The Express.
London, England, 1867-08-17 00:00:00

to the house he found that, whateverhe might think dike
matter the Home Secretarymnat vote for household suffrage.
Reform carried, he would, however, make amends by in-
venting a new crime, and taking summary powers to clear
the parks of anti-ministerial politicians gathering there to
protest or to petition. Mr. Gladstone, forbearingly but
firmly, deprecated illconsidered legislation. But Mr.
Hardy was hot, and must have his innings. The malcon-
tents behind him, whom he had helped to coax into sub-
mitting to the hard lines of liberalism laid down for them
by Mr. Disraeli, panted for this poor mouthful of moon-
shine which had been promised them. Ere parting coin.
pany at the end of the session, they would at least take
care to put • new lock on the park gates and give Mr. Hardy
the key. Where are now the lock and key? asks the Examiner.
The Saturday Review observes that it took the Lords
but a very short time on Monday night to oome to an lir -
derstanding with the Lower House on the Reform Bill.
Lord Derby, who had to ask the Lords to acquiesce in the
rejection of all their amendments except the one of which
he personally disapproved, indulged in the fugitive plea-
sure of pointing out that the Commons had given veil
bad reasons for the course they had taken. But, as Lord
Derby justly said, there was one argument on behalf of the
Commons which outweighed every other. The vote to
which hs most objected on the ground of mere reasoning
had been carried by a majority of 47. What is reason, or
policy, or equity against • majority of 47? Above
,all things he was glad to be rid of the absurd
proceeding of • conference. Lord Stanhope did
indeed suggest that something might have been done to
conciliate the Commons, and that, if a conference had
been arranged, a concession might have been made, and
the Lords might have forborne the glorious privilege of
sitting in their hats on one of the hottest days of August.
But what would have been the use of a oonference ? In old
days, a conference was of use, because the two houses
really exercised co-ordinate power, and even the h►ts of
the Lords meant something, for the equality of the Com-
mons was scarcely established. But now why should those
who must yield invite a useless discourse or sermon from
those who govern ? The majority of 47 is the argument
that prevails—the one conclusion and settlement of the
affair. Forms in England long survive realities, but at
last even forms disappear, and the day comes when the
leader of the Peers proclaims a conference • farce in the
face of a majority of 47. This, like the Reform Bill itself,
is the symbol of a revolution.

In an article on the " Rouse of Lords " the Saturday
Review says the tenure of land, which lies at the very root
of an hereditary peerage, will be one of the not objects of
attack in a reformed parliament. The people of England
are fortunately slow in approving changes of form, and the
House of Lords may probably continue to perform its
function, and await the possibilities of the future. If its
leaders wish to precipitate its fall, they will borrow the
policy of Mr. Disraeli, by allying their order with the
peasantry and rabble against their natural supporters in
the educated and comfortable dames. Lord Shaftesbury's
speech on the Reform Bill contained the most significant
warning which has ever been addressed to an endangered
aristocracy.

Mr. Hardy fought stoutly for the Parks Regulation Bill,
says the Spectator, and had a majority of two to one at his
back ; but the more extreme liberals were resolved that
it should not pass. They talked on Tuesday for a whole
sitting, and though Mr. Hardy gave up part of him measure,
leaving the ranger to prohibit meetings, instead of pro-
hibiting them directly, they threatened on Thursday to
go on talking till Christmas. With comical shrewdness
they put up Mr. Whalley, among others, which, as they
doubtless expected, proved too much for human nature under
a temperature of 94 degrees. Mr. Hardy took a division to
save his dignity, and then, victorious, withdrew his bill.
He is right. London may want a lesson, as he probably
thinks, but be had better delegate the task to the house-
holder parliament, which will not be suspected of dis-
criminating between " white" and " horny" hands, but
will blister both impartially.
The Chronicle considers that few liberals can doubt that
the great constitutional change which has thus been
effected is on the whole beneficial. That it has been
marred by the cynical immorality and administrative in-
competence of the government, and by the ignorance,
selfishness, and cowardice of the majority of the House of
Commons, is the judgment of all scientific politicans, and
will be the final verdict of history. Prematurely lavish
concessions have gone hand in hand with niggardly re-
serves and economical recklessness ; and even the substan-
tial benefits which the bill confers have been granted in
the scarcely concealed hope that they will be found capable
of perversion.

Tt is more than probable (remarks the Army
and Nary Gaulle) that her Majesty will be advised to
act upon the recommendation to mercy in the case of
Captain Jervis so tar as to permit that oftker to retire
upon half-pay.

Lord Hastings, son of tho Earl of Huntingdon,
has (says the Dublin correspondent of the Times) strength.
ened the ties which bind him to this country by • matri-
monial alliance with a daughter of the soil, Mary Ann
Wilmot, only child of the Hon. Colonel and Mrs. West.
enra, of Shanavogne, King's county. The ceremony was
performed yesterday (Thursday) in presence of a distin-
guished assembly at Ettagh Church, Roscres. There was
of course • splendid (keener and a ball in the evening.
DEATH Or SIN JOHN IId`TAOGART, BART.—The
death of Sir John brTaggart, Bart, took place on Tues..
I day last, at Hardwell House, near Stranraer, Wigtonshire.
The late Sir John was the eldest eon of the late Mr. John
M'Teggart, of Ardwell, by the daughter of Mr. John Dean,
of St. Albans, Herts. Ho was born 15th March, 1789,
married in 1811 Susannah, daughter of the late Mr. John
Kyiner, of Streatham, Surrey, who died in 1884, and by
whom he leaves two daughters. The deceased baronet was
a liberal in politics, and bad represented the Wigton
trict of burghs in the House of Commons from 1835 to
1857. He was also a magistrate and deputy lieutenant for
that county. The late Sir John was created • baronet in
1841, on the recommendation of Viscount Melbourne, then
Prime Minister.

With a view to obviate the unpleasant compli-
cations which take place regarding the promotions in src-
oession to officers who, having sent in their papers to retire,
have died before the day on which they are gasetted out,
Sir John Pakington has, says the Army and Nary Gazette,
come to the determination of rigidly adhering to a rule by
which all officers who die within six weeks of the receipt
of their application for permission to sell out shall be
treated as if they had died in the service, and the steps in
succession shall be given withoutyurchase.
TRE NEW LAW ON THE PROROGATION OP PAR-
wain-L—Yerterday the act of parliament to simplify the
forms of prorogation during the recess wee itaned. The
Queen is now empowered to {nue a proclamation, which is
to be deemed a full and sufficient notice to all persons,
and parliament is to stand prorogued to the day men-
tioned, notwithstanding any former law, urge, or practice
to the contrary. The new law is not to apply to a proro-
gation at the close of the session, but will be enforced at
the next prorogation after the forthcoming ceremony, when
the royal speech is delivered.
BRITISH Porrs.—ln the annual return presented
to parliament by the Commissioners of Customs, it is found
that the groan annual amount of Customs duties collected
during the year 11466 has increased very considerably at
Bristol, Hull, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle, Newport,
Plymouth, Southampton, Glasgow, Greenock, Leith, Cork,
Dublin, and Londonderry. In the great majority of in-
stances this inerame is due to the establishment or extension
of sugar refineries, the duties connected with this trade
alone amounting to 66,000/. at Bristol and 35,000/. at Dub-
lin. At Cork and Newcastle the increase is chiefly doe to
tobacco, and at Manchester there is an increase of 17,8001.
in wines and spirits. South Shields was made an indepen-
dent port in October, 1865, and no correct comparisons as
to increase can therefore be made. The chief amounts of
decrease in customs duties are observable at Brad-
ford, Exeter, Folkestone, Gloucester, Grimsby, Hartle-
pool, Lowestoft, Preston, Rochester, Sunderland, Wis-
bech, Aberdeen, Dundee, Grangemouth, Montrose, Bel-
fast, and Dundalk, and in most of these cases the decline
is due to the abolition of duty on timber. There is an
item of increase at Swansea, amounting to 1,0t71., caused
by " the large consumption of brandy that took place
during the prevalence of cholera," and one of decrease in
rum at Whitby, " British spirits having become the
favourite stimulant."

DIOCIGSE OF EXETER AND CHURCH PATRONAGE.
—The Bishop of Exeter has sent the following statement
to the clergy of his diocese, through the rural deans, in
consequence of a misstatement which has appeared in
some of the local papers :—" I have nut made any intima-
tion of my intention to rain a question in the courts of
law (on clerical patrons), for there is already • known and
admitted maxim that no patron of • living, being in holy
orders, eon in any way require • bishop to institute him
to the benefice. though be may petition him to do it.
Compliance with that petition rests on the mere discretion
of the bishop, and my intimation to my clergy does no
more than inform them of the manner in which I shall
exercise that discretion. Such a course has been rendered
necessary by an increased and increasing practice which
is very injurious to the rights and pros!,ects of the un-
beneficed clergy, and I have thus made it the rule of my
diocese, during the short continuance of my incumbency,
in the hope that it mny be followed by my successor.
My intimation was that I shall not accept any nomination
of • clerical patron of himself to a living, unless the
patronage has accrued to him by gift or succession."

Iritt Court.

OSBORNE, Munn 16.

Tho Queen, accompanied by Princess Louise,
and attended by Lady Waterpark, drove to St. Clair
yesterday afternoon, and honoured Colonel and Lady
Catherine Vernon Harcourt with a visit. Major-General
F. H. Seymour was in attendance upon horseback.
Her Majesty and Princess Louise walked in the grounds
this morning.
Prince Leopold and Princess Beatrice also walked out.
The Earl and Countess of Hardwieke have left Osborne.

A Cabinet Council was held yesterday at the
official residence of the First Lord of the Trea-
sury, in Downing-street. The Ministers pre-
sent were the Earl of Derby, the Lord Chancellor,
the Duke of Marlborough, the Earl of Malmesbury,
the Right Hon. Gathorne Hardy, Lord Stanley,
the Duke of Buckingham and Chandos, Sir John
Pakington, Sir S. Northoote, the Chancellor of the
Exchequer, the Right Hon. H. T. L Corry, the
Duke of Richmond, Lord J. Manners, and the
Right Hon. S. H. Walpole.

A Committee of the Lords of her Majesty's Most Ho-
nourable Privy Council sat yesterday at the Privy Council.
office, Whitehall, on the subject of the cattle plague. The
Lords present were the Lord President and Lord Robert
Montagu.
Despatches were received yesterday at the Colonial-
office from the Governors of the West India Islands, Bri-
tish Honduras, British Columbia, Bermuda, and Gibraltar.
Despatches were sent to the Governors of the West India
Islands, British Honduras, and British Columbia.

DEPARTURE OF THE PRINCE AND PRINCESS
OF WALES FOR THE CONTINENT. - (THIS
DAY.)

At 10 minutes to 1 this afternoon their royal
highnesses the Prince and Prinoeu of Wales left Marl-
borough House by the garden entrance, on their way to
Woolwich, where they embark this afternoon for the
Continent, the royal yacht Osborne having been
selected for the conveyance ofj the illustrious party.
The Prince and Princess rode in an open carriage
drawn by four horses, with postilions and outriders in
dark livery. As they proceeded along the Mall through
the Horse-guards gates, and thanes across Westminster-
bridge, the cheering of the people was cordial and frequent;
and the warm greeting thus accorded was graciously and
repeatedly acknowledged by the Princess of Wales, who,
though somewhat pale, appeared in excellent opirita. The
royal children preceded the Prince and Princess by nearly
an hour, having left Marlborough House in a carriage-and-
four at 12 o'clock for Woolwich. It is said that their
royal highnesses will visit Wiesbaden and remain abroad
shout two months.

ARRIVAL OF THE KING OF THE GREEKS.

(THIS DAY.)

At a quarter to 7 this morning, his Royal High-
ness the Prince of Wales, accompanied by Captain
Ellis, left Marlborough House and proceeded to the
Charing-cross railway terminus to meet the King of the
Greeks. The King travelled from Dover by the mail-
train, and on his arrival in London the Prince of Wales
conducted him to his carriage, and rode with him to Marl-
borough House. Captain Ellis, tcgether with so me of
the King's suite, occupied a separate carriage on the
return to Pall-mall. After a long interview with the
Princess (his sister) the King left Marlborough House at
a quarter past 10 for the Nine Elms station, en route to
Osborne, the Prince of Wales accompanying him to the
railway.

THE Qrares Rirroiew To WINDSOR.—Her
Majesty the Queen, with their Royal Highnesses Princesses
Louise and Beatrice and Prince Leopold, attended by the
ladies and gentlemen of the suite, will, according to the
latest arrangements, leave Osborne on Monday afternoon
after luncheon and cross to tbo main land in the royal
yacht. The Queen will disembark at the Clarence Vic-
tualling Yard, Gosport, where a special train provided by
the directors of the London and South Western Railway
will be in readiness, under the care of Mr. W. Godson,
traffic superintendent of the line. Her Majesty will leave
Gosport at 3.50 pm., and proceed to the Basingstoke
Junction of the Great Western line, which will be made
at 5 o'clock. Mr. J. Grierson, general manager of the
latter line, will t►ke charge of the royal train to Windsor,
rid Reading and Taplow. The royal borough will be
reached shortly after 5 o'clock. Her Majesty leaves the
Castle at 10 o'clock on Tuesday night for Scotland.
THE PRINCE OF WALES AT SANDRINGH/Lll.—The
Prince of Wales has this week paid • flying visit to his
West Norfolk estate prior to his departure for Germany.
New wings are now being added to Sandringham-hall, and
commodious farm premises ere also being erected for the
royal home farm. The terrace running parallel to the
west front of the ball is being enlarged and improved, and
various matters of detail are also being attended to with a
view to the general improvement of the royal estate.

The Prince of Wales, attended by Captain
Ellis, attended the ooncert at Covent-garden Theatre last
evening.
TH E Du li E or NORTH u atawaxn. —The venerable
Duke of Northumberland is extremely ill at Alnwick
Castle, and in consequence of his great age his illness is
causing much anxiety to his family. The Earl and Countess
Percy, Lady Louie,. Percy, aad other members of the
Percy family are staying at Alnwick Castle with the
venerable duke. The marriage of the Hon. Mr. Littleton,
eldest son of Lord and Lady Hatherton, and Bliss Romilly
is postponed in consequence of the illness of the Duke of
Northumberland. The marriage had been appointed to take
place on Thursday last. According to a telegram received
from Alnwick Castle yesterday afternoon the Duke was
considered a shade better. He is, however, not out of
danger.
The Duke and Duchess of Cleveland and Miss
Primrose have arrived at Raby Castle, Durham, from
Battle Abbey, the duke's seat near Hastings.
The Duchess of Montrose has returned home
from a abort visit to Homburg.

The Earl and Countess of Derby aro expected to
leave town on Thursday next for Knowsley.
The Earl and Countess Amherst and Ladies
Amherst have left their residence in Grosvenor-square, for
Montreal, near Bevel:maks.
The Earl and Countess Fitzwilliam and Ladies
Fitzwilliam arrived at Coollatin, county Wicklow, on
Tuesday last, from London, with the intention of residing
there about two months.

The Earl of Dartmouth has joined the Countess
and Ladies Legge at Carlsbad.

Lord and Lady Huntingfield have left the St.
George's Hotel.

Lord Henry Percy, who, after accompanying the
Earl Vane's mission to St. Petersburg to assist at the in-
vestiture of the Emperor of Russia with the Order of the
Garter, went to Paris, arrived in town yesterday evening
from the Continent, in consequence of the serious ill's'ss
of his venerable father.

The Hon. Mrs. Russell Barrington and Miss
Vanier have arrived at St. George's Hotel.
Sir William Martin and Colonel and Mrs.
Latham have arrived at the Oatlands Park Hotel,
Walton-on-Thames.

Mr. Baillie Cochrane, M.P., and Mrs. Baillie
Cochrane have left town for Lamington, Lanarkshire.
Lord Willoughby d'Ereeby has arrived in town
from Grimethorpe to attend his duties as Lord Great
Chamberlain at the prorogation.

DEATH OF LORD DIINEELLIN.—We have to an-
nounce the death yesterday morning of Lord Dunkellin,
M.P. for Galway county. He was elected for that con-
stituency at the general election in 1865, previous to
which be eat for eight jeers as a member for the borough
of Galway. He wee the eldest son of the Marquis of
Clanricarde, by the only daughter of the Right Hon.
George Canning and Viscountess Canning. He was con-
sequently the grandson of the great minister of that name.
Lord Dunkellin was born in St. James's-square in 1827,
thus being only 40 years of ape, and was unmarried. He
was appointed captain and lieutenant-colonel in the
Coldstream Guards in 1854 ; was aide-de-camp to the
Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland from 1846-52 ; appointed State
Steward to the mime in January, 165.3 ; and military
secretary to the Governor-General of India, 1858. He
served in the Crimean campaigns, was present at the battle
of the Alma, and was taken prisoner before Sebastopol in
October. 1854. Deceased was in politics an Adullamite,
being one of the meat prominent members of that party,
and it wee he who moved the amendment on the Reform
Bill of 184;6, which being carried caused the resignation
of the Russell administration.