The Express.
London, England, 1867-01-01 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, TUESDAY EVENING, JANUARY 1, 1867.

were all the materials of a tremendous con-'
flagration brought together in the Tropical de-
partment of the Palace; overheated fines, board-
ing "as dry as matchwood ;" a carpenter's work-
shop, and a mass of combustible stuff belonging
to the Christmas entertainments. On the other
hand, there was a most plentiful supply of water
always and immediately available—if there had
been a sufficient ninuber of hands to work it.
Evidently the inquiry will point nut only to the
flues, and the dry boarding, and the combustible
matter heaped about, and to the sufficient
water supply, but to the presence or ab-
sence of a sufficient staff of regularly drilled
and practised firemen, ready at a moment's
notice to avail themselves intelligently and
systematically of the means provided for
putting out a fire. One constantly sees in public
I buildings a perfect regiment of fire buckets, num-
bered and arranged with all the precision of a
bankrupt's ledger, and the question is too seldom
asked, But where are the hands to use these
buckets ? It appears that in the Crystal Palace
, there were not wanting a hose, and jets, and a
large quantity of fire annihilators—only the hands
for using them were wanting. It might be sup-
posed that a large staff of firemen would be
always on watch in the Palace, and especially on
the Sunday. The inquiry will show how many
firemen were on duty in the building
when the fire was first discovered on Sunday
afternoon. During the winter season, when the
temperature of the Palace is artificially kept high,
and in the Tropical Department exceptionally.
high, exceptional precautions must be imperatively
required. The Company have deservedly obtained
a large share of public favour by the spirited
management of their great enterprise ; and
if the public are more than ordinarily
severe in urging a strict inquiry into this
lamentable accident, the Directors may take com-
fort in the reflection that had the management of
their property been less able and successful, the
public interest in it would have been propor-
tionately diminished.
In providing an incessant variety of attractions
for people of all classes and tastes, for young and
old, rich and poor, cultivated and simple, the
Directors have understood the prudence of
a generous expenditure. But we may re-
mind them that the most legitimate and the
most remunerative of all items of expenditure
is the cost of making ample provision for those
casualties to which such a building as the
Crystal Palace is peculiarly exposed. Some years
since the Company was ridiculed by two sets of
critics : by those who, for the gratification of their
own special tastes, would have willingly con-
demned the Crystal Palace to a splendid insol-
vency, by insisting on its being maintained strictly
and exclusively as a gallery of art; and by those who
prophesied, that in order to pay it must become
a " Cremorne." By the dexterous activity of
its officers, and an attentive study of the public
taste, the Palace has managed to avoid both ex-
tremee, and has consulted at once the severer
demands of a fastidious minority, and the
more mixed pleasures of the multitude. But
increased attractions have not been unattended
with increased risks, as this disaster proves, and
we trust the lesson will not be lust. Grievous as
is the loss—nut, we hope, irreparable—it will be
ultimately rather a profit than a loss, if it results
in a system of precautions which should never
have been neglected.

OUR CONTEMPORARIES.
(THIS DAY.)

aaks for them. Nor are there any in the house,
be they ever so indepoodent and free of choice,
who can wenalstently support the plea fee delay with a
simple view to cautions legislation, inch as proceeding by
resolutions or royal commission. All sides, and they who
are of no aide except the side of their country, have
equally declared themselves against paltering or tempo-
rising with the question. Some, indeed, see good reason for
am indefinite postponement; but that is no longer in ques-
tion. If there is to be reform, the quicker it is done the
better.

With a House of Commons which has forfeited the con-
fidence of the nation, and a government which never bashed
the confidence either of the house or the nation, the future,
the Doily News observes, is reserved to the chapter of acci-
dents. Lord Derby and his colleagues are in a dilemma from
which it will take all Mr. Disraeli's ingenuity to extricate
them. To refer representative reform to a commission would
be generally looked upon as a refusal cloaked in subterfuge,
and a year of delay would be a year of angry political ex.
citement. The probability is, we shall have at Mr. Disraeli's
hands a measure purporting to be a reform bill. As to its
nature, it is to satisfy, we are commonly told in effect, only
those who are satisfied already, and to leave those who are
aggrieved as much aggrieved as ever, an, this is the tory
idea of a settlement. Of course, however, Lord Derby and
Mr. Disraeli may disappoint expectation, but the
probability in that we shall have either no bill at all, or
an unsatisfactory one, and in either case we may prepare
ourselves for a year of angry controversy and of larger
demands enforced by a growing force of opinion, and, it
may be, of passion. In finance, Sir S. Northeote, who is
Mr. Disraeli's working coadjutor, is a pupil of Mr. Glad-
stone's, and, without possessing the genius, will probably
be true to the principles of his master. Lord Stanley may
be relied upon to keep England from embroilment with
foreizn powers, and his policy does not stand in need or
Lord Palmerston's military and naval expenditure. As to
Ireland, if the government falls back on its old policy and
in.pporters, as it evidently will, 1867 will be for that
country a year worse than lost. On great questions, social
and political, there is too much reason to apprehend that
the year on which we are entering will be a year thrown
away, and on minor matters one of mere continuation.
The year 1867, the Tett-graph insists, must see, and will
see the work of the year 1832 carried forwanl. We have
lost a great deal too much time already, and kept far too
ninny momentous imperial topics in arrears. The slightest
appearance of insincerity now would wake to indignation
the patience of the working classes, and would bring Mr.
Gladstone back to his old place with a force at his back
which could never be frustrated by a second series of
dodges and Dankellin motions.

The Standard enters into a long argument with the
view of showing that Mr. Disraeli would be taking the
wisest course in attempting to deal with reform, and that
it would be better for the conservatives to risk their
fortunes in an attempt to effect a constitutional settlement
on their own principles than in an endeavour to postpone
the question for an uncertain period, with the probable
effect, whether they fail or succeed, of handing over the
office of settling it, whether at once ar in future, to their
adversaries, the peril to their interests as a party being as
great in attempted inactivity as in vigorous action.

the (sun.

OSBORNE, Dic. 31.

The Queen and Princess Christian walked in the
grounds this morning, attended by the Dowager Duchess
of Athole.

Princes' Louise, Prince Leopold, Primus Beatrice, and
Prince Henry of Prussia went out also.
Prince Christian, attended by Major• General F. H. Sey-
mour, visited the American yacht Henrietta this morning,
on board which be was received by Mr. Bennett, the
owner of the yacht. His royal highness afterwards rowed
round the Fleetwing and Vesta.
Commodore 11`Vickar, of the New York Yacht Club,
had the honour of being presented to her Majesty yes-
terday.

A committee of the Lords of her Majesty's Most Honour-
able Privy Council sat at Whitehall yesterday on the
subject of quarantine. The lords present were the Right
Hon. Spencer Walpole, the Right Hon. E. Hammond, and
the Right Hon. Horatio Waddington. Mr. Harrison
attended the committee.

Despatches were received yesterday at the Colonial.
office from the Governors of the North American Provinces
and the West India Mantis.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer and Mrs. Disraeli left
Grosvenor•gate yesterday for Ilughenden Manor.

li
RUMOURED INDISPOSITION OF THE QL'ERN.—We
regret to hear that her Majesty caught cold on the day of
visiting the mausoleum of the Prince Consort. The cold
resulted in a most painful attack of face-ache, from which
the Queen is still suffering. Her Majesty has signified her
intention to publicly open the Albert Memorial Asylum,
Collingwood-court, Bagshot, in June next, and at the
same time to lay the foundation-stone of a dining-room
and chapel—Seotairian.
THE PRINCE AND PRINCESS OF WALES.
Yiuterday their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess
of Wales, attended by the ladies and gentlemen of their
suite, and accompanied by his Royal Highness the Duke of
Edinburgh, left Sandringham House en route for Holkham
Hall, where they will pass the remainder of the week
with the Earl and Countess of Leicester. The royal party
travelled in carriages to the Wolferton-station of the
Lynn and Hunstanton Railway, and proceeded thence to
the Heacham station. From Heacham they travelled over
the West Norfolk Junction Railway to Holkham. The
tr►in in which their royal highnesses travelled was due at
the Heacham station ►t 4.45 p.m., so that it was quite
dusk when the royal visitors arrived. The visit of the
Prince and Princess is of a private nature, although there
are several distinguished visitors staying at Holkham.
The West Norfolk Junction Railway has been only
recently opened for public traffic, but the Prince and
Princess of Wales passed over it about twelve months
since, although it was not then quite completed, as the
new route greatly shortens the distance between Sand-
ringham and Holkham. The present is the fourth visit
which the Prince and Princess of Wales have paid to
the Earl and Countess of Leicester since their royal
highnesees have fixed on Norfolk as an occasional place
of residence.

The Earl and Countess of Derby will come to
town on Monday next, from Knowsley, for the mason.

The Earl Howe is, according to the latest ac-
counts received from Copse' Hall, considerably better, a
favourable change having taken place.
Viscountess Chelsea and her infant son are both
going on favourably.
The marriage of Lieutenant-Colonel Clive with
Miss Webb is fixed to take place at St. Paul's, Knights-
bridge, on Wednesday, the 9th inst.

On the occasion of his presentation to the Queen
on Sunday, her Majesty expressed to Commodore BP Vickar,
of the New York Yacht Squadron, her thanks for the oppor-
tunity afforded her of seeing the American yachts under sail,
and said she sincerely regretted the loss of the men belong.
leg to the Fleetwing. Her Majesty also said she hoped the
Americans would return to their country with pleasurable
recollections of their visit to England, and of their recep-
tion in this country. Commodore M•Vickar, in reply, said
that the most pleasurable and gratifying recollection of
their visit to Great Britain would be the honour conferred
upon the Americans, through him as their representative,
of being presented to the Queen of England. At the con-
clusion of the interview her Majesty directed Sir John
Cowell to show the commodore over Osborne House, the
home fans, stables, and the grounds surrounding her
marine residence.

On Sunday the members of the Royal Yacht
Squadron arrived at Coves from their several residences in
the eountry, and visited the yachts at anchor in Cowes
Hoods. To-day the Henrietta, Fleetwing, and Vests will
come into harbour at Cowes to lay up for the winter.
A committee has been formed of some of the
inhabitants of Horsham and the neighbourhood, with the
view of presenting • testimonial to the Hight Hon. W.
Seymour Fitzgerald on his leaving England to assume the
government of Bombay. It has been decided to present
the right hon. gentleman with his portrait.

By s singular coincidence, it seems that tho Rev.
H. M. Hart, M.A., was advertised to commence a series
of scientific lectures in the Crystal Palace School of Science
and Art to-day, Jan. 1, at 3 p.m., on " Fire; what causes
it, and how it is extinguished."

The on dit at Oxford, according to the West-
*butter Garetk, is that Dr. Newman has abandoned hi,
plan of going to Oxford, in deference to the opinion of a
most eminent prelate in Home.

Instructions were received last night from tho
Privy Council, ordering the passengers of the Shannon to
be transferred to the Peninsular and Oriental Company's
steamer Parana, lying in the river, and after 24 hours' de-
tention in that vessel, to be released. The Shannon is
ordered to proceed to the Motherbank and to be thoroughly
fumigated. The transfer of the passengers will be made in
the morning, so that they will be detained in quarantine
till Wednesday.

Prince Ponistowski is now finishing s new mass,
which will shortly be performed in the salons of Rossini.

The money voted as an acknowledgment of the
services of the Prussian ministers and generals was paid to
them on Christmas-eve. Count Bismarck received 75,0001.
and the Minister of 'War, General von Roon, General von
Moltke, General Herwarth von Bitteafeld, General von
Steinmetz, and Ceneral Vogel von Falkenstein, 30,0001.
each. One account gives Bismarck 60,0001., and von Roon
-1::,000/. Count Bismarck and General von Boon have
already been beleagured by agents who have estates for
sale. The King has also given each of the ahove-mem
Honed ministers and generals a very handsome vase, from
the royal porcelain manufactory.
At the well-known confectioners of the Rue do
la Paix, Paris, there are just now some precious novelties,
which keep groups of people stationed the whole day long
before the windows, and attest the inventive faculties of
the Parisian artists. These are two dolls, one represent.
lag the city of I'aris in festive costume, the other the I:it:-
versa] Exhibition. The latter wears as a head dress the
tower of Babel, with a robe of white satin of immense
amplitude, ornamented with the einblazonnients of all
nations, the waist encircled with numerous orillanues,
falling to the feet, inscribed with the emblems of art and
manufactures, and with gold and silver medals prufuAtly
scattered over it. In other shops the dolls represent
certain famous historical personages, cliieGy, if not all, of
the female sex.

Thanks to the Russian Embassy at Pekin, which
has uttered to forward private despatches, the Chinese
public now enjoy the advantages of telegraphic communi-
cation with Europe. Telegrams are sent through the post
or by express to Kischta, on the Russo-Siberian frontier,
a fifteen days' journey, where the telegraph begins. \With
the post, which goes four times a month, a telegram to St.
Petersburg costa 30 roubles ; by one-horse express, tut
roubles ; and a two-bone express, 147 roubles.

For several clays last week Paris was overhung
with a fog, and, though it could not pretend to vie with
London at the same season, yet it was sufficient to inter-
cept the light of the sun so well that lamps had to be
lighted in the shops at 2or 3 o'clock in the afternoon. Of
late years these fogs have become frequent.

The Court of Cessation at Paris has just decided
on au appeal that singing in the streets by night doss not
constitute the offence of nocturnal disturbance punished
by Article 479 of the Penal Code, unless aggravated by
circumstances which change the character of the act and
cause it to become a nuisance to the inhabitants. The
proceedings which gave rise to that decision were a charge
brought against four young men marching in company
and singing a piece from the "Dame Blanche" at •
quarter to 10 at night.