The Express.
London, England, 1860-01-30 00:00:00

LONDON, MONDAY, JAN. 30.

Sums the doors of the Star Chamber won clued
we have had no secret tribunal in thin country, and
it is rather late in the day to attempt a revival in
any form of an institution so obnoxious to the
feetinp and dangerous to the intermits of a free
people. Lord Joan MANNERS has, however, resolved
to make the attempt. tie has given notice that
to-morrow week he will more for leave to bring
in a bill enabling the Court for Divans
and Matrimonial Causes to hold its sit-
tings with closed doors. This effort of the
noble lord in favour of an obsolete and mischievous
practice is perhaps not altogether surprising. As a
political arebwologist he looks with a kindly eye sa
medieval institutions, while as a nobleman be natu-
rally meets the popularising of a privilege hitherto
restricted very much to his own order. Both as a
high eharchrnan and a staunch conservative, in his
eight the Divorce Court is simply an abomination,
sad thsre being no chance of its suppression, be
would fain reduce it to einem. No doubt there are
maw who will sympathise with the noble lord in
his crusade against judicial publicity. The friends of
eselesiutical despotism, for example, are the natural
swamies of • lay tribunal that presumes to decide as
what they regard u a religious question. Mr.
Bosoms buddy confesses that es a Catholic le he
ea principle opposed to the Divans Court, and ea it
want Ise abolished he is of coarse far ndusing it
to silence by all means. We are far from main-
taining that these is nothing whatever to be said in
favour of such a course. On the contrary, were item.
expedient foe public justice to be administered with
closed doors, the Cuun in question would no doubt
supply the strongest reasons for sash an exceptional
practice. Its revelations are generally far more die•
gutting than instinctive. They being into repaleive
prominence the viers and follies that in our ordinary
nodal life at. mat carefully mmosaled; they punt
entiesally the miserable spectacle of broken faith,
bleeding hearts, sod desolate homes; of fraud,
weelty, ms•naesa, and revenge in the nut intimate
and sacred relationship of life ; of union without love,
or pitsainate affection turned to bitterest hate. The
Court is, in fact, a living satire not only as our
minted domestic life but an our =tient civilisa-
tion, suggesting that hone is a mockery, matrimonial
fidelity • delusion, sad mann affection a drone.
No right-minded man can tale any pleasure in such
revelation, or .issire them to obtain any extended
circulation. The cynic may, indeed, rejoice at the
ample material thus supplied for pointing his usual
suers/ ; but every Konen-Jos amid manly heart will
=cern at the desk side of oar social life which this
Divorce Court reveals.

It most be remembered, however, that this is not
peculiar to one Court. We do not expect courts of
jostles to exhibit the best side of human nature.
Lams are made for transeressoes, and the whole
machinery for enforcing them presuppose* offences I
sad offenders. lierchations quite as saddeoing and
repulsive as those of the Divorce Court are made le
other courts as well. But this is no sufficient
ground whatever for surrendering that publicity
which reason and experience alike prove to be one ;
of the most efficient safeguards foe the impartial
administration of justice. There may be incidental
evils connected with this publicity, but they are
nothing scampered with the graver mischiefs and
dangers which secret tribunals directly tend to pro-
dace. Every good institution, every healthful prac-
ties ie liable to abuse, and the open doors of the
court of justice may now and then, especially
in criminal trials, Le turned to injurious aceonnt.
The details of the cases are sometimes unfit for pa&
lioation, and often, when not absolutely impure,
would be much better curtailed if not altogether sup-
pressed. Publication in the newspapers is not a
neesseery guarantee of justice, like the openness of
the Court. Wherever a responsible reporter for the
newspapers is present there is what may be called a
potential pablication, which 'sewers some of the most
important ends contemplated in the printing of reports
of courts of justice. No doubt many of the came
reported are most ananitable for family reading, and
if generally perused would do more harm than goon.
This is peculiarly the case with the proceedings of
the Divorce Cain. Bet the evil cannot be met by
legislation; it must be left to the corrective action
of public opinion and the discretion of the
prem. We ea mot deny the central pricimple of
liberty and reverse the basis of our sdministra-1

tioa of jastice, because
th►t may attend it.

inevitable in all human

reduced to the lowest snaukt a.,
billable kind in Wee( 'a liberal

dem Dot Create the evils

sad e&ad

leemilets; it simply reveals them, and a full know-
ledge of the degree is half the care. Under free
institutions the vices of our private and the &btu*,
of our pulite life, instead of being suppressed, are
brought into the light of day. But the publicity
that reveals and seems to exaggerate them supplies
also the most direst and powerful cure. The morbid
elements, being brought to the surface, are in •
fair way of being thrown off by the healthful action
of the whole system. instead of preying in secret on
its vital centres. Political valetudinarians may,
indeed, prefer the fatal quietude of dewy to the rude
rigour and irregular activity of popular health. But
every freeman knows that the evils eomplained of
are only the signs of life, and that at the worst they
are nothing in riomparisee with the dewily mawkish
that flourish within the Gibson of closed doors, and
grow to gigantic proportions under the dark shadow
of arbitrary power. The Pharisees of public life it.
always scrupulously nice in externals, but the caw
sional turbulence of publicans and sinners is infinitely
preferable to the dead calm of whited sepulchres. In
a word, the short-eighted ostrich policy of conceal-
meat can serve no good purpose in any department
of public life, lent of all in the administration of
justice. Let us know the worst by all means, sod
we mey then strive to mend and gradually work
towards a better eats. The argument, now urged
against the publicity of jedisial proceedings are
precisely the sane aa thus formerly adopted naiad
the freedom of the pries. Where the press is fns

its liberty may sometimes degenerate into license.
Whims justice is administered with open doors its
proasedings msy sometimes tend rather to disgust
than to edify. Who, however, that understands the
tree principles of liberty, would au this amount plat*

• legislative bar on tie freedom of the one or the
pablisity of the other 7 Such restrictions never ean
e•eosed ; and if they could, they would prove in-
juries. just is proportion to their success. The caly
arguments in their favour rat on the files assump-
tion that ignorance is virtue, and childish Imbecility
better than manly strength. Thu noble words
spoken by Caoirwitu.'s Latin Secretary to the
triads of Censorship in the days of the Common-
wealth equally apply now to the enemies
of pablieity. " I cannot," says MILTON, " praise
s fugitive and eleistered virtue, unexereised
" and anbreathed, that never sallies out and seeks
" her adversary, but slinks oat of the roes where that
" immortal garland is to be run for, not without dust
" and hest. Assuredly we bring not innocence
" into the world, wo bring Imparity much rather ;
" that which purifies m is trial, and trial is by what
"is sontrury. That virtue, therefore, whish is bat
" a younghng in the contemplation of evil, and
" knows not the utmost that vice promises to her
" followers, and rejects it, is but a blank virtue, not
1" • pure."

Besides, even the revelations of the Divorce Court
are bysesessas ea unmixed evil. No doubt they touch
es Le a tender part, but it is also a vital one, being
essential to the strength end security of the social
fabric. They bring late prendnecoo one of the
worst features of modern life--the false and com-
mercial estimate of the marriage relation which
has grow iogly prevailed of late years, especially
ameept the better climes of society. We see the
result reflected in the tragic mirror of the Divert*
Court. These scandalous revelations, which have
given it such an evil repute, Sr. but the inevit-
able Nemesis of me recuary, prdligate, and ill-assorted
unions. If they inspire horror and disgust, so meek
the better. The feeling is salutary, and may prove
earreetive. Those who dread such scenes will
be likely to avoid the way of life that
lead' to them. They will reflect before em-
barking to the meet moored of engagements,
sad display some mutual forbearance in fulfilling
them. The kaewledge that redress is within reach,
but only to be obtained by publicity, will help to
produce this result. Those very evils now complained
of In the proceedings of the Court are greatly doe
to the previous want of publicity. It is crowded
with cares whisk have grown up ander the old
system when relief was practically hopeless, sad all
prospect of reconeiliatioc, therefore, vain. To those
who have dragged with frantic desperation at a
hopeless chain and latierated sea other for years in
the struggle, the relief of the new Court is welcome,
even at say oast of publicity sad damaged reputa-
tion. But to ethers safely each examples are
likely to operate as a ansfel warning. Oa the
ground, therefore, both et prim iple and expodkomy
we protest spinet Lard lona MANNsits's attempt to
sloes the doors of the Coart,aad we are glad to mo that
Mr. EDWIN hat, hes given owns that, ea leave
being wiled to iatredaes the proposed saguaro, he
will move the penis= itionisa.

Tin Rev. Czaibis Nevin Wontwousr, Canon
of Norwich Cathedral, Recto/ of St. Margaret's,
Riug's Lynn, and Chaplain to the Bishop of Non-
'leg, has, on deliberate and matured considers-
deo, resigned the valuable preferments in the
Church which he bas held all his life, because
he or. no logger acquiesce in that loose way of in-
terpreting the language of certain parts of the
Prayer-book which enables thousand* of clergy-
men bolding doctrinal opinions like his own to
subscribe to semi-Popish formularies. Canon WODS-
HOUSE if a Oloripsan of whom Bishop STANLEY OSSO
Said in the House of Lords, " Let one who knows him
" well bear testimony to his valuable services: et his
" character as a clergyman and an a man it is lus-
" possible to meek too highly." He has not forfeited,
he has eshaased this reputation; neither has be
taken up with any heresy, new or old, but holds, u
i he always has done, to the essential truths ot
Chrie-
tianity such as they are held by the great body of
religious persons in this island, whether churchmen
or dissenters. The objections to portions of the
offices of the Church which he makes now are
such as he imparted to Bishop Kars is 1817,
to Bishop STANLEY in 1844, offering to resign his
!preferment, and again in 1860 to Bishop HIND..
They relate to the damnetory passages contained in
that superb monument of human preatimptisa, the
Creed called Athatiasian ; and to the Form of Abso-
lution in the Visitation of the Sick, the words need
at the Imposition of Hands in the Ordination of
Priests, and the corresponding Form in the Conse-
cration of Bishops. '1 hose of the laity who have
read these speciAl offices know that they are so
framed as to imply the communication of supernatural
power to the person ordained or eonsecrated. The
learned prelates named above sympathised with
Canoe WODIHOINIS in his difficulties, but strongly
advised him to remain at hie post. Bishop STANLIT
publicly maintained that the clergy could not be
supposed to seseet to all and everything to which
they subscribed at their ordination. Bishop KAYS
told his 'mug frirtad that be should not tumid'r
views like his any impediment to ordination. And
Bishop HINDI wrote to him : "Those expressions in
" our servilss for visiting the sick sad for ordaining

ask attention to the reason he gives :—" It appeared
" to sanction the using very solemn words in a
" asses different from that which the words them-
" selves must neceesarily convey to the generality of
" the English people." This pump contains the
pith of the whole matter. The Evangelical clergy-
man cannot adopt the words of the services own-
plained of except by • process of interpretation which
wrests them from the meaning which is plain to the
common sense of the English people. How shall the
difficulty be met ? We have seen what answer three
eminent prelates gave to this question. Here is
another, to which Canon WODZHOUSE has been led
is the exercise of his judgment and conscience. He
writmi to the Bishop :—" I am persuaded the Form
"of Ordination for Priests, while it remains
" unchanged and unexplained, tends more than any-
.' thing to generate and foster within our Church
" opinions aid practices objectionable to Protestants.
" According to your lordship's established cootom,
" an Ordination is appointed to take place in March
" next, which is also one of the months appointed
" for my Cathedral residence. I beg, therefore, re-
" spectrally to apprise your lordship that, under
" present circumstances, I cannot satisfactorily take
" my equal part is tie Orem*. sarviae, am* sp.

pear to approve of a form which is now so °Nee-
" tionably interpreted or understood. Up to this
" time I have endeavoured to maintain my poet.
" tion in the Church as one of its minimums ;
b' bat having come to the conclusion that I cannot
" join in one of its most selenin services, there ap-
" pears, upon oonsideration, to be only one becoming
" course open to ma Having, therefore, already
" resigned the Rectory, &c., of St. Margaret's, Lynn,
" I now beg to resign my Canonry, and also the
" Mace of chaplain to year lordship."
Far be from us the pretension to pronounce
which of these two courses it is proper for a clergy-
man holding the views called " Evangelical " to
adopt. As the question is attended with great dif-
doalties, we leave it to the courteous of those most
concerned in its decision. Bat we are at perfect
liberty to declare that it would be a great public
misfortune if any large part of the clergy holding
the opinion of Gaon WODEROUSZ were to fol-
low his example. It is now more important than
ever to remember that the aim of MORLEY, SHM.DoIt.
GUNNING, and the other authors of the remetiosury
revision of the Prayer Book accomplished at the
Restoration, when the whole volume was made to
accord with the sacerdotal and sacramental theories
Of LAUD, was to drive men to the wares which
Canon WODEHOUSE has taken. When the Act of
Uniformity was ander debate the Lord Chamber-
lain Mammas= told the Kuto that its teems were
leo rigid he was afraid many of the Ministert would
not comply with it ; upon whisk Bishop Gunboat
marked. "I am afraid they will ." He is re-
paled to have added, " Now we know their
" minds, we'll make them all knaves if they eon-
' " form." Bo when Dr. ALLIN observed to the same
Bishop, " It is a pity We door is so strait," he an-
swered, " It is no pity at all ; if we had thought so
" many of them would have conformed we would have
" made it straiter." Language similar in its spirit
may be read any week in the organs of the High
Chore► party now, a party whist+, well knowing
that the great majority of the laity renounce it,
incapable of perceiving that the Prayer-book exists
for the Church, and not the Church for the
Prayer-book. But for the aggressive activity at
this minority, the success of which would leave
oar churches ri desolate as Bt. George's-in-the-East
in quiet times, these liturgical questions might have
remained in abeyance, but they have now acquired a
moseqnswe which it is impossible to deny and folly
to ignore. Canon WODREOUSI has put the hots
very clearly and fairly in the concluding part of his
letter to the Bishop. He says: "The essential deo-
" trine of the Church of England may be justly
" commended as pure and scriptural; the many claims
" of its Liturgy as public estimation may be fearlessly
" weeded ; bat a review of the dents and the circus-
" stoma in which they woes compiled and brought
0 to their present state unquestionably proves this one
fact—that, during all the dismission. which attended
.' various alterations, never was there displayed the
0 tree spirit of charity and conciliation; never was
" the attempt fairly and fully made, nor even the
" design encouraged, to cowed° on non-essential
" points for the sake of peace, to expunge whatever
" might be justly offen.ive to week brethren, to con-
" eider what liberty ought in praddies se well as in
" justice to be allowed to the anxious activity of the
" human mind on such a subject as religion; and
0 finally, to propose such a form of doctrine and
" public worship as might be at once botheatisfae-
•' tory and edifying to the largest possible number
" of believers in a free and protestant nation."

The Priam of Orange arrived at the Castle Is the meedag,
on a visit to her Majesty.
The Prisms Comma drove to the Windsor station, attended
by Lienh-Colonel Ponseaby, and atoompanied the Prime of
Orange to the Castle, when ids Royal alghamee was reedved
by her Majeety, attended by the Ladino and Osatierame
Waiting.
Baran Bendnak, the Netherland' Minimise, scoompaniad
the Priam of Orange, whose mho canines of Ls Comte de
Bylandt, Le Comte de Reddens de Remade. Usnr.•Colmal
ma des Bauh, and Colonel P. H. Seymour. Spam to
her Majesty, who is in atiesideace on the Prince.
Priam Edward of Saga Wiser oleo arrived at the Castle,
and the Mowing visitors. whs. in addition to die royal party,
bed the hewer of dialog with ht Majesty—the Duchess of
Salhalend, the Dube sad Dineen of Beaufort, the Margate
and Merohkeem of Chaska, Lead Jobs Rama% Viseonnt
Sydney, Viemeni God Vleosuntese Palmerston, Lord Stan-
ley, Yisowant Bary, and Lord and Lady Danhnaline.
The dinner party deo included the Rebuses Alin.
The bead of the Ist Life Guards woe in atimidanoe and
played during dinner.
Her Majesty's private bead afterwards performed in the
Drawing-room.

Elinnur.

ate:
Pdass Osasset, Prisms Abos.
saumd Psadrisms Louisa. liss bassos& isadassaPrincess of the
mut, sad the domestic haushold, attsedsd Dl.ia. swiss
this .midi la roe rivals alapol.
Tb. Pekes of Onsets, Prints Masai at eau Wass,
sad visitors Maybe is the Castle won also at the =vim

The Ho.. aei vq nay. dr Dort el Winbeer
The Pease et Orengo, attended by La Oenie do ION"
Le Coate do leobenva de Ressads, LiontrOoked vas dew
Bonk and Chionell. Beystenr, es Owdal
Pasco ca sod nes marled dm. dr
*tee sad= r Bewley, titElmt=r.
Attar a try of needy shift bore the to
boo, and ba dr aborts it
Royel aiNaded by
kis rafts, WI ratob's Hotel kr Maim Cris la • Tien to
bee M*ty.

A Cabinet Council was held on Saturday at
the official residence of the First Lord of the
Treasury, is Downing-street. The ministers present
were :—Visconnt Palmerston, the Lord Chancellor,
Earl Granville, the Duke of Argyll, Sir G. Cam-
eral] Lewis, Lard John Rases% the Duke of New-
eagle, the Right Hon. Sidney Herbert, Sir Chinks
Wood, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Duke
of Somerset, the Right Hon. T. Miner Gibson, Sir
George Grey, the Earl of Elgin, the Right Hon.
C. P. Villiers, and the Right Hon. E. CArdwall.

Y. Marsuale Mewllasi hod ea titanium with Lord ;ohs
Rome ea Saturday, at the Perstga-odos.
A depatatka of erelowiws bad as fawn*, re Saturday
with Sir G. C. Lewis, at the is the marpott
the attention of the CV ef Lefties seal . The
Sea cessietwl of Mr. MI/helms Weed, Mr. mumps, Mr.
137 a in Mr. Penner, Mr. P. Sad* Mr. UM" Mr. I. W.
Dr. Ridley, M.P.. Mr. berm, M.P., Mr. Jeremy
KZ., Mr. Headier, M.P., Mr.& Prater, M.P., Mr. A.
Y.P. Mr. Arias, M.P., wed Mr. Dursmcat. M.P.
Dualop hod is bderviaw with the Dube of
Names& is Saturday, at the Coludebelioe.
Lord John Russell left tows ea Saturday for Windsor
Cook, ma a visit to the Qom

Vier: or THE Puma or Ousros.—The lilt
dramatis piskauwaos fee lido year at ifialsor Castle was
parsed, lasted of Whist plese ill Wed•saatey, sa pre-
viously 'lmaged. This was, deahthess, to give the Prince
of Orange an opporttudty of wag sews el the dramatic
talent at present on the ingiki stage. Tha Prince of
Orange la la his twentisth year, end holds commissions both
is the army and navy of Holism& The Prlnos and ell his
family ere Protestant. Durbg the few days of the Prince of
Orange's vidt, Windsor Castle will be the scene of brilliant
hospitality. Her Maiesty will be attended by a feller Court
than anal. The Dares= of Hathasiand, Metres@ of lb.
Hobos, will, it is expeetwi, be resident at the made daring
ties whole time, sad sash of the great dicers of the home-
hold nal be present he tarn while the young Prince
remains. The Primus of Wales will Oxford on Mon-
day or Tuesday to pay a coesplknatery visit to the Priam
of Orange daring his sojourn at Wisdom Nagle. Thema
Palmerston and Lord John Hassell will, it is .:panted, be
honoured with lavitations to most the Quotes illastrions
inset.

THEATRICALS AT WINDSOR CASTLl.—Anotbat
grand theatrical performance will take Owe la St. Georges
HMI, Windsor Cutts, on Tuesday ant. The Lay of
Lyons hes been seleond for the first pkcm and the orchestra
will be oomposed of the imembers of bar Majesty's private
bead. A lame number of the mobility end patty, in addi-
tion to the royal visitors and salts, will to present. The
festivities at the castle during the present week will be as a
male of unusual megailicenes, fa honour of the fllnstrlome
guests who ere sow Mettle, her Majesty.
_ _

Hie Excellency the .iabaseailorof France and the
Coma= da Peruloy astertmlned a 'sleet thole at &mar
last liming at Albsrt-gala Hoeft.

Hi. Rim Honey besot Lavradio pro s grand
Maur at the Portamseat Laotian is oleseseeee-plies as
Isterday evening, It essitiissa to the Late BMA Misietra
►t the Court of Lisbon, Mr. H. F. Howard, who bee bees
restored to the Court of ilagemr. Come went Laid for
eighteen, the eirele oteeprieley the Assaf= Mishear, the
Spanish Lillabter, the Saws Maslow, the Pistils' Insider,
the Orsek YisYtr, the Ittspatikts Misister, the Haws
Towle Yislear, the Demish Merit d'Affaires, the Austrien
Cemetery of Legatioe, Lord Wodehosaa, his Eseelleaay Mr.
H. F. Howard, the Marquis do Sousa, Yr. Henry Petro,
Mr. Alfred Pear, Chevalier Garrorio, Cbovollar J. G. do
Oliveira da Silva, sad Count Theater.

The Marquis and Ms:obis:mese el Abercorn have
left Chester&ll Howe for Bracket Hell.

Tea Earl and Countess of Derby will leave town
twiny es s visit to her Ilejesty st Windsor Gale, sod will
MIIIIIIIII wadi Wednesday.

The Earl of Wilton boo loft Grosvenor-square for
Melon !lowboy.

The Earl and Countess of Airlie have arrived at
their esidince In Bidesley-aqui», from Conaohy Cast's.

TM Counties Granville is gradually improving in
bashia. The ecoaabre wtd matins. at Brigluce.

Vfoooantar Palmerston has ii.nad iarda for arms-
biles ea Wedheetleye the lit and Bth of wit smooth.

Pleasant Bandon, M.P., has arrived at the Earl of
liarroerbi's residence, in Grosvenor-square, from Soidcra

Hail, Suits&him

Lind Ashbartoe by left Beth House, for the
Grew, Haste.

The nuptials of Lady Mary Bonverie and the Hon.
T. Wilde, Q.C., will be solmaised at Loweford Camas, Wilts,
owe of the rata of the Mari of Radeor.

Lady Williams (widow of the late judge) and the
Ron. We. Ilketigemetie heye taken • home on the Rut
OK Betides.

Tim address of the Roman oatholica was forwarded
to Lard PaMentes, Omagh the halide et Lord Bellew, on
Friday. Tim Dublin lessiss Awl sates that the document
ben the eignaeme of eight pears, for arm of peers, three
privy consaillare, seven borne% eighteen members of par-
Unbent, and 295 deputy-lieutenants, justices of the poses,
loaded proprietors, dc.

At the meeting of members of the Royal Institu-
tion as Friday evening Prbfamor Owen delivered a ISONZO
on the cerebral development of mammals.

The Nomads &reside says :—" Mr. John Mee.
my areeisy. who INS compelled to retirefrest the Testae*
three years no, Itss liquidated his !Wiliam its full by the
sale of the Reggsrstone estates, io Northumberland, of yid*
he became pasessesd ca the death of his mother, Lady
Stanley."

The Great Eastern is sow in charge of Mr. Lett,
the wend Prose, the chief allow, haying Wt
the gip sins she was laid op at liostheaspeetst

On Thursday last Lord Cowley haatad with the
Emperor Napoleon In the forest of Fontainebleau.

ha Pose states that the lion. Henry Nogg,
ctor Waiter Plenipotentiary at Naples, is ecejsae•
Wow with Banta Bressler, who ritiwowate Feasts at the maw
court, have each ricolved laatrootlese to drew the sarasha
of the King of Naples ea& hie avian to the political
Auer which ban lately Whoa place la the hallos pada.
sala, and which champs son troostallly &Sot Ihs kiegias
over 'AM Pisa* 11. his erairsestl a very sappoier
Nig;

THE EXPRESS, MONDAY E ' . -6 • Gi, JANUARY
lof the trifling "4" enimitserc". prissy '•lvs cm antriesigit gbr el ourt. ,
impart/m*li • sr' ton •ien •
,* Ch ides Si,"
aleurilifil
....... ___
els institalliel • t Canon Woielsouer to t &shots, 1141,t
ival, • wntDBoB. cke„fix, 'As. 28.
mos* mikalleistif the ORW/Cp SILL these:raw the one
addition to the royal dinner party
le of a liberal tips. ' Publietti 'induced klm to continuo In the exert ministry .
mils that shock the tender to the present time. BM he admits t the course railwas
The QY. and Prince Consort walked in the Home Park
wed the Misted taste of sickly he took was never very satisfactory to him, and we th,„ „,„,,,Ang.
meals them, and a full know- ask attend= to the reascia he gives —" It appeared ribose Alias Prisms Hello+, and Prisms 14166 rod°
--'
.2 • . l 1_