The Express.
London, England, 1860-03-17 00:00:00

MT WAITS AT 10111$01k =DOR

TM DAT 7:llaresca. 111 is.
To soulow—/bselsig Ilk .... Allsousok Ilk Oa

LONDON, SATURDAY, MARCH 17.

Lees than a hundred years SID It tees s
fashion of the French Encyclopediob who al
royal soldier and an autocratic Impress dslai
to honour, to place the ideal of human happis•en,
simpbcity, and virtue, of pare religion, primitiw,
morality, and equal laws, in China. The Cale►
fish Empire, it is true, was then much mow
than it is now • terra iacng•itn ; and among phi-
losophers, dissatisfied with surrounding cireassm!
stances, it enjoyed all the privileges of the Un-
known, and served to point • vivid and startling
contrast to societies and institutions near enough
to be visible to the naked eye of critics who
were wont to turn the magnifying gloms of
theory and fancy on • system of government
and a social order with which they were never
likely to come in contact. What a change in China
from the European point of view eighty years have
wrought ! In 1860, so far from being at the
mercy of fabulists or • few rambling missionaries,
or even of a Nw merchant-venturers, for our ideas
of China and the Chisels, we know as much of the
Brother of the Sun and Moon and of his people
as three wars, • couple of treaties, repeated expedi-
tions and occupations, and • fussy little colonial
establishment can teach a pushing and pugnacious
nation addicted to • vast consumption of " gun-
" powder-tea." And yet if our present know-
ledge of that multitudinous population whom we
glibly speak of as a third of the human race, is to
be measured by the extent of our ignorance, how
little have we learnt beyond the fact that we
really know next to nothing of a civilisation for
which we have no chronology, and which has cos-
trived to rise and flourish, and transact affairs, un-
aided and unchecked by our philosophy of life and
history. What we know of China is about as
much as the captain of a foreign merchantman,
when he has sailed up the Mersey or the Avon and
done business with his consignees at Liverpool or
Bristol, may be supposed to know of England.
Perhaps, to make the comparison complete, we
ought to suppose that the merchantanan had feed
difficulties in his trading operations, and had bass
succeeded by a squadron of war ships, which had
occupied Bristol and knocked Liverpool into
splinters ; and that he had made himself ao-
quainted with our rougher sorts of pottery, and
with a translated version of some of our moral
treatises ; and that certain missionaries and adven-
turers from his country had penetrated in disguise
into Loudon. But if we put England as far off from
this foreign merchantman as China is from England,

and suppose it as large and densely populated a.
China, the comparison is not much in favour of
our actual knowledge of that Empire. We talk
familiarly of the Chinese as a people infinitely
stipple, ingenious, imitative, and unamhke, and
we treat them as such ; yet there are occasions, as
haat evening fur instance, when the House of

Commons not unwillingly escapes .
eiration of the policy of pomminents
not only Christian and civilised, but actually
marching in the van of Illatepeen progress
side by side with Enabind, to discuss
the means of correcting the bad faith and
avenging the insolence of an Enrsnom whom
ws decline to convince of our pacific in-
tentions by any other arguments than Armstrong
pins. Certainly if ever the Chinese Government
appeared harmless and respectable, it was last
evening after the flavoy " incident" We can
bmdly wander at the evident impression in the
Kim that to teach the Chinese Eurinoa to ob-
amve treaties and to keep his word Europe should
approach him with clean hands, and that it was
ipite enough to answer for our own. At any
Me, the disposition to regard with leniency the
peccadilloes of Chinese statesmanship (who, after
all, have removed no landmarks), and to take •
moderate and unaggressive view of our relations
with a people who prefer trading to fighting, has
pined ground in Parliament since events have
taught us that we need not go quite so far as Pekin
la search of bad faith. Whatever the cause, however,
we cannot but commend and encourage this state of
feeling in the House of Commons on the Chimes
quertion. We have never advocated any but a
moderate and peaceful policy—a policy of firmness
and fair dealing—a policy composed of as much of
plain commercial morality and courtesy, and of as
little of military or diplomatic intervention, as the
meters of our only neossesi7 and desirable inter-
11011MIS with China demands. Last evening it was
in this wise that • China debate arose.
More than • dozen miscellaneous questions
led been started and run down—including topic.

as various and dramatic as " The Oyster Fishery,"
"The Foreshores of Scotland," "The man found
dead in the wood," "The Nabob of the Carnatic,"
and " The Gas Supply." When the gas question I
was turned off, Mr. Botrvssis rose and rated the
House soundly for the desultory habits into which
it was falling on Friday nights, and the House,
dung by an uneasy conscience, took its whipping
very kindly. It was not until nearly half-
past eight that the House was ready to go
into Committee of Supply ; and on the
motion being made, Sir De LACY Evews with
much quiet force stated the objections to a vote
for an expedition which might be employed
to carry us into an illimitable and interminable
war. When a veteran soldier who has seen tough
service on the battle-fields of Europe deprecates
a military expedition, we may assume that he sees
no glory to be won, and that honour is on the side
of peace. Forty thousand men seems to the
General a large force to accompany a couple of
Ambassadors on a conciliatory mission, a larger
force than can be required to exact retribution
for the Taku disaster, or to vindicate the dignity
of the Western Powers ; large enough to begin
a war of millions of money against millions of
men. The Fosmos Mumma explains that it is
not forty bit twenty thousand men that are to
compose the allied foram on this new Ohissee ex-
pedition ; that Lord Eton' has gone to Paris to con-
fer with Baron Gros about their second mission •
and that it is hoped that the moderate demand
of the two Governments may be satisfied with-
out effusion of blood ; and that the Ambas-
sadors may be received with all the honours at
Pekin, though they should afterwards waive the
right to a permanent residence in that capital, and
be content with periodical visits from Shanghai.
Sir J. Etrwriswroirs, who knows China " face to
face," warns the Government against a winter at
Pekin, and draws an appalling picture of un-
counted hordes clad in sheepskins swarming round
our headquarters, the thermometer at 40 below
sera, and the Empire of China " nowhere ;" and
he suggests that we should occupy Nankin as at
once the most commanding, central, and tenable
position. This, however, has been tried before,
and with very slight effect upon the tnorak
of the surrounding populations. Whether
we are prepared to accept Mr. Batorr's
Chinese policy or not, we are as fully persuaded
after last night's discussion as we were before,
that our business in China is to trade, and not to
fight. Of all the follies of official routine, the
moat stupendous to our thinking is the folly of
carrying all the bigwig airs and solemn preten-
sions and cruel pedantries of Western politics into
our dealings with China. It is our duty, no
doubt, to give security to our merchants, and to
cause our flag to be respected wherever it appears ;

.. ,
but our emential and only business in China for
the present, and probably for a long time to come,
is commerce, not war or politics, of which we have
enough and to spare nearer home, thanks to the
Ally in company with whom we are now pre-
paring to teach the Mandarins the observance of
treaties.

hums or M I PJ4 Nionvisrosia —We under-
stand that prayers will be offered tO4I2ONTOW ia ell the ger-
Anon chapels in behalf of Kim Nightingale, who ie venom',
tin—Dorer Espreu of this day.
The Senate of University Coll* have a reeep-
this sienna in Gower-street.

A new cantata, by Mr. Mad arren, on an Eng-
lish subject, wit► wade by Yr. Oxesford, urn the press.
A private view at the pictures in the Portland
Gallery Institution d Pine Arta, was held to-day. The
public will be Wanted at Monday.
. -

We (Leas Mercury) are glad to learn that the
Mayer (W. LANA Eq.), has received a letter from the
Council al the Boys] Agricultural meaty, stating tint it Is
intended to hold the meeting for 1161 to this district. His
worship has called a meeting of the Town Council to con-
sider tie subject, aad we ham no doubt he will be medially
rupported.

TM Weekly Register announces that a pilgrimage
to Room boo boat erpoima. A number of English Roman
ontholioo Imre London on the 24(6 inst.

The Weekly Register announces the reoeipt of a
donation e(1,0001. from the Dowager Dochess of Leeds, in
aid of the necessities of the Pope. The same paper an-
nounces the inaagnmtion of a general collection in Wand,
grader to that Weed, and deer that a prima fear
Cordusel Wiesner (when health iimproviag) Y about to
be lined in aid of the loovemot.

I am informed that the Commimary-General at
Lyons bee received insireetions to provide for the Preach
troops that are to occapy Savoy. -Paris CernemeadeM ci
the Twee.

Letters from M. Veuillot (late of the Uniems),
eow in Rome. state that the agitation is an peat ma to stake
it doubtful whether even the French army will be sib to
rertivin it mach longer. .

I hear that the wooed mowitoirt or warning,
width immediately premise excormunkratka. has bean
meet to Tarim Atter a metals World tie ball main
forth the emelialeit paommidi tram dm esimisusios of the
bMhhl will be iseed.—Tarp Otamerearleat et the Siam

A letter frees Belgrade, of the 16th ult., says :
" Priam Mash and all oar society being infonaed of
the relationship of Mr. Robert Lytton, her Britannic Ma-
jesty's Aetag Cantalseneral, to bee Majesty's Autbamador
to the Per* have all been forward at giving ha a apt
cordial and didigaishol reorptioa. Prince 'Hach, who
consequently pap peat defe►enee to the British represen-
tative, in anading to The political affairs mid rasa* to
that the Obrarivich family woe desirous of remaining
faithful to the obligates. by which it was bound to the
Porte sal the Western Cabinets. Prince Michel and his
consort, the Priaceas Julia, a lady descended from the
illustrious family of the Hunyadi, who gave sovereigns to
Hungary, were an sootier informed that Mr. Lytton wse the
Ripsaw 4 hie !teary Saltier, than they showed him the
greatest Marsala a."

OSBORNE, RAD= 16.

Her Majesty's dinner party yesterday included
Priam Alfred, Relor-Geoerel the Hoe. C. Grey, the Rev.
George Prothero, sed Major Otero% P.R.

I S

A deputation. weeklies of..ths Hoe. Ralph Dutton,
ILP., Mr. Ridley, M.P., Mr. I! A. Beibbing, President of
the Chamber et Comments illootheepeasi, Kr. Dunlop,
VicaPresident of the Clamber of Oammeete (Beuthainp-
tan) ; Mr. Tetrad], Director of the Wert India Royal
tra cia=etsrst mymaitz,dircheart. r
ofof the South
the .
unless Dock •, sad Mr. Roott, manager of the
eolith Weems y Company, bad as interview with
the Right Hoe. T. Mbar flis and the ReOt Hon. W.
Hatt, yesterday, at the cies al the Board of Trade.
" were received yesterday at the Colonial•olice,
friZitlekGoveawer el Malta and the Lord High Commis.
dour of We Ii blonde Despatches were wet to the
Gammon of tie West Indies, &keit Oohed* Canada.
sad the Bahama

(MOH LAIR 11110.V1 Guinn)
Dowsiwo-iiiiSMS, Kezar 13.—The Queen has
been pleased to appoint James Walker, Fag., to be lieu-
tenant-governor of the island of Trinidad and Its depend-
encies ; and John Creighton, Esq., to be a member of the
Eisedative Council of tbe_provisee of Nova Scotia.
FORRION-OPTICR, FEBRVART 21. —The Queen
boo bees graciously pleased to appoint Arundel Mackenzie,
Neu to be her Majesty's consul at Geneva.
FORLION-OFIRCZ, FI3IIIART 26. The Queen
bee been viciously pleased to appoint Sir Robert laser
Bart., now British vim-consul at Rotterdam, to be
her Ye awned at Rotterdam ; Charles John Calvert,
Esq., now her Majesty's canal at Salouiee, to be her Ma-
*ty's °owe' at Nonutir ; and Richard Wilkinson, req.,
sow British vice-consul at Durum, to behest MajosWo
AIR/H1 at Sala**
JORRION-0/71CR, MARCH 3.—The Queen has
been graciously pleased to appoint James Gripe* Esq.,
now her Majesty's consul at Sordoni,* be her liajvatea
consul in the Pussy Islands ; and Henry John Murray,
Faq., now her Majesty's consul in the emery Lisa* to be
her Majesty's consul at Pardon&
Foiracur-orewn, Mama 15.—The Queen has
teal plumed to e al Don Eduardo San Just as consul
at Sydney fur he►y the Queen of Spain.

We (Army and Navy Gazette) have great pleasure
in stating that in all probability her Majesty will review
the volunteer corps of the metropolis and such localities as
may render attendance convenient, in the course of the
month of June next, in Hyde•park. We may anticipate
that it will be one of the most brilliant sighte witnessed in
London for many years.

They Royaltagbuesses the Duchess of Cambridge
and the Primer Nary honoured the performance at the
Royal Olympia Theatre with their presence last evening.

*pi St
.Tl/4.
14
+I
T S Y N G,
'pea from th s
e conk- I ebt Court. LATEST INT:
=tents and nation
. _