The Express.
London, England, 1866-12-31 00:00:00

'BESS, MONDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 31, 1866.

THE E:

holds men from embarking in new schemes. The
great point is to find the golden mean---to
foster sound commercial ventures without tilsge-
nerating into the mere speoslatiesOntling born
which the country has recently suffered so inner.
Commercial and financial history does not
entirely repeat itself, but at least it often presents
manly points of resemblance. Who are the
persons that have lost by the great joint stock
company failures in the dosing year To a
great extent the class of small investors, Which
accumulators of a few hundred pounds, for which
they seek a high rate of interest. It waa the
same in 1846-7, after the railway mania. In
1857 the loss was mainly Buffered by the
trading classes. Apart from the monetary crisis
the landed interest have suffered heavily by the
cattle plague and a harvest partially spoiled in the
gathering. It is, however, satisfactory to per-
ceive that the year closes with signs of a confidence
which certainly have not existed during the last
twelve months. A severe storm has passed over
us, and has at all events done the service of laying
bare much insolvency and the unsound financing
of some institutions whose reputation was pre-
viously unquestioned. The lesson to be learnt is
very plain. The public must consider it their duty
for their own sakes not to repose blind confidence
in a few names of high standing, but to personally
satisfy themselves that the property in which they
place their money is honourably and efficiently
managed. By pursuing a different course share-
holders should recollect that they not merely im-
peril their own investments, but absolutely hold
out a premium to malversation, or at least official
neglect.
uestions of doe
In the Church, fundamental q-
trine and polity are being stirred ; old compro-
mises no longer satisfy ; and efforts are made by
all parties to find real and solid ground of convic-
tion. The development of ritualism on the one
side, and of rationalism on the other, and the
attempt to reduce into a theological system the
doctrines which sprang out of the devout impulses
of Evangelicism, show how deeply the relig'ous
mind of England is stirred on the gravest themes.
The existence of a party whose watchword is
reconciliation and comprehension, itself testifies to
the vehemence of conflict. The judicial decisions
in the case of the Bishop of NATAL as
to the status of the Church in the colonies, and
the measures of the Crown which have followed on
them, revive questions of ecclesiastical polity
which have more than colonial application.
Whether the guarantee of law secured to the
ministers and members of a Church by its de-
pendence on the State, or its freedom of self-
government, with only such restrictions as the
Courts of Justice may exercise in the last reaource
over all corporations, lay or ecclesiastical, offer
the more favourable conditions fur the discharge
by this Church of its proper work, is a question
occupying many minds, and to which some day an
answer must be given.
Ireland remains still the English difficulty.
Twice in the present year, and for the ninth time
since the Union, the Habeas Corpus Act has been
suspended. The Fenian madness has been put
down ; but the causes which le,td to periodic con-
spiracy and rebellion are not removed. The Church
question and the Land question are not effectually
grappled with. The late Government made an
honest attempt to grapple with the laud
question, but their measure, resisted by the
landlord party, English and Irish, in Parra-
ment, was lost by their retirement
office. The changes provost(' by the Govern-
ment in the Queen's University, in conces-
sion to demands of tho iltramontane clergy on
behalf of the Catholic University, betrayed an un-
happy tendency to seek a solution of ecclesiastical
questions, by balancing privileges rather than in
establishing equality.

..--------"---.____
THLYIRE A THE CRYSTAL PALACE.
Tim intelligence we publish this evening of the
extensive &image dose yesterday- be the Crystal
Palace by fire will be received by fie public' with
regret, out of all proportion to ilie commercial
loes which the proprietors of the building sus-
tain. The Crystal Palace, although the creation
of private enterpriae, is a national institution,
and something more. Every Englishman went
thither to Beek and find gratification, both innocent
and boundless in its variety, while foreigners
visited it as almost an eighth wonder of the
world. There was nothing which strangers found
Iso characteristic of our character and country
as this beautiful building. The tropical end of the
Palace has been destroyed, and it is marvellous
that the fire spread no further. We are glad to
learn from Mr. GROVE that nothing has suffered on
the south side of the screen, and especially that no
was
human life has been lost. The Palace open
to-day, the objects for the sake of which it is prin-
cipally visited not having been injured, and the
centres of Christmas holiday entertainment lying
out of range of the destruction. Thousands
no doubt will visit the spot during the coming
week to look at the ruined oondition of the
building, and feel thankful that the transept, with
the Handel orchestra and the noble organ, and
the Florentine Court, were not reached by the
flames.
_____--------

[GEWCE.

ITALY.
DISTURBANCE IN TREVISO.
A BISHOP HISSED IN A CATHEDRLL:
The Gazette of Treviso, of the 26th of December,
contains the following :
Yesterday morning Bishop Zinelli went to the cathedral
to celebrate Christmas day, and to address the people.
There was an Immense crowd present. When Istanaignore
alluded in his address to the persecutions of which the
head of the church has been the object on the part
of the
Italian people and a portion of the clergy, there arose very
significant murmurs, then hisses, and lastly vociferation,.
The speaker said that be was speaking from the pulpit of
truth, and that the house of God ought to be
betrester he
pected. If
that were not done, he added, it would be for t
were such that the
evil disposed to retire. The murmurs
preacher had to bring his discourse to a ooncludon by giving
the blessing. Some disorder took place in the church,
and several persons were bruised. The people
afterwards collected at the side-door, through which it
was thought the bishop would pass. The Royal Carbineets
and the police had great difficulty in dispersing the crowd.
The bishop got safe and sound into his palace, accompanied
by hisses and hooting'. In the course of the evening the
people again collected in the neighbourhood of
the bishop's palace. Some windows were broken.
The corporation of Treviso, in consequence of
three events, issued the following proclamation :—" Citi-
zens, excited demonstrations made on even just
the
ifiable
grounds in the public streets may easily overstep
limits consistent with national dignity and what is allowed
by law. In the assemblage of yesterday good sense and
perseverance sucoeeded in calming the minds of the people
and in preventing fresh disorders from bresking
the
out.
Citizens, let us show by deeds that we are worthy
of
liberty which we have acquired at the cost of so many

sacrifices."
THE REORGANLSAARMY.TION OF THE FRENCH
The Indipendance Beige gives circulation to the
following reports in connexion with the reorganisa-
tion of the French army :
The most remarkable incident is an: ppeal which the
Emperor addressed to the patriotism d energy of the
members of the council to warn them against hostile at-
tacks and any irresolution which • project which im-
poses new sacrifices on the country might produce.
The Emperor has put forward the imperious law of
circumstances, and the necessity of meeting their re.
quirements as • reason for these sacrifices. As to
the re-
solutions which have been taken, it is not at all probable
that they are final, whatever may be said on the subject.
One plan, which at first sight appears to have been favour-
ably received,consists in having a contingent of 100,000
men annually voted by the Corps Leggy
•, and
fixing the length of active service at six
years of forming an annual reserve of 60,000
men, to be also voted by the Chambers, whose term of
service should be six years ; finally, of the creation of a
moveable National Guard of from 300,000 to 400,000 men,
There is
whose term of service should be three years.
another report that the idea of a moveable National
Guard has been altogether abandoned.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)
THE ABYSSINIAN CAPTIVES.
PARIS. DEC. 31.
The Manikiur of this morning says :—" Letters
received here from Massowah state that Consul
Cameron and Mr. Remain, with their friends, have
been again placed in irons by orders of the Emperor
1 Theodore. The cause of this severity is not known:'

is raging fearfully, and carrying
Cholera, however,
five to forty
ad the Inhabitta at the rate of thirty-
iet