The Express.
London, England, 1867-04-10 00:00:00

PRANCI AND LUXEMBURG.

Observing that history enters a continual protest against
those theories which would make a map of Europe accord-
ing to its physical geography, the Time proceeds to
show that a signal example is the case of France,
which from the beginning of history has looked to the
Rhine as its natural boundary, and has been alternately
advancing to that shore of hope, and receding from
it. But all experience is against the value of a
great river as a safe and permanent boundary. As to
Luxemburg, to neither side can it be essential.
Its acquisition by France would give unmitigated
alarm to Belgium, and as for ourselves, we cer-
tainly can have no positive wish to see France an-
nexing a German population, outflanking Belgium, and
pushing a salient angle half-way to the Lower Rhine. We
wish to see her content with a position which may stand
comparison with that of any country in the 01.1 World.
What, indeed, does France want more than France No
country ha. greater natural advantages thrown in her lap
and almost forced upon her, sitting on her ancient throne,
within her own inviolable pale.
The danger which the Pave sees arises from the manifest
wish of the German nation to incorporate Luxemburg with
Germany without delay, and it fears that she has become
too powerful to forego any possible advantage in obedience
to any arguments based upon abstract considerations of
justice or of right.

MR. GLADSTONE'S LATEST AMENDMENTS

TO THE REFORM BILL.

IMPORTANT CIRCULAR OF MR. DISRAELI.

The folios ing circular has been addressed the
Chancellor of the Exchequer to the members of the conser-
vative party in the House of Commons:
" My dear sir,—Mr. Gladstone hasgiven notice of a series
of amendments which he proposes to move in committee
on the Reform Bill, on Thursday next. These amendments
are Mr. Coleridge 's relinquished instruction in another
form. The first of them relates to the vital question of
residence, and if any one of them be adopted it will be im-
possible for the government to proceed with the hill. I
shall, therefore, feel particularly obliged by your attend-
ance in the House of Commons on that evening.—l have the
honour to remain faithfully yours,
" Downing-street, April 9." "B. D1.11A1.1.1.

The following notices were inserted in the parliamentary
order book last night :

IN COMMITTEE ON REPRESENTATION OF THE PEOPLE PILL.

Mr. Gladstone—Clause 3, page 2, lines 3 and 4, after
" and 2," insert " whether he in person or his Imullord be
rated to the relief of the poor."
Mr. M`Cullagh Torrens—Clause 3, page 2, line 8, after
" occupation," insert " by him as tenant or owner."
Mr. Akroyd—Clause 6, line 40, after " not less than
fifty pounds," insert " or in like manner holds shares, de-
posits, or debentures in respect of which he shall have paid
not less than fifty pounds in any benefit building society,
or in any industrial or provident society of which the rules
shall have been certified by the registrar of friendly socie-
ties : provided, that in respect of his investment in any
such benefit building, industrial, or provident society, he
shall have received, during the two years immediately pre-
ceding the said first day of July, nut less than forty shil-
lings per annum."
Mr. Gladstone—ln the event of the adoption of an
amendment fixing a limit of rateable value in parlia-
mentary boroughs—Clause to provide that whenever
the rateable value of any tenement fall below 5/. by
reason of a deduction of more than 20 per cent. from
the gross estimated rental, the occupier thereof may
claim to vote, and thereupon AA if otherwise qualified,
be registered.
Mr. Ponlett fierope—To move the insertion of a clause
to the effect that no occupier of a house below the rate-
able value of 4/. shall hereafter be rated to the relief of
the poor in respect of such occupation in any pariah of
England or Wales.
Sir Fr►ncis Crossley—That a member be given to the
town of Keighley.

To-morrow Mr. Warner will ask the Chancellor of the
Exchequer whether in the case of • compound occupier
who may have claimed to be rated under the provisions of
the Representation of the People Bill, paid • rate, and
been placed on the register, it is intended that the compo-
sition shall be treated as continuing, or shall be considered
to have ceased, as affecting the liability of the landlord to
a future rate in the tenant's default, or in the event of a
vacancy in the occupation :—Upon the former supposi-
tion, to ask upon what principle inch tenant is required to
pay the full rate, in apparent contradiction of the
law which sanctions a reduced rate where there is • gua-
rantee from the landlord : upon the latter supposition,
to ask upon what principle the tenant is allowed
to deduct from his rent the composition rate only, the
landlord having been relieved from the guarantee on con-
dition of which such composition rate was substituted for
the full rate. And whether it is not the fact that, in the
one case a larger amount of rate would be payable on the
tenement than the law now contemplates, and in the
other the landlord would be relieved of part of the charge
upon his property without being required to fulfil the con-
ditions under which such relief is now allowed.

Mr. Kekewich will ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer
whether he proposes to introduce a clause into the Reform
Bill, for the purpose of making uniform the various fees
now payable by candidates to the returning and other
officers who shall hereafter be specified, and whether be
proposes to make the payment of conveyance to the poll