The Express.
London, England, 1851-06-17 00:00:00

REVEAL

Mr. J. STUART moved the third reading of this bill,
=liupon what be considered to be the absurd pwl-
ro
the act be proposed to repeal.
TM A VTORNEY-GENERAL opposed the motion, cha-
riots:ming the set as • most valuable and salutary law, and
the Let great step to improve the language of our legiala.
Vas. Ile moved that the bill be read a third time that day
MK 'booths.

.IW-liottUr divided.
• For the third reading l2
86-44
SANDS CLACSRII CONSOLIDATION (IRELAND)

man, not as a statesman. He wants to make a tar-
get of Lord GREY, to humble Sir HENRY SMITH, and
kick out Mr. MONTAOVE. We really care nothing
for all three. But for the interests of the colony,
which is most peculiarly situated, peculiarly peopled,
divided, impoverished, and scattered, and for the in-
terests of England, which hears and knows nothing
on the subject but what party insinuates or blus-
ters, we recommend parliament and the public to
look into the question itself, vetting aside Mr. HAWES
and Mr. ADDERLEY, Sir HENRY DMIf it and Mr.FAIR-
BAIRN. For if a body of impartial and eminent men
do not do this, and do not go into colonial questions
on their own merits, without reference to this lord,
this governor, or any minister, we shall lose every
profit, honour, or advantage, that could accrue from
our past colonial enterprise, without gaining in re-
turn the absence of risk or the surety of economy.

Ma. HrltitlLS is a good dal older than Mr.
Dtstxteu in point of rot% sod s great deal older in
political understanding. The venerable member for
tkamford knows when he is at the wrong side of the
poet, and shrewdly objects to peeping round the
corner when he is certain of being summarily forced
to retire again without having even a chance of
striking one effective blow. Under such circum-
stances, the ancient tactician would much rather keep
quiet, and wait for better opportunities of doing mis-
chief to his foes. No coaxing or cajolery on the part
of his more inexperienced commander can induce
the cunning. old man to budge. General principles,
party impatience, risk of being laughed at as beaten
and done for—no conceivable motive seems to make
any impression on the NESTOR of protection. Who-
ever likes or dislikes the policy of inaction, he is re-
solved not to stir. . _ .

Last night was a trying occasion for Young Rapid.
A fortnight ago, the second reading of the customs
and house-tax bills had been specially fixed for the
first Monday after the holidays, in order that there
might be a fitting opportunity for discussion of their
principle, and for taking. the sense of the House of
Commons thereon. Considerable interest was in con-
sequence felt on all sides to hear the various
views which possibly might be expressed on sub-
jects of so much importance ; and notwith-
standing the tendency of members who for four weary
months and upwards have been listening to discus-
sions of the Ecclesiastical Titles Bill, to remain a
little longer in the country than the precise term of
the Whitsuntide reccss,a pretty numerous attendance
yesterday afternoon at the usual hour when business
is wont to begin, showed that the understanding
above alluded to was not forgotten, and that a preva-
lent feeling existed that if any serious debate was
contemplated on the measures in question, the time
fur raising it had arrived.
But the patriarch of antediluvian economy would
not move. He had made up his mind that, beyond a
prolonged grumble, intermingled with the ordinary
vatieinations of evil to come, it would not be prudent
to offer any ostensible hindrance to the passing of
these reasonable and popular projects of law. After
the melancholy results of the battle of Ceylon, and
the obvious continuance in full operation of the causes
which contributed potentially thereto, no considera-
tion would induce Mr. iiERRILI to hazard another
general engagement. Unless there could be shown
some prospect of winning, he would rather a great
deal not tight. Notoriety, Mut," repeated cheering,"
and all the other incidental gains which a
leader fond of display may hope to realise
by a regular party debate—these are natu-
rally enough as nought in the estimation of
"the only man of official experience or standing
who belongs to the party in the House of Commons.
He wants office, if it is possible, not fur the sake of
having the name of minister for some few brief
months, but for the sake of enjoying its profit and
power for a reasonable period. from his position,
his experience, his time of life, the self-interest of
Mr. IlEault:s is identical with the only rational
policy of his party. Protection, as things now stand,
can never carry them into office with any prospect of
keeping it six months. Perhaps, if the truth were
spoken, neither he nor Lord STANLEY, nor Mr. WAL-
POLE, nor any of the graver members of the party, have
any longer an expectation that upon that crazy raft
they can ever float to shore, or that from it they can
ever cast anchor. Not so, however, with Mr. Dis-
RAELI. lie had rather risk wreck and loss a dozen
times over than not feel himself afloat. Confident intho
life-preserving resources he carries about him, ho
fears little the hazards by which others are appalled.
Repented encounters with overwhelming force
may., bit by bit, destroy the shattered hark that
carries BENJAMIN and his fortunes; ; but he has no
fears of not swimming to land, whatever comes of the
wreck. _ _ _

The somewhat chagrined House of Commons was
thus informed yesterday that the second reading of
the Timber and Coffee Duties Reduction Bill was
only to pass sub sileittio because the protectionist
leaders had had a slight misunderstanding amongst
themselves, and consequently were not ready for
action : but that upon going into committee, they
would certainly be prepared to take the sense
of the house on the principle of the mea-
sure. "If I can persuade my right hon.
friend the member for Stamford to raise the
discussion, it will not be necessary for mc," said the
tantalising leader, " to undertake that duty ; but at all
events, we arc determined not to suffer the occasion to
pellia without asking the opinion of the house on the
financial policy which the Customs and House-tax
Bills involve. But this sly pinch in the car, we
venture to think, will not prevail on " the only man
of official experience or standing in the party" to
lead it out on a forlorn hope for their restless com-
mander's gratification. " l?og won't worry cat, and
cat won't stir from the fire in the house of free-trade
that PELL built."

What can come of a trial of strength on the
ground thus recklessly chosen for conflict, but discom-
fiture and defeat? If upon the comparatively open
field of agricultural distress, where nothing was
professedly contended for but some general relief in
the least exceptionable form, and where no special
interests or great points of principle were ostensibly
assailed—if even there torvism fell short of its pur-
pose on two several occasions—what chance of suc-
cess can be supposed to await it where the banner
unfurled is plainly " Protection," and the whole in-
fluence and interest of the houscholding classes in
town and country is set in array to defend the posi-
tion? More unpopular or impracticable ground it
were impossible to take than that which the rash chief
of the opposition has thought fit to select for his
enterprise. In vain he attempts to throw dust in
men's eyes by pretending that Ins objections are only
financial, not theoretical. The proposal of govern.
meat is to apply two-thirds of the surplus revenue
in lightening the popular burthens in three impor-
tant items—window light, timber, and coffee. Mr.
Dismal.' would continue these burthens avowedly
upon the ground that as he hopes to get rid of the
income-tax next year, and contemplates no large re-
trenchment in the imperial expenditure, the deficit
caused by relinquishing so much taxation would bo
more than a due regard to the public credit would
allow. The disguise is sufficiently flimsy and
transparent. The Protectionists would keep up taxes
on the industrious classes, in order that there might
be such a surplus next year as would render it safe
to abolish the tax on the property of the idle and in-
dolent portion of the community. This is the fiscal
theory of Toryism, to which, in one shape or other, it
is sure to adhere. But we have seldom heard it
lan-
nounced more nakedly and plainly than on the pre-
I sent occasion.

SYRlA.—Father Basil, a Capuchin, was found
strangled at the foot of the altar at Aleppo. The
French consul has taken energetic steps for inquiring
into this crime.

ALGERJA.--General Carron writes on the sth
inst., from the seat of war in Algeria, that the defeat
of Bou-Bagherla, on the tat of June, was so complete,
that the Kabyles offer no further resistance, and that
the objects of the expedition may be regarded as
accomplished.

THE PROPOSED SYNOD AT EXETEL—The public
feeling against the approaching synod has been manifested
this week with augmenting force. The feeling of the
clergy is scarcely less opposed to the usurpation of the
bishop ; but their esprit de corps renders them more cau-
tions in giving expression to it. One of the most determined
of the clerical opponents of the synod, and who has been
greatly instrumental in defeating the bishop in his dean
wishes it to be stated that many of the clergy, itha
amayst the number, abstain from signing the protest under
the btief that it would limit their powers of oition—
whereas they are determined to oppose the synod in nosy
possible way.—Wesiene Timm