The Express.
London, England, 1860-02-23 00:00:00

111&III to the impetatlea- of tryhty a ene
or 'Uplifts by srtdiesrily alabetitating• a
test which elands* *Orb N, idly that.
is point of fact, no eue man btemgosted to be-
lave that recounts to it would.have .INatbought or,
win there not some onostensible purpose in view-
If biz play be meant for the wiaas el all oar neigh-
bours, the alcoholic test ought to be at ocoe gives
up; and if there be not some eery good moos,
hitherto uasespeated either by the patolle at largo or
by the tease, the Camiczu.oa of the 11xcitaanai
would do well to substitute toe shillings for three in
his resolution, before it is put from the chair in No-
minee to-morrow.

tit Iff

A great deal of anxiety is felt by theme who are ex-
tensively engaged in the import and sale of wise, in
consequence of an extraordinary intimation given by
the Treasury that a disposition existed to repudiate the
pledge as to drawback on duty-paid stocks given
by the Minute of 1843, and formally reiterated in
that of July, 1862. The scope and purport of these
engagements on the part of the Government were,
th►t every trader who should comply with certain
forms of duplicate warrants when taking wine out of
bond, ahould be entitled to drawback on all that should
be found in his stock whenever the existing Customs
duty should be reduced, provided the retrospective
aorount did not exoeed a period of two years and a
half. It is well known that many merchants, in-
credulous as to further reduction taking place, neg-
, leered to oomply with the troublesome forms pre-
scribed. Bet many others did comply regularly and
carefully with all that was required; and now they
are startled by hearing it said that the former
Minutes of the Treasury have been rescinded, and
that faith is not to be kept with them in the matter.
We cannot entertain any serious doubt as to
the question thee raised. To us it seems
simply impossible that such an injustice
should be deliberately contemplated by a man
like Mr. GLADSTONE. Tee true bearings of the case
must have been overlooked amid the multiplicity of
besieges; and now that attention has been called to
them, we take for granted that no hesitation will be
shown in recognising the indubitable claims of a
numerous and respectable body of mercantile men.
Had the pledge sever been given by the °ovens-
meat of Sir ROBERT PEEL, or renewed by that of
Lord GMT, it would be a question for the free
discretion of that of Lord PautensroN, whether it
would allow drawback or not upon stocks in hand,
and to what extent. But in the present in-
stance there is no discretionary right reserved.
Each succeeding government, to nee the memo-
rable words of the present l'lttattit himself,
tikes the place of its predecessor " with its engage-
ments." It can, if it pleases, put an end to such con-
tinuicg liabilities for the future, by public notice to
that effect ; but meanwhile it is, and must be held
to be strictly bound to the fulfilment of its inherited
obligations. To disturb the national confidence in
the observance of this fundamental role of taxation
and trade, would be a grievous error in judgment
and, we must add, a serious blow to public morality.
It would be superfluous to say a word of its tendency
to infuse into the conduct of all trades which have
to deal with the Customs or Excise a spirit of
gambling against the Exchequer.

SIR G. C. LEWIS AND ME. GEORGE CLIVE
ON PETTY LARCENY.

70 11111 ZDITOR OP THI EXPRESS.
your report of the proceedings of the
House of Commons for Friday night it is Mate], In effect,
in reply to the inquiry of an hon. member es to the recast
steistce in Hertfordshire of three years' penal servitude upon
• ltbonriug ma for stealing a few sticks out of a hoes
that " Mr. Chve, in the ateence of Sir G. C. Lewis, cm-
tiled that • report had been reproved at the liosaceoffire
that Ittaltaird Cooke, the labourer referred to, had been twice
before convicted of petty larceny. and sentenced reepectivoly
at an ant nine months' imprisonment for those offences ; on
emh °comb n that U. bras into an outhouse or building,
and that, therstare, the punishment (first above mentioned)
could hardly, under the circumstances, be ounsideted exces-
sive."

I hope for the honour of the judicial bench that neither/
14r. Clive, nor Sir 0. C. Lewis, his superior is office, are
chairmen of quarter erivions, or recorders of any town or
city, or we aught expect the administration of the law under
their atuppicee to be after the fashion of Draw.
Surely, if and nine mouths' imprisonment were deemed
sufficient punishments for a small theft, in an out-hour or
braiding, three years' penal servitude must be excessive
for reeling a few sticks, not worth sixpence, out of a faggot-
rick in Okill sir.
Can Si, 0. C. town (or Mr. Clive) be ignorant of the
fear, that !may shit-bodied labourers is their own countless
perhaps on their own wane, receive only nice shillings per
week for the support of themselves and families, a pittance
not adequate for food or clothing, saying nothing of foil.
daring the inclement serou, for which latter purpose,
doubt no% the miserable theft (if it can be so termed) wee
committed.—Your, he., PUDOIL
Temple, Feb. 18.

VOTE OF CIiDit.—CHINESE Ex FEDMON.—
This ramming was printed " an estimate of the sum which
will be required to the pear ending the 31st Minh nem, to
Betray the expenses which will be incurred for 'lava sad
williary operation, in China, beyond the ordioary grants for
is, navy sad army services for the year 1559-1860." The
estm Suggestion is 830,0001.

Mr. Blahs parpoeee, on an early day, to eel the
attend la of the Haan of Commons to the state of indigent
persons labltuing under diseases of the sight and total
Madame in Ireland, and to move for the apprintment of a
select c matinee to inquire into ani report on the bet means
or alleviating their condition.
_ _ _

Mr. O'Brien, " early after Easter," will move for
s ssls3 committee to inquire into the manner in which
select committees and committees to try election petitions
are appointed, with a view of making such changes aa may
'mar *specifies.

Mr. Kinglike, on the adjourned debate on Mr.
De Caas'a resolution, will move he previous question.
General Peel, to-morrow, will ask the Secretary
of Stetre f.w ladle what is the amount and description of
Iwo that has pr•oeedel, or is about to proceed, from India
to Chien: 'pacifying, if possible, the regiment' of which the
Earopsan portion of the force is compmel and what num •
ber of British troops (winding the depiAs) he is prepared to
pep for eut of the revenue of India donna the nest financial
year.

Toe law changes and promotions in Ireland con-
sequent upoa the promotion of Mr. J. H. Fitzgerald to the
judicial beach am at leagth wry completed, Mr. Lassos
ie the new serjeant, ew O'Hq.a, sad retains his poet of
law adviser to the Castle. The vaceaties created in the
county chairmanships have bees Ailed up by the appoint.
meat of Mr. Henry West, Q.C., sad Mr. James C. Coffey.
The appoistmenta to the canaries have am yet bees deter-
mimed, in coruequenoe, ft le said, of the heeitatios to ex
cheap the East Riding of Cori for Kdoselabisa. Mr.
West is a leading member of the Cessaaght bar, and, be-
longing to the Peel section of the conservative party, has
always supported the goveratuest of Lord Palmerston. Mr.
Coffey is a member of the Munster bar, and a Whig. Mr.
Andrews, Q.C., represents the Unitarian body as a Commie
Soper of seek:sal education, aid is a stanch liberal.
_ . _

On Shrove Tuesday the Spring Commencement.
were held with the accustomed ceremonies in Trinity Col-
lege, Dublin. There were two features of special interest in
0312.12111110 S with the proonidinge—namely, the promisee of Me
lisallesey the Lord Lientanont as a @peewits., and that of
Sir Jobs Lawreeee, 0.C.5., who attended to receive the
degree el LL.D. The Right Ron. Rickard Deasy ale
renaved the doves el LL.D. The ceremony was witareeed
by • large audience. Is the amain the Privy Council eat
la Debits Castle, when Mr. Dewy, as Attoeney-General for
Weal, took the usual oaths sod Ida place at the beard.
THE Suazw mitre' Entannt.—We Si. informed
that Mr. Hope fle-st sad Mr. reirjesat Base* on Whale(
the Infant sea of the Duke of Norfolk, do not intend any
Lace to contest the title of the But of Shrewsbury sad
Talbot to then estates. Notice of appeal had been given to
the geese "Cede against the judgment pronounced in
kmu of the awl by the Court of Etcher's'. Chamber, on
Sawthiy kit; wal all /anima litigation having been then-
&mg, ido bra* veil be pat in possession of A ties Towers,
the wastrel annt tithe Rerl of !Litt/chary, to tkagorgablra,
In the come of. Is, days.

luidiyii.~

Ss envy COMA IMO le Os PM* Cowed ;
Zed Gesadle, Lod Pisolist;
_DODO MIA Lod rdrl
Seel; Viecoset Palmilles, me Led d the Toomey ;
Lied Jam brag, Seueleey el &de kr hedge Aida;
Duke el Ifeeneetleo lesieleey el Shoe kre Si. Odedls Shp
Bled lies. Slaw Sorbed el alas ix parr; the
WWild Km W. 1L Maher Ohmeedler el the
Dale el Sawed Thet Led al the Aebdrelly ; JIM d
Si. mow. Ltd SewardVirmat eras', Lord Chem-
and Karl Spam, Groom el tie Sigh to the PM'
Cermet.

_
At the Council, Mr. William Had, by aammand ad the
Clem, was sworn of her Majacity's Meet Eamourable Privy
Comma. The right hon. gentleman wee &mimed by the
Queen hs Council Vica-Prasident al the Boned of Trade.
Charlie Seely, Esq., cram appointed aluriff tithe county of
Southampton.
Charles F. Thurston, Esq., was appointed shade of the
county of Marionath.

Bathurst, Clerk of the Privy Comma,
attended.
Lord John Russell, the Right Goa. Sides, Harbert, Marl
Grenville, and Viscount Palmerston had andirons ol her
Majesty.
The Court was attended by Viecount Gough, Gold elkt is
Weifiw ; Vimonat Castleroser, Vice-Chamberlein ; Lord
Pro_ by, Comptroller of the Household ; Lord de Tabby, Lord
to Waiting.
In Waking ; end the Bon. Mortimer Seekonk West, Groom
The Qum, accompanied by Princess Allah, rode on horse-
back yesterday atoning in the riding-house of Backingbaga
Palace.

_
The Prince Comae rode out on horseback, attended by
Lieut.-Colossi the Hon. D. de Roe.
The royal dhsser_party in the evening included the Prim-
mest &hoe and the Dake of Cambridge, ths Duke of Now-
nimbi end Lady Rosen Pelham Clinton, Earl Cawdor, the
Right Hon. Sir George and Lady Grey, and the Flurry to
Welting to the Duke of Cambridge.

A deputation from the Manebestor and Mukord Railway
oonalsong of Sir Godfrey Thew, Captain Pryers M.P.,
Mr. Whalley, ld.P., Mr. D. Mewls, M.P., Mr. Chambers,
Mr. Pm t, Mr. C. Rabbe, Mr. Lowrance, Mr. Marriott,
Mr. Patton (engineer), Mr. Beathcalserneag), sad Mr.
Hartissa, had an interview with Sir C. Lewis yes
terday, at the Home-odlos.
Mr. David Moore, late Minister of Land and Work., Mel-
bourse, had an Interview with the Duke of Newcastle yes-
terday, at the Coloniel-once.
Despatches ware received_yeaterday, at the Colonial-office,
from the Governor. of the North Anwelean Province..

HER MAJESTY'S SECOND LEVEE (THIS DAY).—
Ilia afternoon bee Majesty, accompanied by his Royal High-
ness the Prince Censor, left Buckingham Palace, end held a
escond levee at St. Jamee's Palace, the attendant)* befog very
DOMIWOOM.

Her Majesty the Queen has marked her approval
of the Royal Volunteer Ball, which Is to be held in the
Floral Hall, Covent Garden, on the 7th of March, by desir-
log that the announcement should be made as under her own
especial p►tronage, in addition to that of the Prince Consort
sad the Prince of Wales—the latter in this instance appear-
ing for the first time as the patron of any public festivity.
His Royal Highness the Dake of Cambridge, a Commander-
In-Chief, eaccarages the fete with his official sanction; and
the Duchess of Cambridge and the Princess Mazy allow their
names to head a long list of ladies patronesses, among whom
will be found the Duchess of Wellington, Viscountess Pal-
merston, sad almost all the ladles of distinction in political I
and fashionable circles. A committee, composed of the cm-
mending officer' of the several volunteer corps of the Lopata
district, have undertaken the supervision of the general ar-
rangements, through whom, as well ea through the com-
manding °friars of sll the provincial regiments, the volun-
teers will obtain vouchers for themselves and their friends.
Other persona not volunteers will have to apply to some one
of the ladies patrolman entitled to dispense vouchers.
Lord Broughton has been seeing company daring
the past week at Corahato Hone, Wilts. Lord and Lady
William Powlett left Corabiun on Saturday last for Beth.
The Duke of Buccleuch is slowly recovering from
a severe attack of infincezi, which has confined him to his
chamber her asarly a fortnight.
. .

Ednam, in Roxburghshire, from which the
Earl of Dudley has elected to take his wooed title, is eel.-
bested as the birthplace of Thomson, the poet, author of the
"Seasons," " The Castle of Indolence," &s.
A latter from Vienna of the 20th says :—" Tidy
Augustus Lotto. has been seriously W, but her physicians
have to-day told me that she is no longer in any danger."
We learn from Belgrade that Mr. J. A. Long-
worth has been appointed Consul-General in &rine instead
of the late Mr. Fonblanque. Mr. Longworth, who was for-
merly enipl, ei in Epirus and Thcsealy, and the Cancans,
a cow at Crate.

The rectory of Hatherop, near Fairford, Gloaces-
ienhire, value 3251., in the gift of Lord de Manley, hie
become vacant by the death of fbe Rev. Ssckville G. Bourke,
son of the late Dean of °carry, and nephew of the former
Earl of Mayo, instituted to the living of Hatherop in 1839.
The Bath Chronicle sty. :—" We understand that
au Invitation bas just been addressed by the Rev. Dr.
Wolff, rector of Isle Brewers, Sontersetahlre, to the patriarehe
of the Greek, Armenian, and Syrian churches, to build to
his parish colleges in which they shculd instruct the youth
of their respective 00-religlonista, in the tenets of
their respeoff vs churches, end in the science and arts
of Europe, for which undertaking be was solicited by the
drat men of the Armenian and Greek nation when he tea-
Tolle' in Persia, Hindustan, dm, and which it seems they
we still anxious to see accomplished. The money necessary
for this object will be provided by the people who participate
in its advantages."

Toe late Mr. Henry Drummond, M.P., was a
considerable benefactor to the University of Oxford. He
founded in 1825 the Prokeiorship of Political Economy,
which hu :been held by Mr. N. W. Bender, Archbiebop
Whitely, Dr. Travers Twins, Mr. HMO= Merivale, and
other distinguished individuals. Mr. Drummond ranked as
a conservative ; but his crimervitism, like his religion,
was tinged with ecoentriclty, and be wee opposed to the =-
suml operation of emu of the privileges attached to the
church astabbehmant. Mr. Drummond married, in 1807,
the Lady Henrietta Drummond Hay, elder daughter of the
ninth Earl of Sinnott', by whom he hu en only surviving
daughter, Louise, married to Lord Loraine, eldest son of the
Earl of Beverly, and whose sow, now gotta a child, in the
coarse of nature must one day inherit the dukedom and
princely estate* of the hues of Northumberland.

A grand concert took place on Saturday evening
at the palace of the Prince Regent, Berlin, at which U.
Meyerbeer presided. More that 1,500 personages of Celina.
dm wine present. Daring the 000 cert the Princes. of
Prussia presented U. Meyerbeer with a valuable baton, as a
token of her royal highness's admiration of his skill.
A communication from Rome, in the Gaudio du
Mid., ea, :—" The Count de Chamb,ed boo addressed a
letter to the Pope. The contents are not known, but it must
have been pleating to the Sovereign Pontiff; as he replied to
It with his own hand. Pins 1%. lase, it to said, given to the
head of the elder branch of she Bourbons the titles made/
by the hely me to the kings of France of ' Very Christian
King,' and • Eldest Son of the Church.' "

The Kaliniga Gaulle announces the arrival in
that town of Schatnyi's family, ocuidating of dikes peruses,
including hie two wine, two sons, and five daughters, with
their husbands and children. &hazyl was reading
when the approach of the party was announced, and he
appeared at first greatly moved by the intelligence, bat axe
recovered his composure, and knelt down to offer ap
thanks to Heaven. He them eat down to table, and had
jest begun dinner when his youngest son, who had ridden
on Met, entered the room. The reception was very sere-
mission., though both were evidently much affected. Miss
kissing his father's hand, the yowl, man retired to soma dis-
tance, awl, wending in a respectful attitude, answered
schereyps icquitirs. The rest of the family were received
is the same manner, the men int and then the women.
When all were in the room, Schamyl directed theca le iota
hiss to returning thanks to Gel for their prosperous foamy.
THE PRINCE 01, ORANOE LNI SOUTH WALES.—
His Royal Highness the Prince et Orange serlived at
Raglan Cattle on Friday lest fm Trey. near Mosocath,
one of the semi of the Doke of Trey.
The be was
met at the castle by Lord Llwrover and Mr. Herbert of
Lissarth ; and, alter lasoenting the relay bin royal high-
ness accompanied Lord Lianowr to Lianarik, and thence
reidto Llanover, where the risco prowl the night.
galrdd ay the phew, accompanied by Lord Liannver
paid a visit to Merthyr Tydvil and tailestod the iroi
works for which that plan is tisiebrated. Retrains to
Llenover in the evening, his royal highness was primant at a
banquet and ball glean la his honour. Oa Sunday the
prince attended divine melon at Llavoiror Church, and Ca
Monday his royal Wiliam took his leave of Lord and Lady
Llanover and pevesedsd with the naszabors of hie sails to
Iftestord: aid Ihew to Chester and Nam

,USTRIA TO' THE ENGLISH
'ROPOSALS.
T=vasn►r.
bearing the definitive answer of
the English proposals left hare on the
waning of the 17th that., fee Paris sad London.
The reply of Austria explains the reasons why the
Court of Vienna could not accept the English
proposals as a basis foe an arrangement to which the
lumourrenoe of Austria would be given by
her signature. Count Rechberg explains that
the proposal does not only essentially alter the basis
of the European equilibrium which was founded by
the treaties of 1816, but it is in open opposition to
the fundamental principle upon which the legiti-
macy of governments in general, and especially the
Austrian monarchy, is founded. In the third in-
stance the said proposals destroy the rights oft he
Italian princes which were placed under the
guarantee of Europe, and which the Emperor
Francis Joseph has the sacred duty to protect
in his quality of chief of the House of Hapsburg.
If, induced by all these motives, Austria declines
the proposed negotiations—she declares, neverthe-
less, that for the present she will not endeavour to
undo by force of arms that which she cannot pre•
vent, although reserving to herself full and entire
liberty of action for the future.
The tone of Count Rechberg's answer is exams&
ingly moderate and polite.

_
PARIS, THURSDAY.
Prim* Metternich remitted yesterday to M. Thou-
venal an explanatory message containing the an-
swer of Austria to the four points of the English
proposals.

- The Vienna cabinet expresses its regret at not
being able to give her adhesion to the said pro-
posals as a basis for ulterior negotiations between
ike great powers.

SARDINIA.

A Turin letter of the 19th says:—" By order of
Count Cavour a statiotieal return is now being pre-
pared at the Ministry of the Interior of the refugees
from Venetia, whose numbers are daily increasing
in an extraordinary proportion. The minister's
object is in the first place to devise means for the
relief of these persons, most of whom are entirely
destitute ; and secondly to prepare a document which
may at a given moment be hurled at Austria u a
formidable diplomatic missile. The King, on his
departure from Milan, which is fixed for the 28th,
is expected to go to Genoa, where brilliant Utes
will be given, if no political events occur to prevent
them. Meanwhile the Milanese are enjoying them-
selves to the utmost. You may imagine the pleasure
anticipated from the marvellous spectacle to be
offered for three days by the celebrated Lombard
Carnavalone, from the fact that a balcony on the
Corso della Porte Orientals has let for as much as
40 napoleons."

•
EXPRESS, TETTRSDAVOMENDIG, PEER'
tin "4—r'--WiF-"‘--i'---4suit: ...c LIIITIO3 INTILLIGIC
ay ,,, s 1
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that.tteris Qom held 11 Vol* and Priii, Comma yes. ..........'s
to I* alksvosa at >s • NEELY OF AUSTRIA TO' THE 10
ght eir, At UMW 11. l[ the kbili !Unburden, had
PROPOSALS.
_._ as Wand of tbs Qum, tat to bar
Tie'. runt trim lie Gahm EM Reaglaaer vas Itatrodmtrb; VIRNNA, Ti
WO. Lard San BARRA alta.=:urelpsi gummy et Oho
, given be laidist Albin, arl by LitatAissasral the The courier bearing the definitive 1
Zee. Satilaward Cut, 1.C.H., her kisjaaty's Mow of the Austria to the English proposals left ht
MIMI. chm.i.