The Express.
London, England, 1862-12-25 00:00:00

_ .
In unswerving adherence to the principles thus
defined the Prince's life was passed. That although
thus unseen his influence was prodigious in the
affairs of the world is now beyond doubt, though
we are yet, and probably may be for many a year
to come, unable to distinguish the special line of its
operation. Enough, however, is known from the
tenor of the national policy during the present
reign to lead to the inference that his own counsels
must hale been eminently judicious as well as
patriotic. We do, indeed, know already that they
have been in some instances far more large-minded
than those of many among our native statesmen.
While not a few English politicians have openly
avowed their sympathy for the South in the ter-
rible conflict now waging in America, the royal
sympathies, directed, doubtless, by the ideas
of the deceased Prince, have been markedly
shown in favour of the true American people.
Such a tendency, indeed, was only consistent
with what we have already had material enough for
judging to be his sentiments. The first of the
speeches which are now re-issued was delivered at
a meetingfor promoting the abolition of slavery, and
the whole of them bear copious evidence of the entire
absence in his mind of any jealousy of popular
institutions, and of the growth of popular influence.
His most eager efforts were those made in further-
ance of schemes for the raising, in the truest sense,
of the humblest classes. One of the firstt move-
ments with which he identified himself in England
was that set on foot for the improvement of the
dwelling-houses of the working men ; the next was
the establishment of a provident institution for ser-
vants. Nor were these undertaken in a spirit of
ostentatious humility and Pharisaic beneficence.
He urged them on the ground that they were means
by which the poor could raise themselves, not as
organs through which the rich could display their
charity and rivet their supremacy. Here are the
wise and manly words in which he advocates the
improvement of the working-man's home :

LAD= men Omineezg,
When four years since this society for the improvement
of the Condition of the Labouring Cla-esa was first estab-
lished on its present footing, I aooepted with great pleasure
.be offer of becoming its President.
I saw in this offer &proof of your appreciation of my feel-
iogs of sympathy and interest for that class of our commu-
nity which has most of the toil, and least of the enjoyments,
of this world. I conceive that great advantage would
accrue from the endeavours of influential persons who were
wholly disinterested, to act the part of a friend to those
who required that advice and assistance which none but a
friend could tender with advantage.
This society has always bell this object before its eyes,
std has been labouring in that direction. You are all aware
that it has established model lodging-houses, loan-furds,
and the system of allotments of ground in different parts
of the country ; but it has been careful only to establish
examples and models, mindful that any real improvement
which was to take place must be the result of the exertion
of the working people tbeinselvea
I have just come from tie model IndginThouse, the
opening of which we oelebnite this day ; and I feel con-
vueird that its existence will, by degrees. cause a complete
change in the domestic comforts of the labouring clasaes, as
it wi'l exhibit to them, that with real economy can be CORl-
blued advantages with which few of them have hitherto
been acquainted; whilst is will slow to those who possees
cipital to iove:t that they may do so with great profit and
advantage to themselves, at the same tiroethat they are
perising those comforts to which I have alluded to their
poorer brotbren.
Depend upon it, the interests of classes ;too often con-
trasted are identical, and it is only ignorance which prevents
their uniting for each other's advantage. To dispel that
ignorance. to show how man can help man, notwithstanding
the complicated state of civilised society, ought to be the
aim of every philanthropic payee ; but it is more peculiar'y
the duty of these who, nadir the blessing of Divine Provi-
dence, enjoy station, wealth. and education.
Let them be careful, however, to avoid any dictatorial
interference labour and employment, which frightens
away capital, destroys that freedom of thought and in.
dependence of action which must remain to every one
if he is to work out his own happiness, and impairstbat coo-
fideoce under which alone engagements for mutual benefit
are possible.
God has created man imperfect, and left hint with many
wants, as it were to stimulate each to individual exe-tion,
and to make all feel that it is only by united exertions and
combined action that these imperfections can be supplied,
and these wants satisfied. This presupposes self-reliance
and coelideuce in each other. To show the way bow these
individual exertion can he directed with the greatest benefit,
std to foster that confidence upon which the readiness to
assist each other depeocli, this society deems its most sacred
duty. _ _ .

It cannot fail to be remarked in reading these
and the other speeches of the Prince, thateven while
moat practical iu his aims he was anxious to assert
the true principles upon which the efforts he desired
to encourage were based. Ouly now and then
does any personal feeling break the vigorous logic
of the enuuoiatiou of duty, and to one of these is
appended the significant note, " When the heart
flies out before the understanding, it saves the
judgment a world of pains !" Even in
or.in returning thanks for, the health al the