The Express.
London, England, 1866-10-12 00:00:00

SIESCELLAICEOTB TOPICS.

The Times anticipates, with regard to Rome, that if the
Emperor of the French withdraws his troops at the a- -
pointed time—and there can hardly be a doubt about it—
the Pope must needs be made to see his real
position. Twelve hundred, or even five thousand'
men would hardly suffice to keep the peace in
Rome, and the provinces would be lost without striking
a blow. The revolution, if the Pope awaits it.
would surround the walls of his capital and blockade
him in it. The subjects of the Pope lOng would take pos-
session of the capital and send a guard of honour to the
CapitoL But neither the fair-weather friends of the Pope
nor his more honest advisers are likely to allow matters to
come to such extremities. Before the 10th of December
approaches Saverio Vegezzi or some other agent of King
Victor Emmanuel will be again closeted with Pius
IX., and the last soldier of the French garrison
will just leave Rome at ono gate as an Italian
soldier enters it at another. Upon exchanging
French for Italian protection, the Pope will be able
to dispense with the Antibes Legion.
The Daily News draws attention to the part which the
Viceroy of E6,fpt is taking in the war upon the Candiotes.
At this moment there are 25,000 Egyptian troops in Candle
maintained at the Viceroy's exclusive charge ; and his
highness has engaged to send more, if more are required.
This intervention of the Viceroy in a quarrel which does
not belong to him must be assumed to take place with the
consent of the great European powers, or, to speak plainly,
of the governments of England and France, since without
that consent it would have been impossible. We do not
overlook the difficulties of the case, or the extreme desira-
bility of postponing as long as possible the inevitab'e
cat strophe of the Ottoman empire, when we affirm that
this alli• -Ice between two 51ahommedan and semi-barbar-
ous states to hold a Christian people in a hateful bondage
is a shame and a disgrace to the powers by whom it is
tolerated.

The Post comments upon the case exposed by one of its
correspondents of a person of some position establishing
in London a roulette table, his table being surrounded by
nightly assemblages of the men who are in town and by all
that description of beauty and fashion which usually
swarms where easily won money is carelessly disposed of.
The public mention of the case, the Post has no doubt, in-
duced those who are engaged in it to abandon their illegal
practices.
These congresses, observes the Tinvs, speaking more
particularly of the church congress, are simply coat crsa.
:ionrs on a vast scale. They arc great social meetings to
_ .

. -
which people go to see one another and become better
friend., or to learn, in a genial, off hand manner, the
general course their thoughts are taking. The hospitality

- -
of York, which was a theme of the archbishop, is, per
the most important element in the arrangements.
When a man invites a number of intelligent friendsand a few
great geniuses to come and spend a pleasant evening with
him, the conversation is sure, of course, to be charming
and instructive ; but, after all, be knows that the dinner is
the most important part of the proceedings, and that
cold mutton or bad wine would be fatal alike to the in-
struction and the enjoyment. It is impossible to look
for any very material results from these social gatherings,
and there is even some danger lest they should divert the
thoughts of churchmen from the really serious work before
them. What service, for example, can the Archbishop
suppose will be rendered by church congresses in meetly g
the great theological discussions to which he alludes ? It
is in the studies of divines and philosophers, and not in the
. .

" wigwams." of clerical orators, that the theological diffi-
culties of the day are to be met. In obtaining an in-
fluence over the multitude it iv personal religion, and not
the interminable machinery which these congresses help to
multiply, that is really needed.

the Court.

BALMORAL, Ocr. 10.

The Queen and the Ducheas-d'Aumale, attended
by the Marchioness of Ely. drove to Loch Bulig, and rode
on ponies by the B il-na-D3erig road to Inrereauld.
Princess Louise went out, attended by the Hon. Mn.
H. Poneonby and the Hon. Miss Cathcart.
Sir Stafford Northcote had the honour of dining with
the Queen and the royal family.

The Right Hon. the Chancellor of the Exchequer let
town yesterday fur Hughenden Manor, Bucks.,

The Prince and Princess of Wales are expected
to arrive at Dfarlborough House to-day from Dunrohin
Castle, N. 8., after a prolonged visit to the Duke and
Duchess of Sutherland.

It is understood that the Duke of Edinburgh will
pay a private visit to the Duke of Roxburghe on Monday, to
enjoy a few days' fishing in the Tweed. It is expected that
his royal highness will stay at Floors Castle till his depar-
ture for Glasgow, where, on the 18th, he is to inaugurate a
statue of the late Prince Consort.

Prince and Princess Edward of Saxe-Weirrar
have returned from a tour of visits in Scotland, and have
been among the distinguished guests of the Duke and
Duchess of Sutherland during the visit of the Prince and
Princess of Wales at Dunrobin Castle.

The Earl and Countess of Eglinton are enter
taming a select party at Eglinton Castle, Ayrshire.

The Earl and Countess of Derby are expected to
leave Knowsley Park at the end of the month for their
villa at Roehampton, where they intend passing a few
weeks

A marriage is arranged between the Earl of Goa-
ford and the Lady Alberta Hamilton, sixth daughter of
the Marquis and Marchioness of Abercorn.

Yesterday a marriage was celebrated at St. Paul's,
Enightabridr, by the Rev. Lord Alwyne Compton, be-
tween the Hon. Nassau W. Jocelyn and Miss Cecilia
Mary Elliot, daughter of the late Admiral Ron. George

Governor Hinekß, C. 8., and Major Longley have
arrived at the Alexandra Hotel, Hyde-park-corner.