The Express.
London, England, 1855-04-19 00:00:00

AT HOME AND ABROAD.

las visit of the Emperor of the FRENCH has, io

one respect, been so - singularly well-timed for
Ministers as almost to suggest a suspicion of pre-
arrangement. The time which elapses betwen the
Buster end the Whitson holidays is notoriously the
most critical period of the Parliamentary Session for
any Goveroment. Up to Easter the time of the
House of Commons is generally spent in preliminary
kirmishes and demonstrations; after Whitsunday

come "the Massacre of the Innocents,* and other
Ministerial preparations for huddling up the business
of the session; but between Beater and Whitsunday
there is generally some earnest debating. Now. the
visit of the EMPEROR has made, and will make, the
present week, in a m , one long holiday. People's
minds have been so much taken up with the
Imperial visit, that they have had little leisure to
spare for watching Parliament. And Parliament
has in consequence been taking matters very easily.
On Monday little was done, on Tuesday less, yes-
terday less still, and to-day there is to be, "no
Sweet' in" the Commons. On Friday the CHAN-
CILLOS of the EXCHEQUER will make his financial
espod ; honourable Members, after a little desul-
tory criticism, will announce their intention to take
• night or two to consult their pillows on its
merits; and Ministers will breathe more freely on
finding themselves a whole week nearer the Whitsun
harbour of refuge.
But the world keeps moving even when men

are sleeping. Though. Ministers may daily with
a Parliament as little in earnest as themselves, they,
cannot daily with events. Circumstances will com-
pel them to act with vigour, or to leave the field to
_ _ _

men who eon do so. The Conferences at Vienna are
all bat broke. oft. The war party has triumphed
at St. Petersburg. The bombardment of Sebastopol

is in progress. Letters have reached this country
from an officer of high rank in the Crimea, which
speak of an assault as being resolved upon as soon as
• practical breach has been made in the defences of
the town. Of the success of the storm he is confident,
though he looks for its being dearly bought. But after
the town has been taken, and the shipping in the
harbour destroyed, the forts on the north side
will still remain in the possesion of the Russians.
He 'spews a conviction that before they can be
taken the Hessian army mast be beaten in the field;
and that as noon as the town is in our hands, combi-
nations and movements will be begun to bring the
whole military force of the Allies in the Crimea to
bear upon the enemy. The opening of the campaign
of 18.1.1 gives prom* of greater energy than &arse-,
twilled that of 18.54. Bat while the Allies are thus
grappling with the Rummies, in the Crimea, what
will be going on in Central Europe P The
Eiog and Court of Prussia cling to their
Russian predilection.; tits good faith of Austria
is more than suspected. And as if acenal
insanity had seized upon the rulers of Germany, this
critical epoch has been selected to make an attempt
to crash the liberties of Hanover—to withdraw from
the H4noverians their Parliamentary 000stitution.

The seeds of general confusion appear to be rapidly
germinating over Europe. At such a time strong
hands, brave hearts, and cool heads are required to
steer the vessel of the state. At present all is fee.
tivity and show on both sides of the ChanneL The
Imperial visit to the Court of England is to be sue-

ceded immedia:el7 by the grestwindustrial gala in'
Paris. But the first sounds of a tempest are heard
from a distance, and ominous clouds are rising Mt the
horisoa.

Inkermann has been called • the soldiers' battle.*
Why, all our Eng Hal battles—civil and military—
have been "soldiers' battles" in the same Dense. The
indomitable onarage and energy of the people have
always bad to make up for the deficiencies of their
rulers sad leaders. This must be kept in mind in
the trying season that is coming. A resolute and
persevering effort must be made to obtain so infusion
into the administrative counsels of the realm d that
inventive enterprise and practical skill in business
organisation which has enabled oar middle
Glasses to raise the country to the proud
position it occupies among the nations bf
the earth. At present oar aristocraey do nat
disdain to accept of oflios at railway and other hoards.
Tisq suet with the industrial magnates of the land