The Express.
London, England, 1861-02-13 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 13, 1861.

householder and struggling trader throughout the
kingdom, the enactment of a law which would vir-
tually secure him against being called upon to pay
more than a shilling or fifteen pence in the pound
in any given year for poor rates would be an
undoubted boon. We must not blind ourselves,
however, to the con.setpiences that would flow
front so essential a change. At present, a curb is
kept upon parochial prodigality by the presence
in the board of guardians of men the letting value
of whose property must be depreciated thereby.
We are well aware, indeed, of tho numerous
instances that may be cited where this
motive fails to keep down the rates ; and we are
very far from asserting that it is the only effectual
one. Nevertheless, we cannot afford to part with
it as an element of local economy, without seeing
clearly what may be substituted in its stead, if
anything can. To tempt the unchecked gene-
rosity of every parish in the kingdom to play the
munificent at the common expense would be
simply suicidal. It would be as bad for the per-'
manent comfort of the poor as for the temporary
ease of the rich ; for after a brief season of "easy
" come easy go," the amount of equalized rates
would begin to weU up universally, threatening to
drown all industry and enterprise, and submerge
property in one general ruin. We must take care
that adequate guarantees are provided against
even the menace of such danger; and wo must
seek thorn in some less odious and obnoxious
source than the absolute control of centralized
authority. He who will show us the safe path be-
tween the two will be, indeed, a benefactor.

INDIA.
cALcurrA. Jas. 16.
(By telegraph to Point do Oalle.)
Government paper Five-and-a-Half per Cent.,
1011, 1011. Money easy. Exchange on London,
21. Freights have improved two shillings and
sixpence, closing firm. Skirtings, a very dull
market with few buyers and drooping prices.
Yarn inactive, small sales. Metal market very
quiet. The little business done has been
at late prices. Indigo is more quiet, but
prime steady. In sugar there is nothing doing
but prices are maintained. Shipments consider-
able. Slap:Are—About 500 tons have been sold
for shipment and speculation at late prices. Lin-
seed is unaltered. Shipments comparatively small.
Silk—A little doing in native. Jute maintained.
Export usual to the season. Hides—More doing
and prices lower. Shellac lower.

INDIA.

By the arrival of the Overland Mail we receive
winces from Calcutta to January 8, and Madras,
January 14. Very little of public importance had
occurred since the departure of the ptevtous mail.
The disastrous effects of the famine in the north-
west appeared to increaBe. It was expected that
Lord Canning would visit Jubbulpore on the 12th
ultimo. The friend of hvfie says :
As his camp through districts where famine has
either commenced ors threatening, he sees the misery. of
the people. Care is taken to avoid oppression in procuring
supplies for the camp. The famine which so long
threatened the north-west is now a sad reality. It is meat
severely felt in the districts around Meerut and Agra. Go-
vernment are making every effort to relieve the people by
affording labour to those able to work, and direct assistance
to the aged and helpless. Ever mindful of the hearty re-
sponse which followed the appeal in behalf of the sufferers
by the mutiny in 1857, the Europeans in India have now an
opportunity of showing their own readiness to afford aid to
those who are now undergoing similar trials.
The following is from Darjeeling, dated 2nd
January :

It is expected that a force of about 1,500 men will leave
here under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Gawler, in
ten or twelve dais hence. Officers as well as men will have
to rough it, as they will get but few coolies to accompany
the force. Another detachment of H.M.'s 6th Regiment
has arrived at Punkabarne. The invalids and a few other
men left here yesterday for Calcutta. under command of
Lieutenant Evans, of H.M.'s 16th epment, Dr. Maclean
in medical charge. One of the 73rd Regiment N.I. broke
open the commissariat chest a few nights since, and walked
off with more than 2,000 is, A circular letter was sent
round the station addressed to Mr. Grant to ask him to push
on our cart-road from Punkabarrie to the station, as the
Municipal Commissioners are willing to give as much as
10,000 n. out of the funds towards the same. I call it a
circular letter, for many reasons. It is a shame for as to
swat a thankless and useless government with funds to
snake a road for their benefit when we are so highly taxed.
Mr. Grant ought to look after the Ganges and Darjeeling
road,
littl and rub up the officer in charge, and make him •
e sharper.
A Syrian relief committee has been formed, of
which the Governor-General is president.
The court-martial on the officers implicated in the
Cairo affair in April last, had been sitting during
the past fortnight.
The Friend of India says :
The evidence so far brings to light no offences of an
aggravated diameter, sod confirms the belief that the
reporto spread about what occurred were greatly exag-
gerated.