The Express.
London, England, 1866-04-10 00:00:00

iE
TUZSD At 4 EVENENT APRIL; igt6 I 7

facts had been made clea* st. jstified*ot
by any doubt which the comisittingfisegiatfate elk
tertained of the case, but by the alleged desirability
of ebisining from a superior court some general
declaration respecting the practice of employing
policemen in plain clothes to do night duty in
public thoroupfsres which would be useful in
preventing similar accidents in future. This some
what speculative mode of proceeding has led to
nothing ; the advantages which it promised are not
to be realised, and Mr. Fnaousort has been
worried without even the poor satisfaction of giving
his name to a "leading case."

OUR CONTEMPORARIES.
(THIS DAY.)

TEI IRIRH CHURCH ISTARLISHMECT.
If, says the Times, the question to be brought
forward to-night by Sir J. Gray—namely, " that the posi-
tion of the established church in Ireland is a just cause of
dissatisfaction to the people of that country, and urgently
demandsthe consideration of parliament "—were to be dis-
cussed upon its abstract merits, it would be difficult,
upon any recognised principles of modern policy, to
refuse assent to the first proposition, and it certainly
Gould not fail to be admitted by the majority of the House
of Commons. The anomaly of the Irish church considered
in itself and the anomalies of its practical working are so
great and so notorious as to render it almost a superfluous
task to expose them ; but if we look to the practical working
of this gigantic act of impolicy and injustice, we shall find
it hard to point out any particular clam in Ire-
land which is actually galled by the grievance.
The mischief of the matter does does not so much lie in
the fact that the protestant clergy are endowed as in the
fact that the Roman catholic clergy are not. There are
two ways of meeting this difficulty. It is open
to us either to abolish the endowments of the
protestants, or to give endowments to the Roman catholic'.
The Tines prefers the latter method, and considers that
endowment by the State from the revenues of the State
is preferable to endowment by abstracting part of the
existing revenues of the protestant church. An annual
sum of between 300,000/. and 400,000/. would
be an immense deduction from the funds of
the Irish church ; but would form a compare-
tively slight item in an expenditure of 70 millions.
With regard to the Roman catholic clergy not accepting
such endowment the Times thinks it would be time
enough to consider that difficulty when the money had
been paid to their credit, and their flocks knew that the
usual contributions were no longer necessary for the
maintenance of their pastors.

The Herold complains that instead of a bill we are to
dillensa a barren resolution, and that the resolution itself
is so framed as to open the door fora flood of frothy talk
rather than with any other visible object. The property
of the church in any real sense is almost all the creation of
post-reformation times, and nothing can be wider from the '
truth than that the property was taken away at the time
of the reformation from the then existing church and given
to a new one just invented by the English government.
The Herald hopes that to-night's debate will still further
dispel the Illusions which exist on this subject.
The Star deeply regrets that the exigencies of the minis-
try and of the peculiar circumstances of the time render
this an unsuitable day for the motion, and it fears, in eon-
sequence, that a full diseuuion—uot to say a practical
settlement—of the Irish church question is scarcely to be
expected within the present session. In the minds of all
thinking men the cause has already been heard and judged.
How long apathy or obstinacy may delay the decision of
parliament it is impossible to say ; but it cannot long
retard the day of justice.

isvour of tie ,tiidening J the suirage, we find by
Islik of shfilissetisa.that Ihe deength
othfrty
to It is nit some three hundred di - A
enough party, certainly, to prescribe apo to England,
end to take on itself to say to the rest of the nation that
it shall not be allowed to share in the government of the
realm ; a party so ludicrously feeble that it knows intui-
tively it can only preserve a decent theory of existence by
keeping wholly out of sight.
The Post ridicules the idea that the government would
dissolve, if defeated, on their Reform Bill. At any rate
the conservative reformers ought not to shrink from the
discharge of their duty.
The Tekgraph points out that if the number of boroughs
to be disfranchised be estimated at 20, we provide an ag-
gregate of about a thousand persons in England who, be-
tween the two enactments, would be languishing under
the burden of an evanescent suffrage. The treatment of
the franchise question as antecedent to that of the fran-
chise is the most logical, and the most likely to produce
accurate results. The Suffrage Bill determines the future
number of voters in different localities ; but until that
number is known, part of the essential data for redistribu-
tion is wanting. A borough which at present has but few
electors may rise to respectable dimensions when the 71.
voters are introduced and the rate-paying clauses are
abolished.
The Star presumes that the purpose of the meeting to-
day of liberal members of parliament is the very simple
one of learning the course which the government means to
take in carrying through the reform scheme, and aecertaie-
ing to what extenttheadhesionof thepartymaybereekoned
on. The only means of intimidation orcoercion which the go-
vernment possesses are summed up in the declaration that
under certain circumstances the Queen will be recom-
mended to dissolve parliament ; and it has been already
clearly enough intimated that, should the occasion require
it, this course is to be followed.

LATEST. INTELLIGENCEI

mama.

SITAREY.
A drama of much historical pretension, dealing,
of professing to deal, with a very remote period of his•
tory, was produced at the Surrey Theatre last night, under
the title of Theodora, Actress and Empress. The author
is Mr. Watts Phillips, who assures us that he has drawn
his materials chiefly from Gibbon's " Decline and Fall
of the Boman Empire," and whose play-bill is thickly
studded with quotations from that somewhat pompons
historian, but those who are more learned In
the modern French drama than we can claim
to bo are not without well-grounded suspicions
that an old Porte St. Martin drama, entitled L'lmpern-
trice dla Juive, is really the foundation of this new pro-
duction. _ _ .

This play is in five sots, and shows unmistakeable signs
of French training, if not of French workmanship. The
characters hardly rise above the melodramatic level, and
produce moat of their effects by falling into " tableaux."
Theodora seems to us to want the requisite brute
force for a good Surrey drama, and yet not to reach
the standard required by the plays successfully produced
at an average central theatre.

LETTER OF EARL GROSVENoR, M.P 02( xrB
REFORM BILL AMENDMENT.

The following letter from Earl Grosvenor wy
read amidst loud expressions of disapprobation at a asowdsi
and entlawinsihr.Reform meeting held pito* as ow
ter:

" TO MR. C. COPPACK, ROL age,
" WYeley, Tarpurley, Marsh 29,
"Sir,—lhave to acknowledge the receipt of your lash
inviting me on the part of the committee of the ee --
branch of the National Reform Union, to sum
fug to support the government Reform Bill,
mittee are aware of the course I have though,
to take in moving a resolution on the semod A
the bill, and they will therefore understand
this account I am unable to accept their '
We are anxious to carry a bill that, ample
parts and moderate in its provisions, will
time at least a settlement of the question. `.
relative to the state of the representation t
before the house require further consideration
country, for they show that with regard so
sentation of the working classes a far diffi
thing's than was supposed exists, and that
those who are provident and intelligent e.
the increasing rate of wages and the higher
houses, obtain the IW. qualification, the rat
of voters of this elms is progressinz at
than the population—a most satisfactory state
and one full of hope for the future, but not a
now calls for incomplete and hasty legidahon.
not perhaps expect the approval of your -
the course I intend to take, supported,
I am, by the common sense of s vast
my countrymen ; but I will ask them at a'
me credit for the sincerity of my convictions
important subject, and for the honesty of •
I have to remain, Sir, your obedient servant

NOTTINGHAM ELECTION COJ
(THIS DAY.)

The committee appointed to try the merits N ila I
petitions against the return for Nottingham met aye eh
morning ; Mr. Adair in the chair.
Counsel for the petitioners : Mr. Mundell and Mr. Coe
For Sir R. Clifton : Mr. Rodwell, Q.C. Mr. Priokat,
and Mr. Pope Hennessy. For Mr. Morley: Mr. Nip,
Stephen.
Mr. Mundell said that his learned friend had
stated that he could prove that Mr. Richards mitir
pered with a wltnes. He challenged his Sated hale
reduce a witness for that purpose, or to within, th
imputation.
Mr. Rodwell said he should not withdraw what he hid
said and before many minutes elapsed he should he AT
prove that part of the case.
John Lynn examined by Mr. Rodwell—l am stele
clan, rending at Sheffield. I was engaged by Mr. W
Milner at the Parkwood committee-room of Mess he
end Morley. I went out once to cannel vie
Mr. Milner. I have seen Mr. Aids:men ir*
Mr. Heath, and Mr. Milner in the cesameleases.
Mr. Milner paid me on two occasions. On the *des
election I went with Mr. Miner to canvas Henry Sri
I ant not a voter. Mr. Milner asked if hews geisgisit
for Pwt and Morley. He said he did not thisklasisig
Mr. bler asked him if 4/. would satisfy him and
He said yes. Mr. Milner said he would give him ea lei
&ala the en ills
i erria,signaidea
igatso..ongThTheewiathi);od.uot produced is
remained outride. I asked Mr. Maria if
had got the money. He said ye.. I asked fee a
ceipt, and he put a stamp on the I 0 11, and iv"
it. I asked him to state on the I 0 II flit
was for, and he wrote some words en the pas
On the following day Miloer came to me and liked if
got the receipt. I told him no, I had panel with
Milner then stated it was all right. (The I 0 T smis
it. It bore the signatures of 3liincr and Lyon)
Cross-examined by Mr. Mandel—l never was is*
for three month& I never was taken beton a op
trate for illegally pawning. Milner never comelehi
that I had done a dirty trick behind bis hr
in getting the lOU I toll Marshall about tie
lOU after I hail got it back. Mardiail did sot taa
to get back the I 0 IT, and to set the Xenia' taw
upon it what it was for. I new.... told Mr. Maas
I did not tell Mr. Botterill so. I pet my en
on the I 0 LT at the same time that Vhic
signed it. I don't recollect saying that I was told I Ail
be well paid if I delivered the necipt up. Manila tat
me in a cab to the house of Williou MMES. ISW 1
and gave hint the lOU. He did not lay that I shill
be well rewarded, or that I should have the receipt hi
again. I afterwards saw Mr. Brown, Mr. Marten's spa I
went voluntarily to him. He did not tell me I Sid
be well remunerated after the petition was over. I red
a paper which bad been read ovci to tae by Mr. Boned
Mr. Mundell proposed to put in the paper for the p
nose of contradicting seine of the statements whirl I
been made by the witness.
Mr. Rodwell objected, ituunnuch as the statement 01
tamed in the paper was nut relative to the subject rash
of the amse—bribery—on which the whams bad he
examined.
The Chairman said the committee were of opinion tie
the document might be admitted.
Mr. Rodwell submitted that the witness ought tole
allowed to read the paper before lie was ceminW upset
After a long discussion,
The Chairman said the committee were d opiciseds
the witness ought not to allowed to be read the met
Mr. Rodwell
asweillt
wob"jecntedot
signed by the witness to the odioustun of the fiat shat,
inasmuch
Mr. Mundell contended that it ought to be
because it formed a portion of a continuous stateliest.
The committee decided that the paper might be nod h
the committee clerk.
diet certain rethatnnofThere's'ta'l
committee.
ment was made at Mr. Richards-, office. I signed egoists
tethaeiepnat.pemr...llet,
be:lt:Lite cordevioul.,
Witness (cross-examined by Mr. Iludwell)—Theato
went two months after it was made. It was sot rodent
to me. Mr. Richards put the various quote= tar
with respect to Mr. Acland and Sir Robert after
[Left sitting.]

LONDON BANK OF MEXICO AND SOUTH
AMERICA ( LIMITED.)-( THIS DA1•)

The second ordinary general meeting of the shim
holders of this company was held at noon to-dsy Ate
London Tavern ; Mr. F. W. Russrm. M.P., in the air.
The report of the directors congratulates the gig'
holders ou the successful progress of the bank du* tig
year. From the statement of aaounts it would boo i
that the gross profits of the bank from lit of July tot* 1
December, 1866, amounted to :, ',74;1/. Bk. 7d., seagie
deducting the current expenses, writing off bei
and carrying the sum of 10,24,W. OR. :W. to profit ash°
new account for rebate on bills, there mumble:l6oS
profit for the half-year of 2i,sesW. 195., which. " --,
1:1,585/. 7s. 7d. brought forward from last hails;
gave an available total of net pre fit of 41,446/.. Gal.
..
The directors recommended that 15,0301. of this lag " ;
appropriated to the payment of a dividend of 1.55- Ig ;
i share, being at the rate of 10 per tent. pet O.!'
2,1331. 114 101. to the reduction of preliminary egg.' j
and that 23,000 f. be carried to the reserve fund; 77
would then amount to 21,000 r.: :01.1 that the ns'
4,312/. 13a. 9d., be carried forward to the carrot tti
year, subject to the reduction of payment of directors'
auditors' remuneration and income-tax. In aggit
with the articles of emaciation, all the directors rwr_•,-,
from office, awl being eligible far re-election ogg"
themselves accordingly.
The CHAIRAN, in moving the adoption of the Ise'
conlated M
the shareholers on ch.! satisfsctell t'
of the bank during the past year. illey had met ,'"
grunt difficulties, but, notwith.tanding, the
cow placed before the proprietors results wiliatA
lthe chairman) thought the most coptioas person fl;
not hesitate to pronounce as highly encoulegpeiat4
operations in Mexico had been altogether in
any political connexions, and the directors were ...•.-
mined that the business of the company shoidd WS"
roughly British, and purely eeminercial in its clarersg
(Hear, hear.)
Mr. Baur, the deputy-chairman of the componl, og°l"4
the motion, and it was unanimously agreed to. ~,,/
A resolution in favour of the declaration of a divieocL,
retiring 15e. per share, or 10 per cent. per 31.111a111, W." CMr.
ave. ran.
The rctir
A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the bogs.
gweredlreuentnim woumsllynire6-neglecttedhe. member'
°I
°I
entire
board,

CHI;T ilucEmQaUrESE[l4Da'SoMurEsll.—lttelsoll‘fjlell.:°•VicifteriTainE
dow about to be presented by he.r Majesty the Qua..,„aa
the Bidmouth /iamb church in memory of 11.10""
late Duke of Kent are as follows : —ln the upper
partment is represented our Lord in glory. oe"`"...„„1"
orb and sceptre in his hand, surrounded by ho l. a`
Below are four angels holding crowns and pebn
In the centre oompartment is represented our Lord blows
little children. On each side of this are design' Itt
senting Christian charity, viz., fcedin- the IfungryLV;s7
drink to the thirsty, clothing the taike°d, visiting ;IN
hospitality to the stranger, visiting the prieoner
with two others suggestive of benevolent institutions,73
tho care of orphans, and religious education. nala._„/
five of the acts of St. Nicholas : the relief and endoits
of three young women ;_ the calming a a faull'''4ts'orp
consecration of St. Nicholas ; sailors disnbafgalg
Lsa
of corn, increased by St. Nicholls in return for None
for charity ; and Bt. Nicholas staying the hand of .`"
th,
cntioner. The window, when finished. will wld wash
the beauty of the church.— Irc4frrii .I.Turaiity oes.

el the (ham
attend s nee
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Brawl hat e
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eplete is all •
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ill evade le gie
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my maw..
ant,
" Onearitioe,'
)111MITIZL