The Express.
London, England, 1860-04-25 00:00:00

PRUSSIA, AUSTRIA, AND FRANCE.

A meat spirited debate took place in the Prus-
sian Chamber on the 21st Met., on the motiou
proposed by M. Vincke, approving the course
followed by the government in the Federal Diet
with respect to the affairs of Electoral Hesse. We
need only briefly rewind our readers that Austria
and the faithful majority of the petty German
status which follow her maintain that the Hessian
constitution of 1831 was abolished by the act of the
Diet in 1352, although the Diet hail no legal tight
to abolish constitutions. Prussia has denied at
Frankfort the cetupetency of the Diet, and reserved
liberty to take her own *mote in the matter. M.
Sehlemitz, the Prussian Minister of Forei
Affairs, has declared in the Chiunber that the
Hessian question concerns every German state, and
goes to the very root of the fundamental law of the
confederation ; that the Prussian goveniment iu
denying the isenputeucy of the Diet, knew the con-
sequetams of its act ; that it renounces the policy of
the Carlsbad congress, and will pursue a course
of policy such as the honour and power of the
country demand. This was the conduct which
M. Vincke asked the Chamber to approve.
M. Duucker, member for Berlin, delivered a
speech which made a groat impression on the
house. He showed iu detail how theme articles
of the final act of Vienna which premixed
constitutional government had been deliberately
and systematiudly violated, and that the policy of
M. Metternich had made the Diet a mere police
institution. Since 1848, he said, whoa the legal
authority of the Diet was buried with the hatred
and contempt of the whole Germau pimple and
with the consent of the Princes, Austria had in-
cessantly attempted to drag Prussia into complicity
with tier system of politics. It was now to be seen
whether this attempt, which bail succeeded during
the unhappy ten years of the 3f:intent/el adminis-
tration, would equally succeed under that of Prince
Hohenzollern. To give way now would he to
submit to a defeat more shameful than that of
Olmutz in 1850. This part of the hon. member's
speech was much applauded. He isnitinued
I shall perhaps be told that I am expaing the weaknem
and divisions of tlerreany at a moment when the *minion
enemy is at the gate. (Great ezeiteunit.) Gentlemen, I
do not lose sight of these dangers; I know what these
wont, mean- sight
c'est la psis." Europe has beau
divided ; thereupon the mask is dropped, and the theory of
indent) frontiers has been substituted for " ideas." It
is of no importance that this theory has been
taken up in some cases and repudiated in others.
Every document which I cronies from France is
stamped with the suite indiffereum to the rights of
others, the same determination to take areount of ue
interests but those of France. Have the European powers
found anywhere the strength necessary to resist this en• I
enieehing policy ? Are they takhig care to safeguard the I,
common law of Europe in Switzerland, and to defend the
rights which were eonferrod on that state for the geed of all?
It cannot he said that they are. Russia has her own in-
ternal difficulties, and is thinking how she can make good
her designs in the Fast. Austria or meditating vengeance on
the Italian parvenu, and perhaps also ou the German par-
venu. England, formal) so proud—England, which in the

'time of the great Prince of Orange could rally Eurls:
around her—has almost :nude up her mind to sell her luith.
right for that mesa of pottage, a treaty of commerce and Davi.
gation. Is it not, then, time for the monarchy of Frederiek
the Great to take in hand the tank which formerly devolved
on England, and to render all other alliances superfluous by
a close and intimate union with the German people ? (Loud
applause.) This necessary union, w. iniperiously demand. ..t
by the dangers of the future, would be gravely comm,inis,l
by signs of feebleness in dealing with the Hessiau question,
and thus the course pursued by the government is out nut
only of howur but of prudent*. To alsindon it and mini-
' flee the interests of Germany to a fallacious agreement with
the governments of Germany and Austria, would be to
augment and not toavert the dangers which hang over us.
(Loud cheers.) N. puncher went on to say that he felt sure
that the government would persevere in the course on
which it had entered, and that the Chambers of Germany
would imitate the example of the Prussian parliament. lio
hoped the motion of M. Vincke would be carried by au
imposing majority.

A letter from Berlin, of the 22nd inst., says
" The resolution of the toniiiiittee on Vineke's
motion respecting Hesse has been adopted by 217
votes to 68. The interest taken in the debate
was very great. Long before the doors were
opened every approach was thronged by
_person.;
eager to get Prince Frederick William
was present both days, and the gallery set
apart for the diplomatic corps was quite full ; the
English Ambassador was present. The result of
the vote was received with loud cheers. As the
vote implied a vote of confidence in the government
the ministers abstained from voting."

MUSIC.

ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA.

Grisi alai Mario last night limit, their first ap.
pearance in La Faruritte. °tiers engagement is only for
twelve nights ; and, though not expressly announced, it is
underst4wid that the last of these will Err the night of her
farewell to the public. The home was crowded in every part;
and on her appearance, she was greeted with a burst of
welcome prolonged for several minutes. In limb she was
unchanged since last year, or if changed at all, it WAS for
the better. Sine had all her characteristic dignity and
grace, and that perennial beauty which seems independent
of youth. In her voice there was no falling off.
It had all its rich and mellow sweetness, with that sympa-
thetic quality which has always given so much pathos to its
very tones. Tho istrt of Leonora hieing written for a
mezzo-soprano, all the music was within her compass, and
she gave full effect to its melody awl expression without
straining or effort. The unrivalled beauty with which she
personatea one of the most affecting characters on the
musical stage is too well known to require any description.
Lest night it was us beautiful and as pathetic as ever.
Mario, toq had the warm &nil even enthusiastic reception
which he so well deserves. The part of Fernando has
always been one of his happiest efforts. His acting, as
WWI was full of passion, rind his singing had that inten-
sity of tenderness which no one lois ever surpassed. In
the " Anglo' d'Amom," that cry of a broken heart, hie
very voice was full 44 tears. Occasionally, in bursts of
passion, his voice failed bull somewhat ; but his soft and
subdued tones were as exquisite as ever.
The character of the King was shuiralsly sustained by
M. Faure, who sang beautifully, notwithstanding a slight
hoarseness. And the stern yet benevolent priest was well
acted and sung by Zelger ; though it is impossible to see
Oriel and Marto in this opera without associating with them
the image of the lust Lablache.

THE GREAT NORTHERN RAIL WA Y ACCIDENT.

STATE OF THE SUFFERERS, ke.

The fearful accident which took place on the
Great Northern Railway, at Hatfield, on Monday morning,
has resulted in much more serious consequences than were
at first anticipated, as, in addition to Mr. Pyle and the un-
fortunate platelayer, who were killed on the spot, it
appeals that several of the tairsciuiens are suffering front
concussion of the brain. The injuries sustained by the
deceased Mr. Pym were oof such /I frightful character as to
be almost beyond deiscription. He was literally cut in
twain upward, and although alive when picked up from the
de&ria of the shattered carriages, death in two or three
minutes afterwards took place.
The Rev. Wm. T. Twedlle, who is a Wesleyan minister,
residing at Wendsworth, being, next to thorn killed, the
moat seriously in was placed under the especial care
of Mr. Kirkwood,who, at the rev. gentleman's earnest en.
treaty, after dressing his wounds, bud him brought to town,
and conveyed hint iu his own carriage to his residence at
Wandsworth. The Rev. Mr. Tweddle's injuries were a
frightful cut behind the left ear, and various wounds and
contusions about the head, face, and body, with concussion
of the bruin. Mr. Kirkwoial visited the rev. gentleman at
Wandsworth twice yesterday, and reports hint to Le going
on favourably, but by no isie.uis out of dink,•er. There are
ensue other cases of a similar nature under the care of Mr.
Osbabliston, and several who proceeded to their own homes.
but were not much injured.
With respect to the actual cause of the accident, it is be.
bevel, from examtuatiou, that the platehiyers. iu repairing
the line, must have left one of the keys of the sncketm, into
which the rails tit, up alsive the level of the line, and not
properly driven home, as it appears the engine took a per-
fect leap, which could only have been caused by coming in
contact with some fixed subteen above the level of the
rails themselves, which the tremendous aleck at once ilia.
placed.