The Express.
London, England, 1858-10-16 00:00:00

RUSSIA.

A letter from fit. Petersburg of the 6th instant
contains the following extraordinary revelation :
The great topio of the day in all circles Is the dinfovery
of one of the most extensive, barefaced, and impudent Rends
ever committed on this or any other government. In lids
country, we are accustomed from our youth upwards to the
peculation, of the ill-paid government officials, hem the
General of an army of 100,000 men on paper, who cen only
produce a third of that number of effective soldiers when an
inspection takes place, down to the keeper of a lock-up house,
who multiplies the number of his inmates to obtain ration,
and allowances for prisoners who are not in exist/we. But
all these are trifles compared with the disclosures now made,
which involve peculation, to the value of no less than twelve
millious of roubles. Many people ask, with a shake of the
head, "What is the practical use of astronomy fe' One answer
is, that in this instance science has the credit of having made
a discovery of the greatest importance to the State in • pecu-
niary point of view. The result of the calculations lately
made by the well-known astronomer, Professor Struve
of the University of Dorpat, relative to the true geographical
positions of St. Petersburg and Moscow, and the
distance between the two capitals of the empire, is,
that the actual length of the railroad is, by as-
tronomical observatione, no lees than 881 wersts (about 60
mike) shorter than its nominal length of 607 worsts, or in
other words that the government, for whose account the rail-
road was constructed, has had to pay about one-seventh of
the value, or twelve millions of roubles, more than it ought
to have paid. As the rolling stock of the St. Petersburg and
Moscow Railway is furnished by an American company,
who are paid for the same at so much per worst, it follows
that in this quarter the government have been paying also •
most fearful overcharge. The poles erected along the line to
denote the distances have been systematically fixed is the
wrong places, so as to mislead both the government and the
public.
The Emperor wee in the most violent state of excitement
on learning the above, and gave immediate orders for the
strictest investigation into the facts of the case to be made,
with the view to inflict the most summary judgment on the
parties inculpated in this nefarious transaction ; but as so
many persona of the highest rank and important* are com-
promised in the affair, it is not likely that the investigation will
be continued, but on the contrary the matter will be bushed
up to prevent the public testicle' of the real delinquents being
exposed and made to suffer the penalty they so richly de-
serve for the share they have taken in this atrocious fraud.

BULL FIGHT.

The Peninsular Correspondence of Madrid his
the following deesription of a bull fight which took place
in that city on Sunday loot. " The spacious amphitheatre
was tastehlly adorned with Gags; the boll. fighters glistened
in silver and gold lace; not fewer than 17,000 spectators
'rambled and ahouted impatiently for the day's sport to
begin, and there wee en immense crowd outsider who, dia.
appointed in getting tickets. had at least the satufaciien of
hearing the frantic applause of their more fortunate fellow.
amateur" within, and the pleasure of contemplating the bees,
tomb of dead horses and bulls which the gaudily capariaomg
mules of the amphitheatre every now and Men dragged
into the outskirts of the arena. Within the arena, the dia.
playof skill and courage was unearpeseed. Daring the tastier,
metonhs, the waterer who bare monopolised the glories ti
roma have had to see the applause of the public
bestowed on a new corner, who is declared to be likely to
revive the traditions of the Monte. and the Romero.. too
new aspirant for twiromachic fame is a handsome clout.
limbed youth, with a mild boyish face, which has got him
the some of el Teto (the milksop), a sad misnomer with re.
ference to his moral qualities, for si Tato is both mouth:gang
bold. No tauresdar can more unerringly tell ate Flake
whether the animal te be fought with is short or long sightog
(a matter of vital importance to the lancer or the swordsman),
a bull of intention '—that is to say, cunning and calculating
in it. attacks—or any other of the various kinds mien*,
noticed in the learned treatises on Tauromachy which are
to be found in every Spanish nobleman's library. This die.
tinguished personage figured on the 0CC46100. The speets
began with a 'bull of intention,' almost as cunning as ltir
tormentors, just the kind of animal to require the tactics of
the Tato ; and the Tro's skill was each as to draw forth
demonstrations of delight from the assembled thousands,
succeeded by witty sarcasms and inquiries of the old
mantra whether they could do as well. These vetersea,
who try as much se poesible to economise the powers that
give them fame, were obliged to put forth ely
their reeonrcee, so that a series of hairbreadth
escapes, strategies, and daring deeds followed, pre,.
lug that the alleged degeneracy of modern TOArg•
sway only exists in the jaundiced imagination of the
old and querulous. Luckily, no accident happened, tee
Virgin of Colminor and the holy patrons, of Muncie, tr,
whom sll devout ball. fighters pay their vows, having bey
propitious. During the last hoar of the ' (melon,' the rail
poured down in torrents, bat the last two bulls were of the
elms celled boyantss,' which are never tired of attacking
and therefore well worth in the eye of a connoisseur the
soaking inourred. Altogether this bull-fight was the most
splendid of the season?

WILLS.—The will of the late Right Hon. Alex.
ender Sinclair, of Hey, Earl of Caithnees, Baron of Befit.
dale, and Baronet of Nova Scotia, was administered to in
London, by the present earl, on the 6th of October instants
having been first proved in Scotland, fn March, 1866. The
will was dated 16th Dec., 1856. The second surviving eon,
the Hoe. Alex. George Sinclair, was appointed sole executor,
to whom were bequeathed the estates in Edinburgh and
Midlothian, and who, though he survived his father, did 004
prove the will ; and, there being no residuary legatee named
therein, letters of administration, with the testamentary
dispoeition annexed, were granted to the present earl, u the
nearest of kin, to whom were bequeathed the pictures, furni-
ture, and plenishinge of Barrigill Cantle, and who sweets
to the entailed estates.—The will of Omura Charlie
Payne, R.1.C., late of Motley, near Plymouth, was proved
by his widow, the sole :egatee, and Fred. W. Prager as-
vireos, Req., the other acting executor; power reserved to
Jedadiah S. Tucker, Esq., of Trecnaton Cantle,—Th. IQ
of Phillip Fonnatteen, Esq., of Flintahlre, was proved ender
10,0001.; and that of Abraham Samuel, Esq., 30,0001., who
has left bequests to charitable institutions of the Intik
pereussion.—Jllertreted Loudon New.
GRACIOUS ACT Or HER MAJESTY.—We stated
some five or six weeks ago that a woman named Jones the
wife of a poor bat industrious man, residing in Taylor's.
court, Church-street, Orear-gardens, had been delivered of
three children at a birth, and that the infants, with their
mother, were .11 doing well. The week before last the pox
woman wan persuaded to send a statement of her coos to Al
Queen, and her Majesty, with the true womanly feeling
which she has manifested on several similar occasion', lam
no time in directing her private secretary, Sir Charles
Phipps, to make inquiry into the moo. Sir Charles at
once communicated with the Rev. Precentor Caley, of
this city, who kindly waited upon the parties, end hay-
ing obtained a outificate of the birth from Mr. Crosby
Leonard, forwarded it, together with a report from bils4
to Buckingham Palace. On Wednesday lot Mrs. Jones re.
calved from the royal puree a gratuity of 31., aceetepardll
by the following letter Sir Charles Phipps has meted
the commands of her Majesty the Queen to forward to 11m.
Jones the sum of 81. to Eska her in consequence Ober cow
finement with three children at one birth. The Rev. Rebut
Llewellyn Caley has kindly undertaken to be the hearer et
her Majesty's donation, with thin letter, to MIL lase.
Buckingham Palace, Oct. 12, 1858." We learn that du
three children have been respectively christened " FIN"
t• Hope," and "Charity," and—adds oar informant—
" Charity ie much the finest child of the three."—liriald
Mercury.
THE QUEEN'S JOURNEY SOUTHWARDB.-001all
way from Sunbury to Edinburgh, on the 19th
:—AOcto ,ber fM
royal train will stop et the following matinee bsideee,
1 p.m.; Stonehaven, 1.34; Forfar, 3 12; Perth, 4.7; Las
bort, 5.26 ; and arrive at St. Margaret's station at 6.24. Her
Majesty will resume her journey the next morning, the train
leaving Edinburgh at 8.16 a.m., reaching the following sta-
tions et the hours annexed :—Portobello, 8.20; Loegniddry
Junction, 3.46; Cockburnapath, 9.13; Berwick, 9.46; New-
castle, 11.27 ; York, 1.46 p.m.; Donouter, 3.11; King's
Caw laminae. 7.20; Lew Junction, 7.49; and arriving
at Windsor at 8.90.

THE CONGREGATIONAL UNION OF ENGLAND AND
WALllB.—The usual autumnal meet*, of the Congress-
tionel Union of England and Wales are about to be held at
Rah:, commencing on Monday next, and continuing
throughout the week. On the evening of that day thin"
to be a patine devotional meeting, tibia an Wren
delivered by the Rev. John Kennedy, of litnetey. flWhr
will be held in adjacent places, with a Thy le
rteteratit e churches in the district in the amending tithe
Union. The first session for deliberation will be
Tuesday morning, when the chair will be taken by the Rm.
Dr. Albeit, who will deliver as inaugural address. It blh
leaded to have a paper reed on • The data of Coupe.-
donde* in Wslea." by the Rev. Thome Rees, of Bowist.
The Rev. Dr. Fergueon will read a paper on a =Meat whigt
M t occupies a large share of denominational 'MOM
formation of a fund to assist aged miniateine to retie
hose the active work of the ministry. Diannadms will he is
vited on the subject, end an opportunity will be afforded el
remarking on pastoral Incomes and church fill&DOO gensrelly;
after which a resolution will be propoeed ?sodium the ihslt
subject to a committee for euntdderatios. Ine them
a public meeting will be held in farm of d
einussehdia effort, at which Mr. Basad Morley will made.
Brief addresses will be delivered on Home. Ireland. the
Colombo, and Chapel Building, and a preludes will be
inthilleed i hvoer M thew objets. Oa Wedneiday nom
the aMI tairdandoe of the sem whereby the Gerold
way be new folly Mended by the dirsoleadon mum lbs
= If
ithe estatiy wM be bins up. The subject be
by a wpeeppert hos the Rev. J. C. Barden. h
the maim of Welasuday a *ISM will be held fa the
illuelrellia and eakiresseat d oomgentstionsl principle'
At the sening assess et Thursday Wa Rev. Dr.
Prettiest of Now Crap, will deliver a lecture Oder
Heywood, err swig licasenfennity in the border country of
Lanembhe sad Torkellibm" The mensinder of the maser
will be leveled to a nondagration cd the venous Mob
may miss Ia the melee a sense will be presced
the Sm. &meet Xenia, of Wiesslisitero=
nimbi the Moth sail impernies of the
Board et Incedie seal b istataiaid at breekhilisaild=
with**, subset of paid* ithethaa te
The Great Nathan tai Imithritie and Torkeldre Bads
wigs the have theseeoed ear Mold= of Issetg term
*that * a single fore.
Unisex etiv.sioAt an early hear on nuts*
swim our panful city we Wows Reba state d g
guilismat, by the followlag thromemess Abe*
,meethese desalt in_ ilipmeeine. a comet
sad isd Mit* olds ammo al aZTAINIteIe saw
the alty, end after several thla
_te led ea Mal
=Leis.altlemsedt was litho lie the WS
sainia
The therinee cesteleed the M
woo • t ear Meg pike brim seresethid aWA
sad the objets of their was a air rung waft
1110111100 M • eitemed woe tidiest's' s.
rat) who had Ms so Mimed its b slap wth •
pus( mom for bar lath* sees. It pc ha
Say had lift the teeth her threats 16r
rids, attended by her pees. bum& et
Air the siessionied amiles, they bad side •
the usenet ;meting-town, red there moth a •
Yogic. where they arrived aa Wednesday
wee la the et erresideg the hegitivele an the
thief meth& Ind preseedd to 'Seek, W
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sea Math aid at this pestheied b the ef
Mg aid ocestabla, who was quickly sessest Ibis fa
lit en, and bis eireporithie wee soured. Awry did
was lithe to desers ie Whembeete of the ro
sad wee pieced bi a stet=
eat awitethelltils=lreall it ask imports* feeither
ries et as uthissethehin aa beer. Ii was eier
Weed that the Mr lady end her Mee led resoled is Yet
sad' 9.51 gm, whoa they Mt siesoled by the loath et
trete, sad It le supposed that Notthethes was the lOU
*at Wo bins
learilthe resale. I *
did the ping lei* presered rimy imediethe peptid?
bar ewe AAA— Terkstire Oessits.
Wilts M Ms. BAtom.—The Mesh d Mr.
' Befaithislltantegbes. have resolved to the
at Ms vide es As 27th Math to isthe list •
Moms Atheilb, la shims to lids maw
Tiossileyetheteg, sad tithe is emy tenth le
the hie, gialliesa wines* thelethelies A
in el Yr. lefties Mends se lessibrese,
inseemaia exisenion to Ilimterdiest sa
bat k le the boa. mailima's own
tors arts of tarnishes amenliv
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