The Express.
London, England, 1864-10-22 00:00:00

[Stamped, id. Additional.]

THE SOLICITOR-GENERAL ON PUBLIC

AFFA WS.

The parliamentary representatives of Plymouth,
Sir R. P. Collier, her Majesty's Solicitor.Ormeral, and Mr.
W. Morrison, addressed the electors sad non-.lectors of
Plymouth co Thursday evening, to the Mechanics' Hall,
which we cleanly crowded. Mr. DAVID DIMS took the
chair, is the &Memos of Mr. Trotter, Chairman at the
Liberal Carmaittas, who had a previous engagement.

The Eloticrroa-Getneal, on rumg, was received with loud
chain. He proosend to show the present times
bad bees pecuy trying to the law officers of the sown,
the Americas war having given rise to so many new as-
non of intonation! law. His colleague and himself had
dealt with then matters, be believed, in an inipartiel
and judicial spirit. It concerned us more than any
other power to enforce the doctrine that the ports
of a neutral country should aot be made assent& for
belligerents. It appeared to use (said the learned patio.
man), I must confess, that there was • small party
in the Hone of Commons who appeared to desire to
drive us by taunt, and reproaches into • war with America
without at the mine time committing themselves to that
policy. (Hear.) We were wound of listing under the
tation of Mr. Adams. We were seemed of truckling to the
American government. Every potable taunt and reproach
was used for the paepue of inducing us to show our spirit
by going to war ; while at the same time Ines who uttered
thus taunt, and reproaches carefully &beaten from
pledging themselves toe warlike policy. (Hear, hear.) Why,
psalm's, what would have been tie result if then tenets
ad.reproachs bad produced the desired effect, sad we bad
been weak enough to have been goaded into wart Those
very men would have turned round upon as, and denounced
us for pureeing that COW./ of cooduot. (Applause.) Genie-
men, we did not fall into that trap ; but if we had been so
' foolish as to have dope so, we should have richly deserved
the censure which would hare been viand upon us. (Han,
hear.) Gentlemen, I duel papw to address you more at
length upon the subject of the American war. (Hear, hem.)
Una the roma' question I have addressed you on pre-
vious noasions. As to it, future, I will not attempt
to prophecy. It is very easy to atter • prophecy,
and it is impossible to =Marlin it at the time, but events
may contradict it in the future. I will do no more therefore
than fawns tie hope, which I most fervently entertain,
that out alibi, horrible strife, out of this immerse amount
of evil and suffering, almost unparalleled in the history of
the world. God in bis own time will educe this great goad
—the abolition of slavery. (Applause.) And if that be
the nue of the contest it will be impossible to say that the
blood which has been end has been altogether shed in
vain. The learned gentleman then commented oa the
foreign policy of the last year, referring to the proposed
European megrims, the Polish and Denali questions, and
Italy. On all the subjects be defended with much
vigoer the conduct of the British government, maintains(
that it wee often the duty of a great nation to pronounce
its opinion without resorting to arms end protect against •
Reat wroog. Had Denmark agreed to the proposal of Lord
ussell in 1862, whin had ben assented to by the German
Diet. the whole gamine would have been amicably settled.
Gentlemen, I have said all I men to say upon questne of
foreign policy; now then foe • few words upon the topic of
domestic legislatioa. I very much regret that the question
of church-rates appears to have been in so unsatisfactory •
condition that no ne member thought it worth while—or,
poribly it prodeat—to challenge the opinion of the House
of Commons upon that subject during the session. My old
friend Sir John Trelawny, who has faithfully served that
canoe fora number of years, has finally thrown It up-1 am
afraid in /Baguet—an no oue seems inclined to take DP his
mantle. It certainly appears to my view that the House
of Common has fallen backward upon the subject
of church-rette--(hear)— foe two sessions ago we
freed ourselves in • minority upon the question,
having been aceastomed to • mayeity ever since 1 have
been to perliament. A great many ingenious suggestions
have been made for the purpose of settling this church-
rate question by oompromise. Aland everybody that I
have met with has some pet plea of compromise in his
packet. Well, I mast say it appears to me there is • very
simple way of settling it, and the only way of settling it
that I koow of, and that ie to abolish the rates altogether.
(Applause.) Some other questions in which 1 take
great interest have come before parliament this 11111600.
I may take cootelcs to remark to you shortly on the
question of the ballot, upoe whin my °pietas are
altomether unchanged. (Hear.) Yon brow that I have
always supported the ballot, and I shall always coninue
to do ea. (Applause.) Without salsrisig into • din/nein
upon that question I would remark that there ran
annalist in it, favour which hes not, ih my opines, been
sullieisetly dwelt spin If the Woe were adonsit the
state of the poll would not be known until the election
was over. Under the present system a number of
electors keep back until benne three and four o'clock,
knowing that the price of their commodity would rim
(laughter.) Sometimes I believe that • candidate who
does not intend to bribe mite about three in the afternoon
into • slate of esaitenient—so do his committee—and when
es
bade that be can secure his return in that mann, he
very often bribes when be had sot intended to do so. I
remember myself ones walking into a borough, which shall
be nameless, and hoaxing it said, " Yotesaluive rises • good
deal lately ; Gay have now
igot up to 30/." (Laughter.)
That was about three o'clock n the afternoon. At all event.,
thee. one benfit of the ballot would be that no on weld
know the state of the poll until the mid of it, and
therefore there would be an mid to all that hanging
beck it order to get enhanced bribes. (Hear.) I thought
it my duty to input Mr. Beisee's motion for the
ntession of the suffrage. (Hear.) I have always been
of opinion that the suffrage might be safely extended,
and have voted for that measure many times be.
'ore—itamely, the six-pound household cuffing. ;(Heer.)
And, gentlemen, that 61. household franchise will be
adopted when the people of Reiland are determined to have
it, and not before. (Applause) I may minim that I had
greet pleasure in supporting the bill of Mr. Boum* for
enabling dissenters to take degrees and vote at Oxford, se
tending to finnan that univanity. (Hear, hear.) I will
sot dwell further epos the zneaseres of the last session,
but will merely observe, in conclusion, that no testimony
could be stronger to the great ad growing prosperity of the
country that the budget of Mr. Gladstone, onwithetanaing
the enormous loss inflicted upon an important branch of our
trade by the American war, which entailed great suffering
upon a very large portion of our working damn (Hear.)
Gentlemen, I wee saying that is consequence of the en.
troordioary elasticity of our resources, notwithstanding
the depression of the cotton trade, the Chancellor has
be.. enabled to take off 2,000,000 e, from our Sunni in
addition to 10,003,000 f. which he had taken off before.
(Applause.) There are some politicians who may be called
habitual detractors of their country—there are the who
say we have lit prestige in Europe, who say that we have
sunk to a second or third rate power, and have become •
bye-word and • reproach =cent nations, because we
have not engaged is unnecessary and Quixotic European
wars. These detractors have always existed. 1 remain-
ber that when the Reform Bill was passed there were
the who mid, " The sun of England's glory has set for
ever"—flaughteri—and as free-trade measures hare from
time to time been pain& I have heard them declare
that we were becoming •• irretrievably ruined." But the
detractors io the preset day are happily wrong, for it
is because the goveromant have abstainedfrom war, have
husbanded our wealth, and have applied it to the en-
Wain of commerce, that we are so strong and powerful
as we have become. (Cheers.) If a just cease of war
arises—sod no cause of war can be just except such as bat
for tie object the repelling of egression, or the vindication
of oar national honour—we are enabled to put forth more
power
rop:ham we ever were before. The whole imminent of
knows it, and I maintain that we were never mote
powerful, never more prosperous, and never more respected
then now. (Applause.) I have to be followed by my very
worthy colleague (Mr. Monism), and allow me to bespeak
your kind attention for him. I have sat with him is ; the
House of Commons for some time, and this seeks be has
taker • part that has no doubt been creditable to him. He
has been well listened to, he has been most assiduous in his
attention to his iduties, and has been particularly at-
tentive to • most useful but not very showy kid of busi-
ness—l mean the bunnies dune in parliameotary commit-
tees, where he has rendered services which I cancot pretend
to renter ; sod you never is your life made a better choice
than who you selected Mr. Morrison. (Applause.)

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQCER AND THE
Univiarirrr or OXFOID.—Then now stems to be no doubt
of Mr. Gladatooe's determination to stead again for the Uni-
versity of Oxford, and his friends and supporters are very
sanguine that be will be returned by a larger majority than
ever. It in ooafideatly stated in University circles that Mr.
Gatborne Hardy, of Hemetead-park, Kent, who was ads-
cited at Oriel College, will be brought forward in opposition
to Mr. Gladstone whenever an election may take place.
Since the laat election. in 1849, when the Chancellor of the
Exchequer defe..ted the Marquis of Chandos, a revolution
has taken place in the form of voting, and instead of mem-
bers of coavoostion having to present thotosllves in person
at Orford to tender their votes, they will now be enabled
to appear before a justice of the pence, sod record their
rotas, in sooordanoe with the following form of Schedule,
24 & 23 Viet., cap Ad :-1, , do hereby declare that
I have signed no other voting paper at this election, sod
do hereby give in, vote at this election fur , and I
nominate C. D., IL F., G. H. or any of them, to deliver
this paper at the poll. Witness my hand day of ,
18 . Signed ( ) sod residence.—Signed in my pre-
emies by Umiak! A. 8., who is personally known to me. on
the above-mentioned day of , 18 , the name or names
of as candidates voted for, having been pre-
viously filleti in. Signed J. M., of , Justice of Pesos
for

FORZION-OFFIC; Oar. Il.—The Queen has been
graciously pleased to appoint Robert Bunch Eiq., latel7
her Majsety's Causal at Charleston, to be her Majesty s
Cossol-Oseenlla the Island of Cubs.—Oesetic.

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[TWOPENCE

THE BISHOP OF ROCHESTER ON MODERN
INFIDELITY.

The Lord Bishop of Rochester held his triennial
visitation of the clergy of his diocese in the cathedral at
that city yesterday morning, and afterwards delivered a
them) to them. The right rev. prelate commenced by
all to the vast extent of the dime= which was placed
under his episcopal charge ; and having taken • review of
the varied efforts now being made by the clergy of the
diocese, and exhorting them to increased exertions in their
holy work, his lordship proceeded to remark as follows-
-11 It has often been a subject of regret that our
church had no simple authorised summary of the
=innate of the faith, nor any recognired defence
of the inspiration and authority of Holy Scriptures.
Without question such subjects are brought forward illa•
du:Tont:6l and directly in sermons and in popular lectures
the parishes, and books of instruction an lent to
the people, or sold to them by our book hawkers. But
scenething more is required. To me there is little sans-
(adios is being told that the writings of the essayists or
of Dr. Cohere are unknown in a town or a village, or that
a copy es extract from them has sever been se= there ; or
that indifferentism or worldliness are the reel and almost
only evils she pastor has to contend sgainst. What else are
worldliness and iodifferenoe but the fruits of our evil heart,
of unbelief. Indifference to what? To the Word of Ood ;
to the authority of Him who has made bare His arm to His
creatures sad spoken from heaves! Sorely it is
' madness to turn away the eve or ear thus from
what is the true state of the case. The derision and
taiustimp of the accomplished sceptic end an echo through
the low press in the public-house and beenhop, or places of
common neon throughout the' land. Neste of men, in
idle corners of villages, repeat the coarse sarcastic jams
among themselves, or as • quiet religions person passes by.
The dirty group is their working dress on the Sunday
morning, is the country town or village, sometimes will
meet • well-intended word of exhortation with some com-
mon saying which the infidel mind his devised. Seeplical
maxims are curvet among ungodly persons of every close
alike. What else are snob expressions as theme? We
have not to answer for what we believe." " • man's reli-
gion comes • from his country or his education, he
does not make himself what he is." "No matter
what I believe if I am sincere." "U my
heart is right God will not we for my faith.
" Orthodoxy is not religion ; they an quite different
things." 'Religion is for the rich, who hare time for it.
We will be religions when our betters show us the way."
What are these but emanations of direct scepticism clothed
in specious words? Is it not worth the pains that those of
oar people who are right-minded should be guarded against
suck sophistries, even though such as utter them cannot
always be won to the acknowledgment of the truth! The
distrust which some have manifested of openly con-
fronting such scepticism has seemed very strange to
me." The danger of disturbing what is settled"—
"the fear of introducing cootroveny " when there
is such known and avowed opposition to the truth.
Surely there must be • misunderstanding of the subject,
if reasons like these as =nib= our endeavours or silence
our tongues. The right rev. prelate thee proceeded to in-
culcate the duty of the clergy to combat error wherever it
was found to prevail, and to bike every means in their
power to see that their flocks were grounded is the faith.
After alluding to other diocesan matters his lordship ex.
hotted his brethren to Maw= activity, for if the clergy
faithfully discharged their duties in thar parish churches,
and during their pastoral visitations, error would he kept
at bay.

raz LITERARY SEASON.

(From the /titmouse.)
The proteins of the literary season begin to
startle one by their magnitude and variety. Mr. Murray's
anseenosenote are of great extent sad neuron interest,
including " The Iliad of Homer, rendered into English Blank
Verse," by Edward Earl of Derby ; " Plato and the other
Companion of Samaria" by George Grote ; " Narrative
of an Expedition to the Zambezi and its Tributaries; and
of the discovery of Lakes Shirai and Breese, between the
Year. 1868 and 1864," by David Livieptom, M.D.. sad
Charles Livingstone ; " The new Testament Illustrated," by
the Rev. Edward Churton sad the Rev. Boil Jones;
" Travels and Adventures of Arminiva Vimbery ;" " The
British Army in China and Japan," by 1). F. Ratak. M.D. •
" A Second Series of Lactates on the Bigger of thi
Jewish Church from Samuel to the Captivity," by Arthur
Peeditya Snaky, Diann Westminster; " Some new chapters
on Parliamentary Government, considered with Ref armee
to Reform." by Earl Grey ; " Narrative of the Siberian
Oinked Jamey bees Peking to Bt. Petersham," by
Alameda. Minns; " Hiner, of the Preach
tins, 1796-17*," by Profaner Von Sybil, of Munich,
translated from the bat edition with the author's
medics, by Edward Wilberforce "Some Account
of Gothic Architecture in Spain," by 0. E. Street;
" Researches into the History of Mankind," by E. B.
Tyler; three new volumes of "The Judges of Eselead,"
by Edward Foes; " Ephemera," by Lord Lyttehos ;
"James Brindle, and the Early Engineers," by Samuel
Smiles; "A New History of Painting in Italy, from the
Second to the Sixteenth Gentry," by J. A. Crowe and G.
B. Cavakeselle ; " Lives of the Warriors of the Seven-
tenth Century, who have Commanded Fleets and Armies
before the Enemy," by Lieut.-Gee. Sir Edward Can ; "The
Modern Samaritans, and a Visit to Rabin's," by the Rev.
John ; " An English Geatlenne's House : being Prac-
tical Hints for its Plea and Armagement," by Robert Kerr ;
Vol. ILL and IV. of "A History of Modem Europe •
from the Taking of Cosetaniteople by the Turks
to the Close of the War le tee Crimes, 14531857," by
Thomas H. Dyer ; " Physical Geography of the Holy
Land," by the Rev. Edward Robinson ; " Modern War-
fare as influsooed by Modern Artillery," by Colonel P. L.
M'Doogall ; " Sams Account of the Musa of the aeon
Ancient Nantes, particularly of the Anytime, Egyptians,
sad Hebrews," by Gad Easel ; " The Works of Alexander
Pope ; with a New Life, Introductions, and Notes," by the
Rev. Whitest' Elwin, B.A. ; " Memorials of Service is
India;" from the Correspoodence of the late Major Mac-
pherson, C. 8., edited by his Brother, William Macpliersoa ;
• life sad Times of Sir Joshua Reynolds," commenced by
the late C. R. Leslie, ILA., motioned and concluded by
Tom Taylor ; and "History of Media, Babylon, and Ponds."
by the Rev. Geormlia.elonce, M.A.
Mann. Groom and Soto have in the roes :—" Ten
Years in Sweden," y the Old Bushman ; ' The Temple
Anecdotes," by Ralph and Chandra Temple "Tae Pauper,
the Thief, sad the Convict" by Thomas Archer; "To-Day:
Frays and Miscellanies," by John Hollinphead ; The
Childhood aed School-Room Hours of Royal Children." by
Julia Luard ; "Two Months in • London Hospital," by
Arnold J. Cooley.
Mr. Newby announces :—" A Right-Mieded Woman: •
Novel," by Prank Trollope ; " &mince Lee: a Novel," by
L. Curling ; "The Root of ell Evil," bv En:about Sheldon ;
"Alice Ferran: a Novel," by E. J. Redly ; " Yaxley sod ite
Neighbourhood : a Novel," by the author of "Myself sad
my Relatives ;" " The Serf Wife among the Mines of Si-
beria and " &glib America, or Pictures of Canadian
Place; and People," by Samuel Phillips Day.
Mr. Nimmo u preparing " Memoirs of the Life sad
Writings of Sir Richard Steele," by H. R. Moet
" Tabor's Trackman ; or, the Veil Lifted ;" " The Bookof
Wit and Humour a Collection of Witticisms, Humorous
Assodotee, and Articles, selected from the Authors of all
Countries," edited by Alexander Halop ; " Chemical Bio-
graphy," from Plutarch ; " English Characters," from the
Writings of Butler, Overbury, and Earle,.
Mews. Blackwood and Sous bare is the press •—" The
Perpetual Curate," by the Author of " Salem Chapel ;"
" Captain Grant's Narrative of his Journey through Africa
with Captain Spike ;" " The Great Governing Families of
&tetrad," by J. Langton Sanford and Meredith Townsend
" The Economy of Capital ; or, Thoughts on Gold and
Trade," by R. H. Patterson.
Messrs. Seeley, deckles, and Halliday snacemes "The
Stones of Palestine," by Mrs. Mentor Mott ; " The Law-
giver : a Sketch of the Principal Events in the History of
Moses," by Mrs. Webb; " Foundation Truths; Four
Sermona," by the Lord Bishop of Melbourne ; " Temper
its Use and Abuse," by a Staffordshire Curate, with a Pre-
fers by the Rev... C. Itrle, IL A. ; sod " Rich and Poor :
Narratives illustrative of Relative Duties," by C. E. B.

THE Inrirsraim. ExalarrioN.—During yesterday
the attendance at the Agricultural-hall was 9,000. Per-
formances upon the grand organ added an interest to the
exhibition.
MR. Srciztrizorr.—A writer in the rifustrated
Times says :—"Of two sermons by Spurgeon nearly a
quarter nfa million copies have been sold ; and, u each
sermon fills a sheet, 500 manna paper have base mended
oe these alone. Dal ever sermons sell like theme before ?
Never since the first sermon was preached. Mr. Spurgeon
is clearly one of the remarkable phenomena of thew offer-
veseint times. When be first appeared above the horizon
it was foretold that be would soon run his course and rink,
serer to rise maim. This prophecy has, however, not been
fulfilled. He is still as popular as ever. Every Sunday 5,000
people flock to hear him ; and he is popular, too, in foreign
countries, if it be true—and there *gems to be no dash*
that it is—that his weekly disoourses are regularly traoslated
into French, Dutch, German, and Italian, and meet with a
ready gide. Wherein his power lies I never could die.
cover. More than once or twice I have wended my way to
the Tabernacle to discover the philosophy of his attractive
force, but sever auceeeded ; could not once, indeed, sit
oat his wearisome discourse. He has a loud voice, a con-
Admit tone, awkward master, and unattractive presence;
whilst his matter is simply the old Calvinistic divinity
bashed end served up is rough style. It was thought that
it was the rough wit and daring Wentzellce with whi.yli be
seasoned his dish that made it attractive ; but I am told
that he has dropped all this, and yet the people Nearly
rash to the feast every Basday, listen to his !bermes'
really with lateens interest, and, what is more wospurful,
read than is the week."

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