The Express.
London, England, 1868-01-03 00:00:00

PRUSSIA.

BERLIN, JAx. 2.

The Provincial Correspondenz of to-day publishes
an article reviewing the position of Germany at
the end of the year 1867. It congratulates the
country on the completion of the North German
constitution, the further development of which, it
says, may confidently be left to the future. The
Federal army is as fit to take the field as the Prus-
sian army. All the Great Powers have recognised
the Confederation. The separation of the North
and South is, in fact, overcome by the military and
commercial alliances. The German people feel
themselves more united and powerful than they
have ever been before. The change is appreciated
abroad, and acknowledged. Germany, in all dine-
lions, can throw the weight of her great national
strength into the scale. The spirit of the people
and the strength of the government are a guarantee
of new strength, and serve, above all, for the pre-
servation of peace.
Herr von Quaade is shortly expected to resume
the Schleswig negotiations.

HOLLAND.
THE HAGUE. J.A7..27

The King has appointed 21—Wintgen; Minister
of Justice, and has re-established the separate
Ministries for Public Worship, appointing M.
Luyben Minister of Catholic Worship, and M. van
Lyndon 0/ Minister of Protestant Worship.

THE ELBE.
lIADIBURO, ill. 2.
The traffic on the Elbe is entirely mispende.d,
owing to the ice.

GREECE.
ATKINS, Dec. 3L

The statement is officially ;Ojafiznaeol that X.
Bulgaria, the leader of the opposition, has not saw

•
The second brigade of the field force leaves'
Bombay immediately, under Brigadier Welby. The'
third brigade, consisting of her Majesty's 45th and
the 2nd Native Infantry Regiments, follow in the
course of the week.
A transport is now under orders to sail for
Vingorla to embark 518 native infantry, constitut-
ing part of the fifth brigade. The preparations for
the departure of the third and fourth brigades from,
Bengal are being rapidly pushed forward.
Sir Robert Napier and his staff sail in a few
days.
Twenty elephants were embarked on the 7th
inst. for Abyssinia, and an equal number will soon

follow.
The latest news received here concerning the
Abyssinian expedition is of a very cheering charao-
ter. The difficulties in the way of en advance
were gradually disappearing, and it had been
decided that the expeditionary force should enter
Abyssinia by the Sooros Pass to Senafe.
Notwithstanding the number of mules sent from
Arabia, Persia, the Mediterranean, and elsewhere, 1
there were not available more than one-third of.
the number actually required. It is believed that
efforts will consequently be made to find them in
Abyssinia itself.
Notwithstanding the efficiency of the Sappers, it
is doubtful whether any wheeled carriages can be
taken up the torrent beds, which are the only high-
ways into Abyssinia.
The resolution voluntarily winding up the Bank

of Bombay has been adopted, and the new bank
was registered on the 10th inst. All the share,
have been allotted.

CALCUTTA, Dec. 7.
The intended weekly Indian mail service has
given great satisfaction here.
The arrangements connected with the Abyssinian
expedition continue to occupy public attention.
The 23rd Punjaub pioneers have embarked for Abys-
sinia. Prior to their embarkation they were
inspected by the Viceroy, who addressed them.
The rest of the Bengal brigade is awaiting orders
to embark. The transports are all nearly prepared
to sail. The chief part will be towed by steamers.
Sixty-four of the principal merchants of Calcutta
have memorialised the lieutenant-governor asking
that wharves and jetties might be constructed for
landing goods, in order to obviate the dangers
attending the present inefficient system of landing
in boats. The lieutenant-governor replied drat ha
hoped the year would not expire without practical
steps being taken with a viow to a remedy.
The traces of the late cycloneare fast disappearing,
and the distress resulting therefrom is not so great
as was anticipated. Above 15,0001. has been
raised to relieve the sufferers, including the
government subscription.
The ex-King of Oude is now endeavouring to
investigate and clear off his debts.
The settlement of the Siam and Caaserim fron-
tier has been completed. Lieutenant Bagge has
been authorised to proceed to Bangkok to have it
confirmed and ratified.
The treaty concluded by Colonel Pytche with the
government of Bunnell was ratified by the Viceroy
on the 26th ultimo.
The King of Burmah has assented to the despatch
of an exploring party to Western China via Bharno,
and has issued an edict to give it every assistance.
Captain Sladen is appointed leader of the party.

THE BANK OE FRANCS.
PARIS, JAI. 2.

The return of the Bank of Frano; for the the week
ending to-day shows the following changes com-
pared with that of last week :—lncrease : Notes,
64,000,000 f. ; Bills discounted, 53,333,0001.
Decrees : Cash in hand, 32,166,0001. ; Private
accounts, 18,666,000 f. ; advances, 144,000 f. ; Tres-
aury balance, 100,0001.