The Express.
London, England, 1866-07-09 00:00:00

ANMAF.IO.

lindens* to fresh westerly winds prevail on our coasts this
morning. Barometric pressure Is about half an inch higher on
our southern than on our northern coasts. Temperature has
Increased considerably. Yesterday there was heavy rata at
places ma the east and west coasts oil:Scotland, and alight showers
fell generally on our other coasts.

Kerr r. "EDixavaaff DAILY REVIEW."—The
action against the Edinburgh Daily Review for slander, at
the instance of Mr. and Mrs. Kent, father and step-mother
of Miss Constance Kent, has just been settled. The action,
it may be remembered, arose out of an article having
appeared in the above paper containing statements regard-
ing Mrs. Kent's position in life prior to her marriage, and
charging her with cruel treatment to her step-daughter
It also contained reflections on the part which Mr. Kent
had taken throughout the investigations preceding Miss
Kent's confession and trial. The Review now states that it
has made inquiries which prove that these statements were
not true, that they bad been misled by false informa-
tion, and that the proprietors of the paper have consented
to pay the rum of 3301. to Mr. and Mrs. Kent in name of
damages.

LAW AMENDMENT SOCIETY.—On Saturday night
the annual dinner of the Society for the Amendment of the
Law was held at the Ship Tavern, Greenwich. This society
is a branch of the National Association for the Promotion of
Social Science, the president of which, Lord Brougham,
occupied the chair. The guests included Sr J. Pakington,
the Right Hon. J. Napier, Mr. W. Ewart, M.P., Sir J. E.
Wilmot, Bart., Sir W. Surtees, Serjeant Parry, Dr. Pank-
hunt, Mr. Marsh, M.P., Serieant Burke, Mr. Daniel,
4C., Mr. Williams, 14. C., Mr. E. Chadwick, C. 8., Dr.
Lankester, Mr. G. W. Hastings, Dr. James Edmunds,
Professor Kakhanowsky, Professor Peabody, S. Morley,
Dr. Waddilove, Mr. R. R. Torrens, Mr. , Mr. Hawes,
and about 60 other gentlemen. The venerable chairman pro-
poeed the routine toasts, andcalled upon SirJ. Pakington to
return thank. for the navy. The right hon. baronet, as
Find Lord of the Admiralty, did so, and, referring to the
recent change of administration, said he expected to find
in the department with which he was now connected
abundant proof that his predecessors had not been unmind-
ful of the interest' of the country. For himself, be should,
as before, endeavour not to look either to the right or
left, but would in considering the men to be secured and '
the measures to be adopted pursue the course most con-
sistent with the honour of the country and the efficiency ,
of the navy. He further reminded the company that he
did not attend the dinner as First Lord of the Admiralty, 1
or as • politician, having accepted the invitation at
• time when he had aot the slightest expectation
or prospect of assuming an official position ; he bad
oome to pay • tribute of sincere respect to the
great and venerable nobleman in the chair. In propoang•
the toast of the evening, " Success to the Society, Lord
Brougham entered at some length into the continental war
question, and created considerable amusement by express-
ing the hope that the amendment of the law would not be
checked by what he warmly characterised as the most unjus-
tifiable resignation of the late.government. "The Hones of
Lords" was pripoeed by Mr. Napier, who took the oppor-
tunity of hoping the efforts of the society would have the
result at least of making the law moreintelligible to the
general community. Lord Brougham acknowledged the
toast. Sr 'John Pakington upon being called upon to
respond for the House of Commons, pointed out that he
was really not • member of parliament until some constitu-
ency chose to elect him. Several complimentary toasts
followed, not the least being the health of Lord Brougham,
which was drunk with a heartiness that visibly touched
the aged chairman, who vigorously performed his duties
until the toast list was exhausted.
Er 'ENT IN THE GERMAN WAR.

THE RELIGIOUS ELEKI2%.
—The Paris Monde, the catholic organ, has the following :
—" Prussia becomes a great power. In the German
struggle there exists a religious element which it is impor-
tant to diaengage. Prussia represented the protestant
element, and around her were grouped all the interests
appertaining to that faith ; whilst, on the contrary, all
catholic sympathies attached themselves to Austria. By
the Treaty of Westphalia, Protestantism took right of
citizenship in Germany, and established itself there on a
footing of equality with catholicism. The victory of
Prussia overthrows this equilibrium ; the catholic influence
exercised by Austria in Italy and Germany is henceforth
destroyed, and it cannot be restored without a long series
of contests. The arrangement of Prussia with Europe is
a difficult matter. Italy and France will not be always in
accord, even admitting that they are so at this moment."
ROYAL Fs= HosriTAL,
The number of patients relieved at this hospital during the
week ending July 7 was 3,396, of which 1,093 were new
mei&