The Express.
London, England, 1866-01-09 00:00:00

ROYAL GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY.

Yesterday evening a meeting of this society wait
held at Burlington-house, the object of the gathering being
to hear an account from M. du Chaillu of his latest adven-
tures in Western Equatorial Africa. A very large assem-
blage was present.
Sir Roderick Murchison, Bart., K.C.8., was in the chair.
Amongst the visitors were Sir H. Itembore, M.P.,
Crawford, M.P., Lord A. Churchill, Mr. Adams, the
American minister, Professor Owen, ha
M. DU CHAILLU began by an apology for his inexperience
as a public speaker, and proceeded to say that his object
in returning to Africa was to study the primitive moss of
man of that country, their habits and languages, customs,
legends, and superstitions. In reading the books of Grant
and Spoke he found words common to the people of the
interior and those on the Western Equator, and therefore
he argued that they were generally allied. Although in •
tropical climate he found the atmosphere cloudy; while the
beat was great, the coolest being 60 or 64 in July, and the
hottest was 125 is March. Looking to the stateof the popula-
tion he found it to be detraining from other and deeper causes
than the influence of the white man and the "fire-water."
The features of the country which he explored were those of
deep jungle almost inaccessible towels. He4lt London on the
sth of August, 186:1, and arrived at the Commi country on
the 9th October, and was received by the inhabitant, with
great joy. When at the head waters of the Orange River
his party consisted of only five men and boys as assistants
—he could get no more—with whom Le felt safe,
they belonging to • tribe with which he had lived
in great friendship. If he had had • larger body
guard he should not have returned so soon. He pro-
ceeded to describe the affection which the natives showed
to him on account of " his goods," and the numerous
offers of marriage he received from the native ladies,
who had so far improved in their toilettes since his
previous visit as to wear oth small garment. This
was in the Ashira country. There he came on •
party of gorillas, which, after making a stand, ran away,
and their behaviour led him to believe that they are not
gregarious. In other respects he had nothing to retract
from his former account of the habits of thus &tirade.
Thence he reached the Ovigui River, on the banks of which
he saw nothing but deserted villages. Hence he went on
to the falls of Nagoshi, Fougaes, and &mobs. Near there
the river was 150 yards wide, in the midst of which was
an island and two large masses of granite rock, where the
rush of the falls was tremendous. Having returned to the
Ashim country he was preparing to start for the Otando
district, when • fearful plague of small pox broke out
which desolated the country, in the course of which Olioda.
the King, his only friend, died, and he was left in a
position of great difficulty, aa for months he bad
to endure the greatest suffering and misery, and not the
less because he was accused of having brought the plague
upon the people. Finally, be passed through a large tract
of country between Ashler and Otando, where be was left
in the midst of a forest by some of his men without food fur
four days, except two monkeys for eleven persons. Whets he
reached the Otando country be was received by • chief,
who sent him cooked food every day, which he suspected to
contain a portion of • preparation of chalk and the decom-
posed head of an ancestor of any native, which was sup-
posed to act as • charm to make the person who tasted it
love the giver. Thence be went to the Nopono country,
inhabited by a very warlike race, pothering four kinds of
intoxicating drink, who were habitually drunkards, They
possessed iron, of which they made swords, every man
wearing one. He, however, received no molestation from
them. The country from this point rises into mountainous
plateaux. There were, however, small paths through the
jungle, and he believed that by these paths, which abound,
the whole of Africa might he crossed. Leaving Napoli° be
1 came to the Nahunba couutry„ inhabited by a mild, iodus-
, trious people—specimens of whose manufacture of grass
cloth he exhibited, which he declared to be better and
lasted longer than that made in Manchester for the African
market. Hence be reached the Mpovi district, the inbabi-
-1 tents of which were small of stature and light in colour,
the women being not much more than four feet in height.
They had apparently all the customs of the gipsiea He
next reached the Ashangi country, where the mountains
grew higher, and the people were slightly more civilised,
all of them wearing some sort of garment, which, however,
, was so small that if they were • little Moat it was
not much better than none. Finally, he reached the
village of Mouoo-Rombo, where he stayed three days ;
when he left fur the forest until he was brought back by a
deputation of the people, and • grand titterer was held and
expressions of regret at has having left is anger were ten-
dered to him. lu the midst of it four men approached
who it was stated wished to stop him. Ho beard gone fired
and saw the people flying in all directions, and be found
that a man had been killed by the accidental discharge of a
musket- The position was one of danger, and be had much
difficulty in dealiug with it, all chance of the palaver being
at an end. He was soon surrounded by men with spears
and poisoned arrows. One of his men and be himself were
wounded. He, with his men, left the village in good order.
But a panic seized his men, and they began to throw down
their loads, consisting of all his scientific instruments,
photographs, and notes. He was left far behind, but
in an hour overtook them. They had to pass three
villages sad to fight their way from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
They went on through the forest all night, and having left
the hostile tribe behind, proceeded towards the coast, and
reached the Ashira country nein, where be got ill and
thought he should have lort his life. Here he heard of a
large river, which be believed to bee branch of the Congo.
Having reached the coast, be embarked on board au English
vessel, and in the course of his voyage he was nearly lost,
but arrived safely at Dartmouth, whence he took the, train
and proceeded to London. He concluded with strong and
emphatic thanks to Sir E. Murchison and Professor O•en
for their kindness, the recollection of which supported
and cheered him in the midst of all his difficulties and
dangers. It was such conduct which stimulated travellers
in their adventurous attempts to explore unknown regime.
The address of St. du Chaillu was listened to with great
interest, and frequently interrupted by applause, which
was renewed and prolonged at its close.
Sir R. MURCHISON stated that the expedition of M.
du Cbaillu bad been undertakes solely at his own cost,
his object being one of the grandest which • geographer
could conceive, that of penetrating, if possible, to the
sources of the Nile ; or, if be failed, to those of the Congo,
traversing an enormous waste where 00 civilised traveller
had before set his foot. and be urged that M. du Clasillut
objects, his perseverance, his courage, and the skill and gal-
lantry with which he conducted his journey, entitled him to
the praise of mankind, and proved him to be • type of
his countrymen the French; but to whatever nation be
might belong, the whole world must claim him as its own.
A discussion ensued, in the course of which Professor
Owen stated that, although owing to accident M. du Chaillu
had lost the bulk of the specimens which he bad collected
durum his second journey, be had added numerous interest-
ing specimens of natural history, especially of the gorilla and
ape tribe, which proved that his previous statements with
regard to them were correct sod unimpeachable, and turd
that 00 every ground naturalist, were bound to receive bin
evidence •, and Mr. Dunkin bore testimony to the accuracy
of M. du Chaillut astronomical obeervatious.
The proceedings closed with a vote of thanks to M, du
amilla and the chairman.

litsYrrumos or CIVIL ENOINEERS.—Tbe meet-
ings of the Institution of Civil Engineers are to be resumed
this evening, when the new pretielmt, Mr. John Fowler, is
to deliver an inaugural 'Adios, is which, it is understood,
he proposes to deal almost exclusively with the future of the
profession, and to point out the kind of preparation and
systematic training that are requisite, in hie opinion, to
enable young engineers creditably and etioxsotally to follow
that pursuit.
TEI RIVOILDERSHIP or BISKINOHAM.—At the
Quarter Serious far this borough yesterday, Mr Massa
presided is the place of Mr. M. D. Bill. Q.C., the Ece
corder, who is in too delicate • state of health to admit of
his Wog present. The Usurped deputy ancia.a to this air-
eumstance, and said that at the termination of these sessions
Mr. Hill would formally resign his judicial 03•Deli011 with
the borough.

ADDRESS AND TESTIMONIAL TO MR. WALE,
ATTORNEY•GENERAL OP HONG KONG.

On the return of Mr. Smola from Hong Kong to
England the Parsee end Coja, i.e., the Indian Makessedans
of Hong Kong, drew up sod sassed an address to him, of
which the following ie a copy :
The Honourable John Beale, Ationwreaeseral
of Haag dir,—We, the naderiigned, osnelltutlng
and repreeentiog the Parsee sad Ooja community of tkia
colony, moved by the respect and esteem which we have
ever entertained for you during your residence amongst
US, desire to place on record our appresiatiou of year
private worth and of your public character. Believe na,
sir, knowing as we do that flattery ill snits our present
purpose, and that undue adulation would be distasteful
to you, we seek to clothe our sentiment' in language
expressive of our thoughte, said to avoid "ivies vest to our
feelings in those stereotyped panegyrics which are but too
of ten resorted to on occasion, like that which DOW prompts
US to address you. As for the seal and ability which
marked the perfornimioe of your public functions it
may not be within oar proviso* to speak. We °moot,
however, refrain from bearing testimony to the approval
of the public in your unceasing devotion to their wider" in
this respect. But with regard to the perfect harmony
which has prevailed in your department, the (2gli and
deseruni which have seer chameterimed your .1,
the respect and deference which were so cheerfully
to you, we feel more competent to speak, sad we dad great
pleasure in bon able to compliment you on the tact,
ability, and guarder in 1110110 which have enabled you to
perform your functions effectively, satisfactorily, said sera-
puloualy. Even this oonsideration, however, is not that
which induces us now to address you. In your
private capacity we Lave found so much to ad. mire that we shall ever think upon it with grail-
, tude and revenue. Your urbanity and untiring
patience, your excellent and matured judgment,
your disinterested and mound advice, your repugnance to
litigation, and your reliable legal acumen, combine to make
us feel your lose as irreparable, and to merit at our hands
some tangible token of our esteem. We desire to have
these sentiments perpetuated and oertifted by the special
gift of a silver dinner set, the cost of which hag been raised
by voluntary subscription, and which takes will be pre-
sented to you by Moors. Moody and Co. in London. It
were waste of words to add that we wish you health, hap-
piness, and long life, but in conformity to the usages of so-
ciety we cannot conclude without that customary benison,
feeling sure that it was Dever better merited, nor more
sincerely given.—We are, sir, your faithful and sincere
friends,. (Signed by 125 Parsee and Coja Merchants).
"Hong Kong, April 13, 1865.*

This address was signed by all the Parsees and Mabome-
daos of India resident is Hoeg Kosg. to the number of 125
merchant,. A sum exceeding 1,500 dollars was sub-
scribed, and silver plate in dinner and tea services were
manufactured in Canton, in elegant designs, by Chimes
workmen. The plate was transmitted to England, end wee,
on Monday, the tith inst., presented to Mr. Smola with the
address, by • deputation of four Parsee gentlemen. Mr.
Swale replied to the address se fellows :
" Mew& Moody and Co. and Geetlemes,—Words
fail me adequately to express the surprise and sate.
faction with which I first heard of the address
which you, who constitute all the Parties and Indian
Mabomedan firms and vendetta in Hoeg Koog, by a
deputation, now present to me. My duties as Atom-
mu-General at Hong Kong have (owing to the very
special nature of the colony), been onerous and delicate,
but I trust that the public service has not suf-
fered by roman of any want sif independence,
or of any grave error on my part. It is grati-
fying to find that my efforts are not unappreciated by
you. You, however, properly confine yourselves to the
storminess of your recognition of my conduct in my more
private capacity of advocate and legal edema I feel that,
in common with the majority of my countrymen, I have
tried to act and be in the East as Christian gentlemen and
Christian lawyers act and are in England ; and it is in the
highest degree gratifying to me to find that the descendants
of the Raciest Persians and of the Mahomedans of India
—races formerly in mutual hostility, but now under the
security of British law—friendly rivals in peaceful commerce,
concurring in assuring me that in their opinion my efforts
have not been unsuccessful. I have been legal adviser to
most, opposed to some of you, and I feel that your testi-
mony to my *. repugnance to litigation " is the highest axe-
plimeut you can pay to • practising lawyer. I must state
that I do not remember a case in which I advised compro-
mise or arbitration when any tined you persevered in litiga-
tion. The unbounded liberality with which my proles.
sional services have ever been spontaneously acknow.
lodged was such as to add extreme surprise to the
gratification with which I receive your splendid gift
of silver plate in dinner sod tea service., costly specimens of
Chilies* workmanship, far exceeding the requirements of my
moderate means and bat which I gratefully accept
to become a memorial in my family of your munificence,
and as stimulants to my children to an honourable career in
life. Believe me that whatever my future lot may be, whether
again to face the tropics in the East, or to retire from public
life, I shall ever feel that my most useful and coesequently
happiest 'yews have been spent in Hoag Koag, and the
recollections of your unbounded confidence sad kindlier
will be among my brightest memories. Permit me, gentle-
men, in couclusioe to say that I hail with satisfaction the
f act that elegy of you have sought and found homes and
friends in England. I augur the happiest resulta from our
consequent increased familiarity of intercourse, and whilst
I wish you all great commercial prosperity, I must add that
I earnestly hope that you will 6411 the highest and most
enduring satisfaction as the result of a deeper insight into
our habits and institutions."

We have been requested by the deputation who waited ow
Mr. Smale to publish the above, as they desire to give the
utmost pubheity to it.

The following are the Lent preachers appointed
to preach at her Majesty's Chapel Royal, St. James's
PAW*. 1866 :—Febrnikry 14th, Ash Wedoesday, Delia of
her Majesty's Chapels Royal, Lord Bishop of Loudon.;
16th, Friday, Rev. Dr. CvWbuni ; 18th, Sunday, Lad
Archbishop of Armagh; 21st, Wednesday, Rev. C. A.
Mar an ; 23rd, Frida Rev. Dr. Temple ; Mk, Seioday,
Lord Bishop of Carlisle; 28th, Wednesday, Rev. H. M.
Birch. Much 25.1, Friday, Iter.W. Rogers; 4th, Sunday,
Lord Bishop of Cheater; 7th, Wednesday. Rev. W. H.
Brookfield ; 9th, Friday, Rev. C. V. 11. Sumner ; 11th,
Sunday, Lord Bishop of Durham ; 14th, Wedoesday, Rev.
C. F. Tumor ; 16th, Friday, Rev. Jobe Ryle Wood lBth,
Sunday, Lord Bishop of Woresater ; 21d, Wednesday,
Rev, Canon Nepess • 23rd, Friday, Rev. Canon Harvey ;
25th, Palm Bein&y,Liord Archbishop of Canterbury ; Mb.
Wedarnday, Rev. W. Drake ; 30th, Good Friday, Very
Rev. the Dean of Westminster, Dr. Stanley. April Ist,
Easter Day. Lord Bishop of Oxford, Lord High Almoner.
Divine 'orrice at 12 o'olock.—Corr! Journal.

The following are the Lent preachers appointed
to preach at her Majesty's Chapel Royal at Whitehall,
I$G6 :—February 14th, Ash Wednesday, Dean of Norwich,
Hon. and Very Rev. Dr. Pellew ; 18th, Sunday morning,
Dean of Canterbury, Very Rev. Dr. Alford ; durum.
Lord Archbishop of York ; 25th, Sunday morning, Dee;
of Carbide, Very Rev. Dr. Clone ; afternoon, Dean of
her Majesty's Chapels Royal, Lord Bishop of London.
March 4th, Sunday morning, Dean of Ely, Very Rev. Dr.
Goodwin ; afternoon, Lord Bishop of Chford ;11 Sun-
day morning, Dean of Chichester, Very Env. Dr. Hook ;
afternoon, Lord Bishop of Peterborough ; 181 k. Sun
morning, Dean of Christ Church, Very Rev. Dr. Liddell;
afternoon, Rev. Charles Kingsley ; 25th, Palm Sunday
morning, Dean of Cork. Very Rev. Dr. Magee; afternoon
Rev. Canon Melvill ; 30th, Good Friday, Doan of Merl
borough, Very Rev. Dr. Saunders ; April Ist, Easter day
morning, Dean of Ripon, Very R.T. Dr. Goode; afternoon,
Rev. W. Rogers. Hours of Divine service—Sunday, 11
a.m., 3 p.m. There will be morning prayers on Widnes-
days and Fridays throughout Lent at 11 a.m.—Court
Journal.

The Salisbury and Winchester Journal records
the death, at Use sue of 70, of the Reverend Barton Boa-
eller, rector of FontbW Bishop, in Wilts. He was the
sou of the Reversed Jonathan Bouchier. an adopted son of
General Washingtoo. The deceased was the author of
several religious works. Be married the daughter of the
Reversed Nathaniel Thorebury, rector of Arming.

THE FENIAN CONVICTS AT DARTMOOR. —The Cork
Conaitution contains the following statement with respect
to two of the most prominent of the Fenian cmvicts :
" It is rumoured that O'Donovan (Roses) and Lynch have
been 'showings's' in their axustomed style. The morning
after their arrival at Dartmoor they were ordered to begin
the washing of their cells, but they refused. They we:o
then shown into a dark room, when they took to cursing
the gneen and execrating the tyranny of British rale. For
this they were taken out and had twelve lashes administered
on their bets becks by a Crimean practitioner acquaisted
with the shortest cut to the sensitive part of the system.
Under this they winced sod yelled, but whether it recon-
ciled them to the discipline of the prison, and whether they
wait heartily to work the next morning, washing and
scrubbing, we have not heard. These are certainly altered
times with them. It is rather a descent from a throne,
even though ft be but of a republic, to the scrubbing-brush."
Saunders's Netts, oommentiog on this rumour (which it
says is founded on a private letter received by a gentleman
in Cork), remarks " that the statement is of doubtful
authenticity, and in one respect certainly is humus* foe
the prisoner' are not confined at Dartmoor, but in Pentnn-
villa gaol, as we mentioned some days ago in an article
describing the discipline of that prison. We are inclined
to think that if ,O'Donovan behaved improperly, as from:
his character is highly probable, the punishment indicted
upon him would be coefiDensent in the dark cell rather
than doggie& which is only resorted be." The
Dublin Express says:—"Charles Underwood O'Con.
Hell, who was convicted of treamon-telooy at the spacial
commission in Cork, has been brought to Dublin, en route
for Pestroville Prison, England."

gite civripreoo.

TO 0011.11ESPONDEN1li.
,dverthentents Intended for " The Eraser' London Evening
r. must be at the Moe, N. Bonverte-street. by Two
CC k on the day ot publication.

HAYNARILEL

Tam ram% BitOflia SAM. Ifessrs. Sothern, Black-
stone, and Compton Nosily Moore, Snowdon, &e.
ORPHEUS IN THE HAYMARKET. Messrs Tanen &D. fisher :
Wass Keeley, Howard & Wright.—MY HITSBLID'S GHOST.

PRINCIMS'&
THIS Rvgniiiii, QUIET LODGINOS.—Mter which IT IS
DIV= TOO LATH T 9 MIND. Mews. Vining. 0. Melville,
Z. Mewl, D. Money, b. Oldham, F. Villiers, J.O. Shore, G. Mur-
ray, and R. Catlrmri Mires L. Moore and K. Rodger&

LYCEUM.

THIS EVENTRO, THE ILLUSTRIOUS STRANGER. Mr. H.
Widdicomb.—THE MASTER OF RAVENSWOOD. Messrs.
Pechter. Jordan, Veriu, Emery Widdicomb, Fitzpatrick, Evans;
Mesdames Ternan, E
sworthy.Laren, C. Leclercq.

BRITANNIA.
THIS Emus, OLD DADDY LONGLEGS AND SIR REGENT
CIRCUS; OR, THE RACE FOR THE GOLDEN APPLES.—
IL and etdme. Stertzenbaelt —Signor BevanL —Masan—Shower
Golden Raba.—And JESSIE, TILE MORMON'S DAUGHTER.

HIGH !FAT= AT LONDON-BRIDGE.

Till Tit= 7b. Os.
To-roabow Morning, 80. 1012.—..Altarsoas. lb. Um.

LONDON, TUESDAY. JANUARY 9.

Tan meeting at St. Martin's-hall, and the resolu-
tions as to uniformity of diet fof, and the necessity
of enforcing a task of work from, able-bodied
vagrants, are bearing fruit in various ways. The
different boards of guardians have received the re-
ports of their delegates, and held debates upon the
decisions arrived at. For though the parishes were
asked to send representatives in order that the
matter might be satisfactorily settled, it does not
seem that the local authorities consider themselves
irrevocably bound by the votes lately given. Opin-
ions are discussed, and arguments for and against
the propriety of the proposed changes advanced, as
if it were still optional whether the regimen agreed on
at the disorderly meeting of Saturday week should
be adopted. It is to be presumed, however, that the
Poor-law Board, having consulted the guar-
dians as to their wishes, and taken their formal
decision as to the quantity and quality of
food a vagrant shall be entitled to, will
take care that uniformity of treatment is
observed. The proverbial difficulty of pleasing
everybody is never better exemplified than when
parish authorities are the people dealt with. Ob-
jections were made at the conference to the minis-
terial dictation implied in asking the guardians to
quietly discuss and decide upon the vagrant's food ;
but since then some guardians have made it a
grievance that they were not "dictated" to in
reality, and complain that a peremptory order and
scale of dietary were not issued from Whitehall.
When the circular embodying the resolution has
been forwarded to the workhouses, it will doubtless
take the shape of an order, and the poor-law certifi-
cate will, we trust, be withheld, and reimburse-
ment out of the common fund be impossible in all
cases where the regulations are not observed.
Whether the prescribed diet is sufficiently liberal,
and whether the very moderate comfort implied in
a little hot gruel, with the regulation dry bread,
should not be given throughout the year,
instead of in winter only, are details
it is unnecessary to discuss now. At this juncture
the great point is uniformity, and if this be in-
sisted on, the guardians who feel themselves
coerced into harshness or illiberality will soon
make their voices felt, and, backed by public opinion,
will have little difficulty in winning over those who
now think differently to themselves, and in having
the diet scale improved. It is only fair to say that a
disposition to give the act a fair trial seems on the
increase, and that many guardians who avow them-
selves personally opposed to its provisions have
urged upon their brethren the plain duty of obeying
the law.

Before examining into the alleged increase in

the numbers of vagrants in London, it will be
necessary to have a return from the various re-
fuges, such as Lord Robert Cecil moved for and
obtained last year. If, as we believe, these estab-
lishments have been more chary of admitting all
casuals than when there were fewer casual wards,
it will be readily seen that the increase after all is
more nominal than real. The effect of opening the
refuges upon parish statistics is forcibly shown in
the following figures :—At a leading metropolitan
workhouse 1,167 casuals were sheltered in the
month of October last ; 1,141 in November ;

while in December, when the refuges began
to open, the numbers fell to 475. If,
on the other hand, the refuges are far lees crowded
than formerly, it seems plain that the workhouse
casual wards are fulfilling their legitimate functions
with more success than before. It would be useful
to know, for example, whether a large refuge which
has been open for about a month has up to this
time only found it necessary to shelter 125 a night
against 250 in the same period of last year ; and
whether another which accommodated 500 a night
this time last winter has during the three weeks it
has been open only housed 300 a night. A third great
refuge opened for the season last night, but with
the strict determination not to shelter the profes-
sional vagrant. Last winter its term for relief
commenced in November, when it admitted 120
nightly ; from all of which facts, combined with a
sensible decrease in clothes-tearing in some of the
parishes where it was most prevalent, it may be
inferred that the legal administration of relief to
destitute wanderers is gradually and surely increas-
ing in efficiency.

So much attention has been called to the sudden
expansion of the export trade to the United
States, that there is ground to apprehend that
erroneous conclusions will be formed, and
unnecessary anxiety excited with regard
to the probable results of the business we are
transacting, and to the stability of the numerous
firms engaged in it. A few facts will serve to
explain the true state of the case, and to dispel
alarm. It must be borne in mind, in the first
place, that this sudden revival of exports to the