The Express.
London, England, 1864-07-30 00:00:00

LONDON, SATURDAY, JULY 30.

THE Session of 1864 has proved quite as cri-
tical for the Government and the country as was
expected when the Houses met on the 4th of
February. Ths expectation was universal that the
Session, and possibly the Qemiti's Speech, would
decide the question of peace or war about Den-
mark, and that a few weeks would settle whether
we were to have • change of ministry and a
general election, or to be spared the occurrence
of such disabling accidents during this anxious
and important year. The Royal Speech showed
clearly that there would be no war, if it could be
avoided by the existing Government ; and wher,l
in answer to complaints of the reticent and re-
pressive character of the speech, Ministers im-
parted as the latest news that Austria and
Prussia were resolved to maintain the treaty
of 1852, there seemed to be ground for hope teat
war would, after all, notbe necessary for the rescue
of Denmark. It was understood, however, that
whether that particular difficulty was escaped or
not, the Conservative party was determined to ob-
tain possession of the Government before the re-
cess. This impression was sure to make the Session
an interesting one, whatever might be the merits'
or the shortcomings of men or parties : and a very
interesting one it has been. It has made clear the
present policy of England in her foreign relations,
and enabled the country to understand the posi-
tion, and thereby to decide what it ought to do,
under the expectation of the vital struggles and
tremendous changes which are impending through-
out the Continent. The almost entire cessation o:
efforts in Parliament to induce • departure from
neutrality in the American cue, and to obtain •
recognition of the Confederate Government, has
shown the benefit of even such imperfect and par-
tial discussion of the subject as took place last
year, and it was rants the hope that, in the same
way, the good effects of the debates on the Danish
case may appear next session in a clear and stable
public opinion about the course which England
should pursue in case of the breaking out of a
great war of opinion in Europe.

The chief value of the Session has been, no
doubt, the clear and strong expressions of opinion
on the transactions now in progress on the Conti-
nent, and also on the general interests of liberty
at home. Mr. GLaDSTONE'S declaration in favour
of the extension of the suffrage is worth more to the
country than a good deal of legislation for profit
or convenience ; and it more than compensates
for the failure of the Reform and Ballot motions
of several veteran reformers. But there have
also been some really good measures p:ased,
among which Mr. Giansrowes Goveromeut An-
nuities Act is the chief. A further loan to the mr,-
nufacturing districts for public works ; the exten-
sion of the protection of the Factory Acts to other
classes of young workers ; the provision for the
casual poor in London next winter; the restraint
upon the profligacy in the streets by the Public
House Closing Act, and upon the nuisance of street
music by its appropriate bill, are benefits of con-
siderable importance. The conditions of penal
servitude are improved, and we may hope to see
the good effects on our convict system. More
doubtful is the tendency of an extension of the
punishment of flogging in gaol.
Besides the complete achievements of the Ses-
sion, we are in possession of some valuable pro-
mises and pledges. We are to have an effective
inquiry into the operation of Capital Punishment,
which may be trusted to remedy before long
the grave evils of uncertainty of punishment, and
insincerity of sentence which prevail at present.
We are promised a Commission of Inquiry into
Middle Class Education generally, and our grammar
and other schools of that class in particular. It
seenis impossible that the Courts of Law BiU
should slip through our fingers again. The LORD
CHANCILLOR is pledged to re-produce his County
Courts Bill amended. Greenwich Hospital is to
be reformed. Such are some of the good things
prospect

The evils intercepted or sentenced by the dis-
cussions of the Session are of far greater impor-
tance. Expositions have been made of our relations
with China and Japan, and with Ashantee and
other African States, which must be a wholesome
restraint on any Ministry. So, also, with our
Colonial wars, from the grave realities of New
Zealand to the lightest rumours of Kaffir troubles
at the Cape. It is possible that an essential im-
provement in our Colonial policy and management
may date from the recent discussions on the New
Zealand war. The condemnation of the assump-
tions of Convocation in the Lords may be • check
on very serious future aggressions on religious
liberty.
We have escaped some liabilities from the
fashionable new tendency to meddle with one
another 's faith and morals ; and we have failed to