The Express.
London, England, 1867-04-06 00:00:00

LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, APRIL 6, 1867.

notinces that Marshal Bazaine, with the French
fleet, left that port on the 27th March.

COMMERCIAL L'iTELLIGENCE.

Closing prices :—Gold, 133. Sterling exchange
on London,lo6l. 5-20 United States Bonds, 1091;
Illinois, 1141; Brie, 54. Cotton : Middling Up-
land, 29. Petroleum, refined, 26.

MEXICO.

NEW YORK, APRIL 5.

Intelligence received here from Mexico says it is
reported that Mejia has been routed at Escobeda
and Celaya. The imperialists had re-occupied San
Louis Potosi. The liberals had abandoned the
siege of Puebla.

hparttng inttilignut.

GRAND NATIONAL HUNT STEEPLECHASES.

FRIDAY.

Thin meeting concluded to-day under very auspicious rimer
stances, the weather being fine and the attendance enormous.
Ilk Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, 411,1111[Wilied by the
King of Denmark, the Duke of Sutherland, and suite, went
down to Bedford by the Midland train this morning, and
• alight sensation was caused at if Heflin by one the coupling
irons of the engine rapping, and toeing the whole of the car-
riages a jerk." Poytunately none of the passetrentlearahurk
and the trate dal, erred at Bedford; when large crowds had
areashlkel asset the Prince, who rbe west *rough the
streets to the course,, was erred htartily, an everywhere
there wu a display -of loyalty. There was again a
very aristocratic attendance on the stewards' stand,
although we were inclined 10 think that the general
!retitle were nut an largely represented. The earl for the
day contained lye races, the principal of which, the Grand Na-
tional, was won by Pensioner, defeating the testae lies. Shake-
speare and Hornet. There was more titan the meal amount of
excitement, caused by the Hamar that Plaudit was "any price"
fur the Guineas and freely,' in London, hut hackers were exces-
sively wary, and although some adventurous ones offered 10 to
I ridged the Ron of Thorrnanby for the Guineas, there was lite-
rally sot a solitary sovereign laid out. In comenuetwe of the
unhealthy state of the market a few fugitive beta were loW, par-
ticulars of which will lye found below :

THE STEHalike PLATE. a Handicap Sweepstakes of 5 sees.
each, with ea added; certain allowances. Three miles. tl4
sulot.)

Mr. T. Pereira,* Charley, by Sir Charles—Mtn Baxter,
aced, last 10Ib 'Mr brucktou., 1
Mr. Carew's Savannah. G yrs, 10.12 31h Mr. A. Goodman, 2
Mr. Hnbson's Triumpher. 6 yrs, list 631, 'Owner; 3
Mx others also ran.
_ . _

Belling: 3 to I omit i'Varley,.C7 to 1 iTrsi Savannah, 7 In lust
Violet. 8 to 1 each eget Topthorne and Triumpher, and 10 to I
alrst Acrobat.
Tux (:KANI. NATIONAL HAIIPMAP RWEresTAKES of 30 soya.
each, left. 5 only If declared, with 200 added. Penalties and
adovranevs. Four miles. (36 subs, 11 of whom pay S sore. It.)
Mr. Bradley's Pensioner, by Flatcateher or Droumour,
6 yrs, lOst 1111.
Mr. Lynton's Hornet. axed, Ilst 51b ,firiMths; 2
Mr. A. 11. Sunmors Ganseboy. aged. 10st 710. Capt. Marton( 3
Ten others also ran.
_ _

Belding : ( to I asst ilhakespeere, 5 to 1 eget (lanieboy, 100 to
15 agst Hornet, 10 to 1 each east Simingarry, alyfox, and
Knave of Trump 4, 100 to a each east Ilennwood, Cabin Boy, and
The hid Square, 100 to 7 east Pensioner, and 100 to 6 east Lincoln.
A S NO lIANDICAP STIMPLICeII.t.sr. of 3 Sure. each, with 30
added. Winner to be sold for 50 sore. Two miles. 13 sobs.)
Mr. Huwelre Mary Anne, by Deride, aged, 1014 Bib
(J. Vorster,
Mr. Stokes' Marley. aged, llst (Captain SnitthJ 2
Mr. Thrugmorloies Marnlon,suted, Ilst Mr. Montgomery) 3

Clght ether, ~Lw rau

Betting : 100 to 33 agit Wrangler, 4 Lo 1 &ad The Tartar, 8 to
I agat Marley, and 8 to I each sot Atalanta and Mary Anise.
A 11u sticks STAKE: of 5 mea each, with 50 added, for maiden
horse. : weight for age; penalties and allowances. Your miles.
(1.) subs.
Mr. Jays Mester, ssed,rstfilh iMr. Newt m)

Mr. A.Prunlngtoiiiikadklel, U yrs, 124 214Mr.00fAillialli 2
Two others also ram

Ilippolyte was weightedfor by Mr. ilotwe ,12st 81h, and the
number hoisted, hut it wM subaccinently discovered that he bad
been srmitaly entered, and therefore be did not go to the post.
The betting opened at 8 to 4 irtst Ilippolyte. and cloacad at 6 to
4 egg Birtwter, 3 to 1 agst Zadkiel, t to 1 got Garibaldi, and
to 1 asst Small Talk.
THE FARMERS. STEEPLECHASE of 2 soca. each, with 30 added ;
winners extra. Two miles. ,5 sobs.)
Mr. Battam's Toptborne, aged, 13st (inc. 7Th extra)
• Mr. T. Persica' 1
Mr. 11. W. Wilson's Oayhunt, aged, 13st 'lnc. 7lb extra)
ir.
Betting 2tol on Topthorns. Brockton) 2
LATEST BETTING ON THE COURSE
TWO THOPAAND.
sto 1 apt Julius (t o) I_lo to 1 apt Plaudit (oil)

DUBY.
Tto 1 agvt The Rake (t)
9to 1 llama (off t to 11

1000 to CO Torabouitwantod.after2ooo to 100 had been taken)
25 to 1 Julius ,token and offered}
95 to 1 Vauban ,take 28 to 1)

BETTING IN LONDON.-FRIDAY.

The attendance at the clubs to-day, although not ever nume-
mus, was influential, and in the course of the afternoon a con-
siderable amount of business was trammeled. For the Chester
cop, Lecturer was a decided favourite, 8 to 1 being the longest
price obtainable, and these odds were kindly accepted to about
C 160. Hiss Havelock, Proacrpthe, Mdlle. Cleopatra, and llama
were the next In demand, and several outsiders were backed,
but not for any grad amount. For the Two Thousand, Plaudit
was in a slightly improved !width's. the Ts to 1 that were from
time to time offered being kindly acecpted. Julius maintained
Ma position as second favourite, for, although not backed, 7 tO
would have been taken. Hermit found plenty of investors at
100 to 13 and 8 to 1, and 3 to 1 wee also taken with a run.
Slarksman and Vauban were each in request, the first
presenting a somewhat formidable appearance, and end-
ing takers at 11 sad 10 to 1. Several outsiders were offered to he
laid against, hut little else was done. For the Derby The Rake
was still at 7 to 1 offered, responded to hy a proposal to accept
to 1. Hermit was also in force for Mb event, 1,800 to 200
being taken on one band, and sonic other minor Investments were
made on tile same terms. leEstournel was In anything but good
odour, the large offer of 4,000 to 400 being made, and the pro.
portlonate odds of to 1 quoted without a response. Plaudit
was still out of favour for this event, coutinuous offers of 100 to
8 passing disregarded. The horse lacked for mot money was
Tarahan, about whom 1,000 to 40, 1,000 to 45, and 20 to 1, were
taken In succession. Grand Cross was also in demand, 1,000 to
40 was taken once, sad at 1,000 to 35 he would have been still
further supported Against the two coupled. 1,000 to 100 was
offered, but without meeting with a taker. The outside bet of
2,000 to 10 against Lord Hastings wound up the transactions.
Quotations se follow

CHESTER CUP.
Bto 1 agut Lecturer ,t) .25 to 1 apt Mdlle. Cleo.
20 to 1 Hama 1) paw ',olf;
20 to 1 Was Havelock 1000 to 30 Archimedes (t)
(off) 1000 to 30 Newland (of)
22 to 1 Pruserpine 'MP 1000 to 30 -- The Duke ug)
25 to 1 Gentian (t and 40 to 1 Arundel
off) 40 to 1 Clown
25 to 1 Healer, 'off) 1000 to 15 CheTheps (10tow M
I'2 to 1 apt MIAs Havelock and Wile. Cleopatra wupled
• to 1 lecturer ,with a start, t9to 2;
TWO THOUSAND.

4to 1 agst Plaudit 3,toffl 23 to 1 agat Star of India
13 to 2 Julius ;off, t 71 (off, t 26 toll
to 1) to 1 Trocadero 'oft
8 to I !formal& oil) 1000 to 40 The General io)
10 to 1 Marksman (t 1000 to 36 Van Amburgh
and off, toff,
It to 1 Vauban 1) 40 to 1 Lord Hastings
1000 to 70 -- Knight of the
Garter off OR to 1 Arundel ;t d: o
3 to 1 apt H t 'with a start( (t)
150 to 100 on Hermit apt Plaudit, both to run 3:
U 13131.

7 to 1 sot The lako(off,t 2O to 1 apt Unbolt t)
viol) 1000 to 40 Grand Crow' 3)
9to 1 Hermit it) 25 to 1 Vauban .oil)
Ili to 1 D'Estouruol 1000 to 25 Mager Butter•
100 to 8 Plaudit (MI Ay (oII)

1000 to 70 Dragon ;off, t I 2000 to 10 Lord .11astags
100 to It'.
1000 to 100 Sala Taraban and Grand Cross coupled (off!.
IS to Lagat John Soott' a 1!!t offen to trtke,._

1000 to 30461 itOdTliellaks fur
the Derby (I).
BETTING AT MANCHESTER.—FRIDAY.
TWO THOUSAND.

to 1 agst Plaudit !Ito() 25 to 1 apt Van Amburgh
oto 1 Julius II)
100 to 12 Hermit it 25 to 1 Tronailero
25 to 1 The General ;1)

cumin cur.
16 to 1 apt Rama ;t()
DERBY.

7to 1 apt The Rake C) 21:.• to 1 sot Julius ft,
14 to 1 Plaudit 'o MO to 20 Grand Grow (t)
20 to 1 Taraban oft 1000 to 3 Flying Scud ,t(

Old Windsor Royal Hunt Steeplechases. pnotponed owing to
Use floods, will take place on Monday, the 15th instant. The
=lwhich will oosuprise both the Horse and Hound matches,
nce for the Royal Hunt eup, the Fanners' Plate, Selling
Race, a military race, Ac., will he confined to one day, and a
capital day's spurt is confidently expected.

THE OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE BOAT RACE.—
There was no training pursued yesterday morning. In the
afternoon the Cantabe went out thrice for paddles in their
different boats, in order to ascertain which suited them
beat. They only went between the bridges and had occa-
sional spurts. Their boats went fast, at :ti strokes per
minute, and this was occasionally augmented. The Oxo-
nians came down the whole course with a good tide. They
went off at about 34 strokes, afterwards rowed 36 all the
way to near home, when they put it on in fine style, in-
creasing to 38 and finishing at 40, well pulled through the
water. They had a fine wind with them, and did the dis-
tance in 20 min. 5 sec. Betting 7t04 on Oxford.
YACHTING MOVEMENTS. —The American centre-
board yacht Vesta, one of the competitors in the late
Atlantic yacht race, is fitting out at Cowes. She has all
running gear rove, and has commenced bending sails. Cap-
tain Low having arrived at Southampton from New York
on Saturday last to take charge. The spring is more than
usually backward in the island, and it seems probable yes-
eels will be late in fitting out, there being but very few at
present who have made the least move. The Florence,
his Grace the Duke of Leeds, is the only vessel about the
station, and has kept almost solitary guard the whole of
the winter. Prince Jerome Napoleon's steam yacht,
Jerome Napoleon, is lying at Southampton.—Beil's Life.

THE MEETING AT MR. GLADSTONE'S.

The meeting at Mr. Gladstone's yesterday was
attended by 240 members.
Mr. Or. wore, addressing the members present, said—
If you think it is time that we should commence, I will
venture to remind you of the understanding with which
we closed the proceedings of our kit meeting on the 21st
of March. At that time, with your authority, and cer-
tainly, as fax as I could judge at the time, with your unani-
mous authority, I was to do three things. Besides point-
ing out a number of general objections to various im-
portant provisions in the government reform bill, I was
to press for an early day for the committee on the bill. I
was to urge the recognition of this principle— that the per-
sons whom parliament may invest with a title to the
franabins, whether few or many, should, so far as depends
on parteratent, have equal access to the enjoyment of it,
and finally I was, in assenting to the second reading of
the bill, to reserve every liberty of reconsidering
our position in case the declarations of the o-
vernment between the second reading and the com-
mittee should not be such as to afford any prospect of
entering into committee with advantage. Since that time
we have bad the debate on the second reading of the bill,
and we have now to consider our course under the present
circumstances. and I think, gentlemen, with reference to
the proposal that ought to be made, I ought to endeavour
to define what I conoeive to be the end that we have in
view tiv • means we have to take must be governed
main y he nature of the end. We desire three things,
one of w ich is paramount and the others highly impor-
tant. The first thing we desire is that a good reform bill
should be passed—by that, meaning a bill that should
give a liberal enfranchisement so far as the question
of the franchise is concerned, and then put an end to
the agitation of the question. (Cheers.) We desire in
the second place that a good reform bill should be
during the present session of parliament—(hear,hearrs2all
thirdly, we desire that it should be passed, if possible,
through the medium of the present government. (Hear,
hear.) These are, I think, the three objects we have be-
fore us, and allow me to say that when on the occasion of
our former meeting, I stated that I abandoned all idea
of opposing the second reading, and recommended others
to do the like, I did not conceive that I was merely ad-
journing to the question of the Speaker's leaving the chair
the revival of that object. In determining to abandon op-
position to the second reading of the bill, I virtually bound
myself to a great deal wore. I bound myself, and, so far
as was in my power, I bound those who thought with me,
to take every means of working the bill through the com-
mittee if possible. We have now to consider our position in
reference to the objects I have named. I think we are so far
agreed as to the provisions of the bill which I went over
rapidly as the occasion of our former meeting that I need
not advert to those again. There seemed an almost uni-
versal concurrence of opinion as to the defective and wholly
unsatisfactory character of the provisions of the bill as it
then stood, and as to the kind of amendments we should
endeavour to introduce. Now, in adopting this view, that
we are, if possible to work the bill through committee,
and make what we may call a bad bill into a good bill,
without at the same time having the direction of the
committee in our hands—do not let us disguise front
ourselves that we are pledging ourselves to a very
difficult task. I must frankly own I cannot state too
strongly my conviction that it is a task which is difficult
under the most favourable circumstances, but which
will become entirely hopeless unless we are able to
adopt a common course, and to pursue that course
moderately, but with resolution. Rely on it, nothing is
more certain than this, that total failure and discredit
awaits us in the country unless we campull together. If
we look back to the speeches on the second reading, and if
we look particularly to the speeches of the members of the
cabinet, undoubtedly they are speeches that afforded
very little daylight. I think the speeches of Mr. Hardy
and the SolaitorGeneral did nothing to advance or
to secure our position. On the speech of the Chan-
cellor of the Exchequer, able as it was, a very different
construction was put, and the general opinion and belief
was that in the speech, although with great skill the
Chancellor of the Exchequer avoided committing the
government to any concessions whatever beyond the dual
vote —(hear, bear)—from that speech the general impres-
sion given to the public was that provided an adequate pres-
sure was brought to bear upon the government the conces-
sions will be sufficient to give effect to the purpose we have
in view, that of making a good bill out of a bad bill. That
is the persuasion under which, in concert with those I have
endeavoured to consult—and I have not failed in that duty
througlaarant of willingness or exertion—that is the view
on whielfwe propose to act. (Cheers.) We propose to mooted
on the 'principle that pressure from the hberal party is the
means by which we niay entertain the hope of bringing the
bill into a shape in which we can look forward with midis-
faction to see it passedipto a law. That pressure must, no
doubt, be a firm pressure, and you will likewise support
me when I say it must be a gentle pressure. It must be a
pressure carefully and studiously divested, so far as we are
concerned, and, so far as in our power, of anything that
can make it invidious and uffebove. (Hear, hear.) We
must consider our object as the one important matter, and
we must endeavour in our mode of proceeding to do no-
thing which may afford a justifiable cause or a plausible
pretext to any one for saying that he imposed an intolerable
burthen on the government in trying to compel them to
take this or that course. (Loud cheers.) If these be the
right principles on which our proceedings should be founded,
I come to the conclusion that we may safely leave to be
dealt with in committee, provided other matters be
arranged, all propositions that can be dealt with as single
propositions. In the debate on the second reading I did
not hesitate to imply that questions of great importance—
such as the county franchise and the redistribution of
seats—might be dealt with in committee. Igo further. I
will say that even the figure of the borough franchise might
be dealt with in committee—nay, more, there is another
point which I look at as going to the root of the whole
matter, which, so far as regards London, is really the
most vital point in the bill—the lodger franchise—(hear,
hear)—that might be dealt with in committee. In fact,
everything that can be dealt with in committee we should
leave to be dealt with in committee. But now comes the
question, on what basis are we seeking the settlement of
what is the capital subject of debate—the borough
franchise. The basis laid down in the bill we
have found unanimously to be unsatisfactory. (Cheers.)
I ventured at the earliest stage to refer to the idea
and to make the suggestion that if there was, as there
is, in the House of Commons a desire to connect personal
rating in some way or other as a test with the enjoyment of
the franchise, it might be possible and just, andperhaps
advantageous, to apply it as a negative ; that IS not to
my, which I think is perfectly preposterous and untenable,
that every man, whatever his condition in life,
should be debarred from the franchise, or have
difficulties imposed upon him, if lie endeavours to
obtain it, because be is not a formal ratepayer. (Loud
cheers.) But when you have a portion of society from
whom rates cannot be collected, whose circumstances do

not admit of the payment of rates, you may in their case
admit that fact as indicatingthe point at which, in the pre-
sent state of the country and the state of the people as to
education and independence of circumstances, the enjoy-
ment of the franchise is to end. That plan was received
with favour when you last met. It has been received with
favour in the House of Commons ; and even beyond the
limits of our own party it is received with considerable
favour also. If we are to adopt this plan—and this is the
one on which I think we should proceed—we then find
ourselves confronted by a necessity which arises out of
the forma of the House of Commons. If we are
to say that a certain portion of the community
now liable to the payment of rates should be hence-
forth exempted from personal payment we must
i,ake power not only to insert so many words in the
Reform Bill, but likewise the power to readjust the law of
rating on all pointa—(bear, hear)—which may arise in con-
nexion with that class of the community. If we pass a com-
pulsory provision running through the community and ex-
empting all persons under a given line, on which I shall
not consult you or say anything to-day—for that may be
left for committee— but if we are to make an exemption
below a given line, we must, along with the exemption.
consider what is to be the liability of the landlord, and
what deduction if the landlord continues liable he is to
make. Mr. Poulett Scrope would, perhaps, consider him-
self entitled to raise the question founded on his view,
that such property should be exempted altogether—an
economical question of vast importance and not in neces-
sary connexion with the franchise. But there are other
questions : you have to consider whether the municipal
votes of these persons are being reserved, and whether
they are still to retain their votes in vestries ; and other
questions are very likely to arise. But after the best in-
vestigation I have it in my power to make, I find it is
necessary, in order to effect that view I have described
in reference to the franchise, that we should arm the
committee on the Reform Bill with power to alter the
law of rating. The special point to which the alteration
would go, and the most important and vital
point, being the exemption from personal liability
—(cheers)—below a certain line, that exemption
would entail the necessity of considering other col-
lateral questions on which Ido not think we *hall meet
with any insurmountable difficulty. With regard to the
motive of the instruction to be given to Cm committee, I
have no doubtyou are awareof the two fundamental points
it involves. In the first place, it must be to give the com-
mittee some power it does not possess ; and consequently
this inst: vetion, or one of this nature, would be neces-
sary, eith 1 for our purpose or for the purposes of the
government if they shall accede to onr views, or for the
purpose of enabling Lord Grosvenor—the cause of whose
absence we must all deplore—(hear, bear)—to bring his
amendments under the notice of the house. The second
point is, that in point of form, as probably all gentlemen
know, it is not an amendment to the Speaker leaving the
chair. It is a preliminary to the motion th it the
Speaker leaves the chair, and indeed of setting aside that