The Express. — 1867-10-08 (London, England)

THOMLB M'CLVRE.  " TO THOMAR M'CLURL, ESQ. " Sir,—lt is with great satisfaction, and, I hope, no unbecoming pride, that I receive from you the information that a number of gentlemen of Belfast and its neighbour. hood are desirous of offering me a public banquet. After Imo long a political career as mine has been it is a great satisfaction to find that men whose character, station, abilities, and public principles I deeply respect, are willing now, as they and their predecessors were willing in 1833, to give me a testimony of their esteem. But circumstances connected with private engagements and with public duties do not allow me so remain in Belfast any longer. The great Irish questions demanding the immediate attention of the legislature require to be further examined and discussed before they Can assume a shape in which they can be adopted by parliament. One of these questions—the great question of education—is about to be sifted and reviewed by a commission ' • and with regard to all of them, it is the conviction of the moat enlightened men, both in Great Britain and in Ireland, that they can only be effectually dealt with by ministers acting under the authority and posse sing the confidence of the crown. With regard to the administration of the existing laws, I am satisfied that those laws will he, as they hays been, firmly and impartially administered by the present executive government. I could have nothing further to say on this head. The Lord Lieutenant has too recently received the marks of approbation he so well deserves to allow me to doubt the sentiments of Belfast upon this subject. I must request you, as chairman of the meeting, to accept my thanks for your communication, and you will allow me to add that I hope you and your friends may witness every year the progreasive prosperity of Belfast. —I have the honour to be your faithful and obedient servant, " Clandeboye. Oct. 4, 1867." " Rusari.r..  Admiral Farragut is expected in the Mersey shortly, and it is said that a hearty reception will be given there to the gallant officer.  It is stated that Baron von Beset will pay a visit to this country towards the close of the month.  The Herald says of the new minister to the United Stales:—" Mr. Thornton has quite recently received the appointment of minister at Lisbon, but in consequence of the sudden death of Sir Frederic Bruce, his destination has been changed. Mr. Thornton's ability as a diplomatist has been thoroughly well tested in the missions which he has successively discharged in Uruguay, the ♦rgentine Confederation, and Brazil. The services he has zeodered extend ore, a long series of years, and in each post that be has filled he has succeeded in gaining not only the entire confidence of the Foreign-office, but the respect and esteem of she different governments to which he has been accredited."  M. Fould had five or six horses engaged in the Paris races on Sunday, which were, of course, amok out ; be had also a large training establishment at Chantilly, as he lately bought the stables formerly occupied by the late Duke de Moray, and also a large training establishment at Ibos, near Tarbes, and a very extensive hero/ at Tarbes. M. A. Foold was one of the most popular member, of the French turf.  It has already been stated that the papers of M. Ker►try respecting Mexican affairs which have appeared in the Rerue Conternporasne are to be published in Germany, with additions which it was not practical to give in the French periodical. Some of the new document, are printed in the hodt,pendasee of yesterday. One of them is a letter from General Prim to his uncle in Mexico, in which the Spanish commander speaks of " that humbug M. Bil!suit," an epigram for the status lately erected to that statesman which is not likely to be made use of. Another document consists of a letter to a member of the English parliament by one of the confidential advisers of Maximilian. Another is given by M. de Xeratry to show that Maximilian was as much responsible as Bazaine for the fatal decree condemning prisoners of war to death.  The Manchester branch of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts held its annual meeting in the Free Trade Hall, last night, under the presidency of the Mayor. The Bishops of New Zealand and Ontario were present, and addressed the meeting, and other clergymen and laymen took part in the proceedings, The Birmingham papers report tho suicide of a girl of 14 in that town, named Anna M►ria Payn, because a butcher's boy about her own age would not accept her as his " sweetheart."