The Express.
London, England, 1867-03-13 00:00:00

CLZIICAL VERTNENTS AND THE ZTATE.

Lord Shaftesbury's new bill is described by the Times
as equivalent to a parliamentary edict regulating thedreu
of the ministering clergy, but our contemporary cannot
imagine the legislature of this great empire prescribing by
special enactment the vestments to be worn by the offi-
ciating ministers, and those the ministers of only one out
of the many religious communions in this country. The
matter is one, not for direct legislation, but for ordinance
and regulation—that is for orders and bylaws ; and if par-
liament is to do anything at all in the matter, it can only
be by the appointment of a body—say a portion of the
bench itself—which, subject to the approval of govern-
ment and of parliament, might from time to time make
orders in this matter, with means of summary enforce-
ment.

The Standard looks for an active campaign against the
ritualists both in parliament and in the law courts, and
regrets that this mode of settling the dispute is resorted
to. It asks why those who disapprove of florid services
and gorgeous vestments and lights do not confine them-
selves to the ugly churches and the frigid services. There
is room for both, and it seems rather too hard
that all the engines of repression should be put
in force against those who sin in the way of
an almost Chinese exactness in regard to the rubric.
As to Lord Shaftesbury's bill, it is not an appeal to the
law, but a proposal to alter it. The Bishop of London's
contention is, that the incumbent of St. Alban's, Holborn,
has violated the law in wearing the vestments; but here
we have Lord Shaftesbury assuming that the law sanc-
tions them, because he is obliged to ask parliament to
alter the law in order to make them illegal. The bishop
appeals to the law as against vestments ; Lord Shaftesbury
wants to alter it as being in their f►vour. Both c►nnot be
right.

Porsricar. Marruras.—Yesterday Colonel 'Tay-
lor, M.P., addressed the following circular to the sup-
porters of the government :—" I am requested by Lord
Derby to ask the favour of your meeting him at 10, Down-
ing-street, on Friday, the 15th instant, at two o'clock."

•
The aid says that Mr. Pownall, the chairman of
the Middlesex Quarter Sessions, is to receive the honour
of knighthood from her Majesty.
MR. CLAY ON HOUSEHOLD Sr FFRAGE.—At a
meeting of the South Myton Reform Association, held on
Monday night,tbe secretary (Mr. Newton) read the follow-
ing letter from Mr. Clay, M.P. for Hull :—" March 8,1867.
—My dear Mr. Newton,—Many months back I gave m
opinion publicly in Hull that household suffrage, which
I have consistently advocated for the last thirty years,
would very probably be the proposal of the government.
There is strong indication that I shall be right in my con-
jecture ; but whether we are to have the new franchise
with or without counterpoises—as it is the fashion to call
them—l have no means of knowing. General Peel very
well summed up the value of these counterpoises when
be said that, if good in themselves, they would stand ; if
not, they are worthless, and would go any way. My
opinion is that household suffrage is too good an offer to
be refused, by whomsoever made. What could the liberal
party offer better? The propped once made, the country
would not take leas 11111 no one would offer more. We
must also remember that the tory party, in opposition,
are scarcely likely to concede as much to us as when in
power. I must, however, having given you my present
ideas, reserve to myself perfect freedom of action. You
are ise not to hold your meeting until the government
bill is public property. Strong resolutions in perfect
ignorance of the intentions of ministers are mere time
waited.—Yours very truly, Jima, CLAY."