The Express.
London, England, 1866-02-03 00:00:00

RITUALISM IS THE CHURCH.

The Daily Yews character:Yes the guarded language used
by the Archbishop of Canterbury to the influential deputa-
tion who, on Thursday, represented in so moderate a way
the ritualistic practices which change the whole face of
public worship, and leave but a shadowy and imperceptible
distinction between the Holy Communion of the church of
England and the Boman mats—as peculiarly under the
present circumataocr a, the language of policy and prudence,
The clerical leaders of the extreme ritual party in the dio-
ceses of London and Winchester have measured very nicely
the limits of episcopal authority, and a certain rubric
exists which seems to counienanoe them. If, as the tend-
ency of opinion bas lately indicated, law is on their side, it
will be very difficult to reach them. The subscribers to the
memorial are desirous t, refer themselves solely to the
wisdom of the bishops, but the ultra-ritualists refuse to do
anything of the kind, always reply jag, as the Bishop of
London told the House of Lords lest year, that they need
no interpretation of the rubric from a bishop, archbishop,
or anyone else. It is not easy to see what can be done
under these circumstances ; but, looking at the multiplica-
tion of district churches, in which, for the most part, these
practices expressing a theological system so inconsistent
with that of the Church of England are most prevalent,
divisions more dangerous than any that have ever yet oc-
curred threaten to weaken the church.

The Poet eonimente upon the multiplicity sod eontra-
riety of the rules now in force with respect to live stock,
remarking that they have naturally given rise to many
attempts, either deliberate or oniotentional, to evade the
law, and so caused a good deal of irritation. In March
fresh difficulties will arise. If we continue to atop
the circulation of black cattle in the spring as
we are now doing, we shall hinder graziers and
others getting stores to eat their grass, and in many eases
prevent any increase of the bovine species. On the other
hand, even the slightest relaxation of existing precautions
cannot fail to spread contagion. We h►ve then a short
month before us prior to the opening of the ordinary spring
trade in cattle, during which the work of stamping out the
pest is to be performed. Can the thing be done in that
time, or. indeed, at all ? The country looks to parliament
with hope and confidence that it will deal with this serious
evil In a prompt and, if possible, effectual manner.
The daily avenge of awe, which wee 222 in October,
and 1,343 in January, shows a rate of increase which, if
maintained, the Herald say., will clear hill and dale, field
and meadow, shed and cow-Loose, of every horned animal
before the close of the current year! The measures of the
government have been confreedly inadequate, bat moat
eves sow might be done by forbidding th• transport of
five attic, the imperative use of the pole-axe, and com-
pelling all dealers to beoome wren butchers, sending their
meat to market ready killed. Upon the question of com-
pensation the Herald at present says nothing. Parliament
is now in seeks, and we shall before long have an oppor-
tunity of learning whether the legislature will, or will not,
be disposed to accord to the sufferers by this national &s-
-tatues that consideration which the cabinet denies.

Mr. George Bastin/Ir, who has retired from parliament oe
secant of ill health, addeseens • keg letkr to the Times
bedding that it in the rural &dries which have moot
reason to complain of inadequate representation in par-
liaised. Were they barer repreerated, he WA the repeal