The Express.
London, England, 1868-01-22 00:00:00

in the United States who
cheer him if he described his
and brilliant campaign. We understand that he
claims no,ooce damages of the Quw'B Govern-
ment for his three days' detention. It seems a
moderate sum to sok, considering that he might
just as easily have made it half a million. There
is nothing treasonable, bowel*, in asking for
money.

The Indipendance Beige thys
Persons in Paris persist in spreading the report that the
Ragiorke Napoleon intends very shortly to lathe a mani-
festo of a reassuring 'barmier—the oldest being to even-
teract the imprenion produced by the new army law, the
warlike commentaries of the provincial officious press
oa the adoption of that law, and the conclusions
which may be drawn from the 400,000,000 loan
which M. Kagne is preparing, and which will be
soon launched on the Paris money market.
The loan is already decided in principle. The only obstacle
in its way is a difference of opinion between K. Rouher
and N. Itagne on the question of the indemnity asked for
by the subscribers to the Mexican loans ; but this diff er-
ase* is not a serious one, and will soon be settled.
A Paris correspondent of the same journal writes :
The Flinch government is beginning to be slimed at
the political complexion which the Pontifical army is 1
assuming. It is displeasing to it, and it is not difficult to
understand the reason why—that there should exist so
near an army almost entirely composed of the sons of
those cavaliers who led the invasion in France against the
" Corsican ogre." The Pabie calls the Pontifical Zonaves
" the army of Cond6 " thereby revealing the secret of the
irritation with which it sees the Pope trusting for support
elsewhere than in the arms of France. It is indeed an
. _ .

OUR CONTEMPORARM3.

(TEGB DAY.)

ITALIAN APPAISS.
The childish levity of the Florence parliament
and its incompetent)e to look the liabilities of the country
steadily in the face incline the most confident believers,
the Daily Nees says, to doubt the possibility of ouch •
people ever paying their way or holding their own. The
parliament appears to consider its whole business on
earth to be to turn out ministries and declaim about Rome.
The new finance minister has shown some courage in
coming forward under such circumstances with • financial
scheme which proposes to reduce an acknowledged annual
deficit for 1869 of 9,600,0001. to 3,120,0001., by the impo-
sitionof only one new tax, by improved methods of oollecting
the existing taxes, and by reorganising the various depart-
ments of the public service. The only addition to the ex-
isting taxes is the stacinato, or corn-grinding tax, which
is
to apply henceforth to all substances subject to that pro-
em. and to be collected by the millers. The rest of the
delleit he talks of reducing within a period of twelve
years. Considering the volcanic nature of Italian politics,
sad the present aspects of Europe, it argues • tolerable
robustness of faith in a finance minister to hue his calcu-
lations of • financial equilibrium on the development of
commercial prosperity and the preservation of foreign and
domestic peace for twelve yearn to come. May the hap.
pleat of Count Cambray-Digny's anticipations be fulfilled !
Above all, may the parliament of Italy lend him • helping
hand towards their fulfilment.
Wretched as the Italian government has hitherto been,
the Times observes it has been hopelessly hampered by
the wrangling, time-killing, self-stultifying legislature. It
is not the people that is anywhere at fault. It is only
in the upper ranks, in the governing classes, that we look
in vain for that common sense and self-control which fit
for command. Italian statesmen seem to pride themselves
on nothing but cunning ; Italian patriots obey no other
law than blind impulse. There seems to be nothing half-
way between a Rattazzi and • Garibaldi—the man of
intrigue and the man of instinct ; the latter the dis-
organising, the former the demoralising element, the
joint authors of Aspromonte and Mentana. It is cruel to
think of the perseverance with which a nation that rose
cheered by the sympathy of all Europe seems determined
to justify all the malice of its enemies, and to bring shame
and sorrow upon its friends.
It is remarked by the Post that the Italians cannot shut
their eyes to the danger of delay. Thom who are plotting
the destruction of their realised aspiration imagine that
they will shrink from the performance of their duty, con-
fess that they have gone out of their way, and crawl back,
as it were, on their knees to the fold from which they
strayed. The Post believes that the Italians, as • nation,
are incapable of anything so mean-spirited and humili-
ating.

army of Conde. These young scions of the Faubourg
Saint Carmelo, who are serving their appren-
ticeship in arms under the Pope, may become •
danger ►t a given moment. By making himself the tow-
boat of • theocracy ; of a form of government which is
the very antipodes of a government which has boned from
178'3; the Emperor Napoleon has raised out of the dust a
decrepit past, has given it life and strength, and now this
past is turning against him. He perceives, a little too
late, how he is treated in Rome. When necessity compels
he is asked for his assistance, but the moment the
danger is over they turn their backs upon him. It
is not necessary to go to Rome to understand
the contempt with which French peasant soldiers are
treated by the Zonavee—the cream of the French aris-
tocracy—it is not necessary to go into the cafés frequented
by these descendants of the crusaders to learn how the
French government is spoken of in them. To have gone
to Rome and disgusted every lover of liberty hers—to
have injured a position already damaged by becoming the
satellite of a greedy and ambitious clergy, and after ell
to be despised, is, it must be confessed, enough to excite
the anger of persons who do not possess supernatural
patience, ►nd makes the ill-humour of the Patric easily
intelligible.

Own 002

it
ai-11.
186

Weit4 .92•120U51 COMPAbY
(LIMI —(17119 DAY.)

luilf-yesrly meeting of the proprietom was
held this afternoon at the London Tavern ; Mr. SLATER in
the chair, in the absence of Mr. W. Smith, chairman of
the board, in consequence of illness,.
The report, which appeared in the Express of Moods,
last, having been taken ea read,
The Circassian moved he adoption. He observed that it
must be well known to all present that the trade of this
country, and Indeed of theContinant, was ins disastrous con-
dition. The stagnation had necessarily affected rush a trade
as theirs, and steps had been taken to diminish the stock.
This object was accomplished to a degree beyond theboard's
expectations. Betweenthe3lst of December, 186&., and the
31st of December, 1867, the stock was reduced to 80,0001.,
and he thought that was a most satisfactory circumstanae.l
Notwithstanding the bad state of trade the company had
made very few bad debts. (Cheers.) He concluded by
alluding to the loss the company bad sustained in the
death of Mr. Turner, who was one of the directors.
Mr. riccramiu. Cumirrs (a director) seconded the
motion.
Mr. TURNER thought it was to be regretted that the com-
pany divided so largely at former periods, and thus pre-
vented an equalisation of dividends. In his opinion
the contingent fund, which was now only about 9,0001.,
ought to be increased. He objected to the directorsbeing
paid in proportion to the amount of dividend earned, sad
gave notice that at the next half-yearly meeting he
would move an alteration of the article of asso-
ciation relating to that subject. They were at pre-
sent paying 4,5001. per annum, which he considered
far too large an amount. (Hear, hear.) It was most
essential that they should have as good buyers as they
could possibly obtain, gentlemen who would not be dic-
tated to by others. (Hear, hear.) He thought that Mr.
Morrison's debt ought to be further reduced.
The CHAIRMAN remarked that the board were prepared
to pay Mr. Morrison 60,0001. more on the let of April.
(Hear, hear)
A SHAREHOLDER disagreed with Mr. Turner as regarded
the remuneration of the directors. In his opinion
directors generally were paid too little. (Oh, oh.)
The Crisirotax, adverting to the question of the debt
to Mr. Morrison, observed that the board desired that Mr.
Morrison's debt should be entirely paid off as soon as pos-
sible.
A SHAREHOLDER ridiculed the notion that the directors
were overpaid.
In reply to a question,
The CHAIRMAN said the company was covered to a far
greater extent by insurance than it usedtobe,bnt the board
were endeavouring to increase the amount. Since the
Clerkenwell explosion insurance companies had given
notice not only that premiums must be increased, but
that risks must be reduced; an idea prevailing that some
of the great warehouses might suffer.
In reply to a question,
The CH AIRMAN admitted that there had been a loss of
6,0001. in one department during the last half-year.
Mr. G. BROWN (a director) stated that the loss in ques-
tion arose from a depreciation in the value of stock, adding
that the stock had been taken at a price at which a profit
upon it could be realised. (Hear, hear.)
The report was then adopted nuanimousl., and a divi-
dend at the rate of 7 per cent. per annum declared.
Thanks were voted to the chairman and the other
directors.

PAM% TIMIDLY
An item of this evening's " latest news " is, if
true, of great importance. The piatement is that
Count de &ridges, the French ambassador in
Rome, has gone to Naples "for the purpose of
Making himself acquainted with the situation
of that province, and furnishing his govern-
ment with a report upon it." It is im-
possible not to connect this intelligence with
the extraordinary overtures lately shown by
Napoleon HI. to the Neapolitan Bourbons, and
with the reports which excite great uneasiness in
Italy that France means to break up Italian unity
this year, and that the restoration of Francis 11. at
Naples is a part of her scheme.
Madame George Sand writes to the papers to
contradict, as a ridiculous canard, the news that
Madile. Thuillier, the eminent actress of the Odeon,
has taken the veil in a Carmelite convent. As her
friend, Madame Sand undertakes to say for her
that she would have a horror of a "religious farce."
She has left the theatre, " proud and poor" to
recruit her health in the country near Bois, and if
she has troubles, " they are as much fortified by
the ramparts of her dignity as are her religious
notions by those of her reason." Her numerous
friends know that she has nothing to explain, and
she does not desire the confidence nor canvass the
sympathies of a curious public.
The Duke des Cars, an old legitimist, died two
days ago at Cannes.
The new journal the Globe represents the arrest
of Mr. George Francis Train, " one of the most
illustrious orators and most powerful individuali-
ties in America," as likely to produce a conflict
between England and the United States.
The Bourse was rather firm. Rente closed with
a rise of 10c. for cash, and 740. account, at
68fr. 70c. and 68fr. 60c. Italian rose 1.0 c., Credit
Foncier llfr. 26c., and Mobilier lfr. 25c. There
were again large " discounts" in the Bente, which,
however, produced, as will be seen, an inconsider-
able effect.

M. Magne gave an audience yesterday to a
deputation from the meeting of Mexican bond-
holders, lately held in the Champs Elys4es Circus,
with Viscount de la Gueronniere in the chair.

The major part of the committee being composed
of senators and deputies was, as might have been
expected, received by the Finance Minister in a
most courteous manner. He assured them,
moreover, that the Emperor's government was
quite disposed to look with a favourable eye
upon all " legitimate" claims of the subscribers
to the Mexican loans. The report of the interview I
has not favoured speculative business in Mexican
Bonds on the Bourse. The question of what are
" legitimate" claims in such a ticklish matter is so
puzzling that holders are inclined to sell their
Mexican paper for what they can get. There is
scarcely any doubt, however, that something will
be done for the bondholders; and I adhere, with
a conviction strengthened by accumulated evi-
dence, to the opinion I have always expressed, that
the smallest coin of the realm which may be
awarded to the deluded Mexican creditors at the
expense of the French taxpayer will be a robbery
of the nation.

NATIONAL DISCOUNT COMPANY (LIMITED).
(THIS DAY.)

The annual meeting of the shareholders was
held at noon, at the London Tavern, Mr. F. W. ItusseLL,
)1.P., in the chair.
The report and accounts, which were issued some time
ago, having been taken as read,
The CHAIRMAN moved their adoption. It gave the
directors great pleasure to present at this particular period
such a ststement. The depression of trade was notorious, and
yet the business of the company had steadily progressed,
while it was prepared to undertake a much larger business
ea soon as trade had revived. Looking at the effects of
war on the Continent, sad the bad harvest in this country,
the state of things en that concern was very. gratifying.
The 13.1 debts amounted to only 1,500/., showing that in
seeking a large the board had not sought a risky business.
(Cheers.)
The motion was then agreed to without discussion.
A dividend at the rate of 15 per cent. per annum was
afterwards declared, and the retiring directors having
been re-elected, the proceedings terminated with votes of
thanks to the directors, and the general manager, the
secretary, and the other officers of the establishment.

We aro requested to state that Mr. S. R.
Townsend Mayer hal resigned his connexion with the
executive of the Metropolitan Working Men's Conservative
Association.
A Cabinet Council was held yesterday at the " Pty fifical volunteers," says the Union, "to the
official residence of the First Lord of the Trea- number of 90, of whom 15 were French, and 75 Swiss or
miry, in Downing-street. The Ministers present Irish, embarked two days back et Marseilles for Civita
were the Lord Chancellor, the Duke of Marl- Veochis. Among the young Frenchmen who went to offer
borough, the Earl of Malmesbury, the Right Hon, their services to the Holy Father was Count Pierre de
Gathorne Hardy, Lord Stanley, the Duke of Bends."
Buckisirs.ngiihaortmhooand Ch rte,
theandos
Chan
CeSlli:r jofohnthe EPsakingt4chequenr:
cocAloctkßrecrusillys, every
anievefnreeingpubuificthleed.wreee.k;iveant
.8t
the Right Hon. H. T. L. Corry, the Duke of the university, situate in Rae de l'lmptratrice. Mondays
Richmond, Lord John Manners, the Earl of Mayo, ere devoted to Belgian history, explained by Professor
and the Right Hon. Spencer H Walpole. Wafture ; Tuesdays belong to M. Baneel, • Frenchman, of
A supplement to the London Gazette, issued this , great power of speech, who explains French history with
day, extends the provisions of the Contagions Diseases I an eloquence and volubility unusual even for • French-
(Animals) Acts to sheep, lambs, and goats brought from i man; Wednesdays and Thursdays are appropriated to M.
Antwerp or any other port in Belgium, and applies to , Berger, for lectures on physic and chemistry ; Fridays be-
them the same regulations as are now in force with respect long to the BeigianConstitution ; and Saturdays to miscel-
to the landing, moving, and slaughter of cattle. The new !memo lectures. Sundays the working men have appro
order takes effect from the lit of February next, plated to themselves, having formed themselves into a
Mr. W. E. Forster, M.P., and Lord F. Coven- sort of working men's club, inviting the assistance of any
dish, M.P., were present yesterday, at • soiree given by scientific or professional man willing to give up his time
the President of the Bradford Chamber of Commerce. for their improvement.
The addresses were chiefly on commercial topics ; but Lord A letter from Naples, describing the eruption of
F. Cavendish spoke in strong terms of condemnation of Mount Vesuvius, says :—" Of late the road to the Obser-
the present state of armed peace in Europe, said war would 'eatery has been deserted by visitors, who take that rather
be better than the present state of uncertainty, and urged 1 which lies between Resins and the Favorite. Thousands
a policy of peace as the only policy which could lead to go up every night—it is the pest nocturnal promenade—
prosperity. Mr. Forster moved a resolution in favour of anti many, misled by the apparent proximity of the stream,
technical education. go up on foot, but it is a rugged and wearisome road, over
Mr. Graham, M.P., was the chairman of • lee. lime masses of lava, and many are the tumbles and
tare delivered yesterday, in Manchester, in connection 1 tattered dresses which ere the consequence. Perhaps at
with the Sunday School Union, and before the close of 1 the present moment the best point of observation is the
the meeting made some reference to the question of educe- ! church of Pogliano, which may be reached without difii-
tion. Hs referred to the system in operation in Scotland ' amity and without much fatigue. Who, however, thinks
sa a model, said that Roman catholic children went to lof either in the face of this most glorious spectacle ? On
protestant wheels there without being interfered within one night this week, together with the crowds from the
religious matters, and that, if the same ',stem were ; foot of the mountain, came up a band of music which
adopted hem with regard to the children of all creeds, ; played waltzes and polkas, and tarantella, and selections
there would be no demand for seeder education. lf, how. I from the Ballo is Maschero."
ever, people would have secular schools, by ail means let DREADFUL SUFFERINGS OF Two BRITISH SRA-
them have them. I max.—Her Majesty's steam sloop Shearwster has arrived
at Woolwich to be paid off. On leaving the Straits of
Earl de Grey and Ripon presided last night at Magellan, Commander Smithad his mentionalled to
the annual meeting of the Hall Ragged School. His lord- I two strange-looking beings on the ro were at
ship intimated in his address that he should not like to . first thought to be Patagonian savages, and were reloaded
see, as a mean' of promoting education, a resort to coin- , with some sa sir uspicidolualibuatatilazttidmidaedt:,
and
rairabeatstwo En-
palsion until all other means had been shown to have They were j egjajer
y taken on board, the ship's surgeon
failed. Until the difficulties which beset the question 1 stating theymelld not have eurvived two hours longer.
were overcome, however, he hoped that both those in I On recovenng it tronspired they belonged to her Majesty's
favour of voluntary, and those who advocated compulsory, Moot, Clomtudeer- On the lltb of aged
to
a Party from
the Chanticleer were out on a shooting excursion, and
education would co-operate zealously in promoting the in- ; the two men were inboat together returning to the
Aniction of the people. I vessel, when a heavy a
gale came on, and they were driven
A curious statement appears in the Downpatrick out to am and cast upon the rooks, and were reported to'
Recorder. It is nothing less than an announcement that the stellate:4.feet, their
i arrears
es of pay
bet Pad„,e
Down Cathedal- " the mother church of a diocese con- David Ridrl„, weed captain ' of the foretop, and—
tabling nearly a fourth of all the protests:de of Ireland"— Samuel Henley, en able-bodied seaman, gave a die.
will be closed on Sunday next for want of funds to meet treseing acoosint of their sufferings. On being cart on the
the out of a regular service. The cathedral it apposes, , coast of Patagonia there to: the=hingdtoa
itaawttehina:
has fee some years peg been owed by • clergyman—Mr. . lotiirfetimem tiYetreebeie:ee'w,". They 'ln teed their
Edgar—whom stipend has amounted to the munificent mu geterwitggi by budditeg tegether, their only food for six
of 561. a year. This sum, it seems, cannot be incumed, i weeks being mused. and otiar shell fish picked off the
end Mr. Edgar having been promoted, no one am be found rocks. The posed was at the time mewed with mow,
to take his place. I and Henley lost his toes from the severity of the frost.
After being there about a month her Majeety's screw ,
Mr. Alfred Tennyson regrets that it is no longer sloop Columbine, Commander Leigh Ward, from the
potable for hini to answer the innumeratile letters, or to Pacific, paired through the Straits, and was seen by the
acknowledge the Mi. verses, which be is in the habit of men, who waved their blankets; but unfortunately were I
seen and they remained there • fortnight lnger.
receiving from strangers. Mr. Tennyson is about to isms note
had, .
ger up all h of life, and or hours before
• " Staiidard " edition of his works in four library volumes. the; were rescued:n had sworn to each other that whoever
This edition will be carefully corrected by the Peet, sad died first should not be eaten by the survivor. They'
will 'satin some notable additions to his published speak in high terms of the kindness they received on board
writings. 1 the Shearwater, and ate now perfectly recovered. On the
Shearwater bei4takentek into the basin at Woolwich Dock-
Lady Barrett-Leonard's amateur dramatic oom- wisra....twk,, the mew
the Admiralty will
„ere weederreg te the
piny will perform for the first time in London et the Se. . .-- it Wag that
,Oecege'obell, Langhampince, on the 90th inst. for the : allow them to resolve their arrears of pay, although pee-
r benefit of the 4th Middlesex (Authors) Volunteer inst.
1 1100117 Pad le their reiettemg
out
Sir W. a Bodkin is recovering from the awls
.., Carnal., ,",....,...1 IL Capitalis .n e,
it hoe struck spinet limited Ik-
e( his recent &oddest, and it is hoped will sown preside " employ. -11 0-- . test „eche.%
Deity ; mains& ways age promoters, con
main et Ike Middkeez Seisions. and engineers ; 'pima iiintatoek companies of every de-
nte Bight Rev. Dr. Claughton, Bishop of neiption • maim* grisswass ; Peroo7, gaud fgr
iraborliar. bad his lni essfereses al the imp seed laity „wesnssie6s. iii Foam lit.. mows ,_,.... she ,
el his assess is the druntruarta as linshostor Cathedsod tiobium ma ita aisposse; tk, 19,;;;;; which pos."
yeeterap, en weigh eassista there was a rage stradsrart, deed the muses lege ; eeetlicamenttemem hi
item sersonlions shogiarrems being fills. bleb= Idost Oilier orsirriaiir ; slued seism.
TIII Islortesto of liintrarritia.—lt is rhatestri who la Baghositt atswitios et dereisnedos
tbat Vie blase& Of Naltridas, width keg
be
visas& •id the law at the it own to whom
hg the TAP". le the Br bleu. DI% V. Rya
be It had aitinalsd its httliati; ill'iless, sl the a-
onsformod woe the her. AA Ptsitthwelttj A-, of eattaistro basted at earmaree and torso by Or fignot-
c_h".lle. Orritirlitro. Is*, rkshotat._ __,..
___„__Ci °°.thanh ISBN korsal as tho ph& as to the parr' sour the
raw no• A er Iwo eV rtail.mitm,"l.o""Se was swam 'NV bring forth. The tsars vita bays
assalsorror to tie of Now It antosind the astir/if sorrel fa the rot woontrits ate
propsed to found out of the diatom 4 Varkk sot imesiad ; bat mot upon ore else. and haat
sad arigsod his hviill- °wit.. varies errs siege to •0111.1.• 111~1116/1 a vmsb
mumips... 6b. *borsht bat art boss lorlsrk roots Seta asistioss 13oe disponi*. we to
NA Aqui STIUMs M.P.—ln WW 1° ragg:ll arras fists al eaftryiss lumens@ Fourth at
wean glad to learn that the enterable 'umber fer the pew of financial lustros.
mouth is no far improved in health that balms enabled to Itiheaghworsotams rats to be ts again*, Fresh said.
leave his hod far a shott tiro an flosday.--Caunter- *hit that OMNI Indeed months bati—lidirderegh
Med Pectiere. Darks. s

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utie:4 , ~.....
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' 't as a successful-
FRENCH POLICY. U....A...esee‘i that ha