The Express.
London, England, 1866-12-18 00:00:00

THE EvitEßß, TUESDAY .EVENINCI, DECEMBIERt 18, 1866.

tected by the supremacy of *a Imo! but this
examination proves to be no more tilie saw
rity of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Coun-
cil, a body admirably constituted to preserve their
benefices to clerks, but one that gives judgments
spina which the Archbishops feel bound to pro-
test. There is no hope in such an agitation as
Lord Snarrifsausy recommends. It is one in which
reason and piety would not exert their proper
influence ; it would produce nothing but a tem-
porary clamoux, which the Bishops would meet
with barren phrases, and then the Ritualists would
be stronger than ever. We see no reason whatever
for believing with Lord Basra-sawn' that " the
" laity have the power in their own hands," and
perhaps this accounts for their remarkable inaction
after the strong appeals that have been made to
them. LordSsaresssxravtelleus that the vastmajo-
rity of the thinking workpeople of London and the
North regard the Ritualistic principle with dislike;
but they have no voice in the matter. Of the
wealthy, professional, and business classes of Eng-
land he will affirm nolhing ; but Lord EsuxY,
who agrees with him in his opposition to Ritualism,
has lately said that he must honestly confess that,
" having had excellent opportunities of studying
" the question, it is his belief that the greater
" portion of our influential laity are either in
" favour of the Tractarian movement or indifferert

" to it."
If this representation be true we must turn to
the other alternative ; there remains only the
miracle. In other words, we must expect and hope
for the revival and manifestation within the Church
of those spiritual forces proper to ita nature and
familiar in its history, to give a new and
better direction to thought and effort. It is by a
succeesion of such miracles—as they may pro-
perly be called, since they are always ascribed by
ChristianstoasuPernatural source—that the Church
has been sust-ined and its life renewed through
the ages. Such was the Reformation itaelf—
such the great revival which began with the
preaching of WESLEY. But they cannot be pro-
duced to other ; if they express a need, they
are not born of it. Although their results
cannot be hidden, they themselves come " not
" with observation." The new life of Europe
had to be born in the soul of Lrrraza, amidst
pangs and outcries, before the Reformation could
become possible ; an soffit test movement, whose
consequences appear pontous, began amongst
quiet-loving men, and took firm hold upon some
of the most influential minds of the
generation before it wm heard of by
the world. Ritualism, or rather the system
which it represents, is quite as dangerous as Lord
SuarrEssuae believes. There may be those who
believe that its vitality lies in the qualities which
constitute this danger. We prefer to believe of it
as of other systems, that it exists in virtue of what
is good in it, and in spite of what it contains of
evil. There is a modern French proverb, which
declares that " Nothing is destroyed until it ih re-
" placed." Let the more thoughtful of our clergy
consider this truth, and ask themselves whether it
is not at least possible that the religion of KEBLE
contained some true religious element not to be
found in the systems with which it came into com-
parison—whether if it did not supply, it at least
reco?nised some legitimate human want which
others had left unsatisfied. The inquiry can do no
possible harm. A day of trial is at hand when all
religious systems will be put to a severe test.
The Ritualists may be the destined destroyers of
the Reformation ; but on the other hand they may
be also a party raised up for the temporary
purpose of giving their due place to some
forgotten Christian virtues, and then dis-
appear. It cannot be wrong, it must always
be useful to point out their error, trace them to
their root, and restore to their rightful place the
truths those errors are calculated to obscure ; but
if any one imagines that a serious religious move-
ment is to be stopped by clamour or the
opposition of worldly convenience, ho mut... have
studied mankind to little purpose. Even the
sacred interests of the liberty of the human mind
can hardly avail to defend themselves in their
own name on this ground, but require the pro-
tection of some form of faith with which they are
;n harmony.

fenced this tsesk, the Pest remark/ thee the really gist
apn in *into in the Omission of glide:saie wrelehed
condition of most girls' schools is only y known to
those whose duties have led them into p • experience
of the working of those establishments. But those who
do know them can testify to the baldness, meagreness, and
poverty of the instruction given. It in net to be wondered at,
sineethe teachers themselveshave had no means of becoming
better than they are. IS they taught Beglish tolerably well,
French decently, music showily, and deportment grace-
fully, they held their mission to be fulfilled. Hence the
large number of ill-grounded, half-educated, unreasoning'
showy, superficial women, who so largely increase the
insipidity of private society. But Cambridge has virtually
said that if any schools or heads of families will so train
their girls as to enable them to pass the same examination
that the boys pass, the university will attest their snows
in the same manner as it does the success of the boys.
The wisdom of this is undoubted, and the success is
yearly increasing. Tbis weak girls are being examined in
Brighton, Bristol, Cambridge, Leeds, London, Manchester,
Norwich, Sheffield, Wakefield, and Wolverhampton. The
total number is two hundred and two, a small number in
itaelf, but, as against one hundred and fifty-eight last year,
it shows a marked increase in the acceptability of this
movement amongst the class for whom it is specially de-
signed. In future years it must be greater. All the best
schools will work hard to send up pupils, whose suc-
cess will bring credit to their teachers, and, with credit,
profit.

cliscutarreoce TOPICS.
The Times continues to urge upon Turkey to cede the
Island of Crete to Greece. Evidently it will be depopu-
lated before it is subjugated, and the affair at Aziedi has
roused Greek enthusiasm to its highest pitch. Surrounded
by dangers, it is full time for Turkey to collect herself
and to concentrate her forces, and to this end the aban-
donment of Crete will materially contaibute.
The Daily News sees in the renewed demand of the
Irish presbyterians for an increase of region dons"
an instance of the shrewdness of their class and
the possession of the thrift of their ancestors. In
perfect harmony with the precedents of two cen-
turies they are seeking to sell their loyalty, and,
at a time when that quality in Ireland is by no means
abundant, to obtain a reward and retainer for political
services. When the presbyterian agitators find, as they
will before many months, that parliament will not enter-
tain their application, it may perhaps occur to them that
the true ecclesiastical reform of which Ireland stands in
need is to be sought in another direction ; and that the
1 road to religious equality lies in the abolition, and not in
the multiplication and nice counterpoise, of sectarian

privileges.
While premising that in the present stage it is impossi-
ble to form a decisive opinion on certain parts of the
Overeud and Gurney case, the Times nevertheless thinks it
clear that the old firm of the Gurneys have wronged no
one, but as to the directors by whom the new company
was organised, it cannot think that an invitation to the
public with half the story concealed was morally justi-
fiable. Before further judgment is past it must be clearly
shown whether the ultimate failure was caused by the
ruinous nature of the bargain made with the old firm, or
the ruinous nature of the business conducted by the new
company.
The Herald thinks that the ritualist' have an oppor-
tunity for honourable retreat, which it would be well if
they turned to account. Not one of those bishops
who have pronounced most decisively against ritualism
as a system would ever think of interfering
with every parochial clergyman, simply because all the
rites and ceremonies used in his church did not quite
square with episcopal views. Besides, it is well known
that the bishops are not agreed upon ritual among them-
selves. If, then, every clergyman would look to his
bishop's sanction before he introduced novelties into the
public worship of the church many things would be
permitted, which are apparently not according to law,
and certainly contrary to the received interpretations of
law. If, however, that extreme section in the church
represented by the (extreme party in the Church Union
shall still persist in innovations not sanctioned by the
law, not approved of by their episcopal superiors, and
offensive to the national instincts, let them blame them-
selves if they provoke a spirit of opposition which will
brook no compromise.
The Star thinks the only results of the present outcry
against unions grid unions will be to hasten the inter-
national organisation of labour throughout Europe, and
the adoption of those schemes for uniting the interests of
capital and labour which, though advocated by Mr. Mill and
Mr. Fawcett, and happily exemplified at Messrs. Briggs and
Co.'s colliery, are considered by many of the denouncers of
trades r -lions as little better than socialism.

.LArqot

GERMANY.
The old liberal party in Prussia—de Vlncke,
doniit Schwerin, Simeon, &c.—has just published
its programme for the elections to the parliament
of the North. The following are the principal

assages :
F
por the second time since 1848 we find ourselves in
presence of elections for a German parliament. The task
assigned to that Assembly is more limited than on the
former occasion, but it promises to be much more
fruitful. The late success of Prussia has dedded, once
for all, the supremacy of that state. She plains
her entire strength at the disposal of the new poli-
tical formation, and the Prussian government ex,pects
the co-operation of a popular representative body in con-
stituting the confederation of Noithern Germany. The
state to be created must oontsin in its general forms the
faculty of extending itself to the whole of Germany, but
it will not possess the necessary power of extension and
attraction, unless it be provided with the guarantees of
constitutional liberty. On the other hand, the funda-
mental condition of success appears to consist in aiming,
provisionally, only at the end directly propoeed. The
solidity and force of the new state will depend
et first upon that limitation. If the parliament
understands, as being among its duties, the complete
realisation of Prussian supremacy, the transfer of military,
diplomatic, and commercial affairs to the Crown of thePruia,
will take place concurrently with the establislunent f
guarantee provided by the constitutional co-operation of
the people in fixing the budget and enacting the laws.
The mission of the liberal party is, above all, to place it-
self in that point of view, and to carry it out in the par-
liament. It must desire, first of all, that the directing
ent should have a position strong enough to re•
presentpresen and defend the young state. Its duty will be,
whilst efficacioudy supporting the needs of the govern-
ment in that respect, to acquire the necessary influence
over the latter, and to consolidate it, with the full con-
sciousness of the high responsibility imposed by the great
duties of the epoch.

IPE COLLIERY ff
CATASTROPHE NEAR
f • ;;tl. • DAMN 'Mi.

(fox eon anew. areOwege.)
BARNSLEY, MONDAY EVICNINO.
This afternoon a public meeting has been held in
the Court-house for the purpose of organising the best
means of affording relief. There was as large an attend-
ance of the public as the room admitted of, and the influ-
ence of the county was represented by Bari Fitswilliam,
the Archbishop of York, Lord hfilton,ll.P., Lord Halifax,
Lord Wharnoliffe, and numerous landed proprietors. The
first-named nobleman, who is lord-lieutenant of thelikling.
occupied the chair. The meeting was convened by the
local authorities, who are termed constables, and the ex-
ceptional circumstance of opening such a gathering with
the reading of prayers, was observed.
The proceeding' were then introduced by the noble
CHAIRMAN, who with much emotion referred to the causes
of the meeting, anti expressed his assurance that appeals
for aid would not be made in vain. The Queen's telegram,
offering • gift of 2001. if a subscription were set on foot.
was read amidst general cheering. The first resolution was
one of deep sympathy with the widows and orphans,and re-
gret at the accident which made them so.
The Archbishop of Yorke, in moving this motion, which
it is needless to say was carried unanimously, pithily
observed that this was not a time for oratorical in-
dulgences, and that in an assembly called for each
a purpose as this silence was almost a necessity.
HL
grave, referring to a proposal generally made in the loca-
lity to employ any surplus funds left from other colliery
accidents to relieve the sufferers, hoped no such sur-
plus would be resorted to at a time when there was
another dreadful accident in North Staffordshire demand-
ing public support.
Lord WRAIINCLIM seconded the resolution, and said
with considerable emphasis that if any parochial autho-
rities made the public subecriptions an excuse for reducing
their allowances to the widows and orphans, he would at
coos withdraw the subscription he intended to give
and bestow it elsewhere. His lordship further urged
that, in addition to the relief of immediate distress,
it was the duty of the authorities to provide for the
fatherless children until they were grown up.
The second resolution was one of sympathy with the
proprietors of the Oaks colliery for their loss of property,
and for the " crushing sorrow" they felt at the deaths of
their workmen.
The Rev. Mr. Common (Baptist), amidst cries of
thear, hear," and a call of " order f
" objected as a
owns to the formman of Barnsley c the resolution,:
because he said it was thought outside that had two other
shafts been sunk in the colliery, this calamity might have
been averted.
During the cheering that followed this remark a gentle-
mao rose and called the 'meeker to order.
Mr. COMMON claimed the right of public meeting, and
pointed out that he and others had come to the court-
house to raise funds, but not to express their unquali-
fied admiration of the proprietors. A disturbance was
imminent, the speaker's friends and opponents being ap-
parently not very unequal. Mr. Compston said he felt it
to be his duty, lest the resolution should be considered to
exonerate the colliery owners from blame, to move an
amendment that would merely add these words, " The
meeting also expresses ita regret that proper
precautions were not taken by the sinking of
proper shafts." The majority of the audience
showed unmistakeable disapprobation at this, and the
Chairman ruled the Rev. Mr. Competon to be out of order,
on the ground that the subject involved was beyond the
province of the meeting.
The resolution was then carried without opposition.
The third resolution was one of sympathy with the
families of the volunteer searchers who were lost by the
second explosion.
Thanks wore t
ahen voted to the Queen, and it was deter-
mined to open public subscription, to be headed by the
2001. sent by her Majesty.
Detailed arrangements were then made, and numerous
subscriptions announced.
The conference of engineers to-day have just broken
up, adjourning for another week. They have agreed to
prepare a narrative of the first explosion and the facts up
to the second explosion—the whole to be prepared from
reports of reliable eye-witnesses. The result of the meet-
;'g's scientific deliberations is that the sealing up of the
cupola shaft shall be completed without delay, and
that one of the shafts at the pit mouth shall also be filled
up, leaving the other for the escape of air from the pit.
Any further action will be guided solely by circumstances.
At half-pmt 2 this afternoon two more explosions hap-
pened at the pit mouth, but no injury was done.
,be
\

The Marchionesa of Hastings and Lady Con-
stance Blarehain, and Viscount Falkland, have arrived at

the St. George's Hotel.
The Earl of Glaagow has left the St. George's
Hotel.
The Lord Bishop of Bath and Wells has left
the Alexandra Hotel, Hyde-park-corner, for the Palace,

Wells.
Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlayne entertained last
week, at their seat, Cranbury Park, near Winchester, a
select party of friends, including Prince Leiningen, the
Earl and Countess of Winterton and the Ladies Maria and
Cetherine Turnour, the Earl of Clonrnel, Major-General
Lord William Paulet, Sir Bruce and Lady Chichester, the
Hon. Mrs. Craven Berkeley, Sir Frederick Hervey
Bathurst, Mr. Newton Chichester, Mr. Cameron Hamp-
den, &c. The well-preserved coven afforded the gentle-
men some good sport, and the festivities of the week were
brought to close by a ball.
Lord Brougham arrived in Paris on Saturday
from England, and slighted at the Hotel Mirabeau. His
lordship, who is in excellent health, has since left for

Cannes.
The Simaphore of Marseilles announces the
arrival in that city from Italy of the Earl of Clarendon.
It is not intended to fill up the vacancy in the
Leeds District Court of Bankruptcy caused by the retire-
ment of Mr. Commissioner West.
Last evening the prizes competed for by the
members of the North Middlesex Rifles were distributed
at the St. Pancras Vestry-hail by Mr. Thomas Chambers.
Q.C., M.P. Mr. Harvey Lewis. M.P., and Lord Rare Ugh
were among those present, and the latter, in the course of
a speech upon the volunteer movement, said that it was a
curious fact (and still more curious for him, a tory, to say
it) that the members of the Reform League were in a
better state of organisation, under Mr. Potter, on the
occasion of their great demonstration, than were the
volunteers of England. His lordship said the volunteer
force was not in that state of organisation which it should
be, and it was " a farce " for the government to ignore the
fact any longer. Let them boldly face the difficulty, and
come forward with some scheme to place the great volun-
teer regiments of the country in a proper state Of
organisation.
The Presse speaks in the following terms of the
journey of the Empress Eugenie to Rome :—" The pilgrim-1
age projected by her Majesty to the Tomb of the Apostles,
the first idea of which was suggested by the illness some
months back of the Prince Imperial, will very shortly re-
ceive its execution. The Empress, it is said, will spend
the days of the Christmas festival at Rome. At that
period, as is well known, the Pope, ac
known, tradition,
receives all the good wishes for the coming year, and sends
his apostolic benediction to all catholic sovereigns. Her
Majesty may in this way receive the pontifical blessing at
Rome itself. The Empress will probably be again in Paris
for the customary receptions of the New Year."
The Danish Parliament (Rigsdag) is continuing
its Labours. The bill granting a dowry of 60,000 six dol-
lars (2s. 2d. each) to the Princess Dagmar was adopted
unanimously and without discussion. The Folkethiog, or
Lower Chamber, has just voted in its integrity the propo-
sition of the government to open a credit of 1,347,930 Az-
dollars for the new armament of the Danish army.
Since the French occupation of Mexico it has
been the custom of the French government to issue pro-
missory notes at sixty days' sight, payable in Paris, for
the service of the Frees& army, an the indorsement of the
chief of the expeditionary corps, and on being presented
at the proper government department at Paris they have
always hitherto received a formal rise equivalent to an
acceptance. An amount of these notes, however, which
has just been remitted to moms English merchants has
been refused a vise, on the ground of no advice' having
been received. The difficulty is supposed to be owing
solely to the confusion prevalent in Mexico during the
existing crisis, but until the French government shall,
officially recognise them according to custom the holders
are likely to experience anxiety and inconvenience.