The Express.
London, England, 1867-10-26 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF VIZ =MIL

Sts,—The official closing of the Universal Exhi-
bition at Paris, it has been decided, will take place on
the 314 intent. The building will, however, be
open to the public at • reduced charge, under special
arrangement of M. Le Play with the commissioners, until the
17th proximo. This extension of time affords opportunity to
many who have not alicady seen the Exhibition to do so ;
and it is to be hoped that in the interest of British art and
Industry the occasion will not be last sight of by our work-
men. Bo far as regards railway facilities for getting to
Paris and back at cheap rates, although the entire cessation
of the issue of artisans' tickets has been advertised, their
issue will at our instance be continued by the Chatham
and Dover Company till the Exhibition shall finally close ;
sad the committee on whose behalf I am acting will be
very happy to send over all who may apply.—l am, kn.,
J. T. DEXTER, Corresponding Secretary,
Paris Excursion Committee, 265, Strand, W.C., Oct. 25.

ROYAL COLLEGE or SURGEONS. —An important
alteration in respect to the payment of fees by candidates
for the diploma of membership, both at the primary and pass
examinations, is about tube promulgated. There isno doubt
that the council of the College is fully justified in sano-
tiouing the proposed alteration, for it is well known at all
the hospitals, and by every person engaged in teaching,
that there is a certain class of students who will not go
through their studies with any amount of steadiness, but
when the time arrives for presenting themselves for the
ordeal, and when urged to "go up," both by parents and
teachers, " go in for a fluke," to use their own expres-
sions, and are consequently " spun." Is is notorious
that there are students lounging about the hmpitals who,
had they paid ordinary attention to their studiw, would
have been members of the college years ago, instead of
which they have been so repeatedly rejected, that in
self-defence the Court of Examiners have adopted the fol-
lowing determination :—The fee of five guineas paid prior
to the primary examination, and allowed in the whole fee
for the diploma, will be retained, and, after any two con-
secutive failures at the primary examination the candidate
will be required to pay an additional fee of five guineas
Vrior to being again admitted to that examination, which
ftrther fee will oleo be retained. At the " pass " examine-
Jima heretofore, when a candidate has been rejected, the
whole amount—viz., M. 15s.—has been returned when
requested by the candidate, but now, five guineas will be
retained, and, after any two consecutive failures, the can-
didate will be required to pay an additional fee of five
trainees prior to being again admitted to the pass exami-
nation, and this fee will also be retained, A somewhat
similar plan has long been adopted by other examining
boards.—Medical Times and audit.

BAVARIA AND THE ZOLLVEREIN.
MUNICH, Ocr. 23.

At the sitting of the Upper House Committee to-
day nine members voted for the rejection of the
treaties for the entry of Bavaria into the Zoll-
verein, and one member in favour of them. It is
considered almost certain that in the full sitting of
the Chamber on Saturday next the treaty will be
rejected.

BELGIUM.
BRUSSELS, Ocr. 25.

To-day the Minister of War laid before the
Chamber of Deputies a bill upon the reorganisa-
tion of the army, fixing the effective forces of the
kingdom at 100,000 men, and the annual con-
tingent at 13,000.

SWITZERLAND.

BERME, Ocr. 25.

The nomination of a new minister/or Switzerland
at the court of Berlin will not take place until the
reassembly of the Federal Council.
The electors of Wald have returned Councillor
Huffy, of Lausanne, u member of the Federal
Council, in place of Herr Fornerod. Should the
former not accept the nomination, Councillor
Rogiure of Yverdun will be elected.