The Express.
London, England, 1860-05-02 00:00:00

irk Court.

The Queen and Prince, Consort, accompanied by
the Princess Louisa, took a drive yesterday afternoon in a
carriage and four. Lord Charles Fitzroy and Lieet,CoL
Ponsonby attended on horseback.
The Duke de Nemours, accompanied by the Princesses
Marguerite and Blanche, paid a visit to the Queen. His
royal highness also visited the Duchess of Kent, at Buck-
ingham Palace.
The Prince Consort rode on horseback ye*tertlay morning,
attended by Lieut.-Colonel Ponsonby.
Yesterday was the birthday of Prince Arthur. It was
kept privately at Buckingham Palace, owing to the mourn-
ing for the late Prince of Hobanlohe Langenbourg.
Lord Methuen ►nd Major-General Sir Henry Bentinek
have succeeded Lord Harris and Lieut.-Colonel F. Cavell.
dish as the Lord and Groom in Waiting to the Queen.
Lord Charles Fitzroy and Lieut.-Colonel Ponsonby have
relieved Colonel the Hon. A. N. Hood and Captain Du Plat
in their duties as the Equerries in Waiting to her Majesty
and the Prince Consort.

The Prlncem Alice, Prince Alfred, and the Princesses
Helena and Louisa, attended by the Viscountess Jocelyn,
Lady Caroline Barrington, Lord Charles Fitzroy, and Major
Cowell, honoured the performance at the Haymarket
Theatre last evening with their presence.
Prince Arthur and Prince Leopold, attended by Lieut.-
Colonel Ponsenhy and Major Elphinetone, honoured the
performance at the Olympic Theatre with their presence
last evening.

Despatches were rent from the Colonial-office yesterday
to the Governors of Canada, British Columbia, and the

West Indies, and to the Lord High

lomian Isloads.

of the

The Countess of Kinnoull gave her first ball this
sewn last evening at ber mansion in Portman-square.

Madame Van de Weyor'a find soinfe damante will
take place on Thursday, the 24th instant.
The Coludesa Dowager of Glasgow and Miss
Catherine Sinclair have arrived at Is, Chrehnni-pluce, for
the season. The Hon. George Frederick and MN. Boyle are
staying with the couutes...
Viscounteva Palmeraton has isvuod cards for
asaemblira on Saturday next, and on Saturday, the 12th
instant.

Vineounteaa Hantinge gave birth to a daughter
at 11, Queen's-terrace, Queen's-gate, on Sunday.
The arrivals at Brighton include Sir Robert
Gunning, Lady Villierw, Lord Vane, Lord Beauclerk, Sir
W. Moore, Lady Roberta, lady 'aeon, Lady 06h:on, Sir'
Francis and Lady Baring, Sir Graham Montgomery, Sir
Godfree Thomas ; Sir Norton Knatehludl, Bart., and Lady
Boatel-shun and family; Major-General lawrensou, Colonel
Douglas, Oaptain Lyons, &e.

Thu Gazette of lai4t night " hereby " given notice,
that the prercutation of Mrs. Duncan Stewart at her
Majesty's drawing.rooni. on the 24th March, "took place
through inadrerten.*."

On Monday evening Mr. Walter Montgomery
pve dramatic recitals from Shakspere and other authors in
the Star Assembly-room,Orfoal, when he was honoured with
the presence of his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales
and suite, Colonel the Hon. Robert Bruce and Mrs. Bruce,
Captain Orey, the Provost of Oriel Collep and family, Mrs.
Liddell, of the Deanery, Christchurch, and a large number
of distinguished members of the university.

The following will be the preachers at the special
Sunday evening services in Westminster Abbey for the
month of May :—May 6, the Dean of Canterbury ; May 13,
the Bishop of Ozfoni ; May 20, the Rev. J. R. Woodford,
vicar el Kempatord ; May 27, Archdeacon Mackenzie.

The Very Rev. the Dean of Lincoln will preach
the anniversary sermon of the Radcliffe Infirmary, at
Oxford, which will take place on Tuesday, Juue 19, iu the
Commemoration week. The members of the :timid° Uni-
versity Masonic Lodge intend to give two masonic lolls and
• masonic musical fete in the ammo of that week. The
president and fellows of Si. John's College have most kindly
and liberally granted the use of their splendid gardens for
the fête. In addition to these attractions it is rumoured
that the University Volunteer Rifle C.rpt contemplate
giving • dress ball during the Couturetwomtion.
. . . .

Lord Henry Thyme intende (taking the Chancellor
of the &chequer on 'Friday whether there is any founda-
tion for tho report that the final reduction of the wine duties
is to take effect in August or September ; or whether he in-
tends to adhere to his original proposal that such reduction
shall take effect on the Ist of January, 1861.

Mr. Bowyer on Friday will ask the Secretary of
State for War whether a regulation has recently been
made, that officers of volunteers ►re not to have their mili-
tary rank at court; and, if so, whether her Majesty's
government will reooneider the subiect, and allow to such
officers their military rank at court.
Lord William Graham will ask the Chancellor of
the Exchequer on Friday whether any step' have been
taken, oe are about to be taken, to improve the ventilation
of the National (Wiwi.

Sir John Acton I;aa given notice of his intention
to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he
will consent to lay upon the table of the house copies of all
such despatches and reports as have beau received from the
diplomatic agents of the British government in Rome, from
the year 1855 to the present time, relating to the condition
and administration of the Roman States.

The ,elect committee appointed by the house of
Lonla to inquire into the poiliamentary franchise in
counties and loroughe met for the first time at ono o'clock
OIL Monday, hut the public arc not admitted to its sittinge,
and nu report can therefore he ripen of its preseediegs.