The Express.
London, England, 1867-11-22 00:00:00

THE —pxPAEss, FRIDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 22, 1867.

a wide currency, and which involved thi Ohm/Pieter
of a great public body disbursing annual reve-
nues equal to the gross income of some sovereign
European States, could not be disposed of by
the personal explanations of interested parties.
Mr. DOULTON himself perceived this, and de-
manded that the Board should institute an in-
quiry. The very statements on which Mr. Dour,.
vox relied on Wednesday show the necessity of a
thorough investigation. The public knows very
little of the way in which business is managed
Ist the Metropolitan Board : it hears of works
' being executed at an expenditure of millions
of money, and it knows that several of
its members are themselves concerned in
transactions of great magnitude. 'Whether it is
prepared to hear that any of its members, besides
representing their constituents, interest them-
selves in providing fortunate contractors with
sureties, and regulating the terms on which they
shall undertake their risks, may be doubtful. This
system of sureties is itself also a matter worth in-
quiring into. There is something wrong when a man
has to give 20,0001. to somebody to answer for him
that he will fulfil his bargain ; and it is plain that
the outlay must be by some means recovered. When
we find that the contractor who submits to this tax
gets his tender taken at a higher figure than would
have contented his neighbours, it is natural to sup-
pose that the loss falls upon the ratepayers. Thus,
apart from the mere personal question affecting Mr.
DOULTON, it is most necessary that a thorough
investigation into these charges should take place.
Mr. DoULroN has met the imputations against him
with a blank and indignant denial, and has chal-
lenged inquiry ; but the Board has not met his offer
in a way which the public will approve. Such an
inquiry, to command the confidence of the rate-
payersof London, should on everyaccount have been
a public ono. The Board has resolved that it shall
be held in private. In this it neither does justice
to Mr. DOULTON nor itself. Mr. DOULTON would
not accept a judgment against him from a court
sitting with closed doors ; and a verdict of self-
acquittal pronounced by the Board, after a number
of secret sittings, would have no moral weight
whatever with the public. The Board would do
well even now to reconsider its resolution. It
should remember that it is itself a dependent
body, the creature of Parliament, and that its
doings may at any time be brought under the
notice of that great court of appeal. At present,
however, the Board cannot be said to recognise the
seriousness of its own position.

OUR CONTEMPORARIES.
(THIS DAY.)

ace Court.

WINDSOR CASTLE, Nov. M.

The Queen walked and drove in the pounds
yesterday afternoon, accompanied by the Count and
Countess of Flanders ; and her Majesty went out this
morning, attended by the Hon. Emily Cathcart.
The Countess of Flanders and Princess Christian went
out driving.

The Count of Flanders and Prince Christian went out
shooting, attended by Colonel Burnell and Major-General
F. H. Seymour. Lord Skelusersdale and Colonel Caven-
dish had the honour of joining the royal party.
To-day is the birthday of the Crown Princess of Prussia
(Princess Royal).
Baron Dujardin, the Belgian Minister, arrived at the
Castle yesterday, and had the honour of dining with the
Queen and the royal family.
After dinner her Majesty's private band played in the
drawing-room before the Count and Countess of Flanders,
Prince and Princess Christian, Princess Louise, and
Princess Henrietta of Schleswig-Holstein, and the Ladies
and Gentlemen in Waiting, the following selection of
music :
overture, " is Garza Ladre Rossini.
Selection. "La Part du Diable" Aubrr.
Scherzo, " Sinfonia" Mendelqcohn,
Grand March
ilia de Trois Meer sod Pas de Sohlats, "Guil-
laume Tell

The Earl of Tankerville, Lord Steward, and Viscount
Royston, Comptroller of the Household, had audiences of
her Majesty this afternoon, to present addresses from the
Houses of Parliament.

The Lord and Groom in Waiting were in attendance.

The Hon. Flom Macdonald and the Hon. Florence Sey-
mour have succeeded the Hon. Emily Cathcart and the
Hon. Horatia Stopford as Maids of Honour.
Lord Skelmenulale and Colonel W. H. F. Cavendish
have succeeded Lord Begot and the Hon. Mortimer Sack-
ville West, as Lord and Groom in Waiting to her Majesty.

The birthday of her Royal Highness Victoria
Adelaid° ➢lary Louise (Princess Royal), Crown Princess of
Prussia, born on the 21st of November, 1840, was cele-
brated at Windsor yesterday with the customary honours.

MRS.DISRAELI.- There is now everyhope of Mrs.
Disraeli recovering from her serious illness. In the after-
noon Mrs. Disraeli was again visited by Mr. Cowell, and
a bulletin was immediately afterwards issued, stating
that she was gaining strength.

The Lord Chancellor and Lady Chelmsford en-
tertained at dinner, at their residence in Eaton-square,
yesterday evening, the Right Hon. Sir Stafford and Lady,
and Miss Northoote, the Right Hqn. H. T. L Corry and
Mho Corry, Sr Battle and Lady, and Miss Frere, Sir
Charles Young, the Hon. Colonel Bourke, Mr. and Mn.
Charles Turner, and a select party. His lordship enter-
tained at dinner on Wednesday, Lord Cairns, the Lord
Chief Justice of England, Sir Alexander Cockburn, Bart.,
the Right Hon. R. Gurney, Sir Richard Kindersley, the
Right Hon. Sir Laurence Peel, Sir Robert Pliillithere,
Baron Bramwell, Baron Channel!, Mr. Justice Shee, Mr.
Justice Smith, the Queen's Advocate, Sir Ronodell
Palmer, Mr. Wm. James, Mr. W. Brett, Mr. C. Pollard,
Mr. Mellish, Hon. Geo. Denman, Mr. Bateman, Mr. Geo.
Lange, kc.

Viscount and Viscountess Stratford de Redcliffe
and Hon. Mies Canning have arrived at their residence in
Groevenor•aquare for a few dam from Hertfordahire.

TILE PENINSULAR AND ORIENTAL COMPANY.

LATER? INTkALIGENCE.

r'''.

THE HURRICIINE IN THE VIRCHIt
ISLANDS.

DESPATCH FROM THE PRESIDENT OF
TORTOLA.

Nov. 22.

The following despatch, dated October 31, has
been received this morning at the Colonial-office
from Sir A. Rumbold, President of Tortola :

SIR ARTHUR RUMBOLD TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM
AND CHANI)OS.
(COM)
_ _

Virgin lalandi, Tortola, Oct. 31, 1867.

My Lord Duke,—lt is my most painful duty to acquaint
your grace that a terrific hurricane burst over these
islands yesterday. The storm lasted from 11 a.m. to 3
p.m., but the greatest force was from 12 to 2. In that
brief space of time two-thirds of the miserable tenements
of the town were blown down, the gaol destroyed, the
church, the hospital, pier, school-house, Weideyan chapel,
and poor-house are also destroyed, and my own dwelling
unroofed and rendered uninhabitable.

2. The loss of life cannot as yet be correctly ascertained.
I have, however, already been officially informed of above
12 deaths in the town, two at Peter's Island, two at West
End ; while I hear that a quantity of people are killed in
other parts of the county, and scarcely • but or habita-
tion is left standing.
3. All was bright and verdant, the withering blast has
passed over it, and not a fruit or other tree remains. The
works of the few remaining estates an all totally de-
-1 stayed.
4. It is impossible for any pen to convey an accurate ac-
count of the appalling misery. There is not 50/, in the
public chest, and the chief tax, the house tax of the year,
is just falling due, and of tours cannot be collected. If
ever any calamity appealed to public sympathy, I am con-
fident this will awaken it, and I trust your grace will be
' able to point out some hope of relief, as we cannot levy any
taxes from this impoverished community.
IS. I shall send down to St. Thomas as soon as I can get
a boat to go ; but all the Joon and canoes belonging to the
place are either destroyed or very much damaged, and I
do not know how soon I may be able to do so ; and I trust,
from charity and other source', we may be able to obtain
some flour and cornmeal ; meanwhile starvation, or very I
like it, appears to be impending, for nearly all the
small store of flour in the town was damaged by the tre-
mendous sea which swept in and carried away houses and
individuals.

6. I forgot to add that the doctor's house is destroyed,
the clergyman's very much damaged, and I and my family
are compelled to take refuge in the public offices, where
the paupers and police are also sheltered.
I have, &c.,

(Signed) ARTHUR RUMBOLD.
His Grace the Duke of Buckingham and Chados,
P.B.—The deaths in Road Town amount to 22, 1-20th
of the population.

Adored patient to examine thorougbly the latter as well
as the former establishment, especially as at the corner of
the lane, under a shrine of the Mjdonna, an open drain
might bays afforded the mesphators access into these
cellars. Permission was obtained from Prince Chigi to
visit his palace, and in doing so special orders were given
to the police agents, who were accompanied by an archi-
tect, to limit their researches in Mr. Odo Russell's apart-
ments to an examination of the walls, chimneys, and
similar cavities, without opening any closed cupboards, or
touching any portion of his property.

After the receipt of Cardinal Antonelli's reply
Mr. Odo Russell had an interview with his emi-
nence, during which the latter renewed his assur-
ances that no want of respect had been intended
towards the representative of the British govern-
ment, and referred him, if such should be his wish,
to the Minister of Police for a detailed cognisance
of all the circumstantial evidence which has neces-
sitated the step.
The Duchess of Cesarini arrived in Rome a few
days ago, for the arrangement of family affairs,
from Naples, where she had proceeded with her
sons, after the subsiding of the revolutionary
movement in Velletri. As the Cesarini family are
accused of having strongly promoted that move-
ment both at Genzano and Velletri, the duchess
was ordered to leave Rome in 24 hours.

(REUTER'S TELEGILLES.)

ROME, Nov. 21.

The official Giatmale di Roma says that many
Garibaldians are assembled near the frontier. They
appear unarmed, but seem to meditate fresh
attacks. A body of 50 men entered Cervara on
the 12th inst., and carried off three persons, de-
manding 8,000 crowns as ransom. Others entered
Castiglione on the 14th, hauled down the Pontifical
flag, and committed other excesses. " These facts,"
conclude the Giornale, "revive brigandage, which
had ceased."

ITALY.
FLORENCE, Nov. 22.
General de Lamarmora is expected here this
evening.

Tho Opiniunc denies the report of the breaking
up of the camp of the troops on active service,
whose head quarters remain at Pisa.

(BY ATLANTIC 172ALGIL&PH.)
AMERICA.

NEW YORE, Nov. 20, 6 r.m.
The steamers Nebraska and St. Laurent have
arrived out.

Closing prices :—Gold, 1391. Sterling exchange
on London, lost. 6-20 United States Bonds,
108. Illinois, 130. Erie, 721. Cotton—Middling
Upland, 18c.

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 20.
Petroleum, standard white, 26c.
NEW YORK, Nov. 21, G r.m.
Congress assembled to-day.
The Erin has arrived out.

Closing prices :—Gold, 1391. Sterling exchange
on London, 109 k ; 5-20 United States Bonds, 108 ;
Illinois, 130; Erie, 701. Cotton: Middling Up-
land, 18.

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 21.
Petroleum, standard white, 25.

THE DOURO AT SOUTHAMPTON.

(THIS DAY.)

(BY TELEGRAPH.)

SOUTHAMPTON, FRIDAY.

The town is in a very excited state consequent
on the arrival of the Douro. The vessel came alongside the
dock at 9 o'clock. The Hanty.hire Advertascr and &nth.
aariplon Obserntr have published second editions. The
former publishes statements from some of those saved
from the Rhone.

Mr. Holdman, the boatswain of the Rhone, gives the fol-
lowing *seam! of thewreek of the Rhone, and the death of
her commander:—" We were inaN.W. gale,blowing fresh,
when we parted our cable with 60 fathoms in the hawse,
and steamed away to sea. After steaming for perhaps an
hour it became clear, and in about 15 minutes we found
ourselves close to the shore. The captain then gave orders
to turn astern, which we did immediately, and cleared the
point. We proceeded steaming through the Gut and met
• south east wind blowing fearfully heavy; it then became
very thick indeed, so that we could scarcely see anything
• ship's length. We had been steaming about
two hours when I reported to the captain that there
was land very close, indeed nearly abreast of
us midships on the Fort hand ; with that
the ship went ashore immediately. The captain said
to me, ' Good Lord, is it ever possible °' and I replied,
Yes, air, the ship's ashore.' The captain never spoke to
me again, and shortly afterwards a sea struck him in the
side and washed him over to the top of a skylight. The
next sea took him between the ship's side and the rocks,
and I saw no more of him. A sea struck me and
finding I was getting exhausted, and could hold on no
longer, I loosed my hold. The chief officer, Mr. Darby
Topper, was killed by a spar about an hour before this.
and I saw no more of any one, for I was washed overboard
myself. I and five other men were saved by clinging to
' • hammock bin, which contained seamen's hammocks and
floated. About 11 o'clock at night, as near as I can
suppose from the darkness, I was washed ashore, all my
clothes were washed clean off me, and I had nothing but
a pair of drawers and a shirt on when I landed on Beef
Island."

Admiral Farragut has sent a despatch to his
government from Sheerness, speaking in the highest terms
of the great courtesies shown him in England. He men-
tions th►t he witnessed some of the gunnery experiments
at Shoebwyne“.
The American line of steamers between New
York and Havre, of which the Arago and Fulton are the
chief vessels, has been discontinued for want of patronage,
sad the steamers are to be sold.

Weston, the pedestrian, who is walking from
Portland to Chicago, bad at the last accounts reached
Schenectady, New York, a distance of 400 miles from his
starting point, and nearly one-third of the whole distance.
He has twice endeavoured to walk 100 miles in 24 hours,
but in both cases failed. On the first occasion he sprained
his ankle, and had to give up after walking 67 miles in 16
hours 46 minutes. The reason of abandoning the second
attempt is not announced. He complains of sore feet, but
is said otherwise to be in good spirits.
A RAILWAY TRAIN STOPPED BY BRIGANDS.
The express train from Madrid to Bayonne, due at the
latter place at 1 o'clock in the afternoon throe days back,
did not arrive until night, the delay having been caused
by the followinz singular occurrence :—Some brigands
having learned that a sum of two millions and a
half of francs in specie was to be forwarded to
Bayonne determined to obtain possession of the
treasure. For that purpose, on the night of the
expected arrival, seven of them went to the tunnel be-
tween the stations of Quintanapalla and filonsatris, and
wired, bound, and gagged the watchman. They then
proceeded to take up a certain length of rails. At
about :1 in the morning they heard the wistle of the
approaching engine, and one of them held up the
signal to slacken speed, which was done, and on
arriving at the spot where the rails were removed, the
train came gradually to a stand-still without injury to any
are. At that moment a voice was heard to exclaim, " Let
no one move, or he is a dead man." The sixty passengers
paid due attention to this warning except an Englishman,
who, not liking the look of a musket which was pointed at
him by one of the robbers, sprang out, and, although the
man fired at him, renurined unwounded. A personal struggle
then ensued between the two, during which he was struck
repeatedly with the butt end of the weapon, but Beady
remained the victor, putting his adversary to Hight
and retaining the gun. Meanwhile the other thieves
broke open the luggage-van, and rifled its contents.
but without finding the expected booty. They had
not been accurately informed, as the train with the
specie had previously passed. A considerable sum of
money which wan in one of the vans was, with great ex-
pertness, removed he the guard in the midst of the confu-
sion, and concealed in the tender of the engine, so that it
(peeped notice. The brigands made off, after expressing
great disappointment. Men were procured to mend the
line, so as to allow the train to proceed en its way, but
theincident led to a delay of several hours, as stated
above.