The Express.
London, England, 1867-12-27 00:00:00

HIGH WATCH AT LONDON BRIDOIL

'1730 DLIT :1710eMiti.-211. Afternoon 36. 10m.
Iro-110060M—liondoi. 36. 28m.......A1Mm00a. 3h. 44mh

LONDON, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27.

Ir was to be foreseen that the slaughter of
Montana would inspire a Papal Allocution. The
great days of Italian art are past, or we might once
more see ST. PETER in the air, bearing the sword
he was bidden to " put up," while the Powers of
Darkness were discomfited and confounded below.
In default of a fresco, however, we have the inde-
fatigable eloquence of the POPE, under whose
hands the recent deliverance will lose none of its
glories. This Allocution shows that the venerable
PONTIFF preserves his old love for strong " effects."
To his mind's eye " SATAN, his satellites, and his
" children," were on one side at Mentana,"letting
" loose their fury in a most horrible manner ;"
while on the other side were the chil-
dren of the MACCABEES, defending the cause
of Heaven with astonishing vigour, " aided "
by the troops of France. Since it was precisely
this "aid " which saved the Pose's temporal
power from complete destruction, he might have
given it a more prominent place in his commemo-
ration without detriment to historic truth. How-
ever, the timely arrival of the French was in
effect, we arc assured, the arrival of the ALMIGHTY
Himself. "He unveils Himself to His Church, He
" hastens to its aid, and grants it the support of
" His all-powerful might." These are matters
too high for us. It is not given to every one to
interpret the policy of Heaven. We can only
look at results. The ways of Providence are
mysterious, and its toleration infinite. If, how-
ever, we are to judge of its will concerning the
Temporal Power by what has happened during
the last ten years, the POPZ does not
seem to have much cause for exulta-
tion. A diminished territory and an empty
exchequer may denote the ;-itentions of
Heaven just as well as a French intervention,
which cannot be indefinitely prolonged or fre-
quently repeated. The POPE, who is a king
amongst priests and a priest amongst kings, will
of course go ou talking in this way as long as he
has a rag of sovereignty left ; but, divested of un-
reality and affectation, his case is simply that of a
petty prince who will persist in following a trade
for which he is eminently unfit. As a temporal
ruler he has signally failed, as he could not but
fail. Government is an art demanding for its
exercise a combination of the rarest qualities, and,
above all, the capacity of profiting by ex-
perience ; but from this indispensable advantage
the POPE deliberately excludes himself by
his preposterous pretension to infallibility. His
Government can learn nothing, and it only
observes the character of the age to find
materials for protests against its ideas and civiliza-
tion. This is not the note of a Government
destined to perpetuity. When Providence would
build up a strong State, it gives it for leaders men
of patience, judgment, and temper, who open
their ears to counsel and their eyes to facts—who,
instead of railing against their generation, study its
wants and aspirations, and labour to satisfy them.
When States so governed encounter the ordinary
difficulties of political existence, their rulers do not
shriek to the ends of the earth for help, or tr'k
of being assailed by SATAN and his satellites,
or tell their friends that Heaven has manifested
itself visibly for them as often as the domestic diffi-
culties of a speculative potentate incline him to
take their part. This latest Allocution, with its
details of the universal movement and strenuous
efforts which have been necessary to keep the
Papal Government on its legs, shows more than
any amount of hostile criticism could do, how
impossible the continuance of that Government
has become.

THE REPRESENTATION OF CA.LNE.—WaI Mr.
Lowe again become a candidate for the honour of repre-
senting this borough in parliament ? if he did so, would he
be returned ? are questions often asked. In reference to
the first question, it is not at all likely the right hon.
gentleman will do so, inasmuch u it s natural
to conclude he entertains the conviction that his talents
and eloquence claim for him the honour of representing
some larger and wore important constituency. With
regard to the second question, viz., if he did so, would
he be re-elected! The answer is, as it may be fairly
assumed the new Reform Bill will have the effect of plac-
ing on the register a large number of the working classes,
and remembering, as undoubtedly they will continue to
do, Mr. Lowe s unmitigated hostility to the passing of the
act which extends to them politicalvighta, as well as the
manner in which they have been misrepresented by him,
it would be unreasonable to suppose they would he likely
to assist his return. In addition to this, it is understood,
when the proper time shall arrive, a
.requisition will be
fonranled to Lord Edmund Fitzmaunce, brother of the
Marquis of Lansdowne, asking himto come forward. The
liberal and enlightened views his lordship entertains, as
well as the talent and ability he is known to possess, afford
ample grounds fur believing, if sent to parliament, he will
prove himself a worthy descendant of his ancestors, who
have rendered such valuable and effective service to the
state.— Wats independent.
THE WOLVERHAMPTON CHURCH CONGRESS.—
The authorised report of the papers prepared addresses,
and speeches delivered at the meeting of the Church Con-
gram, has just been issued by Messrs. Macmillan (London).
It forms a handsome volume of nearly four hundred
pages, and contains a complete record of the proceedings
of the Conference, together with a copy of the sermon
preached by the Dean of Norwich. The following is an
extract from the editor', preface :—" The editor cannot
forbear mentioning one special instance of the aid thus
rendered hint by the late president. A proof of his last
address was sent to Bishop Lonedale on the day of his de-
cease, when, following out what is said to have been his
usual practice, of not postponing • reply to any letter that
mold be answered at once, on his return home late in the
evening, after presiding at a long and important meotior
at Stafford on behalf of middle-class education, he attended
to it before pirtaking of dinner, in the very hour of his
death. The letter and the news that the good bishop had
been called to his rest reached the editor by the seine
Poet:

OUR CONTEMPOII

(THIS DAY.)

THE EXPRESS, FRIDAY EvENING, DECEMBER 27, 1867.

fore, were meagre, and reflect the general pa-
ralysis of business. The Bank returns show a fur-
ther addition to the famous "milliard "of capital
"on strike," and a further diminution under the
head of " bills discounted. " The half-yearly dividend
on bank shares for the end of December
is fixed at 40fr. ; that of the first six months of the
year was 58fr. ; so that the total dividend for 1867
was 107 fr. against 156 fr. for 1866. This consider-
able falling off in the profits of the most solid credit
establishment in France shows that the present
crisis is not one attributable to over-production or
excessive speculation, but to more serious and
more permanent causes.

WEATHER REPORT.-(THIS DAY.)

Fftmay. DIOIMBII 17, 8 LL

f.l Maims Sea.
B. W.no,--....----., W. B. Ito
12 7. D. 9.
3 Mrs .23r43 wa.i.7,4 -.
W.N.W.
t; 2 I
=seAbadea: •.. 900.321
..37r
47 2.8. L. cm 1
W.S.W. ro 0.01 -
V4'160144 ... .302 8. B. &W. two 0.29 2
Itoche's Pt.. 30.271 8. W. me 3
..30.301 2 8.8. L
[Poryr:di... 30.39 r 4 8.8. L SAW. cr am -
Pentsoos .. 30.321 43 N.Z. Z. ob 2
Bred ...., _ .24 f4l 11.8. L N. L to 0
lorleot.. .. 161 XX N. cb S
loclastaei .. .0111 X N. 0 3
4% .nouth .. .3u I.&Z. L cf I
Weymouth_ 30 33r N.L L. bt 3
Portsmouth .38r 94 X N.W. cm 2
London .... .39r /.14.11 Z.
Yarmouth.. .30r39 KN.& W. to 4
floarbarossit ao.asr 31 W.S. W. W.& W. bt 2
SWIM. .78144 B.W. W.N.W. of 2
Haider .... 42 A E. - o S
Skudesoms. .32 40 X 2 8.8.11. r 3

Barometer corrected and reduced to 32 deg. at sea level. The
letters r (thin), f (falling), s (steady), indicate direction of
motion of the mercury within last It hours. Thermometer exposed
in shade. Extreme force, with its direction during last 24 hours.
Z.—calm. Weather: h.—blue sky; c.— clouds (detached) ; f.—
fog: ; I.—lightning; m. —misty (hazy) ; o.—orercast
(dull) ; r --rain ; a—snow ; —thunder. Basilan, snow or
hail smelted), during last 24 hours. Bea disturbance.

Barometrical pressure, which is high at all stations this morn-
ing. has increased everywhere since yesterday except on the west
coast of France and the south-west of England. At Itoche's Points
decrease since last nightie reported. Tesopuatures are low on
our southern coasts, but higher in the north. Winds are light :
they are principally easterly in England and on the French
coast, but variable elsewhere. Very little rain has tanen, but
the weather is overcast, and tog very prevalent on our south and
east coasts.

Earl Vane yesterday attended the opening
ceremony of a new Infirmary at Sunderland, which has
been erected at a ooet of 20,0001. His lordship intimated
that it was probable the Prince of Wales would visit the
town in February, and mist at the opening of the exten-
sive new docks there.

At Aldershot, the officers subscribed liberally
for the entertainment of the men on Christmas-day, and,
in addition to the means thus provided, apportionments
from the different canteen funds enabled every regiment
in the camp to provide an ample supply of substantial fare.
The men of every company, troop, or battery, dined toge-
ther. Festoons and wreaths, flags and trophies, arranged
in the most tasteful manner, everywhere met the eye, and
regimental honours and well-known mottoes recalled many
a historic engagement.
The friends and the foes of the Irish church
establishment are actively engaged in marshalling their
forces and preparing for a fierce encounter in the approach-
ing session. A defence association is being organised upon
an extensive scale, and the recent declaration of hostility
to the present church settlement has called forth a counter-
declaration. At the head are the names of the Marquis of
Ormonde, the Earls of Carrick, Erne, Bandon, and Roden,
Lords Castlemaine, Farnham, Oranmore, Digby, Massy,
Clarina, Kilmaine, Crofton, and George Hill. There are
also five honourables, nine baronets, 12 members of parlia-
ment, 25 lieutenants and deputy-lieutenants, 30 magis-
trates, 40 Queen's counsel, 18 doctors, and a numerous
force of professional and other gentlemen, respectable
merchants, and traders.

In the suit in the Provincial Court at Dublin by
the Rev. T. Hills v. Rev. H. Craig, involving the question
whether army chaplains are entitled to celebrate Divine
service in parochial districts, Judge Rattersby pronounced
adecree prohibiting the respondent from officiating without
the consent of the petitioner or the license of the Arch-
bishop of Dublin. It was intimated that an appeal would
probably be brought. The question is one which plainly
requires to be settled upon the highest authority, affecting
as it does the status and rightsof army chaplains. Should
the decision be affirmed, legislation will be neeeetary to
rectify the glaring anomaly which would prohibit the
chaplains who accompany our troops, and have an official
standing recognised in the service, from officiating within
the chapels erected in military districts at the expense of
the state.

Some statistics were given yesterday at a meeting
of the York Chamber of Agriculture, showing the destruc-
tive effects of the cattle plague. It was estimated that
4,286,427 head of cattle had been loss by the rinderpest ;
or, 1,874,672 more than wens imported from the lit
January, 1842, to the end of last year. Resolutions were
adopted, expressing the belief that the importation of
foreign stock was the principal cause of the unhealthy state
of English stock during the last twenty-four years, and
recommending that all foreign animals should be
slaughtered at the ports of debarkation.
We (Times) understand that the Prussian Am-
bassador, Count Bernstoff, has just been appointed by his
Majesty the King of Prussia Ambassador Extraordinary
and Minister Plenipotentiary for the North-German Con-
federation at the Court of St. James's. In assuming these
new diplomatic functions his excellency will continue to
represent Prussia as before, and therefore be in future both
Prussian and North-German Ambassador at this Court.

M. Goeteli, Mayor of Hub, near Berne,andM.
Mathys, schoolmaster of the same place, were driving
home late a few evenings ago, when at about 100 hundred
yards from their dwelling the horse shied and overturned
the cabriolet down a steep bank. At the bottom was •
rivulet with not much water, but • great quantity of mud.
The two men were buried in the latter, end the vehicle
falling on them with the wheels uppermost, they were
unable to extricate themselves or to cry out for help, and
were found there in the morning dead. M. Closteli, who
was • man in good circumstances, leaves • widow and four
children, and N. /Whys • widow and wean.

---
On Tuesday night the churches of Paris were
crowded by the humbler classes, who every year make a
point of attending the midnight mass. Servants in parti-
cular find this church festival an admirable excuse for •
night out. On Wednesday the Archbishop of Paris offi-
ciated pontifically at the grand mess in the Cathedral of
Notre-Dame, at 10 o'clock. Grand masses with full choir
were celebrated in the churches of the Madeleine, St.
Hoch, St. Bustin:the, Notre-Dame-de-Lorette, B*. Eugene,
St. Clotilde, and St. Philippe de Boole, at half-past 10.
Vespers were sung in the same churches at half-past 2.
PALESTINE EXPLORATION FUND.—The Dean of
Westminster will preach for the Palestine Exploration
fund at S'. Lawrence Jewry at 4 o'clock to-morrow.
CROOKHAVEN, Dec. 27, 8.15 A.M.—The Cunard
steamship China is now passing Browhead Signal Station
en route for Queenstown.

WILLS AND BEQUESTB.—The will of Admiral the
Right Hon. Charles Abbot, Lord Colchester, P.C.,D.C.L.,
of Berkeley-square, and Kidbrooke, Surrey, was proved in
her Majesty's Court of Probate, on the 6th instant, by the
Right Hon. George Augustus Frederick Charles, Earl of
Sheffield, and the testator's brother-in-law, the Hon.
Henry Spencer Law, the joint acting executors. The per-
sonalty was sworn under 14,000/. The will is dated August
20, 1847, and a codicil Oct 15,18311, and his lordship died
Oct. 18, 1867, at the nge of 69. With the exception of a
few legacies to some of his nearest relatives and to his ex-
ecutors, he has left his real estate and the residue
of his personal property to his only son, Reginald
Charles Edward Abbot, the present Baron Colchester.
The We Mrs. Mary Robertson, of Bishop's Down-grove,
near Tunbridge-wells, whose will was proved, in the prin-
cipal registry, under 50,000/. personalty, has left a legacy
of 1001. to each of the following institutions, viz ,—Tun-
bridge-wells In6rniary,!Asylurn for Idiots, Deaf and Dumb
Asylum, School for Indigent Blind. Governess's Benevolent
Institution, The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals, Clergy Orphan Asylum. Infant Orphan Asylum,
and King's College Hospital.—The wills of the under-
mentioned were recently proved, namely:—Sir Richard
Charles Kirby, C.B. under 5,0001. personalty ; Lady
Ashworth, 3,000/. ; fatly Nickle, 8,0004 ; Lady Vane,
4,0001. John Nicholls, Esq. of Champion-hill, Surrey,
50,000/. ; Thomas Webb Gilbert, Esq., 35,0001. •, John
Armitage, Esq., 25,0001 ; William Betts, Req., 30,0001. •
Robert Psgg, Esq., 35,0001., who, upon the death of hi;
wife, leaves to the General Baptist Foreign Missionary
Society 1,0001. ; Bible Society, 5001. ; and the Derby bilk,
Sy, 6001.—Illustrated London New,.