The Express.
London, England, 1868-10-07 00:00:00

PORTUGAL.

LISBON. Oct. 5.
A prociamaticm is now being eireidatod here in
favour of forming an Iberian Republic, with Don
Luiz as Protector; but bath the governincut awl
the people treat it with indifference and contempt.

LISBON, ()Jr. 6.
The health of the Queen of Portugal gives C3ILSO
of uneasinefts to her Ow. it lam.
•

Public tranquillity in this country has not been
disturbed by the Spanish revolution.
The vintuge throughout Fortngal is very
abundant.

SWITZERLAND.
BEMIS, O(r. 6.

A conferene,l of representatives from the different
etudens will be held in Berne on the 12th inst., to
eonsider what means shall be taken to alleviate the
distrt ss of the sufferers from the inundations in
the cantons Grisous, 'Valais, Tessin, and Bt. Gall.

AOLICULTI:HAL -Mr. Sims fl eves Will
again appear at the Agricultural-hall concerts this even.
leg. He is announced to sing, among other pieces, " rho
Death of Nelson."
THE lIOVBI.B OF TUE OrthENT.—Much atten-
tion has of late years been paid to the sanitary condition
of the houses of the poor; but it appears by a report made
by Dr. Lankester, medical officer of lumdth, to the vestry
of St. Jumoß, Westminster, that the houses of tho opulent
are almost equally in want of sanitary improvement. He
states :—" The drawle known by the name of drain fever
is the result of defective drainage , but when once
acquired it may be conveyed to houses properly drained.
Although so much has been don* for the drainage of the
houses of the poor, the more opulent and well-to-do in-
habitants ue strangely negligent about their drainage.
Several cares have recently come under my notice ',shore
life has been lost amongst this clam" Also as to water
supply. A moat serious evil lies ill the constant neglect
on the part of householders of the parish to see to the
cleansing of their cisterns. It not rare to find water of
the most dangerous quality attached to the premiss* of the
more opulent inhabitants. It is in the private houses of
the wealthy and luxurious that the most startling In-
stances are found of the neglect of On most obvious
weans of securing health."

in LaMar by Mr. Males Dickens muit, under ordinary
drcensitaricee, elf delta an unqualified welcome treat
thinmende if his eimatryinen. flat the word " fare.
141111114 a sedans drawback to each a feeling, and
almost make. one desire that the pahlie enjoyment had
been .postponed for some time larger. While Yr.
Wicasirsa canaille the. an of Americas salience.,
ariengemeuts were. it appears, made with him for •
farewell sake of readings in his own eamtry, the
fact of his intention to discentinas each entertain.
meets having hceome .pairvielsely known. The coarse
in London ccmmeneed yesterday evening at fit. James's-
hall, and it is to be completed by readings on
the 2Cth of October, the 3rd and 17th of November,
and the let of December. The assembly in the hall
yesterday ovaries constituted, in numbers, in character,
and in hearty demonstration a fitting greeting to Mr.
Dickens after hie return from the United Staten. The
room was of coerce crowded in every part ; but the names
neat evidence was the least significant mark of admiring
appreciation. The selection for the occasion consisted of
" Dr. Marigold," and ."The Thal from Pickwick." The
former is so recent • production that It mat be still
fresh hr the minds of all. The eirenicalities of the
"Cheap Jack," with the aid of the author's own
voice, kept the andieece for an hoer and a quarter in a
state of mirth, tempered occasionally by those fine
'static touches with which Dickens, like Shake-
speare, at once relieves and heightens the effects of
humour. Even as • physical effort, the reading of
this Christmas picoo would have been a marvel;
morally A It up the story with a new and enduring
lustre. In the celebrated trial scene from " Pickwick,"
the eareirite dramatic powers of the reader came
as usual into their fullest, richest play, and judge,
(camel, and witnesses all appeared for the moment living
matures. The selcction for the 20th instant is "David
Copperfirld" and " Mrs. Gump."