The Express.
London, England, 1861-02-12 00:00:00

(Stamped, ld. Additional.) TWOPENCE.

With regard to procedure in bankruptcy, facilities were
given by which estates might be administered under pri-
vate arrangements, without the necessity of having recourse
to absolute bankruptcy, hut with provisions by which
either the creditor or debtor might obtain all the efficacy
and completeness of the ordinary process. After adju-
dication in bankruptcy the creditors would be allowed
to decide whether the estate should go into the
court or be wound up by private arrangement. The
proof of debts would be made by a simple declaration
by letter, if unopposed. Every facility would be given
for the meeting of creditors, so us to secure expedi-
tion and economy. As soon as the efeditone assignee was
appointed, the duty of the official assignee in the collection
of the estate would cease, except in the case of debts not
exceeding IW. The official assignee would require periodi-
cally the production of accounts from the trade assignees,
would audit them, and see that minted RCM/UM' be sent to
every creditor. The question of the discharge of the bank-
rupt in cases of any accusation against him would be brought
in the first instance before the chief judge. The distinc-
tion of three classes of certificates would be abolished, and
the judge armed with greater powers of punishment,
amounting to twelve months' imprisonment iu awes of
misconduct which did not amount to misdemeanour,
among( which would be ranked trailing with fictitious
capital, and by means of accommodation bills. The power
now possessed by creditors of imprisoning a bankrupt whose
certificate was suspended or refused would be taken away.
The judge or commissioner would have power to try bank-
s•
who hail been guilty of misdemeanours with a jury,
if the bankrupt required it. Arguing against the impolicy
of imprisoning an insolvent debtor instead of endeavouring
to realise his property for his creditors, the hon. and learned
ggeenatleman proceeded to state that boa traders in surrender-
Lg be free from arrest, and the law
as trerrdsdrir: would be placed on the same footing
▪ that relating to trailers. The first test of insolvency would
be absconding from the country and remaining abroad
with the intent of defeating the claims of creditors.
Power would be given to serve petitions at the last place
of residence of such a person, and abroad also, full oppor-
tunity being given to innocent persons to disprove such
fraudulent intent. In case of judgments which could not
be realised, a summons could be issued to show cause why
the debtor should not be adjudged insolvent. Debtors
arrested and lying in prison • certain time would also be so
adjudged, and their existing property dealt with in the
same way as that of traders, including the exemption of
any future property from the payment of the debts from
which they had been discharged. Power was, however,
given to the chief judge in cases of delinquency to annex
conditions,with regard to the liability of future property, to
the discharge of non -traders. He regretted that he had
been unable to abolish imprisonment for debt, but it was
provided by the bill that every pauper prisoner could peti-
tion a county court at the expense of a fund now existing
for that purpose. All keepers of prisons were to make re-
turns to the judges in bankruptcy of persons imprisoned for
pure debt, and who would be adjudicated insolvent and
ordered • qualified discharge, so that in fact no person
could be imprisoned for more than fourteen or twenty
days. He trusted that by the provisions of the bill
the expense of actual bankruptcy would be reduced
one-half ; while arrangements without bankruptcy
would be the rule rather than the exception. They were
aware that the Court of Bankruptcy had, by its present
constitution, been made a self-supporting court. He did
not propose to interfere with that, except with regard to
the salary of the chief judge, which he proposed
should be paid out of the general revenue of the
country. In the former bill he proposed, in con-
formity with the recommendation of the commission-
ers, that the compensations which were given in 11131 to the
officers who were then discharged, and which were charged
on the fees of the court—and most unjustly, because that
made after generations pay for the faults of the law and
an improper mode of administration previously existing
—he proposed that these compensations should be thrown
on the consolidated fund. The house rejected that prepo-
sition. He now proposed that those compensations, instead
of being thrown on the consolidated kn.], should be voted
annually. He trusted that the house would remember that
his bill created no compensations, and that he was dealing .
only with compensations created thhrty years ago ; and he
proposed to deal with it in order that he might accomplish
the desired result—namely, the administration of the Court
of Bankruptcy on the principle of economy and cheapness,
which were absolutely necessary ; because if crediters were
taxed to the extent of 33 per cent., they would resort to I
say means rather than go to her Majesty's courts for justice.
The bill, he hoped, would be in the hands of members by
Wednesday morning; and he trusted, if they would
give him liberty to introduce it, that they would
give to the bill the earliest possible consideration;
and he hoped with all his heart that the bill would have
gone through committee and be submitted to the other
house before the end of next month. [The hon. and
learned gentleman concluded by thanking the house for the
attention with which they bad heard him, and eat down
amid general cheering.]
Mr. Hadfield, Mr. Malins, and Mr. Crawford expressed
a general concurrence in the proposal 'measurer.
Mr. WALPOLE likewise commended the measure, doubt-
ing, however, whether it was wise to place the administra-
tion of bankruptcy in the county courts, and suggesting
that in all cases of misconduct imputed to • bankrupt
there should be a jury.
Mr. JAMES approved the ',cheme of the bill.
Mr. TURN El: said all that commercial men wanted was
• speedy settlement and an easy malt of winding up
bankrupts' estates, and this, he believed, the bill would
give them.
Mr. Mellor, Mr. Roebuck, and Mr. Paull made a few
observations, and, after a brief reply by the Attorney-
General, leave was given to introduce the bill.

Mr. CARDWELL moved for leave to bring in a bill for
the Registration of Births, Deaths, and Bemuses in Ire-
land, describing the machinery by which he proposed to
effect the object.
Mr. SCULLY threw out suggestions which he thought
were necessary to render the bill unobjectionable in relation
to marriages of Roman catholic*.
After a few remarks from Mr. M'MAHON, leave was
given.
Mr. CARDWELL then moved for leave to introduce a
bill for the better regulation of markets and fairs in Ire-
land. He insisted upon the importance of providing a
machinery for this object, and of remedying a state of things
productive of complicated evils, injurious not merely to
buyers and sellers, but to the public, and he explained the
machinery proposed by the bill, which was cheap, expe-
ditious, and simple, by means of local administration.
The motion was agreed to, after some discussion.
ROYAL MARINE BARRACKS, EAST STONE-

MUSIC.

--se--
ROYAL ENGLISH OPERA, COVENT-GARDEN.
A piece of a novel description war produced at
this theatre last evening; a melange of recit,tion and music,
entitled "The SOllf lof in troths ; onladienLegend. The
music by Robert Stoipel ; the words from the poem of
Longfellow." Mr. Stepel was well known I ere, some years
ago, as a musician of talent, and is held it like esteem in
I America, where he has now fixed his reedeoce. This work
was produced about two years ago at Suitors, as appears
from a letter from Mr. Longfellow himself to the composer,
r" music oldirtica.mYtht:';Y hmo won': um:f ur more
t.ino.whiniucchhthlctioen
joytedssyyso.:
I thought it, not only in part. but as a whole, sod as em-
bodying in tones the strange wild spirit 44 those Indian
legends. I trust that its performance in N.:w York will be
as successful as it was in Boston, and th ee you will soon
return and give us again the pleasure of bearing it." Its
subsequent production at New York, we la here, was like-
wise sunmis- ful ; and thus, it seems, Mile Pyne and Mr.
Harrison have been induced to bring it before the London
public.
Its form is similar to that of Mendelhanlin'e Antigone and
adipas, after those pieces had been arranged for perform-
ance in the concert. The narrative portion of the pees
is recited by an actress, aml intermixed with
music in the shape of airs, choruses, and instrumental
movements. As produced last night., the recitations were
delivered by Miss Matilda Heron, a tragedian of great
transatlantic reputation, who has now visited England
for the first time ; the airs were sung by Mr. Corri, Mr.
Wsllworth, Mr. St. Albyn, and Madame Palmieri ; and
the choral and instrumental portions were performed
by the admirable chorus and orchestra of the theatre, con-
deeded by Mr. Mellon. Wa esanot at this time give s
tailed Recount of the performance, nor do we find ourselves
able to pronounce a definite judgment on the merits of a
musical work in which there is certainly much originality
of thought and novelty of style. The libretto is entirely
taken from Longfellow's celebrated poem, of which it
embraces all the principal features. Intending to return to
the subject, we may say in the meantime that the per-
formance was admirable. Miss Heron has a fine tragic face
and figure, with a nch, mellow voice, which she modulates
with much art, and, apparently, with genuine feeling ; and
her declamation of some of the poet's most striking and
pathetic passages was much applauded. Several lens of the
music, also, were rewind with applause ; espeutlly the
choruses and descriptive orchestral pieces, which appeared
to make a greater impression than the airs for solo voices.

DRAMA.
PRINtESS'S.

The character in which Mr. Fechter appeared last
night, Don Gear de Wean, has long been is favourite with
an English audience, and accustomed as they were to the
rollicking humour of Mr. WaHack, and the somewhat pon-
derous playfulness of Mr. Harrison (in the metrical version
of the play), they were anxious to see what reading would
be given by Mr. Fechter, who in so short a time has so
strongly established himself among us, and • large attend-
ance of critical notabilities testified to the general curiosity.
Mr. Pechter's is an original view of the character, notably
in the find act. Both his predecessors, M. Frederic)
Lemaitre and Mr. Wedlock, represented the Don as a
th h Bohemian, a man who had lowered to the level
of the coalaririon which the principal portion of his
life had been and bad clothed himself with careless
drunken raga until it had become his second nature,
Not so Mr. Fechter, whose Don is • loose, penniless,
scoundrel indeed, but who never forgeta that he is • gentle-
man, who wean his seedy cloak with an air of ton rather
than of swagger, and who conserves his gentlemanly bear-
ing as jealously as his honour. When the real sense of his
position dawns upon him, and he sees the strait in which be
is placed, he rises with the °coition, and it is impossible to
conceive a more perfect realisation of a young hero of
romance than he presented. His face and figure are highly
in his favour, and every action is marked, not merely wit
the utmost finish and grace, but with an artistic intention
for which we look in vain on the Engliah stage. His per-
formance throughout is polished in the highest degree, and
should be seen by every one capable of appreciating the
niceties of the bistro:Bic art. Only one thing we would
counsel him against, and that is playing at the audience
instead of at those present with him on the stage ; in
neither of his former characters has be shown • tendency to
thin fault, which is one purely of English fashion, and we
feel sure be only wants a hint to avoid it for the future.
The other characters in the piece were well played by
Miss C. Leclercq, Miss Harris, and Mr. Basil Potter. The
applause throughout was hearty and frequent, and Mr.
Pechter was three time' summoned before the curtain.

BPORTIN6. -

TATTERSALL'B.-MONDAT.

The room was most numerously attended? but speculation
for some time was at a stand•still. Later in the afternoon,
however, a movement was made by the meet active opera-
tors, and sufficient nuaineas was transacted to enable us at
the close to compile the appended list of prices.
Of the Lincoln events, the Trial Stakes was first named,
for which the field was backed at 5 to 4 against The Lawyer
and Kildonan.
THE

HANDICAP.—Soine considerable busi-
ness was transacted upon this ram, Canto, from au outlay
of upwards of 1001., being made first favourite, ut 6 to 1;
7 to 1 was booked about Spicebox, who appeared in force;
and 9 to 1 each was offered against Jenny Longlep and
Miss Emma ; and 15 to Ito a 'store " was taken about
Walkington.
THE LLYCOLNKHIIIi STREPLICHASE.—After some hesita-
tion on the part of the backers in selecting a favourite,
Cockatoo was named, and 6 to 1 was taken about him to
money, but shortly after, Doubtful, the stable companion
of Anatis end Toni Moody, was introduced, and found sup-
port at similar odds, The Colonel and The Premier leaving
off with backers at similar odds. 10 to I was laid to a
" pony " against Bucephalus. 50 to 40 was laid on
Cockatoo, The Colonel, The Premier, and Doubtful against
the field.
THE LIVERPOOL GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE.—
Franc Picard, from a liberal outlay in the City in the morn-
ing, had a decided call of Mutts, 10 to 1 being the highest
offer to be obtained against him, while 12 to I went begging
about Anatis. The Emperor was supported in well informed
quarters at 100 to 6, at which price he would have been
backed for money, but layers were " warm ;" Jealeney was
also i u demand, and 12 to 1 was taken to upwards of 100/. about
her ' • 100 to 6 was booked about Cockatoo; 30 to 1 apt Tom
Moody ; 6 to 1 to 1001. was taken about Jealousy and
Frew Mud coupled.
THE CHIMER Cur.—The betting upon the " Cup" was
for the greater part of the afternoon completely at a " stand-
still," but at lest 12 to 1 to a small amount was taken, and
afterwards offered against Chars Arnie ; Mao-at-Arms
lacking support at 100 to 6 offered ; 1,000 to 40 was taken
once about The lawyer; and 28 to 1 to upwards of 1001.
about Horace ; 1,000 to 33 was also hooked about North
Lancashire ; 40 to 1 to 50/. about Wild Rose ; and 50 to 1
apt Sycophant.
THE Two THOUSAND GElNEAR.—lliophanltis was in no
request, 7to 1 being freely offered on the field. Bto I was
the highest offer at the opening against Kettledrum, but
850/. to 1001. was subsequently obtained. 10 to 1 each was
laid against Klarikotf and Russley, and 12 to 1 Matador.
THE DERBT.—On the opening of the proceedings Dundee
was in great demand, 4 to 1 to upwards of WO/. being
eagerly booked, but at the dose these odds could not be
obtained. 20 to 1 was betted against Dirmliantus, and 25
to 1 offered against Kettledrum without a response. 30 to I
was the highest offer against Klarikoff. Bombardier was
supported at 40 to Ito a small sum. 1,000 to 20 was laid
against Preceptress, and 50 to I against Rouge
Dragon ;
King of Kent was again in request, 2,000 to 35 being taken
about him ; 2,000 to 30 against Royallieu, 2,000 to 25
against The Gardener, sod 5,000 to 50 against Wm. Day's
Deucalion.
THE LINCOLN TRIAL STAKES.
5 to 4 apt The Lawyer and Kildonan (t)
THE LINCOLNSHIRE HANJICAP. .
11 W 2 yet Canto (take 6to 1)
7 to 1 Spicebox (t freely)
9to 1 Jenny Longlep toff )
9 to 1 Miss Emma (off )
15 to 1 Walkington (t)
THE LLNCOLNSHIRE STEEPLECHASE.
6to to 1
I Doubt
apt Cockatooful (
(t
t) freely)
6
6 to 1 The Primmer (t)
6to 1 The Colonel (t)
10 to 1 Bucephalus (t)
50 to 40 on Cockatoo, Doubtful, Premier, aed Colonel
spinal the field.
THE LIVERPOOL STEEPLECHASE.
10 to 1 apt From Picard (I freely)
12 to 1 Anatis
(t)
12 to 1 Anatis (off)
100 to 8 Emperor (t freely)
100 to 6 Cockatoo (t)
30 to 1 Torn Moody (t)
6 to 1 Jealousy and Franc Picard
coupled (t)
THE TWO THOUSAND GUINEA'S.
7 to 1 apt Diophantss (off)
8 to 1 Kettledrum Off, tl7 to*
10 to 1 Russley (t)
10 to 1 Klarikoff (t)
12 to 1 Matador (t)
THE DERBY.
4 to 1 apt Dundee (t freely)
20 to 1 Diophantos (t)
25 to 1 Kettledrum (off )
25 to 1 Klarikoff (t)
40 to 1 Bombardier (t)
50 to 1 Promptrem (t)
50 to 1 Rouge Dragon (t)
2000 to 33 King of Heat (t)
11000 to 30 Royalism (t)
2000 to 25 The Gardener (t)
6000 to 50 Deucalion (t)