The Express.
London, England, 1860-04-10 00:00:00

THE . EXPRESS, TUESDAY E

If they are really qualified to diagram, the du
of good citizens, it does not mattfir br•ouzo
they are. We cannot have Ilfralicat of a
thing. If they are not than it dook,
matter how few they are : they ought not t

admitted within the pal eof the constitution. But
to admit the honesty and intelligence of the class,
and yet deny them the suffrage simply on account
of their numbers, is not only a weak and suicidal,
but a most mischievous position for any party to
assume on this question.

The assumption of thia.position, however, is not
confined to the Tories. It is maintained in a far
more extreme form and with greater pertinacity
amongst reactionary Liberals. The seal of con-
verts is proverbially great, and as a dissenter in
the Church makes the most rabid Episcopalian,
so a converted Radical presents the extremeat
type of Toryism. The ardent spirit of reac-
tion naturally exceeds the more temperate
bounds of a stable opposition ; and the only real
opponents of all Reform are to be found in the ranks
of the so-called Liberals. The regular Tories
content themselves with opposing Reform on
trivial and inconsequent grounds. But indignant
Liberals who have suddenly become enamoured of
Toryism are satisfied with no such half measures.

They are for taking a more determined and
thorough-going course. Not satisfied with opposing
this particular measure, they denounce all reform.
Even this is not sufficient. They must
trace it back to its source, and stigma-
tise not only the principles on which it
rests, but the very constitution and form
of government out of which it springs. A tone of
this sort may be detected in the speeches and
writings of the ardent anti reformers who style
themselves Liberals. As a specimen of the class,
we may quote the most recent manifesto of the
school that has come under our notice. For
serene self-complacent dogmatism and modest
assurance it is, we should fancy, unrivalled even
in the reactionary literature to which it be-
longs. The writer starts by asserting
" that the whole Liberal party have since
" the agitation for the first Reform Bill been corn-
" mitted to one or two leading fallacies on the
" subject of Parliamentary Representation, which
" they are now merely following out to some of
" their logical consequences." That is tolerably
cool for a beginning, and one is naturally inte-
rested in listening to the unknown master of poli-
tical science who never questions his own superior
insight and logical acumen as compared with the
statesmen of the " whole Liberal party" for
thirty years. The continuation of the article does
not belie the outset. As we read on we discover
that the charge of the opening sentence might
have been made more general still. It might and
ought to have taken the more comprehensive form,
" that the whole constitutional party in this
" country has, since the great Revolution, been
" committed to one or two leading fallacies on
" the subject of government, which they are now
" only following out to some of their legi-
" timate results." This will appear from an
enumeration of the fallacies specified. The
first fallacy is that all who are qualified to vote
ought to possess the franchise, whereas this should
be the privilege of only a few amongst the many
who are entitled to it. The second fallacy is, that
of those who have votes the minority ought to
govern the majority instead of the majority go-
venfing the minority. This is stigmatised as
the " majority-fallacy." The third fallacy
is, that representative government rests on
the will of the nation instead of—but the
alternative is not articulately stated. This, how-
ever, is needless, and might have been offensive to
some weak and fastidious minds. We all know
what is the opposite theory of government to that
denounced as a fallacy, and the opponent of all
real Representative Reform very consistently falls
back on the doctrine of divine right. This is, at
all events, intrepid, and has the negative
merit of placing the opposition to Reform
on a broad and intelligible basis. The
whole reasoning, so far as it has any
force, tells equally against our whole system of re-
presentation as against any reform of it. If
amongst the many qualified to vote only a few are
actually to possum the franchise, and of the few
the minority are to override the majority, it is of
course a mere farce to talk of representative go-
vernment at all. And this is the inevitable re-
suit of the doctrine in question. It avows that
the actual electoral body ought to be a learned
and accomplished body, its members being versed
in the science of government and legislation. But
as even in such a body a few would be more
learned than the rest, the minority ought here
also to decide. Such a doctrine logically results
in a scientific oligarchy, a philosophical monarchy,
or in the last resort perhaps a literary despotism.
It is needless at this time of day to deal seriously
with such reasoners. But though the arguments
are not only worthless but ludicrous, it is impor-
tant to direct attention to them in order to detect
the real animus of those who oppose Reform. The
reasoning is harmless enough, but the spirit that
animates it is mischievous in the highest degree.
It is a spirit not only of profound distrust of the
nation but of aversion to some of its more im-
portant social and political elements. Nothing
is more calculated to create disunion, to
foment jealousy and discontent between the
great cismes of the population than such
a temper, and such a style of treating a ques-
tion in which the body of the people are deeply
interested. We do not of course say that those
who talk in this strain are at all aware of the
results which their unpatriotic speculations tend
to produce. They have their pet schemes and
crotchet. and logical principles of government
which they have elaborated in the closet. But
Reform is not a question for dreamers and
theorists. It is a practical question affecting the
whole nation, and grounded in its habits, tradi-
tions, and institutions ; and it cannot be profitably
discussed by those whose qualifications for the
task are want of all sympathy with the people,
and complete ignorance of the principles on which
their rights and liberties are founded.

111

s. &
Th 0
a •
N •
N •
•• •

U •
ID •
4 4

ay:

LORD BROUGHAM AND THE EDINBURGH PHILO-
BOrIiteAt TION. —The following note hats bees re.
calved from Lint Brougham, acknowledging his election aa
president of the above institution : " Canoe., 2nd April,
181111—Lord Brougham present* his complimesta to Mr.
DOW* and Murk.. him for his letter .4 the 29th March,
which be has just receives!. He begs Mr. Bowie to convey
to the director% awl meridiem of the Philosophical Institu-
tion his most resiw:fuul thanks, and to °sprees the sleep
sense of gratit which be entertains fur the unmerited
honour that ham • y been confened upon him, in hie
having been elected to succeed as president his very &stip-
pished friend Lord Macaulay. Lord Brougham has ob-
served with the greatest satisfaction, at different times, the
awful labours .4 the institution, and he rejoices to see the
account of it. late session and its present state, which Mr.
Bowie has been so_ good as to semi hint."
HEALTH or R. COBDEN. —Mr. Cobden arrived
in London on Tuesday kat, and is suffering from a very
severe attack of bronchitis, coupled with slight inflamma-
tion of the lungs. indeed, the non. gentleman's health is
such, that he to forbidden by hie medical advisers to take
any part in public matters for the present, not that he
could do an if he were ever so much ekeernee, inasmuch an
his voice is eo feeble that be can, and then with great iU
cult%. may mist, himself indistinctly heard in an online,'
sisal rowan. it is thought some weeks must depoe before
the hots. gentleman will be able to resume hie duties in the
Howe of Commons.

I tti
st
Thwandis sna

.t.
Uli

P%
Arm, 9.
pealed by
_ _

the Priam et Wale., Prisms Um. _ ___. _
Helena, Princess Louieo, Prises ArthvorPrhice Leopold,
sad Prisms Beatrice, walked on the Fad Tensor yester-
day afternoon. The ladies and gentlemen in waiting were
in attentimos.

The Queen, with Princess Alice, walked and drove in the
Home Park this morning, and visited the Durham of Kent
at Frogniore.

The Prince Consort, socompsnied by the Prince of Wales
and Prince Alfred, went to the Wellington College, attended
by Captain Du Plat and Captain Grey.
The Duchess of Kent and Princess Leiningen visited her
Ilaiesty in the afternoon.

Despatch.. were received yesterday •t the Wane Lake
(mat the Governors of Heligohind, New Brunswick, and
the &harries.

Her Majesty and his Royal Highness the Prince
Consort and the youthful members of the royal family
intend, according to present arrangements, to leave Wind-
sor Castle on Monday next for Buckingham Palace.
. .

Her Majesty the Queen Marie Amelia, his Royal
Highness the Duke de Montponsier, and suite, left Gril-
liou's Clarendon Hotel 013 Saturday evening for Claremont.
_ _

His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge
made= inspection of the whole of the troops now quartered
at Chatham garrison this morning. The review took place
onchatham Lines,where the entire force of the garrison were
drawn up to await the arrival of his royal highness.
His Excellency the French Ambassador and the
Countess de Persigily are expected to leave the French
Embassy to-day for Paris, on a short visit to that capital.
During the absence of Count de Pereigny the Marquis de
Chatesemnard will act as chit* cregraire.4

His Excellency the Austrian Ministbr and the
Countess Apponyi leave town today to join the circle an-
sembled at Ashridge Park, Herta.

The Earl of Elgin has made arrangements to
leave on hie miesion to China by the last mail this month.
His lonlahip is daily expected to return from Scotland,
where private matters bare detained him.
The Earl and Countess Pitzwilliam have arrived
at Newmarket, from Wentworth House, Yorkshire.
The Earl of Wilton will return to town on Thurs-
day from Egerton Lodge, Melton Mowbray.
The Earl of Portsmouth has left Howchin's Hotel
for Newmarket.

The Earl and Counteaa of Portarlington are to
leave town to-day for Paris, to pass the holidays.
Viscount and Viscountesa Palmerston oome to
town to-day from Broadlanda. The noble via:aunt and
viscounts., will leave town tomorrow for Brocket Hall,
Herta.

Lord and Lady Taunton aru passing the holidays
at their seat, Stoke Park, Bucks.

Lady Ribbleadale has left town for Tunbridge
Wens.

Lord Ernest Bruce leaves town to-day for Paris.
Her ladyship is passing the season at Brighton.
A grand banquet is to be given by the citizens
of Edinburgh to the 78th Highlanders, in the Corn Ex-
change there, on the 24th inst. The Lord Provost is to
preside, and Sir John 0.C.8., is to occupy the
vice chair. About 600 officers and men of this pliant and
renowned regiment will be present.

The installation of the Right Hon. W. E. Glad-
stone, u Rector of Edinburgh University, is appointed to
take place on Monday next, the 19th inst., in the Munc-
hen there.

Major-General Sir James Yorke Scarlett, K.C. B. ,
Adjutant-General of the Army, and late Lieutenant-Gover-
nor of Portsmouth. has given orders for the erection, at his
own private cost, of a handsome drinking fountain over •
celebrated spring on Southsea•common—the exercising
ground of the troops of the prrion, and the favourite
Ammar promenade of the civiliane—as • testimonial of his
feelings and good wishes towards the inhabitants generally,
engendered during the period of his command.
_ _

Mrs. K B. Browning wishes us (Athencrum) to
Mate that the verses in her " Poems before Congress," en-
titled "A Curse for • Nation," are levelled, not against
Engird, r i generally thought, but against the United
States ; not on account, she now tells us, of any remiss
new ou the Italian question, but on account of the negro
question. Every English reader of Mrs. Browning will
rejoice in this assurance. We may be allowed to ask, in
extenuation of our hasty and incorrect inference, why a
rhyme on negro slavery should appear among " Poems be•
fore Congress?"

We regret to learn of the death, on Saturday
last, of rapid consumption, at Malvern House, Great Mal-
vern, of Jelinger Cookson Symoea, Hai., her Majesty's In-
spector of Scheele, aged fay.

DRATH OP SIR Jil. FORZEINT. —The Edinburgh
Daily Courant, in recording the death of Sir James Forrest,
of CA,111111t01:1, on Thursday last, at Plymouth, while on a
visit to his ain, Cant. Forrest, says:—" Sir James was born
on the 16th of October, 1780, and was thus in his itOth
year. Both by birth and by habits he was truly one of our
citizens. His father was • writer to the signet. He
passed as advocate in 1803, and at his death stood seventh
on the list of the faculty. In politics be was a steady
adherent of the old whig party, and in 1837, through the
influence of that party, he was chosen Lord Provost of the
city. At the coronation of her present Majesty in 1838 he
was created a baronet. He occupied the civic chair for six
years, and although firmly attached to hie party, he suc-
ceederl by his kindly disposition in securing, to a large ex-
tent, the affections of men of all shades of politics. It was
during his provostship that her Majesty paid her first visit
to Edinburgh. At the Disruption, in 1843, Sir James,
who had for several years previously held the office of •
ruling elder in the established' church of Scotland, joined
the free church, of which he remained everafter a conscien-
tious member. He served long as director of many public
Cappetir. end benevolent institutions. lie retained the
chairmanship of the Life Association of Scotland tfr the
time of his death. He had also the honour of holding the
office of Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Freemasons
in &attend, now held by his grace the DAte of AtholL

---
Llll4lO. AT SERVICHL -LiTTHAM, MONDAY NIOHT.
—This afternoon, during a heavy storm, and • terrific sea,
the brigantine Nancy, of Teignmouth, Devon, was observed
on shore near the Horse Sauk, some miles distant from this
place. The life-boat of the Royal National LifeHoat Insti-
tution was immediately mannedand launched, and proceeded
off to her assistance. She was soon reached snd found to be
rapidly breaking up, and her crew of nine men were only too
glad to jump into the lifeboat, as they must otherwise have
perished.. There is no time left before the night post start.
to furnish any additional particulars ; but I may add that
' this valuable lifeboat was instrumental last year in rescuing
eighteen persons from • watery grave, from three
wrecks. It is also mtidactory to be able to re-
port that our lifeboat station is in • thoroughly efficient
state ; and that the promptitude with which our gallant
boatmen man the boat often excites our admiration. No
matter how dark the night may be, or bow heavy the storm
blows, these brave men instantly turn out of their warm
beds, leave their wives and children, and proceed on their
errands of mercy with unfaltering coarage in the lifeboat,
which panesees their entire csinfidence.
LOCAL UNIVERSITY E LAM !NATION. —A public
meeting will be held in St. George's-hall, Liverpool, on
Tuesday next, the 17th inst., for the distribution of prizes
awarded to those competitors who were eucceesful at the last
Cambridge examination held in Liverpool. Lord Stanley is
to Enside on the occasion, and deliver the prizes.
TH. LATE PREMIER or VICTORIA AND THE
Pore—The Melbourne Armes states that the Right Rev.
Dr. Ooold, on his recent return from Europe, brought with
him from the court of Rome an Order of the Knight of St.
Gregory, conferred by the Pope upon Mr. O'Sleimaxy, as
a testimony of his services on behalf of Roman catholicism
in this colony. The letter.patent bearing the distinction,
which is datal se fat back as December, 1855, is • parch-
meet MS., setting forth in Latin the reasons which induced
his holiness to confer the title. It bears the seal of the
Propaganda, and is signed by two cardinals. The order is a
double gold cross of eight ban, of • star-like appearanie,
and in the centre is a brief inscription. The cross is sus-
pended from • gold ring, lousing from a red ribbon.
THE LANCASHIRE REFORMERS' UNION. —We
understand that the demand for tickets of admission to the
meeting of the Lancashire Reformers' Union, which is to
be held on Thursday evening next, is very great. They
have been nearly all disposed of in the short space of two
days. Mr. Bright has not spoken in the large nom of the
Free Trade Hall since the banquet in December, 1858.
V/lIITRY or ST. UROROR'R-IN-THR-EAST.
Tle• vestry of this pariah met yesterday, in terms of ad-
journment from Friday last, for the purpose of taking the
result of the poll as to the nomination of parish officers for
the year ensuing. Mr. Thompson, the churchwarden, pre
sided, and after the numbers voted for each candidate bad
been cast up, announced the election to be as follows :—For
Mr. W. J. Thompson, 22 ; Mr. J. Dowsett, 15 ; Mr. H.P. P.
Garrett, 14. The chairman accordingly declared Mr. Thomp-
um and Mr. Doweett to be the parties elected for the en
salsa year. Mr. E. S. Barnard wee, by a majority of 20 to
6 voles over Mr. Hopkinson, elected as parish constable for
the year ensuing, and the trustees were also elected. Con-
siderable dismission then ensued as to the election of Mr.
Dowsett —who is a dissenter as junior churchwanien, and,
et the mate time, an one of the Wartime.

'IN G, APRIL 10,

*LATEST INTELLIGENCE.
SPAIN.
MADRID, MONDAY EVEN 1110„

Persona well acquainted with Count Montemolin
and his brothers have been sent to Fort Morella to
identify the prisoners.
Oaberillo Carrion is a prisoner. His son has been
killed.

A battalion of artillery returning from Africa
has arrived here, and waa received with enthueiaam.

CHINA.

SHANGHAI, Fn. 20.

Businews is active, but uneasineea in felt at the
departure of four war steamers. Trade uninter-
rupted at all ports.

CANTON, Frs. 27.

Affairs in Japan are still in a very unsettled
state. It is rumoured that the Chinese have with-
drawn the guns from the Taku forts, to strengthen
with them the Tientsin forts.

Kweeliang, chief Imperial Commissioner, has
been refused permission to retire into private life.
The court of Pekin is alarmed at the preparations
of the allies.

INDIA.

CALCVITA, MARCH 16.

(Six days after the departure of the wail.)
Outrages by the ryots of Lower Bengal have
taken place.
The Lieutenant-Governor has issued a notifica-
tion which it is hoped will be effective.

GENEVA, MONDAT.
K Laity, French imperial commissioner, who is
travelling through the neutralised provinces of
Savoy, arrived yesterday at Bonneville, where he
was received coldly. To-day he reached Sallanches,
whence he will take his departure for Thonon.

THE CONCORDAT WITH BADEN.
CARLUUSE, MONDAT.

A manifesto of the Grand Duke has been pub-
lished proclaiming the principle of the independenoe
of the catholic church, and adding that ita laws
are placed under the protection of the constitution.
Guarantees shall be given for the sure foundation
of the legal position of the church. The contents
of the concordat shall be lawfully sanctioned by
special laws and other ordinances. The manifesto
also promises the free development of the pro-
testant church, as well as of other public require-
ments.

The Minister of Finanoe, Regenaner, has been
pensioned.
M. Vogelmann has been appointed as his suc-
cessor. Other changes of high functionaries are
expected.

EXPRESS FROM PARIS.

(nom oui oar COI

PARIS, MONDAY Evsamto.

Lord Cowley's remonstrances against the absurd
accusations which the Pays and Pattie were simul-
taneously instructed to bring against England have
produced the following "communicated note,"
which these two journals have been compelled to
print this evening :
On the occasion of the attempts at insurrection which
have taken place in Spain and Sicily, two journals, the Paps
and the Patric, contain regrettable imputations against a
neighbouring power. These journals should the less have
accepted these imputations because, as they themselves
admit, they are devoid of all authenticity.
The Pattie humbly inserts this communique
at the head of its columns in the form of a wani-
ing, and abstains from all comment, but the Puys
subjoins the following paragraph, which is in
substance a repetition of the charge :

We most fully adhere to the idea which dictated this
colony niqui, and we shall always be happy to believe that
the country alluded to remains everywhere faithful to
principles of order worthy of such a government. Revo-
lutionary ideas have but too powerful an empire, and too
many adherents, and it is to be wished that all the great
nations should combine to oppose them.
The Bourse was very firm, notwithstanding a
decline in Consols. Of the contradictory versions'
of the news hom Sicily, the moat favourable was
believed. It became known, in the course of the
day, that the evening papers would contain a note
of apology to the English government for the
attacks of the Pays and Patrie, and this intelli-
gence principally tended to the rise which took
place. There was, however, no great amount of
business done, Easter Monday being a Jews' holi-
day. The Rente rose 10c. for cash, and 25c. for
account, closing at 69fr. 90c. in each case. Mobi-
lier ruse Gfr. 25c. Railways were from 2fr. 50c. to
sfr. higher.
The Patric contains the following allusion to a
French refugee, meaning, I suppose, Colonel
Charras :
Several foreign journals affirm that one of the leading French
refugees, a former officer in the army and member of one
of our last assemblies, is now exciting the President of
the Helvetic Confederation against France. Although we
are sorry to believe in such conduct, the presence of this
personage in Switzerland seems to lend • certain degree
of credit to the rumours propagated by the journals in
question.
The Cardinal Archbishop of Paris has bied a
circular to his clergy, informing them that the
special prayers to be read for the Pope are post-
poned till the Feast of the Assumption. The " di-
vided duty" of the archbishop towards his Emperor
and his Pope places him in a very difficult position
and it is no wonder that be should put off the evil
day as long as possible, in the hope that something
may turn up to make the composition of his form
of prayer more easy. Meanwhile he calls upon the
faithful to rally more closely than ever to the Wean,
sentiments, and desires of the venerated head of
the church.

General Dien, after several months of extreme
suffering, died yesterday in Paris of the wounds he
received at Bolferino. The Emperor paid a visit
to his bedside only a few days ago. Before his
death the general expressed a hope that the 74th
Regiment, which he headed at the moment when
he fell, would fire a salute over his grave.

Narwhal Valliant was to leave Milan on the Bth
with hie gaff. The command of the army in Italy
devolves upon General d'Antemarre.

A decree of the King of Sardinia enacts that the
Bags destined for fortresses, and for regiments of infantry
sod cavalry, shall bear in the centre of the white part the
shield of Savoy, with the white cross on a red field, sur.
rounded with blue, the whole surmounted with a royal
crown embroidered in silk.

A letter front Oldenburg, in the Cologne
Gazeue, says :—" An ex•functionary of the Austrian com-
missariat department, named H—, has just been arrested
here, and carried under escort to Mentz. It appears that
he was at Milan when the French troops arrived, and being
obliged to fly precipitately, be could sot, he declared in a
report which he sent in, carry with him the auah•box,
containing 60,000 florins. Since then he retired on half -
pay, and withdrew to Oldenburg, where he purchased a
handsome house. Suspicion was at last excited, and he
has been now arrested on the charge of having appro-
priated to his own use the money which be said was lost at
Milan. At his residence a sum of 220,000 florin* was
found."