The Express.
London, England, 1861-05-13 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, MONDAY EVENING, MAY 13, 1861.

between the two Houses is a thing to be avoided,
it is of no ordinary importance to save the House
of Lords the trouble of considering a second time
the prudence and propriety of their course last
year regarding the paper duty. If a separate mea-
sure, similar to that of 1860, were sent up to the
Peers in 1861, it might possibly be put to their
Lordships as a point of dignity whether they
should not persist in the ill-advised course they
entered upon twelve months ago. We fully believe
that the good sense of the Peers would withhold
them from committing so grave an error. But it is
highly desirable to avert even the discussion of
such a question, not for the sake of the enemies
of the Peers, if there be any, but for
the sake of the Peers themselves. The Minis-
terial measure as now framed possesses, amongst
others, this great recommendation, that it
saves the conmir propre of the Upper House by
asking their assent, as in former days it used to
be asked, to the whole of the financial arrange-
ments of the year embodied in ono Bill. The
most sanguine stickler for lordly privilege has
never asserted that a money Bill could be altered
in the Upper House ; and the most rigid cham-
pion of the rights of the Commons will hardly
contend that the House of Lords might not, if it
pleased, reject a Budget Bill altogether. Practi-
cally wo know that such a course is never likely
to be taken, and practically we need not trouble
our heads about it. But what would be danger-
ous to the amity of the two Houses would be
the presenting repeatedly the temptation to the
Peers that they might reject one out of three or
four money Bills, and thus substantially subvert
the exclusive power over them which the Consti-
tution has vested in the representatives of the
people. Any proposition, therefore, however
covertly made, to break up the present Budget
Bill into separate measures, will be resisted by
reasonable and sensible men, alike on the ground
of prudence and of principle.

Wait it to be asked what word would best ex-
press the sense of the commercial circulars and
other reports which reach us from various parts of
the kingdom, the answer would be—uncertainty.
Than uncertainty there is, as Messrs. Joerrn
Taavans and Sons justly observe, no greater
enemy to commercial enterprise. Our merchants
can adapt themselves to a state of war or of peace
—to a high value of money, or to a low one—but
uncertainty paralyses their transactions. It is a
condition which engenders more impatience than
any combination of actual adverse events. Manu-
facturers and shippers at present do not know
what to be at. The American crisis is oversha-
dowing our industry. The whole of the cotton
trade is involved in uncertainty in an especial de-
gree. We do not know whether the usual and
necessary quantity of cotton will be grown ; and
if it be grown, we do not know whether it will be
permitted to reach us. We do not know yet
whether there is really to be war in America.
Everything, it is true, points in that direction, but
in the cotton trade, in the corn trade, in the metal,
trade, in all branches of our manufactures, in the
Money Market, and in the Stook Exchange,
there is a general indisposition to do business, prin-
cipally because the idea has continued to float
through men's minds that the American difficulty,
after all that has been said and done, may prove
susceptible of arrangement by other means than
that of a long and desolating civil war. Then
everyone pictures to himself the immense effect
that would be produced were even the mere
prospect of an arrangement to be opened. How
great would be the effect upon the price
of cotton I What merchant can bestir him-
self boldly in ordering supplies from India
sad other regions, as long as there is a
chance of the ground being cut from under his
feet? What would be the consequence upon the
value of money, upon the bullion movement—

glutted as the New York banks are with gold ?
What a rebound there would be in all kinds of
public securities, home, foreign, and American
We are not drawing a fancy sketch. Evidences
of indecision of this kind run through nearly every
commercial record that comes to hand, not merely
from our home trading centres, but from
abroad and from America itself. The cir-
cular of Messrs. T. H. larmanaut and Co., of
Liverpool, assigns, as the real explanation of the
quiet which prevail■ in the New York cotton
market, an impression entertained by many per-
sons there that, now that the North has practi-
cally proved its power to reinforce and hold the
capital, it is not impossible that an armistice may
be arranged between the contending parties. A
single day's news may throw these surmises
to the winds, and may convert indecision
into certainty—perhaps a certainty of the
gloomiest kind. But we are convinced that
in these considerations are comprised the real mo-
tives of the pause which is observable in commer-
cial enterprise in every part of the country. It
is the 11111110 in America as here. Take another
example : the commercial editor of a leading New
York journal descants upon the fall in Missouri
Bonds, and upon Missouri finance generally. Re
shows that the financial resources of the State and
of its banks are limited at present to a certain
sum, and if that sum be appropriated
to furnish the contingent required from it towards
the (Southern) ConfederCa army, there will be
no means to meet the interest duo two months
hence on Missouri Bonds. The State can, ap-
parently, according to the showing of our con-
temporary, accomplish one of two things—it can
either furnish its military quota, or pay the in-
terest on its debt, but it cannot do both. But it

of the mode of reasoning which
prevails in America, with regard to the present
extraordinary events, that the New York journal
goes on to argue that the holders of Missouri
Beads need not sell in haste, because
sixty days must elapse before the next dividends
become due, and sixty days may produces radical
change in the whole polities' situation. When
such uncertainty as this prevails in America, it is
not surprising that our trade is affected in a
similar manner, though, happily, not in a similar
degree. The commercial classes must have pa-
tience and wait, trusting in the prospect of a re-
turn of moderation amongst the Americans, and
in the recuperative energies which have often
been exhibited by our trade under conditions of
equal gloom.
Meanwhile the firms connected with the Ameri-
can trade derive some consolation from witnessing
the increasing unpopularity with which the MOR-
A! LL Tariff is regarded in the United States.
Nearly all the principal American journals unite
in denouncing the new retrograde legislation.
They condemn it not merely from its commercial
but from its political action, which is really of
a revolutionary character.

INDIAN FAMINE RELIEF FOND.—The total
amonot neeived in aid of the Indian Famine Fund up
to featardAy afternoon was 88,0001., of which 1000/. was
received daring the day, including 191 f. 10e. 101. from
Newbury p hot., beim.. n further instalment from Cambridge,
reek* a total .4 11001. from that town ; and a further
instalment of WI. 17s. 2J. from Bath.

CD* Court.

WHITE LODGE, RIOHNOND.PARK, MAT 11.

Her Majesty, accompanied by Princess Alice,
west to Frogmore Howie thin morning, and returned in the
Airman.

Ilse Majesty drove to Twickenham station, where a special
bean el the South-Western Railway was in waiting to con-
vey her Majesty to Ratchet. In attendance were lady
Caroline Barrington, Lieut.. General the Hon. C. Grey, and
Colonel Biddulph.
The Prince Consort went to London this morning, attended
by his Equerry-in-Waiting, and honoured the Exhibition of
Antiquities and Objects of Art at Ironmongers' Hall with a
visit.

His Royal Highness afterwards presided at a msetiog of
the council of the Duchy of Cornwall, held at the Duchy-
office, Buckingham-gate, St. James's Park. There were also
present the Keeper of the Privy Seal, Sir William Dunbar;
the Attorney-General, Sir William John Alexander; the
Treasurer, Colonel the Hon. Sir Charles Beaumont Phipps ;
the Duke of Newcastle; the Lord Portman ; and the Secre-
tary, Mr. Janice Robert Gardiner.
The queen with Princess Alice, Princess Helena, and
Princess Louise, visited Hampton Court Palace on Friday
aftersooo.

MAT 12.
Her Majesty and the Prince Consort, the Princess Alice,
Princess Helena, Princess Louise and Prince Leopold
attended Diviae service at the White Lodge this morning.
The ladies and gentlemen in waiting and the domestic
household were also present.
The Hon. and Very 11ev. the Dean of Windsor officiated.
Prince Arthur, attended by Major Elphinstone, left
Buckingham Palace yesterday to visit the Prince of Wales,
at Madingley Hall, near Cambridge.

A committee of the Lords of her Majesty's Mort Honour-
able Privy Council had a meeting, on Saturday, at the
Council.offme. Present : the Lord President, the Lord
Chancellor, the Duke of Somerset, Viscount Palmerston,
Lord John Russell, Lord Kingsdown, Lord Herbert, Secre-
tary Sir George Lewis, Sir George Grey, the Right Hon. T.
Milner Gibson, the Right Hoe. E. Cantwell, the Right
Hon. Dr. Lushiegton, and the Right Hon. R. Lowe.
Her Majesty's Advocates and the Queen's Attorney-
General and Solicitor-General were in attendance.

The Parana Ambassador had an interview with Lord John
Russell, at the Foreign-office, on Saturday.
Despatches were received OD Saturday, at tho Colonial•
office, from the Garreraors of Malta sod the Mauritius.
Despatches were sent to the Governors of Gibraltar, Canada,
sad the Bahamas.

VISIT or THE PRINCE CONSORT TO THE CITY.—
On Saturday the Prince Comport, attended by Major Du
Plat, visited Ironmongers' Han, in Fenchurcirstrest,
for the purpose of inspecting the exhibitions of works of
art and rend which adorned the noble ball and suite of
rooms on the occasion of the oomersaziose given by the
company. His Royal Highness, on alighting from his
carriage, was received by Mr. Richard Burkett, the muter,
Mr. J. W. Bailey, and Mr. C. L. Lucktun, warders of the
Company, as also several members of the court, who had
the honour of conducting the Prince through the various
apartment.. The Prince's visit lasted upwards of an hour,
and, on leaving, be expressed his satisfaction at the col-
lection be had witnessed, and paid a high compliment on
the members of the company for cultivating so interesting
an exhibition.

A Cambridge letter of Saturday says :—" His
Royal Highness Prince Arthur, attended by his equerry,
arrived here by the mid-day train to-day, on a s sit to bis
royal howler the Prince of Wales. Prince Arthur's return
is Ind for Monday morning. The Prince of Wales met
with as occident while boating yesterday. His royal high-
DM and Captain Grey were amusing themselves in • small
boat. known here as a " tub," on the river at the back of
Trinity, and near Gerard's Hostel-bridge, when one of them
lost his oar, and in an attempt to reoover it the boat was
upset, and the prince and Captain Grey were precipitated
into the water. Fortunately the water is not deep at this
spot, and the Cam cannot boast of width anywhere. As-
intense was at hand, and the prince and his companion
were soca oe shore again, the only inconvenience ex-
perienced being a wetting. This was soon remedied by •
ohmage of clothes at college, and the prince was able to
attend the boat races in the evening, patronising for the
purpose • miniature steamer which plies on the river, called
the Little Eagle."
Their Excellencies Baron and Baroneaa Brunnow
entertained at dinner on Saturday night, at Climbs=
House, his Excellency the Persian Ambassador, Mira
Djiffer Khan, who was accompanied by Mira Hassan Khan
and Mabomed Aly Ap. Amongst the company present
were his Excellency Baron Bentinek, his Excellency Count
Lavradio, his Excellency Count Vitathum, his Excellency
Moos de BMe, Chevalier Ohveira Sylva, Chevalier Santos,
Baron de Billing, Mr. Bartoldi, Mr. Phipps, end Mr.
Sabouroff.

Their Excellencies the Austrian Ambassador and
the Countess d'Appooyi entertained a distinguished party
at dinner on Saturday evening at Chandos House. The
counter received company after dinner.
The Earl and Countess Vane have arrived in
town. His lordship hu taken a residua In Prinee's.gate
for the season.

Lord and Lady Camoys and family have arrived
is tows from Stew Park, for the seems.

Lady Llanover left Loudon last week for South
Wales. Her ladyship will nut return to town until after
tbe Whitsuntide holidays.

We (Post) underataud that the noble premier has
glum instructions to have • chapel built solely st his owe
expense at Les, in the pariah of Rooney, on his lordship's
estate. Soule parts of his estate are distant three miles
from the parish church, and the walk in winter is not only
• long but • very dirty one. His lordship also gives Use
ground, sod proposes to build • cottage near the chapel tor
a widget schoolmistress.

The Xaliabiery Journal says :—"On the 13th
and 14th Mat. Wells will be no doubt very py, in conse-
quence of the muster of the battalion of Rides, which
include the Prome, Wlncauton, Rameston, Shepton Mallet,
Glastonbury, Weston. and Wells Rides, in the Bishop's
Park, for inspection by Colonel Luttersll. The 14th will
he looked former! to with much interest, in consequence of
the inerriage which is to take place at the cathedral, be-
tween Mr. Dickenson and the Hum Mies Eden, daughter of
the Bishop of Bath and Wells. It is something like 100
years since the hat marriap took place in the cathedral."

Mr. Charles Frere, examiner of petitions to
private bilk, has been appointed by the Speaker to the
office of taxing•master to the House of COWMAN, in the
place of Mr. Lefroy, deceased. The salary of the office to
Mr. Lefroy was 7001. a year ; but the amount of business did
mot appear to warrant that the office should be maintained
as an independent office, or be endowed with the full
ability. We (Times) understand Mr. Frere takes the office,
bolding it in c iojuottioo with his ofsoe as examiner of
petitions, at the reduced salary of 2001. a year. So by this
arrangement a saving is effected to the public of 5001. a
year.

- In the South Dock Ward, Dublin, on Friday,
Mr. Richard Wilson was unanimously elected in the room
of the late Alder nan Kinahan. Mr. Wilson was the con-
servative Lord Mayor elect to succeed Miamian Campbell,
but having declined to attend a Lord Mayor's banquet at
which Cardinal Wiseman was to be the principal guar., end
at which the Earl of Eglinton and other high personages
connected with the government had declined to be pregent,
the liberal majordy refused to have him is Lord Mayor,
and on the first opportunity afterwards he was ousted by
the same party from the ourporatios.

A trial trip from London round to Southampton
took place during Saturday awl yesterday in the Mooltue,
the last addition made to the steam fleet of the Peninsular
and Oriental Company. This vessel has been built to run
between Southampton and Alexandria ; her design was by
Mr. James Ash, and her builders were the Thames Iron
Company. The Mooltan will go to sea with a greater
amount of modem improvements in bee than ►ny vessel
which has ever lift our shore., and her SUOCC4I6, if a success
it is to be, will open up a new era for steam navigation.
General Idiranion, the ex-president of the Mexi-
cali republic, has just arrived in Paris, accompanied by his
wife and children and several relations.

Lista, the famous German pianist, is now in
Paris alter ea sleanies of many years.

The other eveuing a thief got into the dressing_
rooms of the Opera Comique, Paris, during the performance
of Sa:rano Rom, and passing for one of the troop of walk.
nig gentlemen, slipped on • brigand's costume, with which
he forthwith leesnted. He sold the drem for the trifling
sum of 2fr., and has since been arrested.

A uew volume of M. Fraueois-Victor Hugo's
translation of Shalicapere has just appeared, containing
The TWO tlentbnerit of Velona, The Merchant of Venice,
and ds ;Nu Lehe it, with an introduction and nut's.