The Express.
London, England, 1853-07-01 00:00:00

These remarks have been confined to examples
taken from the military profession, because in it
there are certain qualities, such as personal bravery,
which are affected by no education ; and this fact
renders the case of the adversaries a little stronger.
But there are no considerations of the kind to inte.•
fere with the argument when confined to mere civil
services. And the Government measure is directed
exclusively to this class of appointments. No one
can doubt that a civilian will in general be
qualified for his post, in proportion as he
has been well prepared for it by proper
education. There is, however, one very strong
point which might be used by the opponents
of examination if they choose to avail them-
selves of it. The point is the unsatisfactory nature
of the present examinations. The system as it stands
is not sufficient to enable the public to decide abso-
lutely upon who are the best men. Nevertheless it
is

better than none. Improve the examinations,
and you will improve the men. In the meantime,
do not quarrel with these examinations because they
do sot do everything. A little learning may be a
dangerous thing—but no learning at all is still more
dangerous. Let India have the best that you can
give her, and make a determination that you will en-

deavour to do everything in your power to elevate
your present standard.

THE last

of Count NI

the Porte—published in our columns yesterday—iscer-
tainlyoneof the most impudent documents ever penned.
Three months ago Russia tried and nearly succeeded
ins feline attempt to make sure of her prey suddenly
and unawares. While the representatives of France
and England were absent from Constantinople, her

-
envoy presented himself at the gate of the Seraglio,

and: when admitted, sought to obtain a pro-

mine that whatever his
Government of the SULTAN might be, they should
not be made known to the other European powers.
This attempt to steals march on European diplomacy
having failed, she next resorted to terror and defiance.

with the

No efforts were spared by Prince MENCHIKOFF to

browbeat the Porte, and to overawe her allies. But
the ministers of ABDUL MEDJID proved themselves

unswayed by fear; and of the allies, Austria alone
has shown any symptoms of yielding to the menaces

of the would-be dictator. Prince MENCIIIKOFF has
been allowed to go as he came, and the subsequent
reiteration of his demands by way of ultimatum,
ostentatiously forwarded from St. Petersburg direct,
has resulted only in the repetition of their peremp-
tory refusal. Baffled thus alike in the designs she
sought to accomplish, first by stealth, and then by
threatening', the policy of Russia next assumed
another form, affecting a tone of dignified and dilatory
parley. The passionless and prolix circular of Count
NESSELRODE may be considered as the opening
speech of this third act of the drama, wherein it
is hoped that the plot will thicken, former friends
fall out, and sundry other mischiefs come to pass.
The NESSELBODE note crowns the whole. All the skill
of Russian artifice is now busily at work to put
Western Europe into a mesmeric sleep. The nervous
systems of France and of England require to be dealt
with in different ways; and accordingly the well-
togas& agents of Russia, in society and in the
peso, appear to be making passes in opposite dine-
ttes', but all of which are carefully calculated to tell
with combined effect. Costly hotels in Paris, and
chateaux in the country, are formally announced
as having been hired by Russian families of rank for
two years certain, in order to impress our neigh-
bours with the notion that those who ought to know
best at St. Petersburg do not anticipate war. On
this side of the Channel more business-like methods
are resorted to ; and journalism, in the interests
of that peculiar patriotism which measures all
national good or evil by its effect on the share
market, is sedulously engaged in preparing the
public mind for the ultimate submission of
Turkey to the humiliating requirements of the
CUL The allied fleets having by this time dropped
weber within a few hours' call of the Divan, it is
already insinuated that France and England can
with propriety do no more. The Froth may indeed
be crossed; Moldavia and Wallachia may be occupied ;
Turkish ships in the Black Sea seized or sunk ; and
the inhabitants of Bulgaria bribed or duped into
einselies disturbances in order to provoke b-
estial impatience on the part of the Turin
for their repression, and thus in turn to exapperate
the smouldering enmities of creed and race among
an ignorant and credulous peasantry. All this and
much more Russia desires to be allowed to do with
impunity during the next three months ; and all this
It is, therefore, sought to make the public regard be-
forehand as probable, and, in fact, inevitable. Every
palms is taken to depict the weakness of the Ottoman
power and the hopelessness of its eventual stability
and safety. Something is said at intervals indeed about
the Autocrat not being suffered to dictate the course of
events altogether in his own way. But the old cry
is revived, though in more wary accents and indeter-
minate tones, that great changes in the Eut are ap-
proaching. Suggestions of disloyalty are with little'
disguise made to the Greek subjects of the SULTAN—
suggestions but too well calculated to sow the seeds
of suspicion and distrust in less embarrassed councils
than those of the Porte, if not speedily eradicated
by unmistakable proofs of a fearless and generous
policy on the part of the allies. It is time we
knew all that can be known, and time also that it
should be known whether the allies mean to bring
this contest to a prompt and honourable settlement.
The fate of Turkey now trembles in the balance.
Austria some time ago showed her unwillingness to
oppose Russian demands. Prussia now seems frost-
bitten and disinclined to stir. What will England
and France do? Is Turkey to be exhausted by de-
pletion and delay—to be worn out by costly prepara-
tions for a contest she is not to wage in defence of
her own NEASELTIODE'S note announces in plain
tams the intended occupation of the Danubian
Principalities by a Russian corps d'artnee, if not
its actual intrusion into Bulgaria. Are the over-
matched forces of Turkey to be content to defend the
line of the Balkan. Russia can afford to look
with unconcern upon the idle parade of so many
ships of the line in Besika Bay, if she is allowed to
work her rapacious will on either bank of the Danube.
No bird of prey, however voracious, can clasp in its
talons and make its own of more than one victim at
a time ; and the SULTAN possesses many provinces,
any one or two of which would suffice to gorge even
the Muscovite lust of rapine in the first campaign.

FLOWER SHOW AT THE SURREY ZOOLOGICAL
GARDINS.—The second exhibition for the season of the
Royal &nth London Floricultural Society took place yes-
terday at the Surrey Gardens, and proved most attractive
to a large and fashionable assemblage. The show was alto-
gether of very high merit, and in several of its departments
gave evidence of rapid and marked progress in the cultiva-
tion of those delicate exotics which form the staple of such
institutions. The pelargoniums were in great forte, and
included some new varieties, which were much noticed, es-
Tally Robinson's specimens. Another remittable
feature in the exhibition was the collection of roses sent in
from Mr. Paul's, Cheshunt, of a great size, variety, and fra-
grance ; and there were also some splendid heaths, wbica
attracted considerable notice. The collection of fruit sqras
small, but of superior quality, especially a basket of grapes
from her Majesty's purveyor of fruit at Brighton. .iaken
altogether the show may be pronounced of a high standard
of excellence, and the award of prizes gave general satisfac-
tion. In addition to the floral attractions of the fate the
weal amusements of the gardens te.Viuwed in the evening.
Chum was bombarded with more than ordinary determi-
nation and effect, and the eT.cellent band contributed a
varied and well selected Colle:ert.