The Express.
London, England, 1861-08-13 00:00:00

THOMAS SLINGSSY DUNCOMBE.

Augwit 9.

AMERICA.
(From the New York nom)
RIAL STRINOTH or THZ RI:RILL—There is no
doubt that, from the most obvious necessity, the active
force which the rebels can bring into the field is now *mem.
tented in Virginia. It is the battle ground of their own se.
]Action, and upon which they have staked their all. We
have it from the best authority that within that state they
have now at least 175.000 men, most of them well
sod led by skilful and desperate officers, who see in defeat
their own destruction and disgrace. Their army is com-
posed of the very Hite of the South. Once destroyed it
can never be replaced, either in men or material. Only
a small portion of it has been drafted from
the class of poor whites, who are too listless and de-
Ealetto be of any reliance if brought into the field. To
this immense host the finances of the rebels have
been completely exhausted. Seizures of arms from our
government, forced loans, and • feeling of hatred to the
North, have supplied the means for sending into the field
an army which OLD neither be paid, nor fed, nor clothed, so
as to maintain its ellkiency for any length of time, unless •
decided success be achieved. This army never was,
nor will it ever be, so fit for action as at the
present moment. Its leaders thoroughly understand
their position—that inaction is ruin, and that im-
mediate success is an imperative necessity. That they
are acting upon this conviction and necessity there cannot
be a doubt. Indeed, our despatches from all quarters con-
firm this. General Banks' command have retreated into
Beryline(' before General Johnston, whe bas apin
in great force upon his old ground. Newporesirstredrs is
threatened with an immediate attack. We have not bad
time to learn the movement of the rebels westward, to
attack Generals Rosman' and Cox, but we are confident
such movements have been made. In other words, the
175,000 rebels, released from all fear of an immediate attack
on their main positiee, are hurling this vast force against
our isolated sad unsupported columns, and it will be good
fortune or goad gene rap if we do not sustain another
disaster.

Our recent reverse, and the information which it has
supplied, show the magnitude of the task before us, which
is first successfully to receive its attack, and then drive
this vast body of 175,009 desperate and well equipped men
out of Virginia. Are our immediate preparations at all
adequate to such a task? Does not the enemy at present
overmaster us in numbers, and perhaps in appointment, in
additiou to occupying positrons which are themselves for-
tresses? Congress, we know, has voted 500,000 men
for the war, with ample provision for their equip-
ment and commissariat, but the greater portion of
these are yet to be called out, and when they are,
must :go through months of training and experience of
camp life to fit them for their duties. Not a moment
should be lest by government is availing itself of the means
placed in its hands. We ought to be strongest when the
enemy is strongest, which is at the present instant. If we
are not now his match on his own battle-ground, not a mo-
ment is to be het in making up our deficiency.
The New York Herald has the following article
on the social effects of the war :
The present war, although in itself disastrous, has already
produced • salutary change in the social habits of our
people. Before the commencement of the campaign we
had become spoiled by prosperity, and, finding it easy to
earn money, gave ourselves up to extravagant living.
Hotels were built and conducted on.a magnificent and costly
scale, and, with • plethora of guests willing to pay with •
prodigal hand, they made large fortunes for their proprie-
tors. It was fashionable to live in hotels, and so people
lived is them. But how stands the case now? The incomes
of all have been more or less reduced by the condition of
the country, and people have discovered the necessity of
practising economy in every possible way. With this view
they have left hotels and gone to r •mide privately. Thei
have also reduced their tailors' and milliners' bill; and,
following the order of the day, have made the redaction
their expenses a study. At the present time, instead of
visiting Saratoga and other fashionable resorts, they have
taken up their residences at the cheapest hotels and board-
ing lioness in the rural districts. Meanwhile the large
city hotels are nearly empty. The proprietors are unable
to pay their rents, and they are losing considerable sums
every week by keeping them open. In previous summers
all these houses were crowded with fashionable tourists,
especially Southerners ; but now, how great the change !
' It is well that adversity has its uses, and that even • war
may improve and purify social life, and even change the
' character of • nation. Before the outbreak of the rebel-
lion the great standard of excellence was shrewdness in the
purchase and sale of stocks, lied proficiency and cunning
the art of making money. Mammas seemed to be our
god, and money the ultimo Mule of human effort, the
twrimum ton um of existence. What in it. influence could
be more pernicious and degrading than this.' It is well
that • change has come—that something nobler than the
possession of money commands our respect. We now look
for courage, bravery, selfkaerihce, patriotism. We are
burning with martial ardour, and personal fortune is lost
sight of in the absorbing desire to save the Union.
We axe becoming larger-hearted, less selfish, and more
imbued with the true spirit of philanthropy every day. The
eriergy of our pals to accomplish great deeds is becoming
more largely developed with the march of events, and on all
sides traces of regeneration are observable. These effects
evoked by the revolution will gradually become permooeut,
and long after the restoration of peace will vitalise, rein-
vigorate, and elevate society at large. We wanted such an
infusion of the better elements of our nature into the pew-
tics of every-day life. It is not good for • people to be,
always intoxicated with success, and to yield themselves up
to improvident pleasures. It was by thrift and industry,
not luxury and extravagance, that the early fortunes of this
country were made. The war will make us • military
people, which we were not before, and so enable us to take
rank with the great powers of Europe.

PRINCE NAPOLEON IN NEW YORK.
(From the New York Herald.)

Prince Napoleon and his oonaort continue to
maintain the strictest seclusion, and it is now a settled fact
that they have not the least intention to make any public
appearance during their sojourn among us, but simply to
visit our institutions, and come and go in the same private
manner that would be adopted by any gentleman and lady
from abroad not powering the prestige of imperial rank.
They have taken apartment' on the ground floor of the New
York Hotel, Emoting on Washington-place. The apartments
are tastefully fitted up,
with all the modern con-
veniences. A bedstead in the Princess's room, in the
Gothic style, coat originally 3,000 dole. beveral gentlemen
called and left their cards yesterday, but he saw
none. It is understood that although his royal highness
has takes moms at the hotel, it is simply for the conve-
nience of having a stopping place in his rambles through the
city and about the environs., as hitherto be has slept on
board his yacht, and spent all his time there when be had
no sogagesbeats on shore.

Orr ros 11111 Sunnis HouDAYS. —Tile London
season is over; the opera is clamed ; parliament clod ; the
par reks a empty an Londoners, tempted by the p t
weather which bas justd set m. are daily taking flight from town
In largo numbers, while our friends In the country, In their turn,
come up to the metropolis by the various excursion trains, to
see the sights and make their holiday purchases. To the Lon-
doner it will be supernoon, to point out the Importance of a call
at Benson's, to see that his watch is well regulated before be
starts. We would. however, direct our country friends to his
establishments at Ludgate.hill and CornhiU, for the best and
cheapest Watches to he obtained anywhere. and for his
jenntskiet (vat's by post for two stamp;.—(ldvertlsenseat.i