The Express.
London, England, 1855-08-20 00:00:00

et, expreoo.

a.ortlatmeats laio7l:lrorllreit;;;llFlWini twang mar,
nut to at tbe Moo. 10. lour et. b Too oNdsok es the
day of publloados.

HIGH WATIIR AT LONDON BRIDGE.
Tim DAT—Naralag. IL lea „ Mimeos. IL MM.
TO•ll.lllLOW—Jlaralag, IL Out Aftmsocio, lb. 24*.

LONDON, MONDAY, AUGUST 20.

THE QUEEN of ENGLAND Is at this moment in
France, without a single guard to defend bee from
the possible attacks of the "hereditary enemy" of ,
England. There is the QUEEN of this mighty ORtiOD,
utterly denuded of all protection, save that which is
ascend to her by the chivalrous sentiments of those
amongst whom she hu thrown herself, but yet
without a single doubt as to the nature of the re-
°option she will meet with. Has she miscalculat',d
the result? Every rational man in England and
France will exclaim, " No, a thousand times no." With
all due deference to Neroizom 111.. the chosen. of eight
millions, we assert that at this moment be divides
his popularity even in France with Queen VICTORIA.
" Perfulo Albion" in the gentle guise of a most gra-
cious Queen, is reposing in loving confidence on the
heart of France. Without one sentimental appeal
to chronology or topography, which we leave to
learned cootemporaries ; without lagging forward
that eternal FROISOART, doomed at the present day
to be resuscitated at the pleasure of any one
who wishes to point a paragraph ; without, in
abort, any lumbering historical fact in the
way of proof, we are safe in declaring that
this is one of the most significant facts in modern
history. It is a fact which has such a large signifi-
cance that it may be understood by any one who
knows no more of history than may be learned by the
perusal of the records of the events of the last twenty
years. During this time the antagonism between the
countries has several times reached its height. Princes
of the blood royal in France have endeavoured
to found political capital on this antagonism,
and have sought popularity by showing how
delightfully the shores of England might be ravaged
at the smallest trouble and cost. French statesmen
have appealed to this antagonism, and have mounted
several steps of the political ladder by denunciations
of "perfle Albion." French writers and musicians
have sought to make themselves a name by writing
and giving musical emphasis to some such phrases u,
being interpreted, mean "Never, oh never, shall
the English reign in France." But all this
hue, the product of the hot fire of poli-
tical selfishness', applied by princes and statesmen,
writers and artists, to the stream of an imperfectly
educated public opinion, has been swept away, never,
we hope, to return, and the two nations see each
other clearly, with all their great qualities sharply
&filled in the transparent atmosphere of truth. This
is a fact which wants no idustration from ancient or
mediaeval history. It is one which appeals to the
most Imptrtant feelings, awakened by the knowledge
of recent facts. Two mighty sovereigns can visit
each other without any difficulty, except that arising
from the tremendous enthusiasm excited by the
subjects of ea,:b.

The circumstances of the ceremony, as they have
been related in the public journals, are calculated to
bring forward the greatness of the fact in its strongest
light. The Emperor of the FRENCH advances to the
edge of his dominions, hat in hand, to welcome his
greatest ally. The inhabitants of his vast em-
pire cheer the Quegif, in unmistakeable " hur-
rahs," a cheer which they have learned for
the purpose of giving her welcome, in terms with
which her ears have been long acquainted. They
wish her to believe herself, for the time, amidst
her own subjects. They would desire that even the
temporary uneasiness arising from the feeling of
absence from her native land should be forgotten.
The rally musical strains that she bears are those of
the familiar air of "God save the Queen" pealing
from a vast chorus of instruments and voices. In the
midst of this jubilant chorus the QuaaN lands. She
is received by the descendant of Neeocsom and the
inheritor of his power with respectful homage. He
raises her hand to his lips, and salutes her after the
fashion of his conotry by kissing her on both cheeks.
He then constitutes himself, for the time, the head of
her MAJESTY'S body-guard. He hands the whole
royal party into the carriage, and, mounting
his horse, rides on the left side, followed
by his staff. This is her escort to the
station. Her reception there is worthy of
the EMPEROR and the mighty nation whose destiny
he controls. Amidst the cheering of countless DUCA..
bens of Frenchmen, the Queen of ENGLAND and her
Imperial host depart for the capital of France.

Making all allowance for the _-
thusiasm excited by peculiar circumstances, it cannot
be denied that something solid will be deposited as
the result of the meeting which has just taken
place. It is as much • meeting of the nations
as of the Sovereigns. Most of us remember,
some years back, • visit paid to England
by a Sovereign who came recommended by all the
dynasties on the continent. He was considered •
model of an Emperor by every court in Europe. He
brought, however, no credentials from the nations
over whose destinies those courts held sway. NI-
CHOLAS was Wed by Sovereigns whose subjects
cursed him in their hearts. He arrived here, and
the QcsEtt, in the exercise of that courtesy which
a brother Sovereign claimed, gave the CZAR
the benefits of all the rites of hospitality.
But the people were dumb. He showered his
money about right imperially, but he never
obtained his money's worth. He bought jewels, but
not a single smile. The aristocracy fawned on him,
but the people bated him. How true is the instiiiet
of a nation ! This man, the pet of the dynasties, gams
back to Russia to embroil all Europe in a war. The
silence of the nations was prophetic. They stook
blood as the tyrant passed amongst them. Contrast the
reception which the AUTOCRAT experienced, with that
Of NAPOLEON 111. in England, and that of QOM VW
Tows in France. The people in both countries haw
that there is something far more significant in the
meetings of these two Sovereigns than a mere inter-
change of regal courtesies. They know that in this
caw the Sovereigns are the exponents of the feelings
of the citizens of each country. They know that such
meetings are a pledge that the league against
despotism and barbarism will be strengthened.
" Civilisation" was the word inscribed on the gigantic
scroll held by the statue surmounting the triumphal
arch under which the Queue' entered the railway
station. It is the canes of civilisation which the union
of England and France is intended to advocate
While these two nations remain united, eivilisatioo
will not retrograde. If they separate, civilisation
will be overwhelmed by a flood of barbarism from the
?firth. The people of England aid el Frame knew
this, and recognise therefor* in the visit of Qom
\Timm* not only a seal of present friendship, but
an earnest of future security.