The Express.
London, England, 1868-10-02 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, FRIDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 1, 1868.

disturbed by the consolidation of Italy and the
aggl andieement of Prussia, could hardly allege that
the addition of Portugal would make Spain a too
formidable neighbour; and if French suseeptibilities
can be kept in check, there are no others likely to
be aroused.
At the same time it is impossible not to see the
Ivry great difficulties which would precede and
follow such a settlement of Spanish affairs. So
fur as can be judged at present, the Portuguese
are not favourably disposed towards it, and though
a strong power may occasionally annex a weak
one, it will hardly find it possible to insist upon
the weak power annexing it. If the Spanish
people wish to overcome this alleged roluotanoe
on the part of Portugal they will have to offer
very attractive terms ; and it is not unlikely that,
as the necessity of doing this comes to be felt, the
desire for union will be proportionately weakened.
The gain of Portugal by the transaction must lie
altogether in the future. If the Spaniards can
compose their internal quarrels, and submit
loyally to the government established by the
insurgent leaders, the accession of so large a ter-
ritory would be a great source of strength to the
throne of King Locus ; but as that benefit
would be altogether neutralised if the political
habits of the Spanish people remain unchanged,
the Portuguese Government will naturally re-
quire very large immediate concessions before it
undertakes to run so great a risk.
For that union with Spain would involve very
great risk to Portugal hardly admits of doubt.
The parallel ease of Piedmont and Italy differs in
FO many respects, that no very consolatory con-
clusion can be drawn from it. As far as mere
figures go, the resemblance is close enough ; for
Piedmont, which, in the beginning of 114,39, had •
population little larger than that of Portugal,
found itself, by the end of that year, the ruler of
a population somewhat more numerous than that
of Spain and Portugal together. But it must
be remembered that the Italy which annexed itself
to Piedmont was not one country as Spain is, but
a number of separate fractions which could become
a whole by no other process. In accepting the
King of SARDINIA as their Sovereign they gave up
a titular independence but not even a titular
greatness. It was no sacrifice to the Tuscan or the
Neapolitan to become un Italian; it would be
a very appreciable sacrifice to a Spaniard
to become a citizen of a new Iberian
kingdom. Nor are there any traditions in ex-
istence the revival of which might help to soften
the change. The great memories of Spain are in
no way identified with the brief period when it
was ono country with Portugal. The Portuguese
Government would not find the jealousies
of one section of its new subjects balancing
or neutralizing those of some other section ;
and it would consequently be a hard task
to prevent Portugal from becoming so ab-
sorbed ID Spain as to lose all power of guid-
ing or influencing it for good. And upon its
being able to do this depends the whole success
of the Union. The very proposal, supposing it to
come from Spain, is tantamount to an admission
that she needs external help in the work of reor-
ganisation. If that help, when it is given, turns
out to be insufficient for the end for which
it is asked, the result will be that Por-
tugal will lose without Spain being the
gainer. She will have undertaken a task
beyond her strength, and from which at the
same time she may find it impossible to withdraw.
Whether, indeed, Portugal will have the choice
given her is as yet wholly uncertain. The wishes
of the Spanish people, if they can once be effec-
tively expressed, may point in quite another
direction from that indicated by any single loader.
But there are obvious reasons why, if the offer is
made, Portugal should hesitate before deciding
to accept it.

OUR CONTEMPORARIES.
(THIS DAY.)

P.O=R §IGN NE NV S.l
(THIS DAY.) -
e ,
SPAIN AND PORTUGAL.—ALLRGED OPPO-
SITION OF FItANCE TO A UNION.
The Liberti of to-day mentions with re-
serve a report that the French government will
not look favourably upon the Iberian union, of
which it said Prim and Ologaga are the warmest
advocates. It is stated that in the government
circles at Paris the Lisbon cabinet are openly
accused of having favoured the enterprise of the
Spanish insurgent leaders, and that a coolness has
arisen between the cabinet of the Tuileries and the
government of Portugal. The statement, how-
ever, that the government has interfered to pre-
vent a Portuguese loan from being contracted is
contradicted in to-day's Corestitationnel.
(Taaovoz sivrate .tozwar.)
PARA oor.
The Moniker of to-day publishes the following
telegram :
MADRID, Oar. 1, 1 PAL
The Generals who were expected have not yet
arrived. Marshal Serrano sent word that he feared
disturbances would occur if he left the troops.
General Prim is said to intend going to Catalonia,
whore Count Chaste held the command.
The capital yesterday and last night was quiet.
The national guards and volunteers are disarm-
ing the mob, to whom arms had been served out
in the first instance. The royal palace is re-
spected.
In the course of to-day the election of the
members of the central junta will take place by
universal suffrage. It does not appear that the
different parties concerned have as yet come to un
understanding.
As soon as the news of the rising in Madrid
reached Comma, the troops and the Gallivian
population joined in a ;pronunciamouto, and a
provisional junta was established.
MADRID, Ocr. 1, Evserreo.
The elections for the central junta are pro-
ceeding with perfect order. The candidates pro-
bably chosen will be a member of the progression-
-Ist party, a unionist, and a democrat. General
Calonge has been captured by the peasants, and
n.nt to the fortress of Santona.
General Prim has taken the route from Cloths-
pma into Catalonia. Marshal Serrano is advanc-
ing on Madrid. Count Cheste is wandering about
in the direction of the French frontier.
The whole of Spain has now joined the insur-
rection. The troops hitherto under the command
of the Marquis de Novaliches will give in tli. it
final adhesion to the movement to-day.

- UW"
: O-.1•••1/4

'trait ova our

FARIS, 'I innains.e Evart to.
The disasters whi4 have befallen the o iu.se of ,
Queen Isabella naturally find more or less sympa- '
thy in /tiktelitssissis journals, according to the inten-
sity of their political bias. Thus the Moniieur en-
deavours to disparage lierrano's victory, and to
modify the situation as far as known facts will
permit. The Constitutionnel sets out in its com-
mentary by merely remarking that the tele-
grams from Madrid of last night " present
the situation aa very unfavourable for the
cause of Queen I,'abella II." It seems
like it, indeed; and something more than " un-
favourable," if the history of the telegrams is not
a fabrication. The semi-official journal, however,
is quite alive to the reality of the position of Isa-
bella and her government. It recognise+, the fact
of the Queen having taken refuge in France, and
having arrived at Bendaye on her way to Pau.
Then that journal adds, in a plaintive tone:
No one will be taken by surprise at this news. When
an example of disobedience and want of discipline is
given by those who are entrusted with power; when
the representatives and natural defenders of the mnear-
chical principle become negligent et their duty, and suffer
the dignity of the throne to be assailed, there is no lougor
any hope that on the day when the monarchy is in danger
the props of the dynasty will remain firm. But let us jibe
under no delusion as to the actual character of the insur-
rection ; ct is before a military and aristocratic rebellion
that Queen Isabella has fallen, and not in consequence of
a national riming. The people had little or nothing to do
with the events of the last ei;;ht days; they left every-
thing to the generals and th, heads of parties, and male
no decisive more ment on • w.iy or tic of ler. The first act
is played ; who n ill b bold n ush t pr :diet the nature
of the dit,otm mind
That is, indeed, tl e Tiestion.
In the meantime, tie He 1e and other of the
liberal journals mike no secret of their satisfac-
tion at the immue of this short and decisive struggle.
So far as I can observe, tl:e fe. ling prevailing in
Paris is one of conerCu'ation at the triumph of
the revolution ; but there is evidently groat un-
certainty as to the course which events will here-
after take ; and a certain admixture of fear and
doubt on this head obviously tends to check the
degree of exhilaration which would otherwise be
felt at the overthrow of a corrupt government and
political system. A liberal journal whose sympa-
thies for the ineurgents have been emphatic and
undisguised concludes a short review of the late
events thus :
Well, the revolution triumphs. From this day the
Spanish people bold their destinies in their own hands. In
this solemn hour. which will be blessed in the memory of
nations for the joy which has been given to everybody,
we have no advice to offer to the conquerors. They have
1 eon energetic and moderate in the strusgle ; they will
know how to exercise the same qualities in victory.
The Queen of Spain arrived last night at Pau
with her family. The Prefect of the Basses Pyri•-
ni•es accompanied her by order of the Emperor to
the chiteau.
The Bourse was firm to-day from the opening
to the close. The Rente finished at 69fr. 39c. ; the
Italian Fives at 52fr. 85c. ; and there was a rise in
almost all the principal securities. Railway shares
very firm.

THE BISHOP OF OXFORD OH

SISTERHOODS."

Among the eubjects discussed yesterday at the
Chweh Congress in Dublin was that of authorised and
systematic lay agency. In the course of the discussion,
The Bishop of Oxford said they had tried the lay
agency in his own diocese and in one or two others with
very good effect. They selected laymen to whom the
bishops, with prayer, have given a license to assist in
whatever pansies where the clergy of the parish desired
their aid. (Hear, hear.) He trusted that this work would
be further carried out, because it seemed to him to coin-
base two elements—a burning zeal, with an active .:ystein,
for they all knew that a work undertakeu under the
impulse of individual feeling was too commouly weak and
moot lax, and short in its duration. (Hear, hear.) His
lordship said the next subject on which he wished to my
a few words was concerning those Christian sisterhoods
which had been spoken of. Now, he thought they
laboured first of all under Pais most natural imputation,
that they were an attempt an our reformed church to ini-
tiate the nunneries of that church which the necessities or
the Gospel obliged them to part with. (Applause.) It
seemed to him the greatest possible waste of means if a
thing itself be a thing of great usefulueis to throw it
aside because it had been misused elsewhere. (hear,
hear.) In these sisterhoeds there were things to be
avoided. They should avoid those vows of perpetual en-
gagement made by women. (Hear, hear.) There should
not he such TOWS, for he thought instead of such
life being • higher life, it was a lower lite. What
would the service of these women be if they were for one
day continued perforce by vows contracted when they
were in a different state of mind, if the services were
not to be from day to day the free will offering of redeem-
ing hearts to the Lord our Maker. (Hoar, hear.) Closely
connected with this subject of perpetual vows was the re-
ceiving of very young women and almost girls into such
societies. Now, he thought the primary obligation of a
Christian woman was distinctly laid down by the pen
of St. Paul--" Let the younger women marry." (Ap-
plause.) The vocation of • Christian woman was family
life but they knew in a highly civilised state of society
many women were denied the advantages of family life,
and that they wasted the energies of loving hearts upon
"pets" and favourites. (Hear, hear). They daily saw the
tragedy of a life whose sympathies were wasted on more
creatures who became pets and favourites, instead of
being spent in the service of Christ. (Hear, hear). When
the hand of (lod has set a woman mails from the work of
family life, if she is encouraged to give her life to the work
of Christ, surely there must be a great gain. It was es-
sential to the success of this work that they should
not be taught to do acts of charity and religion for
their own irreligious life, but that their reli-
gious life was cultivated by works of charity. Per-
petual retreats begat a miserable morbid feeling, which
would not be the case if the woman was connected with
active work. of charity done in the Lord. (Hear, hoar.)
They were not to let their females retire iuto dark places.
Give them a home in which they can work —a home with
fellows of their own kind and rank. Lot them form
themselves into a sisterhood which will give them en
opportunity of going forth to do those works of charity
Which will be a blessing to themselves and to all aura.
ago, no; hear, bear; awl applause.)

At the Theatre Francais there is some talk re-
eding anew d atua from the pen of If. Julia Amikritea
'Mailed the faelta el Jong it.

Great success has att ndkx: the protliction of
Alexandre Dumas ploy of th Cemsriesm. M. Laterr.i.r.!
haa taken the part of Edeusul Ituhborg, which he mato
his own in 1834.

At the Cluny Theatre the success of the Inutile*
im so great that the manugum-nt lus been compelled to
conceit the orchestra into supplementary stalls.
Richard Wagner is now at Stresa, whence he
will return to (lenses.

Thorn M announced at the Fantaisie,-PArisiennos
for to-morrow the that representation of Gerrasar,
comic opera in one act, the words by MM. L'Aebvre and
Bouvier, the music by M. Frederic Barbier. Them is
also in preparation the &,Mat Makri Lei, a comic ropers
in two acts by MM. ('hivot and Dorm the magic by M.
Barbier, fur the first appearance of Mdlle. Flachat.

" Indications of the winter season:* writes the
Paris correspondent of the ibst, " are dawuing upon
The court ret-irus from the last bolting place of tie'
summer programme. Itiarrits, early in October. Tr.iveliers
ate passing through Paris from Germany and Switzerland
the hotels are more animated; the trees of the Tuileries
are yellow and brown, and show their brauche,.; the
drapers advertise their auteanal and winter fashion+. the
hands uo longer play in the public places the W.".
titer is windy and stormy, if not cold. Theu again the
Dalian Opera, newly decorated, opens to-morrow 'welting
with Luria. Patti is with us once more, and Praschini,
Dello `odic, Onivai, the handsome contralto, Verger,
Agnesi, &c. Tumberlik is to come, and some new prime
dance new at least for Paris--are promised. The
manager has done his best to revive the name, fame. awl
fashion of the TliAltre Hellen at Paris. But, as iu Lou-
don, the Italian Opera here does not attract the sines class
of audience which made it the temple of fashion owns ltd
7ears ago."