The Express.
London, England, 1866-07-12 00:00:00

THE LOSE OF THE AMAZON.

The Times trusts that the official investigation
into the loss of the Amason will be more stringent
and effectual than the generality of such inquiries.
It is hard to conceive any circumstances which
can exculpate those who were in charge of
her. Whatever may have been the fault of the merchant-
man, the manof-war must have been to blame. No mis-
takes of any sort, no amount of stupidity on the part of
another ship, can be a sufficient excuse for allowing a man-
of-war, with all its appliances, its numerous crew, and its
perfect discipline, to ran down a vessel in calm and clear
weather. The Amazon was a most valuable vessel, con-
structed lifter special designs by Mr. Reed, and might have
servedin America, where she was going, as a specimen of
our progress in naval architecture. Such is the vessel which
so ne one or other has chosen to mink in the CLannel on a
fine summer night.

MR. GLADSToNE'S CHCRCH-RATE BILL.—We
understand it to be the intention of Mr. Gladstone
to take the sense of the House of Commons on the
Compulsory Church-rate Abolition Bill, notwith-
standing that it is no longer technically a govern-
ment measure. More fortunate than the other
ecclesiastical measures which now help to block up
the notice paper of the house, Mr. Gladstone's bill
stands for a day which is likely to be clear of ad-
journments, or other accidents arising out of the
late ministerial crisis, viz., next Wednesday. We
need not, therefore, say that, as the bill has com-
mended itself to the judgment of the church-rate
abolitionists, as one which may be accepted as a
settlement of the question, they will look for the
support of those members who have hitherto voted
with Mr. Hardcastle. That the bill may n'ot pass
into law this year is unimportant in comparison
with the desirableness of a definite vote on Mr.
Gladstone's proposal.
At the Court at Osborne-house, Isle of Wight,
the 10th day of July, 1866. Present : The Queen's Most
Excellent Majesty in Council. This day, the Most Noble
John Winston Spencer, Duke of Marlborough ; the Right
Honourable William Reginald, Earl of Devon ; the Right
Honourable Charles, Earl of Tankerville ; the Right
Honourable Henry Charles, Earl of Cadogan ; William
Alleyne Cecil, Esquire (commonly called Lord Burghley) ;
Charles Philip Yorke, Esquire (commonly called Viscount
Royston); the Right Honourable Charles John, Lord
Colville ; and Stephen Cave, Esquire, were, by her
Majesty's command, sworn of her Majesty's Most Honour-
able Privy Council, and took their respective places at the
board accordingly.—Simpienient to the London Gazette.
At the Court at Osborne-house, Isle of Wight,
the 10th of July, 1866. Present : The Queen's Moat
Excellent Majesty in Council. Her Majesty in Council
was this day pleased to appoint the Right Honourable
Stephen Cave, President of the Committee of Council for
Trade, in the :ibseuce of the President of the said Com-
mittee, for the time being.—Suppleme4t to the London
Gazette.

ViyiS:.ITHWAI
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-. *Um 111rituotaL
b ... 1. i .11—&
Y
the "n drove oiS yesterday alifteftbn
Princess Christian of f3cideswig-Holstein, denier Majesty
walked in tits gretteds Ibis morning, accompanied by
Prince and Princess Christiao, Princess Louise, and
Princess Bestrice.•

In honour of the marriage of Prince and Princess Chris-
tian, the children attending the Queen's School at Whip-
pingham were entertained with tea and cake in the school-
room, and afterwards played at various games.
Prince sad Princess Christian, Princess Lonise, Prince
Leopold, and Princess Beatrice visited the school during
the afternoon, attended by Lady Caroline Barrington,
Lady Susan Melville, and Lieutenant Stirling.
The Bev. George and Mrs. Prather° received their
Royal Highnesses.
Lady Augusta Stanley has arrived at Osborne.
Mr. Engleheart has also arrived.

A deputation from the Metropolitan Sanitary Amide-
don had an interview with the Duke of Buckingham,
President of the Council, and the Right Hon. H. T. L
Corry, Vice-President, at the Privy Council Office yester.
day. The deputation, which was introduced by Mr.
Powell, M.P., consisted of Mr. Locke, M.P., Mr. Graves,
M.P., Mr. Torrens, M.P., Mr. Godwin, F.R.S., Mr. Shaw,
Mr. Hall, Mr. Beadle, Mr. Evens, Mr. Pocock, Dr
Saunderson, Dr. Hardwicke, and Mr. Bentley. Mr. Helps
and Mr. Simon attended.

Despatches were reoeived yesterday at the Colonial-
office from the Governors of the Settlements on the West
Coast of Africa. Despatches were sent to the Governors of
Gibraltar and Malta.

MARRIAGE IN HIGH LIFE.-(THIS DAY.)

The marriage of the Earl of Brecknock, M.P.,
eldest son of the Marquis Camden, with Lady Clementine.
Spencer Churchill, youngest daughter of the late
and hall-sister of the present Duke of Marlborough,
was solemnized this morning at St. James's
Church, Piccadilly. The nuptial ceremony was
performed by the Bishop of Oxford. The
bride, who was given away by the Duke of Marlborough,
was attended to the altar by eight youthful bridesmaids.
At the conclusion of the ceremony the wedding party
repaired to the Duke of Marlborough's residence in St.
James's-square, where an elegant breakfast was prepared
for a large party of the relations and friends of the con.
tracting parties. Later in the afternoon the newly.married
couple left town for Blenheim Palace, the seat of the
Duke of Marlborough, in Oxfordshire, to peas the honey.
moon.

NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION.-(THIS DAY.)

WIMBLEDON CAMP, Tm:R.4DAT Momma,

The camp this morning presents, if possible, a
gayer appearance than it did yesterday. The weather is
excessively hot, and the volunteer, look very much like
se if they had just come out of a "Turkish
bath," the lightest clothing is worn, and India
caps are used in a variety of styles. Some who
have to India caps have very wisely covered their
beads with pocket handkerchiefs, or white muslin.
The theatrical performance, of which a notice has sp_
peared, passed off without a hitch. A little incident, which
caused great amusement, is worthy of notice. In the 2nd
act of the first piece, A Scrap of Paper, • dog
is supposed to be heard barking outside, and
last night the faithful animal was sorely afflicted
with a sore throat, and when his part in the per-
formance came, the barking appeared to be more like
the hoarse cough of an aathmatical old gentleman than the
braying of a quadruped. It was a long time before the
gravity of the audience and the actor* (necessary for the
continuance of the piece) wra resumed ; the tent rung
again with shouts of laughter, in which Lord and Lady
Elcho, who had honoured the performance with
their presence, joined. With this exception the
performance was a decided success. A word of praise
I is due to the precautionary measures adopted by the
Surrey Volunteer Firemen, in having several buckets of
water, a hand-pump and hose, ready for use behind the
scenes.

The shooting to-day combines the Queen's Prize, First
Stage, at the 500 yards range, the Enfield Association Cup,
Daily Telegraph Prize, the Albert, Swiss Carton, and
Belgian Prizes, the Earwig Prize and Pool, the Running
Man and Running Deer, and Earl of Duele's Running Prizes,
the conditions of the latter bein; to fire 2 shots and run
100 yards ; time, 5 minutes. The following are some of
the scores already obtained :

No. of Scores
shot'. made.
Private Nixon, sth Fox ~.
Private Ilubbersty. oth Notts
Private Oliver, Tower Hamlets
Private Gordon, 21st Norfolk
Corporal Roper, 31st Kent
Major ()union, 24 Notta
Private Lillie, Inialon Scottish
Prii ate Lillie. London Scottish
Captain Marshall, 37th Middlesex 9 22
Private Brillion, 15th Norfolk..
Corporal Richardson. 11th Norfolk
Private Baird. 23rd Middlesex lO 33
Private Lexton, lit Norfolk
tirryieant Icrmson, 4th Chester
Private Wormald, 23rd Middlesex 9 30
Sergeant Short. Ist Devon ll .... 34
Captain Nicholas. Victorias
Private Peterkin. Carat/Mire University
Private Hay, London Scottish

The "running deer" was extensively patronised, and
crowds of ladies were present to witness the shooting•
Great are the expectations of the committee that the
dinner to be given to the Belgians this evening will be a
s meets.

The Lord Lieutenant and the Countess of Kim-
berley will hold an undress reception for ladies and gentle-
men at Dublin Castle, on the 16th inst., previous to
their excellencies' departure for this country.

Mrs. Gladstone gave a concert last night at her
residence, on Carlton-house•terrace. The principal part of
the music was sung by the visitors.

The Duke and Duchess of Wellington were
honoured with the company of the Duchess of Cambridge
and the Duke of Cambridge at dinner last evening at
Apsley House. Their royal highnesses were attended by
Lady Geraldine Somerset, Colonel Home Purves, and
Colonel Tyrwhitt. There were present to meet the royal
guests :—Their Serene Highnesses Prince and Princess
Edward of Saxe-Weimar, the Earl and Countess of
Malmesbury, 'Viscount and Viscountess Barrington and
Hon. Miss Barrington, Lord and Lady Dufferin, Lady
Emily Peel, Lord William Hay, Lord John Hay, the
Bishop of Oxford, General Sir Hugh Rose, and Mr. Henry
Calcraft.

Lsst night the Countess of Derby had an as-
sembly at the family residence in St. James's-square,
which was most numerously attended. Previously to the
reception the noble earl and countess entertained at
dinner the following guests :—His Excellency Prince de la
Tour d'Anvergne, the Duke and Duchess of Newcastle, the
Earl and Countess of Dalkeith, the Earl Grosvenor and
Lady Constance Grosvenor, the Earl and Countess of
Westmorland, the Earl and Countess of Bradford, Vis-
count and Viscountess Grey de Wilton, Lord Courtenay,
Colonel the Hon. and Lady Emma Talbot, and Hon.
Frederick and Lady Constance Stanley.

The Right Hon. B. Disraeli has appointed Mr.
Corry, second son of the Right Hon. H. T. L. Corry, M.P.,
his private secretary.

Some idea of the rate at which the Camp at
Wimbledon has grown and is growing yearly may be
gathered from the official status sent in to the Camp-
Commandant, Colonel the Hon. W. J. Colville. Last
year there were sleeping in the marksmen's camp and regi-
mental quarter 900 volunteers, not taking into account
the staff of the association, camp followers, soldiers,
police, or anybody else, but strictly the wearers of a
volunteer uniform. This year those 900 have grown into
1,150, and a corresponding growth is observable in all the
other departments.
PRINCESS HELENA AND PRINCE CHRISTIAN.—
To-morrow their Royal Highnesses the Princess Helena
and Prince Christian of Schleswig-Holstein will take leave
of her Majesty and royal family, and embark from Osborne
in the Victoria and Albert yacht, which will steam direct
for Cherbourg under sae command of Captain l'rince
Leiningen. The prince and princess will be attended by
Major-General and Lady Sarah Melville, Major-General
Seymour, Count Rantzau, and Mr. Kenny, her Majesty's
courier. The royal party will not disembark before the
following morning. From Cherbourg their royal high-
nesses will proceed on a continental tour, and will return
in time to accompany her Majesty to Scotland.
OXFORD, JULY 11.—Mr. Goldwin Smith has
resigned the Regius Professorship of Modern History.
The ground of his resignation is understood to be that his
powers of labour have been somewhat impairedalbite, and
that he wishes to devote them exclusively fee the present
to a historical work which he has in hand.

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DEPARTURE OF FRENCH VESSEL
FOR VENICE.

1N47, JULY

TOULON, JULY 11, EVIMINOI

The French ironclad frigate Provence and the
corvette Eclaireur have left suddenly for Venice..
The remainder of the squadron is still taking in
provisions.

VLNETIA.
EXPECTED RESISTANCE TO THE ITALIANS.
FLORENCE, JOLT 12.
Despatches received here from the seat of war
in Venetia state that the Austrians appear disposed
to give battle to the Italians upon their attempting
to cross the Adige. .

The Prussian government has complimented
Italy upon the operations of General Cialdini, as
forming part of the plan of co-operation of the
armies of the two Powers.

THE PROPOSED ARMISTICE,
FLORENCE, JULY 11, EVENING.
_ -

The court of Berlin has declared to the Italian
cabinet that an armistice on the basis of the
cession of Venetia is inadmissible. The Italian
government in its reply is said to have announced
ita resolution to continue offensive operations
against the Austrian empire without relaxation,
in conformity with the engagements mutually
entered into by Prussia and Italy, until both these
powers shall have obtained from Austria satis-
factory terms for the conclusion of peace.