The Express.
London, England, 1860-05-31 00:00:00

LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, MAY 31, 1860.

LITERATURE.

Life arid eorreepcodetwe of Chariest Mathews the
Elder, Comedian. By Mrs. Mantissa A New
Edition, abridged and condensed by Eontrie
Yam. Routledge and Co.
Mr. Yates has done good service to the present
generation of readers, in presenting them with a
work so full of pleasant gossip and curious informa-
tion in so convenient and readable a form. We
have few good lives of celebrated actors and
actresses—fewer oertainly than we might fairly ex-
pect from the national attraction of the subjeot.
Murphy's "Life of Garrick" is a miserable per
meagre and inaccurate to the last degree.
The book is almost unreadable, indeed ; while any
tolerably graphic, full, and accurate account of
the great actor's career would necessarily
have proved extremely interesting. Even Camp-
bell'a "Life of Mrs. Siddons," though in
many respects a_good book, is by no means equal
to the subject. The "Life of Charles Mathews,"
by Mrs. Mathewn, is, however, a thoroughCe-
resting biography from beginning to end. It esns
• vivid picture of Mathews' character and
the details of his every-day life and the particulars of
his professional triumphs--sketches of the friends he
loved, and the society in which he moved—in a word,
a minute, humorous, and genial outline of his whole
career. We need not sliv • "Dizi. however. Ink

emits have been e:1y: farlrapprllecisZT by a
generation of readers.
We may, however, direct attention to Mr. Yates's
short preface, in which he says a good word for
the profession to which Mr. Mathews belonged.
It has been, and still is, too much the fashion to
despise the: actor and decry his profession, as
ministering simply to the amusement and not
to the instruction of mankind. But this condemna-
tion is far too sweeping to be restricted to the
actor. It applies to all art, and if true at all must
be brought against the poet, the sculptor, and the
painter, as well as the actor. The direct aim of
each is to please but the pleasure is of an im-
proving kind. ft guides and refines the taste,
exercises the judgment, expands the more gene-
rous sympathies, and moves the heart. Acting is
certainly not least amongst the arts that in this
way tend directly to improve as well as to de-
light. Mr. Yates says :

That I should entertain an affection for the drama, Its
professo tad all things appertaining to it, is but materel :
being thrs, e son of an actor, and, in the macho of my own
pursuits, being constantly thrown among poesams counseled
with the dramatic world, it mead be stream Weed if I
were not animated by suck sentiment& Amsl, elesillei the
mournful and constantly recurring wail of "dooline,"- despite
the ermines wbinings of the impotent, the ignorant, and
the idle I firmly believe that thin feelings cosumem to •
very large puoportionof the Esgliah nation, who would be
ready to admit that a clever and earnest actor has a greeter
hold upon their sympathies and as easier access to their
inmost hearts them any man of equal basest in any other
acknowledged prubasion. The following records prove that
patience, enduranoe, honesty, hard work, and a stout heart
under discouragement, are requisites for the histrionic aspi-
rant, as additions to his natural talent, without the posses-
sion of which none can evor hope to succeed. Constant
study and a long coons of provincial training are almost es
necessary to the actor as inborn genies. All modem
examples go to verify this dictum ; and yet, became each
year produces a certain number of uneducated young men,
who gy to the stage as a last resoune, and who, having
failed as tailors and grocers, fail more (timidly and more
publicly as Claude lifel mates and Coalioe, we hear of
nought but the decline of the drams and the degradation
of its profusion ! A perusal of this volume will show that
one of the proscribed nice was courted, admired, end re-
cognised b-S, the first and met brilliant men of the day, sot
an a buffoon for their amusement, but as an equal sad •
Mori.

These words are generous, just, and seasonable.
The book sparkles with witty anecdote, and is
rich in materials for illustrating the social history
ukthe last gsaarailas.

NAVAL AND MILITARY.

A DNIRALIT, MAY 30. —APPOINTMENTS. —Lieute-
nant J. K N. Graham, to the Barracouta.
Paymasters : J. B. Swan; to the Scourge ; and W. E.
Kelly, to the Barraeouta.
Assistant Paymasters: J. N. Robinson, to the Daunt-
less ;H. B. Granby to the Pembroke ; E. W. Golden, to
the Imaum ; and F. A. Keogh, to the Blenheim.
Midshipmen : A. E. Hutchinson, to the Aboukir ; and
P. C. Johnstone, to the Agamemnon.
Clerk : J. C. Franklyn, to the Barracouta.
Smoud-clasii Assistant Engineer : T. Brown, to the Asia,
fur charge of the machineryof the Baser.
WOOLWICH, MAY 30.
The Black Eagle, Admiralty steam vessel, having
undergone repairs to her machinery, this day proceeded
down the river on a trial trip under the charge of an °Oliver
from the foicey department. The result was satisfactory.
The annual gratuity of 50/. allowed by the Admiralty to
one of the foremen of the dockyard Las this year been
awarded to Mr. Daniel Harding.
The following ships are now at Woolwich : Flagon], lag
ship, Commodore Superintendent the Hon. J. It. Drum.
mood. Steam Vessels : Black Eagle, Princess Alice, Rifle-
man, Bustler, Dover, Weser, Trident, Driver, Devastation,
Hecate, Ilhadazulkatilua, Bases,Cameleon, Lambeil,
Antelope, Basilisk, Medina, Pluto, Vesuvius, and Blood.

Tug INDIAN TROOPS FOR CHINA.—The whole of
the troupe ordered for servios in China from India embarked
in sailing transports at Calcutta, and have moat of them
arrived at their cisatisatioa, as a month was considered
ample time fur the pump emu with bad weather. The
transports, moreover, would ham the benefit of the war
steamers in light winds, as each would take three of them
In tow. The troops maid of 410 taken, 8,190 Europeans!
and 7,156 natives.

ENLISTMENT JOE THE POPE IN IRELAND.

The Limerick correspondent o/ Saunders' News
Letter, writing on Tuesday, says: " A new light has been
thrown upon the connivance now hob( practised by tho.o
interested in the movement going forward throughout Ire-
land to augment the Pope's army. • secret system, well
matured and systematically carried out. without danger of
subjecting parties to the penalties of the Foreign &diet-
meut Act, is uow in full operation throughout Limerick,
Cork, Clare, Tipperary, and Kerry, to induce the Roman
catholic members of the consabulary to resign the
force, with the ostensible object of emigrating to
America or Australia, while in point of fact the real inten-
tion is to procure their sorrion for the Papal army, through
the agency of clerical emissaries who are going about
in disguise, unheeded and unsuspected by the authorith
Even if they were recognised, and their acts publicly
known, the law, according to Yr. Curdwell's statement, is
not directly intended to reach them, as government has
not issued any proclamation to that effect, the desire being
merely to make known the terms of the statute to those
in ignce of its provisions. This week sii.cen members
of the City Limerick police have sent in notice of resig-
nation, setting forth that they are about to emigrate. In
Clare, Tipperary, and Cork, the constabulary have done the
robe, to the number of S5O within the last fortnight, and
I have it from an authentic source, that most encouraging
terms are being held out by men of influence and pro-
perty, whose intention it is to enrol themselves u leaders
in the Papal Brigade of Irish Volunteers. The money
to be paid to such of tie constabulary who join is set
down at 161. a-head, with 4a. per day while in the Pope's
service, and a guarantee that upon peace being restored to
Rome, they be sent free to any place they wish to emi-
grate to. The maculation is, that at least 5,000 of the Irish
eoastabulary will be induced to 'take the bait and am re.
girds pecunary consideration, there can be little doubt, as
numbers who have sent in notices of resignation are known
not to be possessed of a shilling. Four respectable young
gentlemen of this city are rumoured to have obtained com-
missions, and are sow engaged on the secret recruiting sys-
tem is the south. I supply this information upon good
authority —that of a respectable member i 4 the force who
is in full possession of facts incontrovertible ; and I trust
making known the circumstance will have the beneficed
effect of at ones inducing the constabulary authorities to
bestir themselves in the matter. I have just been informed
that a gentleman from the county Kildare, a man of wealth,
has mitred in this city to induce disembodied militia men to
join the Papal army.

clittertisement. HOLLoWST's Onermirr.
lempars r Ishumsy.—Ne milsollsor at the rd. .re
moo Irsosast at mow serighs. is shilipse sad mom the
Issitalbse draws with white IN dairsa sressinholtraftistsd.
Os grist Is idles Inltshlso low kw We la, the whole
titr Ihrumstalthork NM the beiddis Nide sideeer Mk Into
eceiveided. ivor Bursary ;
appttesdra sub sal reeled
perm to Ws hisedsl mos,mes sur hi Pm di=yo .cart
'Ski. was at hol skips
op*/ sesslith hMI eMak hi
anshidMe.ua sOleW, 41111=6. 'WNW ihe Wilde bey, fie eat.
Node anhasma

REFORM MEETING AT BIRMINGHAM.

BIRMINGHAM, WIDNIIDAT NIGHT.

A meeting, convened by Thomas Lloyd, Esq.,
Mayor, was held in the Town Hall, to-night, for the purpose
of considenng the Reform Bill now before parliament. The
Hall was crowded in every part, and the inmost enthusiasm
prevailed. Mr. Bright was present, and on entering was
received with loud and continued cheering.
The MATOE4 having taken the chair, said—He had con-
vened the meeting upon a requisition more numerously and
more respectably signed than perhaps any other previously
presented to the chief magistrate of the borough. (Hear,
hear.) It had proved to him that the people et
Birmingham were sot lukewarm upon the great
subject of reform, and it afforded him great pleasure to
comply with the wishes of the requisitionists and afford
them an opportunity of giving espresaion to their
opinions upon the measure of reform lately introduced by
the government. Although the meeting was convened for
considering the Reform Bill be should nevertheless, with
the eve sent of the meeting, permit a resolution to be pro-
posed relative to the peat and important event which had
recently taken place in the Howe of Lords since the meet-
ing was contemplated, became it was a matter of grave im-
portance for them to eeashiur how far the usage of two
centuries in connexicm with their system of legislation
should be -

dear, hear.) The Mayor sae-
Wien of apology for ate.
attendance.
Mr. Scholefield, M.P., atter regretting that a previous
engegement would prevent his attendance, writes :—" The
question of reform acquires double significance from the re.
cent proceedings in the House of Lords. Never within my time
at least has the House of Commons been called upon to
sooner a Mete of things so momentous in a ocestitutional
maim is that which has just arisen. I have no right to
anticipate the decision of the committee which has been ap-
pointed to examine into precedents. That exammittee is
nneseeptioaable in its composition, and I think the govern-
meet consulted what was due to the gravity and solemn
importance of the circumstances when they moved for its

appointment ; but I cannot help seeing that whatever may
be the report of that committee, formidable difilcultlee,
which it will require all the prudence and moderation of our
best and wisest stateanen to overcome, are inevitable. If
the report be adverse to the recent decision, the firmnees
and patriotism of the House of Commons will be taxed to
the utmost to maintain its privileges. If, on the other
hand, the report should show that the House of Loris has
done only what it had a technical right to do, then It is
time that that right so rashly used should be taken away."
Alderman BALDPIN moved the first resolution, as follows :
"That, inasmuch as the government Reform Bill will 0011.
ielerably extend the privilege of voting amongst the work-
ing dress, this meeting (whilst asserting the right to a
more comprehensive measure, and especially regretting that
it does not provide a lodger franchise) is of opinion that the
hill is entitled to the cordial support of all friends of par-
liamentary reform."
The resolution, having been seconded by the Rev. ISAMI
Logo, was carried unanimously.
Aldermen 11•WILR8 moved the second resolution, which
expressed regret at the vexatious obstacles raised to hinder
the progress of the Reform Bill, and earnestly urged upon
parliament to proceed with the bill with all possible de-
'latch. The speaker, in moving the resolution, said the
present magnificent meeting was a sufficient answer to the
tory press, which bad asserted that reform was dead In
Birmingham, and that their representative, Mr. Bright, was
becoming =popular with his constituents. Neither of those
assertions was true, for the men of Birmingham were as
great reformen as ever, and the reception they had given
Mr. Bnitht that evening proved that ho retained their
confidence.

The meeting was then eilireased by Mews. Smith, Rad-
ford, and Beddow, working men, who denounced the
language used towards the working amen by arta& num-
bers in bath fume* et gire p•ermist deletes
upoll tte Reform mieltirms.

Alderman LAWDIat then moved a resolution expressive
of the confidence of the meeting in Messrs. Scholefield and
Bright, and sympathising with the latter gentleman upon
the calumnies which bad been heaped upon him.
Mr. J. S. WRIGHT then submitted the following motion,
which was seconded by Mr. Tyndal, and carried unanimously :
—" That the present attitude of the House of Lords,
and their avowed opinion., on the extension of the franchise,
are calculated to excite the gravest apprehensions for the
fate of the Reform Bill, Inasmuch as the recent rejec-
tion of an important measure of financial reform—contrary
to usage after it bad paned the Commons and received the
approval of the great body of the people indicates a deter-
mination to disregard not only the wishes of the people and
the decisions of the Commons, but also the repeated pro-
mises of various governments, and this meeting therefore
urges the government to use all constitutional means to
maintain the privileges of the House of Commons, and to
resist every encroachment upon the liberties of the people.°

&LIMIT then rose at nine o'clock, and was received with
the most enthusiastic cheering and every other demonstra-
tion of respect ; after which, he said he supposed that there
was not to be found within the confines of this island
any man who would express a doubt as to the earnestness
and fidelity with which the people of Birmingham had at-
tached themselves to the cause of parliamentary reform,
notwithstanding that it was more wise of them to meet,
and most wise for them to meet on that very occasion, be-
muse at • time of more interest to observant politicians than
any that had pseud in the country for 30 years. He bad to
thank them, and he did so on the part of his colleague and
himself, for the resolution of approbation they had peened,
and he wished to express that which he really felt,
that of all the meetings he had attended in that
ball since his connexion with the borough, the
present gave to him the greatest pleasure, for
he thought he had observed more earnestness and
more resolution in the speeches delivered, and more deter-
mination in the great body of the meeting upon the subject
of parliamentary reform, than he bad before witnessed at
any previous assembly. Let them not deceive themselves,
thinking that the battle in which they were engaged was
likely to be quickly over. They had no doubt reed speeches
which had been delivered during the present session, and
they knew what was said, and how the question of reform
had been treated in both houses of parliament. They knew
there appeared to be • determinatiou to resist
to the utmost point to which they dare, the concession of
any further political rights to the people, and all that after
many promises made by the leading men in the House of
Commons. Whether they looked to the Treasury benches, or
to those gentlemen who was anxious to place themselves
I on them, they knew that there was not • man amongst them
who was not pledged to an honest extension of the suffrage.
They had hail not less than five governments, presided over
by Lords Russell, Aberdeen, Derby, and Palmerston, and
is those governments they bad *hided all the living race
of those office holders who assumed to themselves and were
presumed by the press to be the only statesmen in the
country. (Cheers.) Now let them ask themselves what was
intended by those promises, and to what extent were
they promised tint the parliamentary fruchise should be
extended. Why, they started from where they left off
'thirty years ago, when they placed the county franchise at
101., and the borough at 101. ; and really the borough fran-
chise bad worked so well, that the conservatives themselves
were anxious to muerte it fur ever. (Laughter.) if they
started where they left off thirty year ago, with • 101.
franchise, which they now admitted worked so well, why
should they not now proceed with some rapidity, and esta-
blish • thorough, good, substantial reform, rather than be
perplexing themselves with all sorts of crotchety fran-
chises, thoroughly unsuitable to the requirements of
the people? Why not start from • solid basis,
and maintain that great truth, that there were mil-
lieu of intelligent, industrious men in England, raphis of
discharging the duties of citizenship. One gemillsome who
had addressed them that evening had said that there was
decided improvement amongst the people, sad meth as ha
his judgment qualified them for the exercise of political
rights ; and there could be no doubt such was the case. There
had been a great increase of intelligence, and an enormous
Leman of wealth, arising from the extraordinary industry
of the people. There was increased morality, and
in all directions there was to be seen manifested
a marked improvement annoapt the masses, mud
yet, notwithstanding all that, there were those to be
fumed who eetretalead ro metteetrehle ea opiates of the I