The Press.
London, England, 1856-07-12 00:00:00

THE WEEK.

ME entry of the Guards into London is like the fall of the curtain
upon the drama of the war. The world, so far as the great Powers—
which aline can give occasion to great wars—are concerned, is again
at peace, nor, scanning the political horizon, is there any probability of
further collision. Russia is bound over, by the very fact of her great
defeat, and her impotence for aggressive warfare, to keep the peace for
half a century to come. The Germanic Powers are powerless to excite
or to maintain a great war. The United States will certainly not
seriously think of war for a generation to come, and it would be trea-
son to the friendship prevailing between France and England to
speculate on their hostility. It is probable that a long period of peace
is once more before us, and that it is in the arts of peace that the
rivalry of nations will now be displayed.
The war has been a striking episode in our history, and has not
been without great political consequences. It has made the nation,
on the whole, Conservative, to an extent which the most sanguine
Conservative never anticipated. Radicals bred in the school of HuME
have suddenly become transformed into Tories of the type of PITT.
Reform has gone down to zero. Lord JOHN RUSSELL, who wept so
copiously over his bill on committing it to the tomb, has never been
known to visit its grave since. The fact is, that the nation is now as
Tory as it was after Waterloo, the main difference being that Whigs
and Radicals are now shamming Tory principles.

The appointment of Lord SHELBURNE to be Under-Secretary for
Foreign Affairs is another instance of "the jobbery of Liberalism."
His Lordship has been for several years in the House of Commons,
and he has never distinguished himself by eloquence, or capacity for
business. In that respect, Lord SHELBURNE is unlike his late and
lamented brother, the Earl of KERRY, who was a nobleman of brilliant
promise. But Lord SHELBURNE is son of the Marquis of LANSDOWNE,
and is married to the daughter of Count FLAHAULT. What do the
" Administrative Reformers" say to such qualifications for the Foreign-
office ? Though not very sharp people, they ought to be clever
enough to see through the tour d'addresse of screening the job,
by bringing in General WlLLimas for Calne. Lord SHELBURNE,
in his parting address, takes an affectionate farewell of his con-
stituents, and expresses so much regret at leaving them, that one
would really think he had been of some use in the House. With what
charming coyness, too, does he say, " I have not been able to resist the
" opportunity offered me of," &c., &c.—like the lady in the poem,
"swearing she will ne'er consent—consented " But then the " Depart-
ment " he is about to serve in has always been " a subject of particular
interest" to him. Yes, we may depend upon it, Lord SHELBURNE, for
the last twenty years, has devoted his attention entirely to the duties
of the Under-Secretary's department, and that hence he must be the
most fit man for the office, as well as being Lord LANSDOWNE'S son.

The sudden and serious attack of apoplexy Lord HARDINGE ex-
perienced last Monday at Aldershott has, of course, given rise to
many speculations. The first is that he will necessarily be compelled
to resign the command-in-chief of the army—a mere inference as yet,
without any positive foundation. The second—who will be his suc-
cessor.? Many names are put forward for the post Prince ALBERT,
the Duke of CAMBRIDGE, Sir COLIN CAMPBELL, General BENTINCK, and
many of the Crimean generals are mentioned Of the latter, it will
readily be admitted that Sir CoLIN CAMPBELL is the man of most mark
—the man of most experience, of great military knowledge, and of un-
doubted administrative capacity ; but the promotion of Sir CoLIN CAMP-
BELL to so high a post would give rise to such heartburnings, that
a more agreeable, and to the army generally a more congenial, appoint-
ment must he looked for. Dismissing, then, the Crimean generals, there
remain the two Princes. The appointment of his Royal Highness Prince
ALBERT we do not hesitate to say would give rise to much dissatisfaction.
Besides, the specialite of his Royal Highness is anything but
military. On the other hand, his Royal Highness the Duke of CAM-
BRIDGE is undoubtedly one of the most popular men in or out of the
army. He has served with great personal bravery, coolness, and dis-
tinction in the Crimea ; he is noted for bis care and management of
his troops ; he is loved by men and officers ; and his bearing is
frank, bold, open, manly, and English His appointment to the
post of Commander-in-Chief would be regarded by all classes
with much satisfaction. The Duke possesses a thorough knowledge
of official duty ; he would have the confidence of the army ; his high
rank would render him superior to any indirect influence ; and with
his good sense and sound discretion we might safely anticipate a most
successful period for the efficiency and advancement of the army in all
its branches.

The escape of JAMES SADLEIR from justice has caused lively discus-
sion in " the City " and the clubs. It is evident that there has been
some sharp practice somewhere in conniving at his departure, after
the notice of Government and the public had been directed towards
him by the MASTER of the ROLLS. If it had been suspected that such
an escape had been connived at by a member of Lord DERBY'S Admi-
nistration, what would the virtuous Sir B. HALL have said or done ?
The Solicitor General for Ireland appears to have been unhappy
in his observation about the " injudicious remarks " of the Irish
MASTER of the RoLLs, for that high legal functionary has taken up the
matter with a warmth which may Possibly cause the Government some
;egret for their officer's indiseretiuu.