the Bath will be eatetteal very shortly.
Mr. Ramsay Cooke, master, R.N. has been
appointed naval mail agent on the Bouthampion station.

the Caurt.

WINDSOR CASTLE, ILtacs 2.

The Queen, accompanied by Princess Louise and
Princess Beatrice, drove out yesterday afternoon in a
carriage and four, attended by the Duchess of Hos•
berghe.
Her Majesty, attended by the Lady in Waiting, took a
drive this morning.
The Prince and Princess Cbristiun went out walking.
Princes, Louise able walked out, attended by the Hon.
Flora Macdonald.

The Princess Beatrice and Prince Henry of Prussia
went to London this morning, and honoured the morn-
ing !performance at the Covent Carden Theatre with
their presence.
The Hon. L-aly Iliddulph, Colonel the Hon. C. Lindsay,
and Captain Von Schroetter were in attendance upon
their royal highnesses.
The Duke of Roxburghe had the honour of dining with
the Queen and the royal family yesterday, and left the
Castle to-day.

MARCH 3.

The Queen, accompanied by Princess Christian, drove
out yesterday afternoon. Prince Leopold also drove, at.
tended by M•. Bahl.
Prince Arthur, attended by Major Elphinstone, arrived
at the Castle last evening, from Greenwich.
The Queen, Princess Louise, Prince Arthur, Princess
Beatrice, Prince Leopold, and Prince Christian, and the
ladies and gentlemen in waiting, attended Divine service
this morning in the private chapel.
The Rev. Stopford A. Brooke, Honorary Chaplain in
Ordinary to the Queen, preached the sermon.
Mrs. Erskine had the honour of dining with the Queen
and the royal family yesterday.
Her Majesty did Mr. Tilt (of Messrs. Dickenson and
Tilt, in New Bond•street) the honour of sitting to him on
Saturday for a likeness on enamel.

The Prince of Wales, attended by Lteutenant-Colonel
Keppel, hunted with his harriers near Slough on Satunlay

MARLBOROUGH-HOUSE, MARCH 3, 5 r.st.

The convalescence of her Royal Highness the l'rincess
of Wales is making favourable progress, hut the recovery
from the affection of the knee must necessarily he slow.
Mantra Lute; M.D. W. dry,rat, M.D.,
.1 AMU PAGET. E. H. fitgvamo, M.D.

The Prince of Wales attended Divine service at the
Chapel Royal, St. James's, yesterday morning.
The Communion Service was read by the Rev. Thomas
Helmore and Rev. J. Antrobus.

Anthem, " Lord, let we know my end."--Goss.

Mr. Goss presided at the organ.
The sermon was preached by the Rev. Thos. Helmoie
from 2Cor., c. 2, v. 19.
The Queen will hold a council at Windsor Castle thin
(Monday) afternoon, at a quarter to three o'clock.

A Cabinet Council was held on Saturday, at the
official residence of the First Lord of the Trea-
sury, in Downing-street. The ministers pre-
sent were the Earl of Derby, the Lord Chan-
cellor, the Duke of Buckingham, the Right Hon.
Spencer 41. Walpole, Lord Stanley, the Earl of
Carnarvon, General Peel, Viscount Cranborne,
the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir John
Pakington, Sir S. Northoote, Lord J. Manners, the
Right Hon. Gathorne Hardy, and Lord Naas.

Deputations from the Tower Hamlets Association and
the Metropolitan Association for the Equalisation of the
Poor-rates, introduced by Viscount Enfield, M.P., and con-
sisting. as regards the first-named association, of Sir
Charles Bright, M.P., Rev. H. Rev. Septimos
Hansard, Mr. H. Brown, Mr. P. J. Donovan (honorary
secretary), Mr. T. Herbert, Mr. 0. Munro, Mr. W. New-
ton, and Mr. T. B. Spence ; and as respects the second
association, of Mr. Blachford, Mr. Birt, Mr. Brooks, Mr.
Foster, Mr. F. H. Fowler (honorary secretaiy), Mr. .1.
George, Mr. Jackson, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Perry, Mr. E. 0.
Symons, and Mr. Youngman, had an interview with the
Right lion. Gatliorne Hardy, at the °Dice of the Poor-law
Board, Whitehall, on Saturday.
Despatches were received on Saturday at the Colonial.
office from the Governors of the West India Mantis.
Despatches were sent to the Governors of Gibraltar,
Malta, Ceylon, Hong Kong, Labuan, the Stniits Settle.
meats, and the North American Provinces.