The Express.
London, England, 1856-07-09 00:00:00

LONDON, WEDNASD4Y, JULY 9.

As Mr. WILSON has now introduced the Appro-
priation of Supply Bill, the Session cannot, we pre-
sume, last much longer i though how it fa to be
wound up by the day the organ of the Treasury sub-
ordinates has fixed—viz., the 24th inst.—is not very
apparent. However, we suppose Mr. BATTIK knows
what he is about, and the near approach of the time
he has thus indirectly announced for the prorogation
makes us more anxious than we were before about
the measure for providing pensions to Dr. Btom.
FIELD and Dr. MALTBY on their resignation of the
sees of London and Durham, which Lord PALMER..
Brow, in reply to Mr. OrtEcsow, stated some ten
days ago be intended to introduce. We admit that
as yet Lord PALBEBBTON has not had an available
moment in which to bring forward the Bill; and if
the measure be referred to is one of a plain and simple
character, limited to the oases of these two Prelates, and
be not mixed up with other questions of grave and
serious policy, there will no doubt be time enough to
have it passed into a law before the Quaint prorogues '
the melon. But there are so many and such per-
verse influences always at work on ecclesiastical sub-
jects that we should, we own, like to see the bill laid
on the table of ass or other House of Parliament
without any further delay.

A local paper indeed insinuates, or suggests, that
Dr. MALTBY is not pupated to resign duties and
functions which he has long ceased to perform. We
can hardly think so ill of the Bishop of Donnas
as to suppose he would prolong his incumbency
of that diocese it the face of an Act which would
practically amount to a declaration of his incapacity,
and to an invitation to him to retire. We are also
rather disposed to doubt the accuracy of the sugges-
tion made es Dr. MALTBY'S behalf, for some time ago
it was openly stated by his friends that he was de-
sirous of laying down the troublesome mitre; and
though it was subsequently added that episcopal
influence had induced him to withdraw the desire he
had expressed, the very fact that he once contem-
plated such a step is, considering his great age and
infirmities, as admission of incapacity amply 'efficient
to provide him with a reseal for carrying out his
own wiser and better wish. The Act once obtained,
any hesitation by Dr. MALTBY to give the diocese of
baths= and the Church of England the benefit of
its provisions would bring to a crisis the far higher
question of oompulsory resignation of incapacitated
Bishops. As no corresponding hesitation has been ex-
premed on behalf of the Bishop of LONDON since Lord
Fauna/rotes announognent, we may, we suppose,
fairly assume—ace from a knowledge of his character
we had anticipated would be the ass—that Dr.
BLOYFIELD will retire from the see of London on a
proper and sufficient pension being provided for hint.
Rumour, however, alleges that one cause of the
delay is the question of • division of the present see
of London into two dioceses—London and West-
minster; and that a serious effort will be made to
prevail upon Lord PautsISTON to introduce a bill to
effect that object, along with the measure which
be has promised. We hope that nothing of the
sort will be attempted. The division of the
see of Loudon is far too large a question to raise
without pones within a fortnight or three weeks
of the prorogation of the session ; and any attempt
to raise it will involve the question of re-
signation and pension in a casuistical contro-
versy which in all probability will continue
for other six or eight months Dr. BLONSIRLD and
Dr. MALTBY on episcopal thrones for which they
have unfortunately become unfit. Some of those who
are most urgent for taking the present opportunity
of dividing the see are, it is notorious, desirous to
keep matters as they sow stand for the present, until
they can get the subject brought before Convocation,
and, having got an opinion from it, to parade it be-
fore the Queues Ministers and the Legislature as
the Church's judgment and wishes. In this way they
hope to introduce the principle of consulting Convoca-
tion on all ecclesiastical questions on which legislation
Ungraded, and of making the proceedings in Cony°.
cation the foundation of Imperial legislation. The
advice et such men—of men who aim at securing for
the Church and Convocation an existence sepa-
rate from and independent of the Btate—ought to be
most studiously eschewed by Lad PALIIIRSTON.
If, indeed, Lord PALMERSTON can only be
preserved from or can withstand the political in-
flame* which these men can brie, to bear upon
him, there is little fear of his giving way to
their ecclesiastical schemes; for Lord Pauturrou is
far too worldly and material • statesman not to
know and appreciate the dagger of yielding sae jot
to sacerdotal pretensions. But then Lord PALSIES.
STOWS weak point as a Minister is, that, to secure
political support, be will sacrifice principles; and,
that being the case, we can never feel very secure
as to what he will or will not do. However, the ten-
dency of things at present is to threw him more and
morose the Liberal pasty for support, and there is
same safeguard in that.

A division of the me of Logdon is, we admit,
a proposition on which Liberals may differ in °Onion,
bat the division is not the question just new. - It Is
whether there is either time or opportunity for sow&
tiering that subject in the present session. Oa that we
should think there can be no differ's°, of oriole's.
But, if the question of the division ought not to be
raised, ought we to have the Bill for presiding a
retiring pension for Dr. BLONFIELD, and so securing
his resignation, delayed by raising it prematurely ?
Most assuredly not. Let us obtain that rrsignatlou•
That is our first point. We have a Bishop who is
incapacitated, and who is desires. of resigning. By
all means let us give him the opportunity. By doing
so, we shall at all omits be able to substitute an
eflicieut prelate for one whose infirmities have
rendered him ioefliciest; and so far be in a better
position than that in which we are now plated.
There can, however, be no possible objection to treat-
log the question of a division of the diocese as an
open one, to be hereafter discussed and decided.
Meanwhile, Dr. BLOXYIELD'II immediate sue-
censor weld be appointed, subject in all respects,
as to duties, territorial jurisdiction, residences,
patronage and income, to such legislation as Pulia-
meat might hereafter determine on. But &net at
the fag end of the &eerie., when all meta are tired
out bat Bit J&nxs GRAHAM. who rises in viper u
the session mess and other members fall behind, mix
up a difficult and a complex question with' a simple
and easy one, and jeopardise as immediate public good
for the make of a very doubtful propositioe. That
would indeed be to play the Bishop of OiroaD's
paw.

Without attaaspting at mint to go into the sub-
jast of a division of the me of London, and oven