The Express.
London, England, 1868-12-08 00:00:00

BRITI6II PRENTEAII.—A 000ndent writes :
—"Permit me to theene, with reapicE to the list of Bri-
tish Premier which appears wpm VIM of to-day, that the
Duke of Newcastle did not heM ethos uninterruptedly
from 1764 to 1762. In November 1766, when the mhos,
already 'disgusted by ministerial oarroption, was indasad
to madam by Byng's shameful diameter in the Mother-
rennin, and the loss of Minorca, Newcastle, feer flee hie
head, reigaed. The King, George 11., muck ael his
trill, was einpelled to commit the government to
the hands of the man who by his ability, homely,
fearientiese, aced was =novelly designated to
the office of the 's sinister. Pitt bseenseSeeneary of
State, and the of Devonshire Fint Lord of thsiTrea-
eery. This ministry lasted scarcely dye months,
compelled to yield, in April, 17.7 to the King'sun
dislike, and Newcastle's overwkinung influence. For
nearly three months it was impossible to form • ministry.
At last, in June, 1767. a coalition was effected, Pitt be-
coming Secretary of State, and Newcastle First Lord of
the Treasury ; and though we are told on high authority
that ' England does not love coalitions,' this administra-
tion was the etrengebt, the most glorious, and the most
that ever held the mine of power. Pitt retired in
rin r
ird Newcastle succumbed tooeurt intrigue in 1762."
IRIPRSSENTATIOff OF DUMFRITABSIXI.—It is
reported that should Sir H. Waterlow require to be re-
elected, in consequence of the government contract with
the firm of which he was the bead partner, Mr. Car-
ruthers, of Dormant, will oppose him as a conservative.
THE REPRESENTATION OF WAREHAM. The
funeral of Captain J. H. M. Calcraft, R.N., the newly-
elected representative of Wareham, who died on Tuesday
last, took place at St. Mary's church, Wareham, on Satur-
day afternoon, amidst a large concourse of friends and
supporters. The shops of the town were all closed during
the ceremony. No public action has yet been taken
by the electors towards filling up the vacancy in
the representation, but it is generally understood
that Mr. J. S. W. S. E. Don will again contest
the borough on conservative principles, and that Mr.
W. hi. Calcraft, brother of the late member, will
be solicited to offer himself as the liberal candidate. The
name of the Eight Hon. Milner Gibson has been much
spoken of in the town as a very eligible candidate, owing
to the well-known intimacy of that gentleman with the
family of John Hales Calcraft, Feq., who possesses great
influence in the borough, and also to the fact of a Mr.
Henry Calcraft, a younger brother of the late member,
haying for some years been private secretary to Mr. Milner
Gibson. The liberals and conservatives are very evenly
balanced in the borough.
THE SOUTHAMPTON ELECTION.—An influential
and largely attended meeting of the inhabitants of Maas-
teg was held in the Llynvi School-room on Friday evening
last, the Rev. R D. Phillips in the chair, for the ppnnrrppoossaa
of expressing their sympathy with Mr. 0.
chairman of the Llynvi Ironworks, on his recenttt
defeat at Southampton, and their execration of the
means used by certain individuals to assist in his defeat
from alleged motives. The room was crowded to excess,
and there were present about 700 persons who wore
unanimous in their expressions of approval of the objects
of the meeting. The resolutions of the meeting, engrossed
on vellum, have been presented to Mr. Moffatt, who has
acknowledged them in a suitable reply. Mr. Moffatt has,
it is said, been invited by the liberals of Wareham to
occupy the scat vacant by the death of Captain Calcraft,
M.P. . . .

—•- •
DEB7ItIATIVE Finx.—Yesterday morning, about
seven, a large amount of property was deetroyed by fire
in Portland-street, Halifax. About the middle of the
street was a wooden building belonging to Mr. Charles
Holt, paraffin and petroleum-oil dealer, and it was here
where the fire originated. In a few momenta the shod
was literally consumed. Barrel after barrel of the
inflammable material burst into flames, and ran down
the street into Nortbgato in a large stream of fire,
driving all before it. The three-story building
adjoining the wooden building was owned by Mr. Walsh,
printer and paper bag manufacturer, the top room of
which was filled with printing materials and machinery.
The room below was a wool warehouse, occupied by Mr.
Longbottom, and the ground floor we' s. wholesale grocer's
shop. This building was entirely destroyed, and Mr.
Walsh, the owner, was totally n The building
neat below was the property of Mews. Wads-
worth and dons, paint, varnish, and glue mer-
chants, three stories high, which was also entirely
durboyek with lb contents. The fire penetrated through
to the back Mr. Walsh's premises, winch were occupied
by Mr. Law as a grocer's shop, and the Mock was much
damaged by tire and water. Another building adjoining
was stocked with wool, the property of Mame. Hurley
and Denton, and they will bider a serums lons by the lire,
which penetrated into their rooms. By this time the
flames were subdued, otherwise the destrnetion of pro-
perty might have been very great, as the shops below
were tilled with furniture,' and paraffin and other oils.
The origin of the fire is unknown, and the amount of
damage cannot yet he ascertained.
ROYAL NAVAL 11E8ERVE.—Th0 following ap-
pointment has been made:—To be lieutenant, 'Thomaa
Augments Tor.