The Express.
London, England, 1864-08-26 00:00:00

the enYttl4o•

70. C9IULISPONDIUM

• tuetteseeenta tntet;did— for "melt;;;;;" Lentles Meatus
Yew, must bo at the edloe, le, fetneerfeetteeZ. b 7 Two
ectock on the day of publication.

PRINCESS S.

Tun Evian's. BOHN TO '&o6' LUCK. Mr. D. Murray.
And THE ETRILLTS OF LONDON. Messrs. J. W. Hay, David
Fisher, D. Murray, J. Nebo. H. Forrester, and H. Mellon ;
Mrs. H. Marston, Misses Barnett and Osrynne.

luen.ANNiA.

TRH mono. THE DEIINKAED'S CHILDREN - Shiningly
)Zr. IL Baker. Mr. H. De krenner. and Mr. J. H. Stead.-11r. CI.
p. Jester.—C.incluiling w.th TIM SWISS CHUILCIL

HIGH WATTRAT
_LONDON BRIDGIL

----
Tats DAY -Morning. ft. Alleresea. 261.
ToAlotzuw Montag. 10k. 65... .aflorassa. 101 t. Oa.

LONDON, FRIDAY, AUGUST 26.

RIOTING in Belfast being at length over, the
important practical question to be considered is
how to provide most effectively against the recur-
rence of a social calamity which is also a national
disgrace. A few weeks since most people would
have thought it impossible that at this time of
day one of the most thriving manufacturing towns
of the United Kingdom could be virtually aban-
doned for days together to the worst excesses
of a furious mob ; and in reviewing the sad de-
tails of the recent tumults there can be no
hesitation in asserting that it ought to
have been impossible. There we see a large,
prosperous, and wealthy town, crowded
with churches and chapels, and with a very consi-
derable class of influential merchants, manufac-
turers, and other employers of labour. It has
a mayor and corporation, • board of magis-
trates, an admirably-organized police, and large
barracks capable at any time of supplying • mili-
tary force in case of used. Can it be supposed
that, had the magistrates of that town acted
with firmness and vigour at the outset of the dis-
turbances, the local police would not have
been amply sufficient for the preservation of
public order ? Common sense insists that
they could easily have dispersed the excited crowds
before their blood was up, at all events before they
were maddened by mutual taunts and challenges ;
and then by occupying the disturbed districts
have prevented their assembling in any con-
siderable numbers again. When, however, the
rioters had fairly made head, and the town was
filled with troops and police, there was no longer
any excuse for not acting with the necessary deci-
sion, and putting down a Mewing outbreak
without delay. Yet the worst scenes of all, the
most ferocious and destructive attacks on life and
property, happened in the presence of • civil and
military force more than sufficient to have quelled
any tumult, if properly handled. The question is
who were to hiatus for this, and there can be
little difficulty in replying that the immediate
responsibility must rest on the local magistrates,
if it be the fact that they shrank from exert-
ing the power they possess for the preserva-
tion of public order, and which at such •
crisis they were bound to employ to the utter-
most. Even such obvious precautions as taking
possession of the stores of gunpowder and
fire-arms in the place were only, it appears,
adopted very partially and too late, while no at-
tempt seems to have been made to disarm those
who appeared in the streets with murderous
weapons. Even when the fearful struggle
reached its height they still hesitated to act
with vigour, in the weak hope apparently that it
would wear itself out, and thus relieve them of a
responsibility they could not altogether evade, but
still dreaded to assume. Some appear, indeed,
according to the distinct and almost startling
statement recently made by the lord lieutenant of
the county, to have actually deserted the post of
duty in the hour of danger. The Marquis of
DONEGAL, in his speech at Belfast on Tuesday
evening, is reported to have said, in referring to
the riots :—" I am sorry to say I found many of
" the local magistracy absent from the posts they
" should have occupied, and that only a limited
" number were doing the duty imposed upon
" them ; but, to do those justice, I must say they
" were most zealous and active. Even these
" seemed to me to be too much end unnecessarily
" under the fear of personal responsibility, which
" prevented them from meeting the rioters as
" they ought to have been met ; and it is with
" regret I have to remark that the mayor of this
"town was absent during the critical time of the
" disturbance, and, in fact, left the place after it
" had commenced ; and, as the main responsibi-
" lity with regard to the peace and safety of the
" place devolved upon him, as chief magistrate
" of the borough, he ought to have been at his
" post, exerting himself from the outset to put
" down the disturbance with a strong hand. If
" he had, I believe the disturbances never would
" have reached the magnitude they did."
W hile the results of this supineness or timidity
on the part of the local magistrates are deplorable
enough, the probable causes of it are not very far
to seek. These gentlemen are all residents, and
as landowners or manufacturers have property in
the neighbourhood, while as men of wealth and
local influence they are almost of necessity more
or less identified with the political and religious
factions of the district. It may easily be seen how
such a position would necessarily tend to interfere
with their perfect freedom and independence, and
paralyse the power of vigorous action in the crisis
of • popular commotion. They would shrink up
to the last moment from acting with the necessary
decision against both sections of rioters, from the
consciousness of the animosities that would
be excited and long survive the suppression of
the outbreak. No doubt such feelings ought not in
any way to interfere with the discharge of public
duty ; and those who allow them to do so are so
far unfitted for the post of guardians of the public
peace. But they will almost of necessity operate
to some extent in a sudden crisis like that at

Belfast ; and the practical question is,
how best to meet the difficulty thus
created, and prevent the recurrence of
such grave public evils in the future. One re-
medy which naturally suggests itself, and has
already been often urged, is the appointment of •
stipendiary magistrate. Such • publics officer,
going as a stranger to the place, and unconnected
with its local factions, would, as the direct and
impartial representative of the civil power, be able
to act not only with prudence and independence,
but with promptitude and vigour. On other
grounds stipendiary magistrates have been found
necessary in our own large towns, and as there
will be a ground-swell of stormy resentments in the
district for some time to come, the appointment of
such an officer at Belfast might be of essential
service. But whatever course may be taken with
regard to the official guardians of public order, the
promotion of peace and the establishment of a better
understanding between the rival sections of the
lower classes must largelydepend on the good offices
of their social superiors, whether Romanist or Pro-
testant. They must endeavour in every possible
way, by words and deeds, to soften and menage
the bitterness of these violent sectional hatreds.
It would be well for influential Protestants, for
example, to consider whether any good end
can be attained by giving their support to an
irritating organization which simply revives and
helps to perpetuate an evil past. On the other
hand, a very heavy responsibility undoubtedly
rests on the local representatives of the Romish
Church.

While the mass of Orange rioters were mere
" roughs," caring neither for Protestantism nor
any other form of faith, the Ultramontane rioters
were professed and vehement Romanists, accus-
tomed to yield to the priest's authority. Unfor-
tunately, too, the same class, that of ignorant and
degraded Romanists, have shown the same dispo-
sition to force their religions passions into the dis-
cussion of public and purely political questions,
not only in Ireland but in this country. The
GARIBALDI riots at Birkenhead, and even in Lon-
don, were illustrations of this tendency. It
would be an unfortunate thing for the Romish
Church in this country if their teaching were to
become in this way identified to any extent with a
tendency towards fanatical turbulence and mob
terrorism.

Irbt Court.

WINDSOR CASTLE, Aratirr 25.

Her Majesty the Queen, with the Prince and
Prioaseas Louis and Prisons Victoria of Hesse, Princess
Helena, Primer Louise, Princess Beatrice, and Prince
Leopold, left Osborne this afternoon at a quarter before
three and arrived at Windsor Castle at a quarter past
six o'clock.

Her Majesty embarked at Trinity Pier, East COINS, and
crossed over in the new royal yacht Alberta, Captain the
Prince of Leiningea, to Gosport. Pria' Leiaingen crossed
over with her Majesty.
The suite consisted of the Hon. Hes. Bruce. the Hon.
Horatia Stopford, Lieut.-Geseral the Hon. C. Grey, Colonel
the Hoe. Sir C. B. Phipps, Lieut.-Cokmel Du Plat, Sir
T. M. Biddolph, Baroness de Greasy, and Captain von
Westarweller.

The ➢farchioneee of Ely has mooteded Lady Portman m
Lady in Waiting.

The Queen arrived at Windsor from Osborne at
10 minutes pest 6 o'clock yesterday evening, accompanied by
the Prince and Primer Louis of Here and infant Princess
Victoria, Princes Helena, Princess Louise, Prince's Bea-
trice, and Prince Leopold, and attended by Colonel do
Plat, General Sir Charles Phipps, General Sir T. Bid-
dulph, tic. The royal party left Gosport at eleven minutes
past 4 by the South Western train, under the charge of
Mr. Godes*y traffic manager, and arrived at the Basing.
stoke station at fourteen minutes pest 6vo o'clock, when
the royal train was taken in charge of the Great Western
officiab, —Mr. Griereon, general manager • Mr. Burlinsou,
superintendent ; and Mr. Spagnoletti, telegraph anperin-
teodent. The Royal rarty were received at the Windsor
station by Miens. Matthews and Burlinson. The
Queen and Royal Family occupied the two royal car-
riages, which have been magnificently fitted up by the
directors of the Greet Western Railway for the exclusive
accommodation of her Majesty and the Prince of Wales.
The Queen and Royal suite, with their attendants, pro-
oewied to the Castle in eight royal carriages. The station
was unusually crowded with ladies and gentlemen, whose
salutations were graciously acknowledged by the Queen.
Immediately the Prince of Hems arrived at the Castle,
his Royal Highness drove to the White Hart Hotel, and
paid a visit to Baron von Wartburg.

The royal yacht Alberta leaves Portsmouth har-
bour We morning for Flushing, to be in attendance and
embark thew Royal Highnesses the Prince and Primer
Louis of Hesse, and the Prince and Princess Leiniogen on
the Mb, when they will proceed to airdrecht, en route
to Germany.

Prince Peter Dolgoroukow arrived in Stirling on
Tuesday from England, end left the same afternoon for the
Trossachs.

Frances Countess Waldegrave and the Right
Hoe. Chichester Forteecue will be bscourad by the com-
pany of the Doke sad llachese d'Auniale at Dadbrooke
House, Elbe", in a few days.

The Commander-in-Chief at Portamouth, Admi-
ral Sir M. Seymour, KC.B., embarked yesterday evening
on board the Sprightly steam tender, Master Commander
and proceeded on his annual visit of inspection to
the Channel Wands, Ac. During his absence the duties of
the port will devolve on Rear-Admiral George Elliott,
Admiral Superintendent.
Admiralty instructions have been received at
Woolwich urging the construction of Mr. Reed's extant
mental ship Pallas to be completed with all passible expe-
dition. Additional hands have been placed on the work
for that purpose, and her launching is tired to take place
on the 30th of December next. Mr. Reed's 8-gun ironoased
corvette Favourite, in dock at Woolwich, and in progress of
being plated, is ordered to be hastened with all despatch,
so that the dock may be vacated to receive the Pallas after
the launch on the 20th of December.

The Lerant Herald of the 17th says :—"Sir
Henry Bulwer will, we b•ro reason to believe, avail himself
of his annual kayo of absence towards the end of the pre-
sent week. Hia excellency will first proceed to 'Vichy or
P►u, ►nd will afterwards probably make a short run to
England. The Hoe. W. Stuart, the new Secretary of Em-
bony, will be chargé d'affaires during the OM baßillidOell
absence."

We (Pose) understand that there is some pro-
spect of • financial cornmissiou, Mailer to that of Lord
Hobart and Mr. Foster, w►ich went out to Constantinople
in 1862, being sent to Athena for the purpose of reorganising
the Greet finances in ooninnotion with Count Sponseck.
Two freehold houses in Old Broad•strret. near
Gresham House, were yesterday sold by auction by Mr.
Marsh for 23,500!., being at the rate of 300,0001. per acre,
or 560/. per foot (rootage.

Mr. Edward Ljard, a French merchant of
Moorgate street. has opened a imbecription for the sufferers
by the recruit fire at Limoges.

The Emperor of Russia. will shortly return to
Germany, to join the Empress at the waters of Hob wal-
boob ; his Majesty is expected to pass through Berlin about
the sth of September.

The Pope continues to make excursions all
around Castel Gandolfo, keeping the neighbourhood sod
the authorities in • continual Butter of expectation. On
Monday, the lith, he went by rail as far as the Velma's-
tone station on the Naples line, and then, turning off by
• new road which be inaugurated on the occasion, pro-
ceeded to Gennazrano, a large village in the diocese of
Palestrina, famous among painters for its picturesque
situation, and among devotees for its sanctuary dedicated
to the Madonna del Boos Co•aigllo, where • miraculous
image of the Holy Virgin is revered. The Pope enriched
the image with • splendid diamond heart sad necklace,
which he presented through his major-dome, Monsignors
Borrower.

Despatches were sent from the Colonial-office yes-
terday to the Governor of Canada.