The Express.
London, England, 1857-08-19 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY EVENING, AUGUST 19, 1857.

from Allababad. The position of the British at Delhi
differs from their position at the other places we
have enumerated. At Delhi they are nominally the
besieging force. They are, however, at the utmost,
only some 5,000 Europeans, with about 1,000 Irre-
gulars hastily drawn together by GeneralVAN CORT-
LAND? from the Sikh territory, and a couple of
native regiments of very equivocal fidelity—both
having evinced a mutinous spirit as recently as
March and April last. The mutineers in and
around Delhi cannot number less than 25,000
men; and the mutineers of the Owalior
Contingent, together with the mutineers from
Bareilly and Nuseeerabad arc hovering on
the rear and flanks of the English force.
The matineers have guns of larger calibre than
those of the English, and they appear to be
better supplied with ammunition. In the many com-
bats which have taken place under the walls of
Delhi the insurgents have lost far more men than the
English; but this appears to have been the result
of calculation on the part of their leaders, who
know that they have more men to spare, and care not
how many lives they throw away, provided they can
exterminate the Feringen before =noun approach.

We have now pampa in review the most important
points at which the English forces are making head
against the insurgents in the Indian theatre of war.
The strife ham been a most unequal one ; but relief is
now beginning to creep in through Allahabad. The
knowledge that it is approaching will nerve the
hearts and hands of our countrymen. The COMIlill•
nioations will is time be re-established ; small rein-
forcements will be thrown in occasionally ; and if
the progress of mutiny on the frontiers of Bombay
and _ _ _ . _ .

Madras eau be imitated, the British flag will be
kept dying at all oar main posts throughout the
disturbed districts until a sulkiest army is organised
and moved to the use of nation to re-establish oar
undisputed necondaney. But to ensure this desired

consummation, the press and the public must keep
digging the spurs to the rowels into the sides of
our phlegmatic rulers.

Tux Divert:* Debate in the House of Commons is
at length approaching its close. On Monday night
the House, by a large majority, affirmed the prin-
ciple that the right of re-marriage should not be
denied to the guilty parties; and yesterday the
Government offered a compromise to the clergy, in
the shape of a clause providing that no clergyman of
the Established Church shall be compelled to
solemnise the marriage " of any person whose former
marriage may have been dissolved on the ground of
his or her adultery." The amendment pro-
posed by Mr. WALPOLI went beyond this,
and exempted the clergy from the obligation to
remarry any person whore former marriage might
have been dissolved under the provisions of the Act,
whether such person be sinned against or sinning,
wronged or guilty. Mr. WALPOLE'S clause would
have given effect to the extreme objections of those
who, holding marriage to be absolutely indissoluble,
of course regard any re-marriage during the joint
life-time of the divorced parties as prohibited. The
Government clause was drawn up with a view of con-
sulting the less unreasonable scruples of those who
decline to give the sanction of a religious ceremony
to a union for which the qualification has been adul-
tery. Reluctant as we are to give way to every
claim on the part of the clerical profession to set
itself in antagonism to the law of the land, out
of professed obedience to the assumed law of
the Church, we are yet willing to admit that, in die-
curing what the law should be, some respect is due
to the feelings, however mistaken, of a numerous

and influential order of men, whom it is on all
grounds more expedient to conciliate than coerce.
AU students of history must be well aware that in
matters theological the connexion between canoe
and elect is very difficult for lay observers to
discern. Let the clerical mind bo once convinced
that the law of the Church is about to be invaded,
and hundreds of conscientious and hot-headed men

will rush forward eagerly to court the luxury of a
martyrdom, in which it would be the height of folly
for any statesman to indulge them.
On the other hand, it certainly does not appear
that the adulterer and adulteress can have great
reason to complain if they are left to that form of
the marriage ceremony which is declared by the law
of the land to be legally as binding as any other. It
does not of course follow that they will be driven to
avail themselves of it. No doubt if the law bad
stood that the clergy should be compellable to cele-
brate such marriages, all the priests and deacons in
the land would have been suddenly converted into a
resolute army of martyrs ; the petitioners would have
infected the non-petitioners; and it would have
become a point of honour, even where it was sot a
point of conscience, for every man in orders te
have declined performing the marriage cerssesay

in the eases referred to. Now that the nedieji

of coercion is abandoned, the case, we be-
lieve, will stand very differently. Those of
the clergy who take that view of the matter,
which we cannot forbear from thinking the wiser
and mole evangelical, will pronounce without
scruple the blessings of the Church over those whom
they are not compelled to marry under the penalties
of the law. They will no more refuse to propane,
the nuptial service over those whose past offences
have been notorious, but whose opportunities of
amendment are manifold, than they will scruple at
the burial service to pronounce the sure and certain
hopes of a fatuity of bliss over the mortal remains
of those whose past life has been quite as glaringly
corrupt, and whose opportunities of amendment
have passed away for ever.
Even should we be wrong in this anticips;
doe, should it turn out that the great majority
of the English clergy choose, for some inscrutable
reason to import into the performance of the
marriage ceremony a degree of scrupulous rigour,
by which, except in very extreme cases indeed,
they are never guided in celebrating the other
rites of the Charch—should it turn out to be very
. _

difficult for parties whose marriage has been di►
solved on the ground of their own sin to find a
clergyman to hallow their new nuptials with
the rites of the Church—we fail to see that such
parties have say valid or substantial ground of coca.
plaint. The whole argument for the dissolubility of
marriage is founded on this, that it is essentially a
civil contract, only accidentally a religious one.
It is hardly open then for those who
have bessated by the doctrine of the dissolubility
of marriage to the extent of rescinding the old, and
forming a new, union, to object that the ceremony by
which that re-ante, is cemented, is wholly of s-civil
and not at all of a religious nature. If they have
the substance, the legal essentials of matrimony,
why seed they trouble themselves about the mere
seeident—the ecclesiastical non-essentials?
It may be said that, although a civil marriage is
all that is required by law, it is not all that is required
by society. It is good in Weetmiuster-hall, bat bad
in Belgravia ; it naiades the restate, bat wounds
the &Washiness. This may be all very true, though
even as to this part of the case, we can well
teary that a divorced duchess or two might coml.
derabty torn the tide et fashion in &vow of the
registrar-gessrel—but taking it as an admitted het
that the umiak:al class of marriages are, sad are

hludt'to continne, out of public favour, we can only
regard this as a sufficiently mild retribution for that
arum against society which, it is not to be for-
gotten, has been committed by the violators of the
marriage bed. As a remedy for graver evils—to avoid
great social disorders and intolerable social hard-
ships—we would freely concede to the guilty parties
in a divorce suit the power of remarrying. But we
are not required by the public interests to
go farther—we are not required, for the sake
of making things pleasant for those who are
proved offenders against the laws and the conre-
faeces of society, to alarm the consciences and vio-
late the scruples of those who, because on this point
they do not think as we do, are not therefore to be
disregarded or despised. We cannot affect to enter-
tain much deference for the motives in which this
outcry of the clergy took its origin ; but the protest
in itself rests on grounds which are not without a
certain degree of validity, and wo arc quite willing
to believe that many of those who have adopted it
have been led to do so from feelings to which
no wise or good man would wish to do violence.
Upon the whole, therefore, we believe that Governmen t
have been well advised in offering, and the Oppo-
sition in accepting, this compromise. The main
battle is over, and the wearisome wrangle is fast
drawing to a close. The House of Commons has all
but got rid of the measure: it will be passed rapidly,
amendments and all, through the Lords, where
Lord GRAN VILLE has given the unequivocal assurance
that Government are determined not to consent to
its postponement.

HER MAJESTY'S CRUISE.

(IT INLITNIN AND sr]
(vomit On owx

PARIS, WIDNISDAT.

Her Majesty Qoeen Victoria and the Prince
Consort, accompanied by the elder royal children,
arrived in' the royal yacht Victoria and Albert before
Cherbourg yesterday, and were saluted by a salvo
from the batteries of artillery.

The Duke of Montrose has gono to Bachman
Castle, StirLags/tire. The Due Lees is pawing the swop st
Brig/Idea.

The Earl and Countess Manvers have arrived at
Thoresby nail, Notts, for ths autumn. Viscount and Vis-
countess Newark have left town for the mason.

The Earl of Mansfield has left Caen Wood,
Hampstead, for Scone Palace, Perthahirs. . -

Tie Earl and Counties Craven and the Ladies
Craven have arrived at Ashdown Park Berta for the
autumn.

The Countess of Clarendon is expected in town
on Monday or Today mat, from a tour of the German
®pas.

The Earl and Countess Granville and Lord Stan-
ley of Alderley have Massed to London from visiting Vis-
count and Vinsountros Sydney, at Frans!, I. Kent.

The Earl and Counter of Zetlend have left town
for the MOO&

The Earl and Countess of Roaebery and Lady
Levies Primrose ban gorse to Dalimey Castle, N. 8., for
tbs antrum.

Viscount Villiers returned to town yesterday from
Par* and Is expected to leave to-day to meet the Eel and
Coveter of Jersey at Cowes, Isk of Wight.

Lady Foley is going on favourably, and is ex-
pooled to leave tool early is the mining mouth kr his lord-
allies oat at Worksop.

Sir John and lady Dillon, Captain and Mrs.
Thomas, Kr. and Mrs. Sheppard, and Captain Sheppard,
hate arriviat at the Queen's Hotel, tipper Norwood.

. ..
The Rev. A. Bath Power has been appointed
Prceeepar el Physics at 0114 College, Vale of Nee* South
Wan.

Sir Fitzroy Kelly ham left town for the Gentian
waters, "having sawed much" we a local journal, "from
the extreme fatigue attending hie great professional and
parliamentary lobate. doting the preset: sissioa."

- .
The following are among the latest fashionable
urinals at Brighton:—Lady Ttelawney, Lady Brace, Lady
Clayton East and Mils Bag, Lady Jane Walker Sir Wil-
liam Ball, Lady Baring. the Earl of %MAW, Lady Papist,
the Countess Forbes, Mr. W. Vansittart, M.P., Mr. Las.
rents and Lady Jane Peel, Lady Keene, the Has. W. M.
Tracey, lady Macdonald, Admiral Gambier, the Baroness
Charles de Rothschild, Lady Anthony de Rothschild, Mr.
Criwasy, M.P., and Mr. Mcmcktos Manes, M.P.

not enough for our renown that we have been their brethren,
that lie have lived with them and like them. We mast en-
deavour to live like them—like them to by, and serve the
truth. • • A proton for high thing.:—that is
what is especially wanting to the present age, which seems
to be day by day more and more absorbed in the pursuit of
riches. Beware," said Barnet to the French Amdemy,
" of a feeble delicacy which puts out the fire of the mind."
That is not what we have to fear now-a-days. What we
have to fear is the gross lassitude of an all-absorbing em-
piricism, which teaches generations in decadence to abdicate
all taste, morality, reason, honour conscience, and faith.
Under the name of rention a word less barbarous still than
the thing it eigmilles, this ;aortal indoors alrealy Invades
literature, art, aye, and even philosophy. What a contrast
te there between the productions of the present day and the
works, not often indeed trreproch but always stamped
with enthusiasm and generous asona, which achieved
for us that revival of philosophy, history, eloquence, and
poetry. of which Royer Collard, Chataanbriand, and Madame
de Steil were the glorious precursors.
After this speech a report was read on the Volney
prize, which was; awarded to M. Miklosich, the au-
thor
of a Slave grammar.
M. Charles Lenoimant read en extract from a me-
moir on the Arch of Orange ; M. A. 'fhierry read an
historical fragment describing the election of a
bishop at Bourget; in the fifth century. A poem by
M. N iennet clotted the proceedings. The Prince
Napoleon, sitting as a member of the Institute for
the first time since his election, MM. Odillon
Barret, Pouillet, and Barthelemy Saint Hilaire were
present.
A translation of Othello, said to be very literal, by
Count Alfred de Vigny, is about to be played at the
Theatre Francais.

ITALY.

THE TWO SICILIES.
(rams ova OWN CORILICAPONDENT.)
NAPLES, Acciesr 10.
• A profound silence and tranquillity reign at pre-
sent in the kingdom of the Two Sicihes. The nation
is prostrate, and the government is pre-occupied
with the approaching political trials. When and
how are they to be conducted? These are questions
which will be decided by the proceedings adcptcd
in France and piedmont; for it is pretty clear that
action here waits on the turn which affeirs take in
those countries. I cannot, however, but repeat the
expression of my surprise at the hermetical mode in
which the crew of the Cagliari have been sealed
up ever since their capture. Nor do I stand alone in
this feeling, for all with whom I converse censure
this treatment as deficient in international courtesy
and right. As regards our own case, two engi-
neers, being British subjects, were captured whilst
in the performance of their duty. They have now
been imprisoned upwards of thirty-five days,
without being permitted to communicate with any
one. The only British authority we have here ap-
plied for permission to see them. It was refused ; and
—except from the Neapolitan authorities—we have
no assurance even of the existence of our country-
men Is this a state of things that ought to be per-
mitted? As a question of international law, lam
not clear as to what might be demanded ; but on the
first blush of it, it does appear monstrous that two
Englishmen, taken under such peculiar circumstances,
have been refused all communication with their con-
sul, and have been kept in close confinement.
I believe that I am right in stating that within a
few days Lord Clarendon has sent down directions
that every effort should be made to alleviate the suf-
ferings of our countrymen, and that in consequence
a second demand has been made by Acting-Consul
Barber to Sig. Carafe for permission to two them.
This demand has, so fur as I can collect, been again
refused as impossible, whilst we are requested to be-
lieve on the faith of the Neapolitan authorities, so
tender in their prison arrangements, that the pri-
soners are treated with the utmost considera-
tion. We arc further informed that, as I told
you a fortnight or more ago, the trial will
take place in Salerno; but the time and mode of
proceedings arc wrapped in mystery. I think lam
right in stating that this correspondence has taken
place within a week. What is true of the English
engineers is equally true of the rest of the crew and
passengers, amongst whom I find Austrians, Sardi-
nians, Spaniards, and Roman, Tuscan, Prussian, and
Neopolitan subjects. One passenger is a lady who
' had been to Tuscany to place her daughter at school.
She is imprisoned in a room in Santa Maria
d'Agnone, a place in which are confined some of the
least virtuous of the sex. Now, a word as to the
mode in which these unfortunate people had bees
treated. Of course much that I say must be on con-
jecture, though highly probable, because no commu-
nication whatever has been permitted with them,
either to their friends or their official protectors.
Till very recently then, I believe, that they have re•
mained in the same clothes in which they were
taken. Again, the Sardinian Steam-packet Com-
pany allows the crew 42 carlini a day for food, that
is to say, about 14s. a day for upwards of 33 persons.
Moreover, the English engineers resident in Naples
have made some collection for the supply of their
wants. Now, these efforts prove a strong conviedam
on the part of a great many here that the considera-
tion with which the prisoners are treated is not al
the very highest degree ; that beans and bread era
supposed to be their fare ; and that about Os. a heed
is deemed a very acceptable assistance to them.
I have done my duty, however, in putting you
in possession of such details as I am in-
formed of, and it remains for the British
public to consider whether international courtesy and
right have been in any respect violated as regards
our countrymen, and if so whether they will permit
it from a government which has been put under ban
by two of the most highly civilised people of the
world. Ido not remember whether I informed you
of the complaint of Acting-Consul Barber, that the
Corinthian, Liverpool merchant vessel, had been
searched without any application having been made
in the first instance to him. The answer juiti-
fies the search on the ground that the
Corinthian was not a ship of war, and alludes to
the courtesies usually observed towards the British
authorities. Not a word, however, is said about the
comparison instituted between the Neapolitan and
Tuscan governments,which latter, through the here-
ditary prince himself, begged permission to search
from Consul Macbean. There can be no difficulty
in declaring that every safe occasion has been taken
fur several years by the Neapolitan government to
manifest its hostility to England; and that whether
a member of our Legation has been openly
insulted by a high official, or the court
journal has gloated over the disasters of the Crimea
or led* or all courtesy has been neglected in
the mirth of a British vessel, or in regard to the
engiseers of the Cagliari —everything, to au atten-
tive observer, skews the animus of a government
which will piquer the strong and bully and oppress
the week.

The English press, I see, baa copied from the
foreign journals the "revelations" of Baron Niro-
tera. I must warn you that little doubt is er.ter-
tained here but that those revelations emanate from
this government, and mutt be received with all due
caution.

An incident occurred last Sunday at La Cave,
scarcely worth mentioning, perhaps. A number of
very young men, or, perhaps, paid agents of the
assembled under the windows of her Britannic
Majesty'e consul, Captain Galiwey, who is row re-
siding there, and began to shout " Viva la Repub-
lica!" The windows were immediately closed, and
the crowd then went to the Hotel de Londree; but
on being Anffirmed that a lady was ill in the house,
they went in the direction of Vietri, embarked
forcibly on board a vessel, and were immediately
arrested. The whole affair appears to have been
trilling.
After considerable delay the case of poor Bland-
ford is expected to come on shortly, and the deposi-
tions being 'cad o"-er to the prisoners, one of them
denied the truth of what he had previously stated,
adding in justification of himself that "era stato
seviziato. The evidence, therefore, not having
been considered sufficient, the case was postponed, to
get more proof.
Some reproaches, I perceive, were cast the other
day in the House of Commons upon the loose manner
in which telegraphic despatches were transmitted to
the government. May 1, therefore, suggest that a
quicker line of transit would be through Naples
than Cagliari ? The distance from Malta is shorter
in the former case, and by late arrangements
immediate communication has been opened with
Paris. At all events, the experiment is worth
making, and Admiral Stopford might be requested
to mead a quiet steamer to Naples fur once.